WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2606, 30 October 1915, Page 10

WOMAN'S WORLD.

I V • | MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR. i '

(By Imoqen.) J

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Military Hospital Guild. Tlio lion, treasurer of tho Military Hospital Guild acknowledges tho following subscriptions Miss Morrali, 10s.; Miss Coatos (October), 10s.; Miss Richardson (Octobcr), 55.; Viscountess Kel-t-urn, £3; Mrs. Winder, £1; L. M. Lowe, £1; Mrs. Hoaro (October-April, i 1916), £1 Gs. ;_Mrs. Hogben (November), us. Hospital equipment subscriptions aro as lollow: —Moutoa Ladies' Guild, per Mrs. Galland, £3 75.; Methodist Church, Lower Hutt, per G. E. Beckett, £16 16s. Women in Khaki. W omen in khaki are a very common sight in London nowadays, writes tho English correspondent of tho Sydnoy "Telegraph." Tbey went short skirts, a coat/ like a soldier's, though necessarily adapted to the fcininino figure, and a squash felt hat. W.V.R. is inscribed on their shoulders,which stands for Women's Voluntary Reserve. As they have no official recognition, it seems a pity that they have adopted khaki as their uniform, because, especially when their clothes aro ill-fitting or their figures ungainly, one has an uncoinfortablo feeling that they are making themselves ridiculous, and that tho whole thing is a travesty. There is, however, one small section of tho women in London who wear khaki uniforms and have as much right to them as soldiers, and these are the doctors and orderlies of a military;' hospital, where about 86 of our own Australians aro being tended. Tho hospital was staffed and equipped by a well-known English woman doctor, who did much good work in Paris during tho first months of .tho war. On her return to London she offered to establish a voluntary hospital of 150 beds. Tho War Office declined this offer, but stfid that it she could staff and equip a regular military hospital of 600 beds they would assumo control of it and give her and her doctors and orderlies military rank. This was done, and the originator of the hospital scheme is flow- a major in all except the actual parchment giving her army rank. This it . was found impossible to bestow on her for two reasons. The first is that it can only be given—unless a special Act of Parliament be passed—to women of royal birth. _ The second that the lady had been in prison !—eclio of forgotten suffragette days. The uniforms worn by theso women are well-cut, too, and extraordinarily becoming. The doctors havo red on their collars and shoulders, and tho orderlies bluo. But out of doors the latter wear a close-fitting little khaki cap, which almost covers their hair, and from which a veil falls at the back. Tho day I was there a band was playing with a great swing in the courtyrd, and a woman in uniform was conducting. While I was talking to one of tho 'Australian, wounded a doctor passed, and' I remarked it was odd to see tho uniform. "Yes, and stripes on her arm, too!" tlie soldier commented, smiling. Most of .our mon in that hospital are recovering rapidly, and there is a pleasantly cheery air nbout tho place, though t'ho women in chargo executo tlieir dutios with inost military precision.

St. John Ambulance and Red Cross Society. The St. John Ambulance Brigade and Red Cross Society, Nathan's Building, wishes to acknowledge tho following gifts:—Mrs. Hunter, 2 balaclavas, 1 pair socks; 0.K., 2 pairs slippers; Nell, lsla, and Allison, 7s. lsd.; Mrs. Baldwin (Akatarawa), 2 pairs slippers, 1 balaclava; Wellington Central W.C.T.U., per Mrs. lielyer, 3 cushion covers, 18 treasure bags, old linen, 2 pairs bed-socks, 2 balaclavas, 3 faco cloths; Sirs. Walker, 3 pillowslips, 2 sheets, 1 cushion; Mangaweka Red Cross Society, 5 tins of gifts for soldiers, 1 fracture jacket, 3 bed-jackets, 2 singlets, 20 shirts, 20 handkerchiefs, 20 treasure bags, 20 packets of cigarottos; Miss Macandrew, from sale of flowers, £6 75.: Miss Flanagan, 17s. 7d.; Lands and Survey Office, calico for bandages; Mrs. Buxton, old linen (sterilised). Mrs. Wells, Island Bay, kindly lent tho depot a Singer sewing machine. To-day's Flower Carnival. The members of tho Commercial Travellers' Club, assisted by a'number of ladies, have organised a. fete for today, in order to provide funds to givo Christmas presents to the soldiers at tho front. A decorated lorry. ' will parade the streots, with about thirty, performers, giving musical and vocal entertainment, to which tho public is invited to givo a shilling or more. Silver and brass badges of a now designwill ho sold to send as gifts to the mon at tho front. Flowers are coming from Blenheim, the Hutt, Otaki, and other places, for sale to 'help the good cause. A patriotic Italian resident will make visits to various offices with his organ and monkey. From the successful manner in whioh tho last carnival was carried out, this one-day fete should meet with a ready response.

