WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2655, 29 December 1915, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM tfAR AND NEAR,

(Bx Imogen.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Return of the Tahiti. The sick and wounded soldiers who arrived in Wellington yesterday by the Tahiti from the front met with a very warm welcome on their- arrival in the Town Hall to attend tho reception which had been organised by the Mayor in their honour. Although it was holiday time, and many people are away, the galleries were filled' with onlookers anxious to show their pleasure at welcoming the soldiers back to Now Zealand, and also to show their appreciation ot the part tliey had played at Gallipoli. It was quite surprising to see how well, comparatively speaking, they looked after the voyage. It ta a fact that naturally added to the cheerfulness ot the ,occa.sion. Flags wero everywhere displayed about the hall, inside and out, and on the floor of the big Chamber had been arranged comfortable seats fop the soldiers, and numbers of small tables at which they were entertained at morning tea by the Mayoress's Entertainment Committee. Occupying seats upon the platform were the Majwand Mayoress, Mrs. Massey, Lady Ward, the Ministers who were in town, as well as General Robin, Colonel "Gibbon, and SurgeonGeneral Henderson. Brief speeches were made, welcoming the soldiers back to New Zealand, and paying tribute to those who were still fighting and to those Who would never come back again. In return speeches of thanks on belialr of their comrades were made by Corporal J. Hughes, of Auckland, and Captain Pitt, a Maori officer. The speech of the former was_ eloquent in its direct appeal to single man to take his rihe and help in the greatest war the world had ever seen, and it was a pity there were not more of those to whom the appeal was made present to hear it. Several nurses returned by the Tahiti, among them being four who were on board the Marquette. These were Sisters Wilson (of Petone), Blackie, Looney, and M'Leod. The remaining nurses were Sisters Reynolds, Levin,. Newdiclc, Barnes, Munro, and Stokes. Sister Isla Stewart, of Masterton, was in charge. The majority of the nurses remained ,in the South Island.' Soldiers' Room Fund. Mrs. H. Hall, hon. treasurer of tho above fund, acknowledges receipt of tho following donations .-—Mrs. Martin Kennedy, £5; Mrs. E. Barton (Hawera), (per Rev. H. Watson) £5; Binaru ladies (per Mrs. Guinness, Mayoress), £2; Mrs. Burgess, Mayoress (New Plymouth), £1; Mrs. Crooke (New Plymouth), £1; M.L.H., £1; Mrs. Hardwick Smith, 10s.; anonymous, per Mrs. J, A. Tripe, 7s. Bd.; Mrs. West, os. Also the following monthly subscriptions Danncvirke Mayoress Fund; £10 (two months); Lady Ward (two months), £2; Mrs. F. R. .Chapman, Mrs. Caliender.(Hutt), and Mrs. Coleridge (two months), £1 each; Mrs' J. Rinton Watt, 55.; per Miss Murray, Willis Street, Mrs. Pomaro (three months), £3; Mrs. Yaldivyn, 10s. (two months); Lady Gibbes, Mrs, F. Samuel, and Mrs. Corrigan, ss. each. j Miss E. M. Wilson is visiting relatives in Port Chalmers, The engagement is announced of Miss Ma'bel Davies, eldest daughter of Mrs. A. Davies, of Wellington, to Rifleman Charles Kirkland', 4th Battalion N.Z.R.8., only son of Mrs. G. Kirkland, also of Wellington.

