SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 92, 13 January 1919, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Our women have begun to realise that. Heaven lias ordained women of the twentieth century for a special mission of great importance, which, being left undone by the stronger and more muscular ana ambitious sex, is reserved to. the weaker, more spiritual, and more lov&lbe sex, wrote the president of tho Japan' Women's University. Convinced that there is a domain which they can and they must reclaim, the 1600 graduates of the Japan Women's University, though' still young in tho: experiences of women's movements,, have handed! together in an organisation called the Ofu Kai, the Cherry-Maple Association. This name was chosen as a symbol 'expressing the ideaO that , the members would nourish virtues as beautiful as cherry blossoms and maple leaves, devoted to the service of society and nation. Those who belong to the Educational Department of this association realise tiie fact that tho lack of spiritual education is a great defect in the present school teaching. Education in tho public and Government schools is mere craniming, neglecting the most important part of education—the mental culture. Therefore, they are. endeavouring to secure tho reform of this mechanical method of teaching, and to promote true spiritual education, based not upon any dogmatic crt'ed, hut upon tho truth and the essence' of all. religions. The members of the social department of tho association are actively engaged in various works of social reform by organising such societies as' the Mothers' the Daughters' Society, the Women's literary Circle, tho Children's Club, etc.

As surely, as if she had, liko her father and her brothers, faced England's foes on the field of battle, is Lady. Mabell Ogilvy a heroine of this warj says an exchange. From the first she was a consistent and unwearying war-worker as a V.A D. and in, other ways. Never could'sho be induced to spare herself, and .at last she a nursing' home after an ■ operation forappendicitis, complicated by sevoro overstrain.--. The daughter, of the Dowager Lady "Airlia," who has long been in the Household of the Queen, she ,was a- train-bearer at Her Majesty s Coronation. She is a niece of _the Marchioness of - the Earl 'ot Arran, ajid Viscountess' Hainbleden, find she was ?■ fuvourito with all knew her. Her sisters are married, and her eldest brother 1 , the Earl of Airlie, married Lady Bridget Coke, and recently a little baby was born , to them. ' The Dowagor Countess of Airlie has been called'upon to bear heavy sorrow for her King and country.

The death of tho Countess of Meath removes an influence for much good. The Brabazon scheme in workhouses, bv which the inmates., aro taught some kind of work, and thus provided with occupation, is iut one of her gopd deeds! and a very good one, says an * exchange. Tho time is, doubtless coming when some far moro suitable provision will be made for tho old of our respectablo poor than these institutions; As they are,' Lady Meath s scheme ,has been ! a real blessing to. * "theni.; She ivas 1 the first hon. secre- * tnry of" tlio Hospital Saturday Fund, ■ and had! several other philanthropic in-,-terests. • Her ' claughter-ir--raw, Lady ; Ardee, has also devoted herself to good works. Sho 1 is the Earl of Dunrav-, en's youngest and only surviving child. Tlio last wedding attended by King Edward was hers; he was present at it 'with Queen- Alexandra. '• There are two daughtais and one son Lady Mi'ath's other {ini.udson, tho Knight ot Glyn, "is in his seventeenth year. " Archery, is coming into fashion again ill England, and is being taught at some girls' schools. There is no sport or game' so useful in training the-eye as archery, and shooting with a bow and arrow certainly' shows on " a good figure. ■ There is a fine archery ground in the Gardens in Christchurch, says the "Press." One wonders if 'it will ever be used. again for the once popular recreation.

Mrs. Hickman ltussell, of New Plymouth,'is coming'.to:stay with her sister, Miss (Stanford, who has taken a liouso at Evans Bay . for a time.

A southern paper tells that an Ashburton resident who received an introduction to General Pau on the occa-sion-of his visit to the? town on Wednesday was Madame Bournique, and wiht whom the vetoraai had a long conversation. Madame Bournique, who is a native of Nancy, .Lorraine', was able to give the General much information about Asliburton and its resources. On learning of the illness of her grandson, .the general expressed a desiro to see him, and at the conclusion of the civic welcomi. paid _a visit to her privnto residence in-; Burnett Street. On entering tho liouso the, general recognised, in a painting by Madame -Bournique, a house once occupied by n; ad sine's grandfather, who was a schoolmaster at near Belfort. Madame lived in the house with her "randparents during the Franco-Prus-siaii' War in 1870, And during the wholo of the time portion of the building was occupied by Prussian soldiors. It is also interesting to note that, her uncle fought in the same battles as ■General Pau, who was then an ofiicdr under General liourbaki.

& Still another tribute is paid to tho I generosity of Mrs. T. H. vLowry from a j! New Zealand soldier writing by tho' i last mail. He says:—"Three weeks * of digging, 'three weeks of mud . and 1 slushr that's what I had straight on end, hilt the bath and shower providI ed by Mrs. Tom Lowry more than mado \ it worth while. Slie's a top-notcher !j to bo'so thoughtful." S ——— 1 Advice has been received that Sister | Emily Hodges, A.R.R.C., is to arrive Sj in.New. Zealand during the next fort- | night. • Sister Hodges has seen four 1 yoars' service in Alexandria and Cairo | military hospitals, and is a survivor of | the Marquette disaster.

A New Zealand Composer. ' The patriotic song "Spinning," which was published in i'<etv Xealnd in. July Inst, lihiat huvo found its v/ay iiito political circles Ail official letter of thanks for tho. song from tho' I'Prime Minister .of England to Miss Morisouj or M'asto'rt-on, has boon ■■ recently received 'by that comppsor. 1 he letter was forwaraid by a, Wellington firm, to whose care .'it '.wai\ addressed, afTd came as an agreeable surprise. Mrs. Chapman ftocompankd her husband, Mr. Justice Chapman, to Taranaki. They are staying at l)awson I'alls Mountain House. Lady Findlay, who 'recently arrived | from England, is now at her house at Day's Bay. Miss S. Macdonlltl, of Palmerston | North,' is visiting friends in, Ghristj church. ' .' j Mrs. J.' H.. Gibbons is staying in Akaroa.' She purposes visiting the Southern lakes! . Mrs. Parsons, who has been staying with Mrs. Colett,' Armagh Street "West, 'Cliristchurch, has returned to Wellington. 'Die many people who have.been interested in the work of the ."Basket" Committee iirconnection 'with .the'curative work for the soldiers in the .military ward at the Christchurch Hospital. will lie interested to learn that Mrs. Templer has received the appointment of officer, in charge of one of the new workshopts which are being established under the auspices of the Orthopaedic Unit. ' Mrs. Templer has for a long, time been one of-the Dominion's most energetic workers in connection with curative work for soldiers: She will have charge, of four branches of instruction —basket work, raffia leather work, and-embroidery. • .'Mrs. Templer is at. present .visiting her sister, Mrs. Melville Knight, who will accompany ber .back to 'Christchurch. In the meantime Miss Georgia Webs'ter will take, charge, of her department;

On Thursday evening '''there 'was, a large social gathering at Dannevirko to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baddeley, who are leaving 'to take;.up their residence .at ■ Auckland. : after spending 34 ;years in the district. The Mayor. (Mr.'-E. A. Ransom) spoke in oulogistie terms of the good work done by Mr. Baddeley,'■ and- on■ behalfof the i>esidcnts presented Mr. Baddeley with a- solid salver, suitably engraved, and to Mrs. Baddeley a-diamond aud aquamarine brooch and peiidant: