WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2683, 1 February 1916, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM /AR AND NEAR

[By Imogen.]

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

For Interned Russian Prisoners. In regard to tho appeal which lias been made by the Victoria League for funds with which to aid tlio Russian prisoners wiio are interned in Gormany, a meeting of the executive consisting of the president of the Victoria League, Miss (Joates, the Mayoress, Mrsj. J. P. Luke (treasurer), and Mrs. Chatliold (secretary), was held in Mr. 0. R. Smith's office yesterday afternoon. It was announced that tho sum of £300 had been received in' answer to tlio appeal, .and arrangements were made l.ty Mr. Smith l'or cabling lo the Victoria Leaguo in London tho sum of £300 through the Bank of Now Zealand, tho bank very kindly remitting the sum freo of charge. Tho Victoria League Council in London is composed of very well known and leading men and women, and people in New Zealand may ho assured that , such an appeal would, not have been made unless tho need wore very urgent, and the means of alleviating the lot of tho Russian prisoners definitely suro. A Provident service. Here is a story apropos of the recent visit of those M.P.'s to the firinglino in Franco. After inspecting our guns and artifices for screening, and incidentally seeing our gunners sccro. lour direct hits, one of them, after ploughing through the inud hack to tho telephone dug-out, saw a quantity of copper gauze on tho floor, and remarked upon the foresight of having such an excellent mud-scraper provided. lie-was gently led off it and it-old it was tho earthing of the ' n'ireloss apparatus.— "The Quecij."

Supplies far Hospital. The Military Hospital Guild, through the lion, sccrptsiry, Aiiss Sybil Nathan, is sending away this week to. Colonel M'Gavin the following supplies of hospital clothing:—Case 1: 35 capes, 65 bed jackets;. Case II: 2 rugs, 68 undervests, 6S~"iuidcrpauts; Case III: 136 linen hand towels, 120 turkey towels; Case IV: 100 pillow cases, 3 boxes cigarettes, 7 packets cotton wool, 8 parcels assorted bandages, 16 wringers, 30 tray cloths, 3 operation overalls, 1 roll flannel, 6 cotton body binders, 12 fomentation cloths, 2 parcels butter cloth, 70 feeding cloths, 200 handkerchiefs; Case V: 100 mufflers, 100 pairs. 1 day socks, GS balaclavas, 32 pairs mittens, 2 pairs kneecaps, 16cholera belts; Case VI: 3G pairs slippers, 3 boxes soap, I air cushion, 1 box cottons, needles, buttons, tapes, etc., 56 pairs bed socles, 33 day shirts, 24 cholera belts, 100 face washers, 1 doz. hot water-bags, 52 shaving brushes, 144 tooth combs, '10 soldiers' bags ; Case VII: 14 flannel undervests, 19 day shirts, 10 suits pyjamas, 20 draw sheets, 7 flannel nightshirts, 40 ice bags, 5 pairs socks, 1 pair mittens, 30 operation cloths, 10 body belts, 30 wringers, 40 eye bandages, 4 soldiers' bags, 20 face washers, 3 Turkish towels, 10 handkerchiefs, .1 parcel medicine cloths, 10 binders, 1 parcel butter cloth, 1 box rollor bandages, 3 sacks sandbags. Countess of Liverpool Fund. Contributions to the Mayoress's Countess of Liverpool Fund received during the past week at the Town Hall are as follows:—Mrs. W. Boocock, 3 pairs socks; Mrs. D. Campbell, 5 balaclavas ; Mrs. J. H. Kibblewhite, 2 pairs Bocks; A Work Party (Levin), box roller bandages (many-tailed), 1 balaclava, 2'pairs socks, 6 bags; Mrs. R. M. Simpson, 2 packets soap, 9 handkerchiefs; M. Wood (Spring Creek), 2 pairs socks, 1 balaclava; Mrs. D. Fitzherbert, 1 pair socks; G.F.S. Lodge, 4 pairs socks; Mrs. E. K. Read, 6 face Mlotlis, 5 pairs mittens, 4 balaclavas, 2 holdalls; Mrs. Collett, 2 pairs socks, 2 bivncliiras; Mrs. Boocock, 2 pairs socks; Miss M. E. Whitaker, 2 scarves, 2 pairs mittens; Mrs. Bishop, 1 pair '60cks. '

