SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3111, 15 June 1917, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Rod Cross Contributions. There wero sent to Mesopotamia this past month from the Red Cross Depot in Mercer Street tlio following garments: —252 pyjamas, 25 hospital shirts, 60 cotton nightshirts, 219 sheets, 995 pillow cases, 100 draw sheets, 1850 handkerchiefs, 324 jug covers, 155 m.k. sox; total, 4010. Elsewhere' have been sent:—Pyjamas 1272, dayshirts 300, cotton nightshirts SGO, hospital shirts 3GO, bed jackets 220, undershirts 455, underpants 170, flannel waistcoats 35, draw-sheets 100, pillow cases 995, sheets 249, surgical towels 185, dressing gowns 32, mufflers 50, mittens 110 pairs, balaclavas 3G, cholera belts 45, lied sox 85, hand-knit sox 200, machi no-knit sox 210, jug covers 324, air cushions 5, blankets ISO, cushions 19, handkerchiefs 2510, face cloths 1280, slippers 130 pairs, treasure bags 805. Bandages: Roll bandages 2658, manitailbandages'G7B, head bandages 590, pluges 1255, wringers 45, dysentery pads 224, limb pillows 217. fomentation cloths 90, swabs 3574, Roslyn arm slings 223.

N.Z. Hospitality in Sydney. Some time ago a number of Now Zealanders resident in. Sydney formed n New Zealand Soldiers' Reception Committee for the purpose of entertaining Now Zealand soldiers who visited the Now South Wales capital. On many occasions since then largo bodies of Now Zealand troops, both on tho way to (ho front and returning homo wounded, havo called in at Sydney, and tho New Zealand Committeo has left no slouo unturned to make their stay pleasurable, harbour and rail excursions and entertainments of various kinds having been arranged on their behalf. Tho men havo warmly appreciated tho committee's efforts, tho wounded soldiers and tho Now Zealand Reinforcements encamped outside Sydney at various times expressing deep gratitude 1 at .the sleps taken to enable them to find employment for thoir'-leisuro hours. Tho committee has now received permission to run ono of tho thirty stalls which aro to bo set up in tho streets of Sydney for tho great patriotic feto on "Franco Day," Julv 14, and they aro appealing for gifts of articles of Maori or South Sea Islands manufacture (o stock thoir stall.

Juvenile Courts, Pictures, Etc, In the courso of his annual report of the work accomplished in connection with tho Presbyterian Orphanage, Mr. T. W. Mills slated:—"The Juvenilo Conr.t affords good opportunity for social service, and demands much attention and thought, Tho number of offenders shows no decrease, about 1"0 coming before tho Court during the year. Not all tho rases aro serious, and ono is led to question the wisdom of bringing children of under 12 years of ago beforo the Court. Tho youthful mind becomes familiarised with Court procedure, and as it sometimes happens, when counsel endeavours to bolster up a defence, tho youthful offender learns the valuo vf skilfully-distort-ed facts. There is ba<l enough surely in scmo juveniles without increasing the storo by legal 'methods. Tho cities, 100, have attractions, tho picture show especially, that in a marked way injure tho mind of tho young. Mr. J. W. 0. Fegan iij.a recent articlo in a British periodical .says very pertinently: The old "penny dreadful," as Judges, Magistrates, etc., havo testified again and again, was tho cause of the downfall of many boys who appeared in the dock in days gone by, but w'hero the "penny dreadful" ruined its hundreds, tho "picture palace" has ruined its tons of thousands of boysarid girls. However lurid tho sensationalism of tho "penny dreadful," much was left to tho imagination of tho boy who read the story, but tho moving pictures enact the crimo beforo his eyes in every suggestive inflaming detail.' This applies in a measure to tho juvenile offonder in our midst. It would bo interesting to know, too, how far on tho other hand (ho reading of tho community generally has been affected by the invasion of the picture palaces. One bookseller informed mo that whero lie sold tlireo dozen works of standard fiction before the coming of tho picture -show, ho now sells a single copy—and this, too, in a district where there is no competitive booksellor!"

