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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 3 (July 2, 1928)

Of Feminine Interest

page 53

Of Feminine Interest.

Fashion Notes.

The frock illustrated shows the new one-sided cape collar and little kilted frills. The hat is of almond green Baku straw with velvet ribbon to match.

* * *

Hosiery Hints.

To save wear on the heels of your stockings glue a scrap of velvet very smoothly on the inside of each shoe heel.

Always wash silk stockings as soon as possible after having vorn them. Never wear them more than once without washing if you want them to wear well.

Never buy stockings that are too short. This is almost as bad for the feet as shoes that are too short. When buying wool stockings get them a little larger than necessary to allow for the shrinkage which is bound to occur with even the most careful laundering.

Wash silk stockings in lukewarm suds made with a mild white soap and rinse in water of the same temperature. Dry in the shade.

Darn all breaks in stockings, especially silk ones, as soon as they make their appearance. This is one of the cases where a stitch in time not only saves nine but often the whole stocking as well.

One of the best ways to deal with distressing “runners” is to turn the stocking wrong side out and take up a small seam, sewing it the entire length of the runner.

Dustless Dust Cloths.

Dustless dust cloths, which will pick up the dust instead of merely stirring it up, can easily be made at home. Saturate a common dust cloth with kerosene and then hang it out in the open until dry. It is then ready for use. If shaken repeatedly this will continue to take up dust for a long time. When it no longer picks up all lint and dust, wash the cloth in hot suds, dry and treat as before.

Several pairs of old silk stockings sewed together on the machine and trimmed into an oblong or oval shape, then treated with kerosene, will make an excellent dusting cloth for furniture. Soft cotton stockings, cheese-cloth and the like, also serve well as dust cloths.

* * *

Floor Coverings.

If you are thinking of buying a new carpet for your living room, try a self-colour or a blend of two or more shades. You will find it makes a welcome change from the old type of carpet and serves as a pleasant background for coloured rugs or floor cushions.

The following may be of interest to those who find it difficult to distinguish between the different classes of carpets.

A Brussels carpet may be easily distinguished by its loop pile, which is formed of threads of worsted yarn on a woven foundation.

Wilton carpets are of essentially the same manufacture as brussels, the chief exception being that the warp threads forming the upper surface are cut, thus producing a soft pile. The similarity between Brussels and Wilton carpets is the outcome of the fact that the first Brussels carpets were made in England, at Wilton, by French weavers about the year 1740. Although the manufacture of carpets had been carried out at this place previous to this date, the cut pile variety to which it has now given its name was a subsequent production.

The pile of the Axminster carpet is tufted, not looped, as a Brussels or Wilton.

page 54

N.Z. Publicity Campaign in Australia.

The New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Australia, Mr. J. H. Manson, has taken a keen interest in the extension of publicity efforts in that country. In a recent letter to the General Manager of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, he writes as follows:—

“You will be glad to learn that Messrs. Firth and Barnett, the two newly appointed travel salesmen, duly reached Melbourne, and that things are beginning to shape well for the campaign that is to be conducted in Australia to encourage tourists to New Zealand's shores.

Considerable time is required in the preparation of the ground-work for the activities ahead of us, but steady progress is being made, and we hope to be in full swing at an early date.

Both officers are entering on their new duties with that spirit of enthusiasm which will enable them to overcome any little obstacles likely to be a bar to their success. I feel confident that they will give a good account of themselves. They have been well received on all sides, and have created a favourable impression among those who are likewise endeavouring to foster the travel habit.

Arrangements were kindly made by the Railway authorities for Mr. Barnett to visit the Mount Buffalo Chalet on his way back to Sydney, so that the information he would gain there would be of mutual advantage. The Victorian Railways are whole heartedly co-operating with us in our mission, and are at the present time using their best endeavours to get New South Wales to treat Mr. Barnett similarly. If this can be arranged it will be a wonderful help and a lead to the other States to come into line.

You will be glad to know that there is a forward movement here, backed by the Railways, hotel proprietors and other concerns, to go out after the tourist, working simultaneously with ourselves, and we have, as it were, come in with the tide.”

Mr. Manson also forwarded circulars and newspaper extracts indicating the publicity given to their efforts. He considers there is every reason to be satisfied with the initial stages of the campaign.

“… New Zealand, most beautiful of lands! Often I think of thy poetical legends, and feast my eyes again in imagination on thy lovely landscapes! I would fain enjoy again the hospitality of thy kind inhabitants, and listen to the liquid language of thy natives…”—Max O'Rell.