WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 88, 7 January 1918, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR

(By Imoobh,)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Qreazvi in "Annabelle." Vtfite one of tho most picturesque Ffiwus that have appeared on the local 4tago was worn in the lirsfc act by Miss ' Mario Tempest in the character of tho fascinating Annabello. Tho gown, a flowered taffeta, in itself sutiicieutly explained why Annabello's vory generous allowance from her far-away and 'almost-forgotten husband only lasted a tow weeks instead of tho whole quarter. The gown was draped to give the pegtop effect, very wide at tlio hips and narrowing at tho hem. The nip pockets were- stiffenod and always appeared invitingly open, as indeed they wore, for Annabelle was the soul of generosity to a friend in need. Tho undor-bodice and elbow sleeves were of weani ninon, at the waist was a narrow belt of pastel blue, and Miss Tempest carried a emart blue handbag 1 and a blue parasol. With this delightful onsouible was worn a_ quaint highcrowned and almost brimless hat, oncircled with saxe blue velvet ribbons, which were tide at the side of the face, aud finished in long floating ends. When several cashless weeks were confronting Annabelle, and after most of her cheques had been returned— "Bank managers are always irritable," she explained sotto' voce —Annabelle determined Ho become a cook to a millionaire. So she and her four impeounious friends determined to try and earn money instead of always spending it. So in Act 3 Miss Tempest appeared in a gown of serviceable butcher blue, with white patch pockets, collar and culfs. Miss Gwen. Burroughs's dress was of the same cut, but of a, deep orange colour. _ Miss Stewart wore a pale mauve jumper suit, and Mrs. Lauri a dnrk green, with collar and cuffs of black. This latter dress did not appear to tho best advantage as Mrs. Lauri, in her character of tinder-cook, was very superstitious, and as she had put on her dress nack to front, she considered it unlucky to make any alteration. Sho explained that she was born when "Sattun and Minervre were in aspic," so of course She was bound to be unlucky! In the last act Miss Tempesi. dons once more what appears to be her favourite colour, a pale lime yellow. The gown was a clever mingling of laco and ninon. In the first act Miss Burroughs wore a tussore silk gown, with saxo blue panim and a scalloped yoke of Wue, and a close-fitting hat encircled by a pale yellow mount of eoque plumes. Miss Stewart, in the same act, wore a pretty girlish costume of mtik silk, ■ made lumper fashion, with a broad turned-up hem, and a large pink picture hat.

Mrs'. Avery (Havelock) is staying with Mrs. Tylee, of Makuri. Mrs. J. Campbell (Salamanca Road) is at Day's Bay. Mr and Mrs. Stan. Hutcliiuson (Masterton) aro. staying with relatives in Oamaru. ' Mr and Mrs. Alan Cameron (Castlepoint) and Miss Cameron (Grcytown), who have been staying at the Mountain House, Egmont, spent a few days at the Midland before they returned home. The R«v. Blackburn and Mrs. Black T burn and Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have taken a house at Titahi Bay. Mrs. Rogers, accompanied by her neice (Miss Mona. Boyce), has returned to town, after spending the holidays at Day's Bay. An interesting wedding took place at Riccarton, on Boxing Day, when Nurse Leilah E. Mills, of Wellington, but for a long time past a nurse at Hanmer Springs, was married to Sergeant William T. Woods, of Christchurch, who was so severely wounded as to ,loso his eyesight. Miss Merle Fowler has been appointed lady clerk to tho Motueka Harbour Board. There were six applications for the position. Mr. and Mrs. James M'Farlane, of Burns Road, Napier, who have been spending a few weeks' holiday at Taupo, returned to Napier by motor. Mr. and 'Mrs. Gerald Stend arrived in Christehurch from Ambcrley recently. They are staying at Warner's. Mr. and Mrs. J. J. M'Dougall, who havo been on a visit here, have returned to Christehurch. Lieutenant W. Johns (of the I.'sntal Corps l at Featherston) and Mrs. Johns are staying in Wellington. , Mrs. A. Gore, of Hawke's Bay, is staying with her daughter (Mrs. George Tripo). Mr. and Mrs. Rainey Jackson, of St. John's Hill. Wanganui, are on a motor trip through the South Island. Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Levett and family, of Bulls, are staying at Castleoliff, Wanganui.

