WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2787, 3 June 1916, Page 12

WOMAN'S WORLD.

(By Imogen.)

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR,

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Soldiers' Gramophone Fund. '.L'hfl committee of the Soldiers' Gramophone . Fund has reason to bo gratified with the result of their efforts. Twelve gramophones and three hundred records aro being sent to Trentham and Featherdton Camps from ihe returns to hand by the sale of beads and formulas. Colonel Newall expresses great appreciation on behalf of the returned soldiers for the one sent to Kin;,' George V Hospital in llotorua. The following hare been added to the committee:—Brigadier-General Robin, Colonel Tate, Hon. A. 51. Myers, Dr. Thacker, M.P., and the Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luke. Judging by the interest taken in the fund, the committee arc ii«pii' ; »fi that, they have the support of the relatives and friends of the young soldiers, whose evening hours they aro hopeful eS brightening. The secretm-y, ton, will he glad to receive donations or records at the depot, 258 Lambton Quay. Health of Women and Children, Tho monthly meeting of the Royal Now Zealand Society for the. Health of Women and Children was held at the Pluukot Booms, 3 Oour.lenay. Place, on Thursday. There wero present: The Countess of Glasgow (in the chair), Mesdames Mas. sey, Williams, Fitchett, Ward, S. Kirkcaldie, Chapman, At' Vicar, Ponsonby, M'Lean, P. Leckie, G. Reid, J. Tripe, Ewen, and Hosking, Lady Stout, Messrs. Ingles, Barnett, and Cable. Apologies fi-ero received from Mesdamcs Cook, Coull, Anderson, C. Richardson, and Corrigan, and Miss Kirkcaldie. • Accounts were passed for payment and correspondence dealt with. The nurses' report was very , satisfactory, and showed a record attendance at the rooms. Miss Barnett reported that sewing bees had been held last month, and that tho next ivoukl bo held on Tuesday, June 6, at 40 Hobson Street. A very acceptable parcel of wellmade garments had been received from the Technical School, Material had been supplied to the Normal School, and had been returned made into exceedingly nice baby clothes. Largo parcels of clothes have been distributed to war relief cases, and many letters of gratitude had been received for these • gifts. The following subscriptions to the fund for purchasing material had been received:—Countess at Glasgow, £2; Lady Stout, .£1; Mesdames Harcourt and Davy, 10s. each.; Mesdames Massey, Meek, Nicoll, Ponsonby, .Hosking, G. R«id,' M'Leau, S. Kirkcaldie, and Miss Barnett, ss. each; Mesdames Chapman and F. Leckie, 2s. The hon. treasurer gratefully acknowledges the following_ subscriptions and donations:—Subscriptions: Mrs. W. Nathan, .£5 55.; Mrs. S. Kirkcaldie, ,£5 os.; Countess of Glasgow, Jo; Mrs. H. Gilmer, -£2 25.; Mesdames Rigg, J. Duncan, Elder, and Lady Stout, .£1 Is. each; Mrs. Bichclbaum, ,fl j Mrs. C. Griffiths, 10s.; Mesdames Stott, Kthorington, H. Hall, E. K. Kirkcaldie, M. Myers, P. J. Nathan, Campbell, C. Smith,_ George Johnson, Joseph Joseph, G:. Reid, A. Meek, Carminer, Clayton, Nieholls, Hume, Hassall, Bai-thorp, ss. each. Donations: Mrs. Edwards, «£1; Mesdames Richmond, Gusscott, and Fullertnn, 10s. each; Mesdames M'Caul, Dyer, and Weston, ss. each. Bcrs at rooms, Bs. lid. . Soldiers' Room Fund. Tho hon. treasurer (Mrs. H. Hall) of! the Soldiers' Roam Fund, acknowledges tho receipt of the following donations:— The Hon. W. H; Berries, J!50; Mr. Joseph Joseph, ,£25; Mr. John'Duncan, ,£10; Dr. and Mrs. Mason, £5; Messrs. Cathie and Sons, iS; Mrs. S. Kirkcaldie, JJ3 35.; Mrs. H. Moss, <£1; a, soldier, Jil; also the following . subscriptions:—Messrs. J. , S. Holmes, Thomas Ballinger and Co., and Blundell Bros., .£l2 (year's subscription); Messrs. W. S. Reid, Balcombe Brown, Hardwick Smith, and "A Friend," ,£U each (six months); Mrs. Lan Duncan; .£5; Mr. A. D. Thomson and Messrs. Laery and C0.,.«C3 (three months) each; Khan--dallah Hostesses, .£2 ,25.; Miss ,Fraser, (four, mouths); Miss Teudall, Miss Siales (two months);-Mrs. 1 Wilberfoss.'Mrj. Hamilton ..Gilmer, Mrs. Herbert, Mrs. H. Kirkcaldie, Dr. and' Mrs. H. Adams, Mr. T. Ronayne, Mrs. Morrali, Mr. T. F. Martin, Messrs. Thompson Bros., 1,1d.,-and tho British Empire Trading Co!, £1 each; Mrs. Macarthy Reid, .=£l Is.; Mrs. Zohrab, 10s.; Mrs. Buttle, 55.; soldiers' contributions:'(two weeks), .£9.

