Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 April 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

Dear Christabel — SLIM, and small, and rather deli-cate-lookmg, Mrs. Barnngton Waters does not look capable of such physical endurance as Friday evening's programme required. She plays with magnificent force and feeling, and her fingers seem to bring out the very soul ot the piano. Her recital at the Art Gallery was much enjoyed by a large number of people, who will look forward to hearing Mrs. Barnngton Waters again. Mr. F. Y. Waters sang ' Vittona" very well, indeed. » ♦ • There was a very sparse leaven of men in the audience, and a great many girls who came — or were brought — to hear really good playing, and to be spurred to noble efforts thereby. I was struck by the beautiful hair that many of our Welkngton damsels possess, and also — when they attain the mystic privilege of "putting it up" — by the dainty way they manipulate their locks. Wellington winds are said to be responsible for bald-headed men. Our girls, certainly, can laugh at the breezeß. • # • The air is full of polo, and the streets, when a match is not on, ornamented with polo men and their womenkind. Very attractive both are, the men delightfully brown and keen and lean, the women decidedly smart, with a taste for trailing frocks and a leaning towards picture hats. Some of the visitors' gowns were well worth looking at. Mrs. Heaton Rhodes, on Wednesday (the day of the great contest between Hawke's Bay and Rangitikei), wore a pink-flowered foulard and a wide, picturesque, black hat. Mrs. Ahster Clark was dressed in white, with a black and white toque, with a touch of pale blue in it. White, also, was worn by Mrs. Woodroffe, with scarlet tulle upon her hat. Mrs. Carhle's gown was of tan with orange, and roses of various shades of yellow trimmed her toque. A pretty grey frock, with white silk vest, and revere to the Eton coat, was worn by Miss Berkeley from Fiji. • • • Miss Watt, a visitor from Napier, had on a smart grey frock, with a collar of tucked pink silk, while yet another admired gown of this daintiest of hues was worn by a stranger with bronze hair beautifully coiffee. This dress had a folded belt of white, and much incrustation of guipure upon it, and glimpses of a lovely yellow underskirt could be seen every now and then. Miss Ormond wore a grey gown, with a pink chiffon toque, the Misses Wilson from Rangitikei having on butcherblue frocks, with smart royal blue Eton coats and wide, flower-trimmed hats. Mrs. Wilson wore black, with a black and white cape. Mrs. Riddiford, whose little son took a keen interest in the game, was dressed in black and white. • # • During the furious and frantic progress of the Hawke's Bay and Rangitikei match, the grandstand was the scene of much excitement. On one side sat the Hawke's Bay feminine partisans, on the other the Rangitikei coterie. They watched with rapt attention the ups and downs of the game — they yelled when a goal was won, groaned when a shot was missed, and shouted encouragements and remonstrances to the players, who could not hear them. "Ride him off!" "Played'" "Pretty, Nelson!" "Great shot, Oswald!" "Jove, its a goal !" — thia latter, of course, from a man — "Oh, come on, Rangitikei!" All these cries and many variations rent the air perpetually. It was a great game, and instinct with interest from beginning to end. One felt, however, a little like an ancient Roman woman, at an amphitheatre. when Mr. Ormond's blood was flowing and Mr. Ken. Duncan was Wing unconscious on tho grass. It has boen an unfortunate week for the ponies, too. • « • It is to be hoped our visitors are making a careful note as to what Wellington can do in the way of weather when it chooses. The last week is a sample of its very best quality. Captain Edwin, who is himself a keen sportsman, has, it is stated, gone to considerable trouble in the matter, and has postponed sundry galos, etc., that