Forbidden Topics, Ail excellent little story is told by the Rome correspondent of the "Echo., do Paris." Cardinal Hartmaim, Archbishop of Cologne, was visiting the English Cardinal Gasquet, who lives in Rome. Cardinal llartnnmn opened the conversation by saying, "Your Eminence, we will not speak of war." "Your Eminence," replied Cardinal Gasquet, "wo will not speak of peace." Soldiers' Rcom Fund. The lion, treasurer of the Soldiers' Room Eund acknowledges the following donations:—Per Lady Gibbes, £5; Mrs. Cleghorn, £2; J.G.AY.A., £2; i\lrs. Ponsonby, £1; also the following monthly subscriptions—Turnbnil and Co., £2 Is. Bd.; Mrs. J. Kirkcaklie, £2; Sir James Prendergast, £3; Tiinaru ladies, £2; Mrs. C. Smith, £1 10s.; Mrs. W: Nathan, £1 Is.; Mrs. T. I!*." C. Campbell, £1 Is.; Lady Stout, Mrs. E. K. Chapman, Mrs. L. Blundell, Miss Coates, and Mrs. Hall, £1 each; Mrs. Salmond and Mrs. Miles, 10s. eacli ; Lady Gibbes, Mrs. J. Benton AYatt, Mrs. Greenwood, Mrs. Gould (Napier), end Miss Booth, Ss. each. The committee also wishes to thank Mrs. Tonks, of Newtown, for generous donations of cake during the Christmas holidays. '

Military Hospital Guild. I'he secretary (Miss Sybil Nathan) of the Military Hospital Guild acknowledges the following contributions received during tho past week: —Patriotic Guild (Lower Hurt), 3J doz. 3-inch bandages, 2} doz. 2-J-ineh bandages; Mrs. Harding (Petono)* 4 mufflers, G pairs mittens; Mrs. Tobin, old linen; Miss Jean Bennett, 1 pair hand-knitted socks; Mrs. Hubert L. Nathan, 1 pair haml-knittcd socks, 1 balaclava; Miss Stewart,; 18 eye bandages, face washers, 2 pairs day socks, 9 head bandages, 2 pairs mittens, 1 soldier's bag; Mrs. Templer, 1 air cushion and c?.se, 1. balaclava, ctc., 2 mufflers, 2 caps; Mrs. AY. J. Moore (Makuri), 1 do/,, pillow slips; Mrs. M. Gorringe (Levin), 30 head bandages. 18 eye bandages; no name, 1 ■ pair bed socks, 1 face cloth; Hazel and Rona Faville (Tcrraco School), 16 face cloths; no name, 13 face cloths; no name, old linen; Miss Kane, weekly papers; Cicely B. Fitzherbert (Feilding). 1 balaclava, 10 face washers, 2 pairs day sQcks, 1 pair bed socks, 1 scarf: Mrs. Climie (Lower Hutt), 4 pairs bed socks. Miss Tendall and Miss I-loughton returned to AVollington yesterday from a visit to Auckland. Mrs. Carey and Miss Ethel Carey, who have been staying in Hiuvke's Bay. returned to Masferton at the end of last week. Mrs. Lan Duncan is cxpccted by the Rotorua, which arrives in Auckland today from England. By tho Ruahine Mrs. Rolleston received a varied assortment of Toilet Specialities, including exclusive Face Powders. Prices, from .2s. Gd. to 10s. 6d. per box. Solide, "La lleine," 4s. Gd. Imperial Hair Stain, is. 6d. Absolutely reliablo and easily applied. And a large consignment of file best quality Hair for Switches, Transformations, and all designs of hair work. Every shade can be perfectly matched. Private rooms, 25G Lambton Quay<—Advt.

