OF FEMININE INTEREST

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 4, 5 August 1932, Page 24

OF FEMININE INTEREST

By

Patricia

A MOST interesting talk was that on Delhi by Captain R. H. Niel from 1YA. It was explained by the speaker that this was the one city in India which could justly claim to be an historic capital and Imperial city. The present city is the fifth or sixth that has risen on the site, but the glamour of its glories under the Moghul Emperors of Hindustaan still hangs around its walls. Delhi has often been sacked and laid desolate, but her incomparable situation marks her for the metropolis’ of a great. empire. Surviving ruins convey a more inmpressive sense of magnitude than Imperial Rome; they are a memorial not of a single city but of supplanting nations, Hight centuries before the Latins settled in Campania, a band of Aryans founded the city, which had previously been an aboriginal savages’ abode. Later the Moslem appeared, and Hindu civilisation disappeared in smoke and tuin. ‘ It was owing to the historic and imperial associations of Delhi that it was chosen as the capital, but the new Delhi, although magnificent, pales into insignificance beside the storied gems of Moghul structure and art. The great Jumma Musjid, built by the Shad Jehan, of red sandstone and white marble,, with its three imposing gateways and grand flights of steps, cannct but impress the visitor. In memory I can still see myself taking off my shoes, and encassing. my feet in white kid slippers, many sizes too big, and tied on by blue ribbon, given me so that I might enter with reverence the sacred precincts of the Moslem’s noblest mosque. For a riot of flaunted wealth the Fort of Delhi is unsurpassed. In the public audience halls of the Moghul Emperors the mosaie work can truly be described as wonderful, Although to-day the precious jewels which studded the marble are replaced by coloured glass, one’s imagination is staggered by the beauty in design, the infinite detail, and in the aggregate the miles of inlay work. The

most striking price of artistry must have been the Peacock Throne of solid gold, with the fan-spread tails of the birds thickly studded with rubies, sapphires,. and other jewels to represent the exact colouring of the peacocks. These, together with a life-size carving of a parrot cut from a single emerald, gives some idea of the magnificence cf the Moghul Emperors. Captain Niel described the Mote Musjid or Pearl Mosque of the Fort as inferior for purity and elegance only to its sister mosque at Agra. This without doubt is a beautiful gem. A mosque has no tawdry decorations, and no edifice has greater religious dignity than the Pearl Mosque at Agra. In speaking of the characteristic sights in Delhi streets and bazaars, Captain Niel mentioned the extraordinary variety of colour that is a feature of street life: The living mosaic has at first a bewildering effect on the beholder, but later the kaleidoscopic scene resolves itself into separate units, each unit being an independent blend of orange and majenta, green and violet, or silver and scarlet. The native shops are a feast of colour, and what will probably impress the artistic visitor is the natural love of picturesque effect and the correct taste in. colour possessed by the Hindus. In this sombre-hued city of bleak winters, I often sigh for India’s warmth of sun and colour, and the interesting study of its native inhabitants.

Captain Niel thoroughly knows his India, and his talks are illuminating. I listened to him when he spoke of the North-West Frontier Provinces, where I-have spent many happy hours, but was unable to follow Captain Niel’s talk as static was so dreadful that the loudspeaker ejected sounds worse than a tropical thunderstorbm. Es x % "THE other evening, from 3YA, Mr. E. B. Wiltshire (vice-president of the Linwood Library) gave a short talk on the "Books of the Month." One review especially interested me, This was "Pencarrow," and, according to Mr. Wiltshire, one of the finest stories of New Zealand life ever written. There is no plot-just a chronicle of three generations of Pencarrows-but so well told that it holds the attention of the reader from start to finish. This book, says Mr. Wiltshire, would make a suitable gift for friends overseas; for, as an advertisement of New Zealand, nothing could be better. % s bs I UNDERSTAND that the City Mission’s finances are at a rather low ebb. Mr. Peter Fraser, speaking from 2ZW the other evening, gave some illuminating facts concerning the amount of work this organisation is doing. Since the depression descended upon us, the work of the Mission has extended considerably .and its resources have been overtaxed. It is-hoped that the proceeds of the "Silver Lining