A very enjoyable concert was given at tho lieturned Soldiers' Club last cveninjt. Mrs. T. Jones hnd arranged and organised the entertainment, which consisted of sours, instrumental music recitations, etc., all of which met with much appreciation. There was a (rood attendance of returned ..soldiers and their friends, and at the conclusion of the entertainment supper in the tea-room followed. A. danco filled in the remainder of the Qvciiiujf.

Stair-Nurse M. A. Jessep, 22/191, of tho N.Z.A.N.S. at the front, was stated in yesterday's hospital and progress report to be. ill in hospital. The patient was included in those who wore "not severe." Nurse Jessep's next-of-kin is Mrs. C. Jessop, Ashburton.

Mrs. Dal/del (Marawa, Teimi) is visiting Wellington.

•The Dunedin correspondent of a Christchurch paper states that Mrs. ,T. M. Kitcltie, of Diincdia, lias honoured the memory of her son, Lieutenant Ritchie, who lost his life in Mesopotamia in the service of his country, by discharging the debt (,€1500) upon' St. Mary's Orphanage, Jfoniington, in which he had shown so deep nil interest in his life. ,

Miss M'Kenny, matron of the Wanganii i Hospital, returned to Wangnmti on Wednesday from service abroad. Sister Cameron also resumes duty at an early dale.

The "surprise packet day" hold by the Kcd Cross Girls' Brigade in Mastertun on Wednesday realised a sum of ,£77 6s. 3d. ~ .}

Honours for Women Patriots,

When tho honours of war como to bo distributed, numerous dignities and titles will bo showered upon tho men (states a writer in tho "Sydney Telegraph"). Medals will glitter on tho breasts of soldiers and Bailors. All our officers of tho new armies will presumably retain their rank as courtesy titles.

tint what of tho many women who have given eminent and valuable services during tho war? How aro tho organisers and directors of tho various movements that have played an important part in tho winning of tho war to be recognised?

So far as can bo seen at present, there will bo nothing to distinguish tho women who havo shown immense energy and great capability in carrying campaigns to successful issues from tho selfish slackers. AVhy not discuss tho matter at women's meetings, and endeavour to •ovolvo somo plan by which women who havo douo their duty may bo distinguished from those- who havo not? This would probably servo a dual purpose, for it might bo an incentive to- somo women, who so far havo douo littlo or nothing, to tako up work from now onwards.

Levin Memorial Home. Mrs. J. P. Luke presided at tho monthly meeting of tho committee of tho Levin Memorial Homo on Tuesday afternoon. Sevou members woro present'. It was reported that with tho exception of colds tho children Lad been well during- tho month. Tho following gifts were received with, thanks:—ll3 garments from tho Two Garment Society; a load of wood from tho Ford Motor Co.; dresses, Mrs. JUonrad; children's clothing, "A Eriond"; 4 pairs stockings, "Two Wellwishers"; 10s., "A If'ricnd"; fish (weekly), Messrs. Hnrcouib and Sons; Miss Eobicson, coat and apples. Arrangements hnvo been made by Miss J). M. Slielton for u number of ladies to sell sweets at tho patriotic performance of "Marifana" to-morrow night at the Town Hall. Donations of sweets can bo left at tile Y.M.C.A., Willis Street, up till 1 o'clock on Saturday. Mrs. G. G. Holmes (Christchnrch) nhd Miss IC. Holmes arrived in Wellington from tho south yesterday, and are spending n few days at tho Midland Hotel. Mrs. L. V. Kay (Levin) is spending a few days in Wellington before leaving for Christchnrch to visit her sister, Mrs. Holms, "Knooklyun." Dr. Emma Buckley lias left for England, where sho will resume her bacteriological work at the Lister Institute (states the "Sydney 'Daily Telegraph"). I'ji tho- beginning of tho war Dr. Buckley did some 'very important research work. It is likely that her splendid work will be recognised, and that sho will bo tho recipient of ono of tho honours duo to women for war service. '