An Arabian Afternoon Tea. Writing from £1 Sliarbariat (Egypt), on December 5, a member of 0110 of the New Zealand Reinforcements tells ills peoplo in Wellington that ho had just Jiad rather a unique experience sinco last ho had written home. "Wo had tea with an Arab living behind tho station at which we were quartered," ho writes. "To make tea in their stylo, first produce tho tea, sugar in big lumps, a diminutivo teapot and diminutive glasses. Then the kettle. The Arab did this on a 'primus,' which seemed out of the picture somewhat. Tho teapot and glasses are then scalded, and the water and all future waste thrown on tho lioor of the hut. After the tea is put in the pot, great lumps of sugar, are thrown' in and hot water poured over them. Immediately a couple of glasses of tea are then poured out and tipped back into tho teapot. Repeat two or three times. Then a trial half-glass is poured out and tasted by the Arab. Ii satisfactory all glasses are filled (our pot only filled three at a time), and handed round and drunk. More water is added, and, when necessary, more sugar. The whole operation is repeated time after time for half an hour, or even an hour. After a while, as tho tea (?) might tend to bceonio weaker, a spoonful of some Arab tea is added, and this gives a most delicious flavour. After drinking eight glasses in about lialf an hour we began to wonder when tho game would finish, but our interpreter explained that tho situation was a lasting one, and I accordingly found urgent business elsewhere after making our apologies for withdrawing. All conversation was conducted through onr interpreter. The whole show reminded me of 'ICismet,' as there were fully half a dozen Arabs in their loose robes looking on, and occasionally asking the interpreter a question. To be invited to the ceremony was really a mark of favour, I afterwards learnt. I have inspected a couple of Bedouin camps, but they liavo' nil moved on, with the exception of one, with seven tents in it. The men are kept busy-all day 011 defences. The ' sleeping bag I brought with mo is worth pounds these cold nights slcening on th" ground.. "Whilst in Alexandria I mot one Sea ton, an old Teracc School boy, who left I believe, with the Main Force, and is now a 'sub' in. the JI.N.R., and engaged on the Swiftsure."

The N.Z.W.C.A. The_ New Zealand War Contingent Association held a general meeting at the Westminster Palace Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, when tlie High Commissioner (tho Hon. Thomas Mackenzie), who is also chairman, of the association, submitted a statement of the work accomplished in the relief of the sick and ivoiinded New Zealand soldiers during the sixteen months of the association's existence, states the "British Australasian" of December 16. Upon discharge from hospital the men were either sent 011 furlough or to a convalescent camp, [which was usually free from many of the restrictions existing in the hospitals. A good deal of : trouble had arisen through the hospital authorities refusing, by direction of tho War to give the men money for any purpose whatever duringjtho period of their stay in hospital. This difficulty lias been met bv this association and the Iligli Commissioner's department so far as possible by arranging with the secretaries of the hospitals to pay for necessaries while the men were patients. ' Seeing that all sorts and conditions of men were treated in the hospitals, the War Office regarded these regulations as being absolutely necessary, as upon occasions when men had received money it had been spent rapidly. It was gratifying, however, 'to report in reference to New Zealanders that their conduct was of the highest order, and if it were not that tlie Veaulations had to be made applicable to tlie whole British Army they would probably be quite ■■unnecessary so far as New Zcalanders were concerned.

Dance at Trontham. lho officers of fclic Reinforcements in training at Trontham arc giving a dance on Wednesday evening in the Kiosk on tho racccourse, to which about 200 couples have been invited. Guests from Wellington will proceed to Trcntliem by a train leaving Lambtoii Station at ten minutes past six o'clock, and will return by a special train leaving Trontham at half-past twelve. The centre of the kiosk will he cleared for dancing, and the outer portion will ho used as a supper-room and promenade, tho beautiful grounds being also used as a promenade. The Trontham Camp Band will provide tho music.

The "United Irishwomen." If earnest effort can make a country prosperous, Ireland should be a very happy place, for in all directions organisations of various lands have taken up tho good and practical work of improving tho health and th'o homes of Irish people (states "Tho Queen"). A groat deal of this important work is being done—and can only be done—by women, for a civilisation which ignores women and women's effort must be one-sided and incomplete, and among t)he vast social and economic stride,? which Ireland has made in the last ten years women have been as prominent as men. Not much more than five years ago the admirable organisation known as the "United Irishwomen" was founded, and now there are fifty-two branches all over ■ Ireland, with a membership of nearly 2000 strong, as well as associate branches in England', Canada, and tho United States. The idea, originated with Sir Horace Phuikett, wiho has spent- hia life in trying to build.up a rural civilisation in this country, and among the many schemes which his fertile brain devised for-Ireland's benefit was one for the brightening of cottago life through t/ie influence of gentle and educated women. He diw into his scrvice a staff of ladies, with the Countess of Fingall as their president, who by their own, example should show the country people how the poorest home might be kept sweet and tho poorest mother might diffuse comfort and happiness. This was the origin of tho "United Irishwomen's" organisation, whose work is as many-sided as humanity itself, and promises to be an immense influenco in the future of Irish civilisation. In a word, the movement is penetrating the social life of rural Ireland, and offering remedies for national ovils against which the people had almost ceased to fight. The Work of the "United Irishwomen" includes the physical bettormcnt of the people; the improvement of tho -homes j productive schemes and emergency work, the latter having arisen in connection with tho war, in .which they were'doing their full share.

