FRILLS FADS & FOIBLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 155, 21 September 1927, Page 5

FRILLS FADS & FOIBLES

JUNIOR RED CROSS WORK IN OTHER LANDS

In Catania, in the south of Italy, a Junior Red Cross group carried on an activity—providing: poor children with a drink of milk each morning, states the "Journal.”

Another activity of the Italian Junior Red Cross is to send delicate children t 0 summer camps. The activity carried on by Junior Red Cross children at Perugia, an old tQ wn in the centre of Italy, demonstrates the intense love of music which is such a feature of the Italian temperament. For here the juniors come to the aid of promising young singers who are too poor to have tb eir talents trained, and provide fund;* to allow them to be taught. knows? Perhaps seme day a world-famous singer, who will thrill all countries with the wonder of their voice, will be able to say that it is due the gift of the Junior Red Cross children of Perugia!

A:i Albanian school secured 500 small surface feeding fish which are considas helpers to prevent malaria, as they feed on the larvae of the mosquito. These were released in mosquito-in-'ested pools, and are increasing rapidly, * and further ponds are being stocked Jdth them. The children were all memoers of the Junior Red Cross, and were inspired to do the work by the knowof the harm malaria brings in its train.

PARISIANS ADOPT THE WIG

In this day of rush and social engagements no woman has the time or inclination to fuss with either an elaborate coiffure or to be constantly making appointments for a marcel wave, says Monsieur Manuel, the noted Parisian hairdresser. So he has created the transformation or light modern wig, which shows not the slightest intimation of falseness. It is surprising how many women there are to-day who wear this charming bit of artifice, and they don’t care a bit who knows it. As a matter of fact, the modern transformations are extremely fashionable, and it is not unusual for a smart woman to own several in different colours and styles. They are exceedingly light in weight, and made of naturally wavy hair secured from the peasant women of Switzerland, who are noted for the sheen and quality of their hair. This hair is fashioned into the most adorable wigs, which fit over the bobbed head to perfection. In this way, of course, one may enjoy her bob for - time if she chooses, secure in the knowledge that her more formal or evening coiffure is dressed and ready to put on at a moment’ notice. The moaern wigs and transformations of silver hair are much in vogue, and they have the most surprising way of addin youth and beauty to the wearer.

In smart resorts on the Continent many silver-blonde and even mauvcoloured wigs are worn constantly in the evenings. A beautiful woman seen at the Casino in Deauville last summer varied her appearance each night by changing not only the style, but the colour of her coiffure. The consternation she created was most amusing, and to each change of transformation her entire mood responded. One particularly attractive wig of golden brown was made with a soft bang and sufficient long hair to secure a lovely soft line at the back by means of a swirl pinned to one side. The silverhaired wig was bobbed, and softened and refined the face in charming fashion.

This style innovation has proven a great success, and the well-dressed woman of to-day is wearing the modern transformation as she wears a

little rouse: for it improves the appearance of an already lovely face and beautifies the contours of the head. Each wig is a wonder of careful work everv single hair being crocheted in gauze, and the whole being carefully washed, combed and oiled in the perfect condition of natural hair. Just enough natural wave to meet the demands of the exquisitely dressed woman —or, if one prefers, the bobbed wig can be as curly as one chooses.

CHILDREN’S PARTY AT MILFORD

A GREAT SUCCESS A most enjoyable plain and fancy dress children’s party in aid of the funds for improvements to the school grounds at Takapuna and Milford, was held at the Picturedrome, Milford Road, last evening. The hall, which was kindly lent by Mr. Speedy, was gaily decorated with streamers, Chinese lanterns and coloured electric lights. About 300 children took part in the grand march at 7.30 p.m., when the various prize-winners were selected. The judges were faced with a most difficult task which they ably carried out. The following awards were made: Tiny Tots: Miss Joy Hart (Flower Pot), Master Graham Johns (Brigand), Special, Miss Phylis Clouston (Chicken). Most Original Girl: Isobel Duckworth (Violets); Boy: Mick Chester (Samoan Chief), the most popular award of the evening. Best Character: Miss Joy Cummings (Lantern); Master Trevor Tisdall (The Rash Young Man who Kissed Someone Ease’s Girl). Prettiest Girl: Billie Nicks (Early Victorian); Boy: John Bull (Chinaman). Cheapest and Most Effective Dress: Miss Molly Ward (Flower); Master Brian Hall (Flour Bag). Items during the evening included a ballet dance by Miss Joan Warren and a character sketch by Mr. Hill. A film comedy, starring Felix, the children’s favourite, was followed by games and supper, provided by the parents. The fund is expected to benefit by over a hundred pounds through last night’s entertainment.

