SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 289, 26 August 1918, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

What is a Luxury? The Paris correspondent of the "Daily News" states that the application of tho ten per cent, luxury tax has given rise to protests at Boulogne-ev.r-Jler, where it has been decided that hotels ivith bathrooms riro "etablisseiuents de luxe." Thia decision establishes the principle that a bath is a luxury, and that a bathroom is not indispensable. It is pointed out that there are many British soldiers at Boulogne, and that, as in England, "hygiene is the basis of social education," it need excite no surprise if the English pay tho tax on their morning bath grudgingly. In the advanced part of the military zones there aro protests against the application of tho tax, -which is hitting French and British troops so heavily that the "Matin" observes that it has assumed a vexatious character. It seems that the tax is applied to rooms for which five, francs ii day is paid and to meals costing four francs. tho Quest for Food.

An English correspondent, writing to tho New York "Evening Post," says:— Shopping has become in these days a veritable, ordeal. It has been truly remarked that woman has now reversed her original roUtioriship with primitive man, for she has become the hunter and adventurer, while he is -the domesticate ed animal who follows tho familiar routine. "Man is the keeper of the tent to-day; woman follows the chase. Everything she wants she has to find. She has to arrange for the transport or most of all ?ho buys.. She does not sit at home, plan a meal, and then set out to buy it. She goes out, sees what there is available, and improvises her menu as she passes through the shops." The process consumes an inordinate amount of time. It is no longer a matter of sending an order to the stores for a month or two's supplies. Even if tho storekeeper was able and willing to <lo more than dole out a small quantity at a time, there would still be Lord Miondda's order against food hoarding to bo reckoned with. Scores of journeys 'have to be taken irhero formerly one would have sufficed, and there are long waits before one can get attended to and while one's purchases are being wrapped up. A day or two ago a friend of mine waited three-quarters of an hour in a butcher's shop before , she could be served, and three times, after her order had been cut off and weighed up, it was snatched away by some impatient customer. Another friend, who had bought moro greengroceries than she could find room for in her basket, was asked to pay extra for a paper bag in which to carry away the rest. To supplement all this, the eternal "servant difficulty" has become more acute than ever before, what with tho eagerness of maids to take up omnibus-conducting and-other forms of "wa" work," and the reluctance of many of those that remain to submit to tho food economies that are now inevitable, By the time, the wnr is over a considerable proportion of English housewives will well deservo an official decoration for the fuergy and resourcefulness they have displayed in their discharge of "duties which'public opinion lias been accustomed to regard as ordinary and commonplace.

Miss M. Kennedy is visiting Christchurch.

. Miss Chaffey has returned to Christchurch from a visit to tho North Island.

Tho engagement is announced in the .Auckland "Weekly News" of Mr. W. Deans, third son of Mrs. Deans, Uicearton, to Miss Russoll, daughter of Brigadier-General Sir A. Russell and Lady Russell, of Hawke's Bay.

Mr. and Mrs. F. K. do Castro are visiting Mr. and Mrs. S. Twigg, Napier.

Thorn was an unusually large attendance at the Anzac Club, Featherston, on Friday night, when the weekly dance was held. Mesdnmes W. J. Martin, W. T>. Bidwill, W. Hume, and O. Pain were the hostesses, being assisted by Mr. K. Brabant as M.C. and a committee of ladies. The music was supplied by the 01 Camp Orchestra, under Private Bidgood, and Mosdames Carlyon, Oliver, and Wickrms, with Private M'Nab, who played pianoforte extras.

Tho death took place last week at Ashburton of Mrs. Harper, wife of Mr. C. J. Harper, aged_ 77 years. Mrs. Harper was a cousin of tho late Sir Cracroft AVilson, and wasj married in February, 18G8. During her long resideneo in the Ashhurton County she had eheorfnlly shared with her husband many hardships incidental to pioneering life. She wrote quite a number of poems, and also several musical compositions.

The wed'ling took place in Cliristohuvch last week of Miss Florence Jean Thompson, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Thompson, of Ricearton, to Mr. J. Stewart, of Wangnntii, a member of tho Main Body, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who took part in 'the Gallipoli campaign, and later was invalided to New Zealand. Mr. W. Hawthorne, of Mastcrton, was best, man, and Miss Myrtle Thompson bridesmaid.

Mr", and Mrs. Edgar Jones havo returned to Christchurch en route for Tirairu from a tour of tho North Island.

At the Red Cross matinee held in Oliristchurch on Wednesday Miss Sarah Allgood's photograph, which was auctioned hy Mr. Mahni, realised £24 in bids.

Amongst the numerous acknowledgments that arrived from the frout in tho last mail was one from a corporal in 306 Infantry, U.S.A., states tho Christchurch "Sun." The American much appreciated the New Zealand cift parcel. Tho Lady Liverpool gifts are sent entirely to the New Zealand Division, and the acknowledgment of a parcel hy an American soldier bears out our cable message to the effect that American regiments are fighting with the Dominion Forces. It is also an intciesting fact to know that the American people are sending gifts to the Now Zealanders; one school in New York having recently «ent 500 pairs of socks to the Second Canterbury Battalion.

