Frills Fads & Foibles

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 178, 18 October 1927, Page 5

Frills Fads & Foibles

YOUR CLUB AND MINE

AN OPEN PAGE

Each Tuesday afternoon a corner will be reserved for original contributions of general interest to womenfolk. The subject matter is for you to choose—whatever topic Interests you may also be of interest or amusement to others, whether it be about your hobbies, experiences, or merely ; amusing musings about the ordinary round of the day. A book prize is offered weekly for ■ the best effort, which should be brief, i plainly written, and sent to “Your Club ; and Mine,” THE SUN, Auckland. The prize has been awarded to Miss K. M. Knight for the following article. THE WOMEN IN THE TRAIN j Night after night I sit and watch J them as they speed home in the train \ to their bairns. Smothered with par- J cels they sit —as dumb and patient as 1 faithful beasts of burden. Why is it, c I always wonder, that these women all c have the same humble, simple, toil- i worn faces? Is it that their lives are j founded on sacrifice, built with sacri- , flee, and crowned with sacrifice? They c are plainly, almost poorly, dressed, and i not one garment speaks of self-love. > From the big, queer-looking hats to the z ungainly shoes, every stitch has the “good-enough-for-mother” look. No thought or penny is spent on themselves. But in every package, bulky and slender, is a thought for someone £ else; father, baby, eldest girls—so unselfishly minding the little ones—all are j remembered in the parcels. Oh, these mothers of the outlying districts who r come to town to shop, are a noble i band. Always I feel that their rough r hands make my smooth ones look in- l efficient; that their strong, mended i shoes make mine shoddy; that their j. badly fitting, old-fashioned clothes t show my smarter ones up as tawdry, ‘ soulless rags. I feel like the little C wealthy girl in the “Golden Windows” I who said to the angel guide showing £ her through the streets of the Eternal £ City, “Who is that magnificently * dressed child coming toward us?” And * the angel told her the name of one 1 who had lived at the other end of her * street —one who had worn cast-off clothing and old rags. The rich child € was amazed, and she looked, with the € same eyes that beheld the other child’s J soul-robes, at her own stylish clothes * to compare them; and lo! her fine rai- * ment had vanished and she saw the robes of her own soul —threadbare, and poorer than the poor child’s rag's had * ever been on earth. I seem to see some quality of soul in these humble women that is lacking 1 in myself, and my heart is sad for their I little sacrifices that are never mine to ' make. I would, if I could, buy shoes * for them all —shoes that did not turn z up at the toes —and buy them new - hats so that the old ones could be pen- f sioned off. I would put spare money in their purses so that they never had to * scrape and screw for the little nice things they love to buy their children, and reward them openly for the things j they had sacrificed in secret. r . Do they know, I wonder, when I g watch them covertly over my Shakes- \ peare, what I am feeling about them? No, lam sure they don't. They would g not understand that in their faces is t a look of such divine patience and endurance that my little selfishnesses seem multiplied in their presence. And t their very humility would make it impossible for them to know that, sitting j by them in the train, I wish that I r could live my life differently; live less j for myself, and more as they live — t simply, and in great faith; in honour and integrity, and all cleanliness of ( spirit. g KATHLEEN M. KNIGHT. j t f TE AROHA METHODISTS J ANNUAL FAIR i The Te Aroha Methodists have just ' concluded a successful fair. The parish hall was crowded on several days during the week. The fair was opened by Mr. I F. W. Walters. A sum of £213 was col- - lected. i The stall-holders were:—Guild, Mes- , dames Henderson, Allen, Rayner, Gray - and Smith; groceries, Messrs. Saunders, J Fugi, Miss Herbert and the Bible class ( girls; flowers, Mesdames Martin and - Dent, and Miss Hague; Men’s stall, j Messrs. Rayner and Manners; Sunday ■< school, Miss Blackmore; ice cream and j cordials, Miss Gwen Jamieson; novelty, Mrs. Dukes and Miss Jamieson; cakes, Mesdames Dickson, Dearlove, Cullen and , Willis; fish pond and bran tub; Mrs. “ Stuck and Miss Dearlove, Betty Allen j and Jack Wilbe: sw’eets, Mrs. Roy Treb- j iles and Misses Pilkington and Wagstaff; tea roon\s in charge of Misses Eastwood, assisted by Mesdames Stanley, f Ward, Shannon, Eastw r ood, Walsh, Ed- j gar. Banks, Atkins and Misses Stewart and Lusby. Competitions were won as follows: — Nail driving (cake), M *s. Willis; shooting (hand-worked rug), Mr. Roy Trebles; shooting (gondola of sweets), Mr. Coque; skittles (doll’s house), Mr. H. Harvey; bulls head (raffia slippers), Mrs. Pierson; Sunday School sugar bag, over 11 years. Nellie Holden 1, Molly Billing 2, Rai Bovett highly commended; boy’s, benzine box, Keith Rayner 1, Gordon Wild 2, Jack Walsh highly commended. TE AROHA BENEVOLENT SOCIETY At the annual meeting of the Te Aroha Benevolent Society, over which Mrs. G. Hedge presided, there was a representative attendance. The balance sheet showed that after paying £l9 9s 6d a credit of £l4 14s 5d remained, i The following office-bearers were i elected:—Patron, the Mayor, Mr. R. Coulter; president, Mrs. G. Hedge; vice- ; presidents, Mesdames J. Meikle and j Friar; secretary, Mrs. Law; treasurer, Mrs. Atkins; committee, Mesdames Hamilton, Carroll, James, Hunger, Woodroofe. Cochrane and Sister Floyer.