Fair," to be held in the Town ‘Hall from September 13 to 17, will. greatly augment the exchequer. In the meantime, clothes, boots and ‘socks are urgently needed for men and boys, and any help in this direction. will ~be gratefully received. It is-now that "tasks: greater- than we have. before accomplished: stretch our abilities, and they never again wholly contract to. their original limits." ss * N these pages I have.from time to time commented on the talks given by the representative of the Health . Department (2YA). and of the invaluable advice that is weekly ~- put over the air.. After- listening to his’ talk. on Thursday, July 27, I feel .I must again put in a word to parents. who may not have heard this talk. Rheumatism, which is so prevalent in children from the. ages of. five to fifteen years, may first show itself in many ways. It is an insidious disease and at first is often. vague and indefinite, -commencing with light fever, languor, pallor or wasting. To mini- . mise these effects a child should -be earefully. watched, Growing pains, jerky movements of face or limbs, defective teeth, discharging ears. should be early taken in hand and receive medical examination. Children with a tendency to rheumatic pains should always wear woollen garments next to the skin, and should avoid undue exposure to cold: and wet: In temperate climates. where the weather is so changeable this disease is very common. In the tropics it is rare, Sunlight and fresh air are doubly necessary ‘to a rheumatic child, and a simple nutritious diet, with plenty of ‘milk, is advocated. It is not necessary to hold too gloomy a view over the future of ‘the child who suffers from rheumatism, as children respond wonderfully to treatment, especially in the early stages, as doctors and nurses well know. . Copies of pamphlets on the ment of this ailment can be had free of charge on application to the Department of. Health.

HE other day I received a letter from a friend in Birmingham who ~ has for many years, been keenly interested in children’s education, and knowing that it was a subject in which I, too, am interested, she tells me that this city has been for some time tackling the problem of the care and education of children who are mentally deficient. There are now eight special schools provided for these children; where a curriculum is arranged suitable to their needs. It was found, however, that even in these special schools certain children did not seem to be benefiting. The Education Committee-has therefore rented two big rooms at opposite ends of the city, and these are for a small group of children-for whom the special schools have’ failed. These are called occupation centres, and I am told a better name could: not be given them, ‘as they are occupation. centres in every sense of the: word... The childe .

ren do not sit at desks, but are given freedom of movement. While one child may be doing embroidery, another will be learning to distinguish colour by sorting out bricks. As far as possible the children are made familiar with the simplest necessities of everyday life, Such as learning how to dress themSelves, clean their teeth, etc. In order to learn the value of money they go shopping, and their object and picture lessons deal with everyday affairs. Birmingham is usually among the first towns to take up any new reform in the matter of education, and certainly has done some excellent work in its different branches. wk = * {rz was most gratifying to hear through ‘ the medium of the children’s educational session of the wonderful response that has been, made to the wool woman’s talk to the children from 2YA on New Zealand’s wool industry, and to her appeal to the boys and girls to knit squares of wool, which have been named "Peggy Squares." Most of these squares have been made up into warm rugs, and are to be given to the Mayor’s fund, Some of them I saw displayed in the window of one of the big stores in town, and I am sure those who receive these gifts will appreciate the work that has been done by the children and be grateful to the organiser of this community of workers tor the distressed,

GEVERAL Huropean broadcasting stations transmit physical training instructions, but to Langenberg belongs the distinction of having started a daily gymnastic course for "ladies only." The innovation began as an ex‘periment, but the widespread demand for more has led to the permanent inclusion of women’s physical training talks each morning, % sie a HEN I heard the recording of a dauce number with a woman vocalist the other evening it recalled Dr. Jobnson’s remarks concerning women preachers, "Preaching by women," said the great commentator, "is rather like a dug standing on its hind legs. It is not done well, and one wonders why it is done at all." % % & HAT a thrill those who listened to a programme broadcast one evening in May must have had when the oldest piece of music ever transmitted by wireless was put on the air by the B.B.C. This was a Hymn to Apollo, composed nearly three centuries B.C. it was discovered by a French archaeologist at Delphi in 18938. The musical symbols are inscribed on a slab of marble, which I believe is cherished in thé.-British Museum. The Hymn was used by the B.B.C. for the Chorus of Priests in ‘"Caractacus," by Peter Creswell. ‘ Bd & "PHE well-known musician, Sir Hamilton Harty, abhors broadcasting, so has presented his wireless set to his cook. If his meals are spoilt, the cook can now blame radio. *% * = ACCORDING to advance millinery , news, there is every likelihood of the large sailor hat returning to favour. There is a fancy already for the new small sailor worn straight on the head, narrow of brim and shallow of crown. The smart weman no longer tips her hat over her right ear--she sets it squarely on her head, following the line _of her eyebrows. . ce

