WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3120, 26 June 1917, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

(By Imogen.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

A London Wedding. Recent news from England states that on Friday, April 20, at St. Peter's, Eaton Square, London, the marriago took place ' of Major Norman Shepherd, of Hokitika (New Zealand), to Miss Phyllis Smith, daughter of Mr. E. Smith, of Grejmouth. Captain-Chaplain Coursey, of Westport (New Zealand) assisted with the service, and as the bride entered the church a procession was formed by the choir, the service being fully choral. The bride was given away by Mr. H. Smith, and wore a gown of white satin trimmed with very handsome old. lace, and made with a full court train. The bridal vail, which reached to the foot of the gown, was worn with a wreath of oraiige blossoms. Major Stains, D.5.0., was best man, and Miss Sturgis bridesmaid. Before tho bridal party entered the vestry tho National Anthem was sung, and Mendelssohn's Wedding March played as they walked down tho aisle. Tho wedding breakfast was held at tho residence of Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis, 2 Chester Street. Among the guests were Lord and Lady Harcourt and family, Mesdames Corkhill, Smith, M'Kinnon, Thorns, Seddon-Woods, Miss M'Nab, Messrs. .T. B. Coates, Derek, Perry, E. Smith, Major Meade, - Captain Tonkins, Lieutenant 'I'. E. Y. Seddon, Lieutenant Westmacott, Master Thorns, and many others. The presents included some from tho 2nd- Canterbury Battalion officers and from the 13th. Company 2nd Canterbury Battalion, of which, until recently promoted, Major Shepherd was in charge. The honeymoon was spent at Brighton. Major Shepherd was over on short leave from Franco and returned almost immediately. Mrs. Sturgis, at whose residence the wedding breakfast was held, is a daughter of the late George Meredith. A Soldier on Strikes and Parcels.

From "Somewhere in. Franco" the Mayoress nas received the following letter, dated April 10; —'"On behalf of a number of tne boys here, I wish to thank you and the ladies of New Zealand for tile splendid spirit you have all shown towards the welfare of the soldiers. We' are. very glad to learn that the women, of New Zealand mean also to carry on tae work in our absence. It makes our blood boil here to read about the strikes and tho 'go-slow' policy among some of. the different trados and labour organisations in dear old New Zealand. Oh! If we could get among some of them . . . for a few minutes there would be less talk of strikes while tho boys are away doing their bit. After what they have .been through here I ( think their patience or their temper would stand very much from the shirkers who have stayed at home. "Wo have received many parcels sent through tho various funds, for whifh wo thank you, as they have often arrived just at tho right moment when funds were low aud canteens and shops far away. Just a tip for 'the packers if I may be allowed: Do not pack tobacco or cigarettes with eatables or anything moist unless they are airtight. Wo have just been twelve months in Franco now, aiul tho boys are in good health. Anoth'er thing wo have to thank tho women of New Zealand for is socks. Every man has as many pairs of thick woollen ones as ho can carry, which is ft very important tiling in this country. ... It is marvellous how all the boys faco hardship and discomfort. It is ulwnys 'pack up. your troubles in your old kit-bag and smiie, boys, smile.' Once acain thanking tho ladies of New Zealand for what thoy have done and are doing for us. We shall never forget it."

Staff-Nurse J. N. Erwin, of Christchurch, who is on active service, was reported yesterday to be "seriously ili" in hospital.

The.Mayoress, Mrs. J. P. Luke, has recoivcd tho sum of £2 Ills. !)d. from tho staff of the Mental Hospital at Porirua, tho amount of a social and dance which was held there on Juno 15, and which was forwarded to her for the benefit of one of her patriotic funds.

As a result of the 6ale of home-made sweets which was conducted at the Town Hall last week during the display of the Battle of tlio Ancre. the sum of .£35 was made. The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Y.M.C.A. organised the sale. Mrs. Low, assisted by Mrs. Kersley and Mrs. Piper, was in charge. 1 The amount goes ta patriotic work. The Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) lias received the sum of .£5 from Mr. and Mrs. John Duncan for the Soldiers' Christmas Pudding Fund. • A very fine model yacht, made by Master Monrad and presented by him to ♦he Mayoress for her patriotic funds, is being raffled at the Town Hall. The tickets nre sixpence each, and the model, which is of considerable sizo and very well made, should attract many competitors. Gifts have, been received for the Countess of Liverpool Fund at the Town Hall from the following:—Miss Ballingcr, " balaclavas; the Petonc Methodist Guild, ! 10 pairs socks; Pongaroa Bed Cross Committee, IB pairs socks and 28 handkerchiefs; Wairoa-Livorpool Society, 12 pairs socks; Wflverley Patriotic League, 21 pairs socks, mittens, and balaclavas; Miss Dora Meek, Miss Blytli, • Mrs. Wilkius; Fo.vton Ladios' Patriotic Guild, undervests, shirts, and fl pairs socks; Mrs. Hunt, 5 balaclavas! Mrs. F. Penty; Mrs. Ward; Ormondvillo Ladies' Patriotic Committee, 0 pairs socks; Mrs. Horbongli, Featherston; Ormondvillo Ladies'" Pafc riotic Guild, Mrs. Horbough (Featherston), Mrs. Thovnliill, Mrs. Blackie, Mrs. Wilkens, G.F'.S. Lodge, No Name, Mrs. G. Johnson, Mrs. Crcspin, Eastbourne Ladies' Committee, Mrs. Leech, Mrs. Cole.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