A Loss to France and England. lbe death of Mr. John I'\ Macdonald two weeks ago means an irreparable loss to both France and England (states G writer in "The Queen", of December 16)-. Whenever this loss had come to us it must have been great, but coming now, when every sympathetic, nndersfcandmg interpreter of each other's country is a powerful arm to the causo of this Allies, Mr. Macdonald's death is felt all the_ more keenly. He had the gift of seeing above and leyoiid the common things of everyday life, and he gave to the "least of us" a touch of tho 1 divine, for his philosophy had that gentle, charitable flavour which could see "dignity springing from tho depths of desolation." You. feel it in all ho wrote, and yon only regret that he did not write more. In the "Fortnightly," in the "Saturday Review," in a host of daily papers he scattered his good seed, and anyone wlio has read him on France will have learned something of tho French people which makes tlieni not merely French but universal. With tho same confiding spirit Mr. Macdonald wrote of his own people, whom ho loved profoundly. His dclioatc genius was pervaded by a spirit, of laughter, and he has loft tho world a little brighter for the possession of his works, which, if collected, will bo a precious addition, to that small company of books which travel with one everywhere.

Mrs'. Morrison (Masterton) and Miss K. Morrison are visiting Wellington. Dr. T. W. Wilkin and Mrs. Wilkin have returned to Wanganui from a visit to Mount Egiuont. \i Voluntary workers at the New Zealand Hospital at AYalton-ron-Thames are: Major Bernard Myers, R.A.M.C., officer in charge, Miss Tonibe (matron), Lady Hardwicke (in charge, of the men's recreation room), Lady Bell (assisting in the sewing room), Mrs. Buckland (assistant storekeeper),' Mrs. Macalister (on clerical staff), tho Hon. Miss Plunket (secretary to matron and assistant storekeeper), Miss Russell (librarian), Miss Reynolds (assisting in men's recreation room). Miss Maud Reynolds (masseuse), ■Miss Yida Tteynolds (probationer), .Miss Elsie Gray (probationer), the Misses Ethel and Gertrude Lethbridge (probationers), Miss Bowden (probationer), Miss Buckland (probationer), Miss Davies (probationer), Miss Mary Mackenzie (probationer), Miss Watson (probationer), Miss Callender (on clerical staff), Miss Witt (liead of nurses' mess), Miss Witt (assistant to Miss Witt), the Hon. Eileen Plunket (assisting in kitchen), Miss Clare Mason (matron's maid and maid of officers' mess), Miss Allan (assistant to Miss Glare Mason), 'Miss Moncton (kitchen helper), t!;e Misses Bell (kitchen helpers). Miss Pearce (kitchen helper), the Misses J. and M. Thomson (in charge of nurses' home), Dr. Colbcck, Mr. _ Brewerton, Mr. Staples-Brown (assistant registrar), Capt. Macalister, R..N. (in charge _ of motor transport), Miss de Livet (assistant to Capt. Macalister), Mr. Bruce Mackenzie (dispenser and assistant radiologist).

Mrs. W. H. Rathbone (Waipawa) is visiting her soil in Oamarn. Miss Clarico Buckman, a member of the Muriel Starr Company, is, it 'is' stated, a sister of Rosina Buckman, the New Zealand singer, who has been making such a name at Home. An old .resident of Masterton,' Mrs. J. H. La Roche, died at Wellington on Saturday last. The deceased was predeceased by hor husband only a few months. Slie leaves a- family of six sens and three daughters. Two of the sons are on active service. A ! large number attended tho St. Mary's Parish Festival last night'. A programmo by juveniles, including contributions by Winston M'Carthy, Lily O'Lcary, Jack M'Lean, and Les O'Brien, was nrach appreciated, as were those of the juvenile -.orchestra_ wider Master B. O'Brien. To-night is the concluding evening, and a good programme has been, arranged. .The art union and other prizes will be drawn during the ovoning, villo (Blenheim) are visiting Wellington, and are staying at tho Windsor Hotel. Mrs. Fraser Tyler and Miss Amy Nc-