' Mr. and Mrs. D. Rutherford have returned to C'hristchurch from a visit to Wellington. and the north.

About 1000 of the patients in the Now Zealand General Hospital, in Egypt, which is under the charge of Colonel AY. H. Parkes, of Auckland, are to be removed to England very" shortly (states the Auckland "Star"). This information was given to tlw executive of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic AYar Relief' Association by Mrs. Parkes. In view of the intended transference, and of the i'act that the association is contributing its monthly quota towards the which is being sent Home each month by the advisory board for New Zealand soldiers in Egypt and Britain, it was decided •to suspend* tho payment of <£100 per month, which ,tho association has been remitting, to the hospital in Egypt. It was also decided to discontinue the monthly remittance of .£IOO to the general officer commanding in. Egypt.

Mrs, Herbert Hammond (Rangitikei) is visiting Wellington, and is the guest of Mrs. Thornton.

The seventh animal meeting of the Presbyterian Orphanage and Social Service 'Committee is to be held in St. John's Schoolroom on Monday evening, at half-past seven. Speeches and a musical programme will provido the. interest of the evening, the former dealing witli the work that has been carried out by the committee during the past year.

Miss Dorothy Ball, who is about to take a trip to "the Old Country, was yesterday presented with a gokl -wristlet watch aml bracelet. by her fellow employees of the Bristol Piano Company, as a mark of their esteem and good wishes.

The wedding took place this week at the 'Anglican Church of St. John the Baptist, Rangiora, of Corporal do Villiers, who left for Galtipoli with the Main Body, and. lias been invalided home, tc> Miss E. Jeffrey, only daughter of Mr. S. •J. .'Jeffrey, of'-South brook. The bridesmaids were Miss Nellie Laskey and -Miss Doris Marty n, w'liihi Master Cteolfrey Martyn ■ acted as page. Corporal Ralph Munii, who also left with the Main Body, and was invalided to New Zealand, was best man.

St. John Ambulance Brigade and Rod Cross Society.

