SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3167, 18 August 1917, Page 4

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Awards for Nurses. "K'ai Tiaki," Iho jouniiil of Hie nurses ot Auw Zealand, has something to say upon a iiiiUtcr upon which sumo keen criticism has been directed. "Wo notice," Bays the writer, "that among tho Jionou/rs given to nurses is that of the -Military Medal, awarded for bravery undor lire. Wliilo nurses should bo exceedingly proud of this distinction, wo wonder why it was not tho Military Cross, which is tho form given (o oflice-ru fur the same distinguished service, while the Military Medal is given to the N.C.O.'s and privates. Wo understand nurses in the Imperial service rank as officers, though they do not wear the badges of rank. Canadian and Australian nurses wear rank badges and hold commissioncd'rank. Now Zealand nurses rank as officers, though they do not wear the badges. Therefore if members of the other services should bo awarded this distinction they will have (o receive tho same form as other officers. It seems somewhat invidious that decorations for Wch services should bo of a different form for officers and privates. Why not like the V.C., have the Military 'Cross only?".

"The Busy Bees," Tho Busy Bee Club is quilo a hive of industry, working very quietly; it ie the means of supplying many associations with children's garments to givo to tired mothers who are in need of clothing for their little ones. The girle of Iho club nieot at each other's homes to sew and interchange ideas, and when they havo completed thirty-six nrticles they put t'ho names of tho association, who have not received a parcel in the ballot, and so they try to bo fair to all. Last week the Protection Society reported having received a pn.rcel of very useful nrticles, for .which it is very grateful, as tho secretary so often meets with families where tho children aro sadly in need of clothing to enable thorn to go to school. Amongst tho members aro the Misses Levy, Atack, Townsend, Collins, Mesdnnies Cain, Little, Cording, l'hythian, and many others. As well ns such praiseworthy efforts boing made to help the ovor-b'nirdoned mothers, eacii member of tho cluib subscribes a shilling per week to help them to give an evening to tho Soldiers' Club in Sydney Street. There are eighteen members of tho "Busy Bees."

Soldiers' Appreciation of Liverpool Work. Tho honorary secretary of the Countess of Liverpool Fund" Committee has received the following appreciation of the work dono for tho soldiers by the workers belonging to that organisation. The writer says: "My brother, Rifleman 11. C—, who has been fighting for many months in the trenches in France, recently expressed in a letter to mo his appreciation of tlio work your committee is doing. I thought you might bo glad to read the extract from his letter. Ho says: 'We have had quite a number of parcels from the Lady Liverpool Committee since Christmas. Wβ all appreciate! the work tho Indies of our country are doing to make things more comfortable for us out here. Tho thought that they are making eo many sacrifices for our comfort helps us to try to do ouir best to be worthy of tho noble efforts they are putting forth on our behalf.' "■

Mr. and Mrs. David Nathan, of Wellington, are at present visiting Sydney. The Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) acknowledges receipt of the sum of .1:10 for tho Citizens' Christmas Gift Fund for tho 6oldiors ovorsoia, and JCIO 'or the Christmas Pudding ¥und, from tlio Greytown Dance Committee. Members of the Citizens' Service League are being entertained at an "at home" to be hold in the -Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon by tho Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke), Mrs. 0. F. C. Campbell (vice-president of tho league), was also 'to have been a hostess, but unfortunately owing to illness 6ho will not bo able to bo present. Miss Edith Howes, tho well-known writer, is giving an address at a meeting of the Wellington Women's Teachers' Association on Monday evening upon Montessori principles applied to New Zealand education. An additional amount of .£SO has been received by Mis. M. Myers, one of tho joint secretaries of the Violet Day Committee, througn Mrs. M'Callum, hon. secretary of the Dannevirke Mayoress' Patriotic Fund Red Cross Committee. The contribution is the result of a sale of flowers, otc., held at Dannevirko on August 10, the committee preferring to send money instead of donations cf flowers. Tho sum of .£3O was laised from tho salo of flowers done, and the balance resulted from tho auction of a. calf riven by a lamer. Tho Violet Day promoters feel grateful to the Dannev.rke ladies for tho handsome coatnbu'un. From Eastbouirne aleo a sum of £U Iβ. Cd. has been received to go to swell the funds, and Ngaio has forwarded £6 to the samo cause. Mrs. Charters (Lyall Bay) is visiting Gisborne. The preparations for tho production of the musical pantomimio pky. The M.-vno Carpet," in throe acts, to bo presented by Miss Gladys Campbell at theGrand Opera House next month, in aid of the Countess of Liverpool's Trench Comforts Fund, are proceeding apace, and hard work, lightened by tho groat enthusiasm shown by all, is tho prevailing attitude of all concerned. The play, which will be etoged on tho same brilliant scale as when produced in America, lends itself to a very effective sotting, combined with many beautiful ballots and danco features new to Wellington, and aa it is all for a most worthy cause full.houses are hoped for.