Tho marriage took place in St'. James?s Church, Sydney, on October 9 of Miss Doris Elsie Fisher, daughter of tlio late Mr. J. Fisher, of Auckland, to Corpora! David Richard Fleming, eldest son of Aid. Fleming, of Muswcllbrook. The Very Rev. Father Roclie performed the ceremony'. The bride, who was given away by Private F. R. J. Fleming, of the A.I.F. (brother of the bridegroom), wore a cream tailored suit and white tulle liat, trimmed with feathers and pink roses. Miss Kathleen Fleming (sister of tlie bridegroom) was bridesmaid, and wore a white voile frock made with coatee effect, and_ shadow lace blouse, with hat of pink aerophane trimmed with white wheat. Mr. S. Fleming, another brother of tho bridegroom, was best man. The bridegroom was to leavo for the front shortly. i The hostesses at the Soldiers' Roorp, Sydney Street, for next week aro 4s under: Sunday, Mrs. Salmond; Monday, Mrs. P. Isaacs; Tuesday,'. Mrs. Firth and Mrs. -W. F. Ward; Wednesday, Miss Co.ites and Mrs. Shirfccliffo;'Thursday, Mrs. H. Hales and Mrs. A. Young; Friday, Mrs. Putnam and Mrs.'Martin; Saturday, Mrs. M. Holmes and Mrs. L. Blundell. The attendances at the room have been increasing very largely, and it is no luicommou thing to liavo between 400 and 500 soldiers visiting tho club during the evenings. >

Mrs. Coull is giving her second "At Homo" for wounded soldiers at her residence, Day's Bay, on Saturday week.

Presentation to a Chrlatchurch postmistress. On Wednesday, October .27, about thirty Christchurch and suburban postmistresses, their assistants and senior telephone cadettes assembled at' the Linwood Post Office, to givo a farewell evening to Miss P. Wilkin, postmistress,, fat. Albans, who is retiring on superannuation. Tlio opportunity was taken to present .Miss Wilkin with a leather travelling-trunk and a goldmounted fountain-pen, Miss Gougll, Papanui, who is senior in length of service, making the presentation in a very, happy speech. Mrs. Sleightholnie (Linwood) also spoke of tbo popularity of Miss Wilkin, and hoped she would enjoy her well-6arned rest. A very pleasant evening was spent with music and cards. The Way of the Frenchwoman. Tho importance of woman's place in the war, and more particularly in tlio sphere which Jies behind the' war, is very serious, and overy day it grows more so, writes t'lio Paris correspondent of the -'Queen." If the men are to prove their mettlo, the women have to provo theirs, and as they talk more freely of their ideas and emotions, wrongs and rights, privileges and limitations, the question of what they are going to do and to be in the world always seems more complicated. In France tho woman is such a solid force that tho only pre-occiipation of tho thinkers is to guide that force into the right channels; all the details will look after themselves. So ' Jong as they stand ready they will stand in such a way. that the world will admire them: but if they dccided that they would not stand steady then they would be dangerous.'- Happily, tho Frenchwomen are quite ready to stand steady, and they are only, pre-occupied about that eternal problem ways and means. Naturally there are many who grumble, some openly rebel, others are cynically pessimistic, but the majority are .steady. There is scarcely a. housewife in France who has not made her plans for a winter campaign. , Her cellars aro full of coal, her budgot is in order, her wardrobe is so arranged that it will meet her needs, and her superfluous energy and money sho will use for others. The philosophy which is illustrated by the lilies of the field is not that of the Frenchwoman. She is modelled more"' °[ 1 l the lines of the virtuous woman of old who "looked well to the ways of her household."

Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Cave, who have been spending some weeks at Rotorua, returned to Masterton on Thursday.

The opening ceremony of the Empire Floral Fete and Art Union, which is being held in St.- Anne's Hall, Newtown, is to be performed by Her Excellency th,e Countess of Liverpool this evening.

Members of the Women's Kifle Club at Dannevirke were greatly delighted on Wednesday evening when they proved themselves superior in a shooting match to members of the Men's Morris Tube -Club by one point. The former compiled 310, and the latter one less. Misses Carston and Drummond each scored 34 for their side; Miss A. Stewart ana Miss V. M'Clure, 33 each; Miss A'Bear and Miss Nymnnd, 32 each; Mrs. Green, 31; Mrs. Mills, 29; Mrs. Glass, 27; and Miss Hopper, 25. For the Morris Tube Club, Mr. S. M'Nabb and Mr. Weenink compiled 34 cach; Mr. Hussey, 33; Mr. Adams, 32; Mr. Johnston, 31; Mr. Potter, 30; Messrs. Picard, Smith) and Rankin,, ; <!9 each; and Mr. ■Farqunar, 28. ''

Mr. Louis Cohen and Miss Cohen, of Wangamii, are staying at the itoyal Oak Hotel.

Miss.Lysnar, of'Gisborne, F.R.G.S., and author of a book dealing with this country, who is at present in Melbourne, accompanies Mrs. llachael Nalder on her return to India.

