FOR WOMEN FOLK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 1 February 1915, Page 6

FOR WOMEN FOLK.

" BY EILEEN."

" Eileen " will be glad to receive items of interest and | value to women for publication or reference in this column. |

FASHION NOTES FROM LONDON. (Auckland Stars Correspondent). London, December 11. December 12 marks the lust date on ; which goods will be received by the j Eiigl;sTi Post O.'licc ollieials for men at the front, and, consequently, and forgiv-; ably, shopkeepers are devoting a fever- j ish activity to pushing goods specially designed for warriors, and advertised as | suitable for Christmas gifts. The lur j coats which are being supplied to the [ troops in the fighting line, if they are j like, those shown in shop windows, are i extraordinary-looking garments that obey no rules of fashion. Inside many of them are of sheep or kindred skins, an doutside of rough undressed leather tied round the waist with a business-like piece of webbing. Apparently these 1 can be worn inside-out if necessary. [ Fur helmets, of opossum or rabbit, are also popular presents, while very flexible leather fur slippers that fold up and do not occupy more than a few inches in a soft leather case run them close in favor. Leather goods of all descriptions, pouches, match-boxes, cigarette ! c;isos, hold-alls, brush cases, etc., are offered amongst the smaller goods suitable for the occasion. Apropos of fighters—a notice now displayed in Oxford street very prominently outside a chiropodist's establishment informs an envious world, ".Soldiers'feet [ treated gratis." MOST SHOPS, i as might be expected, use patriotic devices of various descriptions as part of their schemes of Christmas decoration this year, and enormous Britannias, j 'Tommies" of all sizes in khaki, sailor j men, and even special policemen, it is ! found, can be reproduced in all sizes and shades in chocolate, while flags fill in every spare <orr.er, whatevc.' the shop, ■■ as long as it cat. T.i fur a special Christ- | ma ; boom. Vendors of private Christnias cards who lay in their stocks during the sum- j mer must have suffered heavilv through the war, a fact that will very probably greatly diminish the trade, if other hap- I penings had not done so, in cards this year, since nearly everyone here from the Kins to an office boy seen-.s to have special cards printed. These, however, • in most cases, bear a stereotyped verse J and greeting, which have had to remain in spite of the changes that have come over the face of the world. Flippant greetings, mildly humorous ones, and I s'ntVenfci'. -riptions seem horribly I out of place, and it is safe to assume I that Christmas this year will link friends ' more closely together, but leave little ! inclination for remembrance for mere ' acquaintances for whom private greetj ing cards proved useful institutions in J old times.

WOMEN'S HOSPITAL IN INDIA. The Bombay museum, the foundation of which was laid by the King in 15"95, hs'.s been fitted with over 2(10 beds a;id called the Lady Bardinge Hospital, in memory of the lady who passed away recently, and who did such splendid work in her lifetime amongst the women of India, as wife of the Viceroy. It has been entirely equipped by the Hindu, Mohammedan tnd Parsce sewing circles, and now awaits the coming of the wounded from the East African ami Persian Gulf Expeditionary Forces. A Society has been formed in Hombay which embraces all creeds and communities in the Presidency which, since August, has made no fewer than eight or nine, thousand garments, which nave been despatched to the British and Indian troops. ARE YOU A 'PHONE NUISANCE? The telephone can be the most convenient thing in the world, or the greatest nuisance, lmt if w» only use a little mt of common-sense it nei'd never be a nuisance. I When you ,pick up the 'plume or c!;; 1 .! to a friend, consider her end of it. Is this a convenient time for her or will she be apt to be out in the garden or upstairs sewing, or, perhaps, bathing the baby? Have you something of s;i.!iicient "interest or importance to warrant your asking her to drop anything she is doing to taflc to you, for that is what you ask when you call her up! I have actually gone to the 'phone to hear someone say that she had not that what you ask when you call later, and I had dropped the needle, scissors and sewing to hear that? Too many of us 'plionA not because we liavc anything to say, hut because we haven't anything else to do.

The telephone lias come to supersede the note, but the latter is far more courteous except in cases demanding quick answers. However, there are occasions when a 'phone is not permissible. When a friend has suffered through death or other loss, or has had success, or has sent you a gift, never''phone her about it. All of tliese demand a note, and if our feelings are really sincere, we should he glad to give ourselves this little extra trouble.