"THE knitted sweater is an important item of one’s wardrobe, and the new woven kyitted fabrics have completely ousted silks and satins for even the most formal day-time wear. Coarse knit sweaters in two colours are the fancy of the moment. , ot a R READ in a Home paper the other day that women are joining the hatless brigade, which became so popular among men some time ago. It is said this vogue originated among hikers. When they donned their hiking kit they doffed their hats, and enjoyed the comfort of going bareheaded. This craze will not last long, for women will never be able to resist the lure of a new hat. s S RIDES-TO-BE may be interested in the latest fashion-that of the evening ensemble turned into a wed-

ding gown by means of the addition of a train. It is a new idea for the brie to wear a coutee over her wedding gown, and an important step forward in the economy vogue for designing wedding clothes _ for _after-use, OR D2®SPITH the puritan abhorrance that the English have for anything approaching the Continental Sunday, a recent broadcast of "Hamlet" on that day was received with much appreciation. * * * "THERE are now instituted in America academies for the training of radio singers. One of the most famous is that conducted by Ustelle Liebling, where every element of microphone technique-diction, line, intonation, steadiness and interpretation. -are taught. The art of singing for

broadcasting is an intricate one. Many; of the most successful artists of the B.B.C. have only acquired their present technique after long periods of re hearsal and consultation with the powers that be. * * *« ERE is a new publication from Ward, Lock and Co. "Her Month, of Freedom," by Paul Trent. This author always handles his subs, jects well, and the story has plenty of} adventure and love interest. A mar-. riage has been arranged between the Lady ‘Nalda, daughter of the Earl of, Mundy, and a multi-millionaire, but bes! fore Nalda consents to this alliance she insists on having one month of complete, freedom. This is granted by her father,: and she sets out for Paris with her companion, intending to lead the life of an ordinary girl in comfortable circumstances. She takes another name, and in her innocence lands herself in a com-' promising situation. All her escapades are well thought out, and before her month is up many extraordinary hap' penings take place. 4 Readers of this class of literature will enjoy the book. a * * Woman : Theme and Variations. By* A. Corbett-Smith (Douglas). In spite of continual analysis and ad: vice, the modern woman continues ta’ take life as its comes, leaving other people to decide whether she is modern or old-fashioned. Almost anything can be said about her, and almost everything has now been said. Mr. Corbett-Smith is quite sure that he understands woman. ‘There is na mystery above her. She has no intuition, no sense of humour-happily for inan-and no tenderness. She is an une civilised being, an eternal Primitive. The secret of her power is technique. "Always she is mistress of herself.’? She will give royally of herself, but never wholeheartedly. Mr. Corbetta Smith’s enviable perspicacity does not make him dislike women. This is 2 book in favour of them. He says of the modern English girl: "To any but the most jaundiced eye of male or spinster mediaevalism she has appeared as the most gracious visitation that this hoary and wicked old eurth has ever known." ad ® % NEW book, "The True Woman," which is published hy Gerald Howe, is by the well-known playwright, Mr. C. K. Munro, who is the author of several other successful works. This book ig witty, acute, and provoking. Women, of course, are very interesting, but more in the concrete than the abstract. Many of his illustrations are doubtless true to life, and they are usually amusing, whether or not they prove the generalisations. It seems that the essential feminine characteristics are: A tendency to use insight rather than intelligence; and a tendency to be pure posive and not contemplative. Mr. Munro says that women are different beings from men, and must not be judged by male standards. They are not even to be regarded as equal; they ave simply different. Mr. Munro says: "Man always thinks he is right. Woman doesn't mind whether she is right or uot, provided she gets her own way." There is undoubtedly excellent psychos logical perception in the book generally, The trouble is that.so many men hdve exactly the same characteristics Mr, Munro seems to reserve exclusively, for _ OME, _