PERSONAL ITEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1938, Page 5

PERSONAL ITEMS

Mrs D. Signal, of Eketahuna, is visiting Kimbolton. Miss C. Wall, of Wellington, is visiting Martinborough. Mr and Mrs A. Todd have returned to Martinborough. Miss Peggy Lowes, of Eketahuna, has left on a visit ,to England.

Mrs T. Priest has returned to Eketahuna from a visit to Auckland. Mrs F. R. Evans and Mrs M. Evans returned to Masterton yesterday from a visit to Hawke's Bay-

Mrs Reid, Senr., of “Tawera,” Longbush, left Wellington today by the Rangitane, on a visit to Europe.

Mr and Mrs G. Masson, Karori, who have been visiting Mr and Mrs S. A. La Roche, Colege Street, Masterton, have returned home.

Mrs F. Mooney, Wellington, left by the Ruahine yesterday for a trip abroad. She is accompanied' by her mothei’ and her sister, Mrs O’Reilly and Miss Mary O'Reilly, Carterton, who are going to England and Ireland. Mr and Mrs Michael O’Reilly, who came to Wellington to bid them farewell, have returned to Carterton.

A party was held at the residence of Mrs J. C. Broad, Upper Plain, last Wednesday to farewell Mrs F. L. Price, Church Street, who is leaving by the Arawa on May 20 on an extended visit to England. A competition was held by Mrs H. H. Daniell, and the afternoon was most enjoyable. Those present were Mesdames R. Garland, H. H. Daniel, J. Logan, E. M. Hodder, H. R. Thomson, J. C. Forsyth, H. P. Glen, S. A. La Roche and Raybone (Wanganui), and the Misses A. Perry, R. Elliott, J. Cooper and E. Daniell. To celebrate the coming-of-age of her daughter, Mary Margaret, Mrs M. J. Bunny entertained about 80 guests at the Mayfair Cabaret, Wellington, on a recent evening. All present were received by the hostess and the guest of honour, the former wearing a frock of blue embossed crepe, the latter being in ciel-blue floral satin and a white fur crepe. The cabaret and the supper tables were gaily decorated with glowing iceland poppies. Dancing was enjoyed to the strains of an excellent orchestra. During supper, Mr Peter Bunny proposed the health of his sister, Mr O. Gillespie responding on her behalf. A toast to Mrs Bunny was proposed by Mr E. Akroyd.

BORN OUT OF NECESSITY. It is not so many years since the side-saddle was universally used by women riders. It was not an invention due to the advancing modesty of ■ civilisation, but born out of necessity. It was introduced in 1366 by Anna., .of Bohemia, daughter of a German Emperor, and wife .of an English King,' Richard 11, as she was afflicted with a deformity that rendered it impossible for her to ride on the saddles then in general use for both sexes. In those days it was imperative for ladies to ride, so the difficulty was overcome by inventing the side-saddle, and the fashion started by Royalty was copied by all feminine Christendom. As late as 1909 a mild sensation was caused by Lady Florence Dixie announcing that she, together with a number of ladies, was determined to ride astride in the Park, resulting in the first meet of the Coaching Club having an unprecedented concourse of onlookers bent on catching a glimpse of what had been denounced as a sensational and unbecoming innovation. Today in 1938 women riding side-saddle would cause as much stir as the brave ladies who rode astride in 1909.