SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1762, 29 May 1913, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

A Golden Wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Redwood, of Blenheim, colebratcd their golden wedding on May 19. Only a few relatives were present at the gathering. The drawing-room was prettily decorated with white and gold, and a dainty afternoon tea was served. Those present were: His Grace Archbishop Redwood, Mr. H. D. Vavasour, Mr. and Mrs. L. Griffiths, Mr. and Mrs. T. Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. G. 0. Waddy, Mr. E. Parsons, Miss Vavasour, tho Misses Redwood, Mr. CI. Vavasour, and tho Rev. Fathers Fay and Herbert.

Honours for a New Zealand Daffodil. At the daffodil show held on March 18 at Vincent Square, London, Mr. 1;'. Biggs, of Christchurch, exhibited a seedling daffodil called the Hon. R. J. Seddon (4 1-8 inches by 1\ inches by 1 3-8 iucks), wlucli the Hev. Jacobsen, in "The Garden, describes as a more pointed flower with a primrose perianth and a det'p yeloiv cup. "I have seen photographs," he writes, "ot many Australian and New Zealand flowers, but this is the first timo I liavo suou it (to know it) in the flesh. 1 congratulate Mr. l r . Biggs, of Christchurch, Aew Zealand, as being tho raiser of a variety that can well hold its own amongst Ml'. Wilson's gems." Talking to a Christchurch "Press" reporter, Mr. Biggs stated that he had gTown the bloom largor, and had won the premier bloom prize at the local show in 1911. The bulb shown at Home had only bn:n away from here eighteen months. Tho reference to Mr. Wilson's "gems" is a fine standard ot comparison, for in his catalogues his bulbs are priced up to twlc-nty-fivo guineas per bulb.

Madame' Kirkby Lunn at Home,

In an interview with Madame Kirkby Lunn, which appeared in tho "British Australasian" ot April 17, the , great contralto said sho was charmed witn Australians and A'ew Zealanders throughout the Commonwealth and the Dominion. They were so appreciative and so very hospitable. - Aakod whether apart from tho vr.rm and high' appreciation of herself, whici. was everywhere expressed, she had had any opportunity of gauging the standard oi musical taste and culture at tho An> tipodes, the prima douna replied: , "Onlv so far as my own concerts were concerned. Without doubt they are a musical people. Of course, tho greatjcipublic yrel'er tho old familiar ballads, but those who attended my concerts seemed thoroughly to appreciate and piuer tho classical and operatic excerpts best. I was inundated with letters, oi thanks and praiso from those who had been present. Artistically, of cours?, the country is young—so is every comparatively new country—but even now Australia demands the best, that can bo got." Of Australia generally, Madamo said: "I think it is a beautiful country, with a perfect climab?. I travelled through all the States with the exception of Tasmania, and gave concerts in most of the principal cities in New' Zealand, so that I had ample opportunities of forming an opinion. And X should like to think I snail go back to Australia, for I love it! Indeed, I think 1 shall return later—if they want mo enough." Referring to the protest made in the "British Australasian" recently, against tin: custom of applauding the solos and choruses in "Tho Messiah," Madame Kirkby Lunn «iid:

"So far as I am couccrned, I think it would be better if 'The Messiah' were heard without applause, but then there is the question of what it would be like for the singer to sit down amid a dead silence. Whether this would take away from the inspiration of the performers, 1 can't say. After all, singera'can only tell by the plaudits whether they are appreciated or not. All sacred works are better without applause if they aro to make a proper impression upon the audience, but at the same time, it is deadly dull for a singer to sit down without a sound afterwards. Still, an exception, might well bo made in regard to 'Tho Messiah.'"

Mrs. Louisson arrived in Wellington yesterday from the south.

Mr. and Mrs. Spragg returned to Wellington yesterday by the Maunganui from Sydney. Also travelling by the same steamer wero Mrs. Wagg, of the Hutt,' and Miss Murphy, of Hill Street.

Mrs. W. Cruickshauk (Mnstorton) is spending a few days in Wellington previous to leaving for Sydney.

Miss Carr (Masterton) 16 visiting Wellington.

Miss Miles returned to Wellington yesterday from her visit to the south.

Mr. E. R. Vickerman, of the Union Bank, Lyttelton, and Mrs. Vickerman leave very shortly for Auckland, where they intend to make their home. Mr. Vickerman is retiring from the bank.

Miss Blanche Stono (Masterton) is the guest of Dr. and Mrs. Hamage, The Terrace.

Miss Nightingale, who has been spending some time-in Wellington, leaves this afternoon bv the Maunganui on her return to Hobart.

A most successful salo of work wns organised and carried out by Mrs. Jackson, of "Stmlleigh," Lower Hutt, on Wednesday. with the object in view of raising funds for the purchase of another etroetlamp for the avenue leading to tho Anglican Church at the Hutt.

The annual sale of work of St. Luke's Guild, Wadestown, was opened by tho Mayoress, Mrs. J. P. Luke, yesterday of-, teriioon. A number of people attended, both in the afternoon and in tho auming, and satisfactory business was transacted. There was an excellent display of wcrk of all kinds upon the stalls, tho latter having benefited finite considerably l»v the proceeds of two gift teas which- had been recently held. In addition to the plain and fancy work display, produce, sweets, handkerchief and pin stalls, several competitions and side-shows were held, all proving most helpful in netting the fleeting sixpences, etc., for the'benefit of tho vicarage fund.

Tho ladies assisting at the Liedortafel concert this evening, aro Miss Teresa M'Enroc, soprano vocalist, Miss Nellie Simpson, flautist, and Miss Jean Mnthicson, violinist, who makes her first public appearance, atid will bo accompanied by her teacher, Miss Arline Thackeray.

Mrs. Kolleston tenders valuable advice to ladios regarding their combings. Sho advises them not to throw a-single hair away, as she has a special process for preparing and making up combings to best advantage.—Advt.

A Surprise Party. (In Tuesday night a "furprise party" descended upon Mrs. (,'ederliolm, Owen Street, mid entertained the Host and hor-lesM, to snv nothing of thi-mselvcs, most iTilhusiastically witH music ami competiliuiis, for llie first part of the evening and dancinjf for. the later half. Hiss Lva Smith \v«s the winner of the competition. Anion# those present wrc the Misses Moves, Baker, Loubere, M'Leay (2), >»ightingnle, Mason, I'iernrd, Boyd, Smith (2), Hereford, Bennett, olid others.

To the Fourth Generation, An interesting marriage ceremony was performed on Mny 17, at tlio Church ol the Good Shepherd, Phillipstown, Clmstchurch, when Miss Amy Louisa Harper, great-granddaughter of Mr. Jehu Harper, one of the Canterbury Pilgrims, was married to Mr. James Pullan. The ceremony was witnessed by the bride's parents, grandparents, and grcql-grnwlparents, making four generations pressnt, and also a great number of frbnds and relatives of the bride and bridegroom. Tho Yen. Arclufoacon Elisor officiated.

At the ball given in Christchurch by the members of the Canterbury Club for tho officers of H.M.S. New Zealand, the debutantes of the evening were all presented with, charming bouquets betore dancing in tho opening set oflancprs with the midshipmen of H.M.S. New Zealand, which was quito a feature of the evening. The debutantes were Misses Thomas', Burton, Harris, Pratt, Barker, Latter, Robinson, and Phillips. Many people were also present at the return ball given on board tho battleship by her officers.