Long Skirts or Short Ones ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 306, 17 March 1928, Page 21

Long Skirts or Short Ones ?

WOMAN BELL-RINGER IN CHRISTCHURCH The first woman to have the honour of ringing the bells in Christchurch Cathedral is Miss D. ID. Steel, a member of the English croquet team recently in Christchurch. On a recent Sunday she was one of the eight change-ringers, and pulled the ropes as the carillon summoned people to worship. “They are beautiful bells,” said Miss Steel, “and you have 10, the usual number. There is also plenty of room to work in. The only thing is that you have not a very big army of change-ringers. It is comparatively easy to learn, and some of your people should take it up.” Miss Steel herself is an accomplished change-ringer, being a member of the English Guild of Bell-ringers. She has ru?ig bells in Sydney and Melbourne.

BRIDGE AFTERNOON Mrs. P. Webster, of Herne Bay, was the hostess at a bridge afternoon yesterday, given in honour of Miss Ethel Webster, of Christchurch, who has been spending a holiday in Auckland. The hostess wore a charming gown of navy blue mariette with appliqued relief of Canton jade crepe to receive her guests. Miss Webster was wearing an attractive ensemble of tricolette in oyster grey shading, banded with lotus' rose embroidery. Among those present were: Mrs. Harcourt, Mrs. P. Berry, Mrs. W. Webster, Mrs. Lonergan, Mrs. C. Reilly, Mrs. Hume, Mrs. A. Carr, Mrs. Hanna, Mrs. Davey, Miss Waterson (Christchurch) Miss Batty, Miss Hume, Miss P. Darling, Miss I. Casey and Miss L. Burns. Bridge prizes were won by Mrs. Hanna and Miss Hume.

TENNIS CLUB DANCE The members of the Mangere Central Tennis Club held a delightful dance in the Mangere Central Hall on Wednesday evening, when some 50 couples attended. The hall presented a gay appearance, with multi-coloured streamers twining in all directions. The walls were artistically decked with palms, and made a fitting setting for the gay party. The music was supplied by Mainland’s Orchestra, and their efforts met with the unanimous approvel of the gathering. The duties of master of ceremonies were ably carried out by the men members of the club. For the non-dancers, a 500 tournament was held. The winner was Mrs. Kirkbride. Mr. S. House was in charge of the cards. The women members of the committee served a dainty supper.

AT MORNING TEA DRAPERS HONOURED Mr. A. H. Court was the host at a morning tea party given by John Court’s, Ltd., in their tearoom yesterday in honour of the delegates who have been attending the recently-concluded conference of the New Zealand Federation of Drapers, etc. About thirty of the delegates were present, and with them were Mesdames T Forsyth of Wellington. Mrs. Nightingale of Nelson, Mrs. G. H. Roach of Hastings and Mrs. Parry of New Plymouth. Mr. Wallace of Palmerston North expressed the appreciation the guests felt at the hospitality that had been extended to them by Court’s as well as by everyone else with whom they h*id come in contact in Auckland. After tea the visitors were shown over the large workrooms and the various departments of Court’s store. In the afternoon a number of cars were placed at the disposal of the delegates and they were taken for a long drive through the city and suburbs. INCREASE OF CRIME THROUGH STRONG DRINK ADDRESS BY DR. MILDRED STALEY The Young People’s Christian Temperance Union held a successful meeting at the home of Mrs. Chappell on Wednesday afternoon, when Miss Ivy Johnson presided, and Mrs. Chappell welcomed the members. Dr. Mildred Staley gave an interesting address on the effects of alcohol on the human body, and stated that the smallest quantities of alcohol affected the sight, nerves and brain. She also quoted many facts and figures relating to -the increase of crime, insanity and suicides in New Zealand, caused through strong drink, and spoke of the decrease in America, where prohibition is in force. Miss M. Pyle expressed the thanks of those present to Dr. Staley for her address. During the afternoon a solo was sung by Mrs. Kasper and another by Miss Body. . . Mrs. Lee-Cowie held an initiation service, when two new members were enrolled. The poker made hot and placed on a piece of camphor will rid a room of flies. When feeling bilious, drink the juice of a lemon alone. It immediately gives relief.

