SGCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 306, 19 September 1908, Page 11

SGCIAL AND PERSONAL

A Competition Tea. A iiovol and entertaining competition was arranged for the amusement of the guests at tho tea given b,v Mrs. Etherington yesterday afternoon. All round tho walls of the room were fixed pictures clevcrly drawn by Mrs. Etherington's brother, Dr. Hay, and the guests we're supplied with a catalogue of pictures, the object, of the competition being to fit tha right names to the right pictures. As tho names had been vory 'ingeniously chosen, this proved a rather difficult matter. Tho first prize was won by Miss Christine Smith, and the second by Mrs. St-ott. Mrs. Etherington wore a vory pretty frock of champagno silk. Among tho many guests present were Lady Ward, and Miss Ward, Aliss Partridge, Mrs. Mason, Mrs Knox-Gilmer Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Findlay, Mrs. Heaton Rhodes, Mrs. aud Miss Wylis, Mrs. and Miss Sinclair, Mrs. MacEwan, Miss Palmer, Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Macarthy, Miss HallJones, Mrs. Christie, Miss Chapman, and Miss M. Stuart. Last. Night's Dancos. Last night, in the Concert Room of tho Town Hall, the Wellington College Old Boys' Association gave a danco in honour of the visiting Wanganui Collego football team. This was 0110 of several dances given the same night, and the attendance was smaller than usual at dances given by the College ..Old Boys. Also the Wanganui football team was late in arriving in town, and members did not reach the hall till some time after ten. Tho hall was beautifully decorated, hung with flags artistically disposed, and festooned with flags and lycopodium. The stago was carpeted and furnished, and it made the centro of the decorations. Supper, was served in the corridor on the second floor. The chaperons wero Mrs. Firth, who wore pale pink chiffon taffetas, and striped silk scarf; Mrs. Macdonald, in black lacs over white silk, and handsome brocaded coat; Mrs. H. Blundell, black chif.fon taffetas; Mrs. Bolton, in pale blue messa'.ino satin; and Mrs. Mee, in' black silk with, cream coat. ' Miss Rothschild, wore green velvet; Miss E. B,othschild, pink chiffon taffetas; Miss Halse, whito silk; Miss Isaacs, whits silk; Miss Winder, pale blue satin; Miss Clark, whito silk; Miss Hannah, palo blue floral silk; Miss Pollock, white satin; Miss Gallagher, black velvet; Miss L. Gallagher, blue frock; and Miss Pilchcr, whito chiffon: taffetas, with pink sash. A Hastings Wedding.

A wedding of much interest throughout the district was solemnised at St. Matthew's Church,. Hastings, pn Thursday afternoon (writes our Hastings correspondent), the contracting parties being Dr. .Penrose John Barcroft, F.U.C.S.I'., formerly staff surgeon of the Royal Navy, and Miss Fanny Lowry Beamish, youngest daughter of Mr. N. E. Beamish, of Stoneycroft, Hastings. The church, Which was crowded during tho ceremony, was effectively decorated by the Misses Russell and Williams. Tho Rev.' Cauon Tuke, of' Napier, officiated, and was assisted by tho Rev. J. A. Kayll. The brido, who was given away by her father, woro a charming dress of ivory satin mado in empire style, the underskirt being of beautiful old lace over silver tissue; the bodico of laco was swathed with embroidered chiffon and silver, with long ruched .sleeves. The train was fastened at one corner with a spray of real orange blossoms, tied with a true lovers' knot of silver. The ornaments •wore a beautiful diamond pendant and'a crescent of pearls, the gifts of the bridegroom, and a diamond bracelet given to her by her mother. The bride'was attended by four little, children—Misses Joyco Beamish (her niece), and Philippa Nairn (daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Nairn), and Masters Ralph Lowry and Douglas Lane. Tho- little girls wore fine white muslin frocks, and the boys white-man-b'-war .suits. .Tho bride's travelling dress was a coat and skirt of striped r.avy blue cloth trimmed with dark blue velvet and gold braid. At the conclusion of the ceremony a' reception was held at Stoneycroft, the residence of' the bride's parents. In the afternoon, tho newly-married couple left by motor-car for the Whanawhana Station. A Private Song Rocital.

