FEMININE REFLECTIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 149, 14 September 1927, Page 5

FEMININE REFLECTIONS

THE “TOUCH OF GOLD” Tln»re is* just now a great feeling lor ;i "touch of gold” in household decoration as well as in dress. Without knowledge and artistry, however, it is * as Y to produce a garish and even vuleffect by its introduction into a room. Here are some suggestions "hieh may help the housewife to use 11 successfully: The ceiling cornice will be redeemed Iron | .ts crude whiteness if the raised Portions be heightened with gold, and toe background delicately tinted biscuit or grey. The same treatment may oe applied to the central ornament, the 'caves of the design being coloured P** l ® green. . Thin streaks of gold on the mouldings of doors and skirtings will throw jnto relief the colour of the paintwork. The shelves of cabinets and bookcases similarly display fine lines of Sliding with excellent effect. Such touches convey character, where other*ise an might be rather banal. Numerous gold chairs are anathema those who appreciate the intimate clement in furnishing; but a single cnair of gilt cane, or even a gilt settee, uh pillows covered in old velvet, can nardly fail to create a fine effect against other furniture of more severe ?***- Old Empire furniture, with -oui or ormolu ornaments, brings with 1 a note of elegance very difficult to -Mual in the trappings of other periods. One cushion covered in gold tissue, among a number in plain silks of dilfJTent colours, brings the whole into <*us, but mare than one such cushion °uld appear too ornate. If when making jam tarts you dip e spoon into m l ; before using it for j'c jam there will be no trouble with U Q Jam sticking

WOMEN’S POLITICAL ASSOCIATION

“ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN NEW ZEALAND” ADDRESS BY DR. E. P. NEALE Calling his address “Social and Economic Conditions in New Zealand,” Or. E. p. Neale, secretary to the Chamber of Commerce, dealt with a multitude of subjects when he addressed the Women’s Political Association last evening. Commencing with the period immediately following the Maori Wars, Dr. Neale elaborated on the manner in which the Southern gold rushes and their subsequent petering-out had quickly inflated and as quickly deflated the South Island population. In contrast to this he pointed out that the North Island, with its genial climate and great farming potentialities had steadily built up a solid population, so. that now, instead of the majority of the inhabitants of New Zealand being in the South Island, 62 per cent, of the total population of New Zealand was found in the North Island. From the question- of transitory versus permanent populations. Dr. Neale switched to superfluous women, showing that even in this: respect the North Island was in a happier position than the South, for whereas in Dunedin and Christchurch the surplus females numbered 6,000, in Auckland they were but 5,000, and in Wellington only 1,000, despite the infinitely larger population of these towns. Then followed mention of the rapid growth of the dairying industry and the speaker’s expression of his conviction that, there was still room, in the Waikato district particularly, for more i farmers, as the average farm there i was rather larger in size than the most economical land area to work. The growth of the dairying industry was traced backwards for 40 years to the introduction of the refrigerating process, to which was attributable the increase in the Dominion’s exports of butter, cheese and meat. Timber, the first natural wealth to attract people to the shores of New Zealand, was then spoken of, Dr. Neale mentioning that as early as 1794 vessels began to come here with people attracted by the timbqr to be obtained. The speaker pointed out that we have now ceased to be a selfsufficing country, in so far as our timber supply is concerned, as timber can be imported from the Pacific Coasts of America at prices with which we cannot compete. With the rapid growth of the number of motor-cars used in New Zealand our imports from countries outside Great Britain have increased enormously, a fact that is chiefly attributable.to the cheapness of mass production of motor-cars in America. So with the oils used for driving them and so also with many varieties of electrical machinery. gramophones, and of more recent years, radio appliances. While on the subject of oils and locomotive power, Dr. Neale spoke of the revolution that has been brought about in the methods of transportation in the various cities of New Zealand, and concluded his address with a discussion of the merits and demerits of tramcars and buses. PAPATOETOE GIRL GUIDES ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of St. John’s Girl Guides, Papatoetoe, was held in St. John’s Sunday School, Station Road on Monday afternoon, when there was a good attendance. Mrs. A. B. Jameson, president, occupied the chair. The balance sheet showed the finances of the club to be well on the credit side, and the annual report made mention of the good work being done by the company, special mention being made of Miss D. Barton, captain, Miss D. Death, lieutenant, and Miss H. Bewes, brown owl. The winning of the basketball cup by this company was also spoken of in congratulatory terms. At the present time the company is up to full strength. A Brownie pack has lately been formed in Papatoetoe, and has 22 names on its roll. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing officers, for the interest displayed in the welfare of the company. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows; —President, Sirs. A. B. Jameson; vice-presi-dents. Mescames Bewes, Roseveare, McFarlane, Nicholson; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Richards: committee, Mesdames Valentine, Grinter, Leonard, Robinson, Gow, Davis, Gubb, Hemphill, Shaw and Parker-Hill. The vinegar often left in a mixed pickle jar when the pickles are finished can be used To give piquancy to Irish stew or stewed mutton. Add a teaspoon or so just before serving. If. when oiling the sewing machine, a small screw drops into an awkward j place it will be easy to pick up if you use a stick with some vaseline on the i end of it-

