SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 268, 8 August 1919, Page 4

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel are visiting Napier, a So largo has the attendance of dancers become at Miss Borlase's assemblies that serious consideration has been paid to the suggestion of having those dances in a larger hall, but although one was held in tho Sydney Street Hall, instead of in the Goring Street Ball, tho mutter has l.ot yet been finally decided. This winter it has taken very much more than heavy downpourings of rain, slushy streets, and biting winds 'to keep dancers at home, and last night, wet though it was. was 110 exception to the general rule, the stage had been curtained and comfortably furnished for tho chapcroncs, who include, for these dances Miss Coates. Mcsdames Russell, Bruce, Delautour, Gow, Hodge, Hawkins, Matthews, and Stott. Aliss Borlaso was prosent, and others included the Misses Russell, Montgomery, Tripe, Clarke-John-ston, Da vies, Ronnie, M'Clure, Mnntell, i'urton, Eastcrfield, and Ballinger, The committeo assisting Miss Borfase wero tho Misses Cross, Cracroft, Ballinger, Hawkins. ICiniiear, A. Mat'.haws, Mead, Ritchie, Russell, Staples, Turtou. The suppor tables had been prettily arranged with yellow narcissi.

Unlovely though the day was yesterday thero was one gleam of brightness redeeming the dismal gloom of the streets in the beautiful display of ilowors that was to be seen in 6ome of the shop windows, particularly in Manners Street. In Ills fruiterers', violets in all their loveliness bloomed bravely against a background vof oranges, indefinitely-green bananas nnd russet and rose-coloured apples, wliilo closo beside' them wero posies and bunches of freesias and clusters of daffodils and jonquils that in their vividness' wero ablaze with sunshine, and a sheer intensity of life. Best of all were tho florist's windows, which were a delight to look upon with their masses of feathery wattle, tho deep purple of great clusters of violete, wayward sprays of daphne, and riotous masses of jonquils altogether eclipsing the freesias and primroses Uiat nestled below them. In their fragrance and beauty was spring.

The engagement is .announced (states an exchiingb) of Miss Bessie Were, youngest daughter of JOr. and Mrs. June* Were, of ITawora, to Major It. G. Wilding, 1J.5.0., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. It. N. Wilding, of Tauranga. Miss Rice, a missionary on furlough from India, is visiting Wanganui. At Rongoroa, last wcok _ tho marriage took place of Miss D. Leighton to Mr. T. A. Stunnel, of Poilding. Tho bride was previously postmistress at Puketoi and tho bridjegroom is a, returned soldier. Mrs. M. R. Miller, of Cameron Bead, Napier, lias received word' that her two daughters, Mrs. T'ennethorne (nee Miss Mabel Millor) and Sister Lalla Miller, lute of Pahiatua, left Suez oil July 25 by the Ellenga, and are duo to arrive in the Dominion about the end of tho inontli. They loft about four years ago to take up hospital and lied Cross work in Kgypt. Mies Lalla Miller also served for a tuno in hospital in England. Mrs. Penneth'orne will be remembered by many of tho soldiers in connection with Red Cross work at. Ismalia.

A dignified ceremony took place in tho grounds of tho Church of tho Holy Sepulchre, Khyber Pass, Auckland, on Saturday afternoon, when a peace memorial cedar treo was planted and dedicated, Tho coremony took place in the corner of tho ground fronting Khyber Pass. Tlio Rev. W. A. Keay, the vicar of the parish, conducted tho service, and the planting of tho memorial treo was mudo by Mrs. T. Charter, on her husband's behalf. Mr. Charter, who has been employed in Palestino in connection with the Anglican Church Army, lias been connected with tho parish for many years. A number of trees and flowering shrubs were planted later in the afternoon.

Prior to leavim; Pahiatua for Khandallah, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bringanst were entertained and presented with sifts as tokens of appreciation. Mr. Bringans Has been headmaster of Scarborough' School (near Pahiatua) for ton yoars past, and tho parents of tho children also entertained Mr. nnd Mrs. Bringans.

