THE LADIES' WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2594, 31 August 1909, Page 3

THE LADIES' WORLD.

AN INTERESTING AMERICAN VISITOR.

CHAT WITH MRS BEN GO UGH

Mrs Bengough has arrived in Wellington from Sydney Avith her husband, the entertainer. She is an exceptionally interesting personality, alive to many things, and eager to become acquainted Avith the conditions, and everything connected Avith woman suffrage in New Zealand, so that when she returns to Chicago she may be able to speak with authority on The subject. Although, Canadian born —Scotch Canadian to be exact —she has lived nearly all her life in the States, and asoupcon of the inherited Scotch and acquired American accents mingle in her voice with charming effect. Her comparatively youthful face,and alert figure, in conjunction with her silvery hair worn a la Pompadour, Avould make her distinguished in any assemblage. With a foreknoAvledge that Mrs Bcngough had been in a manner lionised in Sydney, and asked to give addresses at the Patriotic and other Women’s Clubs, she Avas questioned by a New Zealand “'Times” representative on the, nature of these addresses. “I am principally interested in philanthropic work, Avas the reply, and having for a long time identified myself with the Avork in connection Avith what AV6 call the Settlement Houses, I spoke upon these and .the ehildden’s playgrounds also. Avhich are such a feature of American cities. In Chicago alone ten million dollars have been paid to have the children's playgrounds fully equipped. All sorts of healthy amusement and recreation are provided in thise playgrounds, and outside the gardens and' laAvns there are gymnasiums, swimming pools, skating rinks, and —yes —dancing halls. “You probably think the dancing halls superfluous, but it must be borne in mind that in such a city as Chicago, for instance, there arc problems to solve that do not exist here, and those engaged in philanthropic endeavors recognise that if the young people must Avork off their surphis energy it is much better they should do so under pure influences than in the questionable dance halls attached to the drinking saloons. ,

“The Settlement House scheme has been devised to cope Avith the problem of slumdom, and many people are giving their money, time, and attention to it —many even making their homes among the people it has been designed to benefit, so that they may be in constant personal touch AV.ith them. There are also outside AA'orkers, ay ho devote tAvo or three days in the Aveek to visiting these houses. By such active agency interest is kept aln r e for the people in various matters, not the least of Avhich is the caring for and educating their children. There are kindergartens and other schools run in con--nection Avith these settlement houses, clubs both for men and Avomen, and even a theatre Avhere Avholesoino amusement is provided. “The moral influence of all this has had a surprising effect on our" slums, and the people of these young growing cities might do Avorse than bear tho Settlement Houses scheme in mind—although there cannot of course be so much need for it as in. some of the moro thickly-populated cities of the States just yet. " ' “But,” said Mrs Bengough laughingly. “I must not dictate. I am here to learn, not to presume to teach. I have come to principally learn all about Avoman suffrage and the benefits to be derived from it. It is said the American woman does not Avant the vote, and if she got it she would not care for it or exert her privileges intelligently, yet I can assure you there are millions of women in America who. do want the vote, and although they, like myself, do not adopt the militant attitude, Ave live in hope of being able to vote eventually. I think it is Avorking up to that, -in fact.” Mrs Bengough expressed herself charmed Avith the Avomen she met in Sydney, especially in Clubdom, and paid a special tribute to the A\-ork of Miss Rose Scott, who has done so much for the emancipation of her sex. While in Wellington Mrs Bengough hopes to be able te Ansit and acquaint herself AA'ith the working of the diffe-. rent philanthropic institutions. “Such visits may be said to be my chief fad if yon like to call it so,” she remarked smilingly, “and I shall not be abovt picking up any hint I can Avhich maj be found applicable to us in the direction of philanthropy a& well as of womanhood suffrage.”

BOSES BEHIND HER EARS. The Spanish woman always make a picture of herself. “I once employed a Spanish maid,” said a society woman. “The maid had worked for Mrs Brown Potter, and she understood the art of dress. ' “One night, when I was ready to go to a dinner. I stood in front, of my mirror dissatisfied. ‘I have on my new gown,’ said I aloud, ‘but I am not beautiful. My gown is stiff. I have no feminine grace.’ “‘Permit me, madam,’ said the maid. And with deft fingers she took a great pink rose from a vase on the table and fastened it behind one of my ears so that it fell upon my neck. Then taking a white rose she secured it under the other, ear. ‘Now, madam,’ said she, ‘please look.’ “I looked 'and was satisfied. It was the finishing touch—the one touch that was necessary.” HOUSEHOLD ECONOMIES. To keep silver bright, without constantly using plate powder, it should be rubbed every day with specially -treated. cloths. To prepare them, an ounce of calcined hartshorn should be dissolved in the first instance in three breakfast cupfuls of water, using ,a special pan for the imrpose. If the linen rags which are to be set aside for plate cleaning are boiled in it, and then hungmo to dry, they will be found most efficacious .in preventing plated or silver articled from tarnishing, as well as copper and brass. When ironing new damask or linen of any description, a good plan is that of sprinkling the surface with alum' and rosewater instead of plain water. This will give it a beautiful gloss as well as produce a-faint smell of roses. Ordinary household flour, heated in a baking dish in the oven, and then rubbed over tin kitchen utensils is an excollent cleanser. A piece of newspaper should he used with which to rub tb -in. - ■ Stale tea stains'on cups .and saubers will vanish immediately i : f. nibbed with a .little salt. To remove the tarnish on brass taps there is-nothing more expeditious than vinegar and salt, a coarse flannel being dipped first in sie vinegar and then in the salt, and scoured over the surface. • An ordinary metal paste should afterwards be used in order to secure a bright polish.