SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 904, 25 August 1910, Page 11

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

At tho Dog Show. ■ One can hardly say that they were sounds of revelry that issued from tho building .in which the ■ Kennel Club wero holding their' annual dog show. Half-way'.'down Victoria' Street ono I heard notes of deep and bitter protest ''pitched in various keys, from the piercing snap- and • whine or tho Australianterriers to the.deep , bass growling bark of the St. .Bernards. .If it was noisy ou'tsido, one can hardly fiiid an adequate definition' of wliat it was liko inside at: times, but what would you ! have? Is there any dog- witli an atom ■of self-respect, especially a' dog whose ancestors .go back for- endless generations, that would tamely submit to bo chained up inside, his appearance and points of breeding remarked upon most inconsiderately by unsympathetic pi;oSle, and acquaintanceship forced upon im, willy-nilly.." It was so unfair. At any other time he was free to turn up bis nosq. ; and > walk away from them, but. here he had to endure. If human beings are diverse in their characteristics, canines are just as, full of eccentricities and havo the quaintest: .ways, of showing them. It was .most amusing and most interesting to see the different ways in which, they. endured ■ the . trials. of yesterday. Some of them one could not help thinking, made up their minds from tho beginning that they, would utter their protests to the bitter end, while others, after a period of full-voiced indignation, became philosophers and went to sleep. Others again, with hearts filled with a bitter grudge-against tho world in 'general and refusing to be placated, turned their backs deliberately outwards 'and their faces to tho wall and remained there for tho afternoon, a deep growl coming' from them now and again when overtures of friendship we_ro ; made towards thorn. ■ Many wero,friendly.and simply dying for tho comfort of a hand held out in comradeship. and a kindly chat. ■ Over arid over again ono lost one's heart, aiid decidedly hot always to beauty. .Possibly : tho bull-dogs and the deerhounds shared it principally between, them. The that Sir Walter Scott loved "so deeply . —were truly beautiful animals with their.great tall,'.wiry-haired bodies and .thciVwise, 'faithful-looking"! aces'.'' Ono poor beauty was so overcome with tho strangeness.' and noise and indignity of it all that it simply cried itself, sick and 'then lay liko a log for tho rest of the time, till its mistress canie to comfort it. Another just beside it was simply shivering with nervousness and evidently hated its ordeal intensely. Then there wero tho Borzois, glorious looking creatures with their soft white hair and. great slender bodies and black expressive eyes. It was hard to tear oneself away from them. • : . The bull-dogs _ were ■. most fascinating and were exhibited in great numbers. Overtures of friendship had to be made to them and,'after a littlo consideration, wero most graciously accepted by all but one, whose trust in tho,kindness of human nature had apparently been bitterly betrayed and who, in consequence scorned everyone—with an occasional growl to keep them in their place. .Two, who lived side • by-side for'the time being, 'cherished ,bitter feud and growled in most blood-curd-ling, tones to each' other and strained at their, chains in a vain attempt to get to_closer quarters. It.was a relief to think that there was some check, and one glanewl anxiously at tho fastenings to see if they' would hold.- Green- ! stone, a: porfect beauty, though friendly, was bored.to death with the show, but being sucha' well-bred dog. forbore to say so in conversation, though nis face plainly told the talo. ~ The Irish terriers were most vociferous all. the afternoon and really agitated the other dogs very much. Most especially, were, they aggrieved wheii they ■ caught sight of some dogs wandering in blessed freedom just below. That was altogether too much for them and they- simply. shrieked their angor .and disgust. Later on, though, tho fun began when they wero taken out to bo judged. They were wildly excited and, true to their Irish blood, wero most belligerent, making wild dashes for ono another, wrinkling up their noses and showing their teeth in a most savage manner. Even when they had to trot round tho ju'dgo their thoughts, were, all bent upon war and murder and they forgot to behave as prettily as they should. Even shows, however, have their ending, and. no doubt after to-morrow thes , will tell wonderful , tales vto each. other •of tho admiration they excited, and the prizes they just missed through jealousy. Calve: Something We May See. In.view of the fact that Mme. Calve is going to sing the Jewel Song from '.'Faust" at ono of her concerts, it is interesting to know that Mme. Calve has a collection that is perhaps unique. Unlike many of her fellow artists, Mme. Calve does not care particularly for : diamonds—although for stage purposes slip-certainly uses them, i Mme. Calve's tasts is in tho direction of tho noveaux art of tho celebrated French artist' in jewellery, Laliq'ue. She possesses i many raro designs of his, including a coronet, in which- tho emerald is mostly used. This is worn, by Mme. Calve at all of her concerts. The Diva also has a remarkable chain of medallions which was also designed by Lalique. Each medallion is engraved with a flower, inlaid witli. enamel In colour, representing in the minutest detail a "l'leur-de-lis," the forget-me-not, or a rose. Each medallion has been given to -Mmo. Calvo to remind her of an opoia m which she has played, and they have been presented to her from timo to time by such famous composers as Mascagpi, Massenet, Puccini,', and as well as by impresarios and fellow artists. Mme. Ualve also has a niagniQoont collectio'i of pearls, many of ivhjck are quite black, and recontly, when in Queensland, tho famous singer acquired a rare set of black opals. Amongst her jewels, Mme. Calve is very fond of a.presentation ring which the late Queen Victoria gave her. Mine. CalvG makes it a practice to obtain a-souvenir which is typical of the country sho is visiting, and no doubt sho will acquire a' iUaon tiki during' hei visit to the Dominion.

