WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2613, 8 November 1915, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR.

(By Imogen.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Splendid Work of Stewardesses, Some splendid work apparently was done by stewardesses on board the troopships that were transporting the 4th Australian Expeditionary Forces. A correspondent writing to Melbourne of the voyage says:—"We had on board four stewardesses, who were returning to England to sign off. They were the only women on the ship, and until cur men began to fall seriously ill wo saw little or nothing of them. Then, one day, they volunteered in a body for service in the hospital. Tho olfer was gladly accepted, and from then on the men in hospital experienced that faithful devotion -which woman alone can display in a crisis. The stewardesses toiled early and late, and it will comc as a consolation to tho relatives of those lads who died that their last hours were sweotened by the kindly ministrations of their devoted nurses. That many more did. j not pass out was entirely due to the self sacrifice of these nobis women. One of them collapsed under the strain, and her own life hung in tho balance for some days. She was back in the hospital again tending the boys long before tho doctor gave her permission. The gratitude of the troops found practical shape in a gift of £100 to tho stewardesses. The enthuriasm that accompanied the presentation left no doubt as to its spontaneous character." President Wilson's Bride Elect. A correspondent of tho New York "Evening Post," writing of the engagement of President Wilson to Mrs. Gait, says that there is a great deal of quiet happiness in the White House circle over the news, for Mrs. Gait has been extremely popular with every one. Indeed, the Democratic politicians hero regard this happening as another stroke of Wilson luck. Tliey havo felt that the President was entirely too much by himself, and did not see enough of his friends and of people generally. They have feared that the public at large would begin to believe as some people in AVashington have that the President was less of a human being than a remarkable intellectual machine, and they have regretted that despite. their best efforts the President was leading a more and more- lonely life; and seeing fewer and fewer people. He is naturally a lonely and .introspective man, accustomed to working things out by himself, and his intimates rejoice that this new happiness has comc into his life to brighten him up and to fclieer him, and that he again has some ono particularly ready to help him bear the burden of office, which, he feels so ; keenly.

Already it is prophesied here that this will make a great difference in the social life.of the entire Administration It ia believed that there will be a great deal of entertaining, and that in general the hospitality of tho White House, which has not been famous at any time since this Administration came in, will be largely extended. It is not believed, for instance, that the President will go as far away as Cornish or to an inaccessible place for his next year's vacation, since that will be the critical summer of the conventions and the Presidential election. But Mrs. Gait is reported to be distinctly not a society woman. She has had a small circle of intimate friends in which she has been content to move; but like most people who live here, for some time, knows many people slightly'. Mrs. Gait is regarded as a woman of rare beauty and charm. Those who have known her best predicted to-day that she would be 'as the First Lady of tho Land a popular hostess, as well as a comfort and support to the President ill his daily work. Slio is about thirty-eight years of age, youthful in appearance, and simple in her tastes. She is the widow of a well-known business man of Washington, who died eight years ago. She was married iu 1896. Before that she was Miss Edith Boiling, of Wytheville, Va. Her father was William H. Boiling, a lawyer of distinction.

In the circle of cultivated people with whom she mingled in Washington, Mrs. Gait has always been sought out for

her unusual character and gifts. Miss Margaret Wilson, tho President's eldest daughter, and her cousin, Miss Helen Woodrow Bones, first brought Mrs. Gait into the Whito House circles. They met her in the esrly fall of last year,

and were so nmcli attracted by lier tliat they sought her out more and more frequently, and tho friendship between them rapidly ripened into an affectionate intimacy. It was through this intimacy of liis daughter and cousin that tho President had an opportunity to meet and know Mrs. Gait. Not until this summer, however, when Miss Bones' invited Mrs. Gait to Cornish, N. 11., as a house guest, did the President and Mrs. Gait become intimato friends.

