Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 28, 12 January 1901, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

Dear Chrivtabel— IT was a most convivial meeting at the Post Office on New Year's Eve, and the officials, great and Bmall, made the most hospitable of hosts. The Postmaster-General was in great form, and spoke with his usual eloquence. Perhaps, his speech, considering the wee sma' 'oor and the state of the atmosphere, was over long, but it was both interesting and instructive, and, as one admirer said, "If Ward could not have his say after working for it all these years, it was jolly hard lines." He was radiant, and Mr. Ward radiant is a pleasant sight. The champagne and the dainty refreshments were much enjoyed, and the crowd of boys at the back had a very good time indeed when they were let loose on the eatablps. They probably would like the festival to be an annual one. The Post Office officials and their iv omen-folk— for the latter had much to do, I am told, with the decorations — deserve to be heartily thanked and congratulated on the result of their work. The Post Office — as it biased out into many-coloured splendour when the clock struck twelve — was a magnificent sight against the soft darkness of hills and sky. The fine transparency, painted by Mr. Nairn, was most effective. The great crowd— a most orderly, good-natured crowd, by the way — cheered and shouted, and the bells crashed merrily, the rockets boomed and whiazed, the bands played madly, and the New Year — holding in store for each of us who knows what blessings or griefs — was born. Our meditations were of a staccato nature, for we were obliged to keep a wary eye on the man on the roof, whose rockets threatened our existence — so early in 1901, too. At least the stick as it descended did. Fascinated eyes watched the brilliant curve break into starry spray, and then came the stick straight for the crowd. Fortunately, there was no accident, though we listened with awe-struck faces to some one's account of how, at some up-country jubilations, a rocketstick went right through a man ! There is a fearsome joy in watching fireworks such as these. * • * Mr. Willou^hby is delightful as Smith — the Smith who leaves home. By the way, "Why Did Smith Leave Home?" has of late become a sort of popular riddle, to be answered au plaisir by the propounder. Crusty old bachelors and cynical young ones have pondered over the worries of married life, and when a baby squealed or a meal was not up to high-water mark have imagined they had found the answer. Even a benedict, when things went wrong, and Mary Jane flitted by the light of the moon, or three or four guests swooped down on the household when he had the lumbaeo and the children the measles, thought the problem was an easy one. So to the large

audience in the Opera House the final words of Smith came as a surprise, a delightful and triumphant surprise to the women who had got tired of being told why Smith left home. "Why did Smith leave home," asked Mr. Willoughby. "Because — " and the men smiled, as of those who knew— "because he loved his wife!" It was the women's turn then to smile. * * # There was a fairly large dress-circle audience the first night of the play. Mr. Coates gave a small dinner at the Royal Oak, and brought his guests on to the Opera House. Mr. and Mrs. Stott, Mr. and Mrs. Ross, Miss Morgan, and Mr Webster were of the party. Mrs. Stott wore white glace silk veiled with jetted tulle: Miss Morgan, blue silk with narrow black velvet bands, and Mrs. Ross black silk and roses. Mrs. D. Nathan wore black silk, chiffon and jet, Mrs. W. Nathan yellow brocade, and MiBS Nathan, black with turquoise velvet. Mrs. Piouse and Miss Prouse were among the audience, the latter wearing a pale blue frock. Miss Warburton had on a black and white gown, and Mrs. Benjamin black silk and jet. Mr. and Mrs. Peach, nee Miss Browne (daughter of Rolf Boldrewood) were in the circle. Mrs. and Miss Van Staveren both wore black, and Miss Sprott pale blue. Mrs. Kennedy Macdonald wore a pink and black brocade. Mrs. Biss had on a black silk gown with transparent sleeves. » • * Mr. and Mrs. Embling, who have vacated their house in Tinakori-road, and have been staying at the Royal Oak, went to Wanganui last Saturday for a fortnight. • * * A propos of the Royal Oak, the din-ing-room in full swing at about seven p.m. is a goodly sight. The room itself is charming, and when the electric lamps,, with their green and red or yellow shades, shine on fair women and brave men, and the band plays a judicious medley of music, grave and gay, life seems worth livine. and the world not such an aching void as some would have us believe. That is, at least, from the point of view of th» diner. Perhaps the deft and busy waiters and the musicians may have a different opinion. ♦ • * Mr. Arnold is said to be a very generous manager. As Christinas gifts he i;ave a gold and silver mounted umbrella to each one of his company. Charming presents, but a sad reflection on our climate. However, it deserves all it gets, and I, for one, refuse to stick up for it. , » • * Miss Bensusan is not only a graceful actress, but an excellent elocutionist. The two thines do not always go together. # * * Major Madocks will soon be here, and it is to be hoped he will get a right royal welcome. He deserves it, for he has done brilliantly in South Africa, and the little, dapper, quiet man who left Wellinj^ton for the Transvaal is coming back with a halo of heroism round his head. New Zealand Hill and Major Madock's charge with his handful of troopers, will not be soon forgotten. In fact, it will probably figure large in the next issue of school readers. Very likely the principal actor will not care for that — he is as modest as he is plucky — but he must c'en put up with it for the sake of the rising generation who will profit by the story. (Continued on Page 9.)

