WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 125, 13 February 1918, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

4 MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR

(By Imogen.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Reception to Dr. Agnes Bennett. This evening Dr. Agnes Bennett will be the guest or the fioneer lilub at a reception which is being held in her honour. Dr. Uennett was one- of the .founders ol the club, and irora time to cimo, since she has been working with her hospital unit among tho Serbians, members of the i-lub have endeavoured to assist her work by fending comforts, n.onoy, and a motor ambulance. To-night an opportunity will bo afforded them of hearing Dr. Bennett relate some of hoc experiences whilst working for this terribly suffering and nearly exterminated people. Members arc allowed to bring their friends, as tho occasion is one that is rogardiid as being of unusual interest. Wellington North Election Meeting. The committee meeting which was held on Monday evening in connection with Mr. Luke's candidature for the Wellington North seat was remarkable for the enthusiastic, reports which were handed in of work that bad been achieved in connection with the campaign. The lady canvassers had done wonderfully fine, work, having since last Thursday practically covered the district, enrolling many hundreds of electors. Arrangements were raiide for yesterday's final elfort by which it was hoped to finish the district before closing time, a hope that was completely realised. The workers report that enthusiasm in connection with tho election is very keen, names coining in up to tho last possible moment, nnd the feeling for Mr. Luke, the National Government's candidate, being very strong , . In the course of their canvass thoy found the opinion freely expressed by many people that there should have been no election held at tlif present time. Throughout the proceedings were of unusual interest, and experienced campaigners expressed themselves as being astonished at the enthusiasm and keenness that was displayed throughout. The singing of the National Anthem brought the meeting to a dose. Wellington Red Cross Shop, After a year of success, the promoters of this work will open in new premises next Friday. The shop, which has a most attractive appearance, is directly opposite the old room, and is on the ground floor. The shop will be stocked by the residents of the Kapiti district, which includes '\Yaikanae, I'araparaumu, and Paekakariki, and the sale will consist of country produce and delicacies of every kind. For many weeks great preparations have been going on, and the day is boing looked forward to by all interested Red Cross workers. The shop is carried on entirely by voluntary aid, and the proceeds liow go direct to the trustees of l.ho Wellington branch of the British Red Cross. Miss Cooper and Miss Moss will have, the usual attractive flower stall. Their display in the window should remind everyone that a!i gilts of flowers are gratefully accepted and readily sold by those in charge. One window and part of the shop have been let for work from the military hospitals, and the display of baskets, trays, carving, hammocks, etc., is a most attractive one. Every article has been made by convalescent soldiers, :md is sold for the benefit of the maker. Mrs. 11. Conm (Makuri) is staying with Mrs. Hoskinii (Master-ton). The weekly dance, of the Sydney Street Soldiers' Club will take place this evening. Holders of blue tickets are asked to arrive at the club in good time. Mrs. C. Vallancc (Master-ton) is slaying at the Hotel Cecii. Miss 'Jiadys Campbell, who has b9p.11 the guest of Mrs. J. B. A'Deane (Hawko's Bay) returned to Wellington on Monday. Mr. and Mrs. C. Bennett (Masterton) ami Miss ,T. Baird, who have been staying at Muritai, retimed to the Wairarapa on Monday. Mrs. F. Nelson O'al'iatua) is the guest of Mrs. 11. H. Gore. Mrs. Rankine Brown and her family are at present staying at Muritai. Mrs. J . Mackenzie (Karori) leaves shortly on a visit to the South Island. The Mayoress has received :i donation or £19 19s. for Red Cross work from the Newtown Co-operative Building Society, this being the balance of their profit and loss account.

I The late JMrs. Harriot Preston, whose I death place in England nn Febi ruary 6, was well known as a resident. iof Siimner (ChristchiircM, of many i years' standing, and was widely known throughout Canterbury. Her husband, the late Dr. Preston, practised in the Lincoln district for many years, and after his death in 1891 his widow and family decided to move to Sunnier. The late Mrs. Preston was for man? years organist at her church, AH Saints', and in many ways took part in the public life of Sunnier. In July, ' 1014, Mrs. Preston left on a visit to : England, and was on the water when war was declared. Her second son, Sergeant V. H. 0. Preston, was killed in action in August last. Mrs. Preston js survived by one son and four daughters—Mr. C. Preston, manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company's office, Foxton; Mrs. N. Synies, of Chris tclnirch: Mrs. Todlumter, of Clarence River, Kaikouia; Mrs. Sharpe. of North Canterbury; and Mrs. Baynham, of Wimbledon, England.

