LADIES’ COLUMN.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 69, 18 February 1884, Page 2

LADIES’ COLUMN.

YOVNG WOMEN’S MUTUAL HELP ASSOCIATIONS. Associations of a friendly character for the mutual improvement of young women have recently been organised in various towns throughout the Colony. That under ’ our immediate notice is the Napier Society, which promises to become a pleasant and useful institution conducted upon most liberal principles. The circular before us states that “ the object of the Association is to benefit working-girls and young women, especially those arriving as strangers in the Colony, by holding out to them a friendly hand of sympathy and guidance.” There is no doubt that many young women on arriving from the Old Country, or from other places, feel lost at first among their new surroundings. Many have no friends in the town, and if unprotected run the risk of forming dangerous or undesirable acquaintances. Perhaps a friendly hand extended by some member of a Mutual Help Association, may give just the turn required—may easily and almost imperceptibly impel in thfl right direction. On the other hand, there are very many who have plenty of friends—ln fact, all the friends they require. These are they who are therefore in a position to help others less fortunate than themselves. With the object of promoting friendly intercourse, the Association arrange various meetings—social and otherwise. A hall or room is engaged. On one night weekly ft meeting is held for discussion, Ao. Members bring their own work, and while at work may either discuss plans for helping others or for making themselves wiser or more useful. If interest flags, some good and entertaining book may be read aloud. Addresses on domestic economy, dress, cookery, the duties of life, Ac., are occasionally given. Bible and secular classes may be held in connection with the Association, and a lending library established. It is also proposed, as funds increase, to establish a lodging-house in connection with the Association, where young women out of employment may find ft respectable and quiet home. The subscription to the Association is trifling to begin with, being not less than sixpence per quarter, although those interested are encouraged to give larger sub* scriptions according to their means, for the purpose of purchasing books, maintaining room, Ac. The Association is not of a eeotarian character, young women of all creeds being requested to join in it. Neither is it a class society, as young women of all ranks and occupations are expected to join together as women for their mutual benefit and improvement. We notice that a Young Men’s Institute is about to be established in Gisborne. It would be pleasant to see a Young Women's Mutual Help Association instituted at the same time. One might suggest that the same evening be selected for the weekly meeting. One evening being thus set aside for improvement, sisters, sweethearts, and wives can attend one meeting, while lovers, brothers, and husbands attend the other. Too much separation, lonely hours, uncomfortable homes, and so forth will be avoided, while the subjects discussed at both meetings may furnish conversation for the remaining evenings of the week. Seriously speaking, such societies may be of immense benefit to a community. None are so wise that they cannot learn something new; few are so fortunate as never to require a helping hand; none have so many pleasant companions as to be unable to admit a few more. A book is also kept in which the names of those needing employment of any description, and the names of those requiring assistance, may be entered. The writer has quoted from the rules of the Napier Association. The rules of the Girls’ Friendly Societies in Auckland and Wellington differ in many points, but the plan before us appears the most liberal, simple, and suitable to the requirements of a small districts. It is whispered that the formation of such an association in Gisborne is on the tapis. If so, it is hoped that it will meet with large support, and lead to much friendly feeling and useful work. HINTS. Boiling water will remove tea or fruit stains. Pour the water though the stain and thus prevent spreading. If a shirt front or other article has been scorched in ironing, lay it in the bright sunshine. The sun will take the mark out. Kerosene will soften boots or shoes hardened by water and render them as pliable as when new. Kerosene will make tin kettlefl as bright as new. Rub well with woollen rag, soaked in elbow grease. Dipping the lamp-wick in hot vinegar before using is said to prevent offensive smell from lamps. Ripe tomatoes will remove ink or other stains from white cloth; also from the hands. Fish may be scaled much more easily by dipping them in boiling water for a minute. To remove grease spots from matting, Ao., wet with alcohol, rub with hard soap, then wash with cold water. Clean the steel fender and ash-pan with finely-powdered dry bathbrick and soft linen rags. A little kerosene added to stove polish improves the lustre amazingly. After washing and drying windows, polish with a newspaper. To clean oilcloths, wash with warm skim milk. To clean paint, wash with a flannel cloth dipped into warm soapsuds, and then into whiting. It will remove all grease and dirt, and make the paint look like new.

LITTLE PRESENTS. Pretty covers for flower-pots may be madd of bamboo-canes, fastened together into the required shape, and either painted with Brunswick black or left au naturel. The bamboo framework may be lined with crimson cloth. Round the upper edge may be fastened a short, scalloped drape of olive-green cloth, pinked out at the edges, and bordered with chain-stitch in crimson or olive silk. Baskets for holding cottons may be easily made, and form a nice little present. Take the bottom half of a round collar-box as ft foundation. Line with blue silk, and orn*rnent outside with a band of Berlin or beadwork. Make a handle of a strip of cardboard, covered with silk and ornamented on the top with a Berlin-wool stripe. Fasten to the basket at each side, under a small rosette. I’here need be no cover. The reels should be fastened on the inside, revolving on a wire. Pretty lamp-mats can be made with all the scraps of ribbon you can collect. Cut out a round piece of cardboard the size required for mat. Cover it neatly with Turkey red, or anything else suitable. Cut your ribbon in small squares ; double each cornerwise ; fold and stitch with three pleats. Stitch the little pieces round the cardboard, choosing colors that will blend well. Repeat in rows, one a little below the other, until you have a border two or three inches deep. Finish off with n, lining. All sorts of scraps can thus be utilised. A snoaih for knitting-pins is made with two small round balls, such as oak-galls. Pie. -e through each a hole large enough to hold four pins. Through these holes pass a white elastic measuring about six inches; fasten at each end under a bow of ribbon, and tie another bow of ribbon in the centre of the elastic. For a pretty pin-cushion, make a small square cushion for the foundation; cover it with blue satin, puffed very full at the edges; for the top, make a square of satin, puffed in the centre, with a border of velvet, embroilered with blue and gold covered with silk. This border is sewn to the cover, which is edged with a quilled ruche of satin ribbon. The top is sewn to the cushion at each corner. For a small bag to hold wool or crewels, take two pieces of crash, fifteen inches long and eleven wide ; join together; work eyeletholes round each piece, lace woollen cord through and finish with tassels. The top is button-holed and drawn together with cord and tassels. A pocket should be placed on the outside for silk. It is herring-boned round and sewn to the bag. A pattern in crewels may be worked on the pocket. Some trifling article, such as the above, made as a little present, will often give as much pleasure as some handsome gift of intrinsic value, by showing the kindly thought and remembrance of the giver. (To be continued.)