A the-dansant toilette of exceptional attraction is this one of black taffetas with a box-pleated skirt and the modish bolero worn over a biouse of white chiffon spotted with green. Black taffetas and spotted chiffon fashion also the becoming little hat.

BACHELORS’ BALL The Greenhithe Hall was again a scene of gaiety on Saturday evening, when a bachelors’ ball was held. Despite the inclement weather the hall was well filled and the guests included quite a few from the city. Special mention is due of Mr. Ralph Cahill for the very beautiful and novel scheme of decoration, an immense engagement ring, suspended from the ceiling, being a special feature. Among those present were Mesdamcs Andrews, Waite, Collins, Dennis, Hockenhull and Bayliss; Misses E. Coulam. F. Coulam, P. Andrews, W. McKenzie, E. Peachey, P. Peachey, J. Grist, M. Sexton, E. Hockenhull, L. Hockenhull, Hick, Eyre and Crozier; Messrs. F. Rose, E. Colebrook, F. Waite, A. Coulam, P- Coulam, S. Hockenhull, A. Andrews, R. Cahill, C. Jonkers, M. Sexton, M. Andrews, D. Davison and L. Sayers. The M.C.’s for the evening were Messrs. F. Waite and A. Coulam. Altogether the whole evening was voted an outstanding success and without a doubt the jolliest dance of the season. FOUR-YEAR-OLD PASSENGER BY AIRPLANE Probably the youngest single air passenger on record, a four-year-old boy, was recently booked by the Swedish Aerotransport Company. The company has just celebrated the completion of 1,000,000 kilometres flown by its traffic planes since 1924, without a single passenger having been hurt or any accident recorded. The four-year-old passenger was booked by his parents for a flight from Stockholm to Kalmar, in the south of Sweden. His parents had to send him alone, and dared not do so by train or by boat, and therefore decided to send him by air. The youthful passenger was delighted with his experience, and in a couple of hours was safely delivered to his relatives in Kalmar

Mundane Musings

Adventurous Eyes

The world is full of eyes that are looking for adventure. Have you ever paused to think about them? Young eyes, sly eyes, bold eyes, timid eyes. Eyes that ask, and eyes that give. Eyes that blink quickly when you look at them, hiding their eagerness with discreet lids, with lashes. Eves that stare back at you. Are you ready for Adventure?” say the eyes that stare. . .. + Perhaps it is only for a minute that they flash that message at you, tind then it is as though you were looking at blankness again. The face of a stranger, with blank eyes. Peoples eyes, through them you get nearer to their souls than by any other way. I had an argument with someone the other day about whitch feature in the face most betrayed character. He said: “The eyes can lie, but the lines of the mouth when he or she do not know that they are being watched are a complete give away.” * * •

But I think the eyes of a stranger tell you far more than all the rest of his or her personality. Because our eyes do not bother to tell lies to the outside world. If it is someone we love whom we are looking at, or someone whose love we desire, that is a different thing. Then our eyes are mirrors for what they want to see. But. the people we meet in train or bus, or walking along the pavement, we do not practise deception for their benefit, or they for ours. Hard, eager, soft, mirthful, sad; blue eyes, grey eyes, brown eyes, green eyes, gold-coloured eyes, just for a moment we look into their souls, they look into ours.

“Are you looking for Adventure? I am.”

Sometimes one turns round to stare after them. Sometimes one feels oddly fluttered, as though just for that passing second soul had spoken to soul. X<ove comes like that, we think. In romantic novels it quite often does. “I did but see her passing by, and yet I love her till I die.” I do not know that it really comes very often like that in real life. Real life is so complex, so bound about with traditions and the right way to do things. And Adventure is not a good corner stone for Matrimony. But Adventure is the thing for which Youth most longs.

It is the young eyes that are essentially adventurous. The eyes of the old are weary and disappointed, or else they are filled with a deep, untroubled peace. If you meet eyes like those, it is as though the soul behind them said: “Why all this hurry, this ceaseless search for adventure? It leads nowhere. Contentment comes from within.”

The eyes of children are clear and starlike. They stare at everyone and everything. Their eyes are one sharp question. “What is Life?” they ask. They have not started to look for Adventure, not yet, because all life is to them an adventure.

The eyes of very young girls are like windows with fine muslin curtains. They are curiously withdrawn from life. They are more completely egotistical than any other human being. Boys* eyes are eager, questioning, searching here, there and everywhere for adventure, knowledge, but a young girl’s are unreadable. She is looking at herself all the time. No adventure is of any interest except the adventure bf her own heart.

