WOMEN’S WORLD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20050, 23 September 1939, Page 12

WOMEN’S WORLD

Fireside Club On Wednesday night Mrs. F. E. Leadley presided over a good attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Bright Street Methodist Church Fireside Club, held at the home of Mrs. D. Leo, Clifford street. The drawing-room looked very spring-like with its artistic decorations of beautify hyacinths. A most interesting demonstration of the making of scones and cakes was given by Miss Margaret Ambridge, to whom a warm vote of thanks was accorded. Supper was served informally by Mesdames. Lee and T. King. Bride-Elect Entertained On Thursday afternoon Misses U. Duncan and N. White combined in giving a delightful “kitchen” tea at the home of Mr. Andrews, Craig road, for Miss Iris Duncan, whose marriage to Mr. L. Sothart, Ongaroto, takes place next week. The siiling-roorn . was gay with spring flowers, shaded Iceland poppies predominating in the artistic decorative scheme. Three diverting competitions provided entertainment in variety for the guests and the winners, Mrs. J. L. Cowan, Mrs. D. Jobson and the guest of honour, were each suitably rewarded. Afternoon tea was served informally. and later the inviting-looking gift parcels were opened by the bride-to-be. revealing a varied assortment of useful kitchen utensils. Miss U. Duncan was smart in a frock of dusky pink cloque with navy blue accents, and Miss White’s becoming frock of navy blue wool crepe was relieved with touches of white. The guest of honour wore an attractive frock of Paisley-patterned silk, with a navy blue hat and a fur coat. Mrs. T. Duncan was wearing a graceful frock of navy blue crepe printed in a floral design in pastel tonings, and a navy hat. Coming-of-Age Celebrated On Wednesday night. Mi-, and Mrs. H. B. Livingston entertained a large number of friends at a delightful dance in celebration of the coming-of-age of their niece, Miss Annie Livingston. The function was held at the Reay station, the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. McM. Livingston, the parents of the celebrant.

Decorations of coloured streamers and balloons, interspersed with hanging baskets filled with delicate ferns, gave a festive air to the spacious ballroom, which was carpeted at one end and arranged as a lounge for the nondancers.

The decorative scheme in the sup-per-room was artistically carried out in blue and gold, the colours of Columba College, Dunedin, the school of the celebrant.

Blue and gold candles shed a soft radiance upon the charbinglyarranged tables, which were further enhanced with Argentine pea and golden daffodils. The handsome white two-tier cake was cut by Miss Livingston, to whom good wishes and congratulations were conveyed in a very happy manner. The music for dancing was supplied by Mrs. W. Thomson’s orchestra.

The hostess was wearing an elegant frock of London tan lace, and Mrs. W. McM. Livingston was becomingly frocked in black lace.

Miss Livingston looked very smart in a frock of twilight blue and silver embossed metal-cloth cut on simple lines.

Handicraft Work for Exhibition

Entries received from the Poverty Bay Federation of Women’s Institutes for inclusion in the countrywomen’s court at the Centennial Exhibition were submitted to the selection, committee at Messrs. Petties’ salon on Thursday afternoon.

The quality of the workmanship was of a particularly high standard, and the committee, Mesdames W. A. McCliskie, Randall Sherrat and R. Keiha, was faced with a difficult task.

No limit in the dumber of entries is placed on the quota, but the final choice of articles worthy of a place in the court rests in the hands of a committee set up by the Dominion Federation of Women's Institutes in Wellington. The collection covered a wide field, and the ingenuity displayed, both m design and execution, was a tribute to the enterprise and skill of countrywomen. Of outstanding interest were garments knitted from the fleece, and a varied assortment of soft toys, which included a perfect Teplica of one of the “Seven Dwarfs,” which was admired for its originality and charm. A bridal veil embroidered with the rose and thistle, symbolic of England and Scotland, was an example of exquisite needlecraft, and utility and thrift were combined in a floor mop made from unravelled wool.

Beaten brass work, two sets of knitting needles made from the wood of the native punga, a needlework picture, sprays of flowers composed of tiny shells, hand-made gloves, delicate tatting, a gay floor rug contrived from discarded felt hats, a woven hat of pingao fiax, and useful articles produced from sugar bags bore witness to tire thrift and resource, combined with artistry, of women living far from the facilities of a town.

Delightful flower studies from the clever brush of Miss C. Watkins, and water-colour paintings of historic associations by the same artist, were among the collection.