J.ho St. Johu Ambulance Brigade and Eed Cross Society, Nathan's Buildings, wish to acknowledge the following gilts: —Mrs. C. R. Chapman (Danedin), 1 pair bed socks; Air. M'Arthur, 1 cake of red stencil ink; Mrs. Adams, S balaclavas <1 pairs bed socks, -t face cloths; Airs. Hunter (Goldie's Brae), 1 pair socks; Anon, old linen; Mrs. l/nuicis, 2 balaclava caps; E. Drewitt (Paraparaumu), 2 pairs socks; Airs. Tobin, old linen; Miss Annio Buchanan (Tokomaru Bay), 1 case, of old linen; Aliss Young, 2 pairs slipper tops; Miss Whitcombe, old linen; Mrs. Kerr, old linen; Kirkcaldio and Stains, tar sheets; Kimbolton lied Cross Society, 31 shirts, 20 under shirts, 21 suits of pyjamas, 2 body belts, 22 face cloths, 40 pillowslips, 2 pairs bed socks, G pairs slippers, 3 pairs socks, bandages, swabs, old linen; Mrs. Kendrick, 6 face cloths; Eketalvuna lady, 1 balaclava, 1 scarf; Eongomai Sowing Guild, 2 suits of pyjamas. 5 shirts, 1 pairs underpants, iIG swabs, 21 eye bandages, old linen; Mrs. Stevons (Mangaweka), 1 case of apples for Rod Cross Shop; Mrs. Ward (Kelburne), 7 balaclavas, 1 pairs mittens; Mrs. Middleton, 8 pairs slippers; Airs. Eckford, 1 pots of jam, old linen; Awahuri Bed Cross Guild, 16 pairs bed socks, 2 pairs gloves, 1 pair slippers, 2 comforters, 1 dressing gowns, 2 bed packets, 2 cases of bandages, swabs, etc.; W.C.T.U. (per Mrs. Helyer), 1 pairs slipper tops; Mrs. Tiller, 3 balaclavas; Rarotonga Red Cross Society, 1 case of bandages. Miss Cooper and Miss Moss acknowledge contributions to their patriotic flower stall in Bonth's Buildings from Mrs.- H. Pollen, Mrs. W. Nelson, Miss Skerret.t, Mrs. Hassell, Mrs. Ewen, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Wise (Rona Bay), Mrs. von Haast, Miss Medley, Air. A. Harper, Miss Ewen, Airs., Smith, Airs. W. l'erguson, and Mrs. Rolleston. Mr. and Airs. Baddsley and Air. and Airs. Sampson (Wanganui), who came to Wellington to seo their sons in the 13tli Reinforcement, returned yesterday to their homos. Ladies! Now is your chance to purchase a dainty Silk Scarf at a discount of 15 per cent, at Herb. Price's 8-day Sale (now going strong).—Advt.. Cleanliness is a virtne—it is also a necessity in the liome, and you will find the "Daisy" Vacuum Cleaner a great acquisition in your cleaning operations. It thoroughly. cleans! and lightens your daily work to a marvellous degree. The "Daisy 1 ' is a daisy, there's no doubt, and if von call we will show you how simplo it is to operate and how low it is in price. Oscar Howett and ■ Co., Ltd.. 56 Cuba Street (just below Bank of N.Z.)—Advt.

.Women's National Reserve. An interesting detail in connection with! the carrying' out : of 1 the Women's National Registration is that the Island Bay branch, got their report in first, exactly a week after the movement was (started. Each branch was given - full freedom to work their 'own 1 district' is they thought fit. Island Bay decided i that a personal canvass was the most satisfactory. The following report was handed in—"Every house in Island Bay has been visted, and 387 women interviewed, the result being, as follows: Willing to help;. but prevented: by domestic has been .visited, and '887 women: interby ill-health', 24; otherwise, engaged (principally teachers), 10; refused, 2; cards signed for service, 46; total, 390. Several cards were left at houses where the women were:/undecided at present,' and instructions were given that these cards were to be sent direct to headquarters." . ;

The newly-formed civil branch of the Women's Reserve in Auckland has now brought the Reserve in that city' 1 up to : a total of 300 members. At a meeting; which was held there on Wednesday an

executive.. committee was set up, comprising the following:—Mesdames W, J. Napier, H. Buckleton, W. H. Parkes, H. H. Levien, E. Russell, C. Whitney, H. Walker, P. C. Skipworth, Lindsay, and the Misses E. Statham and E. Melville. Khandallah Branch of the Women's Re. serve. A-meeting of the Khandallah Branch of the Women's National Reserve 'was held in the Public Hall, Khandallah, yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Porter, organising. secretary.of the Reserve,, gave a very interesting and instructive address, reviewing the work done up to the present by the various branches of. the organisation throughout the Dominion. The future scope of 'the Reserve was indicated, showing the' prospects 'of women being able to undertake those occupations hitherto' looked upon as being beyoiid their capacities.. Mrs. Porter also dealt with the question of the-national registration of women, and explained what the sciiemo embraced in the way of preparing women to fill the places of the men during the course of the war. The Mayoress (Mrs. Crump) presided. .

Hamua-Hukanui Red Cross Society,

Mrs. W.. J. Smith, "Aperana," i waa hostess at'a>Red Cross tea held ;at her residence on Wednesday last. A very busy time was spent in completing work for this month's parcel. Mrs. Barnett, the schoolhouse, Hamua, will bo 1 tho hostess next Wednesday, June 7.

