SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3020, 6 March 1917, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Gift Parcels for Soldiers Abroad. A meeting of tho Countess of Liverpool Fund Committee was held in tho Mayoress' room of tho Town Hall on Monday morning. _ Tho Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) presided, and there wero present: Mesdames A. Crawford, Myers, Crump, F. Townsend, W. Nathan, Barltrop, Tripp, Ashonden, Findlay, and Miss Fraser. Tho matter of tho gift parcels again occupied tho attention of members, and it was decided that tho country districts should bo written to asking if it could bo arranged that their quota of gift parcels could bo sent through tho ono channel, that of tho Wellington Committee. In Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago this was done, and it simply meant that it was known then whether each military district was sending its full quota, that of 6000 parcels each per month. It was explained that.under tho present system it sometimes happened that tho number of parcels sent to tho men abroad fell short of what should have been sent, and it meant that the contents of somo had to be shared, occasionally, between as many as four or fivo men This, of course, was not a desirable state of affairs, and it was to obviate such occurrences that this arrangement was proposed—not that tho Wellington organisation should got tho credit of sending away largo numbers of parcels beyond tho due quota, but that it should bo ensured that tho number of parcels sent away would equal tho number of mon. Contributions of money or kind would do equally well if sent to tho Wellington Committee, and parcols_ would be made up, of the regulation size, by the Citizens' Service- Loague. All donations, whether of money, kind, or of parcels_ complete in themselves ready for sending away, should, when forwarded to tho Wellington Committee, have an enclosed' card bearing tho name of the organisation and district from which they were sent, and if packed by the Wellington Committee the packer would have tho privilege of adding her own name as packer upon the card. Further a request would ho written upon tlio car 3 that' tho soldier recipient should acknowledge receipt of the parcel to the organisation that sent it._ In this way each district and organisation would receive credit for its share. Should any district or organisation in the Wellington district prefer to send its parcels away to the soldiers independentlv of the Wellington organisation, all that would bo asked would bo that they should notify tho latter of the number- of parcels that were being sent by them. I' In this way a tally would be made of ; all parcels sent from tho Wellington : Military District.

It was pointed out at the meeting by tho Mayoress that hell) in nroviding parcels for the men at tho front was very badly needed. Owinp to tho rftstricfions that havo recently been imposed by tho British Government in regard to certain "comforts," it ha'J become a)' tho move necpssnrv thufc people fit this country should tindcrtalcci the work of seeine that our men di' , not lack for thnso thinee which wo worn

ablo to send tlicin. While those tlmt. were sick and wounded needed all the attention and relief that could he peiven them, it did not do to neglect the fighting men.' Among the contributions mentioned by Mrs. Luke were packets of tea and loaf sugar, seeded raisins, dried presorted ginger, tins of biscuits, sweets, and all the other tilings that are usually sent. Mrs. Luke and Mr*. Barltrop will take orders on belialf of the Citizens' Service League for making up and nackiilg parcels for people who are unable for various reasons to mako them up themselves. Countess of Liverpool Fund. The hon. secretary of tho Countoss of | Liverpool Fund acknowledges contributions received at the Town Hall from tlio following:—E.H., Wellington Club (magazines), No Name, Karori Women's National Reserve, Mrs. Leach, Mrs. Sleeman, Wallaceville Guild (per Mrs. .TohnstoJi), Mrs. Nivon' (Webb Street), No Name, By Post, Mrs. Clayton (books), Khandallah Guild (per Mrs. Crump), Miss Bligh, By Post, A Boy (Wainui). The ongagoment is announced of Miss Winifred Baker, of Oriental Bay, to Gunner J. Bruce Clark, of Randwick, Sydney. Mrs. Cleghoru returned to Wellington on Saturday from a visit to Waikanac, where sho was tho guest of Mts. Elder. Miss Erica Hoby leaves early this week on a visit to Napier. Tho general meeting of tho Wellington Women's Red Cross Committee will bo held on Thursday morning at tho Red Cross rooms, Mercer Street. Tho Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) returned to Wellington on Sunday from her visit to the south. Mrs. F. Townsend returned to Wellington last week from a visit to Rotorua. Mrs. Livingstono, wifo of tho late Captain Malcolm Livingstone, of the Union S.S. Company's service, arrived from Sydney by tlio Moerald yesterday. Tho Citizens' Service League intends packing tip tho gift parcels for tlio soldiers at the front on Thursday in tho Town. Hall. No better introduction exists than a clear, clean skin. How to combat the havoc caused by grime and dust. Miss Milsom will tell you how. If yon cannot call, write for outfit of preparations for treatment in the seclusion of your own home. Locnl ladies will be k'atisfied that Miss Milsom's treatments are perfected, and equal thoso obtainable in any part of the world. Just brief mention of our leading complexion lines with prices. Cultone Skin Pood, 35., a night cream, and Cultene Balm. Ss. 6d., a day cream. Hygienic Face Powder, a skin food in powder form, 2s. 6d. and is. Gd. Lip Food, 2s. Gd. Full and simple instructions on all labels. Purchasers taught free how to apply. Complete up-to-date stocks hair, all hairwork. Superior English quality used and attractively finished. Clients taught tho professional way to keep. Detection defied. Miss Milsom, Barnctt's Buildings, 9i Willis Street. 'Phone 814.-Advt. Ladies will bo interested in our special lino of Grey and Brown Silk Hose. Price, Bs. 6d. These colours are extremely scarce, and early choosing is wise. White and Black Silk Hose, ss. Gd,. Gs. 6t1.. and 7s. Gd. up. At Price's Store, si-5G Willis Street.—Advt. "Substantial advance in correct principles" aro embodied in PATHEPHONES. No bothering needles to chango—scratch—throw away, but smooth unwearablo jewel reproducer, resulting in improved tono production of all music, whether vocal or instrumental. Paily demonstrations free to all, at Oscar Hewett and Co., 56 Cuba Street (just below Bank of N.Z.). Full range of models at reasonable cost, and upwards of 10,000 records to select from.— AM.

