IN TOWN AND OUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 241, 31 December 1927, Page 14

IN TOWN AND OUT

NOTES

7 fam®L Klim

Mrs. T. Collet Cooper is a visitor to Auckland, and is the guest of Mrs. H. R. Bloomfield of St. Stephen’s Avenue. Mrs. C. Magnus and Mrs. Griffin, of Wellington, who have been staying in Auckland at the Grand Hotel, have left for a visit to Hamilton and Rotorua. Mr. and Mrs. J. Fenton have left Auckland for Melbourne, where they intend to make their future home. * * * Mr. and Mrs. Hawke, who have been staying in Auckland, left yesterday on their return to Christchurch. * * * Mrs. J. J. Robertson, of Oroua Downs, acompanied by her small son and daughter, is in Auckland, and is staying with her mother, Mrs. J. Phelan, of Franklin Road. Mrs. Johnstone, who is the president of the Perth branch of the Victoria League, is visiting Auckland, and is staying with Mrs. Sewell, of Mountain Road, Epsom. # « # Mrs. George Baird, of Colstoun, England, sister of the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, reached Wellington by the Ruahine yesterday. * * * Mr. Justice Herdman, with Mrs. ( Her dm an. and Miss J. Herdman, returned from Rotorua to-day. * * * Major and Mrs. F. "Wood, of Napier, are visiting Auckland. • • n Mrs. Van Staveren is visiting her mother, Mrs. J. H. Keesing, of "W anganui East. * * * Miss Carruth, of Whangarei, is visiting Auckland. * * * Miss F. Hogan is on a visit to Christchurch. * * • Miss A. Ramsay is a visitor to Christchurch. * * • Miss E. Milns is the guest of Miss Adele Seay, of Merivale, Christchurch. • m • Mr. and Mrs. A. Y. Millar, of Lower Hutt, are visiting Auckland. • o * Mrs. E. Henderson, of Narrow Neck, is spending a holiday at Geraldine. • * • Miss M. Shean left by the Ulimaroa on a short visit to Sydney. Miss E. Murray, of Christchurch, is a visitor to Auckland. Miss Hetherington, of Christchurch, is a visitor to Auckland. * * * Mrs. Jacobs, of Wanganui, is on a visit to Auckland. * * * Mrs. A. G. Wood, of Wellington, is staying in Auckland. • * * Mrs. Henry Kent and family, Fairfax Road, Epsom, are spending the holidays in Rotorua. * * * Mrs. Isobel Halligan and Miss L. Nicholas, of Wellington, are visiting Auckland, and are the guests of Mrs. N. V. Le Petit, Mount Albert. • * • Miss H. C. W. Gunn, 8.A., of the staff of the Waitaki Girls’ High School, has been appointed to the staff of the Pukekohe Technical High School as a teacher in the languages division. Miss Marjorie Wigg, who has been continuing her ’cello studies at the New South Wales Conservatorium, Sydney, has passed with honours in the recent chamber music examinations. * V * Miss Phyllis Lewins and Miss Stella Marks have left Auckland for a visit to Hamilton and the Waitomo Caves. Mrs. Solomons, of Sydney, is visiting Auckland, and is staying with her mother, Mrs. W. Haysom, of Birkenhead. .

Mr. and Mrs. J. Fotheringham, of Takapuna, have gone to Haumoana for the summer holidays.

Mrs. Knight and Mrs. C. Knight, of Takapuna, left by the Ulimaroa on a visit to Sydney and Melbourne.

Mr. and Mrs. lan McKinnon, of Napier, are staying at the Hotel Cargen.

Mr. and Mrs. D. Perry, of Wellington, are among the guests at the Grand Hotel.

At the Central Hotel are Mr. and Mrs. Percy Williams, of Paeroa. Mr. and Mrs. X. Watson, of Thames, are staying- at J:he Royal Hotel. - Miss Veronica A. Walsh, of Auckland, has boked her return passage by the Ruapheu, due to leave London on January 13. Se is now staying with her uncle, the Rev. Charles Walsh, at Selby, Yorks, preparatory to paying a round of farewell visits to friends and relatives in the North of England. Be- | fore going North, Miss Walsh stayed | with Mrs. Edwards, at Barnes; the latter was a former resident of Auckland. CAROL SONGS AND SIGHS BY HELEN GREIG SOUTER It is interesting to remember, now that community singing has become so popular in England and other places, that the singing of Christmas carols dating far back in the history of the British nation, was the first example of communal music. The simple ballads of those early days were a curious mixture of things spiritual and material. There were carols, not only for Christmas, but for Easter, Whitsuntide and May Lay, in-

