WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2743, 11 April 1916, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

The Aotoa Convalescent Hospital. In the course of a letter which has been received from Miss -E. A. Wont, the ivoi'k which is done for 'convalescent soldiers iu the Aotoa Convalescent Homo in Egypt is very highly spoken of. Miss ltotit says: "1 have not had time to go to Aotea yet, hut I have heard the most glowing accounts of it everywhere. Dootors and nurses have told mo it is wonderfully well conducted, and that the <Sew Zealanderb* when.well enough to leave hospital are- eager to i;o to Aotea. That is a great triumph for the AVanganui, Feilding, and Wairarapa people, and for the women who have worked so earnestly and dovotedly in the home itself, "i'hey make hot scones for us—make them themselves, uud butter thorn for us," one soldier said to mo. 'J'he volunteer women who are running Aotea are not pampering the men, but just cheering and heartening them—making them well men instead of sick men. One doctor said to me the other clay that he only wished there were at least two more Aoteas for the New Zealand hospital caseo. That'is the groat lack here—canteens and 'rest hostels for men on leavo and "men "slightly sick." But everything depends on the right kind of women tunning these places. Only the strong,'' capable/mature women are, wanted here." Social at Dyervllle. On' Fridav evening the residents of Uyerville met in the Public Hall to bid rarewell to Troopers Ohesham, Moffitl, 15vans, and Goodwin, who are leaving shortly for the front. The men, who are verv popular iu the district, were each presented with a wristlet wateh ,1-ith luminous dial. Mr. Daysh. in making the presentations,. said he hoped the example sot by the troopers present would be followed'by other men, as .we needed them all to help in the winning of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Chesham, parents of Trooper Chesham, were prts sent, and looked very proucr of then soldier soli. Mr. Campbell Smith made u brief speech, and wished the guests of the evening "God speed .and as afo return." 'Trooper Moffitt, who saw service in the Boer War, on behalf of himKelf and companion, thanked those prosent for their good wishes, and also for the watches, which would servo to remind them of their friends in Dyerv'jlle. Vocal items were given by Messrs. Daysh, and by Mrs. Campbell Smith. Light; refreshments were sup. plied by the ladies, after which tl>a gathering dispersed.

All old identity of Masterton, in the person of Mr«. C. A. Tabuteau, died on Sunday night, after a protracted illness. The deceased lady, who had been twice married, was very highly rejected throughout the district.

The annual meeting of the Victoria League takes place to-morrow in Messrs. Kirkcaldio and Stains's tea rooms, nt t> o'clock.. The business to be dealt with will comprise tho receiving of tho annual report and balance-sheet and tho election of officers. The Hon. A. M. Myers will preside, and tho speakers will be Mrs. Corliss and Mr. Alfred .'oily. . .

The-ongagement is announced of Miss M. Ailsa Cole/only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Cole, Carterton, Wairarapa, to Mr. L. W. H. Young, Bom-bay,-India.

The Committee of the British Red Cross Society and Order, of St. John, invite all those interested m Red Cross Work to the opening of the new Central' Depot at 4MMercer Street,r r Street, opposite the Town Hall (particularly those willing; to become active members) on A\ednesday,' at 3 p.m. Three months' con-tinuous-work will entitle workers to the society's badge. His Excellency the Governor has consented to open the depot.

All parcels should be addressed to the British Red Gross Society and_ Order of St. John, Central Depot, 4 Mercer ■Street, Wellington.

The .following contributions have been received at tiie Town Hall during the past week: by the Mayoress' Committee- of the Countess of Liverpool luind: —Mrs J. "W. Whitakcr (Palmcrston North) 1 tin sweets; Mrs. Hansen (TV lloti), ' 1 nightingale, 1 scarf; Mrs. Vecdi (Java), 1 pair socks; Rex and i). Haughey, papers; Mrs. Keliway, papers, 2 cholera bolts, 1 scarf, 1 cap; Mrs A. Holden, 2 pairs socks, 2 cholera'belts, 2 caps; .Mrs..E. Collie, 2 pairs socks, 8 pairs mittens; Countess of Glasgow, 3 pairs socks; Mrs. Leach, 1 pair socks; Miss Bennett, 1 pair socks; G.F.S. Lodge, 8 gairs socks, 4 balaclavas; Mrs. F. Saniljel, 1 pansocks; Miss A. Scott, 2 pairs socks; Mrs. Ballinger, 3 pairs socks; Mrs. Baumgart, 2 pairs socks, body belt; Mrs. Wimsett, 2 face cloths, 6 mittens; no name, 3 balaclavas; Mrs. Harrison, 1 pair socks; Mrs. .Fitchett, 3 pairs socks, 6 tins tobacco.