were making their way towards the Empire City. We trust that for a little while at least our visitors will stand up for the climate of Wellington that gave them so golden an opportunity to put on their pretty bibs and tuckers. • * • Miss Berkeley, daughter of Sir Henry Berkeley, Chief Justice of Fiji, is at present staying with Mrs. Somerville. Lady Berkeley will probably pay New Zealand a visit in May, and will be accompanied by her son, who has just returned from active service in South Africa. • • • Miss Flanagan and Miss McClosky scored successes in Blenheim, at the Hibernian concerts. They sang charmingly, and won hearty encores. • * • Wellington will miss Mr. and Mis. John Ross and Miss Ross when they leave for the South. In their fine house and grounds, in Abel Smithstreet, they entertained most hospitably. » # • Exquisite weather, beautiful grounds, to wonder over, and refreshments for the modestest consideration — all these considerations made the garden-party held in Mrs. Levin's gardens a pronounced success. The arrangements were good, and the attendance large. It would have been larger, but for the exciting nnal matches at Miramar. Bright-faced children enjoyed themselves immensely, and the Punch and Judy was voted "all right." The ladies who worked so hard must have been pleased with the result of their labours. An interesting group on the lawn was connected with the great circus now in Wellington, and consisted of Mrs. Tom Fitz-Gerald in the smartest of green and white frocks and black toques, a tiny girl in a short-waisted blues ilk front, and a Japanese boy whom Mrs. Fitz-Gerald has adopted. Mrs. Fitz-Gerald is a Palmerston girl, and is exceedingly clever and artistic, designing and making many of her own costumes. • • • The circus has departed. The company have folded up their tents, like the Arabs, and silently stolen away, taking with them a considerable amount of money, drawn from an appreciative public. They deserve all their success though, for they gave their audiences both quantity and quality. Mademoiselle Adelina is the very perfection of grace and agility, and the fair juggler was extremely clever. The antics of the polo men on their donkeys the same afternoon were nothing compared to the riding of most of the circus men and women. They seemed to stick on to the horse by a sort of equine force of gravitation. (Continued on Page 11.)

The Sydney - street schoolroom was transformed into a most artistic interior last Friday night, when the Wellington Polo Club entertained their visitors. Great plants from Government House conservatories were set about the floor, and luxurious chairs placed under the branches and about the room. Rich-coloured carpets were on the floor, and the walls were decorated with polo sticks, foliage, and the colours of the clubs. Little tables, with vases of flowers, made charming bits of colour here and there. One graceful woman, in a soft trailing, sequin-strewn dress of pale pink, against a great clump of exquisite bella-donna lilies, was a perfect harmony of colour. Music and talk, and a very excellent supper, made the evening pass quickly. * » * The guests were received by Mr. and Miss. Coates, the latter wearing a black brocade, with lace and jet. Some charming frocks were to be seen, and the general black, or black and white, was ousted by many for colours. The prettiest frock in the room was Mrs. Heaton Rhodes's, a clinging pale pink, flashing with silver, and worn with diamond stars on the bodice and diamond wings in the hair. Mrs. Woodroffe wore a striped black and white gauze, with touches of soft pink showing here and there Mrs. Alister Clarks o-own was of ivory brocade, with a knot of black on the left shoulder. Mrs,. Jack Strang had on a beautiful jetted black frock, and Mrs. Alan Strang a palo green brocade. Mrs. Carhle wore bright yellow brocade. Miss Percival, daughter of Sir Westby Percival, suited admirably her pale blue striped gauze frock, with its pink roses. The two Miss Wilsons, from Rangitikei, were dressed in yellow silk, with lace insertion. Miss Watt had on a handsome blue satin. Mrs. Embling wore black silk and lace. * * • The three Misses Skerrett wore pretty frocks of rose brocade, pale green brocade, and chiffon frills, and white lace. Mrs. C. Johnston had on a black and white jetted gown, and Mrs. Newman a very dainty frock of ivory brocade, opening over a black and white frilled petticoat. Mrs. Butler wore pale blue, with a drapery of lovely lace. Mrs. Stott had on a pretty black jetted net over white glace, Miss Stafford wore black iilk and chiffon, Miss Quick black, with a berthe of ivory-tinted Maltese lace, Miss Douglas black and steel, Mrs. Tolhursfc black and Miss Tolhurst cream silk, with orange chiffon and roses. Miss Reid wore a charming white brocade, Miss Brandon a yellow brocade with crimson roses, Miss Izard black with white lace sleeves, Miss Johnston cream silk, and Miss Alice Johnston black with pink chiffon and roses. • • • Miss Richmond wore a black and white chiffon fichu on her black silk frock. Mrs. Wyhe's gown was of black brocade, with lace berthe. Miss Edwards wore cream silk and black velvet. Miss Williams wore a pretty grey brocade over an underskirt of pink and grey chiffon frills, and Miss Elfie Williams had on blue, with lace, and touches of rose-pink. Lady Stout was in black, with a rosette of tulle in her hair. Mrs. Ewen wore a tomato-coloured brocade blouse and a black silk skirt. Miss Duncans gown was of - ivory satin, opening over a net petticoat. Miss Cooper had on grey satin, and Miss Higgmson black, with lace fichu. Mrs. Hales wore dark brocade and lace. • • • On Saturday afternoon there was a great crowd on the polo grounds. The day was exquisite, and the pretty frocks showed off to great advantage. One authority declared that it was the smartest crowd she had seen m Wellington. Among the many dainty gowns, Mrs. Harold Johnston's grey, with blue revers and belt, was noticeable. Miss Pharazyn had on the prettiest white tucked muslin over pale blue, and Mrs. Baxter a handsome frock of soft black matenal, elaborately tucked. A lovely shade of blue foulard was worn by Mrs. Mantell, and Miss Skerrett's trailing frock of cream was much admired. A visitor had on a handsome grey voile, with a braided Eton. Another of the pretty giey frocks was worn by Mrs. Wickham. It was braided, and had touches of &oft pink about the bodice. Mrs. Heaton Rhodes's smart gown was of goldenbrown serge, with white vest and blue and brown toque. Mi&s Stafford wore a pretty grey frock, with tucked white silk panel, and deep collar. A pale tan frock had turquoise blue silk trimmings, and was worn with a smart blue toque. • • • Mr. Hill-Trevor had the worst of illluck. His jolly little pony gave us a delightful impromptu circus beforehand, and it did the bending beautifully. Unfortunately. it did not get off in the final heat, otherwise it would have had a good chance of winning. Mr. J. Strang, broken arm notwithstanding, was looking on during the afternoon.

