THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2383, 26 December 1908, Page 7

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

WOMEN AND THE SURF.

The surf season is now in full swing, and women as well as men, are enjoying the daily dip which braces and invigorates. Those girls and women who go to the breakers each morning with husbands and brothers understand pretty well the necessary safeguards against danger, and very rarely get into difficulty. It is the visitors to the surf, the people v who go for an occasional dip on Saturday afternoons and holidays, that generally drift, into danger and draw others after them. Nearly all cases of drowning in the surf (says the “Sydney Morning Herald”) arise from the fact that the victim has been bathing alone, or at least some distance from the main body of swimmers. Especially i s this true of women, for, very naturally no doubt,, it is most women’s instinct to have their bath as privately as possible, and, particularly while they are new to the sport, to avoid close r proximity, with a crowd of strangers. But this instinct for privacy; though highly desirable and commendable an most occupations, is much to be condemned in surf bathing. There, above all places, is there safety in numbers, and danger,, if not death, in isolation. For it may be taken for granted that wherever the crowd of bathers is seen that is the safest spot on the beach for bathing. The old hands 'know at a glance which spots are safe, and there they congregate. Sometimes there will be 'but one small stretch of a whole beach where it is wise to enter the water, and consequently this spot may be rather thickly thronged. If people do not care to mix amongst sxicli a crowd—and it is certainly anything but pleasant—it is better for them to defer their dip altogether, for they may feel sure that danger lurks in any other part of the beach. Another reason for keeping with the main body of bathers is that if one should be swept out amongst a crowd there will always be someone near to help, but where a person is alone she may be carried far ‘TP out before assistance can reach hßr, and naturally the chance of rescue is smaller. Almost every drowning fatality that has occurred on the beaches during the past few years has been due to th is desire for isolation, and in many cases the would-be rescuer has perished too. And it is a dreadful thing that men, who take every precaution and care for themselves., should lose their lives trying to save someone who has drifted into danger through sheer carelessness.

_i, Every day on the beach you will r girls and women say, “Let us "*v(i in where there is nobody else,” absolutely ignorant of the danger into which they are rushing. We should like to impress upon every girl and woman that amongst that crowd which they take such pains to avoid lies safety, and to implore all bathers not to imperil their own lives and others by choosing an unfrequented spot, but, if they do not wish to mix in the very thick of the throng, at least to keep at the edge, so that they will be within easy reach of lieli) when they find themselves in ijjftificulties.

DOMESTIC TIT-BITS. Tomatoes With Onions.—This is a delicious vegetarian luncheon dish, which some of my readers may like to Select half-a-dozen firm, ripe tomatoes. Bub these well with a cloth and cut into halves. Place in a shallow baking-tin, cut sides up, and cover each slice of tomato with grated cheese ; sprinkle, with salt and pepper. Lastly, dredge with fine, white breadcrumbs and dot with hits L .of butter. iSet in the oven to bake "till golden brown. Serve very hot. How to Keep Taps from Spotting. —A cheap and easy way to keep brass taps clean is the following: After cleaning the taps as usual with metal polish, smear it all over thinly with vaseline. The writer tried it herself and found it very successful,! as they have kept clean for a fortnight. „ Material for Blouses. — Net and lace, separate or combined, embroidered filet net, thin washing silks, and Reman satins are some of the favored. Hfpdiums for blouse wear. , The nxuohLnmmed frilly blouse is a thing of the past, and now the smartest models have a marked simplicity of style, with long, graceful lines, flat trimmings, and a marked reservation of color. The deep vest of lawn or finely-tucked net, reaching almost to the waist, is never, found wanting on the dressy blouse, nor is the touch of black, which has played such an important part in all color schemes this season. - ■ Breakfast Brawn. —'One pound minced meat, one pint of stock or Wfeter, one desertspoonful mushroom Stchup, -£oz gelatine, one hard-boil-ed egg, salt and pepper, a few sprigs of parsley. Dissolve the gelatine m stock or water, add the ketchup, ' seasoning, and meat, decorate the sides of the mould with the parsley and egg. Pour in the brawn when commencing to set, and when quite firm turn out. . Coffee is a simplo and efficient dye for laces. Make strong coffee, str.ai.ll it through flannel until absolutely clear, then dip in the article to be .dyed; wring out and place in the air . dry. In order to obtain the r-e-J ™uisite shade, a small piece of muslin or other white fabric should be tested first, adding more water or coffee, according to the color. Of course, all lace should bo washed clean before plunging into the coffee; and it shoukl he ironed before it has had time, to dry completely.