Mrs. W. T. Tisch, of Christcliurch, and her little son, are leaving Wellington oil Saturday by. tho Ruahino for England. Miss Hamilton, late matron of the Waiinato Hospital, was farewelled recently by tho committee, medical and nursing stuffs prior to her departure to be married. Sho was presented with a set of table silver as a memento of the occasion.

"'Miss Florence Jones, of Sumner, who left as a volunteer sister, is on her \Viy back to New Zealand ]>y tho Ellenga after three years' war work in Egypt.

A very interesting competition has been held in Auckland for tho purpose of ascortaining how far housekeeping money will go nowadays. The "Star" gives some of tho details, and the prize-winner sends in the following list of expenditure necessary for a family of a husband, wife, and two children. Weekly expenses arc thus estimated: Pood, £1 Bs.; gas and fuel, 55.; clothing, Bs. Gd.; household replenishments, 3s. (id.; rent, 155.; pleasures, higher life, hobbies, travelling, and incidentals, books, and papers, 10a.; fund providing for sickncss and death, 55.; savings, 55.; total. £i. In allocating this money suggestions are made that small quantities of perishable foods must bo bought, whilo flour, sugar, - and big items could be "brought in bulk, taking care that only one at a time is procured, 'so that bigger payments are spread out. Vegetables are supposed to be grown in the garden nnd fowls kept. Homo baking is suggested, and fruit bottling, jam, pickle and sauce making. Tho food expenditure is allocated thus: Milk (7 quarts), 3s. Gd.; bread, -la.; meat, bacon, and dripping, 75.; groceries and fruit, 13s. Gd. No allowance appears to be made for education of the children, and so far as Wellington is concerned a very different scalo would be necessary.

A Sommo Pilgrimage. Under the auspices of the "Afatin" 100 Parisian school children have just completed a tour of the devastated rfiiions around the Somme, I'eroime, and Albert, states the Paris correspondent of the "Daily Newp." The tour was organisnil so that children might see "the '.'nined h/mes, the cemeteries of French dead, and the destroyed towns; that they inii»hfc always remember the sight of the blasted trees and the tortured earth, and thf.t the lesson of t.ho plough, which alone survives the upheaval, should be borne home to them." The party went first to Amiens And then on to Albert by molor-lgrry. At Peronno they were feted and .received the first "brioclies" baked in Pcronro sinct. the delivery of the frwn from the Germans. They next went on through Eslrew and Jlot'e-en-Santerre, whore they collected souvenirs of various kinds, to Lonccau, from which town they returned to Paris. The "Matin" hopes lo ptiblish dcscrintions of the "piisrimase" written by tlio children. As a practical lesson in patriotism the method is hard to improve niton, hut so far it docs not seem to have been enthusiastically welcomed by the authorities. Wedding at Petone. A wedding was celebrated by the Dev. 0. Blair; at the Wcsleyim Church, Petone, on Wednesday,' when Miss Jean Gilchrist, daughter of Mrs. Gilchrist, ot Glasgow, .Scotland, was married to i\lr. W. C. Hunter, second son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Hunter, of Richmond Street, Potono. The bride, who was given away by Mr. J. Lord, wore a crenie tailormade continue and crenio hal, trimmed willi pink sprays. The bridesmaid was Miss Violet Wilson, of Petone, and she wore a tailored costume of while silk and a pale blue crepc-de-chine lint (rimed with palo pink roses. Both bride, and bridesmaid carried shower bouquets of pink and white (lowers. Mr. S. Pore, ot Potono, attended ns.best man.

An Elocutionary Recital. ' At tho Wellington Girls' College on Monday evening and'afternoon two elocutionary recitals were given iii tho Central Hall liv the pupils of Mrs. G. Hartshorn, ivliich were thoroughly enjoyed by enthusiastic audiences. Recitations wero given by Misses V. Mills, J. M'Lay, J. Maris. P. M'Domild, B. Buillic, A. Oarshook." 11. Aplin, M. Smith, and L. Mitchell, while two scenes from "As You Like It" were splendidly given by Misses 11. Jelfery, S. Nielson, I. Wado, K. Croiiin'. if. Stringer, G. Dunning, 1,. Mitchell, M. Burnley, and I. Meadows. Tho pj'ogrammo closed with a comedy entitled "Snowed Up With a Duchess," 'which Misses K. Shirer, V. Mills, A. Garshook. and F. Dawson took part. At the second recital Mrs. Hartshorn gave two recitations, which wero much appreciated by the audience. At the close of the performance Miss M'Lean, on behalf of the eollege'-fitaff and pupils, 6polce words of appreciation to Mrs. Hartshorn for her work in the college, aud extended good wishes for the future.

