THESE YOUNG WOMEN NOVELISTS!

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 264, 4 August 1919, Page 4

THESE YOUNG WOMEN NOVELISTS!

Mrs. Flora Annie Steel, one of the most accomplished of women writers, confesses, in tho "Weekly Dispatch," that she can (ind nothing in common with tho young woman novelist of today. '" 'I think tho books written by tho modern young women detestable,' eho assorted. 'I can't read them. I try, but tho first pugo is usually sufficient to show me that the characters are detestable people. T find nothing in my own experience touching them. "'ft is not that I have met only few people, for T have had a wide experience of life. J have travelled and have had an intimate knowledge of men and women, who have eon Puled in me and talked, to me freely of their problems. Yet nono of these pcoplo was the unwholesome creature who figure in the pages of many young women writers. " "J'lioro may he people such a= are described in these books, though I doubt it. At least, I've never met any. Pcoplo m books must be real and bchavo as oeoolo would.'"

Children's Party at Commercial Travellers' Club. To commemorate peace by giving a children's party was a very happy thought on the part of mombers of the Commercial Travellers' Club, and everything was done to niako the party, which was held at tho club on Saturday afternoon, a complete success and a meniorablo ovent for tho little outs. Shortly after two o'clock tho footpath and roau outside the club doors began to wear a 1 vory animated appearance, children ol all sizes and ages with their parents or guardians arriving in such numbers that admission began, to bb a matter of tinifor tho simple reason that their numbers began to bo a little overwhelming. With "traffic managers," however, to direct and control the coming and going of the throng contusion was • avoideu and everyono was onabled to enjoy tho various forms of entertainment provided. As there aro botween eight and nine hundred members of the clul>, with many of them married, it can easily be imagined that tho undertaking was no small one. Tho decorations of tho club had been most effectively carried out. The vestibulo had been draped almost entirely with flags, and facing tho door was a Christmas tree hung with coloured balloons and ladeu with toys, while closo to it stood a noble peace cake over I've or sis feot in height and sharing with the treo tho intense admiration of every child who entered. Tlio club throughout had been hung with flags, and red, blue and white drapery, the effect being particularly gay in tho billiard room whero Punch and Judy enthralled.large audiences of children and grown-ups through, out tho afternoon. A guessing compete tion for a silver watch presented by Mr. Goss, was also tho subject of much attention, tho watch being filially won by Miss Fanny Wilson. In an adjoining room tho vagaries of the ever-popular ChaTli'o Chaplin delighted equally largo audiences, - this part of. the entertainment having been generously provided by tho N.Z. Picture Supplies Company, with Messrs. Whitehall, J. Burns, and 0. Hope in control of the kinpmatogi'aph. Yet another and greatly appreciated attraction was a display of Scots dancing by Misses Jelly, Curry, Haiids, G'uinpball, aud H. and J. Necdham. In charge of tho Pipe Band, who provided tho music for tho dancing, was Drum-Major 'Campbell" and Pipe-Major Jock Taylor. During tho afternoon Master Winston Macartliy and Master Soarle contributed songs. Miss Macartliy played, and Mr. Blick aud Mr. Goodwin played the accompaniments and othor musical items.- For the whole of tho entertainment which had been provided tlu'oughout tho afternoon Mr.. Norman A token and Mr. Phelps woro responsible. Tho hostesses for tho afternoon wero Mm. Rushbrook, tho wife of the president, and Miss Doughty, tho club's successful candidate for the Queen Carnival in aid of patriotic funds. During tho earlier part of the afternoon Mr. Phelps, vice-president, was presented by Mr. Rushbrook on behalf of tho members of tho club with a silver knife as a token of their appreciation of his services in connection with patriotic work. Afternoon tea was served in many relays in tlio toa-Toom upstairs, which was also gaily decorated with flags, and the tables arranged with whito narcissi. In charge of tho arrangements wore Mrs. 11. Wright, Mrs. and Miss Doughty, Mrs. Rushbrook, Mrs. Murphy, Miss Ollivier, Miss l'diens, Miss Cartmill, Mrs. Plielp3, and Miss Butler. Altogether a very happy time was spent by tho children, and as each child left tho club towards tho end of the afternoon sho or ho was presented with a toy corresponding to .a number in an envolopo which had been given it, a piece of the peaco cako'cut by Mrs Rushbrook with tho silver knife presented Mr. Phelps, and in the caso of a girl, with a brooch in commemoration of. the day, or if a boy, with a medallion.' ' . • ' Tho committee who had organised and carried out tho arrangements consisted of Messrs. R. M. Browor, A. C. Croll, P. J. Kinnibnrgh, T. E. James, 11. J. MDuff, C. A. Scott, H. O. Strangemure, F. G. Wallburton, M. J. Bird, S. Campbell, A. Sim, T. Inglis, A. Jacobs, J. C. Tonics, A. H. Goss, F. W. Mahton, A. Jacobs, M. A. Carr, E. A. Phelps, C. W. Kushbrook, W. F. Cuthbertson. Mr Seiby as secretary, also had much to do in carrying out the arrangements. _ The club is very grateful to the kind friends who assisted ,in various ways with tho arrangements for the party.