SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 298, 12 September 1919, Page 4

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Miss Abraham (Palmerstim North) is visiting Auckland. Mrs. Coates, wife of tho Hon. J. G. Coata, left Auckland lor Wellington earlier in. the week. A social was hold at St. Luke's sohoolroom, Wadestown, recently. The hall had been very prettily decorated for tho occasion. Among those contributing to tho programme wero tho following:— Songs, Misses Edna Mack, Boris Neill, Eileen Charles; recitations, Mr. C. Beeby, Misses N. Mitchinson, A. Wnterhouse. The accompanist was Mrs. Hill. A daintily arranged supper w*s 6erved during the evening.

A Now Zealand representative of one of the oldest families in the Highlands of Scotland caused a certain amount of puzzled surprise by appearing at a recent ball in tho family tartan. Although a very old custom in the Highlands to appear in the national dress on formal occasions, it is still somewhat of tin innovation apparently in New Zealand.

Mr. A. D. Ford, Mayor of Riccartou (Christc-hurch), and Mrs. Ford, are visiting Wellington.

Louise Mack (Mrs. Creed), who acted as war correspondent during the earlier stages of tho war and was in Belgium when tho German army overran it, is at present visiting Auckland in the course of a world tour. Mrs. Creed has had much journalistic experience in many countries, and began her career on tho Sydney "Bulletin." She .was; engaged on special work in London when tho war broke out, and sho immediately went over to Belgium to gain direct knowledge of war conditions.

At a moeting of the Civic League in Auckland the other evening an interesting papor was read by Mrs. .Creed (Louise Mack), who is at present visiting that city. Mrs. Creed had been visiting tho South Sea Islands, and eho was much impressed by their Wuty. Sho remarked on tho fact that though they wero built out of the imagination and ignorjince of savages they far surpass in wsauty the city of Auckland, which was built by men who learnt the ABC of architecture. The Fijian, with inspirational taste as perfect as that of tho early Greeks, built their fwlo brown houses in emerald streets under wide' green trees. On the architecture of Florence she 6aids "I doubt if there is a room in that town whero you will not find somehow or another a view." The builders thought a view a necessity, not a superfluity nor an ornament. Their streets wero so considered in their buildings that from every windov yon could 6eo something fair—the River Arno, an old bridge, tho Carrara Mountains, a lovely statue, a haunting'fountain, or a long street vista,

The death occurred on Wednesday morning, at Ashburton, of Miss Mabel Arena Mander, matron of the Ashburton County Hospital, states the Christcliurc.il "Sun," Some weeks ago, Miss Mandcr'a health broke down, and she was advised to take to her bed, but her illness was not considered serious. During last week the reports from the hospital stated that she had improved, but towards the end of the week she suffered a relapse, and died. Miss Mander was tlio eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Mander, of Caslimere'Hills, late of Avonside. She started her nursing career at the Dunedin Hospital, whero sho passed all her examinations. After leaving the hospital sho studied privately. Sl>e also filled the position ot district nurse at Palmerston North for some time. Prior to being appointed matron of the Ashburton Hospital, in January, 1918, she filled a similar position nt Waimate for seven years. During the influenza opidemio, Miss Mander had a very strenuous time, both in the hospital and outeide, and this, undoubtedly, impaired her strength.

As Mr. Gerald Wilson is leaving Wellington shortly in order to take up a position in llawera, his parents, Jlt. and Mrs. Charles Wilson, of 22 Kelburn Parade, wore "<at home" tx> a few of Jus friends on Wednesday evening. A delightful time wns spent with music, games and competitions, the winners of the latter being Miss Naida Schloss and Mr. A.ubrey Schloss. Ample space was provided, for dancing, and was highly appreciated by the young people. _ A dainty supper was served in the dining room, the table decorations consisting of jonquils and birch. Mrs. N. A. Milton assisted her parents in enter [mining tlio guests. Mrs. Charles Wilson woro brown georgette and ninon bodice trimmed with lace, and Mrs. Wilton black cliarmeuse nnd ninon. Amongst those present were Mr. ■and Mrs. Charles Wilson, Mr. Gerald Wilson, Mr. L. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Wilton, Miss A. Gray, Miss I. Gray, Miss Hassett, Miss Nmda Schloss, Mr. Aubrey Sohloss, Mr. Alexander Elder, Miss D. Black, Mr. Adrian Black, Mis? Schumacher, Mr. T. Eedpath, and Mr. GoodaJl.

Reference was made at yesterday's conference on technical education to the- excellence of the cooking by students at the Technical School. For tho past three days the girls have provided tea and eatables during the afternoon, and before the conclusion of the bu6iner.s the opportunity was taken to record a hearty vote of thanks to the girls for the tempting delicacies provided. This was carried by acclamation.

