WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 119, 6 February 1918, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR

(By Isioasw.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

A correspondent's Query. • Perhaps one of our readers may be able to solve the following problem, propounded by a correspondent:—"l. should like to know what arc the necessary qualifications for entry into New Zealand society. My wife aud I are apparently not qualified. Our qualifications aro as follow; I am related to the following personages in Great Britain: A marquis, several lords, a Judge of the High Court, a. FieldMarnlml, two Generals, a lain Governor of New South Wales, a SurgeonGetieral. .My wile is related to a member of the High Court Bench of Australia, and wefi connected in England. We are'*both well educated. I am a professional man, but at present am not practising; my present income is four figures. Neither of us, or have, any member oF our families, been in gaol or done anything to debar us from mixing with the best people. We have not mentioned, neither do ire intend to mention, who wo are to anyone in New Zealand, even if we never enter into the 'Holy of Holies' of New Zealand Society. We were staying at a fashionable boardinghoiiso in New Zealand, when a lady spoke to another lady about Us, and said that we were all right in our class, inferring, of courso, wo were not good enough for lior society. This lady could not speak three words grammatically, and a_ few years ago her husband was a bill sticker. Thanking you in anticipation.—(Sgd.) Society." Domestic Science. Miss M'Ohavo Collinson, 8.A.. lecturer in history for the tutorial classes of the Sydney University, who was specially chosen by the president of Harvard for the position in Sydney because of her knowledge of Bcpnomie conditions, when asked for an opinion concerning a. controversy about homo science, said: "I should like to say that, while thinking it an exceptionally valuable adjunct for the interested woman, 1 cannot think it wise or fair to make this subject a matriculation requirement. Girls who tako up matriculation clearly expect' an academic or professional career. It seems to me you aro imposing an unfair burden if you ask for extra work from those competing with men in their various callings. I should like to see a certificate of elficicncy, compulsory both for men and women prior to marriage, and under the circumstances I do not think tliero would bo any difficulty in getting students for the'subject. But as a matriculation requirement T think it would mean an undue hardship for women, who have already to struggle with heavy odds in other directions. If there is to be sex differentiation in the schools, let it, be in the providing of better accommodation for the women students; 110 back-breaking forms, but desks adapted to hygienic requirements; airy schoolrooms, and.access to some, kind of refilled surroundiugs, such as pleasant companions, lectures, music, flowers, and so 011."' Miss Collinson is joint lion, secretary of the women's section of the Workers' Educational Association in New South Wales. "Ono of tho great objects of the work among tlio women," Miss Collinson concluded, "is that women should co-operate in all the activities of the association, that their lives may be made wider, freer, and brighter by allowing the fullest possible mental development."

Mrs. Lodder returned yesterday to Auckland, alter spending :i holiday with her sister, Mrs. Cluloiv, Lower Hutt. The. weekly dunce of the Sydney Street Soldiers' Club will take place tomorrow evening. All soldiers will he welcomed, and holders of blue t'ekets are asked to attend punctually. Mrs. J. C. Cooper (Masterton) lias gone to Christehurcli to attend the wedding of Miss Margaret Costello. Miss Hilda. Edgar, who has been staying with Dr. and Mrs. Cockayne, has returned to Christehurcli. Mrs. Herbert Elworthy (Canterbury) is visiting Wellington. Lady M'Lean has returned to the south'from n visit to Wellington. Mdllo. diii Bnsson has returned to Wellington from a visit to the Wairarapa. Miss Nunneloy, of the reference section of the Public Library, and well known in tennis circles, .is leaving 011 a visit to England. She will be away for about a year. A meeting of the committee of the District Nursing Guild of' St. John wa'-, held at the residence of Mrs. W. H. fj Moorhouse on Monday afternoon. Mrs. Moorhouse presided, and introduced. Nurse Faram, the newly-appointed senior district nurse. There were also present: Nurse Martin, Mesdanies Tripe, Corrigan. Gibbons, Barclay, Misses Eobieaon and Edmeades (hon. secretary). An apology for absence wasreceived from Mrs. Pearson. The reports of the nurses showed that, in December 12 new patients were registered, 10 discharged, and 311 visits were paid. During January 17 patients wore registered, 16 discharged, with 23 remaining. Three hundred and four visits were paid. During the two months gifts were acknowledged from Mesdames Moorhouse, Evans, Palliser, Palmer, Thompson (Patea), Lissack, and three anonymous donors. Subscriptions of £1 Is. each were acknowledged from Miss Coates, Briscoe and Co., Ltd.. Bristol Piano Co., D.1.C., and To Aro House. The nurses return thanks to all those who sent special gifts for the annual treat in December. The nurses are ill need of old linen and white cotton rags, and would grate- • fully receive them at 91 Gluiznee Street . during office hours, viz,: 5.30 to 9.30 i a.m.; 4 to 5.30 p.m.

