25 YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 109, 1 February 1935, Page 10

25 YEARS AGO

“Flappers” Arrive i (From “The Dominion,'* February 1, lull).) “Flappers” is the somewhat undignified, yet official, name given to a section of the ballet of the “King of Cadonia” Company, now performing at the Opera House, Wellington. Like many other things, the term comes from London, and is given to young girls, between the ages of 14 and IS years, who take up stage dancing as a means of livelihood. Mr. Seymour Hicks is credited with being the first to discover tlie charm and attraction that lies in witnessing a really young girl imbued with the real spirit of the dance. For ages the ballets in London were reserved exclusively for more matured and experienced dancers, and it was once quite common to find middle-aged and even older women in the ballet. The change in recent years has been revolutionary, and the “flapper” has no'w an assured place in the ballet. « ♦ ♦ The Seine to-day overflowed the parapets at the Qmii de la Conference, Paris, invading the Champs Elysees. The Esplanade des Invalides was also under water. Owing to the severe cold many sewers are bursting. The Twelfth Arrmi-. dissement is entirely inundated, partly from the sewers. The St. Lazar? railway terminus has been closed. Military posts have been established behind the barriers to maintain order. The Senate lias adopted a measure extending the date of payment of bills falling due in the flooded districts. It is estimated that one hundred thousand persons have been, thrown out of work. The misery and desolation in the outlying quarters of the city are pitiful. The residents in some streets have been foodloss for three days, and people are crying from the windows for bread. Terrible fights'■are reported 'between rats and imprisoned residents.