NOTES FOR WOMEN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 299, 1 October 1910, Page 6

NOTES FOR WOMEN.

[" Patricia " will be pleased to give advice to readers on all matters concerning dress, house-keeping, etiquette and the toilet. Write, giving pseudonym, care of this office.] Wellington, Thursday Night. Dear Isobel,—This has been a much quieter week than last and I am afraid you will find my week's budget very dull. On Sunday the Governor and' Lady Islington had a small party to lunch at Government House, the guests being —Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), Professor and Mrs von Zedlitz, Captain and Mrs Erie Johnston and Mrs A. S. Rhodes who, by the way, has recently been honoured by the King by being created a Lady of Grace of St. John of Jerusalem. The bridge tournament in aid of the Boys' Institute fund was held in Kirj kcaldie's tea rooms on Monday even- | ing. there being over a hundred and seventy people present. The committee, who have worked very hard to make the tournament a success must have been gratified at their well deserved praise. Nearly all the ladies on it are keen bridge players and several are among the best in town. Mrs Newman, Mrs Tweed, Miss Jospeh, who always takes a great interest in all charitable objects, and Mrs C. B. Morison, who is famed for her wonderiul "card memory," acted as hostesses, and during the evening a delightful supper was served to the many guests by the tea room girls, who took this way of showing their sympathy with the Institute. The first prizes were won by Miss Joseph and Mr Fred Nathan (Palmerston North), with 1800 points, and the second by Mrs Etherington (Dr Hay's pretty sister) and Prof. RankineBrown. Calve's third concert was held on Tuesday evening, their Excellencies being present with their house party. They were also at her farewell concerc on Thursday in the big Town Hall, when, at the beginning of her first solo Madame was taken with a severe heart seizure, and was obliged to leave the platform for some time. In spite of the warnings of the two doctors in attendance that it might prove dangerous, she insisted upon going on with her part in the programme and although her voice had not its usual crystal purity of tone she fulfilled her promises to her large and expectant audience. Their Excellencies the Governor and Lady Islington sent an aide-de-camp to enquire for the prima donna and to tender their most sincere sympathy and admiration of her courage in continuing her part in the concert. Madame Calve and her company left for Sydney in the Ulimaroa the next day, a great many people being down on the wharf to see her off. Mr Hugh Ward and his much discussed "Girl from Rector's" company went with the same boat. Miss Grace Palotta, the charming leading lady in the company is not leaving Wellington till next week, and is staying with friends in town until then. Mrs Grace gave a big "At Home" in her lovely house in Hawkstone street on Friday. Her garden is always so beautiful and there are so many flowers and plants to admire in her conservatory that it is always a pleasure to be invited to visit her. The weather was charming and the many guests roamed through the garden and conservatory at will, as well as in the large rooms where tea, coffee and chocolate were served amid a profusion of beautiful flowers. Mrs Grace wore a handsome gown of black ninon de soie over white with a yoke and sleeves of lovely lace. Mrs -lan Duncan, who helped her mother to entertain, wore a frock of pale cornflower blue with a hat to match. Mrs Arthur Duncan was also in blue, her dress having bands of Indian embroidery. Mrs C. J. Johnston wore a beautifully braided brown frock. During the afternoon a string band played in the billiard room, and Miss Phoebe Parsons sang several songs. Miss Macdonald, a clever young violinist, also played. Among the many guests 1 noticed Lady Ward and Miss Ward, Mrs Herries, Mrs Newman (Marton), Mrs Fell, Mrs Rhodes, Mrs Harry Crawford, Mrs Scobie MacKenize, Mrs Earle Johnston, Mrs C. J. Crawford, Mrs Jacob Joseph and Miss Jospeh, Mrs and Miss Pearce, Mrs Menzie. Miss Harcourt, Miss Coates, Mrs Douglas McLean, Mrs and Miss W. Nathan, Mrs Fitchett and Mrs David Nathan. The same afternoon Mrs Stott gave a small farewell tea for Mrs BryceWilson in Miss Jansson's pretty tea rooms which many people went to on their way to Mrs Grace's Next Saturday Lady Islington has promised to open the Exhibition of Fine Arts, of which she has consented to become the patroness and in the evening the first dinner party by their Excellencies will be held at Government House,

It seems rather early in the year to talk about white muslin hats but it is not too early to begin them. Many of the latest French papers show "Cordey" models made of English embroidery trimmed with huge bows and loops of black ribbon. These hats were all made to look soft and limp, and fell in almost curtain-like "flaps" at each side of the forehead, leaving a peak upwards in the exact centre. Though quite unsuitable for any face in the least passe, they look charmingly fresh and novel on a girl with a pretty face. It is absolutely essential this year to have a pretty white neck, and simply endless are the creams and lotions used in the effort to secure one. After wearing a lownecked frock in the blazing sun all day you should always put some soothing cream on your face and neck instead of washing at once, this will prevent that terrible brick colour that so often spoils an otherwie pretty girl. I have lately heard of some splendid things to cure, and prevent sunburn, and if they are as good as I am told they are they have filled a "long-felt want." We are annually threatened with the demise of the blouse, but as far as I can judge from the new French papers, we will probably be saying the exact same thing ten years hence. Of course, this is the usual scare and is almost as silly as that hardy annual, the crinoline, which is faithfuy dug up every spring with the threat that we will all be compelled to wear it. Most of the new blouses are cut on Magyar lines but are modified somewhat with tucks and different shaped facings. Sleeves are always cut in one with the bodice, except in shirt blouses when the armhole is usually hidden under a tuck or bands of some sort. The new yokes are interesting in thier vast variety, some dressy blouses have no less than three distinct outlines in the yoke alone! First the bodice is cut out in a very deep round and edged with some trimming to match the dress, then a heavy lace yoke is cut square and the space from it up to the throat is filled in with fine lace cut out in a tiny V shape in front. The whole effect is so charming and i 3, I think, quite new —at least I cannot remember seeing it before. Coats will be worn much shorter this season than last. In Paris they are to just below the hip, but the more conservative Englishwoman clings to the deeper coats. The compromise between them is usually about thirtysix inches long at the back, but we will probably see many made a good deal longer. The Russian blouse coat will still be worn, and I expect most women who have the time and taste to make their own clothes will hail it with joy, as they are so very much easier to do at home than the properly tailored jacket. As they do not blouse over in the front at all they are much more generally becoming this year than when they were in fashion before. I have seen some very pretty neckwear lately. For wearing under coats the smartest things are knifepleated frills with a tiny edging of relaly good lace. It is strange how fond we get of a style. Quite two years ago, these pleated frills came in, but then they were made with a frill at both sides, then one side grew large while the other shrank, now we have only one side and we say serenely that they "are quite new!" This is certainly the year for the girl who is clever with her hands. AH the most exclusive gowns have some hand embroidery about them, and the ties, sashes, and even slipper-bows are all hand-worked. Of course if one has only a small allowance to dress on the girl who can embroider her own things has an opportunity to "crow over" the girl who has to buy them all, .perhaps on an ever smaller allowance! I will have to tell you about these things some other time as I am exceeding my snace as it is.—Yours faithfully, " PATRICIA.