The wedding took place iu St. Stephen's Church, Sydney, on January 15, of Miss Leila Johnston, daughter of Mr. Richard William Johnston, of Bungondore, N.S.W., and Felix Haven, Cremome, to Sir. lierbert Neale, of Wellington, -*K'cw Zealaifd, second son of tho lute Mr. Charles Neale, of Wellington. Mr. i\ : cale has since left for tho front. A wedding of interest to rowing circles took plaeo on January 16, when tho clinmpion lady scuiler of Australia —Miss Fanny Kemp— was married to Sir. Leonard [Sell, a well-known oarsman, who was stroke of the Lcichardt Rowing Club, and won some renown its a sculler (states '"Hie Australasian")- Miss Kemp is a daughter of the former world's champion, Peter Kemp. After the marriage ceremony, which took placc at St. David's Church, Haberfiold, the coni|':">y udjuitrned to the, rowing shed at Abbotsiord, on the Parramatta, where so many notable oarsmen have, been trained. A V.A.D. worker in France, Miss Gladys Victoria King, lias been awarded a Military Medal for devotion to duty under shell (ire. Miss King is a teacher of domestio Bcioncfe. A club for wives, children, and dependants of fighting men is carried on in tJis rooms known as "Oharley'R Aunt" Club, next door hut one to Hits Majesty's, Courtenny Place. On Friday afternoon a tea was given by Mrs. Seville, assisted by Mrs. Withers and Miss Hunt. The musical programme arranged by Mrs. Elm was greatly enjoyed, the following contributing: Mrs. Chapman. Sirs- Wilkins, and tho Misses Gray, Cooley, Elsie and Huin, Elm, Clrono, and Austin. Miss Russell is the guest of Miss Clifford (Canterbury).

the separation allowance Some members of thfe Liverpool (England) Women's Industrial Council rc.contiy took it upon themselves to institute an inquiry into the working of tho separation allowances in their social aspect. Rumours Were rife that the Women were taking unduly to' drink, and that the moral effect of the separation from their husbands was bad; and it was to satisfy themselves and society in general that the council went systematically to the work of investigation. Beginning with the Medical Officer of Health, they consulted no less than twelve different sources of infor» mation, including police constables, headmasters, and mistresses of elementary schools, even pawnbrokers and furniture dealers. The "Englishwoman" publishes an article dealing with tho campaign and its. results, which were in every way iuite a triumphant attestation of the improvement in conduct, character, and conditions among the poorer women since they have been receiving a steady income. Speaking, of course, of her own district, in Liverpool, the Supervisor of Corporation Dwellings asserted that there has been less drunkenness among the women, that they resort loss to pawnshops and moneylenders, and that there is greater comfort in the homes. A pawnbroker said that the nature of his business had changed siuce the beginning of the war. Instead of i pledging women bought new articles i from them, especially clothing for themi selves and children. Jewellery and ; gramophones and other apparent ex- . travaganees were bought as . investments, which would be good pledges if required. Though drunkenness had decreased, moderate drinking, among women was spreading, according to a superintendent of police. All authorities agreed in saying that it was the , regularity of the allowance which did ' good; in the early days the long delay I between payments, which then came in j large amounts, often led to wasteful spending, but now regularity of income I led to regularity of life, '''he conclu- ! sion was drawn that the principle oi ' the endowment of by the | Stato was here indicated, and it was | considered most improbable that wholi the war was over conditions would be allowed to fall back into the "bad old ways of the bad old days." The lied Cross Depot in Mercer Street reopened after the holidays on Monday, and as there is an accumulation of work to be dealt with it is ' hoped that all workers will make a I of talcing up tlieir duties again as | soon as possible. I Mr. and Mrs. V. J. Larner (AuckI land) are visiting Cliristchurch.