Guild Card EveningThe Te Hapara Ladies’ Anglican Guild held an enjoyable card evening last Wednesday. Flag five-hundred was played at nine tables, play being under the able control of Mr. Fowler, who supervised the games. At the close of play supper was served by members of the guild. Prizes were awarded to the following:—Most flags: Ladies, Mrs. Armstrong; gentlemen, Mr. Attewell. Winning table: Mrs. Armstrong, Miss Reid, Mrs. Gordon, and Miss Thomas. Travelling envelope: Mr. Attewell Another prize went to Mrs. Tyerman Death of Mrs. M. E, Tripe Many' will learn with regret of the ■death in Wellington on Thursday of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Tripe, widow of the late Mr. Joseph Albert Tripe, 8.A., LL.B., barrister and solicitor, Wellington, and one of New Zealand’s bestknown and gifted portrait painters Mrs. Tripe, who was a lady of charming manners and personality with a very sane outlook on art, was a daughter of the late Hon. Edward Richardson, C.M.G., and a sister of Messrs. C A. Richardson and Edward F. Richardson, Wellington. Pneumonia, supervening on influenza, was the cause of death.

Mrs. Tripe, who had been a devotee of art all her life, studied under several masters in New Zealand and abroad, including the late Mr. James M. Nairn, and products of her brush adorn many galleries ancl homes both in New- Zealand and England. For distinction in art, Mrs. Tripe w'as among the recipients of the Coronation Medal. She divided the last years of her life between London, where she had many friends, and Wellington. She leaves two sons, Mr. Richard Tripe, barrister and solicitor, and Mr. Anthony Tripe, architect, London.

Successful Queen Carnival 1 Function

The pavilion at the Kahutia Bowling Club was en fete on Wednesday night, when the social committee held a mos. successful social and dance in the interests of Miss N. Henderson, the combined sports candidate in the centennial queen carnival campaign.

Miss Henderson was greeted with musical honours on being introduced by the M.C., Mr. R. Watt. Games, singing and dancing were entered into with enthusiasm- and the fun reached its height with the distribution of streamers and quaint favours, donated by Mr. T. Holt. A diverting competition, involving an exhibition of skill, provoked much mirth, and the winners, Miss Hackett and Mr. G. Graham, were suitably rewarded.

A nursery rhyme choir contest conducted by Mr. L. O. East was another source of amusement, but the most popular item on the programme was undoubtedly the presentation of the new song and dance hit, “Boomps-a-Daisy.” Honours in a lucky spot waltz competition were annexed by Mr. and Mrs. Vail.

Mr. J. E. Mercer vvas heard to advantage in two vocal solos, and a humorous elocutionary number by Master Colin Bruce was received with veil-merited applause. A delicious supper was served by the lady members of the club. It was announced during the evening that the final social gathering for the season would take place on October 18. Lady Wakehurst Visits N.Z. Lady Wakehurst, wife of Lord Wakehurst, Governor of New South Wales, arrived at Auckland early this week. She was accompanied by her brother, Mr. Peter Dubbock, her daughter, the Hon. Henrietta Loder, and Captain J. Mitchell, A.D.C., states the Auckland Herald. Lady Wakehurst, who is extremely popular in. New South Wales, is the mother of four children, of whom the Hon. Henrietta Loder is the .eldest. The others are the Hon. Christopher, the Hon. David, and the Hon. Robert Loder. She is fond of sport, particularly golf, and sailing is a popular pastime. She is also an enthusiastic gardener and has made a collection of

Australian and New Zealand plants for her garden. Lord Wakefield also is a keen gardener, inheriting his interest in horticulture from bis father, who was the first .person to persuade the waratah to flower in. England. Lady Wakefield is keenly interested in art and among the prized possessions she brought with her to Australia when she first arrived there were many paintings, including a water-colour by Turner and many English landscapes by Scott. Her elder sister is an artist. Bachelors’ Ball The annual ball held by tire bachelors of the Manutuke district is always eagerly awaited, and Thursday night’s function was, like its predecessors, a complete success. ’Filled with a merry throng of revellers, the Memorial HalL presented a festive scene, effective decorations of greenery and coloured streamers completing the atmosphere of gaiety.

For some time an active committee had had the arrangements well in hand, and the final preparations must have delighted tire patrons. The programme went well under he supervision of Messrs. J. Reichenbach and D. O'Connor, and the music was supplied by Mrs. W. Thomson’s orchestra. Extras were contributed by Messrs. R. Preston and M. Barber.

The supper arrangements, both in organisation and menu, were all that could be desired, and the promoters were indebted to the ladies of the district ifor their much-appreciated assistance.

The table decorations were most artistically carried out with golden daffodils, intermingled with delicate greenery.

Tiie committee responsible for the organisation of the function comprised Mr. R. Bradford, chairman; Mr. D. O'Connell, treasurer; Messrs. J. Reichenbach and R. Atkins, joint secre-'-m'ies, and Messrs. M. Wheeler, J. Williams, B. Craill, J. McConville, 11. Muir. D. Barber and D. Poulgrain.

