SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 234, 21 June 1918, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Women and the Honours List, I hear that among "tho present discontents" is one that affects many uomon of position who are suffered to lack due recognition of their work in tho public cause, states tho "Manchester Guardian." They never get a placo in tho birthday honours list, for instance, though 'hey j may have prompted on their own initialivo all sorts of costly foundations for the comfort and recreation of the troops. Too many of .their inoro fortunate sisters are often but those who have stopped in at the eleventh hour as mere patronesses —tho wives, perhaps, of politicians, generals, and oilier prominent "men already surfeited with social distinction, who appear and reappear on tho public sccno with the frequency of a stage army. The grievance is by no means confined to tho services connected with tho war. it is amazing to lind that Mrs. Henry Paw-celt and lady Frances Balfour, for exauiplo, have received no honorary rn--1 cognition of their great vyork in public life, and the fact tliaft fc'i.-.y, would certainly bo'the last to syek or to desire it has nothing to do with tho case. It is a subject of national concern that the position of. women iu official honours should now bear some sort of correspondence lo the position'they have won in so. many departments of tho national lift'. Women and Farm Tractors, In America Mrs. Florence King, president of tho Women's Association of Commerce of the United Stiles, has mado an appeal for 20,000 women volunteers to drive farm tractors this year, stales, the New York "Evening Post." As a result of this milion-wide campaign, women as well as men am being instructed in this work at tho gas tractor school at Riverside,- Cal. Training in tractor operation will be taken up at many points, and there is overy indication that women aro eager for this war work. "Women of the United Stales aro face to face with a great opportunity. This opportunity is theirs to grasp if they will, and in doing it wo will win tho war," says Mrs. King. "Women everywhere aro engaging in tbo work of Increased food production. Womon of Europe help solve the food problem by taking tho place of brothers, sons, and fathers in the field. " Here in America, it is claimed, tho woman on the tractor will soon lis as much in vogue as tho woman in the automobile. And tho dinis not far distant when the women folk will be taking as much pride in tho tractor and the work it can do as they would in the -beautiful design and power of a new car." The tractor lias really proved a "lifesaver," so to speak, for the farmer. If ho did not have,the tractor to take the placo of the rapidly-increasing cost of horses he would bo under a very serious handicap. Instead of ploughing two to three acres a day he now ploughs an, aero or more'an hour as long as he runs tho tractor.- And if ho is pushed for time he puts on a headlight, and with a night force runs the tractor all night if necessary. |

Dr. and Mrs. Paterson (Christchurch) aro visiting Kussell (Bay of Islands).

Dr. Jcssio Maddisou, who has been visiting Wellington, leavos for Christclmrch tli is evening.

Miss Florence Grylls,. Upper Murchison, West Australia, left Auckland recently en route for England. Miss Grylls has been on loavo from the Scottish Women's Hospital, and is rejoining her unit in Serbia. A presentation took place recently in Auckland, when Miss Alice White, who lias resigned from the Elam School of Art, was presented by tho trustees with a set of Kipling's works, and a gold wristlet watch from the staff and students. 1 Mrs. 'Robert Hose (Auckland) is visit* injf Wellington, and is staying at the Midland Hotel, while her son is in camp at Trentham. Miss Dorothy Saunders and Miss' .Nesta Ganvell-Lcoke have joined the committee of the Children's fancy dross dance in aid of Navy League funds. Both have also promised ballet items by their pupils. Mis's.Jean A. Gibson, daughter of Dr. J. Uiuson, Hobiirt, passed through Auckland tins week en routo for liiiglniid. Miss Gibson is going' to England to be married to an Australian officer, und made one of a party of five on a similar mission.

Mrs. A. Gould-Smith, secretary of the New Zealand Soldiers' Entertainment Committee, an institution formed by New Zealanders in Sydney for tlio purpose of extending hospitality to our troops' who call into that port, either on tho way to or returning from the front, is at present on a visit to Auckland, and is staying with her parents, Mr. and Airs. S. 1. Clark, Wynyard Street. The engagement of Second 'Lieutenant Alec Waugh, author of "The loom ot Youth," to the daughter of Mr. W. W. Jacobs, is an interesting link between two literary families. Mr. Waugnti first book, written when he was about 18, has attracted much praise and criticism. Miss Barbara Jacobs, tho bride-to-be, is a convinced suffragist. On tho Norfolk coast she interested the villagers l»y having "Votes for Women" painted on her bathing tent. Advice has been received from the Trinity College, London, that Miss Norma Middletou (aged 13 years), of Christchurch, has be>eu awarded one of tho two senior practical exhibitions open for competition in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Canada.

Mrs. von Htuist'g residence, i Salamanca Koad, Kelburn, is a depot for receiving bottles and tins in connection with tho Navy League Bottle Ooniniitlee's campaign, and on Saturday tho Boy Scouts will be making their rounds for the. purpose of collecting bottles. It is' hoped that residents in that district will make searching investigations in.their houses for bottles of every kind to hand over lo the scouts on lhatday. . Mr. and Mrs. H. T. A'Conrt and daughter are staying at "Elburton," San son. The friends of Miss .Daisy Isaacs, of Muritai, will regret to feiirii that she is confined to a private iiosp'fn.l with an attack of appendicitis. The operation whs quite successful, and Miss Isaacs is recovering as well, as can bo expected.