WOMAN'S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 201, 14 January 1913, Page 6

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Conducted by "Eileen"). IN MALE ATTIRE A TVXESIDK ROMANCE. Am accident which occurred on the river Tyne nn November 28 brought to light the fact that <a ''workman" wiio was known as George Palmer was actually a married woman. ''George Palmer* had been in the employ of Mr. Arthur Eraser, working at loading and unloading on a wherry, for sfa months, unsus ]>ccted of being other than a male. .In May last "Palmer." dressed as a workman, smooth of cheek and ruddy of complexion, applied for work, and was engaged. While she was working on November 28 in the hold of a wherry, unloading steel plates from the Consett Iron Company's works for carriage down the river, one of the plates fell upon her, injuring - her somewhat severely. Workmen carried her to a shed on the wharf, and Dr. Herbert McAleenan, of Blaydon. was called to attend to the injured person, and upon his arrival "Palmer" requested him to clear all the men out of the shed. This was done, and "Palmer" then informed the doctor that "he" was not a man, 'but a woman. She. however, wished this to be kept secret. She said she was 31 years old, and was married. Her name was not "Palmer," she declared, but her real name or any information concerning herself she refused to give, beyond volunteering a statement that her husband was a seafaring man. and that because of his ill-treatment of her she had had to leave him.

lii order to got food for herself and her two children, site had been obliged to seek employment as a man. The woman was apparently English. When she went to Mr. Fraser. owner of the wherry on which the accident happened, in May, she informed him that "he" had had a row with his father and had had to leave home. She begged for employment, and this was given her. For some time she slept on the wherry, but not latterly. The woman had all along been dressed in man's attire, and had her hair cut short, and but for the accident she would have had no difficulty in continuing her employment as a man. A medical examination showed that she was suffering from internal injuries and shock, and she was conveyed to the Newcastle Infirmary, where she died a few days later.

IN MOURNING One of the largo centres of fashions for women in New York has just opened a section where may be found everything required by the woman in mourning. This new department is arranged to supply immediate sartorial assistance to a woman who finds herself suddenly i plunged into the deepest grief by the death of someone near and dear. Instead of concerning herself at such a critical time with the purchase of dresses, hats, gloves and other feminine belongings, she can now leave it all to the professional widow who presides over this unique mourning department. A letter or telephone message will bring the professionally black-dressed woman to the residence of the grief-stricken family. She will arrive quietly in a perfectly-appointed motor car. with two liveried men on the box. The professional widow wejirs the latest Parisian creations. Her soft white hair is dressed according to the newest mode, in her ears are hoops of pearl and jet, at her black swathed throat is an inconspicuous brooch of accepted style, while on the third finger of her left hand is seen the latest novelty in mourning ornaments, and black and jewelled wedding ring. No truly fashionable widow now wears a hoop of yellow gold, or even one of more modern platinum, for only black ornaments are considered suitable with heavy crepe and dull-finished silk costumes. CONFERENCE OF WOMEN POLICE The women police on the Pacific coast of the United .States have just held their first conference at Portland, Oregon. They discussed the best means of reforming dancing saloons, abolishing "joyrides," and investigated the doubtful attractions that beset the paths of all young girls. Proposals dealing with the advisability of shutting the general public out of the courts where female delinquents are on trial, and the need for the establishment of municipal homes where girls and "women can be taught trades, were so cordially received that efforts will now be made by the policemen to get them materialised in the localities'under their immediate supervision.

GENERAL Tim only female stockbroker in Great Britain is said to be Mrs. Brooke, wife of General G. L. Brooke (retired), lato commander of the Connaught Rangers, who distinguished himself in the Boer' War. Though the Stock Exchange is ciosefl against women, Mrs. Brooke has for some time carried on a successful business in stocks and shares in Bucklesbury, where she is assisted by a secretary. She succeeded a Miss Bell, who had operated in the same premises for 25 years. Mrs.. Brooke says that the business has just doubled itself in the past two years, and that she has a goodly number of men clients. One of the most interesting measures scon to be discussed by the Norwegian Parliament is a project under which an illegitimate child will not only be allowed to take his father's name, but can claim an equal share of his property with the legitimate children. This measure follows up the law for the protection of mothers, passed in 1892, which obliges the father of an illegitimate child to pay a pension to the mother, in default of which he is deprived of the rights of citizenship. A wave of progressive legislation is passing over the South American Republics. Tt owes much of the inspiration to the agitations of women's soiivties in the larger towns. The movement has extended even to Chili, 'heretofore one of the most stagnant States of all as regards industrial conscience; a Workmen's Compensation Act has been passed there, which provides liberal pensions for the wives and children of injured workers. A similar law has also been passed in Bolivia, under which widows are in some cases granted 50 per cent, of their husbands' wages in perpetuity. The appointment of another policeman a I Christiana brings (be feminine police in Norway up to seven. Iliree. of whom are in Christiana, two at I'.rrgen, one in Stavanger. and one in Christiansund. The special duty of the chief policeman in the Norwegian capital (Sergeant Onsen) is to keep under surveillance girls and women suspected ot living immoral lives, and female beggars, while her two colleagues interrogate women tramps and (if deserving) render them help, look after the children, and see that they are kept off the streets as vendors and beggars. All the policewomen perform occasional night duty, and they pa 1 vol some of the worst quarters of the city. ?