WOMAN'S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 120, 30 August 1910, Page 6

WOMAN'S WORLD.

HAV.ZRA LETTER. A very pleasant time was spent on Thursday evening at the residence of •Mrs. Cowl, Victoria street. Mrs. Cowl looked charming in a blouse of vieux rose, with skirt of black lace cloth. Mrs. Tait wore a handsome dress of brown crepe de chine, with trimmings of old gold; Mrs. Young, lovely hand-worked cream silk; Mrs 'Good, handsomely braided green cloth; Mrs. Fitzmaurice, sage green pinafore dress over cream, silk net blouse; Mrs. Marmont, black net, moonstone trimming; Miss Marmont and Miss Beryl Marmont, black silk voile evening dresses, cream frilling at neck; Miss Kamp, cream silk. Several musical items were tastefully rendered iby different ladies and gentlemen during the evening.

The Hawera Football Club held their annual ball in the Opera House on Wednesday evening and it proved to be the event of the season. About 70 couples were present. The ha.l was decorated with native trees and ferns and was really a work of art. Splendid music was supplied by Crozier's Orchestra (Mart on). The supper-room was beautifully decorated with spring flowers and black and gold drapings (the club's colors). Small footballs were hanging suspended by yellow and black ribbons from the ceiling and gave the room a pleasing effect. Extras were played by Misses Wilson and Brett, Mrs. O'Callaghan, and Mr. Billows. Messrs Greville, Court, Bailey and Chalmers made efficient MjC.'s.

Among those present I noticed Miss Nolan, beautifully gowned in pink crepoline, with rich lace trimmings; Mrs. Holder, Empire gown of white charmeuse and pearl trimmings; Miss Reilly, shell pink silk taffetas; Mrs. Wallace, rich white duchesse satin; Miss Gormley (Sydney), dainty frock of pink chiffon taffetas, Paris lace yoke and sleeves, and added a rich lace coat; Miss O'Sullivan, white sill% voile; Miss Brodney, pale blue silk taffetas,' with silver trimmings; Miss Alexander, black velvet Empire robe, garnished with sequins; Mrs. D. Fantiham, well-cut gown of vieux rose velvet; Mrs. 11. Fantbam (Wanganui), apricot, satin; Mrs. Stewart (Eltham), cream ninon, with real lace foerthe; Miss Fitzgerald, pale green silk; Mrs. Lysaght, black chiffon taffetas, trimmed with rich old lace; Mrs. Cooper, iblack chiffon over glace; Miss White, wine-colored chiffon over glace; Miss E. Moore, pink silk; Miss Williamson, smart gown of black silk, trimmed with gold. Miss Simpson (Gisborne) is visiting Mrs. Wallace. . Mr. and Mrs. J. O'Donnell returned from Wellington by express train on Friday. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Percy Gason Howell have left for Wanganui. ! Mrs. Keith and 'Mrs. P. O'Dea have i returned from their trip to Wellington. ' Mr. Ogilvie, of "Woodlands," Otakeho, , left Hawera iby train on Monday momS ing for Wanganui, where he takes up a • Government position. His son, Mr. A. i Ogilvie, wjll still reside at Woodlands. i Miss B. and Miss E. Ogilvie are representing, Taranaki at the coming hockey tournament. Mrs. Ogilvie does not in- .. tend leaving for Wanganui for some ; weeks.

j STRATFORD LETTER : The Foresters' social was held in the ; Foresters' Hall on Tuesday night, and, despite the inclement weather, the atj tendance was good. Excellent music was ; supplied iby Messrs Walsh and Parker, of JS r gaere. Messrs Kivell and Burgess ! proved themselves excellent M.C.'s. Light ; refreshments were ha.nded round, and a j very .enjoyable (evening 'was spent by all ■ those present.

The Druids' annual social on Thursday proved a successful function there being about .50 couples present, all enjoying- themselves thoroughly. MIDHIRST LETTER. Ma-scot Club's Fancy-dress Ball.—A charming scene was presented at the Midhirst Town 'Hall on Thursday evening, when the Mascot Club held their first ball. The hall was .most tastefully decorated with flags and bunting. The music was bright and sparkling, and was supplied by the Druids' string band, consisting of piano, violins (2), cornet and 'cello, under the conductorship of Mr. Axel Newton, of Stratford. An excellent supper'was supplied Ihy the committee and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Messrs Ralph and Henderson made efficient ALC.'s. ■ The Grand March was the chief feature of the evening, and presented a 'beautiful bight. Master Hogg and Miss Gwen Inston led off the march, and I have never witnessed a prettier sight. The prize for fancy dress was won by the popular Gipsy Queen (Miss Duggaii), the prize being a handsome silver-mount-ed cut-glas9 biscuit /barrel. Mrs. Mail was voted the ibelle of tihe ball.. She looked simply perfect as the "Duchess of 'Devonshire," being gowned in a prune velvet gown and large Gainsborough hat, trimmed with large ostrich feathers. Mrs. Eiagg made an excellent "Florence Nightingale," and was much admired, while Mrs. Herbert made a perfect schoolgirl. Miss N. Parkinson as "Folly" was charming. Miss Duggan as "Gipsy Queen" was first favorite, and received seven-eighths of the rotes for the prize. Other characters were:—Miss Vickers, "Nigiht"; Miss E. Huse, "Grace Darling"; Miss P. Inston, French maid;' Miss D. Inston, ballet girl; Miss Anderson, fairy; Miss Allen, "Good Luck"; Miss M. Inston, nurse; 'Miss D. Cramer, "Tambourina Girl"; Miss Jones, "Good Luck"; Miss iSteckel, Highland lassie; Misses Latham and Blake, "Two little girls in blue"; Miss McCracken, "Queen of Hearts"; Miss 8. Jones, "Night"; Miss Cramet, "Nancy Lee"; Miss Uhlenberg, dancing girl; Misa Tborne, French maid;. Miss Gwen Inston, "Snowdrop"; Mr. "K. of K."; Mr. A. C. King (Stratford), "Archdeacon Swizzlegargle"; Mr. Barry, Jndian nabob; Mr. Ralph, "Scarlet Troubadour"; iMr. J. D. Cox, Maori chief; Messrs Duggan (2*), clowns; Mr. P. Anderson, clown; Mr. Huse, "Tennis"; Mr. Henderson, "Master of the Hounds"; Mr.