Women's National Reserve. This iirsl meeting this year of the Honorary Division, Women's National Ueservc, was hold at the W.N.I!, ofiici , on l'Yiday last. .Mrs. (j. W. Kussell, in tho com si.' uf lief address, baid they nero now entering upon another year of effort. Looking back, she thought they could claim thao tlio Honorary .Reserve had done good work in organising the monthly mothers' afternoons. They had brought the mothers of onr soldiers and sailors together for social purposes, and.they knew- that lihe afternoons were greatly appreciated. The fact that Her Excellency the Countess- of Liverpool had attended them on several occasions was very gratifying. As they wore entering upon another year, it might bo desirable to consider whether there were any other brandies of work for the benefit of mothers that could be undertaken, without overlapping with other organisations. Many thousands of men were still away, and more were going, and if the division could he made aware of special cases where help nnd sympathy would bo of service they might bo able to ease tho lot and brighten the outlook of some who have given their sons to the Empire. She referred not only to those whose sons are still lighting, but especially to those whose kods have given their lives. These w°ro entitled to the kindest and most practical sympathy. She had reason for saying that if this work were undertaken on sound lines the Government would give full consideration to the matter. It was derided to hold the reunions in the future as had been done in the past, but instead of th» various brandies of the W.N.ft. taking control (in rotation) of the tea arrangements as was done last year, a tea. committee of lion, members only was formed, and will undertake the management of tho teas, nt any rate for three months, thus leaving the branches more free for the great iinount of nctivn work that is demanded of them this vear. Ti'i first reunion this year will be held on tile last Wednesday in February. Mr. awl Mrs. Ellerson. who have been staying at the Midland Hotel,, returned to Hawke's Bay yesterday. Miss Maud Telfer, formerly of Lavender Bay, is a good friend to Australian soldiers in London. She is a member of the Oscar Asche-Lily Bra.yton "Chu Chin Chow" Company, and with the permission of the management arranges concerts at the Australian Y.M.C.A. in London. Mips Telfer is a soprano of distinction, and spends all her spare time singing or arranging amusements for the men.

After a long illness tlio death has, occurred in ■Wellington of Mrs. Duncan, wife of Mr. John. Duncan, exmomber for Wairau, and a resident of Picton. The late Mrs. Duncan, who was a daughter of the late Mr. James Speed, was born in Wanganui, but spent most of her life in Marlborough, at Picton, and the Grove. While her husband represented Wairau, Mrs. Duncan lived in Blenheim. Messrs. J. M. Speed (Blenheim), and Hugh Speed (on active service) aro brothers, and her surviving sisters are Mesdames H. Howard (Blenheim), B. S. Rutherford (Kekerangu) .Gillies (Auckland), and Miss Speed (Wellington). Many friends will greatly regret to hear of Mrs. Duncan's death. By the death of Miss Florence Gleeson last week in Melbourne, one of the cleverest of Australian actresses is lost to the stage, states the Sydney "Sun." Those who saw "The Squaw Man" when it was produced here on Mr. Charles Waldron's first visit to this country will remember lier brilliant study as the Indian girl Nat-u-rich, who speaks only half a dozen words in the play, and yet is one of its dominant characters. It was by reason of her admirable performance in this drama that Miss Gleeson assumed the place to which her gifts entitled her, and many other prominent roles wero allotted her. She succeeded Miss Catherine Grey in the leading part (Emma Brooks) in "Paid in Full," in Adelaide arid Perth, in 1911, before leaving on a holiday visit to England. Bessie Broke in "The Light That Failed," produced in Australia jb'y the Cuyler Hastings Company, and the telephone girl in "The Woman," played by Miss Hilda Spong's Company sixyears ago, were also amongst her successes.