deed for all the festivals of the Church. They were not sung in churches and chapels as they are to-day, but were part of those quaint performances by means of which the priests sought to instruct the common people in the fundamentals of religion—namely the mystery plays. Except for “Everyman” and one or two isolated revivals, these are almost forgotten and only the Christmas carols and the scene of the manger survive. Clash and Din The original music of the early carols would sound uncouth to modern ears, for whereas to-day, we indulge in only two models in music, the minor and the major, the musicians of primitive or mediaeval times expressed themselves in no fewer than eight, each being utilised to indicate joy, sorrow, gladness, triumph, etc. Since there were no stately organs of inspiring orchestras, only a few strings of pipes, the music was composed for singing without any accompaniment. England can boast of four centuries of carol singing, for it lists been practised since 1521, and one of the earliest specimens extant is to be seen in the British Museum. The same year saw’ the publication of a collection of charming carols of sorts by Wynkyn de Worde. Unfortunately only one still survives, and that is the lusty “Board’s Head Carol,” which is sung every Christmas Day at Queen's College, Oxford, England. A legend exists to the effect that the carol, “Here we come Awhistling” is a corruption of the ancient song: “Here we come Awassailing,” which dates back to the Saxon period, if not earlier. The modern choice of carols is rather limited. Some of the oldest, and best, have been relegated to the limbo of forgotten things. All the carols sung in churches are not ancient by any means, for “The First Nowell” and “Good King Wenceslas” are both less than a hundred years old. Nor is “Good King Wenceslas” British in origin; that mucli-lauded ' l

monarch was a ruler of Bohemia, cerituries ago. The First Carol Authorities are of opinion that the first carol is that to which Milton alludes: “His place of birth, a solemn angel tells, To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night, They gladly hither hast© and by a quire. Of squadrond’d angels hear His carol sung.” The literature of Central Europe is rich in many quaint and beautiful old carols, and in Roman Catholic countries, the legends based on Christmas ar© legion. In Southern Russia, as soon as the first star appears in the frosty sky on Christmas Eve, groups of youths and maidens, heavily clad in sheepskin coats emerge (or used to emerge in less turbulent times) and perambulate the village, stopping at every door in succession to sing ancient songs, called Koliadki. These date from pagan times, when the Russian or Slav peoples were wont to celebrate the return of the spring or Koliadi with joyful songs. The modern version, however, is only pagan in name, and consists of expressions of good wishes and praise of the kindness of the householders, who reward their efforts with a slice of sausage or pie o.r a wheatcake. The scene was a most picturesque one, especially if the singers congregated in front of a hut, where, in accordance with ancient custom, a big bonfire had been lit “to warm the souls” of parents who have departed this life. It is a thousand pities that the rising generation at horn© should only associate carol singing with unmusical waits or school children who simply massacre words and tune alike. If local bands of community singers would take up carols and resuscitate some of the older and least-known of them, they would be rendering a valuable service to their neighbours, affording them a great amount of pleasure at Christmastide.

THE HANDKERCHIEF SCARF Mid-season novelties that effect those little subtle variations irT the ■ current mode include the enterprising use of the scarf and “Deauville” handkerchief. This last is a larger edition of the “gipsy scarf” of a year or so ago. Its role is not only to give a cachet to sports and afternoon frocks, but to evening gowns. For day time wear it is tied loosely across the shoulders and always lower at one side than the other; while in the evening it often reveals the shoulders and has long ends, the chosen fabric being mainly chiffon with a narrow border of crystal or diamante. The repetition of the scarf motif in the waistband is approved by the chic dress artists. Thus a frock of rich white crepe de chine had a wide Deauville handkerchief-scarf of navy blue with large white spots, and the waist consisted of a folded band en suite, tied in a bow in front. Artfully artless must be the Deauville handkerchief watchword. It must be worn with a certain chic abandon. Which means that one must be expert alike in the art of wearing it and tieing it. Given the necessary “air,” this gay accessory can smarten up the simplest frock to an incredible degree.