At St. Michael's Church, Tlmrsloy, on September 25, Lieutenant-Colonel .Walter Wright, sth Fusiliers, Inspector of Gymnasia, soil of Mr. J. T. Wright, of Dunetlin, was married to Sirs. Edith Johnstone, daughter of Mr. S. A. Wal-ker-Waters; late Assistant-General, Royal Irish Constabulary (writes a- London correspondent). Lieutenant-Colonel Wright was appointed captain in the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1900; Superintendent of Gymnasia, Southern Command, in 1906, a post he held till 1910. Ho was gasetted LieutenantColonel Commanding the oth Northumberland Fusiliers last January.

A London correspondent writes that on September 24 Miss Elizabeth Bulk Reid was married at the Caledonian Station Hotel, Edinburgh, to J. J. Robertson, Wick, Captain 15th Seaforth Highlanders. The bride is the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. I. E-eid, of Auckland, New Zealand; the bridegroom is tho younger sou of the late Robert Robertson, J.P., Wick, and Mrs. Robertson, Tarool, Wick. Tho ceremony was performed by the Rev. Patrick R. Mackay, D.D., Chaplain to the Scotch Command.

Mr. and Mrs. George Hums are visiting Christchurch. Mr. and Mrs. T. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, havo also gone south" for Cup week.

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wallace are paying a short visit to Christchurch.

St. Barnabas's Church bazaar was con tinued on Saturday afternoon and evening, Dr. Newman, M.P., performing the opening ceremony in the afternoon. The stall-holders -were kept very busily employed, and the results for the two days should be very satisfactory. In the evening a short programme of entertainment was given, and contributing to it wore Mrs. Hoadley, Mr. Turner, Mr. Rodney Pankhurst, and Mr. AVhitaker. The side-shows also continued to do well.

On Saturday afternoon a matinee for children was held in St. Anne's Hall, Newtown, in connection with the Empire Floral Fete and Art Union.' A special programme liad been prepared, consisting of displays of Swedish drill, fancy dances, and musical items. The Wellington South Amateur Orchestra contributed several selections. In the evening there was again a good attendance, and an interesting entertainment programme was submitted. The fete will be continued next week, and on Wednesday it is anticipated that the drawing of the art union will take place.

A meeting of the trustees of the Wellington Convalescent Home was held at Mrs. Arthur. Pearce's, HobsonStreet, on Wednesday, November 3. Present: Mesdames W. S. Moorhouse (in the chair), A. Pearce, Litchfield, J. Joseph, 0. S. Watkins, Miss Coaies, Miss Harcourt (lion, treasurer). Miss Miles (hon. secretary).

Death lias removed another old pioneer in the person of Mrs. A. M. Richardson, who passed away peacefully at her residence, 25 Aitken Street, last Friday, after a somewhat protracted illness. . Tbo late Mrs. Richardson came to New Zealand upwards of half a century ago, making her liome in Charleston. Later she resided for many years at West-port, where lier late husband, Mr. Albert Richardson, carried 011 the profession of a chemist. Born in Wexford, Ireland, Mrs. Richardson emigrated comparatively ■ early in life to New Zealand./ By her gentle and kindly nature she endeared herself to a wide circle of friends. She leaves a family of six daughters, including Mrs A. Gilbert, of Stoke, Nelson, and Mrs. T. Prosser, of Christchurch.