KING COUNTRY JOTTINGS

The members of St. Joseph’s Guild Taumarunui gave a delightful socia evening to a number of friends in th< Foresters’ Hall, a happy time beinj; spent by everyone. Dancing occupiec the major portion of the proceedings and songs were contributed by Miss N. Slattery and the Rev. Father Duffy Community singing was taken ui whole-heartedly, and Mr. A. Ellinghan presided at the piano. A dainty suppei was served. The Matiere branch of the Plunkel Society held a very successful socia and dance, as a means of which ovei £ll was raised for the local funds The surrounding localities were wel represented, and visitors and guests spent a delightful evening Music for the dancing was supplied by Mrs. R. Kelly, extras being given by visitors. Mr. P. Petley, senr., was M.C. e • • A beautifully decorated hall, in conjunction with a wealth of colour in the numerous fancy dresses, made a lovely picture at the children’s fancy dress ball held at Hikimutu. Mr. C. Pittam, jnr., was M.C., and handled his exacting duties very tactfully. Proceedings opened with the grand march, which was performed most creditably by the children. A number of competitions resulted: Monte Carlo waltz, won by Noleen Bradley and Donald Hourigan; spot waltz, won by Irene Stebbings and Cyril Pittam. A pleasing supper was served at 10 o’clock, after which the adults indulged in dancing till the early hours. Music was supplied by Messrs. E. Thurston and E. Lewis. The Ohura Brass Band, which lias now reached a high state of efficiency under its conductor, Mr. E. Brady, gave a grand concert in aid of its funds, which benefited considerably. The hall was packed, and the lengthy programme enjoyed to the full. The band rendered “Westbury March,” “Dreaming Waltz.” “Invercargill,” and “Wairoa,” as selections, and the following ladies and gentlemen assisted in the repertoire: Pianoforte solo, Mrs. A. Armstrong; Highland fling, and “Chartreuse,” Miss Rita Geange; violin solo, “Mazur,” Miss K. Treacy; song, “That Old-fashioned Mother o’ Mine,” Rev. R. Day: song, “The Sunshine of Your Smile,” Mr. A. MacClure; pianoforte solo. “Dance Negre,” Mrs. R. B. Turnbull; song, “Pokarare,” Miss S. Campbell; duet, “Nocturne,” Rev. Day and Mr. A. MacClure; cornet solo, Mr. R. Brady; recitation, “Red MacGregor,” Mr. C. H. Speakman. The performers were called on for a number of encores, and the programme included a humorous sketch. Mr. C. H. Speakman, on behalf of the band, thanked all who had assisted with the concert, specially mentioning Mesdames R. B. Turnbull and A. Armstrong, who had played the numerous accompaniments. * * * Under the auspices of the Anglican Ladies’ Guild, the annual children’s plain and fancy dress ball at Kakahi was a most successful function, reflecting great credit on the organisers, and the secretary, Mrs. Baker. There was a large number of children in attendance, and the panorama of fancy costumes provided a delightful picture. Mr. C. Neilsen, with the. assistance of several ladies, carried out the duties of M.C., and the children performed the grand march and “Sir Roger de Coverley” in a very creditable manner. At 10 o’clock they received supper, and the floor was taken over by adult patrons, who enjoyed the dancing for several hours to music supplied by “The Merry Five” orchestra. • * * The big jockey event for ladies for the local season was the matjch between Taumarunui High School and the Manunui ladies, for the Bishara rose bowl. As a result of the contest High School will hold the coveted trophy for the season. The match was very even, as the winners scored only one goal. This was the result of some good work by Miss Carlson, as the peak of which Miss N. Aitken drove the ball home. High School did some further solid attacking, out the defence of the Manunui goalie, Mrs Grylls, frustrated all attempts tc score. Messrs. W. Fanthorpe and C Halliday were the referees. * * * Mrs. Crocker, senr., welcomed a number of guests at her residence, Kaitieke to a birthday party to her daughter-in-law, Mrs. F. Crocker. Those presem had a most delightful afternoon, competitions being won by Miss Edwards Mrs. Cole and Miss Crocker. Mrs Morgan secured a prize for gaining the most points in all competitions, ant consolation awards were received by Mrs. Gibbons and Mrs. Vanstone. A delightful afternoon tea was served and Miss Edwards pleased the guests with a vocal solo, and a number o 1 pianoforte selections. The hostess was warmly thanked for the pleasan afternoon. Sugar which has hardened into i solid mass during hot weather may b< very quickly restored by placing in wit] it a small piece of bread. Any lump: remaining will crumble easily. When stirring barley, sago, porridge etc., always use a fork; it will preven lumps.