FASHIONS IN SUNBURN

STARS OF WHITE ON GOLDEN SKINS

! Sun-bathing, urged as a great aid j to perfect health, has become a great fashion among women—and visiting women particularly—on the Riviera; i and its practice is rapidly becoming a line art. Hundreds of visitors who have come down here have already learned much as to the ways and means of obtaining the perfect tan. Some who have been down here only three and four weeks have skins of a rich brown colour. Many do not wear hosiery, and the resulting impression is that they are wearing golden stockings! The sun-worshippers gather each morning on the beach. Two-piece American costumes are very popular, the bodice of white, green or striped colours—the rest of navy blue. A neat white belt must gird the -waist. A gay peignoir of bath-towel material and a small Japanese parasol are other items of the beach toilette. Along the foreshore at the bathing establishments little tables are set out with multi-coloured shades. Here the sun-bathers take their aperitifs before luncheon. The programme is something like this: 11 a.m.—Arrive at the plage. It is not fashionable to come earlier. 31.15—Find comfortable spot on beach. 11.30 Take swim lasting five minutes. 11.35-12-30—Sun bathe. 12.30 — Aperitifs. I have just left one of the popular bathing establishments here, as I write this. English people out-numbered the others by four to one. Two women I noticed, who apparently had just arrived—their complexions were quite pale—were being given one or two hints by a handsome bronzed Englishman. Legs and shoulders are first rubbed with a little scented oil. Without this precaution the results of sun-bathing are most painful. Then there must be even exposure of the body. Ten minutes lying on one’s back on the beach must be followed by ten minutes lying on one’s face. This question of even exposure has led to many quaint little fashions. Bathing dresses have been reduced to the minimum, because with low-cut evening dresses a patch of white skin contrasting with the deep brown of the neck and arms is not considered chic. Recently it was found that by sticking on tiny pieces of sticking plaster on the arms a white patch was left after sun-bathing. In the evening at a dance now it is not uncommon to see girls with little stars and quaint designs left in white on their arms, an original form of tattoo, which is not considered vulgar. There is no place here for the pale girl. Healthiness is very, very fashionable and sun-bathing is said to be very, very healthy.

CHEERFUL CORRESPONDENCE | RAINBOWS IN MAIL-BAGS By PAULINE BOUCHIER That letter-writing is a decaying art is a favourite theme with pessimists; but if letters nowadays lack the old charm of stately composition, they certainly make up for it in the originality shown in the choice of stationery. Character comes out in the colours and design of the paper, as well as in the handwriting, and sorting letters in the post office must be a much pleasanter task than it used to be! Every mail bag must hold a veritable rainbow made by women correspondents. The vogue of the moment among women is for large-sized stationery of the palest colours. White is almost completely taboo, but cream is popular, and blue and pink shades are very favoured. Just as white paper is out of the question, so is black printing. The address and telephone number are now displa3 r ed in colour, preferably a deeper tone of the same shade as the paper. Fancy papers employed to line the envelopes become thinner and thinner, and, according to their transparency, more gay, till the “jazz” patterns are i quite crazy in colour and design. A lot of gold is used on these tissue papers, though the envelope itself be most neutral and delicate. Mother o’ Pearl i Lovers of variety buy their stationery in boxes which contain two assortJments: one does not, however, assume j that they are used indiscriminately, I but only, of course, with the paper i matching the envelopes. With every ! supply, is a pen of two colours, say I amber-tipped with green, colours which match the paper tints, though the pens are often merely for display, just as a brightly-coloured quill is kept ; on the writing table, the fountain pen ■ being resorted to when serious writing I is contemplated. j When there is a monogram on the ! left-hand corner of the paper, it is j most chic to have the initial in gold, i encrusted upon an oval of mother o’ { It Is of the utmost importance to j have Permanent Waving well done, and I Cor this reason it Is advisable to go to : a Specialist. We are constantly reI ceiving appreciations from ladies who j have proved this by experience.— STAMFORD SALONS, 132 Queen i St.: phone 42 IS9,

pearl, with, perhaps, a fancy coloured edging to finish it off. Expensive, of course, but distinctive. Mottled green paper is prettily initialled with the daintiest, and tiniest monograms in gold and brown, or the whole Christian name is seen in gold on a plaque of mother o’ pearl on other attractive stationery. Thicker papers, in such strong shades as mauve or buff, are designed in an oblong shape, being much broader than their depth, and accompanied by immense oblong envelopes, into which they slip sideways. Both envelopes and paper have rough edges, but this sturdy stationery is only for the more eccentric writers. The daintier styles have a wider market. Gift Boxes As gifts, there are deep boxes, in the shape erf huge cubes, covered with gold brocade-paper, containing large sheets of paper propped up at the sides by layers of large envelopes. Another novelty box in the shape of a casket, has the top filled with envelopes, and, underneath, a tiny drawer which holds all the sheets of paper. A very lovely cover for the writingpaper, blotting paper, and so on, is in brown suede, ornamented with gold, or shiny pink leather. There can be obtained, also, a rack of the same leathers, and shields to contain a long pair of scissors and a substantial paper-knife. The figure of a small seal, covered with “genuine fur” makes a novel paper-weight. Coloured alabaster is used for the inkwell and pen trays, but one of the new and amusing pen trays is in a composite substance, representing a girl from the milliners, constructed to raise the lid of her hatbox every time the ink is needed All the newest dress shows are gala days for lovers of the picturesque. And with this picturesqueness is combined the super skilled cut of more “fitted” styles that emphasise the feminine trend. Old, somewhat fantastic, fash- i ions, are brought up to the modern standard of artistry, and the lovely, clear lines, the delightful colours and fabrics, afford rare testimony to the up-to-date designer’s genuis. One notable point about all these gowns is that they “dance” well; with consummate ease and grace. Ballrooms reflect the new era of the picturesque that is | to turn a fresh page in sartorial his-