Soldiers' Club Danoes, Sydney Street. Tlio dances given under tho auspices of the Soldiers' Club in Sydney Street will bo resumed on Wednesday. Blue ticket-holders are reminded to bo present. Whan Ready—Co. It' is not everyone who knows tho fine art of leave-taking in an appropriato manner, says a writer in an oxchange. Whon you are about to depart, do so at onco, gracefully juid politely, with no dallying. Don't say, "It's about time I was going," and then settle back ami talk aimlessly for another ten minutes. Sonio people uavo this tiresome habit. They will oven riso, and stnnd about tho room in various attitudes, keeping their hosts also standing, and then, by an effort, succeed in getting as far as tlie hall, when a now thought strikes them, fhoy brighten up visibly and stand for some minutes longer, saying nothing of importance, but keeping everyone in a restless, nervous state. After tTiB door is opened tho prolonged leave-taking begins, and everybody in general and in particular is invited to call. Very likely a last thought strikes the departing visitor, which his friend must risk a cold to hear to the end. What a relief when tho door is finally closed! THore is no need of being offensively abrupt, bub when you aro ready to go, go.

Mrs. Abbott, who is travelling on behalf of the Scottish Women's Hospitals, which are doing such magnificent work in France and Serbia, has obtained the necessary permission to make collections in New Zealand on behalf of these hospitals. Mrs. Abbott had a very successful tour through India, and she was given letters to the Viceroy by Lady Frances Balfour and Mrs. H. Fawcott. Iji Brisbane and Sydney also Mrs. Abbott found the public most generous and responsive. Last week Mrs. Abbott visited Hawora. A strong committee has been formed to help her in her work of collecting money in Hawke's Bay. Mrs. Abbott will delivor her address to the people of Wellington in the Concert Chamber, and the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) will be in the chair. A local committee is being formed here, of which the Hon. J. G. TV. Aitken, is the chairman. Mrs. J. Moore (Dannevirke) has been spending her holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Cameron, "Maurangi." Mr. and Mrs. Farquhar Young, of Christchuroh, are visiting Wellington.

' weakness of the Weaker Sex. '

Before marriage the average man carefully takes his fiancee bj. the elbow whenever she approaches a curbstone, and helps her over it with the greatest solicitude. Occasionally they walk together in the park ; and on these occasions he clutches her arm firmly £ when they encounter the slightest irregularity in the- road, as though fearful that she-may stumble on the irregularity and break into a large number of small pieces.: It is oviclent from his attitude; that he considers her too weak to surmount any obstacle over an eighth of an inch in height without his assistance. He shows plainly.by his actions'that she is as delioate and as fragile as the bisque representation of a Dresden 'shepherdess. One who observes his' persistence in propping her up is justified in supposing that there is something seriously wrong with her equilibrium, and that unless she is supported she will immediately collapse with surprising thoroughness. "After they are married, the average man allows his wife to run up and down two flights of stairs several times a day without attempting to hold her up by the elbow or anywhere else. If she should demand that he clutch her arm firmly in order- to protect her from harm when she balances herself in a chair and takes a can of beans from the top shelf of the pantry, he would suspect her of being a trifle queer mentally. Ho never shows by his actions that he considers her too delicate or too fragile to - dust the living-room, make up the bed, run the : carpet-sweeper over a dozen rugs, put an extra, board in the dining-room table, wash the dishes, and clean out the sink. If there is anything wrong . with her equilibrium after she is married she can prop herself against a

broom; her husband has no time to stand around and hold her up by the elbow. A Bill to forbid public arm and elbow clutching on the part of the average man who strolls with a maid might do much to prevent misunderstandings and heart-burnings after they have left tho altar together. Less Formality at Windsor. Tho King and Queen have been making their week-end parties at Windsor as unceremonious and unpretentious as possible. All the rules of Court etiquette for the time being are suspended. Under these riov orders a week-end at Windsor Castle is just like a week-end at any other comfortable country house with a delightful host and hostess. The Queen tells her guests to brine; as little luggage «s possible, in view of transit difficulties. Several of the men visitors went to Windsor without their servants, who are doing more useful work now than brushing or ironing clothing. The Queen is a splendid organiser. Her genius for orderliness is felt oven in lier personal surroundings, and her rearrangement of different things at Windsor lias bnen most thorough. Many small relics and possessions of past Sovereigns ami great men and women have been hidden away in different rooms at .the castle. The Queen,' however, has carefully got out numbers op interesting/things, and has arranged and docketed them, thus making a ni.}st remarkable collection.