Freeing tha Men. Women are declaring, with no uncer- I tain voice, .that it is a national crime for men to be retained to do any work that they can do equally- as well, states a writer in "Tho Queen." It is pointed out that training is not a matter ol months .and years; sufficient training can be acquired in a very few'weeks for much of -the work that is now required. France and Germany have turned out skilled women lyorkers in as little as three weeks' time 'when they have allowed them facilities for handling tools and given instruction. It is also pointed Dut that the great laboratories and workrooms of. our technical schools and institutes will very soon bo emptied ot students and available for the use ol others anxious to bo taught, and there are teachers and foremen who would bo willing to give instruction if asked to do so. On the other hand, women are giving themselves courses of training in many branches,, where a year ago their attempts wonld have been ridiculed, while the call for the really trained has come upon them, with almost , ilnreasonablo suddenness, considering how little opportunity they have yet had. The women doctors are wanted by scores, yet the very cramped facilities for obtaining this training have always made it difficult to turn out more than a very few qualified practitioners each year. Women aro wanted for motor work—even big catering and delivery firms are advertising for women van drivers—and how many are there who have had a chance of learning anything more about motor's than the driving and upkeep of their own car involved? Nevertheless, women arc not rounding upon those who make these unreasonable demands; they aro taking the more excellent way of stepping in, buying experience, and acquiring skill as tlioy go along. Where we want the women most badly (continues "The Queen") is in the oversight and the actual work of catering. In camps, canteens,, in .the travelling kitchens, in hospitals, rest stations, station buffets, everywhere, it is women who must handle and distribute and cook food, not men, nor departments composed of men. This food business is' at once the worst managed and the most, extravagant department of the whole concern. But then comes out the undeniable fact that only one woman here and there—very much here and there—has had any kind of training to warrant her taking the oversight of cooking on a jarcjo scale, of the apportioning and organising of food materials, or ot general catering. Very few women are .oven properly trained as cooks, and even trained cook is not always capable as an organiser. Yet in this branch at least women might all along have had as much training and equipment as ever they wished, had they wanted it. i\!o man has ever stood in their way in this respect,, nor ever would. But the best posts in cookery have always gone to men becauso oniy men would submit to the initial training required ,to do the harder tasks involved.

More About the Marquette. A statement of tho sinking of tho transport Marquette, drawn up by Major. Wylie, New Zealand Medical Corps, reads as follows:— "At 9.15 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, the Marquette was torpedoed by a BuWarino. The torpedo, struck tlie vessel oil tho starboard side, well forward, and the vessel almost at once dipped at the bow and developed a marked list to port, which increased very much as. time' went on. Finally after lying so much to port as to bo almost on hor side, tjie vessel righted herself and gradually sank bow-first, the cime occupied being from 7 to lo minutes according' to different observers. Immediately the accident happened everyone proceeded, to their individual fctations, and put on the lifebelt which was there 'waiting. I had charge of the New Zealand • stationary hospital men, who were assembled on tho mule deck forward, with instructions to wait there until tlioy could be marshalled on to the promenade deck. Shortly, after I reached my station I saw it would be impossible for l the men to' get into the boats, and with Major Acland ordered them to take any piece of woodwork, grating, etc., that they could jay hold on to, and told them to get into the water from the port side of the ship, which was now under water, together with about, a quarter of the deck. This they did, and shortly after I followed them. We floated about in the water for about seven hours ; at the end of whichltime we were picked up by two French torpedo boats and one English mine-sweeper—the Lyna—and taken to Salonika on' the Grantully Castle and the Canada.- As regards the nurses— they assembled at their stations in oharge of Lieutenant-Colonel M'Gavin and, three officers, s and' were soon into the boats. Owing, however, to unfortunate bungling in the lowering of these boats a series of catastrophes occurred on each side, of the vessel. On the port side one boat descended heavily on top of one already in the water, and thereby killed several of the nurses outright or so seriously injured them as to make their subsequent existence in the water impossible. On the starboard side one boat, after being filled with nurses, assumed a perpendicular position and emptied, many of them into the water. Only one boat with nurses in left the vessel,, and that boat was in a waterlogged submerged state. Most of the rescued nurses spent all their time in the water, on rafts, or ilinging to bits of wreckage. At no time did I see any signs of panic or any signs of fear on the part of anyone, and I cannot find words to adequately express my appreciation of the magnificent way in.which the nurses bohaved, not only'on the vessel, but afterwards in the wator. Their behaviour had to, be seen, to be believed possible. Lieutenant-Colonel M'Gavin was one of the last to leavo the 'ivessel,, and managed to get into a boat' just as-the vessel sank. Ho'picked •up injured nien from the water aud many, exhausted ones,' and made his way to shore, whence he went, inland for help; While he was away tho men on shore were picked up by a French boat, and he and his party had to proceed, via Larissa to Volo, whence he came on by passenger boat to Salonika."

