TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 54, 1 February 1938, Page 11

TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD.

TALK BY MR C. A. CLARKE. There was a good attendance at the monthly meeting of the Townswomen’s Guild, held yesterday afternoon in the Empire Hall, which had been charmingly decorated with summer flowers. Dahlias, marguerites and hydrangeas in a gay colour scheme, wnile on the president’s table was a vase of deep pink roses. Mrs A. E. Mansford, who presided, assisted by the secretary (Mrs W. S. Woodroofe), welcomed members and wished all a happy and prosperous New Year. Members stood in silence as a mark of sympathy with Mrs R. Allen, a guild member, who had recently lost her mother. Mrs Mansford referred to the coming visit to Palmerston North of two noted lecturers. Professor Ann Strong, 0.8. E., Dean of Home Science at Otago University, and Dr Elizabeth Gregory, of the University staff, who were to speak at the Rotary Club. She urged members to take advantage of this opportunity and arrange a meeting in which other women’s organisations could share. Professor Strong will speak on home science in general, and Dr Gregory on “Newer Knowledge of Nutrition.” The resignation of Mrs F. G. Major from the position of treasurer was received. Mrs Major felt obliged to relinquish her position as she is leaving shortly on a lengthy holiday. Mrs Mansford thanked fme joint secretaries, Mesdames Woodroofe and D. James, who had undertaken the work in the meantime. Members who would like to assist in catering for the visiting bandsmen for the New Zealand band contest were asked to make their gifts to Mrs Field or Miss Mathieson. The principal speaker was Mr C. A. Clarke, whose subject was “Furniture and Furnishings.” Mr Clarke said he hoped that his talk would be of interest to members as women were the home-makers and most of the comfort and pleasure in life was derived in the home. Furniture in New Zealand, he added, was mostly copied from English and, to a lesser extent, American models altered to meet the needs of the people. This allowed for cheaper construction. He spoke briefly of the various woods used in the making of furniture in New Zealand. Rimu, he considered, should be used more extensively. “Having been used in latter years for the cheaper furniture, it had been spoilt for the better class of work. The monopoly in New Zealand was held by Japanese oak, English oak being seldom. used. The former gained its popularity by being easy to make up and not readily bruising or taking the borer. It could be

stained to almost any colour and was thus suitable for any room in a home. The beautiful veneer of walnut had caused it to be used for bedroom furniture or other dainty pieces. A veneer of walnut was sometimes used over a cheaper wood, but this was not a good plan, as the softer wood might become infested with the borer. The modern method of ducoing had done away with the more expensive method of French polishing. The bulk of the wood used in England was mahogany, which was obtained from the Honduras. This had to be filled with fine powder before using, as it was very porous. Like oak, it did not readily take the borer. Kauri, Mr Clarke considered, was the finest timber grown. It had the advantage of being easily worked and would take oil a rich polish. Although used a great deal in the north, the expense of cartage caused it to be little used in other parts of New Zealand. Totara, which was possessed of natural oil, was'almost impervious to the borer, but was very brittle to handle.

Touching on the change of style in furniture, the speaker said that the extreme modernistic trend of four or five years ago had become modified and designs were carried out now on more practical lines. In conjunction with the modern houses, modern furniture was built on lower lines, enamels being used in many cases with effect on handles or bases of pieces. The use of chromium did not gain popularity, as it gave a rather cold effect. The period type of furniture retained" its popularity, although the modern trend was for more rounded and softer contours. The intricate designs and finish had been lost with the growing use of machinery. Upholstery, too. had changed greatly in style, the tendency being for lower and squarer suites. The coverings usually chosen were of the plainer type, of tapestry or linen. New Zealand, in point of population, was the biggest buyer of carpets in the world, although the handworked Indian, Persian and Chinese carpets, did not sell readily owing to their higher cost. Futuristic designs were on the way to extinction, plain body carpet and chintz patterns being most favoured. The larger use of casement windows had caused a change in curtains, the most popular now being those of net and voile, with chenille, damask and repp for the heavier type. The introduction of fadeless dyes had made a big difference to the curtain world. Pelmets, said Mr Clarke in conclusion, had at all times retained their popularity. J Several questions from members were answered by the speaker at the conclusion of his address. Thanks were conveyed to Mr Clarke by Mrs A. Hopwood. Mrs Howley delighted those present with a musical monologue “Blind,” followed by a recitation. “The Origin of Scandal.” Three songs, “Whatever I is, is Best,” “Bless This House,” and I “My Prayer,” by Mi's Curtis, of Halcombe, were much enjoyed. Thanks were accorded Mrs Curtis ! and Mrs Howley on th»- motion of Mrs i Gillott. Thanks were also conveyed to Mrs H. Pierard, who accompanied both entertainers. Afternoon tea was served' bv Mesdames W. G. Black, W. F. Field (supervisors), S. Toon. T. Turnbull, C. L. Turnbull, I. Trevitheck and C. A. Thomas. j The decorations were the work of I Mesdames H. Gillott, Crahton -and j Barrett.