SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2638, 8 December 1915, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Soldiers' Farewell. \ A pleasant send-off was given in St. Peter's Schoolroom last week by Mr. and Mrs. Dentico to their son," Mr. Albert Dentice, and to Mr. E. Dentice, who are leaving with tho 9th Reinforcements. Dancing was kept up till the early morning hours by the guests, who numbered about one hundred and eighty; and a musical programme, the items of which were interspersed botween tho dances, added to the pleasure of the evening. The two guests of the evening were presented with sheepskin waistcoats and steel chest-protectors. Mr. A. Dentice is the grandson of the late Drum-Major James Phillips, of the 78th Highlanders (for many yoars a resident of Wellington), who served through twenty-ono engagements in India, and was present at Cawnpore and the Relief of Lucknow, under Sir Colin Campbell, and his mother was "the daughter of tho regiment." Hearty wishes were expressed for the welfare of the departing contingenters, . and hopes expressed for a "good fight" and a safe return. Hints for Women Workers. At the Red Cross Conference, which was held at' the Town Hall yesterday, Miss Maclean, Assistant-Inspector of Hospitals, stated that she had received that day a letter from one, of the nurses in Egypt, who mentioned the-fact that the soldiers in hospital "had a great dislike to nightingales, and apparently they could be dispensed with. So many women have been' working at these garments, and it 6eems a pity to continue making them if the soldiers dislike them, especially if they are not necessary. Another fact that will b'e of interest to women workers is that.it is not necessary to make pyjamas, shirts, etc., of flannel, but instead flanneletttf that is entirely without fluff is permissible. The Nursing Division of St. John Ambulance Association is already at work making flannelette garments of this description.

Miss Rlioda Forbes, of Devon Street, who is to be married >at Christmas, was presented by Mr. Astley, and the staff of tho Wellington Tweed Co. with a. handsome silver pickle jar and cruet, as a token of esteem on the occasion of severing her connection with tho firm.

Queen Mary's Needlework Culld. A synopsis of tbo work achieved by Queen Mary's Needlework Guild, a report of which appeared in a recent number of an English leading newspaper, shows that during the year 1,283,332 garments have beeu _ distributed as gifts. Among the recipients were 796 regiments, which received among them 416,951 garments; 323 hospitals in Britain, France, Serbia, llussia, and the Dardanelles received among them 284,386 gifts, and 7000 articles of clothing were sent to the prisoners of war in Germany. To the Relief Committee for women and children were sent 156,250 garments, and to soldiers and sailors' families 81,169. Of late the guild and other organisations working for the 6oJdiers and sailors have been turning their. attention to hospital requirements, and have done splendid work in this direction. In fact, they are practically specialising in this form of the work, and unfortunately the call for it is very great. A New Zealand nurse stationed in cne of the hospitals in Egypt lias written to Mrs. Robinson telling her of her Son who has been ill in a hospital 22 miles away from the one in which the nurse was stationed. Evefy second day during his illness she visited him, and had written to his father and also to his brother, giving them news of the boy. It is just such deeds as these that show the splendid spirit of our mvrsos, who spend so much of their spare time visiting and cheering the wonnded and sick men in the hospitals, regardless /of 'the long and arduous hours spent in working for the alleviation of suffering. Not content with that, they frequently writ© to tlw relatives of the men giving the latest news of their condition, and, sometimes, giving the last- message. Such sj'mpathy and kindness is folt by the recipients to be beyond .all words of praise.

The Mayoress of Masterton, Mrs. Coradine, was one of tho representatives of the outsido organisations engaged upon Bed Cross work wlio attended the Red Cross Conference held yesterday at tlio Town HallSister d'Emden, of the Napier Hospital staff, has been accepted for service abroad, and leaves in the Maheno iu January.

District Nursing Guild. The monthly meeting of the committee of the District Nursing Guild of St. John was held at the residence of Mrs. W. H. S. Moorhonso on Monday, December 6. Present: Mesdames Moorhouse (presiding), Gibbons, Corrigan, Pearson, and Rolleston (hon. secretary), and Misses Mack and Robieson. The nurse's report for the month was received. The number of patients registered during the month was ten; discharged, two; deaths, three; remaining on register, 33; number- of visits paid during month, 539. Mrs. Moorhouse explained tlte work done by the conference at Government House on November 10. A vote of thanks to the nurses for the faithful fulfilment of their duties throughout tho year was carried unanimously.

Mrs. A. J. S. Thomson, Woodville, is staying with Mrs.' F. K. de Castro, Talavera Terrace. Miss Maud Cole, of Carterton, arrived in Wellington by the TJlimaroa, on her return from a prolonged visit to England. , Mrs. Thompson (Dunedin) has come to Wellington for her son's wedding,' and is staying with Mrs. Kirk, Pine Street. Mrs. Walter Knowles (Christchurch) is in Wellington for the wedding of her niece, and is staying at the Hotel Cccil. At St. Mark's Church, Carterton, on Wednesday last, Miss Jessie Walden, only daughter of Mrs. C. Bristow,. of Carterton, was married to Mr. Thomas L. Arcus, fourth son of Mr. T. S. Arcus, of Daleiield. After the ceremony a reception was held in the Presbyterian Social Hall, when the usual toasts were honoured. The bridegroom joins the 11th Reinforcements.

■' Owing to the success that attended the danco recital presented by Miss Beere in tho Grand Opera House on Monday evening, in aid of the wounded in the hospitals in Cairo, it lias been decided to repeat it for the same cause on Friday night, in the same building. A member of the audience who was delighted wjitlj tho performance has rented the Opera House for that evening for Miss Beere's use, so that it might be repeated. Something over £100 was taken on Monday evening, £15 of which was made by the sale of sweets (under tho direction of Mrs. F'. M. B. Fisher). Tho sale of flowers, organised by Mrs. Eaire, also made a welcome addition to the receipts.

The lecture which was to have been given,by Miss Sterling, of the Viavi Company,' in the Masonic ' Hall, in .Boulcott Street, last evening was postponed, and will be given instead on Thursday afternoon.

; Mrs. Moorhouso has received the following contributions, which will be forwarded to the Hon. Heaton Rhodes for distribution to the hqspitals in which such things are most needed: —From the Ladies of Hereta\inga, 7 pairs flannel pyjamas, 4 day shirts (also of flannel). Mrs. J. Ormond, of Wallingford, Hawko's Bay, has forwarded equipment for five beds, the money for which was given by the Wallingford Sports Club and the sewing done by tho Wallingford Sewing Party, which met at Mrs. Ormond's house. Each bed equipment, it will be remembered, consists of 4 sheets, 4 pillow-slips, 2 draw sheets, 2 suits of pyjamas, 2 flannel night shirts, 1 day shirt (flannel), 6 handkerchiefs, 3 white Turkey towels, 1 pair slippers, 1 pair bed socks, 1 pair day socks, 2 linen feeders. Some cases of goods have already been forwarded by Mrs. Moorhouse to Mr. Rhodes, for distribution, and others have been sent to Dr. Agnes Bennett.