The marriage took place on Monday in St. .Mary's Church, New Plymouth, of Mr. Noel Harding, who lately returned .from -the Dardanelles, to Miss Gw;en Hill, both of New Plymouth! The bride iWas 'given away by Sir. W. 0. Weston. Another New Plymouth wedding was .that of Mr; W. Armstrong, manager, at Inglewood for! Messrs. Weston and -Weston, to Miss Joyco Hampton; of -New Plymouth. Miss Rita Hempton and Miss Vera Armstrong were bridesmaids, and Mr. Ernest Armstrong was best man. Mr. W. - L.. Newman gavo the bride away.. . . .

Lady Wilson, of Rangitikci, has been energetically working to provide comforts for the representatives of Buljs and district in camp, and recently 'a fine supply of Christnias cakes was forwarded to the camp. Lady Wilson also quietly sent last week a bountiful supply of Chrismas "joys," including cigarettes, chocolates, and. other . sweets for the pleasure of the men now in training. i

Miss R. Isaacs and Miss .Matthews are visiting Picton.

The special course of Hair Treatment for One Guinea at Mrs Kolleston's comprises Clipping and Singeing; Masßage, with Scalp Food, Shampooing, Hand and Vibro Massage; also a lesson in the latest style of Hairdressing, and advice on the care and treatment of the hair. 256 Lambton Quay; Tel. 1599.—Advt.

Ladies, when passing Herb Price's Store, Willis Street, see the special window displays of Christmas gifts for gentlemen.—Advt.

Miss Stanton, matron of the Christchurch Infectious Diseases Hospital, has resigned, in order to volunteer for service at tho front. She was trained in the Christchurch General Hospital, and held a sistership there before she was promoted to her position at Bottle Lake, which she has occupied, for eighteen months. The marriage took place last week in St. Luke's Church, Ohiristchurch, of Miss Ethel Regina Clioate and tho Rev. J. R. Hervoy. The bride wore a gown of white crepo do chine, with an embroidered veil, and her bridesmaid was Miss Hcrvey, who wore a gown of pale blue and gold voile, with hat of the same two shades. Mr. and Mrs. Hervoy are expected to arrive in AVellington shortly, the former having been appointed curate to St. Thomas's Church, Newtown. The wedding took place in St. Paul's Church, Papanui, 'last Wednesday of Miss Mary Jameson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G". Jameson, of Ellerton, Papanui, to Mr. Charles Thomas, of Ashburton, son of Mrs. Thomas and the lato Mr. David Thomas. The Rev. W. H. Orbell, vicar of St. Paul's, performed the ceremony. Miss Eileen Jan\eson and Miss Thomas were> bridesmaids, and Sir. W. Thomas was best man. Cabled news from London states that the marriage took placo on December 23 in London of Miss Doris Mary Chilman, only daughter of Mr-, and Mrs. C, W. Chilman, of Wellington, to Mr. Leonard W. Tosswill, of Christchuroh. The latter loft several months ago to offer his services to the war authorities. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Macneil arrived in Wellington from Sydney by the Ulimaroa, aud are staying at the Royal Oak till their.departure for London by the Remuera next week The Rev. J. A. M'Nickle, Principal of Te Aute College, and Mrs. M'Nickle are visiitng Australia. The following visitors are staying at the Albert Hotel:—Mrs. C. A. Butler and Miss Lewis, of New South Wales ; Mr. S; Camp, of Sydney; Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore Smith and Mrs. and Miss Mary Stewart, of Dannevirko; Mr. ,C Bierre, of Nelson; and Mr. P. Madden, oi Dunedin. A® a result of their efforts for the Edith Cavell Cot and the Wounded Sol- j diers' Fund, the ladies of Lower Hutt have raised the sum of £45 los. Mrs. H. Kummer, Mrs. Foley, and Mrs. Elcoto (all of Masterton) are visiting Wellington, and are staying at the Empire Hotel. ' . . A very quiet wedding took place on December 24 at the residence of Mr. A. F. Foot;, of the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, where Mr. C. U Clifford, of Crookwell, N.S.W., wa.( | married to Mrs. W. Whishaw, late or Denbigh Street,'Feilding, daughter ot Mr.; W. A. L. Bailey, of Feilding.