WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2597, 20 October 1915, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR.

(By Imogen.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Wanganui Women's Work for the Soldiers. Wanganui, like many other places all over New Zealand, has been working most diligently for tlie good of the soldiers at the front and also for those who are lying wounded in hospitals, and the following details of what has been accomplished since May will provide some interesting reading. A correspondent, who has been in tho closest toueh with the work, and has liad a great deal to do with its organisation, writes tiiat on May 24 the Women's Political Iloform League-de-cided to form weekly sewing bees to make necessary comforts for the wounded. A small room was secured, and with the aid of donations in money from members of the party a good start was made, and a splendid caso of goods was consigned to Cairo, after having been on view to tho Wanganui public. Last week tho league had the satisfaction of receiving a cable from Captain Watson, to whose care it was sent, acknowledging receipt of the goods and expressing the greatest appreciation of the gifts. Nearly £100 was sent in material alone, besides a large quantity of knitting, and various comforts, including cigarettes, sweets, pipes, etc., that were given, and which would bo very welcome to the soldiers. Six weeks elapsed between tho beginning and the ending of this case of goods. By the ond of that tiino it was felt that the work could be organised and carried out 011 more extended lines, so a general meeting was called and the Wanganui Military Hospital Guild was formed, with tho Mayoress, Mrs. 0. E. Mackay, as president, Mrs. W. A. Veitcli (wife of the member for Wanganui) vice-prosident, and a committee in which wero included some of the members of the Women's Political lleform League. It was really a coalition party in itself. Funds were, of course, the most important thing (our correspondent goes on to say), and a Flower Day was organised which realised £148. Later on a lecture and an entertainment materially assisted the finances. . Workers increased, and Wednesday (market day) was made sewingbee day with the result that country people came regularly to take and bring away with them work for the soldiers. Larger quarters wero secured for the housing of the guild, M'Gruer and Co., drapers, placing a room at its disposal,- and on every Wednesday a band of workers, never less than fifteen and sometim'es as large as forty, work, with the assistance of eight sewing machines. The whole thing has grown until , tho cutting out means a big undertaking, and the secretary, Mrs. Suisted, has been very glad to accept the offer of two tailors who go to the room twice a week and cut. Needless to say, the secretary lias an exceedingly strenous time supervising tho operations of tho guild, which is now supplying material (cut out) to throe other sewing bees in the suburbs. On September 2, two very fine cases of goods were forwarded to Wellington for transport to Chaplain-Captain Greon (Alexandria), and another is almost ready to send away. Up to tho present the guild has handled closo upon £300, and it has tlie satisfaction of knowing that the amount has been raised by special effort for its fund or in contributions from those who recognised the good work it was doing. At the last display of goods which was held before packing, £50 was raised or close upon it; and according to the statement of some returned Wanganui wounded soldiers everything that was mado was needed at the front. It was found that- these displays of goods for the soldiers are very beneficial, as many women obtain from them a practical illustration of tho needs and the work, and much more interest and enthusiasm is creatcd, making more women anxious to do their share. Tlie school children also lvave been sending along their work, and the amount of knitting done is marvellous, so our correspondent- state?. Every pocket and sock is filled with as many comforts as possible, including chocolate, cigarettes, handkerchiefs, writing paper, etc.. pipes, tobacco, .iiid also a- personal letter. It was felt that nothing,was too good to send away for the men who have been fighting so bravely at tlie front, though sometimes tlie members of the guild, working at

high pressure.and in close touch with details, could not help suffering from great depression as the wounded nien returned to their midst, and most ardently they long for an honourable peace. Trentham Military Hospital. The opening of tlie Wairarapa Ward of the Trentham Military Hospital by His Excellency tlie_ Governor yesterday afternoon was an interesting occasion, and gave yet another practical illustration of the way in which the Wairarapa. has faced the needs of the time. tno congratulations of His Excellency upon the expeditious way in which the work had been carried out were well deserved, since it was in the builder's hands for So short a 'time. The circular plan on ivhicli the -ward is built (similar to that of the Tea Kiosk at Trentham) and tho arrangements generally mot With IllllCtl approval from those present, whilo the patch of native hush winch was quite close to tho hospital should dolignt the eyes of the patients. Her Excellency tiio Countess of Liverpool accompanied His Excellency, and in addition thero were present the Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Sirs. Massev, Mrs. Gow, Miss Massev. Sir Joseph A\ard and Lady Ward, General Henderson. Dr. \ alentine, the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke), and several members of the Citizens Military Hospital Guild, as well as Dr. Platts-Mills. Mrs. M'Vicar and Mr. C. 'M. Luke, of the Hosmtal Board, Mrs. Grace Neill. Miss Maclean (Assistant Inspector of Hospitals), and Miss Inglis. After tlie ceremony and the inspection of the ward everyone was entertained at afternoon tea, which was much appreciated. Mrs. C. Pharazyn returned oil Monday from a visit to Sydney. Mrs. Walter Johnston, who has been visiting Sydney, returned to Wellington oil Monday by the Manuka. Tho Ladies' Visiting Committee of the Now Zealand War Contingent Association lias now 7 established itself in ' offices of its own in the sa-me building as tlie Higli Commissioner, states the "British Australasian" of Sept-ember 2. The staff is occupied in visiting, and arranging for visits to, wounded Jsew Zealanders in hospitals in and about London, and also in making up and dispatching' various necessaries and comforts for our men wherever they may be.

