Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 33, 16 February 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

Dear Chkistabel — HOW it blows at Miramar! It is impossible to look one's best and show off a pretty frock and a smart hat when a demoniacal gale is 1 aging On Wednesday afternoon, whence Oroua polo team played Wellington, quite a number of pretty gowns were comparatively invisible in the shelter of the stand. There was the daintiest grey blue all stitched with white, and a black with a bolero of tucked silk, while a soft white woollen skirt, made also with many tucks was worn with a pretty china silk blouse. A number of visitors were present— Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths (from Blenheim), Miss Chapman (fioin Melbourne) coming with Mis. and Miss Tolhuist. Mrs. Lloyd with Mrs. Newman, Captain and Mrs. Kingsmill and Mrs Kllih, Mr. Po'lard (from Blenheim), and Mrs. and Miss Le\in, and the Rev. Lyttelton Fitzgerald. » * * The polo itself was most niteiestine, and the mad rushes across the grass, which the hordes seemed to enjoy as much as their riders, were wildly exciting It was expected the Orouas would win. In fact, it is said they will give the Victorians a hard tight, notwithstanding the latters' ponies aie most co\ctable, and their play excellent Most acceptable tea and cakes were h-anded round by the lady friends of the members during the afternoon. * * * Miss Hollander has scored a triumph, and has amazed even those who weio disposed to be coldly critical Mrs. and Miss Hollander and Mr. Bethune spent Thursday evening at Mrs. Findlay's, a number of people being asked to meet them. The young contialto did not sing, but Mr. Bethune delighted everybody with his fine voice. He sang "Alia Stella Confidents" splendidly. There was quite a large amount of amateur talent in the room. Mrs. Fmdlay sang very sweetly. being accompanied in one song by Mi Huniphnes, of Nanier, a very fine 'cello playei , who also gave a most enjoyable solo He is said to possess the finest 'cello in New Zealand Mrs. Quick played a pianoforte solo with great taste, and Mr. Ross sang very sympathetically. * * * The Rev. Mr. Earee, who comes from Mattel ton, has a charming voice, and sings quite as well as he talks — and that is saying much. He accompanies himself, too, and, what is more, he writes his ow n son^ 1 - so the combination of fingers, voice, and brain ought to be a perfect one. On Thursday evening the woids of one of his soup's set bv himself to a most dainty melody, were by Mr. D. M. Ross, of Waikato, who has written much verse Both words and music were much admired I understand Mr. j^aree, who has never yet seen Mr Ross, is setting more of the latter's songs to music. * # * By the waj the reverend gentleman, whose picturesque first name is Wyndham, is said to be a godson of the commanding officer of the visiting Imperial troops, Colonel Crole Wyndham. * » m Everyone on Saturday, even the babies and the decrepit, had a chance of seeing the Imperial troops as they paraded through Wellington. It was a splendid sight, and many of the bystanders loudly and emphatically expressed their admiration. Some of the men must have heard the comments, but they gave no sign. In fact, they took no notice at all of the crowd, and looked in front of them with quite Spartan composure. I only saw one man, an officer, with a fascinating eyeglass, glance aside at a radiant girl wildly waving from a window. But the excuse was sufficient. A stout old woman on the footpath was shaking with excitement, and fluttering a handkerchief perpetually, and people nearly fell off their perilous perches on verandah or window-ledge in their enthusiasm. One put her foot through a glass verandah in her patriotic zeal. * * * There was no question which of the uniforms was most popular. The strut and swagger of the Highlanders roused bv far the most enthusiasm, and though, what with the visiting volunteers and

the Imperial troops, every girl in town ought to have had an. escort on Saturday evening, she is the happy one who secures a Highlander The mere civilian — who has had to take a back-seat during these martial times — is infected with the swaerger when he walks beside a kiltie. The civilians are at present in the background. Their turn will come when we settle down in everyday life As one old sage remarked — "One civilian in a town is worth two soldiers in a troopship." * * * A picturesque figure was that of the veteran Atkins — an appropriate name, by the way, for a soldier — who put on his uniform, and marched with his old regiment. Spectacled and grey-beard-ed, and needing a stick, the old soldier still made a braw figure in his beautiful dress, and it was charming to see how the youngsters greeted and made much of him. The buglers were the subject of universal admiration, which grew more intense in proportion to the size of the boy. They were so small and smart, such men and yet such children, that one hesitated between lemonade or beer, and wondered whether they w ould look contemptuously on jam tarts. What becomes of a bugler when he grows too big?

