SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 101, 22 January 1918, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

"Palestine Day" for the Mounted Troops. lestorda.y afternoon a mooting of Wellington residents was held in tho Returned Soldiers' Club to consider the question of supplementing tho gift goods which aro sent to Egypt for the uso of our mounted troops in Egypt and Palestine. For some timo past it has been felt that, in view of tho very strenuous times that they liavo been passing through in the courso of a campaign which has been obscured by European events, and which has involved such hardships as people in this country cannot conceive, something more should be done for them than is now being done. Letters were road at tho meeting from somo of the mounted mon in Palestine, which suggosted the fact that as the gift goods did not always roach their objective it might be better to send money to Egypt, with which goods might, be purchased and forwarded on to where thoy were. A letter from Miss Early, matron of the Aotea Convalescent Home, was also read, and in the course of it she stated: "I hope tho New Zealand public appreciate fully what their men aro. They should be very proud of the New Zealand Mounted Brigade. We in Egypt have every opportunity of realising the good Work they aro doing. Tho boys hero often think thoy are forgotten by New Zealand."

Colonel Esson also spoke of the hardships which these men had to put up with in their long treks across tho desert, and urged that everything possible should be done for their benefit.

It was deoided that a "Palestine Day" should bo held as soon as arrangements can be made, and that the. money resulting should be forwarded to Egypt, there to be expended upon supplies of comforts to be forwarded to tho mounted troops wherever they might be. It is hoped that a regular fund may bo inaugurated for this purpose, and that, as the mounted men have come very largely from the country districts, the latter will assist in the matter.

A strong committee has been formed, of which Colonel Hughes, D.5.0., is hon. secretary, and Mr. J. M'lntosh hon. treasurer.

Amerioan Medical women. It is stated that 4000 American medical women have been asked to register their names for service in ten American women's hospitals. Some of these will commence their war service in the Women's Army General Hospital, the management of which is entirely in the* hands of women, and wo arc told that the funds have been raised by women doctors. It is said that one unit of American women doctors intends to open hospitals in the devastated regions of France and Belgium, and these hospitals are for women and children. Both >nurses and doctor.' are to have lessons in Fren::li, so tlw. they can talk to their patients, and at the* conclusion of these they aro to have an examination at a French hospital.

Tho Camp Commandant at Trentham acknowledges with thanks receipt of cases of fruit from Miss M. Oldtield, Mauakau, which have been duly distributed;

Miss Winifred isitt left Wellington for Dunedin yesterday on her return from a visit to Hawera.

Mrs. Oliver Bunny (Masterton) and her children are staying at Lyall Bay.

The Woodlands Road (Woodville) Ladies' Patriotic League held a "packing' afternoon in the school on Tuesday last, packing tho fifth supply ot' parcels for the men at the front. Acknowledgments of the soldiers' appreciation arrivo by every mail.

Mrs. Swansegar and Miss Swansegar havo returned to Napier after a short visit to Wellington.

Mrs, W. N. Haire, accompanied by her little daughter, is spending afew'weeks at the Lower Hutt with her father, Mr. Stuart.

, A now and striking explanation of the food shortage is offered by Professor Graham Lusk, of the Cornell University Medical School, who declares that the physical muscular labour that women aro now performing as war substitutes, requires more food fuel to enabu them to maintain their bodies, and this, be states, "can bo effected only at the expense of a given added quantity of food fuel, whether the lonian be fat or thin."

■ Miss Christnbel Pankhurst, formerly the leader of the militant suffragettes, is overjoyed that the women's hopes have beeii realised after patient waiting and "peaceful warfare." "Wo are determined," she says, "to use the vote for national defence, without which ultimate victory is impossible. Englishwomen to-day havo one idea, namely. Victory for our arms."

Womenis National Reserve. T'ac Hawera branch of tho W.N.R. had a most, successful gathering of the mothers, wives, anil children of rur lighting men. The rooms used for the purpose wore most beautifully decorated, tho room for tho mothers being a veritable bower of roses, while the largo loom for tho mothers with .young children'contained a very beautifully decorated Christmas tree, laden with gifts, the work of tho girls or the reserve. Under the young secretary, Miss Dorothy Corrigan, sewing went ou for somo woelcs for equipmviu; of the Christmas tree, aud the ri-iilt was very fine. The membership of this new branch totals over 150, and all arc most keen and enthusiastic. The piesident and committee are to bo congratulated upon the splendid results of their work. Feilditig Notes, Mrs. Ward has gone to Plimmerton. ' Mrs. Stowart is visiting Castleelitf., Mrs. Murphy is staying in Rotorua. Miss Weymouth has returned from Taupo. Mrs. Gorton is staying in Wanganui. Mrs. Haggitt has returned from the south. Mrs. Luff has gone to Wellington. Mrs. Parkes has returned from Rotorua. Mrs. Hitchings is visiting Wellington.

Mrs. Atkins is staying in, New Plymouth. Mrs. Elliot has ?one to the seaside; Mrs. Hurley (Wellington) was the guest of Mrs. Hickson during 'the Christmas holidays. Mrs. Murdoch and Miss Murdoch (Napier) aro staying with Mrs. Mason. Mrs. Innes-Jones has been to Hawko'a Bay. Mrs. Kavanagh is in Auckland.

Tho wedding took place in Auckland recently of Miss Spedding, hon. secretary to the Women's Patriotic League, end daughter of tho late Mr. William Spedding, to Mr. Blackwood, of Vancouver. The ceremony was performed in" a marquee erected on the lawn of Mr. J. C. Spcdding's residence. The marquee had been decorated with palms and flowers by members of the women's secretarial staff. Tho bride and bridegroom aro to live in Canada.

Mrs. A. C. Stowart (Masterton) is visiting Wellington. •

Tiio Women's Rest Club in Stratford, promoted by Mrs. H. E. Abraham, is growing in popularity, and now possesses twenty-five permanent members. On Saturday last 110 fewer than twenty mothers and a big collection' of children made use of the club rooms.