The i Mayoress has received from .Mr. H K. Ross, of G. A. Bond and, Co., of Sydney, a gift of 70 made-up dresses for the British and Belgian Fund.

Miss Sybil Nathan, lion, secretary of the lato Red Cross Military Hospital Guild,' acknowledges the following gifts which have been received at the Central Depot, 4 Mercer Street:—Miss Kirkcaldie, 2-pairs socks; per Miss Allan, 1 pair socks; Kirkcaldie and Stains, towels and tea towels; British Red Cross Society, New Plymouth Centre, 1 leg splint, 20 ordinary splints, 18 doz. face cloths, .6 bed-pan covers, 9 sheets, u doz. pillow-cases, 2 hot water-ba<* covers, 23 many-tailed bandages, 9 roller towels, 12 dark grey under shirts, 22 light grey, under shirts, 2 white nightshirts, 3 doz. pairs pyjamas, 9 khaki flannel shirts, 2 doz. and.2. pairs socks, 2 woven undervests, 3 knitted scarves, 1' blanket- scarf, 1 helmet, 1 cap, 1 pair bed socks, 6 bed jackets, 1 pair cuffs, 1 pair mittens, 5 treasure bags, 6 handkerchiefs, 1 case surgical instruments, illustrated papers; Girls' Friendly 'Society, old linen 4 pairs socks, 1 doz. handkerchiefs, 1 day shirt, 2 pyjama suits; Newman Red Cross Workers, 5 pairs pyjamas, 1 bed jacket, 1 pair hospital slippers, 4 pairs hand-knitted socks, 2 scarves, 1 balaclava; Awahuri Red Cross Guild, 2o pyjania suits.

The only means of permanently removing superfluous hair is Electrolysis. Mrs. Eolleston specialises in this treatment, and is recommended by our leading medical men. Permanent results without the slightest scar are guaranteed. Ladies troubled with this disfigurement shouid arrange for a weekly treatment of either half an hour or an hour. Very littlo

inconvenience is experienced, -and in a short time the growth of hair is entirely removed. Strictest privacy is observed. 256 Lambton Quay—Advt.

Whoever suffers from ahapped hands and does not use "SYDAL" (Wilton's Hand Emollient) is foolish, those who avoid having chapped hands by using "SYDAL" are wise.. Where do you beloDg?-Advt.

Ladies! Buy your Silk Hose from Herb. Price. He has just onened up a new 'rungo of Blnr.k Silk Hoac, wlilcu can't be bsaten.—Advt. >

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM JAR AND NEAR. (By Imogen.)

A Soldier's Letter of Thanks. The Mayoress, Mrs. J. P. Luke, has received the following letter from fl New Zealand soldier at the front:— "Having worked so ardently and untiringly in the interests of wo men at the front, I thought yourself and loyal co-workers would like to hear how greatly your magnificent kindness in sending the numerous and varied gifts to the boys is appreciated. Through your efforts and the munificence of the New Zealand people, Christmas became somewhat real to us, and I can assure you words fail to express the gratitude. Which we feel towards yoji all. Owing to the withdrawal of the troops from the Peninsula about Christmas time, the delivery of the gifts was delayed, and did not come into our possession until-January was well advanced. Seeing what I have seen, of our New Zealand men, I am convinced that even' in the most adverse circumstances they would evince a splendid spirit of cheerful patience. Though your gifts were somewhat belated, nevertheless the hoys celebrated the festive season in a right royal manner, and the desert rang for miles with the strains of 'Auld Lang' Syne" as the old year passed away and the new year rolled in. "Up to the time of writing the Wellington Battalion had received nearly 300 cases of gift goods from the people of New Zealand. To justly apportion these goods to the men of our company was the allotted task of myself, and early and late I laboured to deliver the goods to our own men. This work was done by myself in the full knowledge that my efforts were insignificant compared with {hose of you and your noble band of workers in far away NewZealand, which it is our pleasure and our pride to represent in this struggle for liberty I can assure you the gratitude of the men adequately compensated one for any outlay of effort, and work became a .pleasure. Naturally we look for the termination (if hostilities, but I am expressing a universal sentiment as far as our owii men are concerned when I say that we are content to continue service until such time as wo can. return to our dear native land as members of a victorious army baving humbly played our part in securing for our grand old Empire .and tbe world in general an honourable and lasting peace." _ ... \' Captain H. A. Davies, writing on behalf of his men, thanks the Mayoress and her committee for parcels of Christmas gifts and for the lefctei 1 announcing that the leather waistcoats were on their "way. "The waistcoats," he writes, "have not yet arrived, but I will inform you when they do. Although it inay be too warm here to use them, yet when wo move to a colder climate J;liey will be invaluable. Many of tbe Christ, mas gifts have arrived, and were thoroughly enjoyed."