SOLDIER SAVED BY A CAT. lin interesting story is told of liow the life of one of the officers of tlie Grenadier Guards was saved by a cat. Lieutenant Lloyd became detached from his regiment near the French frontier. He found refuge in an outhouse, where lie remained, in an exhausted condition, for three days. When he was found the cat mis discovered curled round his neck, and his rescuers say that but for this cat lis would have perished from the cold. WOMEN AS LICENSEES. The chairman of the Birkenhead (England) Licensing Justices has intimated that the time is approaching when the justices would have to consider whether men ought not in nearly all cases to be the licensees, and not women. 60 far as Birkenhead was concerned, with the reduction in tlie number of licensed houses in the town the remainder became more busy, and needed the strong hand of a man to control them, he considered. . WOMAN DENTIST'S WAR WORK. Mrs, Fisko, sister-in-law of the late commander of the Australian Forces, who practices as a dentist in England, has recently attended no fewer than six hundred soldiers free of charge, and, before it was known that the Australian Expeditionary Force was to dis- ; embark in Egypt offered her services gratuitously to the authorities for I them. 1 In addition to her oilier good work | she 13 one of those who have established workrooms in London for womcnin distres,s"owing to the war. WOItEX GAICDEXERS. \ A consultation of representatives of the Women's Agricultural and Horticultural International Union was recently held in London 011 tlie subject of gardening posts for woinon. It is considered that for the next few veal':) women and girls with practical knowledge of agriculture and horticulture will be very much needed, and that / there need be now 110 hesitation about »those naturally fitted taking up this r work. I "FOR ALL WE HAVE AND ARE." For all we have and are, For all our children's fate, Stand up and meet the war, The Ilun is at the gate. Our world has passed away In wanton overthrow; There's nothing left to-day, ( But steel and fire and woo. J Though all we know depart, 1 The old commandments stand— I "In courage keep your heart, j 111 strength lift up your hand." ! Once more we hear the word, / That sickenccT earth of old—"No law except the sword { Tnshcathed, uncontrolled." Once more it knits mankind, Once more the nations go To meet ajid break and bind, Li chazed and driven foe. Comfort, content, delight, The ages slowly-brought gain, They shrivelled in a night— Onlv ourselves remain. I To face the naked days, In silent fortitude, Through perils and dismays, Renewing and renewed. Though we may all depart. The old commandments stand—"lll patience keep your heart, j In strength lift up your hand." I No easy hopes or lies Shall bring us fo our goal, But iron sacrifice Of body, will and soul. There's bet one task for all. For each one life to give, A Vim stands, if freedom fall? Who dies if Fiu'lawl live? —Budvard Kiplin:; in the London ! Timcj,

SNOWY UPTURNED RUFFLES of closely box-pleated lawn, linen or mualin, made to fasten with a dome fastener at top in front and finish at the bottom with a soft piece of black moire ribbon "and a little laee or linen jabot in front, are amongst the newest things in neckwear. j PANSY BOWS, that is to say, hows of black or colored velvet shaped like an enormous pansy, are novel notions, and very smart for ! wnall morning hats. PUFF ROSES are amongst the novelties for Christmas, as are puff camelias, gardenias, etc. These are merely very beautifully made up velvet and silk flowers set in a round ornamental box and ready to be ! sent straight to the recipient. j LONG FEATHER TRIMMING. | thin and only curled af the extreme' tips, is being used in.all manners of new 1 ways, the last as a final embellishment I on a cream lace and net blouse. I FLORAL RIBBON TEA COSIES j constitute very dainty gifts which can easily be made at home. PRINTED NINON COATEES, mounted on plain iiinon and made very simply with a knife-pleated narrow frill to finish the wide V-shaped opening and extend down tile froni and round the basque, witli the normal waistline outlined with ribbon or a band of the printed ninon, are as popular now as in the summer for Home wear over a blouse. LONG SILK COATS FOR MATRONS, aro being made now with a central ruching down the middle of the back, which gives the silk the appearance of being draped. THE NEWEST SPORTS COATS are too expensive for any but the few to aspire to, and have panels or lapels of complicated floral or other designs in fine knitting. NET APRONS for maids are new, and what English people would call very "Frcnehy" notions. HELMET-SHAPED TOQUES, of the immensely popular black velvet, are being made "in two new styles, one with a deep brim turned sharply up and cut out in a curve, like a bite, at the top in front. On to the brim are then sewn star-shaped ornaments of gold gauze ribbon. The second would not suit many people, it is rather jockeylike in appearance. With a fairly nigh black velvet pleated cap there is a peaked front witli a bond in front 'of tartan ribbon. SILKY BEAVER,, like that of which men's top hats are made, is said to be coming into fashion again. THREE-OORNERED HATS are as much worn as ever, and harmonise very well with the high military collar worn on costumes this winter, HONOR FOR WOMEN'S AGEInCY. It was announced recently in London tiiat the Women's Emergency Corps, of the magnificence of whose organisation and work we have heard about, has been appointed by the Government to be the agency to co-operate with the l:o- ---■ vernment T'oard in dealing with the I Belgian refugees in Holland, i These refugees are to be bron»ht to j England, and Miss Vuliiamy, ;he organising secretary of the Women's Emer- | gency Corps, to whom the care of the I women and children has been assigned, has left for Holland to assist in perfecting tile organisation for their rceep- / lion in this country.