It wis to,an unusual audience that Miss Ireno Ainslcy sang last night. For tho past two years she has been singing at concerts throughout England and Scotland, singing in brightly lighted halls to peoplo moreor less fashionably attired, most of whom wero-so accustomed to concert going that no ono evening's music would make any lasting impressibn on their minds. Last night sho sang in a large bare room at tho convent in Hill Street to a score or so of nuns and novices to whom her magnificent.singing was a raro treat. : At ono end cf tiie'room was the grand piano, and at the other tho nuns, their robes and hoods all severity, and their faces oxpressive of tho keenest enjoyment.' It quite a concert that was given for' their benefit. Mrs.Qucrco played a piano-' forto solo, and Miss Ainslcy sang several' songs, among them, "Lilies," "Annio' Laurie," " Souvenance of Bemberg," " A Happy Song," "Absent," and "When He : Comes Home." All were sung with great charm and expressiveness. Mr. Hamilton I Hodges,. who had accompanied her, delighted his audience with many songs, among them tho dainty " Forget-Me-Not" and "Beloved,..it is Morn." Tho littlo concert, listed more than an hour, and it was evident that' tho performers enjoyed it as much as tho nuns, to whom they, wero giving such pleasure. Several others were present, Lady Ward, and Miss Ward, and tho Misses Sod-' don being them.

A Local Wedding.. On Wednesday afternoon last a large number of friends "assembled at tho Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church to witness the marriagp of Miss Emma Gilford Woodcock, eldest daughter of Mr. and.Mrs. This. M. Woodcock,, of this" city,' to Mr. Matthew Thos. Russell, oldest son of Mr." Geo. T. Russell, of Wanganui, aiid at present oh tho Wellington staff of'the Manawatit Railway Company. Tho' bride wore. a. dress of whito embroidered muslin, with orange blossoms and, bridal veil, and carried a white shower bouquet. Tho bridesmaids,' Misses Maud Russell, of Wanganui, sister of'the bridegroom, and Anno Woodcock, sister of the brido, woro dainty frocks of whito lawn,' trimmed with Valenciennes and pink ribbons, and pink and whito picture hats. They carried a bouquet of the same colours. The bridegroom was attended by his brother, Mr. George J. Russell, and Mr. Gordon Weober. After tho ceremony, which was porformed by tho Rov. J. Kennedy Elliott, tho parents of tho bride entertained a large number of friends at their residence in Collego Torraco. Palmerstori North News.

At a littlo tea-party to welcome homo Miss Margaret Waldegravo', given by Mrs. Peter Sim, each guest had to contributo a short poom of welcome of uot less than four lines. The reading of theso impromptu verses caused much amusement, and tho prizo was won by Miss Ida Russell, who was wearing a pale blue coat and skirt, with protty highcrowned white hat trimmed with floral ribbon and large, pink roses. Among thoso present wero Miss Waldegravo, in very becoming pale blue voile costume, with hat to match, Miss C. Warburton, Miss Howitt, Miss M. Abraham, and Miss M. Green (Dunedin.) Mr. Tom Williamson (Auckland) has been spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Abraham. His brother, Mr. J. Williamson! has also been in Palmerston, the guest of his Excellency, ; the Governor, at Woodhcy. The Art Exhibition has attracted a large number of visitors during tho past week. Each evening thero has been a short programme of music, and on Wednesday the pretty old English dances arranged by Miss Boswick for tho recent flower show, wero repeated by request, to a very appreciative audience. Among thoso present 011 different evenings were Mr. and Mrs, It. S. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Monro, Mr. and Mrs. Goldingham, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Watson, Mr. Williamson (Auckland), Miss Mills, Mrs.

