TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 31, 17 February 1928, Page 6

TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW

They say; That the frocking of Mrs, J. Gordon Coutes at the successful and largely attended garden party given by Mrs. Macarthy Reid at the Hutt on Saturday, carried with it a note of the inimitable charm and freshness of youth. Ivory triple-ninon, palely patterned, enhanced by a cont of heavy ivory marocain trimmed with shorn Iamb; a white hat under the brim of which was set a soft feathery chou all went to make an exceptionally delightful ensemble-one that is not readily forgotten. A Water-Colour Show. At the rooms of the British Medical Association, at 26 The Terrace, Wellington, at present is on view an entirely charming collection of water-colours, the work of H. H, Tombs. Anyone to whom delicacy of colouring and charm ‘of composition make appeal will do well to look in for half an hour during this week, The small exhibition covers a wide range, from the cottages of England and a delightful London interior to gay bits of colour on the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. Several views of Switzerland are to be seen, perhaps the pick of these being a ‘Tarn at Grindelwald. Also is New Zealand and Australian scenery represented, differentiation of atmospheric effect being treated with sincerity and skill, To many doubtless the most fascinating picture of all will prove an Arab boat at Suez,‘ which gaily seuds through aquamarine waves right into the heart of the beholder. Many of these attractive bits of colour are to. be purchased for three, or even two, guineas; one dreamlike effect of a mass 6f cloud floating on blue ocean to be had for the latter sum, N.Z. in Australia. Those interested in the far-too-sunny ‘south may like to hear of friends of yesteryear who met recently in Melbourne at a pleasant tea party. . Mrs. McKendrick was there (once Janet Landels), Mrs, Gamble (nee Tapper), Mrs. Donald Matheson (Ethel Hazlett), Mrs. Instone (Cora Fisher), Mrs. Callander (nee Fraser), Mrs. Gerald Doorly, her sister, Miss Whitson, and Miss Scherek, . Concerning Paula Scherek, so greatly appreciated by musicians and laity for her vivacious personality and great artistic gifts, many Christchurch people will regret to hear of an accident that befell her. Fumigating a box of clothes, on opening’ the lid Miss Scherek received the full blast in her face and was very near suffocation. Eyes and ears were badly affected, and for some time she could not speak. Nothing daunted, she soon fared forth, carrying a card, "An accident. I cannot speak,’? and also a pencil and block for communicating with her friends, thus bravely keeping the flag flying. As always, she is a vivid figure in large brown leather coat fitting nowhere in particular, the shortest of skirts, black skull cap, and high Russian boots, An Authoress’s Party. A novel way of entertaining guests wwas introduced by Mrs. Stuart Menzies, the authoress, at her party at the Hyde Park Hotel recently. The hostess, who had arranged for a number of well-known Pariiamentary characters to be impersonated, wrote ‘for each impersonation a little yerse emphasising some characteristic of the person represented. Thus, when the entertainer impersonated Lord Balfour he recited the following lines, hitting off the Conservative leader’s indecision during the tariff reform controversy :~

I am not for free trade, And I’m not for protection; I approve of them both, And to both have objection. This was Mrs. Menzics’ tilt at Mr. Churchill — Some say that my coat is reversible, And whenever a change is rehearsible My country Dll serve With magiificent verce, My objections are always submersible. Mr, Baldwin’s pipe, of course, was pilloried ;:- | To cartoonists and other such folk My pipe is an excellent joke. * To be perfectly fair I haven’t much flair, But there’s certainly pleuty of smoke. A Little Knowledge. "Can yon show me one of those pianos you just wave you hands over? I want to buy one as a present for my daughter." + This was an_ actual inquiry in a London piano shop recently. The gentleman had evidently been reading of the young Russian, Professor Theremin, who extracts music fiom the waves of etker by "waving his hands in the air" over his magical box. He wanted a piano of that type!

wat | Radio and Country Life. A further good work is being accomplished by radio, which elaborate and expensive schemes have failed to doto attract settlers from the cities to the outback, and to keep them there. The awful loneliness of days and nights, and the entire absence of social life and amusements, have driven many good men back to the city. Wireless, bringing to them the voice of the outside world, has changed the lives of thousands of outback settlers, Loneliness is forgotten. when men, white men, and women, too, unseen but heard, banish space and boredom with song, music, and story. ‘Through the familiarity of their voices on the air those people become firmly . established outback as friends. Thus wireless is doing a work of national importance. It is quieting the urge in young men in the country to get to the city and) to see life. It is keeping station folk abreast of the times. Newspapers and letters arriving weeks late are no longer devoured eagerly as "new." Radio has told of all the events of the day so quickly and completely that men thousands of miles from cities often know the march of evepits more speedily than their city brothers, who might wait for the newspapers to tell the stories the following day. nd, ee te me 1 ne ae > meee, 7