WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3159, 10 August 1917, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OP INTI2RIST FROM FAR ANB NEAR

(By Imooen.)

Her Excellency's Knitting Book—Second Edition. So great has boon tho demand for the ."Knitting Book" compiled by Iler i)xoollency thb Countess of Liverpool, and published two years ago, that tho edition has for somo time past been completely sold out. Knitting women, who are now to bo found in every town and district throughout tho Dominion, will bo very glad to hear' that Her Excellency has now brought out a second edition of tho hook, to which she has added a few more rocipes. Liko tho first, it is e'edicated to the women of New Zealand "who are so nobly responding to tho call for help for our troops' in tho field and for tho wounded in the hospitals. Since tho war began tho band of knitters has grown larger and larger, and though some still find knitting a toil and a labour, to many it. is o comfort and a soothing pastime." Next to the section devoted to the knitting of articles that have been found so invaluable by our soldiers is •perhaps that which deals with tho making of children's garments, of which a wido rarioty of recipes are given. Afl knitters have found out for themselves, the practical value of tho recipes has boon thoroughly tested and proved, and in buying tho book purchasers will, in addition to obtaining most useful information aud guidance in all knitting matters, also be helping a causo which overy ■woman must hold very close to her heart-that of helping our sick and wounded soldiers, to whoso benefit all profits obtained from the sale of tho book will bo devoted. Her Excellency's "Knitting Book" may bo obtained from all booksellers and drapers. Violot Day. To-day, from an early hour in tho morning, tho streets of Wellington will bo abloom with tho ilowors of spring. All day yesterday they wero pouring into tho city from country towns and districts, and tho depot in Harcourfs Buildings was massed with daffodils and jonquils, purple clouds of violets, white narciesi, 6nowflakes, arums, almond blossom, fragrant primroses, vivid japonica, onraollios, ovorything, in fact, that gladdens tho heart after tho winter's dearth. Nover before, it is said, havo 6uch ouantitics o£ flowers been sent into Wellingion for any causo as they havo been for this, tho causo of our sick and wounded soldiers. Tho fragrance of tho flowers perfumed tho air dvcrywhoro within tho vicinity of tho dopols, and it will bo strange indeed if tliero aro pcoplo to bo found who aro not decorated in somo dcgrco cither with violets, badges, or somo other outward sign that their hearts aro with tho bravo inon who aro suffering that we may live in freedom. Tho.flower stalls (decorated handcarts), which will pass through tho streets on their way to tho stands, aro very charming affairs, and a great deal of trouble and artistic taste have been expended in getting them ready for to-day's opera, tions. Thei prevailing colour scheme m their decorations is violot—in somo cases violot and heliotrope—and their varos, of course, consist of flowers, different stands throughout tho city aro allotted them, and each stall will havo a number of sellers of flowers attached to it. The auctioneering of tho spring hats by MrBarry Liipino, of tho "Very (.10-jd Eddie' Company, should provo a very attractive feature of to-day's campaign, and tho Commercial Travellers, with their band of energetic workers, havo also organised several ontertaining items. Tho Maori troupo from Otaki and Waikanao should add much interest to tho various ovonts of tho day, and their Maori novelties aro likely to bo much sought after. Altogether Violet Day, given fine weather, should bo ono of tho most successful efforts that havo yet been organised in Wellington for patriotic funds. s Servant Snatching.

The competition for domestic servants is becoming keener every week, and correspondents declare that in tho excito: mont of tho chaso principles aro thrown to tho winds (states tho "Daily Mail"). One complaint is that sora fine art in tho suburbs—that freo.uont.ly vant-suatching is rapidly developing into a fine ar° in the suburbs—that frequently a mistress will coax into her service another woman's servant, generally by tho offer of higher wages, using the milkman or baker as paid intermediary. Another grievance ia that the registry offices aro charging very heavily for their introductions. Complaints have been sent to tho Employment Agencies Department of tho London County Counoil. A > 'Daily Mail" representative was informed there that the council has no control over the charges made by registry offices, hut they may not be higher than the tariff doposited with tho council at the time tho license is issued. Everybody, shouldl see tho agency's tariff beforo paying. I recently obtained a housekeeper through a West End agency," writes one correspondent, "and had to pay a fee of 245. 6d Surely this is excessive? borne offices have lately added war-timo charges varying from 2s. Gd. to ss. to the fees required for supplying sen-ants. On tho other hand, they havo abandoned tho workers' registration fees. Tho following are some of the charges made to mistresses by ono West End agency :-Cooks, town, 225.j country, 245. Gd.; cook-house-keepers, town, 245. Gd.; country, 28s. Gd.;, housemaids, town, 145.; country, 18s. Concert at Wadestown.