AVONDALE FIRE BRIGADE LADIES ENTERTAINED One of the most successful balls held in Avondale was given to the women of the district by the local fi.re brigade on Monday evening. It marked the passing of the brigade from local to city control. The social committee of the brigade, on whom the onus of perfecting arrangements fell, were more than rewarded by the success attending their efforts. To Paltridge’s Orchestra a deal of the pleasure of the evening was due the six instrumentalists responding to repeated encores. The supper, supplied by the Avondale bakeries, also played an important part ill the success achieved. To the M’s.C., Messrs. Hooker, Heron and Walters, kudos was also liberally bestowed for their untiring efforts in seeing that everybody enjoyed themselves. Not a few of the couples came from the city and surrounding districts and the clocks had long since chimed midnight ere the reluctant throng took their leave and were transported home by community car. Members of the brigade were pleased to have their friends of long standing. Mr. and Mrs. Pendlebury, with them on the occasion of their crowning effort.

DISFIGURING GREASE SPOTS HOW TO REMOVE THEM Most women fly to petrol as a greaseremover, and, setting about the task without knowledge, they probably succeed in removing the spot, and leaving a ring or mark upon the material which is worse than the original disfigurement. Here are some hints on taking out grease spots: REMOVING GREASE FROM SILK Lay a thick piece of clean woollen cloth, or old blanket, upon a clean deal table; upon this place the stained fabric, very smoothly and with the right side downwards. Having spread a sheet of brown paper on the top, apply an iron just hot enough to scorch the paper. A few seconds’ application of the iron is usually sufficient. Now rub the stained part briskly with a Riece of clean, whitish-brown paper. A WONDERFUL REMOVER Another way of removing grease spots is by the use of eucalyptus oil. However delicate the fabric this will remove grease or oil without injury of any kind. FROM CREPE DE CHINE To cleanse crepe de chine from grease or oil, lay a little carbonate of magnesia on the stains; hold the material in front of a fire for a minute and then gently rub the magnesia off with cotton wool. You will find the stain has disappeared. Still another way to remove grease marks from delicate fabrics is to sprinkle them quickly on the wrong side with French chalk. Leave the chalk until it has absorbed all the grease. Then shake it off and press the fabric gently on the wrong side with a warm, not hot,, iron. SOILED COAT COLLARS An excellent paste for removing grease or soiled .spots from men’s coat collars, etc., is made of one dessertspoonful of pearline and a cupful of hot water. Let these boil for a few minutes; pour into a small jar and keep at hand for emergencies. To remove ink spots from coloured materials, apply thick mixed mustard. Allow it to remain on the spots for 24 hours, then rinse the article well in cold water. When making meringues, better results can be obtained if a pinch of cream of tartar is added to the whites of eggs when, half beaten.

Mundane Musings

Adolescent Grandpas

The adolescent Grandmas have had such a long innings that it is really time the adolescent Grandpas had a look in. Personally, I think they score considerably over their feminine prototypes. Not to beat about the bush of femininist subtleties, but to go straight to the assertion of simple fact, they are infinitely less selfcentered. Your adolescent Grandma is out to prove to the world that anno domini cannot get her down. Your adolescent Grandpa, au contraire, is out to prove nothing. He is more than content to be —his own delightful self. He is modest to the point of irresistable humility. He is perpetually and humbly grateful for the companionship of real youth as distinct from the new-young species. Youth in terms of nursery five-year-olds. He is ever so much more genuinely interested in toy engines than is the adolescent Grandma in her grand-daughter’s dolls. Youth,—the genuine product in all its phases, is his spontaneous friend. His grey hair uncamouflaged, and carrying his honest enbonpoint with a philosophical smile, he takes the floor at the dancings with the sweet-and-twenty belle of the ball. While the young bloods, with less of philosophy and much more of a less commendable attribute, approach the adolescent Grandmas, pandering to their enslaved vanity, the adolescent Grandpa inhales the fresh joie-de-vivre of neo-Georgian emancipation. For neo-Georgian young women, like those of all times and a.ll nations, succumb to masculine sincerity, and are alienated by feminine artificiality and falseness. While the adolescent Grandmas insist on® being one with the younger generation, the adolescent Grandpas are content to mingle with them in their own natural role; and natural youth hails them as its fairy godfathers. Adolescent Grandmas have no use for the fairy godmother relationship. The immeasurable distance between sympathy and envy marks the difference between the adolescence of Grandpas and Grandmas. That is why the former are honoured, though unsung.

