SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 144, 7 March 1918, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Christmas in War Time. • Our Christmases have dialed in character gradually since the war (writes a London correspondent of the "Australasian" 011 December 28). The first year was_ "Christmas as usual"; tho next year it was "Christmas about as usual"; last year things wore gating scarce, and it was decided b,v tf .'. majority that presents must be strivl.V useful ones. This year has show,.;, tho most- definite change. Shops report that business was solid, but that there was no rush, and that the "trifle" counters were not well patronised. Rail, ways report that there was comparatively little travelling, and individuals report that their Christmas was a quiet one. Turkeys and' geese were sold at 2s. and 2s. 6d. a pound, with the result that the ordinary householder contented himself with beef, and to-day's papers say that there are quantities' of both birds and beef left on traders' hands. This pleases the householder, for everyone knew that someone was profiteering, and are glad that someone is suffering in pocket over it. Raisins and currants have been unobtainable for some time, so the number of Christmas puddings was some millions less than usual. Of course there were families where mothers had got in a store months back, or other households where it is the custom to make the puddings a year previously, but for the first time in many generations any number o5 families were minus the familiar plum pudding. Fortunately hospitals were properly catered for, and one hears of festivities capably arranged in practically all of them. All Australian committees have now got into such complete working oxler that they can grapple with the entertaining and care of men in a manner which leaves nothing to be desired.

There was a very good attendance of soldiers at the weekly dance held in the Sydney Street Soldiers' Club last evening. The usual arrangements were carried out, and the cooler atmosphere which has prevailed during the past two days gave a keener zest to the dancing than usual. Mrs. Shirtcliffe and Mrs. Blundell were in charge'of the tea-room, and Mrs. Coleridge and Mrs. C. Earle of the dancing.

Captain J. Hirschberg, of Masterton, was among the soldiers who turned to New Zealand yesterday. His sister, Mrs. G.' Mawley, also-arrived from England.

Mtrs. Horrocks (Eltham) left on Tuesday for Wellington to meet her son, Sergeant-Major V. Horrocks, who has returned to New Zealand, on

Mr. and Mrs. J. Mitchell, of Sydney, are visiting' New Zealand, and at present are staying in • Auckland.

Miss Blakesley (Oriental Bay) is visiting Picton.

Mrs. F. C. Lewis (Masterton) and Miss NSncy Lewis are spending a few days in Wellington 011 their return from a visit to Dunedin.

The engagement is announced of Miss Nancy Lewis, second daughter of Mrs. Lewis, of " Masterton, and the late Mr. F. C. Lewis, to Dr. Cameron, only son of Mrs. Cameron, of Dunedin, and the lato Captain Cameron. '

The Wanpamii Borough Council lias appointed Miss A. M. Blackell, of Christelnirch, to tlie position of Public Librarian.

The Wanganui, Taihape, ant] Karioi Natives have, during the past few days, raised in Taihape by entertainments and otherwise the sum of £191. Thirty pounds go to the Y.M.C.A. l?und and £161 to the Lady Liverpool Fund.

The wedding took place in the GOll- - Methodist Church recently of Mr. Charles William M'Conchie (who left New Zealand with the Main Body), eldest soil of Mr. William M'Conchie, of Nelson, to Miss Lavinia Ncllio Allwood, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Allwood, of Gonville._ The bridesmaid was Miss Gladys Signal, and the best man Mr. Cyril Nettlefold, also a returned soldier. The church had been very prettily decorated for tho occasion, and as this was the first wedding in the new church the bride and bridegroom were presented with a Riblo from the trustees. Among'" tho guests were tlie bridegroom's parents and grandmother, the latter at the ago of 75' crossing a' rougli sea from Nelson to be present at her grandson's wedding. .

Conserving Food. Tt Is interesting to contemplate tho restrictive regulations that arc Betng' passed under the''all-embracing Defence ol' the liuahn Act and other Acts, Hates a London correspondent. Tim. object of these regulations is to conservo supplies and U> prevent 'waste. It has been the Food Controller intends to t issue an order prohibiting luxurious displays of ftiitstufi's in shop windows. This order will apply particularly to grocers, bakei'o, pastry cooks, and confectioners. The bakers and pastry , cooks aro already working under stringent regulations which prevent them using Hour wade entirely of* wheat, which prevent them making fancy. bread and fancy cakes and pastry.. Dread mifst not. be sold until after, it.is. twelve hours old. Jam tarts, cream pull's, and other, things of. that kind are forbidden luxuries. But tarts and puffs can be sold without jam or cream. No iceing is allowed on cakes owing to the fact that sugar is scarce, 'lhe fact that people could noi, obtain the weekly allowance of lib. of sugar per head to which they are nominally entitled, in accordance with the supplies of sugar issued to the trade, by the Government Commission which controls the importation and. distribution of sugar, led to an outcry sonie months ago against the lavish display of sweets in the confectioners' shops. The price of sweets was fixed by ihe Food Controller, and confectioners wore given a hint to dress their shop windows less plentifully. As a result the window dressing of confectioners' shops underwent an artistic. change. The shelves were decorated with niany-col-eured silks, on which rested a few trays of sweets. Due the vari-colour-ed silks seem to attract custom to the sweet shops, for there is again an outcry against tho. use of .thousands of tons of sugar for sweets, when people find it impossible to obtain sugar for household requirements. It is easier for a housewife to purchase oOlb. of sweets if she wanted them than it is to purchase Jib. of sugar It is expected that the Sugar Commission will liavo to reduco drastically tho supply of sugar to tho confectionery manufacturers, and that in a few months most of tho sweet shops will have to close bccause they cannot get' supplies.

Mr. George Fisher, of Christchurch, the well-known tennis player, is visiting his brother, Mr. Stephen Fisher (Fcilding). • The Miramar Ladies' Golf Club Patriotic Cake Room thank the following donors for cakes, subscriptions, etc.Mrs. Smeeton, Holmes, Birnie, M'Mcnamin, Gavin, Richardson, Fulton, Lewis (Eltham), Mirams, Hcywood, Meek, Isaacs, Hurst, Misses Wheeler, Didsbury, M'lntosh, M'Kellar, Ivirkcaldie, Hall, Von Dadelszen, Chalmers. Dr. Alice Gow and Lieutenant' Goiv were passengers by the Maori last evening for Christchurch. • The first moeting of the year of the Wellington South Nursing Division was hold in the Newtown LibraVy on Tuesday. Arrangements were made for tlio "Shop" Day which falls on the fourth Friday of the month, and a good day is expected on March 16, when a stall will bo managed by the division at Courtenay Place terminus. The 133 rd meeting of the AVellington Free Kindergarten Association was held at Taranaki Street this week. There wero present: Mrs. Gill (in tlio chair), Mesdames Smith, Clark, Moran, Watt, Andersen, Misses England, Helyer, Stowo, and Seaton. ft was decided that a, produce sale should bo held in the last week of March. All contributions will bo gratefully accepted by members of the council.

On Friday there will bo the usual Red Cross sale at the shop 011 Lambton Quay. The St. John Ambulance Senior Nursing Division will provide good home-made cakes and produce. There will be also flowers, produce, and needlework. From tlio Congregational Church, Cambridge Terrace, a donation of fruit and vegetables from their harvest festival was received last Tuesday and sold for the Red Cross. This gift was most acceptable, and added a considerable sum to the fund.