Melba at Covent Gardsn. "Our Melba" was the heroine of the oponing of tho Covent Garden opera seaeon, writes tho London correspondent to tho "Australasian." Music lovers, and especially Australians were sp anxious to welcomo this great artist to the scene of her old triumphs that they commenced to line up in tho queue outside Covent Gardou at 7 o'clock in tho morning. This was for unbooked scats. Tho stalls nnd dress circle seats had been sold at high prices long before. Early in tho afternoon of the opening day there were enough waiting enthusiasts to more than fill the gallery. Most of them had tried to book seats, but failed. They clioso to wait a whole day 011 the pavement outside tho Opera House rather than miss Melba's return. Many of tho early arrivals brought camp-stools, They occupied tho long day reading, knitting,' gossiping, or exchanging operatic reminiscenes. Those who wero without stools sat on tho kerb stone, back to back, and enjoyed an occasional siesta. Several lads of the A.!.]?, were among those who thought it worth while to wait a day for the sake of hearing Dame Nellio Melba as Minii. Never has "La Boheme" been heard in better circumstances. A'ot only was Melba in perfect voice, but thore was a now tenor, Mr. Thomas Burke, aud Sir Thomas Becclaim wa6 iu the conductor's chair. Thomas Burko was at one timo a Lancashire miner, and has been studying iu Italy for tho last year or two. From time to timo rumour has told of the beautiful quality of his voice and tho richness of his upper notes. When ho had finished singing "Clio gelida uianina" 011 the opening night of tho opera season, it was clear that rumour had'said 110 more than tho truth. 111 tho duet in tho third actThomas Burke supported Melba splendidly. No one was more delighted with the tenor's success than Dama Mclbiv herself. She said afterwards: "Just wait a bit, and you will see Thomas Burke do tetter still. 'What 'I like about him so much is that he docs not mind bein« told tilings. I have seldom played with a Rodo\fo who. thinks so much of Mimi and does not try- and spoil her chances in the last act."

Tho scones at tho Opera House after the fall of tho curtain were remarkable. At tiie end of the first act Mclba was recalled no fewer than 17 times. After tho whole company had appeared four times, Mclba and Mr. Burke came forward alone. But the audience would not Ixs satisfied until Mclba bowed her acknowledgements alone. Tho "coo-ees" of tho Australians could.bo heard above tho din of the cheers and clapping. Tho King and Queen, tho Prince of Wales, Princess Mary, and Queen Alexandra were in the Royal box, and led tho applause. In spite of Covent. .Garden having been empty for four years, it is evident .that grand opera has not lost its powers of attraction.

An enjovable evening was spent bv the pupils of Malis Connop's class, who gnvo an impromptu dance to their friends. Several of the new dances were indulged in, most prominent being the fox ' trot and three step. Supner was servod and a most enjoyable gathering was brought to a close at midnight. Miss Irene Cobb has been accepted by the Australian Board of Missions for work among tho Indian coolie labourers in Fiji, states the Sydney "Telegraph." She is the first candidate accepted for this work, and will leave shortly for the Cainbrideo Mission, Delhi, to learn one of tho Indian languages, and to otherwise fit herself for iter career. Passengers who wore landed from the ambulancif transport Carisbrooke Castle at Portsmouth recently stute that early in tlio voyage from South Africa the vessel was two days in a. terrific cyclone which attained a speed o.f 150 knots, and sent the sea in spiral columns above tho masthead. S.O.S. wireless calls brought nn aid. When tho cyclone subsided, tho officers of the Carisbrooke Castlo state the ship could not havo lasted another two iioitrs. Tlio ship wliich left Durbiut just before her foundered with all hands.