WOMEN’S DIVISION OF N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

A well-attended meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held on Friday afternoon, when Mrs. Duxfield, the branch delegate to occupied the chair. At the conclusion of the ordinary business and after the aims and objects of the division had been explained, Mrs.D uxfield, the branch delegate to the Dominion conference held in Wellington recently, gave a short account of her visit there. It was decided to hold a street stall in Hamilton in the near future for the purpose of raising funds for immediate use in the district. It is also hoped that the women’s division will be able to establish a members’ library, an entirely separate project from the book club, which was established for the purpose of supplying parcels of books to the back-blocks. That book club, the membership fee to which is 2s 6d per annum. is doing splendid work, but at all times the need of more books is felt, and parcels maj at any time be left with Miss Bell, the secretary. Boundary Road, Claudelands. Meetings of the women’s division will be held at 1.30 p.m. on the first Tuesdays in each month, and all interested are urged to attend. The meetings will be held in the Hood Street building. It is the intention of the Hamilton branch to re-open the Hood Street rest-room shortly for the use of farmers’ wives.

CHILDREN’S FANCY DRESS BALL A pretty fancy dress ball was held for children in the Manurewa Theatre, in aid of St. Luke’s Church. There was a. large attendance, the children looking very gay in their fancy costumes. Decorations of multi-coloured streamers hanging from the centre of the hall added to the gaiety of the evening. The supper room and tables were prettily decorated in mauve and green. The grand march which was held during the evening proved a very popular item, over 100 couples taking part. The following is the list of prizewinners:—Under seven. Patricia and Moira White, ladies of the 18th century, Maxwell Wood and Marie Wrightson, chickens. Boys: Jackie Moore, cowboy; Allen Rogers, penguin; over seven, Inez West, shepherdess: Kathleen Farrell, carnival; boys, Selwyn Hawthorn. jester; Murray Machen, danger signals. Special prizes were awarded to Noreen White and Ronald 'Wilcox, bride and bridepi errette; Marjorie Weedall, Miss 1820; Lenor Lupton, butterfly; Pearl Kim-

ber, Bonnie Prince Charles; Nancy Mitchell Indian squaw. The following is the list of fancy costumes: Pearl Kimber, Bonnie Prince Charles; Jean Harp, Miss America; Lenor Lupton, butterfly; Jack Wrightson, pierrot; Maxwell Wood, chicken; Jack Moore, cowboy; Ralph Jenkins, Eastern page; Jean Hallett, sweet lavender; Mina Keri, rosebud; Rita Harrison, frills; Doreen Esdale. patches; Ina West, shepherdess; Gladys Langley, French doll; Daisy Harries, Indian boy; Gordon Hawthorn, French clown; Evelyn Middleton, knitting bag; Noeline Brown, pack of cards; Leslie Robertson, pierrot; Billie Butterworth, Red Indian; Peggy McKinley, fairy queen; Tommy Corin, country clown; Beverly Corin, Kentucky boy: Sybil Hallett, forget-me-not; Nola Young, oranges and lemons; Phoebe Targett, pierrette; Moira White, lady 18th century; Douglas Harp, Uncle Sam; Minnie Targett, forget-me-not; Duncan Robertson, pirate; Eileen Goodison, Indian princess; Jill McMahon, a slave girl; Bruce Johnstone, cowboy rustler; Ngaire Duffy, Jacky Coogan; Florence Farrer, dancing girl; Nancy Mitchell, Red Indian girl; Selwvn Clarke, pierrot; L. Collie, dwarf: Elaine Walters, Christmas cake; Clyde Mclnnes, Chinaman; Phyllis Rogers, rose; Allan Young, jack of hearts; Lily Pickett, buy British goods; Gladys Angrove, a bat; Esma Young, the glad eyes; Joan de Cartert, folly; Kitty Harris, night; Heather Finlay son, Christmas tree; Gwenyth MacDermott, Pierrette; Marjorie XVeedall, Miss 1820; Iris Palmer, pierrette. If thick materials are pressed on a board without an ironing-blanket, seam marks are much less likely to arise from amateur pressing. Of course the usual precaution of a damp cloth between iron and garment must be observed. The patent-leather covering wooden heels often gets chipped. To hide the defect, paint the wood that shows with a good black stove-enamel. Let this dry thoroughly, then polish in the usual way, and the defect will be quite unnoticeable.