Buggan, sandwichman; Mr. Herbert, Jack Tar ; Mr. Plus, baby; Mr. Phillips,' waiter; Mr. Inverarity, French waiter;] Master Hogg, Mephistopheles. j Amongst those present in evening dress were Mrs. Parkinson, Spanish lace robe over glace; Mrs. Steekel, black silk, with touches of white on the corsage; Mrs. Horn, Weilgewood velvet; Mrs. Huse, black silk; Miss Uhlenburg, cream voile; Mrs. Anns, pale green ninon; Miss J. Auld, pale blue crepoline; Mrs. Anderson, black merv, with jet trimmings; Mrs. Besley (Stratford), black silk voile, with Spanish lace trimmings on corsage; Miss Besley, cream silk.

OUR NEW QUEEN. Our new Queen-Consort, Queon Mary, as she desires to be known, is undoubtedly a woman of strong personality and tenacity of purpose. And to this she adds a dignity and reserve which; to those who do not know her ways, conveys an erroneous idea of hauteur. With this estimate of the Queen-Consort's character, a writer in the July number of the iady's Realm commences an article having for its subject Queen Mary of England. Her Majesty is described as having a very keen sense of humor, and an excellent memory; as being a business woman of no mean talents, and an intensely British woman; in addition to which she \r. a linguist, a great reader, especially of history; ibut she has never been what one could call an outdoor woman.

The Queen, adds the writer of the article from which we quote, believes, as so many women do nowadays, that the way in which a woman can best prove an interesting companion and chum to her husband is by taking an intelligent and understanding interest in the questions which affect him. Thus, knowing King George to he a keen politician, the Queen takes care to study European politics to the extent of having as complete a grasp of the intricacies of the political situation as any woman alive. Queen Mary, it appears, dislikes children to be pampered and petted to the extent of spoiling, and she has seen to it that her own children shall not suffer in this respect. She has been a Spartan mother, and has insisted that they shall cultivate a spirit of independence. As soon as their small fingers can wrestle with tapes and buttons the youngsters are made to dress themselves. Princess | Mary, however, now has a maid of hel own, and, in consequence, feels "grownup." But the maid was not allowed until the small lady had mastered the art of managing one.

A ROYAL DINNER PARTY IN ABYSSINIA. The new Negus of Abyssinia, like -hii predecessors on the throne before him gives a public dinner to all and sundry of his subjects once a week, when the} may feast to their heart's content. Oi the three great annual festivals this "gheber" becomes a spectacle probably unequalled in the annals of Court din ners. An Italian traveller who has re cently been privileged to be present'de scribes it graphically in. a letter to tin Corriere. The background of the barn like structure which serves as a dinin; room is all but filled with the i'amou throne-bed which the French Republi had presented to the late KingMenelik the present Negus, on the occasion of tin State dinner, sat on the edge of it whei the European visitors, the first to ente: the room, filed past him, each one ibeinj received with a smile and a shake of thi hand. As soon as they were seated, am began to eat, King Jarsu also began, bu his State dignitaries have to wait til their lord, after a "while, gives the sigi that they also may fall to. The Abyssinian royal menu is sprung as a surprise on the European who ha: expected either the food of primitivi man or the concoctions of a French chef There are six courses, but they do no vary mush, the chief ingredient of al being the flesh of fowls. The table ser vice Is a curious medley of costly, beautiful gold vessels and broken crockery oi the cheapest kind. The Europeans use knives and forks; the Abyssinians are fed by slaves. A strange silence pervades the room during the three hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., while their feast is going on, and you hear the distant sound of the great crowd, waiting impatiently, for admittance, and the beating of the drums in honor of the archangel at the church close by. The moment the Europeans have ended their meal the curtains are drawn aside, and through every door the stream of natives pours in. There are eighty tables, each one in charge of an overseer and iour assistants, and from five to six thousand Abyssinians are in an incredibly short time engaged in feeding and talking at the same time at the top of | their voices. Each table is.serTed bj eight slaves, who are kept hard at work supplying the diners with great lumps of raw meat, with which they eat the leaves of a native vegetable, the anghera. They eat enormous quantities of ibobh, drinking honey-water, the national beverage, out of gigantic horns. As soon as one crowd is satisfied it has to make room for another, and all the time the musicians are doing their utmost on trumpets, flutes and other instruments., to add to the deafening din. Last of all, a oluster of singers group themselves round the Negus, chanting a hymn in his praise, of which, however, he pannot possibly hear a single word. And .so ends' this cheerful State dinner in the palace of the King of Kings. ;