Hunter-Brown, Mrs. Edward Fitzgorald (Raurimu), Mr. and Mrs. A. Holmes, Miss Kelly, Mrs. Porritt, and Mrs. Saunderson (Fordcll), and Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Loughnan. Mrs. Tom Saunderson (Fordcll) is visiting her cousin, Mrs. 0. 11. Porritt. Mrs. Baddoley (Kimbolton) is tho guest of Mrs. Reid. Mrs. 11. R. Cooper has her, mother, Mrs. Haseldcn, staying with her for a few days. Mrs. Arthur Russell has gone to Wellington to visit her brother, Mr. Algar Williams. A delightful morning tea was given yesterday by Mrs. Riley at her homo in Willis Street as a farewell for Mrs. MacEwan, when a number of that lady's friends wero present. Among them wero the Misses Ewen (2), Stafford (2), Mrs. Maelean, Miss Kcmbor, Mrs. Fisher, and Mrs. Gunn. Miss do' Bourbcll, of Meynell and Gunn's dramatic company, ga'vo an afternoon tea at Carroll's - in honour of Miss Ainsley yesterday. The tables were most artistically arranged with narcissi and violets, intermixed with trailing lycopodium. Among tho many guests present wero Miss Stanford, Mrs. and Miss Holloway, Miss Russell, and Mis Harding. Miss Jessie Mackay, of Christchurch, whoso poem? and proso writings aro well known in New Zealand, is staying at the Arcadia Hotel with her father. She leaves for Christchurch this evening. Miss Theresa Wardell, from the Waira.rapa, is staying with her sister, Mrs. Georgo 1 Pearco,, at tho Hutt. Mrs. Georgo Maclean, who has been staying with Miss Holmes, left for the South on Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. L. Dwan and Airs. Corrigan were among the passengers for Sydney yesterday. Tho Misses Tolhurst.and Horfcon, who have heen on a visit to the Islands, returned from Fiji on Tuesday by tho Hauroto. Miss Winnie Miles has returned from Auckland after an. eight-months' visit. The social to be held next month under the auspices of tho Civil Service Association promises to be a success. At a, largelyattended. meeting of ladies in the service last' evening, a committee to assist in arrangments for the social was set up, Miss Seddon presiding, and Mrs. Pytt-Jackson as secretary, and Miss M. Orr as assistant secretary. The couimitteo will meet again on Tuesday evening to reccivo a report from the gentlemen's committee.

A very enjoyable dance was given on Friday ovening in tho Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street, by Mrs. Turnbull, of Oriental Bay. Tho hall was tastefully decorated with greenery and spring flowers, and the stage transformed into a drawing-room. Tliero wero numbers of young girls present. Mrs. Turnbull received the young guests in. a'handsome black taffetas frock, relieved with white; Miss I'urnbull woro pretty whito muslin; Mrs. Chappie wore green silk; the Misses Chappie, white frocks; and Miss Edith Scott, pretty

THE LADY OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE. WOMAN'S REMARKABLE ENTERPRISE. Tho Melbourne "Ago " tells the story of a woman's magnificent enterprise, which resulted in tho founding of Victoria's pastoral prosperity. It is an exciting story, and ono which places its heroine on a level with Caroline Chisholm, the saviour of tho emigrants in Now South Wales.

Mrs: John Forlonge was a Scotch woman. In 1826 she was living, with hor husband and two young boys—her sons, "William and Andrew—oll a poor and small patrimonial property near Glasgow, when her oldest boy, William, then 14 years of age, suddenly developed symptoms of consumption. The physicians having recommended a warmer climate for him, Mrs. Forlongo promptly decided to emigrate to Australia, a place then just beginning to attract the attention of the adventurous spirits of Scotland. Mr. Forlongo had no desire for so great a change, but Mrs. Forlongo was a woman of astounding energy and force of character, and 110 soon yielded .to her arguments. Ho stipulated, howover, that beforo the family emigrated, the boys should bo sent to Germany to bo educated in all that related to tho management of sheep and fino wool. Mrs. Forlongo agreed, and sho at once proceeded with the boys to Leipsic. When tho adventurous trio had mastered the German tongue, Mrs. Forlongo placed her pons in wool-sorting warehouses, and remained with them to care for thorn and look after them in that foreign country four years, until tho boys wero perfectly acquainted with tho business. Sho then set out upon a pilgrimage, which, it is safo to' say, has no parallel in tho recorded annals of feminino achievements.