Mrs. Stafford gave a pleasant little afternoon tea on Monday for Miss Bensusan and Miss Mayne. Among the guests were Mrs. Knox and Miss Barnett, who have each only recently returned from a trip Home. The tennis tournament at Christchurch seems to have been rather a dismal function altogether. ' The weather was such as no feminine vocabulary can describe, and the courts were at times deep in mud. One man, to minimise the dangers of slipping, took off his boots, and played in his socks, and another is said to have actually put on a fresh pair at the beginning of each set ; or perhaps it was of each game. On Monday the fine morning enticed the hapless girls to appear at the courts in summer frocks. At one o'clock it began to pour, and went on till dark. Consequently the smart white piques and prints were things too awful to look at, and dismal creatures, limp and melancholy ,with their wet muddy garments clinging like cerements, wondered why tennis was ever invented, and why they ever came to Christchurch. We have heard the Wellington climate spoken slighting of — to put it mildly — in the Cathedral City, but, for a time at least, the detractors should be silent. True, we had the same kind of weather, but we had no tennis tournament! Yours truly, ' Phillida.

We have received, through Messrs. Zohrab and Co., a handsome diary and blotter for 1901, issued by Mr. Dawson, of "Perfection" whisky fame. Every blotting leaf bears an apt poetical quotation (nearly all by Burns), and accompanying sketch. Mr. H. W. Lloyd, watchmaker, of Lanibton-quay, also forwards samples of his calendar, which is the most striking of its kind we have yet seen. The staff of "The Manukau Chronicle" send along fraternal greetings, which the Lance cordially reciprocates. A business notice elsewhere intimates that Mr. Wm. Crichton and Mr. James H. McLeod have entered into partnership as architects, and that their offices are in Phoenix Chambers, Lambtonquay. Both gentlemen have an established reputation in their profession. Mr. McKay has just returned from a trip to Europe, where he made it his business to bring himself into touch with all the latest improvements in the building trade. Mr. Wm. Hobbs, a very clever dentist, has commenced practice in a suite of rooms over Messrs. Stewart Dawson and Co.'s new jewellery establishment, at the corner of Lambton-quay and Wil-lis-street. Mr. Hobbs studied dental surgery at Philadelphia, United States, •nd has gained high credentials. His rooms are fitted up with the very latest mechanical aids and conveniences. Mr. Daltons pork butchery business, in Cuba^-street, nas been purchased by Messrs. H. Boecker and Co., who will carry it on henceforth. Mr. H. Boecker is a thoroughly experienced pork butcher. For the last fifteen years he has been with Mr. F. Martin, pork butcher, of Willis-street, and customers may rely upon getting the best quality of goods from him. St. Francis Xavier's Academy for Young Ladies starts the first term this year on 4th February. The high reputation of this admirable institution — one of the very best to which girls can be sent — rests upon practical results. Last year 46 pupils passed the Trinity College theory examinations out of 47 who were presented. All who were sent up for the first grade technical school freehand examinations passed. Quite a number of former pupils are now teachers under the Board of Education.