HERE AND THERE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1932, Page 13

HERE AND THERE

New Zealand Artist. By the last Home mail came further news of Miss Mildred Nelson, the young New Zealand artist, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Nelson, of Woodville, who is making a name for herself on the stage, states an exchange. Miss Nelson's star is certainly in the ascendant, as on the conclusion of her contract with the J. W. Jackson Revue Company in Paris, she stepped right into another engagement, her new contract_ being with the Embassy Kevue, also in Paris. Miss Nelson mentioned that slid had to travel to London to sign off with the J. W. Jackson company, and return to Paris the same day to enter iuto her new engagement. She had had a great rush the day she left Paris, as she had to secure a permit from the Minister of Internal Affairs to re-enter France to work, a new licence from the police, also interview the Embassy principals and sign her new contract. Miss Nelson writes very happily about the now show, which opened on 11th December, and referred to the lovely frocks she had to wear. One beautifully fitting gown of silver lame, gracefully trained, had been made by Madame Easimi, the celebrated dressmaker. Another gown in which Miss Nelson appears is of green chiffon velvet, and a third frock has a bodice of georgotte ana skirt of taffeta petals with exquisitely hand-painted petals. Miss Nelscn was very fortunate to receive this further engagement, and was delighted to remain in Paris and escape the winter months in London. Courageous Women. Magnificent work by women was seen at the Rolleston fire on Wednesday (states the "Christchurch Times"). First there were the three ladies, Mesdames Finnegan, Scott, and Davis, who prevented the fire from attacking the town buildings. While the men were endeavouring to hold the flames by means of back-firing, these women were watching the fire in the paddock adjoining the hoteJ. Their battling was rewarded, for the iiro was kept to the paddocks. Then there was Mrs. D. Crawford, who, with Mr. Kinnear and some schoolboys, prevented the fire from entering Mr. W. H. Willett's property. Mrs. Wade and Mrs. J. Brosnahan are to be- mentioned, too, for their efforts in keeping the fire away from their houses. Both houses were completely surrounded by fire, and in both cases the protecting hedges of pine trees wure burnt, so near were the flames. Welcome Homo. : A "welcome home" party to Mrs. George Day and her daughter, Miss Betty Day, who arrived by the Marama from an extended tour of the United Kingdom and South Africa was held at the D.I.C. Tea Rooms recently. The guest of honour, Mrs. Day, was presented with a bouquet of carnations, roses, and fhelietrum. The table was prettily decorated with bowls of dahlias and asparagus. A very happy afternoon was spent, greetings boing extended and reciprocated. Among- the guests were Mesdames Carpenter, Coombs, Davis, Eaton (2), Coulter, Mason, Green, Donoghue, Hall, Lamb, Stone, Misses N. Day, Johnston, I. and Z. Mason. A New Headmaster. Mr. It. J. Richards, the recently-ap-pointed headmaster of Christ's College, and Mrs. Kichards, must have been gratified at the warmth of the welcome given them by the large number of guests who attended an informal reception held in their honour at Christ's College, states the Christchurch "Press." Old boys, representative of almost every decade of the school's life, men who had been class-mates of Mr. Richards, and others who had met him at old boys' reunions in England, women who remembered Mrs. Richards when, in her childhood, she lived at Christ's College, whero her father was on the staff for two years, parents who have boys attending the College at present—all assembled to show their interest in the school and their goodwill towards a former student who was now to guide its destinies; The visitors, at the entrance to the Memorial Hall, were met by Mr. E. B. Webb, Bursar, and each was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Richards, though i,n many cases, the interchange of cheery greetings showed Mr. Webb's good offices were unnecessary. Mrs. Richards wore a floral georgette frock in shades of carnation pink and green, and a green straw hat. The tea tables were beautifully decorated with roses, dahlias, and vases of mixed summer flowers, and near the platform were large bowls of hydrangeas and lilies. The Warden of the College, Bishop West-Watson, welcomed Mr. and Mrs Richards to Christ's College, and assured Mr. Richards that he would receive the whole-hearted co-operation of the Board of Governors, the old boys, and the parents of present boys. Mr Richards briefly acknowledged the welcome. At the suggestion of Archbishop Julius, all present joined in cheering Mr. and Mrs. Richards. Otari Plant Museum. A request from the Ngaio Progressive Association to the Wellington City Council in connection with tho Otari -Plant Museum has been answered by the Town Clerk. The association had written asking that Dr. L. T. Cockayne's name should bo associated with the Otan Native Plant Museum in the naming of features. Dr. Cockayne is a. resident of Ngaio and was responsible for the inauguration of tho museum The Town Clerk wrote: "Tho main teaturcs of tho museum arc being named after those persons who laid the foundation of botany in New Zealand. The two main gates aro named after Banks and Solander, who were the botanists with Captain Cook on his first_ voyage in 1769. Tho main path leading along the creek is named after Hooker, who was with Sir James Ross's expedition in 1839, and, by arrangement with the Government in 1864-67 compiled the handbook of New Zealand flora. It has been decided to call the upper area, where upwards of 200 kauris are being planted, the Cockayne Heights. It is intended at a later date to prepare a handbook with a topographical survey plan showing the names of the various areas and paths." A letter is to be scut to the council in axjpreciation of its action.