Red Cross Cifts. Tho lion, secretary of the Wellington Women's lied Cross ■ Committee acknowledges receipt of contributions from tlio following:—AVav'erley Pabriotic Guild, Mi's. Mills, Karori Golf Club Bandaging Party, per Mrs. Henry; Sanson Red Cross Guild '(socks, bandages, mufflers, pyjamas, cholera belts, old linen, swabs, ward suits, dressing-gowns, slippers, etc.); Rakanui Red Cross Guild j Mrs. DumbelL's Guild (Khandallah); Miss Bannister (Ngaio); Wairarapa Centre British Red Cross, blanket dressing-gowns, pyjamas, undcrfiannols, bed jackets, sweaters (sleeveless), flannel waistcoats, day shirts, mufflers, mittens, wristlets, 'handkerchiefs, bandages, etc.; Ladies' Patriotic Guild (Foxton); Opunako Red Cross; Messrs. Veitch and Allan; Kirkcaldio antl Stains: Wauganui Sub-centro British Rod Cros?, lounge suite, pyjamas, day shirts, singlets, bed socks, mittens, mufflers, etc.; Ohakea Guild: E. M. Johnson (Wallacevillo School); Iffrs. W. S. Reid; Miss Mctz; Olian Branch British Red.Cross; Mrs. Judah Myers; Wairarapa. N.Z. Centre British Red Cross; Taihape N.Z. Sub-centre British Red Cross; Stratford Rod Cross; Miss MacLachlan; New Plymouth Centre British Red Cross; Mrs. Miles; Foxton Girls' Guild; Odhn and Co. Under the open Sky. Those who are troubled with the worry of sleeplessness should try tho open-air . bed, states a writer in an Australian paper. Very few ever think of passing tho night with the star-fretted sky as a roof. If they do, they fear all sorts of things—insects, chills, being kept awake by tho moonlight,' tho. irritating early dawn, crowings, night-bird calls, or something —they hardly know what.' _ But, all these fears are purely imaginary, and if peoplo once begin to sleep out they will never sleep in again, except under compulsion. There are few complaints that cannot bo alleviated by tho openair bedroom, and the sleeping enjoyed is so restful and health-giving that one is really awake during the day instead of being half-awake, like indoor sleepers. A hammock is good, but the ordinary bed is better; the only precaution is to keep thoroughly warm. Nervous people, especially, are benefited by open-air sleeping. Try it for a week. A gift that the soldiers at the front aro likely to appreciate very much was that made by the Belfast Freezing Works in the south, of 1000 tins of jam, each tin being the size of the ordinary tin for sheep's tongues. It is only during tlie_ war that wo have learnt the versatility of our meat works—a Versatility that has been very greatly valued by the soldiers and by the different patriotic bodies, especially in Wellington. Contributions of tins averaging Jib. in size will be very gladly welcomed by the Citizens' Service League, tho members of which begin their packing of tho gift parcels at the Town Hall towards the end of tho week. Empty 21b. tins, or others about tho size of rusk tins, will also be very acceptable. So that no extra, work will be imposed upon tho packers, tho contributors of tins aro asked to seo that they are quite clean and ready for use. At a meeting of tho Women's National Reserve held yesterday afternoon at Island Bay, Mrs. Willoughby was elected president in place, of Mrs. Lockwood, who had resigned, and tho offices of secretary and treasurer were combined. Mrs. Rickman was elected for tho latter. The branch has decided, among other work, to take a day at the Red Cross Shop on Lambton Quay. Members of the various Red Cross industries seem to grow prolific crops of now ideas,. states tho "Australasian." Their Easter eggs aro going to be something quite unique this yean You cannot eat them poached for breakfast or make them into cakes, but they will hatch out for you a whole clutoh oE quaint and pretty little toys. Another notion designed to bring grist to the mill is a Rabbit Day—a regular St. Bartholomew Day among the bunnies, when the trappers will be asked to give their catch for one day to the Red Cross, and the companies will pack and freeze them free of chal'ge. A dav o fthis kind was held once for the Chamber of Commerco War Fund, and brought in a sum running into four figures. Mr. and Mrs. George Paiuo (Martinborough) left for Auckland on Saturday to meet Mrs. Paino's brother, Sergeant Edward Gibbs, of Wellington, who is returning invalided from France. Another brother, • Major David Gibbs, of tho New Zealand Engineers, has just been mentioned in dispatches, and transferred to tho Royal Engineers, in recognition of his fine work in France. Prior to leaving for the front, Major Gibbs was on the AVellingion Harbour Board staff. Miss Leatham (New Plymouth) left' for AVellington on Saturday, en route for Blenheim and Christehurch.