A STRANGE TOUR. It was her ambition that hor sons should each take with them to Australia a select flock of Saxony merinoes. For that purpose she had converted all her little fortuno into cash. Wijh all tho money sho possessed in tho world sown into hor corsets, tho intrepid woman set out with her boys 011 foot to tour the length and breadth of Saxony in order to select and purchase (ho required sheep. It was n task that needed a heroine to accomplish. Saxony was uot then,

as now, a country traversed with railroads, thickly settled and perfectly civilised. It was a land rarely visited by outsiders, sparsoly inhabited, sprinkled over with walled and fortified towns, and containing the poorest accommodation for travellers. Tho farms wero few and far between, tho roads were villainous, aud tho peoplo jealous, wild and unfriendly to strangers. But nothing daunted that extraordinary woman. Sho proceeded steadily on her way from farm to farm, choosing cverywhero the finest specimens of sheep after testing tli.o fineness of the wool with probes. As sho could not immediately tako tho sheep she purchased with her, sho placed a collar round the neck of each one sho bought, sealed with her private seal, so that not any of them should by any chicanery bo changed. When the courageous trio had toured the wholo of Saxony, and made all the purchases they needed, they once moro covered tho whole' ground in order to collect tho sheep, and they gradually forged their way towards Hamburg. What a strango picture must Mrs. Forlonge have presented to the eyes of any of her old-timo friends had they encountered her I Imagine that delicately nurtured lady tramping behind _ her over-increasing flocks, with a long staff in her hand, like some shep-. herdess of • tho ancient nomads. Often she was obliged to sleep out in tho fields and woods for lack of any hostelry. When it was possible, however, she put up at an inn, and had her precious charges (they cost her £30 apiece) locked up in stables and fed wjth hay and corn. Frequently they met with unpleasant adventures. The punctilious and suspicious Germans could not understand the spectacle of a woman and two lads wandering about from place to place with so valuable a flock; and at every town they touched the authorities subjected them to rigorous examinations. "My heart," said Mrs. Forlonge, " used to sink as I heard the chains of tho drawbridge rattle on coming to a fortified town lest our passports and receipts should not bo accepted or should by any chance bo lost." SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.

More than onco thoy were detained in durance vile, and the sheep arrested. Once they were clapped into gaol and carried later before a magistrate. But as inquiries invariably resulted in establishing their honesty they were always in tho long run restored to their possessions and sot at liberty. At length they reached Hamburg and sailed to Hull. They crossed England on foot, just as they had crossed Germany, and arrived safely at Liverpool. From that port young William Forlonge presently sailed for Sydney, alone, carrying with him tho entire flock of 100 merinoos. The ship, however, was obliged to put into Van Diomen's Land, and Colonel Arthur, tho Governor, persuaded the lad to settle •tr ere. Very soon after William had set sail Mrs. Forlonge returned to Saxony with her second son, Andrew, and once moro toured the entire kingdom in the fashion above narrated. She returned to England a year later with 130 splendid mcrinoes, and thereupon tho whole family, inspired by William's success, embarked for Van Diomen's Land. Young Andrew took the merinoes to Sydney, and applied for a grant of land. For no good reason tho authorities refused his request. Captain Macarthur had previously introduced Saxony sheep into New South Wales, and for merely importing fivo ewes and one ram had been awarded a free grant of 10,000. acres.- Young Andrew Forlonge was treated in a very different fashion. The Government, with unexampled foolishness, set his claims at naught, and obliged him to withdraw his valuablo flock to some moro hospitable territory.

But New South Wales's loss was Victoria's gain. Assisted by his wonderful mother, the lad, still a minor,, returned for a tirao to Tasmania, and thence passed over to Victoria (then Port Phillips District) with his brother William, where they took up a pasturage at Seven Creeks, in the Ovens River district. Andrew subsequently paid a visit to America, _ where ho married and settled down but AVilliam remained in Victoria, and tho merinoes with which his mother's marvellous enterprise had furnished him laid the foundations of this State's wool-producing eminence.

After her husband's death, Mrs.'John Forlonge permanently resided with her son William at Seven Creeks. ■ For many years sho practically managed the station in all its .details. She retained up to a great age tho most wonderful vigour of body and of mind. She became passionately attached to her adopted country, and sho died at length happy in the knowledge that she had not only founded the fortunes of her family, but that sho had notably stimulated and largely ifelped to mould tho prosperity of an entire State. Her nanjc (says the "Age") deserves to livo for all time in Victoria's history.