THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2385, 29 December 1908, Page 7

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

BRITAIN’S FIRST LADY MAYOR.

The first lady mayor, since the ofiice was open to .all women by the \ c t passed last year, was to have be- ", un her municipal duties at High Wy combe, Buckinghamshire England, on November 9. Her name is Miss Dove and her past career lias been a distinguished one. jK Jfhe daughter of a Lincolnshire she was the first student to enter at Girton College, Cam. bridge. She holds the degree of M.A of that university. Her life has been devoted to the cause of education. From ISB2 to 1896 slio was headmistress of a girls’ school at«St. Leonard’s and in-1896 she starter a school a t Wycombe Abbey, of the council of which Dr. Burge, headmaster of 'Winchester College, is president. She. has taken much interest in municipal work, and was returned at the head of the poll in the last muniopal, contest She has acted as « Jr member of the Hospital and Health Committee of the borough for the past year, and has there earned General popularity. „ : ° She was selected as mayor at a meeting of the corporation held in camera on Tuesday night, and received a majority of thirteen votes to nine.

STORMY MEETING The council meeting at which the matter was discussed is described by , those who were present as “stormy.” But for the tact of the present mayor the occasion would have been most painful. In spite of the difficulty of inducing any of the older and experienced councillors to accept nomination, the proposal to elect Miss Dove met with determined opposition. Until half an hour after midnight the 'debate was acrimoniously kept up, and even later efforts were being made to induce a prominent citizen to be nominated on the ninth. afOut of thirty-two members of the council only twenty-two voted at the meeting. It is expected that a convass will be made and an effort put forth to reverse the preliminary decision. At all events the day of election seems likely to provide some excitement. Opinions among the townspeople are divided. Miss' Dove is universally respected, but many feel that a woman mayor would be too unusual to be a good thing. Among the chief objections raised against Miss Dove’s installation was the fact that she cannot act as chief Jtwgistrate of the town. -For when government accepted the provis*ioii that women could become mayors they expressly laid it down that they should not sit on the Bench. Other objections were that a woman could inot enforce the- rules of debate in an L assembly of men, and that it would be unpleasant for her to preside over discussions on subjects not usually touched on when women are present.

HOW TO BE POPULAR. natural. People are quick to 4Kern affectation of any kind, 'and Efft'c a contempt for it, so give up affectation. .Be neat; there is a great charm in neatness. Be affectionate and sympathetic, and don't be self-conscious and ashamed to show either quality. Be home-loving and kjfed to old people, poor people, '.and children. These are womanly qualities, and all love and admire the womanly girl. (Don’t have “moods, avoid the “blues.” People like to know how to find a. girl, not to have to renew her acquaintance every time they meet. Be athletic. as that yeans health, and healthiness means and wholesome ness of mind and body is an invaluable quality. Someone has suggested twelve things that a girl can learn heroic she is fifteen. Not everyone can learn to sing,' or play, or paint well enough to give pleasure to her friends, hut the following accomplishments are within everybody s reach: —Shut the door, and shut it.softly. Keep vour own room m . tasterut order. " Have an hour for rising, and rip*. Learn to make bread as well as jMlLfe. Never let a button stay ox hours. Always know where vour things are. Never let a day pass without doing something to make someone comfortable. rievqr come to breakfast untidily dressed. Never go about with your shoe unbuttoned. Speak clearly enough for everybody to, understand. Never fidget or hum so as to disturb others. Never fuss or fret. -