Easy to Sew When You Know How

Here are a few points to remember when you wish to “sew a fine seam”: 1. Keep a little bottle of eau-de-Cologne in your workbasket, and sprinkle the palms of the hands with .his occasionally. No sticky fingers and soiled handiwork, then. Talcum powder is useful, too, if your hands get very hot. 2. A nail file is excellent for tucking under a very small seam in delia.e material.

3. A little square of emery—or sandpaper should be kept in your basket, (then you can cut a strip iff with your scissors now and again, if you want to keep the scissors very sharp.

4. Keep your needles and pins in a cushion filled with coffee grounds. They’ll not rust, and the fragrance is delightful.

5. Sewing on buttons? They’ll stay on twice as long if you rub your thread over a piece of beeswax before sewing. A little piece of chamois leather stitched on the reverse side of the material, behind a button, will stop any tendency to tear the cloth when the button is pulled in use,

(5. Keep a magnet in your basket. So handy for finding pins and needles when they go astray. Prevents that tiresome groping on the floor, too. 7. When you sew on snap fasteners, sew them on with button-hole stitch, and they’ll stay on for good and all! 8. Don’t consider tacking a waste of time. Tack every little portion of your work—it saves time in the long run. Press seams as you complete them, before continuing with the next section.

9. Darning children’s socks? Keep an emoty cotton-reel in your basket, and use this as a “mushroom” for the tiny heels and toes. Gloves are mended more easily if you put a thimble inside the finger and v/ork over this.

10. If you have any very fine material to sew, such as chiffon, ninon, and fine crepe-de-chine, try sewing through white tissue-paper, placed at the back ol' the material. This will give a firm backing to the cloth, and can be removed easily after the sewing is completed.

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Bad Cookery Perils Souls

A well-fed man is a future saint, but “startling indeed would be the list of the souls which in the history of the world have been damned by bad food,” Zion’s Herald, century-old Methodist weekly of Boston, said editorially recently. In a plea for “better cooking in the interest of Christian progress,” the editorial said that churches were waging “an all but losing light with restaurants for the souls of men.” Men are leaving home and the church because of “halfcooked food, greasy food, tough meats, poorly seasoned vegetables, soggy pies and doctored puddings,” the weekly said. Nor are churches themselves . . . free from this evil. All too often the church “social” or men’s club “banquet” . , . has driven down the spiritual thermometer of professing Christians below zero. “Food has something to do with the growth and progress of the inner life. Cooks have a responsibility, the proportions of which they scarcely realise." Chinchilla Farm Formerly 'of New Zealand, Mr. Fletcher Roberts is still successfully carrying on his enterprise of breeding chinchillas, wrote a London correspondent on August 28. Six of these beautiful little creatures have been exhibited by Mr. Roberts in the London Zoo and have attracted much attention. Each one. scaling no more than 20oz„ is worth £2OO. It is stated that the six in the zoo are the only ones outside the chinchilla farms in their native America and that no more than 2000 are alive to-day. They were exterminated in the wild state—the high Andes of Chile, Peru and Bolivia—some 12 years ago, after 400 years of ceaseless persecution for their fur, as many as 400,000 being killed in a single year. Happily, however, chinchillas are increasing in captivity. As 60 to 100 skins are needed to make a coat, however, and each may cost as much as £SO, it is unlikely that chinchilla coats will ever be available to many. Quick Enrolment of the Women of England. Women are enrolling in unprecedented numbers for all forms of •national service, stated a London exchange on August 30. Those with specialised qualifications are now coming forward in great numbers, prepared to relinquish their peacetime occupations should the special needs of an emergency call for their technical knowledge. There is a steady enrolment of linguists, the majority with a knowledge of German, who may be needed in certain Government departments which will be set up in case of war.

A number ol’ women barristers, whose knowledge would, be of value in posts requiring the enforcement of war emergency orders, already have enrolled. Other qualified women among recent enrolments are architects, whose knowledge would be of use in the .erection of temporary buildings which might be needed if war broke out. Women, who would be of service as factory inspectors and food inspectors have also enrolled at the offices of the Women’s Employment Federation Emergency Register. The volume of enrolment has increased tenfold during the last few days.

Women, who have enrolled and who are impatient to be accepted for war work are reminded that it will be some time ' before any considerable substitution can take place. Those who have enrolled are stated to be excellent material and very few unsuitable women have offered themselves. They are standing by meantime, an ever-increasing army of

highly-trained women ready for important work as part of the efficient machine set up to carry on the emergency business which lies behind the waging of a modern war.