In regard to this letter, the honorary secretary of the. Countess of Liverpool Fund states that word has boon l'Or ceived sayinp that all the waistcoats bnd arrived, but were being stored till thev were needed.

Mrs. Reilly and Mrs. Thomson wish to acknowledge contributions' for theii stall at the Trontlmin Racecourse on Thursday and Saturday from: Me'ssra. A. A. Stiehbury, A. Walker, Dalgety a'nd Co., .1. Myers and Co.. Sargootl, Ron, and Bwen, and Bing, Harris and Co. '

Suppressing the Grumblers,

Lady Doughty, formerly well known for her witty. pon in Australia, is now part proprietor of a newspaper in Lincolnshire, states the "British Australasian." To a recent issue she coil : tributes an excellent article on "Tho Grumblers," in the course of which she says:—"Wo want to keep the homefires of love and patriotism and hopo burning. We can't, if the extinguishers of the grumblers are contantly at work to put them out. . . . Only the ladamant optimist, encased in the steel of sublimo and imperishable confidence, can resist the depressing murmur of--tho grumblers. ' It is insidious and continu-, ons. There are many, societies for the protection of this and tho prevention of the other thing. Ought we notto have' an association formed to suppress the grumblers,' 1 to fine them or to cut them adrift, until we were utterly rid of their corroding presence?'

A quiet wedding took place in the Presbyterian Church at Featherston on Friday'morning, when the Rev. &. Stowell united Edith May Leng, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Leng, of Canterbury, and Private William Ernest Cottier, of H Company, 12th Reinforcoments, and youngest son of Mr. Thomas Cottier, Manchester, England.

■- Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Townsend, Mayoress of Miramar, met the ladies of the' distract in the Council Chambers to discuss arrangements in connection with Red Cross work which has recently been placed on a new footing. The ladies'of .both Miramar and Seatoun lave for months past been doing splendid work both in regard to the Countess, of Liverpool work, for soldiers and that of the Red Cross, and it was to bring matters into line with the new organisation that the meeting was hold. Mrs. Townsend presided,and briefly outlined the changes that had "recently taken place in regard to the organisation of Red Cross work, and'the arrangement that'it was proposed to carry, out that afternoon. • It was decided to form a committee of workers for Miramar and another for Seatoun, and from each committee would be chosen'a member to represent her own organisation on the general body. A provisional committee was set up with power to add to their numbers! and at a further meeting the representatives of both Miramar and the Seatoun committees will be chosen. , ,

Nurse Donald, late Plunket mirse for the -Napier district,, left on. Saturday for Wellington, where she is to catch the Arawa anc ] proceed to England, to offer-her services as a nurse for the front. She was met the previous day by some of her friends and members of the committee, and presented with a purso of sovereigns as a token of goodwill and appreciation of her seven 3 tars' work amongst the babies and mothers of the town.

Mrs. Sol. H. Myers is now residing at the Oriental Bay Private Hotel..

The members of the Karori Croquet Club made an effort on Monday afternoon to raise funds for wounded soldiers. Mrs. Gooder, secretary of tho club, gave a tea at her house, and members and their friends donated money and articles suitable for the needs • of sick and wounded soldiers. Music was contributed by Mesdamns Tumor and Yates, .and was • much appreciated. Several games of croquet were played, and they added to the general enjoyment of the afternoon.' Tho proceeds are to be given to the Karori branch of the Women's 'National Reserve.

HOSPITAL LIFE AND NEEDS

LETTER FROM DR. AGNES BENNJETT. The Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) has received a letter from Dr. Agnes Bennett, written from "tho Military lnfec« tious Hospital, Cairo, on January 31, m which she states that she has received a gift of £14 from the St. John Ambulance Association, through tho New Zealand Pay - Office. "1 am trying to put it to the very best advantage for the men," she writes. I have 'felt most gratetul for the various sums' of money sent me, and I have felt very pleased that 1 was entrusted' with the spending of these funds. Would you, however, let the senders know that I am very sorry, but 1 cannot account foi details .of spending. Life is often very strenuous here, and apartf rom paying the money into. a special account and drawing it out in small cheques—gen. erally to Sisters and others, who buj shoes, vests, biscuits, and sueli like, oi put it into drives for the patients—l tear I can not undertake to account for it. I really do feel it rather a responsibility to organise drives and shopping expeditions in this country, where it is often, a "toss-up" whether folk keep their promises or not. It takes up 'time and energy, and very often temper. However, the men are so appreciative of. anything that relieves the monotony of their stay here that it is, full compensation. The Sisters are really awtully good. .We are rather severely bound down by military rule, and they often give up- their spare time to taking the men out on expeditions who could not otherwise get out of the hospital. Life iii a military hospital like this is not really hard, except in times of pressure. The problems of labour do not confront us here. What I have felt a good deal is being tied under one roof, so much, often not getting out for two' or three days at a time. • The new Empire Club for Women War Workers is really splendid. It is a large house, in a lovely garden right in the centre'of Cairo, and lent by a rich old Pasha,primarily for the Sisters and the V.A.lK's. It is such a treat to get into a nicely-furnished room with a fire. Our furniture here is of tho simplest hospital variety, and in this cold weather one misses carpets and curtains, and there is not * fireplace in the whole building. If there were coal it is- £7 a ton. The patients do well, as there.is always clear, hot sunshine in the day, and they get into bed when they come in from the garden. 'We do sometimes wish for a cosy fire for them, especially the first time they are up. ■ However, we wrap them in blankets,, and we are fairly well off for warm things. If anyone is sending again,' would you get goods addressed care Mr. Tweedy, N.Z.G., Pont de Koubbeh Hospital, and send him a private note, to ask him to send them on, and at the same time notify how they are address-