Question All are Asking Just What to Wear

IT’S a tiling that’s been getting quite on my mind lately. I’m not the only one either. Thousands of anxious maids and matrons are asking the same question—they want to know before making their winter purchases. They must know. Think how fatal it would be if they purchased too much or too little material.

r PHE fashion pages of the daily and weekly papers have devoted more space to the absorbing topic than to any other, but seem to adopt such a “yes-no” policy that it leaves one no further informed, says a writer in an exchange. I took the bull by the horns. I approached the head woman in one of our leading stores—quite the leading one, in fact. “Tell me,” said I, bluntly, “will they be long or short for the winter?” She knew I meant skirts. “Be definite, woman—for Heaven’s sake, be definite,” I implored. “Thousands of women are waiting to hear.” “Short,” she replied, and proceeded to prove it. “It’s no use our girls trying to wear period frocks; they can’t. They haven’t the figures for them. We’ve tried to put them into them, but they won’t go. Too bumpy. Occasionally, yes—a perfect type, long, graceful curves, and not angles, can wear one and get away with it. But for the most part—no—most definitely, no. “Winter frocks will be short, not above th 9 knee, but quite short. A few long gowns for evening wear—-for

TAKANINI TENNIS CLUB QUEEN CARNIVAL The committee of the sports queen of the Takanini Tennis Club’s Queen Carnival, held a very successful dance in the Theatre Royal, Manurewa, on Thursday evening, when a large number of enthusiasts gathered and spent a very enjoyable evening. Mrs. Collings provided the musical part of the programme, and Mr. McDonald played some pleasing extras. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Mr. Kennelly. The hall had been artistically decorated for the occasion, and presented a very pretty setting for the gay assembly. The queen’s committee served a dainty supper. During the evening a number of competitions were held, the winners being Miss Woodcock, Onehunga; Mr. Herbert, Takanini; and Mr. Raton, Alfriston. The last of the queen carnival functions will be held in the Takanini Hall this evening, when the selected queen will be announced.

A New Zealand lady who has lived in Hong-Kong for five years recounted recently some interesting stories of Chinese dinners. She has eaten one of the greatest delicacies of the East, the 100-year-old- eggs, which are quite black in appearance, and are eaten as savouries. There are usually about 20 dishes at a dinner of this kind. Each is placed in the centre of the table, and guests may help themselves. Nuts are used freely in the preparation of most of the delicacies, and the food is eaten with chopsticks. Birds’ nests and sharks’ fin soups were'pronounced delicious. * * * Mary Golding, the aboriginal queen at Huskisson, New South Wales, died on February 24. The oldest residents of the district state that her age was between 105 and 108. She had always enjoyed good health until recently, when she became ill. Her mental faculties were remarkably clear, and she could relate stories of happenings in the early history of the district. Her husband,, known as “King Jimmy,” died some years ago. Mary had been residing for many years with one of her daughters. Except for being very thin, she was a wonderfully well-pre-served woman.

the types—a few draped ones on Grecian lines of chiffcm or georgette; but for the most part beads—beads—beads.” * * * So if you have a beaded evening frock left over from last season, wear it. Put a bunch of tulle or velvet on the side if you like, and let the ends as far down as you like—must get that uneven line, you know- and don’t worry. All the little sports suits are quite short, quite slim, quite jeunisse, much as last year. All the topcoats are the same, only better. And the beaded evening frocks are wondrous to behold—just below the knee. So now I’m satisfied. And I hope that has settled the subject. I’m sure we’re quite tired of it. Two and a-half yards will be ample —yes.

If you have a persistent wart, try dropping a little milk out of a fig-leaf on it each morning.