IN TOWN AND SOCIAL OUT NEWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 223, 9 December 1927, Page 4

IN TOWN AND SOCIAL OUT NEWS

NOTES Mr. and Mrs. Roland, of London, and Miss M. Montague, of Matamata, are staying at the Albert Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. J. Moir, of Hamilton, are among those at the Royal Hotel. Mrs. H. Blythe, of Bannevirke, is among the guests at the Grand Hotel. Miss A. Scott, of Wellington, and Mrs. S. W. Rodgers and Miss A. Brennan, of Hamilton, are staying at the Hotel Cargen. m 9 * Mrs. Gibbons, of Melbourne, who has been staying in Auckland, leaves by the Marama to-day. * * • Miss Leetch, of the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission, will sail by the Marama for India to-day. Mrs. Lee, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Natusch, at Belmont, has arrived in Auckland. Mrs. J. H. Hammond, of Hamilton, is spending a short holiday at Mon Desir, Takapuna. Mrs. H. Gaud in is an Auckland visitor to Christchurch. * * * Mrs. B. Wake has returned to Hamilton after a visit to Auckland. Mrs. Sullivan is staying with her daughter, Mrs. F. W. Beehan, of Hamilton. BELMONT SOCIAL MEETING OF MOTHERS Members of the Belmont branches of the Mothers’ League, Plunket Mothers’ League and the Waitemata Women’s Progressive Association combined in their last meeting of the year and held a social in the St. Michael and All Angels’ Parish Hall yesterday afternoon. Nurse Goulstone gave an Interesting and instructive address on the care and welfare of young children. A baby show was held during the afternoon and a party of girls from Victoria College gave a number of poi dances.

In the evening a musical programme arranged by Mrs. A. Pawson, of Herne Bay, was given. ARTS AND CRAFTS PENWOMEN’S EXHIBITION Under the auspices of the Arts and Crafts section of the League of Penwomen, an interesting exhibition of work was held in the league rooms yesterday afternoon and evening. Miss Briar Gardner and Miss Connie Lloyd organised the exhibition* assisted by Miss Edith Melville and Miss W. Melville. Paintings, etchings and photographic studies, the work of Miss C. Lloyd and Miss O. Lloyd, were arrayed on one wall. A set of china daintily painted by Miss C. Lloyd was greatly admired, and a small stand of calendars, painted with peculiar figures by Miss Joyce Porter, was a centre of interest. An exhibition of fine barbola work by the Misses Briar Gardner attracted considerable attention. Leather work by Miss W. Melville and beaten copper, brass and pewter work by Miss Edith Melville was also appreciated. Pupils of Madame Edith Baird gave dance items during the afternoon and evening and little Betty Young contributed a song. INSTEAD OF PICTURES In modern schemes of furnishing and interior decoration, there is an increasing tendency to dispense with the

conventional artist’s picture, framed and hung upon the wall. Instead, it is often preferred to have plain bare walls, covered with a good quality “oatmeal” wallpaper, or with paper stippled or tinted with silver, rose or some other delicate tint. It is found that a plain wall surface, unbroken by either pattern or ornament, gives a wonderful effect of spaciousness and repose.

It is sometimes felt, however, that the omission of pictures creates a deficiency in the scheme of decoration; and several ingenious methods of obtaining the necessary pictorial interest have been evolved. One of these is the modern scenic wallpaper, which may be sumptuously decorated with romantic landscape or vistas that suggest a garden gay with flowers. With plain walls, the pictorial note is obtained in quite a variety of Ways. Choice pieces of ancient or modern pottery, decorated with conventional designs, . landscape or figure studies, are used extensively; so also are the beautiful pottery figures which have proved popular during the past five years or so. Then there are screens, in needlework, damask or painted leather; fire screens, pole screens, four-fold and eight-fold draught screens. Some of the latter are extraordinarily beautiful; they are painted in oil colours with scenes representing eighteenth century life or with oriental designs in lacquer.

Another idea which is popular just now is the use of decorative trays with lacquer work in the style of Queen Anne or floral pictures after the manner of the eighteenth century. The beauty of these trays, in many instances, makes them suitable solely for decorative purposes. But, although so highly decorative, they may, of course, be used for afternoon tea, for one of the signs of really good lacquer is the fact that a hot teapot will cause no injury to its surface.

The surfaces of these trays are covered in a very fascinating manner with a network of fine cracks, so that even an expert could scarcely distinguish them from antique originals. This process is the technical secret of a handful of craftsmen, and it adds considerably to the refinement and charm of the work. Trays of this kind provide really adequate substitutes for ordinary framed pictures; they are far cheaper, and they are also able to fulfil a practical pin-pose. G. 8.8. Instead of using powder to tvhiten neck, arms, etc., mix two tablespoons of rose-water and glycerine with one dessertspoon of peroxide. Use it twice a week and on special evenings, such as dances, parties, etc.