SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 93, 12 January 1918, Page 4

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

"A Pair of silk stockings." . "A Pair of Silk Stockings," played 111 tho Grand Opera House last evening by tho Mario Tempest-Graham Isrowno Company, did not offer suoli a scope for dressing as have some of tho oilier plays produced by the company during their Wellington season, but ior all that some veryl pretty frocks were worn. Miss Tempest made licr first appearance in a striking frock of soft black silk, patterned with roses in such a way as to produce a striped effect, the skirt wido at the hips, and tho bodice of soft white net. As she was supposed to have been motoring, Miss Tempest woro a full, softly hanging, rose-coloured cloak and a triangular hat with touches of pink to correspond. Later 011 a most becoming negligee of palest blue, with a bewitching cap was worn, and in the last act Miss Tempest was seen in a short blue and white striped skirt, Worn with a blue silk jersey, and, lor part of tho time a wide straw hat wreathed with flowers. Miss Ethel Morrison, as Lady Penelope Gower, also woro some pretty frocks, tho flower sprigged voile in the last act being very becoming. 111 the first act she appeared in a gown of soft amber satin draped with black tulle. Miss Burroughs (Irene Maitland) was very effective in a. gown of emerald green tulle, the bodice outlined with narrow silver embroidery. There was a very full house, and judging from the frequent laughter the play was greatly enjoyed Sister Susie's Rival. Sister Susio's knittiug socks for soldiers as hard as ever, but she hasn't the field to herself any more, states an American writer. If the custom inaugurated by Mr. C. do Lacey Evans, one of Baltimore's bestknown financiers, spreads as it promises to do, daddy and unclo and grandpa will enter into closo competition. Mr. Evans, who is a member of the banking- firm of Townsend Scott and Son, instead of going out to the theatre or to the club to while away the evening, sits down at a knittingmachine and turns out a pair of socks before he retires for tho night. Mr. Evans has adopted this unique method of showing his patriotism because he has passed tho ago for military servico. Ho was not content with having contributed toward tho two Liberty Loan campaigns, and hit upon the idea of making socks for tho soldiers. Knitting, of course, was out of his line,f_ but he decided he could operato a knitting-machine. lie accordingly had two delivered to tho Sherwood Hotel ._ After a short period of instruction lie mastered tho details of operation, and now turns out socks in a manner that would make tho most adept mill hand jealous.

Shooting Lions from Hospital Grounds. In the October number of tho "London Hospital Gazetto" one of tho most interesting 'papers describes "Tho Wanderings of an R.A.M.C. Officer," who gives an account of his experiences on several fronts. Tho narrative in respect of hospital work in German East Africa covers ground that is new to most readers. Tho officor thus describes tho surroundings of the hospital Lollsissale: —"Tho hospital consisted of a number of big grass huts and some boll tents, tho whole capable of accommodating 400 patients. Tho hospital was enclosed all round by a border of prickly thorns to keep out the lions and other prowling beasts. Lolkissalo _ was famous for its lions, their roaring at night, coupled with the ories of the hyenas, made sleep impossible until ono got used to tho din. . . . Ono jiiglit wo trapped a huge lion over 12ft. long. Now and again parties of us sat up all night in trees in tho hope of shooting a lion. The usual plan was to tie up ail old ox as bait to a tree near by ... As tho lion made its spring on to tho ox we flashed out our acetylene lamps on to tho scene, levelled our guns, took careful aim, and fired together if possible."

The wedding took place on Thursday in St._ Matthew's Church, Mastertou, of Miss Muriel Hampden, daughter of the Rev. 0. Hampden and Mrs. Hampden, of Masterton, to Mr. A. G. Marsden. Tho Rev. J. Walker, M.A., performed the ceremony. (Mrs. Spring-Brown, wife of Captain J. F. Spring-Brown, of tho New Zealand Transport Service, has arrived in New Zealand from her homo in Melbourne. She is at present visiting Dunedin. The Rev. 0. Abernethy and Miss Abernethy have returned to Papanui from a brief visit to AVellington. Mrs. J. AV. Shorland, accompanied them cn their return to the south. Mrs. W. Cooper and Mrs. Strang (Gladstone) arc arriving in AVellington shortly, and intend spending some weeks at Muritai. Mrs. Tlmrsby Pelham has arrived in Wellington from Auckland, and is staying at the Midland Hotel. Miss Wilson (Bulls) and her sister are staying at the Midland Hotel. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) announces that the Saturday entertainments for soldiers will be resumed oil Saturday week, January 19. A way of welcoming the men who return on leave from the front has been adopted by South Wales in characteristic fashion. The news that a soldier from that neighbourhood is on his way home is a signal for tho most dingy street in tho dirtiost of colliery villages to blossom into a gorgeous display of bunting. Lamp-posts are transformed into Venetian masts, the flags of all tho Allies flutter from firstlloor windows, and a great banner of "Welcome homo" spans the street opposite the home-coming hero's house. It may bo crude, but it makes a man feel that "Blighty" is worth fighting for.