■ One of the Australian nurses, writing from the Hospital Ship at to a friend in Sydney, speaks of the joy with wliicli Red Cross gifts are received. "The Australians and New Zealanders have a great name over here," she says, "but all sorts come along, and we give them everything we can. The day after tliey come in they get handkerchiefs soaked with eau-de-cologne, pipes and' tobacco, and something to read. I got a box of association goods from Sydney to-day—soap, face flannels, socks, and all the other small things. When you think that we had the. last thiee weeks we were at the Peninsula over 2000 men on board, 800 at a time, and fhat they had been since April in the trenches, you will guess how they appreciate clean clothes aad extra comforts." Mr. and Mrs. Caselberg have arrived from Masterton, and are staying at Island Bay.

St. John Ambulance Hospital Ship Equipment,

Tho Hospital Ship Committee, Belcher's Building, Courtenay l'lace, acknowledges the following contributions towards the Second Hospital Ship, per Miss E. G. Lowman, lion. secretary Medical Corps, National Reserve, 'J'apapau:—H.B., ilO 55.; per Miss Moorhouso —Mrs. Arthur Myers, £3 35.; Mrs. 1). Crewe and others, Pahiatua, £3 2s. Gil. and case of goods; Mrs. Mabin (ICaraka Bay), £5; Mrs. Henry Hall's Sewing Party, £3 os. Gd.; Mrs. Council, 2 pairs bed socks; Mrs. j. L. Bruce, 2 knitted cholera bolts, 1 pair bed socks; Mrs. H. Chisliolm, 11 faco washers; Miss M'Gowan, 3 pairs hand-knitted socks; Mrs. Von Haast, linen; Mrs. Oag (Shannon), 4 pairs h.k. 6ocks; Mrs. Mitcliell (Shannon), 2 pairs h.k. socks, 2 pairs h.k. bed socks, 2 handkerchiefs, 1 pair mittens, 1 pair underpants; Mrs. J. G. Seed, 3 pairs h.k. socks, 2 mufflers; ■ Island Bay Presbyterian Women, 1 pair socks, 2 balaclavas. 1 scarf, 4 facoclotlis; Mrs. Riggir (Makotului), 2 pairs bed socks; Margie Riggir, 2 handkerchiefs, 6 face cloths; Miss Annie Holden, 21 pairs h.k. socks, 5 balaclavas, 1 pair bed socks; Mrs. Moxliam, 19 treasure bags; Reay Tro(aged 6), 1 face cloth; Miss K. Muir, 1 pair h.k .socks, 1 knitted muffler; Petonc Central Nursing Division, per Miss Stevens, £5; Jliss Denton, 2s. 6d.; Mrs. Spencer, 2} dozen handkerchiefs.

At the beginning of the week several oases of goods were sent to Government House to His Excellency tlie Governor. Yesterday afternoon several'ladies were engaged ill cutting out bed jackets, several dozen of which will ho ready on Monday morning to be given out to sew. Feather pillows, flannel, felt slippers, handkerchiefs, day shirts, hand and faco towels, mufflers, and 100 cushions are still required. The committee wislies to remind those who have kindly made promises of assistance that all articles should reach the depot-, 1 Belcher's Building, during the next few weeks.

Among tho many deserving causes seeking support is that of tho Berhampore Presbyterian Orphanage To raise necessary funds a sale of gifts has been organised, to. take place on the afternoons and evenings of November 4 aud 5, in St. John's Schoolroom, Dixon Street. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool has consented to perforin the opening ceremony, and among other well-known persons who have signified their intention of being present are Mrs, W. F. Massey and Mrs. J. P. Luke. It is confidently anticipated that the gathering will be largely patronised.

The "billy" idea for tending gifts to the soldiers at the front, which was originated, in Australia, seems to be meeting with much success, as when this is done gifts of a perishable nature arrive in good condition, according to recent cabled advice which was received in Sydney. _ The firm of Eoss • and Glendimng, in Wellington, has adopted the idea, and on Thursday the Mayoress received on the firm's behalf several large billies filled with presents for the members of the staff who- havo gone to tho front. Those billios will be forwarded to them through the committee of the Countess of Liverpool Fund. Another firm has announced its intention of doing likewise. An amusing and typically characteristic touch is added to the Australian billies by each one having a label on the top. illustrating a Turk being swished off by a- blow from a kangaroo's tail ; and underneath tho pictorial illustration is inscribed: "This bit of the world belongs to us." Brave words, and it is .no fault of theirs that it does not.yet crown their efforts. Yesterday a case of plum puddings, some of those that wero made at Ngaliauranga last week by members of tho Mayoress's committeo at the Town Hall and their friends, and which are being sent to the men at the front as a Christmas gift from tho Wellington Meat' Company, was sent in ,to the Town Hall, so that all who' took part in their making could see by practical experiment how excellent they were. The general opinion passed upon thorn by. all who tasted was that they were very good indeed, and many hopes were expressed that they would reach the men in tho trenches in time for their Christmas dinner.