Danco for Soldiers. Circumstances have arjs&i vh'jch have mado it necessary for t'flQ committee of the Soldiers' Club, Sydney Street, to change the night arranged on for the dance for the Twenty-third lleinforcements. The: dance is nowto be held on. Wednesday evening. All young ladies who hold red tickets .are invited to attend and to be'at tho club-rooms at 7 o'clock. Fellding Notes.- \ .' A large, and. enthusiastic audience greeted Lieutenant Morton in. the Drill Hall on. Friday night, when he gave a most interesting lecture on the i war. Among the audience were: Mesdanies Hitchings, Broad, Atkinson, M'Quean, Gorton, Waymouth,-Bryce, / Stewart, Richmond, Kavanagh, Barton, Binns, Bramwell, Jones, Elliott, Misses' Levin, Waymouth, Gorton, Elliott, Jones, Wyatt, Brown, Livesay, Atkinson, Ray, Esse, Bryce, and many' others. .....:. ■■ . On Wednesday afternoon a successful Red Cross tea was held Tn the 'Parish Hall, to :make bags for ' tho, , "Surprise. Bag Day." Among those present wore: Mesdames '■ Aikfnson, Elliot, Jones, Stewart, Binns, Evans Hickson, Fraser, Hullraan, Bramwell, Luff, Fry, Misses. . Levin, Wyatt, Brown, Ray, Jones, Livesay, Atkinson, and others. ~.:.' . Mrs. Waymouth has returned from I'eatherston.. / \ . Miss Wright is staying with Mts. ■Miles.' ?

Misses AVo'ollanishavo gone to' Auckland. . __ Mrs. Hume has returned from Wellington. ■ --.... • -

Brave Harry Lauder. The iast number of the "Australasian" contains the following details written by its London correspondent regarding Harry Ladder's brave soldier son, and of how Harry Laudor proved himself worthy to be the father of a hero when the news came to him. It. will bo remembered that the comedian, when touring Australia, was accompanied by his son.' When war broke out tho lad hurried Homo at once and got a commission in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Going to the front in 1915, young Lauder was wounded at Festubert, and reached • tho; rank of captain. Hβ ivas again wounded in 1916; but returned to France in September. In , January Mr. Lauder received a telegram that hie boy had been killed inaction. The young officer was the pride of his father's heart, and the blow was a terrible one. It will be remembered that tho / comedian himself commenceo? life as a. miner, but amassed a largo fortuno on the 6tage. He recently bought an estate of 14,000 acres on the banks of Loch Fyne. His wish was to see his boy established in the north "as a decent Scots laird,- growing the nation's meat, and, as years go by, growing the nation's' • men." So Harry Lauder dreamed; but it was not to bo. Tho comedian was acting in a revue called "Thrco Cheers" at the Shaffesbury Theatro at the time. The theatre was closed for a dayor two when the bows of young Captain death was received. But Harry Lauder knew that some 200. people were dependent upon his reappearance," and determined ■ to come back to th? stag© at once. He laughed , and danced with a will through] most of the performance, and showed no signs of breaking down until the moment came to eing his song "The Lads Who Fought and Won," in the guise of a mud-stained soldier from the front. Those who were in the crowded theatre will never forget the demonstration which, followed the song. For

a few minutes the stago and the actor had been transformed into a real filing. Harry Lauder was not a comedian, tat a father bereaved. Before the, performance ho had said to a friend that ho foared the ordeal might bo too great for him, but "I will ehow them Tvhat Scotland can do." Harry Lander did this, and tho result was to increase, if possible, tho affection and regard in which lie ia held by tho British public in all parts of the Empire.