NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1924, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

Two soldier settlers who are sheep farmers on; a holding in the Waingare ridiim of tile Raglan County Council had their case successfully pleaded by their riding representative at a meeting of the council when it- was agreed to remit £lO of their current year’s rates, which reached £SO (says i • “Waikato Times”). Councillor Wilson said that his clients had been five years on the place, working day and night. They were undoubtedly going to make a “do of it,” but required assistance at the present time. The Government had cellared every penny of revenue from the wool. The chairman inquired if that would' not be the 'experience when these settlers “got on their feet.” Members saw merit in the plea. of Councilor Wilson, and gave unanimous consent to the request.

A special marriage followed swiltl.v upon the granting of a decree absolute (states the Auckland correspondent of the. “Lyttelton Times”). The lady concerned was granted a decree nisi three months ago. The solicitor who had conducted her ease was in the Police Court the other day when he was called out to see her. “Have you got the decree absolute ?” she asked breathlessly. The matter had not quite reached that stage as Die statutory period had only just expired. “But I’m getting married again to-morrow.” explained the lady. At once the solicitor put all other business aside and motored to the Supreme Court to apply to Mr Justice Herd in an for tile necessary decree. This was granted, and the solicitor returned to the office where th • expectant bride was waiting. The business was completed in good time, and. with a smile the lady hurried away, once, more to embark upon the great adventure.

Frenchwomen, who. unlike Englishwomen, have not yet secured the vote, are demanding equality in directions other than that of the franchise. At ii, recent feminist conference a resolution was passed calling upon the French Minister of Education to alter the curriculum so that instruction in housework should be given to both sexes. Thus every member of the family would he able to take his or her share in looking after the home. Englishwomen did not use “compulsory housework for men”, as a plank in their platform "'lien they were fighting for equality. Was the reason, perhaps, that the average English husband is really rather a good sort in lending a hand about t'mV house? Many of us know men who do rather strenuous little jobs at home before catching tho usual morning train or tram. Getting breakfast is another art which tho young Englishman has acquired, generally before he marries, cither during camping days or while living in rooms at which the service is faulty. As to the balance of housework between bushand and wife that can only be decided by each particular pair, for everything depends upon individual conditions, the number ol hours that tho mail is working away from home, the mental or physical fatigue caused by that work and, on the woman’s side, the size of the house or flat, and the number of children, or other members of the household.

Homes for professional women arc a problem in London. The number of working women who .-care tor club life at tho end of a busy day is few. vet the supply of small and handy flats is too small to meet the demand. In view of this a AVomeii’s Pioneer Housing Company was formed two or' three years ago to provide suitable flats for women workers on a co-opera-tive basis, and a big house was bought in Holland Park, Kensington, ami converted into flats of one, two, or three rooms, each with its kitchen and bathroom (states the London correspondent of “Tho Australasian”). A resident caretaker was installed, to lookafter the stairs, and to help the residents with the rougher housework. I he plan was so successful that nine other houses have since been converted. The rents vary from £25 to £35 per room; a flat with two bedrooms, a sitting room, a kitchen, and a bath-room costing £l2O a year, inclusive of rates. 'l'lio amount is considerable, hut many women welcome the opportunity oi having a place of their own, even if it costs £l2O a year unfurnished, and the Women’s Pioneer Housing Company has a long waiting-list for its flats. Viscountess Astor, Airs Philipson, ALT’., Viscountess Rhondda, Lady Emmott.' and Airs Fawcett are among the leading women who have interested themselves in the scheme, and they believe that that method is capable of considerable extension. The capital for the conversion of the houses into Hats is found hv tho tenants themselves, and they receive 0 per cent, on anv of their investments.