An excellent concert'was given at the Wadestown Anglican Church Schoolroom on Wednesday evening by Mr. and Mrs. T E .Tones, the proceeds ot which go to the Church anr Red Cross funds The vocalists, Misses Dprtry and Peggy Jones, and Mril Prmgle (all pupils of Madame Cope-Dowsing) contributed enjoyable items; also Captain MFarlapo. Mr Czenos and pupils (Misses Cornish and Misraki, Messrs. Marcomvic, Gordon, and Cate), Mrs. Cornrsh at the niano, contributed some orchestral selections, "William Tell" and "Caliph of Bagdad," and Mr. Szenes, violin solo, "An"els Guard Thee," was much appreciated. Miss Dorothy Jones's rendering of vßraga's "Serenata," with obligate) by two violins (Messrs. Szenes and W. Cate) was especially pleasing, as was also Miss Peggy Jones's item the Slayo Somr." Mr. Pringle's songs, /Plymouth Hoe," and others, were much enjoyed. Little Miss Rita M'Gee recited "The Matinee Hat" and 'A Trip to Blackpool" <ind Miss Cooke and Miss Phipson 'contributed some fancy dances. A very pleasant concert was brought to 7 conclusion by the sing ng of the National Anthom, after which supper was provided by the ladies.

Mr anil Mrs. Fcmvick (Hayings) have como to "Wellington to soe their fon, who is at present i" camp at .Trcntham. As a -aiatf of motorists was passing Mijkomako one day this week they saw a Tfoman ploughing. Impelled by dmosity, they pulled up, to take a closer view of proceeding, and saw that she was driving three horses, the implement turnin" up three beautifully straight furrows. Ploughing by women may perhaps be a somewhat novel sight ill the North Island, but it is by no means that in the South Island, particularly in the Canterbury district '

New Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund. The latest additions to the,-New Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund are as'follow:—Mrs. Hales, Wellington, XI; Mr. S. Parsons, Turakawa, £2 25.; Mr. It. Cleaver, Mataroa, ,C 25; Dr. Harry Adams, Wellington, £2 25.; Messrs. A. S. Paterson and Co., .ClO. This firm has generously denoted .610 to tho funds in each of tho four centres. A committee of t ladies is arranging to hold a sacred concert on tho anniversary of tho Marquette disaster, October 23, in memory of the Now Zealand nurses and soldiers who lost their lives on that occasion. The proceeds will bo given to the Nurses' Memorial Fund. Lady.Ward has returned to Wellington from a visit to Ckristchuroh. The death occurred at tho Otaki Hos-. pitol last week of Mrs. George, of Levin, after a long illness, aged 68 years. Mrs. George was for a great many years a resident of Manakau, where the interment took place. Deceased leaves one son (Mr. H. S. George, representative of tho New Zealand Loan and Morcantilo Agency for Loving thrco married daughters, Mesdames Nicholson and Horn ('-). and ono unmarried (laughter. • Mrs. Barltrop, of 87 Daniel Street, will bo very glad to reccivo tins in which to pack sweets for tho soldiers on active service. They may bo loft at her homo, and when packqtl are enclosed in tho soldiors" parcels. Russia and the War, An Englishwoman in Potrograd wrote her impressions which were given in tho "Queen;" of Ju/no fl. She said that on May Day sho "saw only two drunken men, who had becomo intoxicated on methylated spirit. This is used in Russia now, mixed with lemon-juico or jam to take off the disgusting taste. To stop people drinking it tho bottles have a skull and crossbones on the label, and tlio spirit is mado most liorriblo to taste. It causes blindness. Tho eight hours working day is almost general hero now. Nearly all butchers and markets are closed on Sunday sinco tho Revolution; befnro it was a busy scene on that day at theso, places. M. Thomas, the' French Minister for Munitions, is working with his stalf at tho French Embassy, formerly tho scono of many 'brilliant receptions. Ho said: This is not: a place for ladios now; it i 6 a, workshop; and had all tho soft, easy chnira and conches removed and replaced l>y plain tables and hard chairs. And thcro ho works from morn till night."