THE SUN Classified Advts.

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 17, 11 April 1927, Page 5

THE SUN Classified Advts.

Bring Buyer and Seller Together

MEMS. FOR WOMEN MOTORISTS GEAR-CHANGING ETHICS There are some women motorists who imagine they would enjoy their pastime much more if it were not necessary to fumble about so much with gears and gear levers. Yet gear changing without even a scrape is a simple enough operation—when one knows how to do it. Since the discovery of double-declutching, by some unknown benefactor to motorists, a clean gear change can be effected by anyone after only a little practice. The method of ensuring a clean gear change by double-declutching is briefly as follows: The car is running uphill on top gear. On the first indication that the speed is slackening take the top of the gear lever lightly but firmly between the fingers, then depress and keep down the clutch pedal with the left foot, then push the gear level into neutral, then let the clutch pedal up again, then depress the clutch pedal again and at the same time give the accelerator pedal a jab with your right foot; wait for three seconds, then push the gear lever lightly and swiftlv into the lower gear and let the clutch pedal come up slowly and smoothly. The method has been described in somewhat rule of thumb fashion, and it looks a long and involved operation, but in point of fact it is nothing of the sort and is performed almost automatically after a little practice. Points to bear in mind are that some cars require a longer pause than others i*fter the accelerator pedal is jabbed and that in some cases the gears mesh more noiselessly if the gear lever is Pushed into the lower gear position more leisurely; but if the method described is followed the driver will soon discover whether the quick way or the slow way suits her gear-box better. THE VOGUE OF GLASS The charm of good coloured glass is fieing appreciated at its full worth by flie neo-Georgian generation. Some ttie smartest dinner tables owe all their decorative effects —including the centrepiece— to the fashion that is being sponsored both in high society a °d in artistic circles. Wine glasses a nd finger bowls in flaming orange, in a lovely clear crimson, in pure primrose yellow, j n m j S ty blues and greens, ♦h C two contr tbutory items to the tneme. Venetian glass candlesticks, himniering with gold and ornamented round the pedestal with a ring ' coloured glass fruits, play an fQuafly important role in the ensemble, bo does the centrepiece, a masterpiece 1 art that reconciles us to the ab•enco of natural flowers and makes an , . s Phtable claim for artistic artificial , . lc ' Typical of the new main deeorh ve rootif is the shallow crystal bowl neaped up with vivid glass fruits, or ' ere d with exquisite pink glass roses ‘ na Sreen glass leaves, lit from below wa conceal cd electric bulbs. Or by exquisite variation, there are • J trees with diminutive scarlet ber- ® a " in glass—and lovely single that include water lilies and \v*?i S as Nvell as roses. ' Vlth the dinner table thus setting in* J? r , evailiri £» mode, it is not surpris,at ° ur newest boutonniere is also fashioned of fine-spun glass.

MUSSOLINI AS DRESS REFORMER THE TRUE FACTS An interesting story lies behind the report recently published that Mussolini was seeking to institute a reform in women’s dress. In the dim bygones, several towns of Italy had a prominent place in the world of women’s fashions. Mantua. Venice, Genoa, to say nothing of Florence and Rome, were once able to issue fashion’s decrees even to France and Germany. Many beauties at foreign courts imitated the Italia/* ladies in the style of velvet corsages and the exact line of lace “jabots.” The brocades, patiently wrought by skilful Italian hands, were worldfamous, too. Probably visions of those exquisite garments, worn of old, crossed Mussolini’s mind more than once. All the more so since there lives a genius in Florence who has literally given herself up to the revival of ancient Italian fashions. She has secured the old secret of stamping gold designs o 1 chiffon velvet, crepe-de-chine and georgette, and women of all nationalities flock to her salons in Rome and Florence. Incidentally it might be mentioned that her prices are not at all exorbitant. The other day I saw a lovely evening wrap, carried out in dove-grey velvet and pale mauve georgette, covered throughout by a cunning “Medici” design of intertwined leaves and roses in soft mellow gold. The garment cost something less thru £7 7s.

The Duce went to that famous designer. Naturally nothing he does ever remains unkown to the public. The report spread that Mussolini was trying to carry through a reform in women’s dress. I made it my business to ascertain the true facts. Was iv true that the women of Italy were ti> have no more freedom in the choosing of their clothes? Were they all to dress uniformly, and what was the uniform to be? My friend from whom I sought authoritative intormation laughed the questions away. “Yes, Mussolini did go to Madame ,” mentioned the famous designer by name, “and he did consult her about the advisability of urging the Italian women to adopt some kind of a national costume. But, my dear. Madame is a woman to her finger-tips. She. is wise in her trade, too. She just told the Duce that the scheme was utterly impossible, and Mussolini never again referred to the idea. She told him that he might go on changing the laws of a whole nation, but ‘never the heart of a single woman.” He was wise enough to see that she was right.” A NOVEL SKIRT BODICE Most women appreciate the comfort and convenience of the skirt hung upon a silk bodice. The only drawback is the trouble entailed in taking the skirt off and putting it back again when the top requires laundering. That difficulty has been overcome in a novel interlocking webbing which is attached to many of the new skirts. It works on the same principle as the jiffy fastening found on men's tobacco pouches and some handbags, but there is no metal about it. A single pull of the cord, and the bodice is detached from the skirt. A reverse action, and the two are joined together again, moreover it is quite safe in wear as the two parts cannot become accidentally* detached.