HERE AND THERE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1931, Page 13

HERE AND THERE

Exotic Decorations. There are many delightful little modern homes in London for tho young married folk, who all seem to wish for the newest and latest of homes, and even thoso who como from old, old homes, beautified and ennobled with the passing of the 'years, still prefer to build a small, ultra-modern house. A young bride of an old family in England who all her life ,has lived in a mansion of a place in Wessex, a placo of 250 rooms and acres of parks and ■gardens, has chosen to live in a very small home in an avenue of£ Kings road, though it is known that she^, and her husband could have occupied a magnificent hunting lodge in tho north (states a London writer to the "Leader"). This is a very perfect little home. The drawing-room is a deep blue, and there are no corners or cornices. Thb walls are rounded so that when the lights are turned on and reflect in the highlypolished walls, the room is like the inside of a witch ball. The fireplace is silver grey, with amber lalique bowls on the silver shelves built at the side, and the low easy chairs are in amber and deep, almost ink, blue; the carpet is the same shade. The bedroom is in primrose, burnt amber and orange; the bed, of some golden wood, has a wide flat head, which curves round on either side to form tables; at each side are tiny golden lamps; the curtains are of deep brown and real geranium red taffetas. In the bathroom, which adjoins this room, the walls are buttercup yellow, the floor is yellow, and the yellow porcelain bath is somehow lit with a hidden light which suffuses the water with a soft glow. Perhaps, after all, a tiny modern home is to be preferred to a mansion. Women of Thirty. Every woman over thirty feels old on her birthday," said Gladys Cooper, whoso anniversary it happened to bo when the question was put to her, "but when,the time does actually come I do hope I shall got old all at once, altogether, and all through, for there is nothing so tragic for a woman as to keep a young heart and thoughts, habits and desires, in an old body. Also I hope by that time I shall have a lot of young grandchildren, for I expect they would bo as great a joy and interest in life as my children are now. Then, again, I hope that I shall have such good health that I shall be able to travel all over the world. I certainly don't want to stay on the stage and play parts which would be unsuitable for my age." A Lady as "Veuus." The beautiful Freiieh wife of the Aga Khan, who is taking an active part in little season gaieties in London, impersonated Venus in the pageant of ."A Thousand and One Lights" at the Eclipse Ball at the Park Lane Hotel recently Estates the "Daily Mail"). The Begum appeared in the wonderful gown designed for her by M. Eobin d'Erlanger. Plying "Kit." Flying clothes are becoming less tuchnicn.l and must weigh as little as possible (writes a correspondent). A pullover, jumper, scarf, two sfcts.ot! underwear, and stockings might weigh altogether little over two pounds. Socks weigh two and a half ounces, and a sleeping-bag, which most flying'women consider a necessary item of equipment, weighs six pounds or. so. The outfit which Miss Winifred Spooner chose from a London shop for her Capetown flight was sufficiently warm for flying and was designed to do later for winter sports. It consisted of a cashmere pullover of saxe blue with a scarf to match, a silk and wool jumper, buttoning down the front, cashmere stockings and over-socks, fine woollen underwear, a leather coat, a pair of men's slacks, and a camelhair sleeping-bag. Altered Circumstances. Writing from the Lower Hutt, a correspondent mentions that the distress manifest at present has had some un-looked-for effects, it having been found that social workers, such as Sunday school teachers and others, havo to make a choice between one class of social work and another. Lately in one of tlio Sunday schools it has been decided that the annual treat must be abandoned, as the cost is about £40, and it was thought that it w;is not right to canvass for funds for'such a purpose when money is wanted in many directions for bare necessities. It is stated that from thirty to forty-parents wilh nearly two hundred' dependants call c*i tho Red Cross organisation each week, while others go to different, places for help, all asking for "primitive needs" to be met A pioneer of the Scout movement in tho Waiwhetu, Mrs. Joyce, who organised tho first Stout and Cub group in tho district, was obliged to resign the position of secretary in order to give more time to the ever-increasing calls of the families of the unemployed. Others have been placed in the same position, and there is no doubt that very different arrangements have had to be made in reference to all social matters as a consequence of the present iinancial pressure. A Popular School. There will be a large gathering of old pupils of tho Dunedin High School from many parts of the Dominion, many having loft from Wellington to join in tho jubilee celebrations of the Girls' High School, which- will be commenced on Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock with a social gathering of members of the Jubilee Association, present-day pupils of the school, and invited guests. As a museum of relies of the school is to be on view that afternoon, all who have interesting material were requested to forward it to Miss Lucy Morton. Tho president, Lady Ferguson, and members of the committee of tho Otago Women's Club have extended the hospitality of the club to visitors from a distaiico to the jubilee. A Change of Plan. The Women's Guild of St. Stephen's; Presbyterian Church, Lower Hutt, had arranged v garden party to take place at the residence of Mr. 11. W. Kcrsley, Western Hutl road, on Saturday, 21st. February, in aid of tho church funds. It is still intended to hold the' party; this was unanimously decided at a meeting of tho guild members held