ed. .■ ■. ' , ' The M.H.G. cases are just what-we want at the present time, but in a few weeks we shall again want cool things —cotton pjjamas, etc. I wish we could introduce a'regulation pattern. Ike British Red Cross Convalescent suits are so smart and nice.: I feel quite envious of the British Convalescent Homes when I see the men so smart. What' our men like best in tho summer is crepe (cotton), white, I think, preferably but .100 to 150 suits of any one colour is liked, by the Sisters,'because then they get their own back again, and "keep ihem tidy for their own ward. We have about 64 men in most wards (i.e., series of rooms under one charge sister), smaller numbers where there is diphtheria (40), and scarlet fever (24), as we find that number of beds is sufficient to' meet the want. . . As I write a hospital train is passinn- and one wonders whether there lias been a brush on the Canal or elsewhere. As for nows here, we get next to none, everything being so severely censored on account of tho natives. The New Zealand weekly papers are immensely appreciated by all, and we usually get good supplies through the Tadre, not quite so regularly as when Padre Macdonald was here, as he was so indefatigable and splendid. , We have gone in for a good deal of Horlick's malted milk with the money sent. As it went up in price we could not get it as a ration for some time, and wo missed it very much. Our typhoids get very little fresh milk, only that in their coffee, cocoa, and tea, 'Wo have to make up with Horlick, condensed milk, Glaxo, and Bovnl; and occasionally Allenbury. Bovo Amco, and Bovril are a great help,, also tinned apricots, which are a little acid, and neutralise the sweetness of tho condensed milk. The acute cases get tho juice and the j convalescents get the. fruit. Wo give them two limes a head each day, and also at the present moment* oranges. Fortunately, tho bread is good, and also the chickens are good, though small. One chicken serves two men only for dinner. I wish you could see the building and the' view.from it. The building lis splendid, really built for a hospital, and wo are in the midst of all the luxuriant Nile Valley cultivation-cotton, suf'ar cane, maize, etc., so beautifully green, and tho'picturesque old fellaheen in their blue gowns a spectacle of patient toil 'such as I have never seen before. I often wish that you good folk could witness some of tho practical results of your toil in the way.l see them."

HOW WOULD THE WAE BE?

It may he taken as a rather interesting'si«n of the /times when the editorial column of the "Daily Mail" seriously discusses the question whether the war would not be m a better state if the Cabinet had been composed ot an equal number of men and women. "The question," states ...the writer, "is being seriously discussed b;y many who have been amazed at the quick and splendid way in which women are taking to war life. . "Putting aside .the current gibe that there are several old women in the Government already, we are inclined to think that the quick wits and vigorous tongues : of eleven practical ladies would have insisted that, out of the twenty-two, there should be selected a real leader able and' willing to say firmlj, 'Yes' or 'No,' 'Look ahead!''and 'What about the weekly bills?' "Women know that if a house is to he well managed it must have at its head a mistress or a housekeeper. "They know, too, that if tho mistress and tho cook, and all the .maids and tho house boy were, allowed to order from shops indiscriminately ruin would soon come.

"Tliev know the truth of the say-1 ing: 'Like mistress, like maid.' A,| wealthy Cabinet that draws its full salary pnd 'spends it cannot expect a watdiing public to economise. ; "Woman's tongue is a sharp sword, and she takes care that it shall not rust. Would tho twenty-two be so fond of praising themselves and each other in public if a few home truths were .regularly ■' uttered bv some shrewd feminine critics at those interminable and futile mutual admiration debates? Women, the practical-mindfid sex, not on!'- to lie but' also act. If talk were shells the twenty-two would hpve beaten tho Germans months ago. Many men nre writing to M.P.'s about the war. The ladies can help by following suit. Nothing stimulates a man so quickly as feminine home truths."

WOMEN IN THE CABINET