WOMEN'S WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 24283, 26 August 1942, Page 8

WOMEN'S WORLD

ENGAGEMENT McLeod —Williamson. -- Heat rice Alison, elder tiling'll Ic r of Mr :i in I Mrs A. McLeod, Beckenham, C,’ljrisl<:ljurch, lo John, only son of Mrs ami the iale Mr John Williamson, of Nevis, Ccnlral (Jingo. [By Diana.) Social and Personal. .Mrs K. B. Teunent, Wellington, is spending a lew days wan nor inotncr, Airs a. |.i, Siiiilli, Maori Hill. Airs T. A. QtnrK, of Invercargill, is visiting 1.-er father, Jlr.J. H. Barino.oincw, St. Ciair. All's A. Alnrray Inis gone to visit her tlanghter, Airs fetor AleKongai, in \\aiuu, .Nor,n fanterlnuy. Her Excellency Lady N’ewall inis consented to become. Commandcr-iii-Clucf of (lie Bed Cross Voluntary Aid Detachments. This ottiec was lornieny held by Aliss Ji. B. Tonnont, who resigned because of illhealth. A. motion of regret at Miss Tennent’s ilhieis and appreciation, of her services was passed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, held in Wellington last wcok. The lauy members of the Australian .■society met in the Strand (Salon on Wednesday. The lounge looked attractive with bowls .of Iceland poppies. Mrs A. H. Newalf (lady president) welcomed the members and thanked .them lor the knitling that was being clone. Sixteen scarves were handed in for Iho Patriotic Society . The ladies also decided lo provide afternoon lea for one month for returned men in hospital. The afternoon was spent playing trump whist, Airs Thomson winning the prize for the highest score. Tea brought a pleasant function io a close. The August meeting of the ox-Girls’ High School Association was held in the Otago Women’s Club, tho president, Miss Alorton, welcoming a large attendance before handing the meeting over to the married ladies of the committee. Items were contributed by Mcsdamcs Briggs and Burnett and Aiisses Ruby While mid Phyllis Simpkins, with Airs Walmsley as accompanist. Mrs Paterson thou introduced Iho Rev. McNcur, who gave a very illuminating lecture on China and the Hast, based on Ills long residence there. A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the speaker by tho appreciative audience. Tho married ladies later ■entertained the committee and performers to supper.

Wedding in the Middle East. On Friday, June 19, «t (.lie Church of England Chapel, Kasr El Nil Barracks, a very quiet wedding took place between Corporal Joyce Gilmour, N.Z.W.W.S.A. (New Zealand Forces Club), and Lieutenant Kenneth Webb, 11. N. Lieutenant-Colonel F. Waite gave (he bride away. Her bridesmaids were, Privates Jean Knox-Gilmcr and Christine Farter (N.Z.W.W.S.A.). Lieutenant T. MacDonald (2nd N.Z.E.F.) acted as best man. Private Nessie Chisholm played the organ, and during the signing of the register Sergeant Audrey Holdgatc sang a solo, ‘ Alleluia,’ from ‘ The Messiah.’ After the ceremony the bride received the good wishes of her friends at a small reception held at Mrs Blackford's Hat in the New Zealand Forces Club building. Plunket Society.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Dunedin branch of the Plunket Society was held last Friday, Mrs McGeorge presiding. The President reported that a subbranch had been formed at Anderson’s Bay, with Mrs J. Somerville as president. The Matron of the Truhy King-Harris Hospital reported that during July 19 mothers and 34 babies had been admitted and 18 mothers and 24 babies discharged. The nurses’ sets for ihe year were examined by the Sewing Committee, and silver thimbles had been awarded to Nurses Lee, Kibhlewhite, and Marshall. The charge nurse reported that the month of July had been a very busy one owing io much sickness among the nurses, mothers, and children. During the mouth four clinics were arranged iu conjunction with Dr Deem, who examined the pre-school children and unsatisfactory babies.

The report summarising the work of the Dunedin Plunket nurses stated that in July there were 1,946 babies on the list and 988 older children; 1.293 visits had been paid to homes, and 4,941 to cdices (2,442 mothers, 2,242 babies, and 257 older children), and there wore 134 new cases for the month. The meeting expressed appreciation of tho effort of members of the committee of the Macandrew Road Intermediate School, who had organised a concert in aid of the society's funds, Ihe total received amounting to almost £3O. Mrs L. Cloghorn was elected as convener for the Daffodil Day slroet collection, and preliminary arrangements were made for tho staffing of the various stalls. Music of the Hebrides.

