SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 30, 30 October 1917, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

News of Nurses. According to recent advice from London (September 7), Sister M. Sutherland A.Z.A.N.S., late of the Auckland Hospital, has been transferred to England from the New Zealand Stationary "Hospital, France, and is in London on 14 days' leave.

There have been several changes on the staff at Walton-on-Thames recently. Sister M'Nie has been transferred to Codt'ord as matron, and Stair Nurses Goldsmith and Tuke have gone to New Zealand on transport duty. Sister Mitchell, who was on the staff of the New Zealand Stationary Hospital in. France, is now at Walton, and Mrs. Marshall M'Donald, of Dunedin, has also taken up duty there.

When Dr. Florence Keller left America all tho nurses in tho country had boon called up like tho soldiers, "and wer» being detailed to their duties under Government control. The call for doctors brought forward 11,000 answers inside of four weeks, all ready to take their place in the country's service. W.N.R. "At Home" in Masterton. _ The first of the monthly social meetings for mothers of soldiers and sailors, under the auspices of the Women's National I? eserve League, was held in tho -Municipal Kail, Masterton, on Saturday afternoon. There was a large number of mothers present, and a most enjoyable time was spent in chatting over tho doings of "their boys" at tho front. Afternoon; tea was provided, and musical items were given by Miss Kendall, songs by the Misses Oliver, Perry, Miller, and Daniell, and a piano solo by Mrs. Lewis. Tho committee of tho league acted es hostesses. Mrs. Coradine, en behalf of the mothers present, proposed a vote of thanks to the league for the enjoyable time they had spent. Itis tho intention of the league to hold similar functions onco every month, and it is tho wish of every member that all the mothers of soldiers or sailors will; be present at each meeting._ Tho following is the committee:—President, Strs. N. Beetham; hon. secretary, Mrs. G. H. Collie; executive committee, Mesdames Baird, Lewis, Tonnent, Maunsell, and Jordan.

A Woman School Inspector. 'Miss It. Simpson has been appointed tho first woman school inspector in New South Wales. For the past, fifteen years every "teachers' annual conference has carried a resolution that the inspectorial ranks of the Education Department should be thrown open to women teachers. This resolution has been put beforesuccessive Ministers regularly each year. Tho majority of them turned the proposal down with short shrift. One or two gave sympathetic consideration; but it, was not until the present Minister took office that a specific promise was made that woman inspectors of schools should be appointed. Miss Simpson occupied a unique position in the ranks of infant mistresses, and had earned distinction for her valued services in her promotion of Kindergarten and Montessori methods. Miss Simpson has done excellent work with the training of Kindergarten teachers, and her new position will give her widor scope for the application of the cxporienco sho has gained. In addition to her position as lecturer 011 Kinder* garten work at tho Sydney Teachers' Collego and mistress in the Kindergarten Practising School at Blackfriars, Miss Simpson lias taken nil activo interest in tho Playground Association, and is a member of the Board of Control of tho Children's Playground at Prince Alfred Park. Tn 1013 she visiter! Rome and made personal investigations of the Montessori principles of education under ihe direct instruction of the founder of llie system. The Department oubsequent)y published an illustrated report upon the Montessori mothods of education.

Concert at tho Ohiro Home. A very enjoyable concert was given at the Ohiro Home on Saturday evening. A varied and interesting programme was presented, the followinpr contributing:— Pianoforte solo, Mr. Belmont; songs, Misses Dowell, Edolman, D. Black, B. Godier, JlaTis King, Messrs. Dixon and Spiroj recitations, Misses Marjorie Troup, Sanders, Aitclieson, Rita • and Cecil Magee; monologue, Miss Marjorio Troup; dances, Misses liita Mauee ti.ncl Mans King; violin solo, Mr. Spiro; instrumental trio, Miss Edelman and Mr. Spiro (violins), Mr. Deimont (piano). The accompaniments wcro played by Mrs. Walker and Mr. Deimont. The children's items were especially enjoyed by the audience. After tho concert the visitors entertained tho inmates of, the home at slipper. The organisers aro grateful to Messrs. Gamble and Creed for their contribution of sandwiches.

The packing of the monthly parcels for soldiers on active service, which was to liavo boen commenced nt tho Town Hall this week, has been postponed until next Wednesday week.

Mrs. Ti\ Townsend will bn very glad to receive contributions of magazines and books for the soldiers. All such gifts should be left at tho Town Hall as soon as possible.

Contributions to the Countess of Diverpool Fund have been received at tho Town Hall from tho following:—Misses Perry, Mrs. Horsbrugh, Lower Hutt Patriotic Guild, Daunevirke Mayoress's Patriotic Fund. Tho contributions comprised chiefly balaclavas, mittens, i:iul eocks.

At yesterday's opening of the "Baby Week" campaign, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. I,ukc) expressed the. great regret which, was felt by the Mayoress for her unavoidable absence from the ceremony. Tho campaign was one with which fiho was in full sympathy.

Tho many friends of Miss M. Chrystal will regret to learn of her death, which occurred on Sunday night at a private hospital, where sho underwent an operation on Saturday morning. Miss Chrystal had been connected with To Aro House for- over a quarter of a century, and for tho past sixteen years was in charge of tho mantle department. She was exceedingly popular with tho Blaff, and had made a host of friends in the trade by her gonial manner and business ability. She has no relatives here, her mother having predeceased her seme years ago.

On Thursday and Friday of this week a bazaar and concert will bo hold in the Oriental Bay Kiosk, on behalf of St. Barnabas Church. Admission will be frco in tho afternoon, and in tho evening Is. will be chargcd.