WOMAN'S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 161, 6 January 1912, Page 6

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Conducted by "Eileen.") j

SOCIAL NEWS. *■

NEW PLYMOUTH. There has been quite an exodus of New Plymouth for the holidays. Some have gone camping, others are visiting the larger centres, and consequently there is very- little news socially this week. I did mention, didn't I, that the coverings for the ladies at the Christmas meeting were nothing out of the ordinary? But I quite forgot to mention there were a few "freaks',' and their robing made up for their sisters' remissness. In fact, they enlivened up mankind, and the surroundings, mentally and scenically, in a most wonderful manner. One did not know which to keep their eyes on, the horses or these extraordinary creations. Oh, husbands! Why is this*th*s? Why do you allow it? Woman was created to be admired, not to be laughed at! Mrs. Hutchen entertained a few friends at bridge last week, prior to her aunt's (Miss Pratt's) departure to Wellington. Miss Pansy Whitton, who is visiting friends in Wellington, returns on Tuesday evening. Mr. Les. Kirkby is on a three weeks' visit to New Plymouth. Mr. J. Wilson and Mr. Eric Bayley, who are on a fishing toitr at Pahiatua, are expected home at the beginning of the week. Messrs Nicholson and C. Webster, who have been attending the Davis Cup meeting, return home to-night. Mr. and Mrs. W. Bayly, junr., who have been on a short visit to Mrs. William ! Bayly, New Plymouth, have returned to Palmerston. Mr. Hutchen and Mr. W. Kerr (Wanganui) have been on a visit to the Marlborough Sounds. Misses Brewster and Bedford, who are at present in Wellington, after witnessing the Pavis Cup at Ohristchurth, return home on Tuesday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Bob. Cutfield, who have been spending their Christmas holidays in Palmerston, have returned, accompanied by Mrs. Stephen, the latter's mother. Mr. B. Chaney returns from Auckland on Monday. Mrs. Stan. Orbell and family, of Ingle wood, are on a visit to New Plymouth, having taken Mrs. Collins' house for the holidays.

I COST OF LIVING.

1 INGENIOUS AMERICAN PLAN. . American housewives, tired of fulrain-' ating against the high cost of living, are now trying to organise in such a way that ; the profits of the retailer, always very onerous in all parts of the United States, ; shall be eliminated. They are forming clubs in various districts, and by buying in big markets they are able to effect many economies which are not possible, it is alleged, by patronising the local grocer and butcher. Brooklyn, New York's great residential suburb, corresponding in many respects, to London's Surrey side, has set the example, which may be followed, it • is anticipated, all over the country. In Brooklyn a beginning was made by six housewives meeting together and checking the prices of goods in the market and at retail, and then determining unanmously "that they must get busy and do something." Mrs. Bangs, the head of the first co-operative housewives' club in Brooklyn, says that the experiment has so far proved a great success. She declares that the wholesale dealers do not cheat as regards quantity or quality, •nd that with continued organisation the .1 msewives can give the retailers many useful lessons. "At present," says Mrs. Bangs, "we buy only staple articles, but we shall gradually extend the list, so .as to include turkeys for Christmas." Mrs. Bangs says that experience shows that «ach small club should consist of six or a dozen members living near each other, because the articles bought wholesale are divided more advantageously that way. She gives the following list of savings in buying by the market plan: Lettuce, per head: sd, retail grocer's price; market club price, iy 2 d. Radishes:* Retail, bunch, 3d; market club, %d. Vegetable marrow: Retail, Vf>A; market club, 2d. •' Celery: Retail, hunch sd; market club, 2>/ 2 d. 3 Best butter: Retail, Is 8d; market club, Is 3d. Apples: Retail, bushel, ss; market club, 2s. Tomatoes: Retail, quart, sd; market club, Id. Cauliflowers: Each, retail, 5d to 7y 2 d; market club,2(L Grocers and butchers apparently do not like the'formation of market clubsj not because they .have been damaged so far, but because they object to householders being brought into close contact with wholesalers. So far as can be ascertained, market mei\ are perfectly willing to sell to housekeepers at wholesale prices so long as the latter are prepared to buy crates, bags and barrels. Mrs. Bangs says that every member sends a list of her requirements once a week, the goods bought the same day and distributed the same evening. Each member takes her turn at marketing. Mrs. Bangs estimates the total saving to date at 50 per cent., and the effect upon the retailer is exasperating. A PRIZE HUSBAND. Newspaper prize competitions have taken .many strange forms in Britain and America, but "Mrs. John Bull," a weekly journal published in London, seems to have established a record by offering "loverless girls" the chance of winning a handsome husband and a home in return for coupons cut from its pages. The competitors are to send their coupons, accompanied by their latest photograph, to the lady editor of "Mrs. John Bull." They are assured that the prizeis "good-looking and attractive, standing six feet in his socks, and not yot thirty years of age." It has been arranged that the prospective husband shall take a leading part in a )>'•'-• that has heen, specially written for the purpose of displaying his good features, and intending competitors may inspect him/by buying a . ticket for the pit or the stalls. The play j will be presented in various towns. When ' all the entries have been received, the editor of "Mrs. John Bull" will select from among the photographs submitted to her one hundred to be placed before the prize husband. He will choose fifty, and the editor will then "arrange for him to meet each of them at lunch or dinner," the expenses being paid by the journal. When the round has been completed, the editor will decide which of the ladies is to go to the altar. The young man has avowed solemnly that lie will accept the decision as final, but in case of accidents it has been provided that the prize-winner shall reveive a sum of £IOO as compensation if the marriage does not take place. The enterprising journal announces also that yiere are to be consolation husbands in the shape of "respectable young men anxious to marry, who, for lack of friends and opportunity, are living lonely and loveless lives." The editor knows many wouldbe bridegrooms, it seems, and will "dig I up one or two of them and send them 1 to eligible girl readers to select from."

Evidently "Mrs. John Bull" believes that her circle of readers includes many very \ reckless young people. j

THREE THINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Three things to admire—intellectual power, dignity, gracefulness. J Three things to love—courage, gentle- t ness, affection. K Three things to hate—cruelty, arro- < gance, ingratitude. '■ Three things to despise—meanness, af- . fectation, : envy. Three things to reverence—religion, ( justice, self-denial. . j Three things to delight in—beauty, • frankness, freedom. Three things to wish for—faith, peace, ( purity of heart. . . Three things to like—cordiality, good ] humor, mirthfulness. j , Three things to suspect—flattery, hypo- , erisy, sudden affection. ' Three things to avoid—idleness, loqua- , city, flippant jesting. Three things to cultivate good ; books, good friends, good humor, , Three things ,to contend for—honor, country, friends. Three things to govern—temper, impulse, the tongue.