Labour Savitig Homes. Lecturing upon architecture in the Home at the School of Domestic Science in Sydney, Mrs. Griffin, a woman architect,' commented on the fact that tho women of Australia have no place. to put anything, there is so serious a dearth of built-in cupboards and wardrobes. In America, largely owing to tho difficulty in obtaining domestic help, women have demanded better planned houses. Consequently the "minimum house" has made its appearance, having for its primary object tho conservation of energy, eliminating every unnecessary step or movement. In minimum houses the basic requirements are that there shall be accommodation for the general assembly of tho family and that there shall be privacy. Inorganic plans are to be guarded against, for they are merely rooms put together without any attempt at organisation. The present means of removing refuse is also terribly expensive, and could easily bo rectified by a sanitary system. In a model house the first be considered is that of conservation of space. The verandah should be so made that it would serve some useful purpose, such as making extra living and sleeping space. Rooms should have the appearance of. an organic whole; otherwise they can never form a comfortable home. AVhen tho kitchen is not used as a dining kitchen, it should be as small as possible; fewer steps required to get from one part to another being an advantage from every point of view. Space can be better spared in bedrooms than in living rooms, but more space than is really required is disadvantageous siiico it increases work without giving adequate compensation. In conclusion, Mrs. Griißn said that in model flats the living room should he immediately in evidence, and the kitchen should he as close ns possible to it. The bedrooms should ho perfectly inconspicuous and the bathrooms should to invisible from the living room. This type would make miniature homes rather titan rooms in which people exist.

Miss Barr, Principal of the New Plymouth Girls' High School, left on Saturday on a visit to Dunedin.

Mr. and Mrs. S. Shaw hayo returned to New Plymouth from a visit to Wellington. s

At Dalefiekl on Friday evening a very successful plain and fancy dress dance was held under tho auspices of the District Committee of tho Carterton Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Committee, having for its object the replacing of tho goods destroyed in the recent Municipal Chambers fiio. Music for the dancing was supplied' by Mrs. V. Ashton, of Carterton, assisted by Messrs. L. Edwards (cornet), and M. M'Kenzio (violin), extras being played by Misses Addie Parker, 11. Adams, and Mr. C. Hodder. Miss M. Jensen (Cartorton) contributed a solo, and Mr. M. Parker and Miss A. Parker a duet, all items being much appreciated. The accompaiiiments were'played by Misses M. Ogier and Parkor. In a waltzing competition Miss Btcknell (Grcytown) was awarded first prize for the best lady, and Mr. J. H. August for tho best gentleman. A gentlemen's waltzing competition was won by Messrs. Norman M'Kenaio and Hilton Parker. Messrs. Gco. Hart, W. J. O'Mcara, and V. J. Ashton were tho judge 6. In a guessing competition (the number of sweets in a bottle) Mr. and Mrs. O'Hagen gained first and second. The guessing of the number of leaves in a book was won by Mr. H. Parker, Mr. Tj. Gallen being second. An excellent supper was provided by tho ladies, and thn duties of M.C. wore carried out by Mosdamos M. Gallon, 11. C. Playle, and Miss C'udby. Mrs. H. Hodder was secretary. At tho recent Dalcfield dance, Mr. L. Edwards,; who has on all occasions freely given his services in assisting with the music at the dances, was proKcntcd with a safety razor as a token of tho settlers' appreciation. Mrs. M'Gill and Mrs. Bradley, of Seatoun, will bo in charge of tho Woodward Street Red Cross shop on Wednesday. They expect to have a good supply of cakes, sweets, flowers, etc. Last week the first returned soldiers' wedding yet to be/held in Akaroa took place, when ex-Trooper Augusto 0. O. Leliovre, youngest son of Mr. A. J. Loliovro, of Cough's Bay, married Miss Myrtlo Piper, only daughter of Mr. H. W. Piper, Akaroa. Very extensive arrangements havo been made in connection with tho Ladies of St. Mark's Day at the Wellington Red Cross Shop on Tuesday. Tins is the first time unit they havo undertaken a day ac the shop ; and they hope to havo many callers wlio will do their share of helping on the work for our Now Zealand soldiers. They will have a good supply of home-made cakes, sweets, produce 01 all kinds, and needlework. There will be a display of their work iin the windows of tho shop today, so that people will be able to see how attractive- tbeir goods are. Girl laboratory technicians are to tako the place of mon in the Medical Department of the United .States Army, by order of the Surgeon-General at Washington, D.C., states the New York "Herald." The following is the list of Wadestown ladies who organised tho sales and assisted in the highly successful effort at tho Wellington Red Cross Shop on Friday last—an effort which resulted in the sum of £112 being realised:— Fancy stall, Mesdamos Phipson, Brice, Roberts, and Walker; books, Mrs. Carwell C'ooke; sweets, Mesdames Wyatt and Pankhurst; jams, etc., Mesdanios AYillis, Moore and Goth; cakes, Mesdames Riloy. Best, and Stewart, Misses Hay and Lomax; meat and poultry, Mesdames Jacka and Cooper; fruit and vegetables, Mosdamos Taylor and Ccoke. Excellent business was also done at the flower stall, Misses Cooper, Moss, and Miles handing in the sum of £15. The committee wishes to thank tho residents, who, by their generous and varied contributions, havo enabled members to continue such successful efforts for sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers. If you mark time, tiino marks you. Why wait till your Hnir and Skin show the signs unmistakable and make you dissatisfied ? Here in your midst is Miss Milsoin. THE well-knowii, and do not foriret, Qualified. Specialist, who is able to imjinrt her knowledge personally or by letter so clearly and simply that all ran nvulily understand. Consultation free. All treatments modern ami moderate in in' ,, ''. T'lpntrolyfii. B by apjfoint mMit. Ttair orders aUnndcd to pro'iunll.v. Prepuriirifii! l ' i r "' 1 1"' hnir include Hie very br-st lubricant." anil lonics. Preparations fin l!'-- ■■'liin i'li'l complexion iiri! too woli liimv.il in n"id roninient. Kit (hip w'.io has inniMiiii-.-i-l ii;i-\ t;vor boon without tin , in'::-'Vii |ir-.'ii(irnt : oii«. Kiitc til,, (inly ::ililrc--s. Mi** Milsoni, !l( Willis Strcol. ' "Pliosit! till.-Advt.