CHRISTMAS SHILLING GIFT FUND "GALLIPOLI DAY." A meeting of the committee of the Associated Amateur Sports Bodies for tho promotion of the Christmas Shilling Gift Fund for the troops at the Dardanelles and Samoa was held on Friday night, Mr. C. G. Wilson presiding. Correspondence was received from Gisborne, Nelson, Palmorston North, and 'Wanganui, which showed that the movement is being enthusiastically pushed in those centres. Tho Wellington Racing Club was thanked for a particularly generous donation of £50, an admirable lead for other sporting organisations in the Dominion. Arrangements were made for demonstration on November 20 (Gallipoli Day. A street collection will be made by means of the sale of button-holes, badges, sweets, etc., by ladies. _ Concert parties\will give vocal and instrumental items from decorated lorries, and will be prepared to receivo donations for their _ efforts. _ During tho afternoon, a varied and interesting programme, consisting of physical drill displays, Allies' costumes, fancy dress, hat trimming and hair-dressing competitions for returned soldiers, dancing exhibitions, Highland dancing, side-' shows, etc., will take place , on, the Basin Reserve. In the evening tho lorry concerts will be continued, and many well-known local performers will be heard. ' It was reported that the tennis and bowling associations were arranging tournaments on behalf of the fund. The treasurer stated that donations had already reached the sum of £520. LADIES' COMMITTEE. A meeting of ladies under the patronage of Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool has been convened by the Mayoress. Mrs. J. P. Luke, in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, for this evening at 8 o'clock, to organise the effort for the demonstration to bo on Gallipoli Day. It is only by the co-ope ratioyi of the ladies that allything approaching the sum required can be obtained. . Returned troopers are unanimous in stating how welcome gifts of tobacco and sweets are to the men at tho front. It is to be hoped that this gift, which is to be by way of a Christmas present to the soldiers will exceed in value any that has previously been 'made along these lines. Tho fact that the ladies are again _4>eing called upon to assist after their''-ser-vices have so frequently been enlisted and generously given, is a_ striking proof that nothing valuable in this direction can be' done without them. WAISTCOAT FUND. The hon. treasurer of the' Mayoress's Countess of Liverpool Fund acknowledges the following donations:—Waistcoat Fund: Lady Stout, £1; Mrs. Tully, £1. Christmas Gift Fund—Mrs. Kay, by sale of herbs, Ss.; Khandallah Infant School, 13s. 2d.; Mrs. M'Hardie, 75.; also £1 from Lady Stout for mosquito netting. SOLDIERS' COMFORT DEPOT. The following donations have been received by the Military Hospital Guild: —Miss Z. Nathan, £1; Mrs., Pollen, eggs; Miss Wheeler, jelly; Pa'hiatua, 25 doz. eggs; Mrs. A. Myers, jelly; Miss Adams, 2s. 6d.; Miss Patterson, soup; Miss 'Strachan, soup; Mrs. M'Master, 55.; Miss Coates, £1; Mrs. John Hutcheson, £1; from Paliiatua, 20 doz. eggs; Miss Morton, 55.; Miss E. Morton, ss.j Miss A. Morton, 25.; Mrs. J. E. Fulton, 2s. 6d.: Mrs. Nathan, jelly. Further donations have beon received by the local branch secretary of the Navy League as follows:—Already acknowledged, £7 45.; Mrs. J. M. Richardson, £2 25.; Mr. and Mrs. J. Gibson Stott, £4; iVgaio School, 10s.; C. Fi. Galwey, £l; 'per G. Townsend, £2; J. B. Harcourt, £2 25.; A. Eade (Feilding), 10s.; R. Coker (Palmerston North), £1; Mrs. J. E. Willis (Greatford), £2 25.; Clydo Quay School (50 per cent. N.L. subs. £3, special collection £2 65.), £5 65.; Roseneath School (50 per cent. N.L. subs.), £4; Mts. G. B. Dacy, 10s.; Miss H. Davy, 55.; Charles Haines, £5; "E.C." (Seatoun), 2s. 6d.; Miss Moncrieff, 2s. 6d.j total to date, £37 19s. BRITISH AND BELGIAN RELIEF GIFTS. (Mrs. Rolleston and Miss Litchfield have received parcels at 56 Hobson Street, from:—Mrs. J. J. Lisette, Mangaweka; Mrs. E. 0. Gill, 2 parcels; Mrs. W. C. Nation, 2 parcels; Mrs. Kinvig. Bidwill Street; Mrs. Mirams; Mrs. Clapperton; Mrs. Stewart; Convent of the Sacred Heart, Island Bay; Miss Jean Johnstone, Levin; and two anonymous parcels.