SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3091, 23 May 1917, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Children and Picture Shows, Speaking at the annual meeting of the Dunedm l-'ree Kindergarten on Wednesday afternoon, Dr. linnly Siedeberg made reference to the evils of small children being taken in the evenings to picture shows, states the 'Otago Daily Times." She said that she knew slio . would be digrossiug from the subject m I hand—namely, the splendid effect oi the J kindergarten system on the health and minds of the children— when she touched on the opposite picture. Instead of tho sunny garden, the sweet influence of good minds, and the" subsequent refreshing sleep from (j or 7 o'clock in the evening to rest the tired body, let them conjure up in their minds the hot, overcrowded, and ill-7entilated picture shows, the atmosphere laden with the breaths of two' or three hundred people, many of them suffering from consumption, some from colds, influenza, and perhaps mild, -unrecognised attacks of measles or scarlet fever. The child of three or four years was taken out at night, tired after a long day's play. It got homo at half-past ten, its eyes dazed and strained from tho constant vibration of the pictures, its nervous system excited with the depiction of all the passions of adult life, so that it dreamt them all over again in-its restless, nervous sleep, and thoughts were set going winch should lie dormant for many years. In tho one case the desire for the beauties of Nature was implanted in the young mind, and the nervous system grow strong and stable; in tho other case the desire for excitement and.still moro excitement was implanted, and the nervous system soon became a wreck, unfitted for the duties and strain of lifo. Rather make kindergarten compulsory for its good influence and picture shows forbidden to children under ten for their bad influence.

Karori Work for Sailors' Dependants. Tho secretary of-tho Ladies' Karori Coiumitteo has received the following letter from tbo Mayor of Portsmouth (England), under date March 19, 1917:—"I understand from the High Commissioner of Now Zealand, Loudon, that the ladies of Karori Jiavo been kiiur enough to forward two cases of clothing for distribution amongst dependants of sailors of the British Navy, and I am writing to tell you that tho cases have been safely received. "Wo have here in Portsmouth a Ladies' Committee, with Lady Adelaide Colevillc, wife of the Commander-in-Chief, ot the head, who devote thoir time in tho interests of service men, their wives, and dependants, and tlieso ladies will gladly see that tho clothing is distributed in accordance with tho wishes of the ladies of Karori. '•"During this timo of stress and anxiety it is very comforting tp feel that kind friends far away in New Zealand are not only thinking of us, but in n practical manner aro helping us to attain tho ono great end wo all so much desire, and I would tender to tho Indies of Karori my heartiest thanksifor their kiud and useful gift."

Workers in connection with "Surprise Bag Day" aro asked to attend a meeting winch is to bo held in tho Y.M.C.A. rooms, in Willis Street, at 3 p.m. on Friday. Tho organisers aro anxious that everything possible- should be done ; to ip.ako tho effort a success, and to raise a substantial, sum for tho benefit of lied Cross funds. ' Donors of articles or subscriptions for tho bags are asked to send everything in to the Y.M.C.A. not later than Monday next. While a very satisfactory number of gifts havo already been sent in tbcro is yot a largo number of bags waiting to bo filled, and sinca it is for such a. cause, few people would be inclined to grudge giving something worth while of their household treasures.

Mrs. Madeline Webb, tlio talented Auckland, pianist, Jias taken 'up her residence in Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Neame, of Wangamii, are staying in Packakariki. Mrs. Chaylor and her children havo been staying in Packakariki for tho past few weeks; also Mr. and Mrs. Potts and Mdlle. do Lepcrlicre. I Miss Grill'en, who was reeontly appointed general secretary of tho Auckland Young Women's Christian Association, is exported to arrive from -America some time in' August. Tho fiftieth anniversary of tho wedding of Mr. and Mrs. E. Iloult, of Wni-iti, was celebrated on May 14, at their residence, The Willows, by a family gathering. Next Friday tho Wellington Red Cross Shop will bo in charge of and stocked by the Kolburn, Hataitai, and Kilbirnio North Branches of tho W-Dnicn's National Reserve. A grout deal of interest is being taken in the day, and u large amount of produce lias been promised. There will bo a good supply o p homemade cakes, jams, chutneys, pickles, cold meats, including cooked ham, and vegetables of all kinds. The sale of children's clothes will be a speciality. This will bo an attractive stall, and will contain garments useful, simple, and well made, and reasonable in price. Mrs. Seville and Mrs. Bell, who are organising tho day, make a special appeal to all those w!io aro interested in Bed Cross work to come and buy, and so help the Women's National liesorye to make their day tho great success tho cause demands. Promises of goods may be left at Messrs. Mailman's and Priestley's Stores on Thursday, or at tho.shop early on Friday morning.

A Wellington Dancer. The clever little dancer who appears as one of the kewpies with Miss Maggie -Dickenson in "i'he House That Jack Built,''' is (says the Sydney "Sunday Times") the daughter of Mrs. AViggs, a Sydney girl, who was formerly Miss Blacket, of Dubbo, a niece of Mr. Wilfred Biacket. Mrs. AViggs married in I. New Zealand, and made her home in Wellington. When about eight years of age little Marjorie developed her talent for dancing, inventing her own I dances and poses. She was put under a ■ teacher, who found her such a gifted child that she offered to train her. While taking part in one of Miss Estelle Beere's productions, the Dragon I'ly dance, she was seen by Mr. Bert Eoyle, of the J. C. AVilliamson Company, who advised Mts. AViggs Ao bring her to Sydney. She was engaged straight away for the pantomime, her first professional appearance, and is now a pupil of Miss Minnie Everett. Her repertoire consists of thirty dances. Mr. AViggs (Marorio's father) lias enlisted for active services.