Garden Party to Lady Islington. .Many of those who will not bo able to attend at fcho Qjioen's Wharf at 9.30 o'clock this morning to witness tho landing of Her Excellency, Lady Islington, will bo gratified to learn that an early opportunity to see and moot her will bo afforded. Tho reference is to a: garden party which is to be given in honour of Lady Islington by tho ministers of tho Crown and their wives on Saturday afternoon in tho grounds of Parliamentary Buildings, which means, of course, the old Government House grounds. Provided the weather is fair, the function should be a very delightful one. A Presentation. ■ A very pleasing littlo ceremony took place- at tho home ot Mrs. Van Staveren yesterday afternoon, when the girls who represented fuschias in tho Childfen's liower Pageant met and presented Miss Violet AVarburton, their teacher for the time being, with .a beautiful gold bangle, having her namo engraved upon it. Mrs. i'ielil, in a pleasant little speech, spoke of the time and trouble- Miss Warburton had taken in teaching tho ohildren, and then made tho presentation. Jliss Eugenie Sanderson ■ also presented her with a very lovely'bouquet of violets. After these littlo ceremonies had been performed, tea was served, and music helped to pass a very enjoyable afternoon. Both tho drawing-room and tho dining-room had been prettily decorated with spring flowers, yellow and white narcissi. Mrs. Van Staveren wore a dress of black silk. Miss Hui Van . Btaveren, white Bilk. Miss Ho Van Stavoron, a pink muslin dross. Miss Lena Van Staveren, v/Jiite serge costume, and Miss R. Van Staveren white sill/ blouse and navy b]ne skirt: Misi Warburton wore a brown velvet costume, with blue feather boa and blue hat. . Mrs. Hammerton was also among those who were present. An Afternoon Tea. A small and very erijoyablo afternoon tea was given yesterday afternoon by Mrs. Hoggard at her. home on the Terrace for Miss Wix, who leaves on lfriduy , for Sydney. Mrs. Hoggard. received her guests wearing a frock of amythest eolienno over silk of the same colour, and Miss "Wis, who has been her guest for some littlo time, woro a,.dress of black lnee over whito satin., Among those present were: Mrs.. Fulton, Sirs. Ponsonby, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Werburton,' Miss Warburton, Mrs. C. ltichards'on,:Miss Webb, Mrs. Butt, Miss M'Kellar, Mrs. Ross, and Miss Ross. Salo of Work,' Tho somewhat austere hall in Dixqn Street, known as "St. John's Classroom," looked bright and attractive yesterday afternoon, wlien the Nurses' Association hold their annual sale of liome-made sweets,.cakes, preserves, and flowers.' Tho tables were prettily set, and tbfl articles lor sale were of tUo daintiest'and most tempting. ' Mrs. G-ibbs (the president) briefly introduced Miss Coates, who opened the sale, in a' graceful speech. ' She spoke of the success of the Nurses' Association, and expressed. her own keen interest in it, and, indeed, in all movements affecting the interests and advancement of women. The sale was largely attended, among thoso present being: Mesdames Newman, Holgate,' M'Donald, Belworthy, Sexton, Stevens, and Miss Payne, and Nurse Macandrew. •Several nurses in uniform were assisting at tho tables, and afternoon tea was briskly proceeded with. A Presentation. ' ' ' ~ As a token of tho appreciation ia which the services rendered by' Miss Mary Richmond (promoter), Miss Sybil Johnston (designer), and Captain H. F. Davis, y.D. (treasurer and marshal), in connection with the recent Children's Pageant at the Town Hall, were tho recipients of handsome presents from the committeo after all matters had been settled up, and a healthy balancesheet had been made.up. The presentation was a complete surprise to tho recipients, lvho suitably responded to the felicitations which were expressed all round. Tho pageant is "to ..be: repeated on September 7 next. ■ A Musical Evonlng. 'A very enjoyable musical evening, followed by a dance, was held in the Adelphi Tea-rooms, Panama Street, on Friday night.- During tho earlier portion of the evening songs were contributed'by Miss M..-M!Ewah,'Messrs. Foutain, Bryant, Benge, Bradford, ]5. Short; and Miss Hilda An-drews-played a pianoforte solo, and Miss Waters and Mr. Girdleson recited. Dancing afterwards took place for the remainder of the evening. "Potone Confirmed Bachelors." v The seventh annual ball in connection with the Petono "Confirmed Bachelors' Association" was held in the Drill Hall last evening, and was a decided success, there being about 140 inombers and guests present. The hall was decorated in a novel and humorous fashion. An excellent supper was provided. The committee were Messrs. Packard, Whitten, Battersby, and Butler. Mr. D. Fraser was secrotary. ; . "-.•■■ ' Gift Tea. Yesterday afternoon a very successful gift tea was held for the' purposo of supplementing the goods which will be offered' for sale at St. Augustine's Church bazaar (Petonc), which event will bo held shortly. There was an attendance of about two hundred, and afternoon tea was' supplied by the Ladies' Guild. During, the proceedings musical items were given by Misses Kirk, Brookes, . Heron, and Kibblewhite, and Mr. F. A. Mason and the Rev. Mr. Heron. The Rev. J. D. Russell, who presided, thanked those present for the abundance of articles given. Obituary. ' , , M "v Mary S- Porston, widow of the late William Roberton Perston, daughter of the lato Mrs. Cowper, and sister or ilr. John Russell French, died in Sydney. Mr. W. R. Perston was for many years manager of tho Bank of New South Wales at Wahganui, Wellington, and Dunedin, New Zealand. Miss Collins, who is now tho lady champion golf player of Now Zealand, was to arrive from tho south last evening; also Miss Wray, of Manawatu, r.unuer-up during tho recent contests