The Very horses seemed proud to bear such superior burdens, and probably will object to carrying ordinary tweedcoated mortals again. One can imagine a horse retailing to a group of country neddies his proud sensations, when the gallant Colonel bestrode him, and while the crowd yelled and the bands played. Captain Evelyn Wood's animal was a little restive. One sympathetic soul said it objected to the tartan trews. Certainly, they are most hideous. + * * The Drillshed dinner was enjoyed by the men, especially the beer, though there was no abuse of it at all. Soldiers eat very quickly, and cigars were lit before ordinary mortals would have finished their first course. The dainty button-holes were evidently appreciated, and the bluebells and heather brought for the Scotties rapturously received. One man had flowerß stuck in every button-hole of his tunic. Another had pinned his into his cap, and still another, after vainly trying to find an appropriate place, dropped his posy into his pocket. A good-looking and well-behaved set they were. One very handsome m,an, bronzed, with a fair moustache, dimly reminiscent of Ouida's heroes, was pointed out as the best fencer in the British Army. Look-

ing down the -line of faces- that, even though the occasion was jovial, were still somewhat set and grare, one realized that these men would be better friends than foes, and that, courtsin&> silent, and gentle as they were now, they could become terrible in war. • • • The "At Home" given to the Imperial officers and the friends of the members, by the Wellington Club, was a brilliant function. The arrangements were excellent, and the rooms were transformed into most artistic and luxurious resting places. The shaded lights, the soft carpets, the exquisite foliage" plants and flowers, and the cobjn chairs were "for this night only," and the club, with its usual masculine atmosphere, is ordinarily a very different place from what it appeared on Saturday night. I|ooking down from the great staircase, r one saw groups forming and reforming. Most of the women wore black, or black and white, but very many j distingue and brilliant costumes were to be seen among these. Mrs. CoUins, Mrs. C. Johnston, Mrs. Newman, ? and Mrs. Stott wore striking black -and hlte r, g S wni ?- Mrs. M, who, with Mr. Bell (the president), received,' the guests, wore grey bxoeride. [Continued oft Page 11.]

Many of the girls had on very dainty white frocks, with a piquant touch of black velvet. Mrs. Evelyn Wood, the wife of Captain Evelyn Wood, was immensely admired. She is extremely pretty, and looked charming in her white crystal-spangled tulle frock, belted with black, with a diamond crescent in her hair. Captain Wood was only married three days when the Britannic sailed. Mrs. Wood, it is said, is a New Zealand girl, her father once living in Wanganui. Colonel Wyndham was stately in his gold-laced uniform, and Father O'Haran was a most picturesque and courtly figure. In fact, instead of criticising the many pretty frocks, we found ourselves admiring the various uniforms, and the cut and fit of the Army tailor. * * •* A band played during the evening, and Miss Hollander and Mr. Prouse sang very finely. As for the supper, the hosts excelled themselves in this department. "After all," one lady said to another, as she entered the brilliant billiard-room, with its tables laden with good things and bright with flowers, "men, when they do do anythine, do it extremely well." That Wellington Club supper will long be remembered. The hours slipped by so quickly that it was past the invitation limit when a move was made to go. It had been a delightful entertainment, and the Imperial officers — in whose honour it was held — declared that they were charmed with the hospitality they had received. * * * The weather proved unfavourable for Mrs. Collins's and Mi's. Bell's afternoon tea at Lowry Bay on Sunday and to those who longed to go, yet feaied the motion of the ocean, the decision that it was to be held- in the Wellington Club instead was hailed with delight. A very pleasant afternoon was spent, many of the Imperial officers and some of the Mildura officers being present, though shorn of their brave array and in ordinary clothes. The beautiful rooms, still gay with flowers and palms, were comfortably filled, and most dainty refreshments were set out in the bil-liard-room. Some of the gowns worn were very handsome, and here and there was a note of bright colour, one rose-tinted frock, with a rose-wreathed hat, looking very pretty amid the general sombre tones. The tea-tables were gay with - flowers, and the rooms looked bright because of the gloom outside. Mrs. Bell and Mrs Collins ror ceived their guests at the head of the stair-case. There must have been an immense amount of trouble connected with the change of programme but certainly no afternoon could have been pleasanter. Yours truly. — Phillida.

A very pretty wedding was solemnised at St. Andrew's Church on Monday, the contracting parties being Mr. H Hall, solicitor, or Wellington, and Miss Helene Florence, third daughter of Mr J. K. Logan, Superintendent of Telegraphs. The Rev. C. S. Ogg officiated. The bride, who was given awaj 7 by her father, looked quite radiant in a dress of white satin with slightly trained skirt, bell sleeves, and pearl and chiffon trimmings. Besides the usual w reath of orange blossoms, with pendant veil, she carried a handsome shower boudiiet, and wore a gold watch with granny chain and a cable bracelet the eift*> of the bridegroom Misses May Lily, and Daisy Logan were the bridesmaids. They were handsomely dressed in white silk, trimmed with chiffon and lace insertion, and having granny sleeves and heliotrope sashes They carried shower bouquets, and wore cable bracelets, the gifts of the bridegroom. Mrs. Logan (mother of the bride) wore black satin, with black and white bonnet. Mr. W. McLean, solicitor, acted as best man, and Messrs Alex. Gray, solicitor, and R M Tolhurst, solicitor, were the groomsmen. * * * After the ceremony about l>o gmssts sat down to the wedding breakfast, "iv hich was served at the residence ot the bride's parents. Among those prosent were Sir James Prendergast, Dr. and Mrs. Mowat, Mrs. Hales, Mr. and u r« Tolhurst Miss Tolhurst Mr W McLean, Mr. Alex. Gray, Mr. R. M Tolhurst, Mr. Aitken (Mayor of Wellington), Mr. and Mrs. Grant, and Dr and Mrs. Chappie. The new lv-marnorl couple have gone North to spend theii honeymoon, the bride's travelling costume being of grey, with hat to match trimmed with ostrich feathers.