yesterday, but the proceeds will be given in aid of the Earthquake Fund. The guild members hope that there will be a large attendance at the party, which is being very pleasantly planned, and that a good sum will be realised f' this fund. Tho party will be opened at a quarter to three by Mr. Andrew Fletcher, and frill continue till 7 o'clock in the evening. Ohristchurch Musical Society. A presentation was made at the annual meeting of .the Christchureh Musical Society to Sir Heaton Rhodes, who is a much appreciated president. The gift was a handsomely bound full musical score of "Tannhauser," and was received with much pleasure as a "surprise." Mr. T. Andrews, in some general remarks regarding the society, gave.interesting information regarding its activities from IS6O onwards, gleaned from a scrap-book of tho society. Iv the early days of its existence it was called the Canterbury Musical Society. Ho gave details regarding the various works ' performed, and also, regarding the different conductors and leaders. Of tho conductors, Mr. F. M. Wallace officiated for 16J years, Dr. Bradshaw 15 years, and Mr. Robert Parker six years. Mr. Justice Denniston was president for 12 years, Mr. Albert Kaye eight years, the Hon. B. 0. J. Stevens five years, and the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes was entering upon his sixth year. Victoria League Sympathy. The Victoria League, which was established in Great Britain soon after the death of Queen Victoria, has had branches in New Zealand for nearly thirty years. Lady Buckleto-n, who haa been the Wellington president for some years, has received a cable message from London headquarters of the league, expressing deepest sympathy with tho sufferers from the recent earthquake.' Tho Victoria League is one which has always kept in close touch with New Zealand on account of the continual interchange of visitors to and fro, and the hospitality which has been freely offered and accepted on both sides of tho world. A Kindly World. If anything could cheer up the little world of New Zealand at present, it must be the continual tribute paid to both sufferers and the world at large. Particularly can women feel proud of their sex, for the • statements made everywhere point to quiet heroism and unselfishness. They did not add to the terrible confusion in any way, but waited quietly or helped others where possible.. The story of the nurses at the hospital who removed the patients, outside with such wonderful promptness, saving many lives, is an outstanding one, and there are many other instances of good work and selfcommand tol' 1 by all who have been to the distressed cities and districts. Then the instant response of one ..and all to the call for help, medical, and for hospitality, clothing, and transport, is a thing to cheer both onlookers and those assisted. Hard work in the present, and the prospect of help in the future, are factors that are a wonderful help to the world at present, while the messages from the world outside are a sign of universal friendship, of immense value. Table Manners. A correspondent sends the following original remarks about table manners:— "Don't as you so often see iv a res-. Uurant, let the handle of your knife and fork, protrude between your thumb and first fingers-. The end of both handles should press into the centre of the palm of each hand. Why the correct way to hold a pen or a pencil is the wrong way to hold a knife and fork, I don't know. But this is certain that no one who has been brought up among peoplo of any social stand-' ing ever does this. I suppose there is something dandified about it, as there is whon a woman raises her small fingers conspicuously when lifting a cup of tea to her month. More likely, when sitting at tho tablo, it makes it easier for the untrained to keep their elbows near their sides. However, this 'I know and know full well' that every time you do it among strangers it causes to some amusement, and in others a longing to tell you the correct, procedure. There are lots of ways by which people may find out your origin without giving yourself away by this faux pas." A correspondent asks for a, method of cutting a very hard icing on a cake without crumbling the cake. It is suggested that the knifo be heated before cutting.