SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 155, 20 March 1918, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Conditions at Home. A Now Zealand lady occupying a Eost in the Miuistry of Munitions, ondon, writing to a friend, says;— "Everything on this side of the world is very bad. Food is a, fearful price, and very hard to get. I have not seen either butter or margarino for six ■weeks. Tea and sugar wo buy two ounces at a time. Tea is 4s. • 6d. a pound, and not much good then; eggs aro ss. 6d. a dozen, and sometimes there is no meat in tbo shops at all. Living is some problem. Portunatoly we have not had an air raid for two weeks. They are cmel things, and the awful noise of the 'planes ovorhead is terrifying. There is nothing to do but to sit down and wait."

The Late Dora Sigorson Shorter. Lovers of Irish literature will fool a great regret to learn of tho death of Airs. Clement Shorter (Dora Sigerson), which, a3 recorded by the London "Tablet" of January 12, took place at her home in St. John's Wood, London, recently. A daughter of Dr. George Sigerson, of Dublin, she was made a Londoner in 1897 by her happy marriage with "0.K.5.," but a Londoner who did not, in her heart, really chango her address. First and last she lived and died a Catholic Irishwoman. Sho was consumed by the passion of patriotism. With no children of her own, sho made all tho sorrows of mon and women of Ireland intimately and poignantly her own. Her country's life was her family life; sho and her kind wore one. Eugenie de Guorin said unforgotttably, "I have an aohe in my brother's lung," and "I have a wound in my_ country's henrt" might pass as the diagnosis of Dora Sigerson. A collected edition of her poems was honoured with a foreword by _ George Meredith, and to her we aro indebted for a good collection of the ballad themes nf ancient Ireland, that storehouse of a poetry and music, deeprooted in tho hearts of a people, in tbo folk lore of tho countryside. _ Hut others have laboured in this particular corner of the garden of Irish poetry, and Mrs. Shorter's minor original poems make tho most poignant appeal to manv minds.

The Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) spent the week-end in Wnnganui, and left on Monday for Auckland.

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Fulton are visits ing Auckland.

A children's garden party was given by Miss CI. Hammer and Miss J. Hood at tho residence of Mr. Hammer, Brooklyn, last Saturday afternoon, in aid of' the Soldiors'' Comforts Fund, when the sum of £4 fis.-6d. was realised.. Tho "fishpond," produce, soft drink, and afternoon tea stalls proved vory profitable. Miss M. Hood, Misß E. Stewart, and Master L. Hammer assisted at t.ho party. The proceeds are to be handed to the Mayoress,

Tho management of the J. C. Williamson Co. nave given the Opera House to the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Clubhouse Society free for a demonstration to he held on Anzac Evo, April '2A. The Prime Minister has consented to preside, and an attractive programme is being arranged. The immortal story of Anzac, right through tho Somme, Messincs, and Pass'chendaelo will bo graphically described by men who have been through tho thick of the fight. All tho musioal itoms will be contributed by men in khaki.

Mrs. Gordon (Mastorton) and Alias Woltors (Carterton) are visiting Rotorua.

Mrs. W. J. Martin (Martinborough) and Miss Martin have been spending a fow days in Christchurcb on their return journey from Mount Cook.

The outfit allowance payable to members of the New Zealand Armv Nursing Service has been increased from £12 12s. to £1.5 las., and tlio annual upkeep allowanco from £8 to £0 95., both increases to date from January 28, 1918. It may be mentioned in passing that the allowance paid by the New South' Wales Government to nurses on active service is £20,- and this amount is supplemented by a gift of £10 from tho lied Cross organisation of that State. In addition, the Red Cross praotically gives oach nurse an outfit, including a dock chair. Now Zealand in ovciy respect falls behind Australia in tho treatment meted out to the nurses on activo service

It may be news to many patriotic workers in this equntry—Red Cross, Liverpool, or other—that the tho idea of making treasure bags for soldiers in which while in hospital they may keep their littlo personal treasures and belongings, originated', with Lady Smith-Dorrien, who has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of tho British Empire for her services in war work.•

ANSWERS TO CORIcHSPONDF^TS. (By Arrangement with Mrs. Rolleston, Hair Physician and Face Specialist, Qualified London, Paris, and America.) "Combings."—The irritation in your scalp may bo accounted for by the presence of seborrhoea, and can be easily overcome by applying a special pomade on tlio parts affected, the cost of which is 3s, lid., postal Id. "T.M.H."—It is possible with palienco you may be jible lo comb your switch, if not, post it, and we will endeavour to disentangle it. Hair made up should never bo rubbed. To wash it, a lather Is made of warm water, and either luilet soap or shampoo powder. The hair should be soaked and drawn through (he hand several times, then thoroughly rinsed; "Anxious."—No r.ar'liciilar preparation can cure all disorders of llic scalp. The selection of tho light remedy demands the skill and experience of a qualified hair specialist. If you forward a few recent combings, I will be pleased to advisu you, gratis. Coriespondsnce, with addresses en. closed, replied to privately by post. Mrs. Rolleston, 25G Lambton Quay—Advt.

Overdue Reform. "The event is overshadowed by the war," said Miss K. I). Courtney, lion, secretary of the National Council for Adult Suffrage to a representative of tho "Daily JUail" upon the subject of the newly acquired women's franchise, "but nono the less it marks tho opening of a new era in the political, social, and economic emancipation of women. It is an overdue reform, the inevitable soqucl to half a century of agitation, and wo feel confident that it is only an instalment, though a, good one, of the larger franchise that is bound to follow in the immediato future. The experience of other countries is that women's votes show as great percentage as those of men in the returns, and there is no reason to justify any expectation of a lesser interest in iJiis country in all that concerns its welfare. Women will no doubt be particularly interested in many social reforms, notably those of infant welfare, housing, education, industrial employment, pensions, and a host questions touching on their legal disabilities, not the least of which will be tho burning question of the nationality of women married to aliens. I think women are also interested in securing a durablo peace, that their influenco will be exercised in framing the twins of peace, and that they will play a part in tho reconstruction schemes lollowing tho war. Atid not the least significant result, I think, will be tho vigour and reality they will bring into political life."

Noxt Friday Ilia Wollington Red Cross Shop will be in chargo of and stocked by t,ho hoad exeoutivo of the Wellington Women's National Reserve. Mrs. Matthew Holmes will bo tho organiser, and tho day promises to be most successful as so many promises of help bavo been received. Tliero will be a plentiful supply of produce, liomeinado cakes, sweets, needlework, bendwork, and ilowers. As this is the first hip; effort for the year of the Wellington Womon's National Rosorve at the shop much interest is being taken in. the day, and the public, are asked to support tlio effort and corno and buy. Everything that is offered for sale will be of the best. Tho Womon's National Reserve 'will take tho fourth Friday in every mouth at tho shop. Tho branches undertaking the the bead executive, Island Bay, Kelburn, tlohnsonville, Karori, Wadostqwn (tho lust-named a cake 'day a mouth also), Kandallah, Brooklyn,' Hataitai, and North Kilbiruip. Kadi branch will form its own committee and work for tho dav which has been allotted to it. Tho Red Cross Fund should benefit very considerably from the effort of tho work of tho Wellington Women's National Reserve.