THE CARDINAL'S DREAM

A CONVERSATION WITH MADAME . CLARA BUTT(By Harold Begbie.) "What on earth has made you. . . she interrupted me at once. .'"■ That's the whole point," she said, with quiet assuranco. ■ -But to produce the 'Dream of Gerontius for a week," I continued, "for a whole week, with the rivalry of new musical comedies staring you in the face, what has led you.to hope. , . She hesitated for a moment, looking at me with something of a scrutiny; then, leaning a little forward and with a new seriousness in her voice: . "Don't you ill' s ' lo as ' tel '' "that people will be glad to hear something which is definite* ly spiritual? Isn't it time, I mean," sho continued more eagerly, "that art in S , d should try to express the new attitude of the English mind ton'arde death and the lifo .after, death? I feel so strongly," sho continued, "that one performance a year in London of a work Ilku 'Gerrontnis' in uttorly ridiculous, especially when it is done in a hall four tunes too large for it. I want tho peoplo to get it into their bones and to really love .it, as I am suro they will, given the proper chance," :' ■ Ostensibly; the reason of Mint. Clara Bntfs venture is the need of the Red Cross Society for money. She sincorely desires to help their noble exchequer. Qui it was not the need of tho Red Cross ■<?? led her to choose tho "Dream of Gerontius" for her performance. Other motives wero at work—religious '-motives—and with .these profoundly spiritual'motives'was a. desiro to chaW lenge _ London with something definitely beautiful and definitely mystic. .She added: "I cannot tell you liow I feci the need for something in the nature of a protest or a challenge. AVe arc -v nation in mourning. Life as it existed two years ago has ceased. And in tho midst of this tremendous upheaval, when youth is dying for us, I want the peoplo to come' to the Queen's Hall during tho week of May 8, and with the helii of Cardinal Newman's wonderful poem, Elgar's music, and the 250 fine voices from Leeds, to help them to realise some spiritual 'truths and to give them a week of beautiful thoughts. I am the last person in the world to deride comedy and .amusement; but my point is this. The 'greater things in life should never be neglected by art; but to neglect them now, in a time like this—in a time of such sorrow and pain to limit art only to amusement—this is bad. And I aiu not afraid to' go much further. I am suro that no nation can be great which is 'njot religious. I am perfectly certain that nSarly all our tragic blunders, perhaps all of them, can be traced to our materialism—for materialism breeds aputiiy and self-satisfaction."

_ Madame Clara Butt believes that there is a new attitude towards death. She holds that people that had no faith befor.the war are now hungering to believe that beyond the crave there is life. In presenting the "Dream of Gerontius" Bho hopes_ that many of these will come. Religion must not be a compartment in our national life, it must be the spirit of the whole nation. "No nation can bo frreat which is not religious," says Mine. Clara Butt. And ono may surely add this, that no Art cap. escape degradation which is not inspired by faith—"Daily News."

The many admirers of Dr. Helen Sexton naturally take pride in the fact that Bhemow ranks as Major Helen Sexton; states a writer in the "Daily Telegraph" (Sydney). She is attached to the Hospital Militaire Buffon in Paris, but was recently invalided to London, having slipped in the snow and injured her leg. In a letter to a Mollxmrne friend she pays a very high tribute to the French, and is emphatic in saying that outside Tielp in the matter of clothing and> supplies is greatly needed. The hospitals can allow only meat, potatoes, and bread, and the ladles who work at the hospitals supply all' they can. afford in the way of coffee, eggs, cheese, arid, fruit. It is theso ladies—young Americans for the most part —who command Major Sexton's most whole-hearted admiration, their quickness and thoroughness being nothing short of marvellous.

• "I spent a part of my life in the East End of London, and from the facts which came 'tinder my observation there it seemed impossible; that some infants could lire at all," said the Bishop of Auckland, Dr. A. W. Averill, at the annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children. He went on to say that he had seen mothers feeding babies on just what they themselves ate. The marvel was that the infants : did not die. Mr. Entrican, Deputy-Mayor, doclared, that lio ! had heard of a caso of a London mother feeding her baby on tinned rabbit. When she was remonstrated with she rejoined;: "What can I give him ? He will not cat pork."