4 MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR.

Scarcity of Socks. Shortly before one of the Reinforcements left A T ew Zealand a member of the Spinsters' Club sent one of the soldiers a parcel of socks, to bo divided between himself and some of his comrades. Recently she received a letter from him written from England, in which he thanked her most warmly for 'the socks, and told her that they were a God-send, as there was a great scarcity of them in England. He goes ou to say: "Wo wero told only the other day that we would have to darn and darn these socks, as there was a great shortage of them." Although he was not able to give all the socks to their intended owners, ho had no difficulty in finding men with no sound ones, to wliom they were a great boon. This news 6hould stimulate .knitters of socks in this country to do their best in this direction for our soldiers, and it certainly contradicts many rumours of the possession of a superabundance of these articles on their part. Soldier's Letter from India. Yet another letter which yesterday's overseas mail brought to Mrs. Luke was one from the Signal Units Dopot, India, written op May 5. The writer says: "Thank you very much for the parcel received by last mail, from the Mayoress Countess of Liverpool Fund. May I state that the contents were most giorious, and arrived in tip-top condition. At present I am convalescent in India, where a number of us havo been for some time, but our luck is against us, and we cannot (and we tried many ways) get back to active service. However, I sincerely trust before'you receive this note that wo will b® back in Mesopotamia or any other front, and I can put the vermin-proof shirt to the test. Articles of clothing are very acceptable to us here, as this not being our New Zealand depot, we havo to purchase many things, or else go 'raggy.' Thanking you and our dear folk at home, yours very gratefully."

Spinsters' Club Work. The autograph quilt which lias been made by the members of the Spinsters' Club is to be on view in the Economic windows to-day. For tho. privilege of having their name worked upon the quilt everybody whose name is to be seen thereon paid a small sum, and as a result of this enterprise the sum of .£3O was made- and forwarded to Prance for the New JZealand Stationary Hospital needs. .Recently the secretary of the club Teceived a letter from the adjutant of the hospital, in which he thanked the club very sincerely for their kindness. In recounting what was done with part of tho money, h© writes that pianos were hired and useful games were placed in the social and recreation rooms for tho patients and the staff. These have been

greatly appreciated, and have dono .much to keep everyone "merry and bright." The quilt, it might be mentioned in passing is made of blue linen, with the names worked in white. In the centre are two large white squares, upon which are embroidered the names of Their Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool. The quilt is decidedly ornamental and interesting. Wanganui Notes. . A' very enjoyahlo afternoon was spent on Thursday last at the Economic Tea Rooms, when Mrs. Bull gave a farewell tea to Miss Estrelle Walkor, who is leaving AVanganui on a holiday visit to Sydney. ■ Mrs.- Bull, who has been tho guest of Mrs. F. .T. AYalker, AVanganui East, left for Sydney last week. •-

Shannon Notes. Following aro a list of articles sent last week to tho Jlcrccr Street Red Cross Depot, from 'the Shannon Sewing Ciiiiltl: —9 hospital juckcts, 10 hospital shirts, 5 pj'jama suits, 3 day shirts, G flannel underpants, 2 scarves, 1 pair bedroom slippers, .'i balaclavas, 2 pairs mittens, 9 pairs socks. Tho second of a sorios of dances that aro being held fortnightly, the proceeds of which go towards the- local Red Cross Guild, was .held last Friday. Considering tho rough weather, it was very successful. Music was provided by Airs. Uutler and Jlr. Graham. The promoters of the basket fair in aid of tho Wounded Soldiers' Fund wish to thank tho following ladies for baskets and donations:—Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Stephensen, Sirs. Hallam, and Mrs. Barber. All preparations for the fair are well advanced. The local Patriotic Society hold a fairly largo sura of money collected for Belgium. A public meeting is being called to dccide in what way to dispose of it. ■Replying to a. question asked by tho Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General Richardson has given some information regarding giftsforthe New Zealand troops on the West front. "Gifts, of parcels for troops in tho field," ho eavs, "aro appreciated highly by the men if they contain: (A-r-specially appreciated), cigarettes in hermetically sealed tins (otherwise useless, and are better supplied from, England), milk, Havelock tobacco, boot laces, handkerchiefs, sweets, chocolates hermetically sealed; (B—appreciated, but not essential, as can be obtained locally from canteens), soap (if in tins or cases and not exposed to tobacco or eatables), toothbrushes and paste, writing materials, and pipes. Gift parcels are sent to Prance, and not retained in England. Personally addressed parcels should not be sent except by post. Time to reach troops, approximately five months from New Zealand."

,Mrs. Algar Williams and lier children are at present staying in Christchmch. Mrs M. T. Mack and Miss . Mack are visiting Christchurch. . An "at home" to welcome Mrs. Ma6sey and Lady Ward back to New Zealand from their travels abroad is to bo given by the Red Cross Committee of tho Mercer Street Depot at the Town Hall on. Thursday, July 5. On the Friday following a conference of representatives from the various sub-centres throughout the Wellington district is to be held partly for purposos of comparison and further co-ordination if necessary, and also in the. hope that, fresh ideas and light might be thrown upon their work by hearing what Mrs. Massey and Lady Ward might have to say in regard to what they have seen of Red Cross work in England. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool will be present both at tlie reception and at the conference.