The monthly meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary of tlio Wellington Boys' Institute and S.A. Rhodes Homn for Boys was held at the Institute Building in Tasnian Street on Monday. There were present:—Mesdames Hislop, president (in the chair) Bell, Troup, Moore, Bruce, Christie, Moorhouse, M'Lellan, Meiar, Stanton, Watkins, and Parton, and Mjss M'Leod. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Wilson and Kammington, and Miss Gildhrist. Mrs. Wills, the recently appointed matron of the boarding establishment, presented a very satisfactory report, a pleasing item being a reduction in the expenses. The weekly visiting sub-committee announced that the result of its inspections was quite satisfactory. Other routine business was transacted, and a visiting committee for the ensuing month elected, consisting of Mesdames Bruce, Christie, Bell, and Parton,

The monthly meeting of the Royal New Zealand Society for tho Health of Women and Children (Petone and Lower Hutt Branch) was held in the Mnyor's room, Petone, on September 0. Presents Mesdames Kirk (president),* Harman, Andrews, Bedingfield, M'Kensie, Yeoman, Jones, Williams, Chilman, Holmes, Huthnance, M'Caw, Cameron, Bnrd, and Cook, and Miss Baker. It was reported that the Scrying Guild continues to do splendid work, and all local deserving cases are attended to fust. Letters of thanks for Plunkot babv clothes sent to England were read, showing that one set has been gratefully received by a young mother working for tho Red Cross ns fur away as Archangel. It was decided to hold a Plunket bnby week in Petone at the end of October, anda subcommittee, consisting of Metdames Kirk, Bind, Jones, Bedingfield, and Cook was appointed to make the necesenfy arrangements. The nurse's report was as follows:—Number of visits pn;'d to homes, 100; number of new eases, 8; expectant mother, 1; mothers shown liow to preparo humanised milk. 5; adults visiting rooms, 120; babies visiting rooms, 111-i; eases under supervision, 98 Clothes to thrs value of ,C 2 Ills. (Id. were fold, mid the following donations acknowledged;— Mrs. Inglis, 5-;.; "A Friend," 2s. Gd. . The Mothers' Help Division of the W.N.I?, .is now ready to provide liolp for mothers of little children who need household assistance. Applications, which will be regarded us strictly private, should be -made to tile honorary fcitotar.v, Mrs. A heme, lit Brougham St ret (telephone 417:1). who will lie pleased to make arrangements for I hose who need help. It is ;\Ua announced that the rest room in 'Coiirtennv Place is now open from ton in the morn;ng fill hnl-"-past four in the afternoon where children limy be left in chnrgo of the matron.

Miss Marjorie Nioholls, daughter of Mr. H. E. Nicholls, of Wellington, who has been on a holiday visit to Ceylon, will return to Wellington this morning by the Manuka. During hor absence Miss Nioholls has become engaged to bo married, • The Wedding is to take place next year.

It is tho intention of the Wonganui Jockey .Club to celebrate peaco by giving a peaco ball on September 26, the night in between tho two days of tho spring race meeting. As a great many visitors will be in Wangamii at that time, it is expected that the ball will be largely attended.

The marriage took placo in St. Andrew's Church, Palmerston North, this week of Miss Jessio Grant Halsillie. only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Balsillie, to Mr. Herbert Wingate, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Wingate,. the ceremony being performed ■by the Rev. Mr. Doull. Miss Alice Lancaster was bridesmaid, and little Miss Nita Lancaster, flower girl. Master W. Peterson being a rmge. The best man was Mr. James M'Ewen.

' The St. John Ambulance Association has made grants out of tho balance of hospital ship and war funds to tho follov ig:—Trentham Military Hospital, £Vi; Featherston Military ' Hospital, £90; Wanganui Convalescent Home, .£10; Napier Convalescent Home; £12; Lower Hutt Nurses' Convalescent-Home, .£25, to be. expended by monthly instalments on coniforts for patients. Convalescent Home for Army Sisters.. One of the matters brought beforo the meeting of the Wellington Red Cross Committee on Wednesday was that in regard to tho proppsed Convalescent Home for Army Sisters. Thefjhnirmai) .(Mr. T. Young) said, that two or throe places had been under consideration, but before the sub-eommittee had sent in its report to the New Zealand executive'an offer had been received from Mr. Georgo Scales of his -houso at the Hutt since he was leaving tho district for a while. There wero certain conditions attached to the undertaking, and these Mr. Young read to the meeting. They were as follow:—(1) Paying tho wages of a gardener and his wife, ,£3 a week, the latter to do the cooking; (2) paying a charwoman two days a week at 6s. p. day; (3) paying all household bills, including the telephone; the mntron to check and certify to all bills incurred; (4) supplying the use of motor-car on two afternoons a week; (5) providing extra linen, crockery, etc.; (G) tho uouso to bo open to Red Cross visitors, and when tho house was finally closed what was left of the things supplied.by. the Red Cross were to revert to the latter organisations. The matter was brought up before the mooting of the New Zealand Executivo that was held yesterday and was approved of. As a matter of fact it ha« been in use as a convalescent home for army nurses since the beginning of tho month, three already having been staying there; Prison for Women Offenders. A committee meeting of tho Wellington branch of the Women's National Council was held last evening, . Miss Coad, M.A., presiding. The following resolution was passed: "That tho Wellington branch of the Women's National Council wishes to enter an emphatic protest against tho erection of a prison for women offenders at Point Halswell, as the site will be more urgently needed as a park reserve for Wellington citv; further, tho council is of opinion that a prison on up-to-date and self-supporting lines should be erected in tho country conveniently near somo railway centre."