Members of tlie Countess of Liverpool Committee and a band of assistants again journeyed out to Ngahauranga yesterday to contiirae their work in connection with the Christmas puddings for tho soldiers at the front. A large number were prepared, steamed, and packed in the one-pound tins, but the whole of the work is r.ot yet completed. The Mayoress was present during the morning.

Mr. and Mrs. R. Glendining, Dunedin. had their- golden wedding last week. Half a 'century ago, Mr. Glendining, then established in business in Dunedih. journeyed to Melbourne, and was there married to Miss MaryL. Cassels. . .They then returned to New Zealand,' and have been ultimately associated with the life of Dunedin practically ever since. Their family of two sons and two daughters are all grown up, and reside in different parts of tho city.-

For Red Gross bay. At tho meeting which was held in tlio Council Cliambers at the Town Hall on Monday night to further tlio arrangements in conncction with Red Cross Day on Thursday the Mayoress (Mrs. Luke) made a strong appeal for the wounded soldiers on whose behalf tlio call was being made. Very little time had been given them to make their arrangements in, but such a cause most surety spoke for itself. It sometimes happened that an appeal that was sudden in its call met with the best response, and she hoped that it would be so in this case. Mrs. Luke spoke at some length of the splendid work that was being done by the Kcd Cross, but so gigantic was the field of its labours in this titanic struggle that )t needed all the help that we could give it. In addition to the street collection, the salo of flowers could materially assist the results of the day's work, and she hoped that as much as possible would be done in this respect as well, A hearty vote of thanks was passed by the meeting at the conclusion of the Mayoress's speech.

On Thursday (Red Cross Day), in addition to the street collections, there will be sold flowers, sweets, tiny golliwogs as badges, and bunches of parsley, and r<> doubt there will bo many women who will bo glad of the opportunity of buying this very useful herb, which all do not happen to have growing in their gardens. Those who are organising the effort are anxious that Wellington should not lag behind the other centres in this great appeal that is being made fo? the wounded .soldiers who have been fighting for cur safety and freedom.

The managers of -various picture theatres of Wellington were approached on Monday evening by the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke), Mrs. Moorhouse, and Mrs. Waters (representing St. John Ambulance Association), and their assistance asked for Red Cross Day on Thursday. In reply, they have offered to screen "reminders —"Remember, Red Cross Day, Thursday! Remember those who are suffering for you!" every now and again during the time that is loft till Thursday evening, and at the continuous picture theatres recitations will bo given in addition. Tho managers promised to help as much as possible. According to a recent letter which has been received by a Wellington friend, Mr.'and Mrs. Balcombe Brown aro returning to New Zealand by tho Ruapehu, which is due here quite shortly. At the time of writing they had been staying at Albert .Park, Highbury, and had experienced the horrors of a, Zeppelin raid. For two nights they had had to take refuge in a basement, and a considerable amount of destruction had beerk accomplished in their vicinity.' Mr. Rainsford Brown (the. soil of Mr. and Mrs. Balcombe Brown) is now a pilot in the Flying Corps; Mrs. Brown also mentions that one of the two sons of Mrs. Dennis O'Rorke, who had been invalided from the front in Franco oil account of gas, ,was now recovering, and on the point of rejoining his regiment. The other son is also fighting.

The marriage took placo at the Anglican Church, Greymoutli, on Saturday of Miss Gwladys Macandrew, eldest daughter of Dr. and 'Mrs. Macandrew, of Hokitika, to Mr.. Stanley White,-of Wcstport. Mr. White joins the Reinforcements in camp at Trentham this week. '

.. A first-aid class was started at the Homo of Compassion ; Island Bay, last) week, and any ono wishing to becomo a member may do so by applying at the Home this evening at 7.30. This will be the last opportunity of joining, as no more first-aid classes will be formed in that part of the district.

On August 25, at St. John's, Chelsea, by the Rev. Carey Ward, Captain J. Heatly Spencer, R.A.M.C., youngest son of the late Dr. William I. and Mrs. Spencer, of Napier (Now Zealand), was married to Miss Margaret M'lnnes, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Archibald and Mrs. M'lnnes, of Holcombe, Lancashire, states' the "British Australasian."