They say, people who know about ]these things, that at the present moment a great wave of unrest, a. kind of shiver of premonition, is passing over the civilised world. Men and women are restless, turning eagerly from this interest to that, snatching jat pleasure, smashing up ideals, building up new ones, hurying, twisting, scrambling, in a fight for existence, much as women fight with immense indignity to get on to an over-full bus. Perhaps it is this unrest that makes adventurous eyes. So many of them, flitting past in the streets, sitting opposite one in bus or train, staring at one for a moment across some crowded space at dance or theatre. “Are you ready for Adventure? I a.m.” MAYORESS LIBRARY LEAGUE BEQUEST OF £2OO At the last executive meeting of the Mayoress War Memorial Library I-ieague, at which Mrs. A. D. Campbell presided, an intimation was given of the welcome gift of £2OO from Mr. E. McNair. Mr. McNair, whose interest in the league has always been highly appreciated by the members, desires that this should form the nucleus of a capital fund, and with this end in view his gift stipulates that the interest only shall be availabel as income. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. McNair for his generosity. APPEAL FOR BOOKS Miss Alice Basten, secretary of the Library League, has suggested that in view of the imminence of the season of household spring-cleaning, the opportunity should be taken to select books to be placed at the disposal of the committee. Miss Basten writes:—“ln addition to the ordinary reading matter, we have some very pathetic appeals from the backblocks for medical works suitable for the instruction of housewives, and also for books, etc., on the care and nursing of babies, dressmaking, gardening and poultry-raising, and we shall esteem it a favour if the more privileged city dwellers can help us in this direction. A further appeal on behalf of native children in the Cook Islands is made for pieces of material, coloured cottons, wool, etc., suitable for teaching the children sewing. Almost any scraps will do. It is a great boon to the schoolmasters to receive small parcels, especially as it helps to tide over the very desolate hurricane season of four months, which is now fast approaching, when there is no communication with the outside world.’

All contributions should be addressed to the Town Hall.

FLOWERS FOR THE MILLION BURLEIGH It adds special interest to rambles and walks, either in the suburbs or in country lanes, if we study the flowers, trees and grasses we pass on our way. Even in the city parks as you saunter along with a friend, it is a good idea to find out which of you knows most of the names of plants and birds. It is really surprising when one comes to think of it, how very little even well-informed people know of the commonest things of Nature, if any one of these can be regarded as common or ordinary.

The value of wild flowers for decoration is not nearly so well-known as it ought to be, but the fact that they can be had for nothing often prevents our appreciating them. I was having tea with a friend s recently, and she had all the flower glasses in her room filled -with buttercups and they looked very charming ? indeed. Marsh marigolds, white mari guerites combined with grasses or s forget-me-nots, foxgloves and wild parsley and scabious, can all make 5 a very effective display. i The smaller varieties, like vetches 1 ragged robin and wild roses, which B should be pulled in bud, lend themo selves equaly for the adornment of the “ table in small bowls or low vases. PRESERVING FLOWERS 1 , It is wise to pick these either before i

- the sun is up, or in the cool of the s evening. Sometimes one is much disy appointed after carrying a big and s lovely bunch of wild flowers home, to find that they look utterly dejected and d good for nothing, but if you will only r put them :in a pail or deep jug in cold - water, they will revive in a very short g time. If you are desirous of preserving a r collection of flowers as a souvenir of d the different places you have visited, e it is not necessary to possess a vasculum such as botanists use. A small 5 , spill basket will serve very well, if it h is lined with damp moss. The flowers - should be perfect specimens of their e kind, and it is wise to gather several of each species so that you may have a selection. If varieties of leaves, mosses and grasses are included, then e the collection is all the more inter- - esting. A small portfolio, easily made at home, or a thin book, oblong in shape, and fairly large in size, having I perforated covers and handles for car- | rying, is also useful for the more delio j cate blossoms, which should be placed y therein with the tenderest care, every' s j petal and leaf gently smoothed and j laid perfectly flat. j If you do not possess anything of n the kind, then you can make one by ! cutting the covers from an old dress

box and simply slip inside 20 or more sheets of blotting, or botanical paper. SUNNY MEMORIES Should your treasures have faded by' the time they arrive at their destination. sprinkle them lightly with lukewarm w r ater and place in water in the coolest part of the house. If you want to get to work soon, snip an inch or so off the stems, and place the flowers in hot water for an hour or two. Sheets of blotting paper serve best for pressing. Arrange each flower and leaf as carefully, naturally and artisti- ’ cally as possible. See that you do not overcrowd your specimens. put one sheet on top of another, and subject j them to a certain amount of pressure, light at first and gradually increasing las the process goes on. If the plants are of the succulent order, then the. | blotting paper should be changed ! every’ day. j When you are satisfied that the 1 plants are perfectly dry and thoroughly pressed, then mount them on separate ! sheets, and either write the names j underneath or affix little strips of paper. It is pleasant, too, to put on j recoid the place of collection.