WOMAN’S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 121, 15 February 1921, Page 2

WOMAN’S WORLD

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Mr. and Airs. Pockley leave to-day for a visit to Auckland, and Aliss Aiarcla Pockley goes to Wanganui for a short holiday. ' Mrs. Pattie is visiting Christchurch. Airs, and Aliss Warburton have returned from a holiday spent at the Bay. Airs. W. J. Urey, Central Terrhce, has returned from a visit to Auckland. Colonel R. J. Collins and Airs. Collins have returned from a visit to Auckland. The Australian cricket team were the guests of Air; and Airs. S. Kempton at a very pleasant evening at their home in Thompson Street. Music, games, and billiards helped to pass the time, which the visitors thought was all too short. Air. V. Ransford (captain) thanked the host and hostess for their kindness in entertaining the team, and three hearty cheers were given on their behalf. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne” brought to a close a happy evening. The gardening circle of the Pioneer Club is to be in charge of the flower stall at the forthcoming Citizen-Soldiers’ Carnival, and to swell their funds Aliss Rothenberg is organising a bridge evening for to-morrow. Miss Cole, at one time secretary of the Canterbury Red Cross Society and more recently matron in charge of the Y.W.C.A., Palmerston North, is returning to New Zealand by the Ruapehu after a lengthy visit to England. Airs. O- A. Jorgensen, who has been the guest of Airs. F. G. Smith, Thompson Road,' Napier, has returned to Palmerston. North. Mrs. Arnold Atkinson is staying w4th Miss Percy Smith in New Plymouth. Airs. Lynch and Aliss Pulsford are staying at Afountain House, Egmont, as are also Air. and Airs. Barr. Air. and Airs. G. Natusch are staying with Mr. and Airs. Harold Douglas, Napier. The marriage of the Duke of Westminster to Airs. Rowley took place quite quietly and ‘unostentatiously at St. George’s Registry Office. Immediately after, the Duke and his new Duchess motored off to Victoria, and caught the 10.50 boat train to Paris. They left Paris, and spent a week or two at Mimizau, in the beautiful Landes district, where the Duke has a house called "The Woolsack.”

The Duchess of Alontrose, G.8.E., has something to say in an English paper about Airs. Asquith and thb German prisoners:—Airs. Asquith, in her- latest instalment of ‘‘Reminiscences,” accuses mothers in England of utter callousness in regard to children starving in Germany. This may be the case in so far as Mrs. Asquith’s own circle of friends is concerned, as she quotes the heartless remark of one of them to justify her accusation; but I doubt whether the majority of women will endorse her views on the subject. In a further statement regarding our German prisoners of. war, Airs. Asquith gives it as her opinion that "there was not much susceptibility shown by mothers over cruelty in this war. It was suggested we should shoot thousands (!) of German prisoners chosen by lot at regular intervals, for every week in which the Germans delayed accepting our peace terms. A letter of protest appeared in the "AVestminster Gazette/’ and out of 17 signatories there were only two women.” We should like to know more as to the origin of this extraordinary story, but, as regards the protest, Airs. Asquith finds in it sufficient proof of the utter heartlessness of her sex. To others it seems more reasonable to suppose that such a preposterous tale failed—and rightly failed —to to find credence among sensible women.. Had such an outrageous proposal as that of killing German prisoners in cold blood been seriously contemplated, hosts of British women would, of course, have signed nroteste against it. One can only regret that Airs. Asquith appears to have so poor an opinion of the kindness of heart of her fellow-countrywomen.

A return to pre-war pageantry was seen at the wedding of Lady Aloira Scott to Alajor Combe at St. Alargaret’s, V> estminstei'. A guard of honour was formed by the Royal Horse Guards, to which the bridegroom belongs, and was in full dress uniform, for the first time since the war. The fulldress kit of tne "Blues” is one of the most resplendent uniforms in the British Army. Very pale pink was the colour scheme chosen by Lady Moira Scott for her bridesmaids, and their frocks were of tulle over satin, with pale pink rose wreaths on silver ribbons tied with floating ends, and pale pink tulle veils. The bridesmaids were Lady Diana King, Aliss Jean Combe, Lady Sheila Scott, and Aliss Rosemary Craven. . .Lady Aloira’s wedding gown was of white and silver brocade in the Italian style, with long sleeves. The Countess of Clonmell held the reception at her sister’s house, 12a Kensington X’alace Gardens.

There is probably no woman in history who served, more persistently as the plaything of Fate than, the late Empress Eugenie. Beauty, wealth, power, rank, love, and admiration were as lavishly bestowed upon her as were tragedy, sorrow, calumny, and) hate. Married, to a cunning and. not over-couragcous intriguer, to whom force of circumstances alone brought success, this, proud woman, says an exchange, steered, her course, preserved her dignity and the respect of the world, despite the atmosphere of her court, and the notorious infidelities of her husband, and in the hour of his fall and disgrace returned to him at least the semblance of the love he had flouted, tending him to the end). The chief accusation which was brought against the Empress was that she was largely responsible for the catastrophe of 1870. The opinion that she acted foolishly, especially during the critical days of her Regency, has endured. But many will relinquish that opinion when they read the obviously honest statements of the late AL. Augustin Filon, whose “Recollections of the Empress, ’ recorded during his long and intimate association with her, are now published in English and French editions.

The community club for Territorials and Senior Cadets, which it was decided some time ago to establish in. Hastings under the auspices of the National Defence League, is taking definite shape. The Defence Department has granted the free use at the Drill Hall of three rooms, the furnishing of which will be undertaken without delay by the Women s Auxiliary Committee, of which Mrs. S. Armstrong is the convener. The main hall will also be available for entertainments. The Department has given permission ' for the kitchen to bo used as a canteen for the club, and at regular intervals teas will bo given by ladies, the first being provided by Lady Russell. From Trentham Camp.

The officer commanding and matron acknowledge with thanks the following gifts, outings, etc., for patients during last week:—The sum of JilO for extra comforts for patients from Mrs. T. S. Williams, Gisborne, per Miss Charnley; daily papers, weekly issue of smokes sweets, flowers, extra comforts, etc., from the Red Cross; fruit from Citizens’ Gift Fund, from Mrs. Luke; fruit, cakes, and sweets, Salvation Army; pictures nightly for patients and staff, Y.M.C.A.; motorcar picnics, daily. Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Miss Adams’s cars.

Weddings to be artistic must have Bouquets to harmonise with frocks. Miss Murray, 36 Willis Street, Deliveiies anywhere in Dominion. —Advt.