• * The Music of the Hebrides’ was ilie subject of the monthly national musicals hold by the Overseas League on Monday evening in the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Building,, when there was a large audience of members of the league. The exquisite folk songs of the Hebrides charmed those present, and in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr (i. W. Johnstone and his singers, Professor T. D. Adams said it was an occasion which made him fool that many more such evenings should be held. They would give infinite pleasure to any audience. He spoke of the attractive manner in which (he songs were made to live as though the passing of millcniums meant nothing. Mr Johnstone traced the history of the people of (he Hebrides hack to the days when they lived in the Mediterranean basin, from wind* fhey migrated, probably two or threiJ thousand years ago. Ho sketched the historical and musical background of these remarkable people, emphasising the importance of music to them and (be influence of the sea in all its moods. It. had heeii said, he concluded, that no race equals the Celtic in penetrative notes that go slraight to Ihe heart. The programme which followed was contributed by the Misses Clare Rouse, Thelma Thomson, Jenny Mearns, Tni Rutherford, Muriel Laing, and Phyllis Moore, with Miss Rona Thomson at the piano. Mr Thomas Ritchie was in the, chair, and introduced the performers. Supper concluded a most delightful evening's entertainment. A LONDON LETTER (By M. S. Primmer.) TRULY DEMOCRATIC. Our dr*l. United Nations Day was on outstanding success, and if one had not been conscious of the underlying tragedy, ir could have been a real heyday and holiday. Flags of Allied Nations made a bravo shew, and even the weal her, which up to now has been atrocious, did its best to behave reasonably well. Let ns for a change begin with the lower end of the social ladder, and admire the Scots fisher lassies, tank girls, and shipyard ones. Jean Noble carried a parcel of iisli in her creel for her brother Jimmie, a. “ bobbic ” in London, where all this, by (lie way, took place, in front of Buckingham Palace. Mrs Herrick, brave in green dungarees, vivid blouse, and green netted cap, baring left her seven youngsters to the care of the neighbours joined in the grand march, as the first woman crane driver in Great Britain. “ Before the wai 1. used to work the gadgets on fair show grounds, but now I ilike cranes better. A great life this.” The great event of the day was the procession, whose salute was taken by the King, accompanied by the various heads of Ihe Allies. Cheers resounded from the throats of the thousands lining Iho streets as representatives of British, dominion, ami Allied forces, members of iho Civil Defence, men and women from farms, factories, and mines, men of the Merchant Navy, nurses, and policemen, inarched, a trifle self-conscious. As for the Palace itself, it, was almost impossible fo see anything of what was going on, though naturally a few intrepid urchins managed to climb up ilie iron gales and get a grand view. They were well rewarded, as they feasted on the colourful ceremony of the Guardsmen holding aloft the rainbow-lined flags of the 'United Nations. We were all thankfully glad to see the two Princesses and other Royalties, now our guests, all safe and in good health. Rationing has, so one concludes from women’s figures. imnroved rather than impaired national well-being. When at last the King and Queen went into I lie Palace, the mob continued to scream. " We want the King." But everything comes to

iin end, and lie decided (o lake a wellearned rest before tackling oilier otlicial engagements. Xor must I leave out the thousand women wlio marched down Whitebait to Downing Street with a special message of joy at the Treaty of Alliance with The U. 5.5.11. Women will have a lot to say to reconstruction after' the war. Mo Government will be able to throw them away, .seeing how they are acting as a front lino at home. The only tactless incident was when Jerry, no doubt unable to resist a Hag day, came with a bomb or two. People got a fright, but nothing more, and no damage was recorded. AGAIN DEMOCRATIC. yesterday saw the beginning of another attempt at ■levelling matters for rich and poor; if tilings go on at this rate the ]ihcs of old school lie, etc., will lose point. Grumbles from the masses as to Hie unfairness of restaurant meals were well founded, for exclusive places served excellent dishes, but at unreasoned costs. Xow this is abolished, at least in part. Xo restaurant: may cliarg® more than 5s per meal, impossible, of course, at such places as the Savoy, (lie Hungarian, and such like, where overhead charges are iniquitous. To help these on the hard path it has been decreed (hat on application, they may be allowed a “ house charge,” this to vary according to the standing of the applicant, such solace to begin at Is 6d and end at 5s Sd. But there are other little bits too, such as codec Is and beer Is 6d, so a bill can still mount up to tiie best part of a sovereign. Pruuier's, an offshoot of the world-famous Paris one, for 10s 6d odered 12 subsidiary dishes, 17 main ones (the law regulates only one main dish), eight salads and vegetables, and eight sweets.' Xot bad in war time, is it? The Strand Palace, known to all of yon who have visited Bon-

don, lias a house charge of Cd lo its maximum grill room ss.

What amuses me is that wc have now simply adopted a universal Paris custom. By law in France every restaurant must affix its menu ami charges iu Lite' window, and wc all as a matter of course scan the disc, beginning with the top item, ” Convert,” tho equivalent of house charge. And liy the price of the convert, which varies from 2rl to lOd, you ran know the si.vlo of service and food likely to be offered. This has nothing to do with the additional 10 per cent, service charge, another habit creeping in over here, and much to be commended, for at least you can do the little sum, whereas by the older method yen gel warm wondering if the waiter will bo satisfied or sneering. Nevertheless, 1 did much grudge paying on a (rain 'here Id for a cup of coffee and 2d service charge. CRISIS PRECAUTIONS. Almo-t imperceptibly the powers that bo hedge ns round with more and more-pre-cautions in case of sudden raids, invasions, and other war-time tribulations. I have in mind three recent ones. The first, in which 1 take part, is a mobile blood transfusion van. Very many of us have been tested and classified; many have found it impossible under transport conditions to go to hospitals to be useful, iso now provincial towns are beginning to organise visiting van.-. You most at a given place, a car lakes yon to the next stage where the bus awaits yon. and I hen you go lo the hospital, give (I think it is) about half a pint (it sounds like beer put this. way), rest a short while, and then conic hack with a satisfied feeling of doing your

Next is a mobile F.O. 1 am not sure how far (his lias extended yet, but it worked well near Aider-gate street, a congested area. Five counter clerks ami me--senger boys served in this po-t office on wheel-. The idea i- that if any district i- suddenly bereft of local postal amenities this vehicle will be oil lo supply deficiencies. Most of our towns are' now being organised on sensible lines like these. And lastly comes the “ blitz home,” fondly supposed to be bombproof. Every room is a virtual air raid shelter, with a speciall,v reinforced steel pantry forming the shelter proper and provided with bunks. These houses have a 9in concrete flat roof, tiled floors, steel frames for doors and windows, concrete staircases, and specially designed bricks that eliminate the use of laths for holding plaster to walls and ceilings. An experiment with a blast from it bomb exploded nearby showed that, except for a direct hit, these new- dwellings are up lo the standard aimed at. But, of course, the tenants hope that no more tests will be made.