is It would be interesting to know if the donkeys enjoyed the polo as much as I- the spectators. When the Chrisfcr church polo men some years ago wanted i- the Sumner donkeys, the old caretaker t was delighted, and refused to take s payment. He declared it would be t such a nice outing for the donkeys, and c that they would thoroughly enjoy themselves. Judging from the firm c manner in which our animals objected , to landing at Miramar wharf, they I wanted a longer sea-trip. It may be 3 that these donkeys will look back with , pleasure to the time when they strew- , ed the turf with the prostrate forms of 3 our athletes, amid the laughter of an unsympathetic crowd. One could 1 imagine Kruger reminding Bland Holt of the day when he had the honour of chucking Baron Wedel over his head' By the by, Napoleon is the particular donkey that most ob- ' jects to control, and any num- ■ her of applications were sent in for him ' before the game commenced. It did not really seem to signify, however, which donkey a man secured. He did not appear to stick on it more than a second or two ! • * • Mr. and Mrs. David Nathan gave a most enjoyable dinner at the Empire Hotel to some of the polo visitors and some Wellington friends. Twenty-eight people were invited, and each guest's menu-card was signed by all the other guests, and so formed an interesting memento. The table was decorated with pale blue, yellow, and white flowers (the colours of the Wellington Polo Club), and ribbons of the same tints formed a lattice-work on the cloth. The electric lights were softened by shades of pale blue and yellow silk. An unseen band played during the dinner. The menu itself was quite a work of art, the dishes being named after the polo-ponies or something connected with the sport. There was great fun over the "burning cherry" course, and much laughter when tho various caps in the crackers were tried on, and found to suit admirably the different styles of beauty. » • • At a late period in the dinner, one of the men was asked by the waiter, who was about to refill his glass, which champagne he was drinking. "How can I tell you at this stage?" the visitor said, with reproachful melancholy, "you ought to know!" * • • After the dinner, the guests adjourned to the drawing-room, which was prettily decorated with flowers. There three of Dixs company sang and played, one man giving a clever performance on the piano and cornet at the same time, using one hand to each. The party did not break up till one o'clock. • • * Miss Hilda Williams wore grey, with red roses, Miss Duncan pale blue with pink roses, the two Misses Johnston cream silk, Mrs. Strang black with jet, Miss Elsie Williams (Hawke's Bay), cream, Miss Izard and Miss Cooper black, and Mrs. Nathan cream lace over turquoise blue, with touches of jet on the bodice. Yours truly, — Philliba.

At St. Peter's Church, Willis-street, on Wednesday afternoon, the 27th ult., Mr. Geo. Hansen, of the railway staff, Carterton (son of the late Mr. J. L. Hansen, Wellington) was married to Miss Alice Platt, who arrived from England a few months ago. The Rev. Mr. Davys conducted the ceremony, and the bride was given away by Mr. Holm Hansen. The bridesmaids were Miss Henrietta Hansen, Miss Laura Hansen (sisters of the bridegroom), and Miss Agnes Hayes. Mr. C. W. Nielsen acted as best man, and Mr. Otto Hansen (brother of the bridegroom) was extra groomsman. * » ♦ After the ceremony a reception was held at the residence of the bridegroom's mother, in Ingestre-street, and a large number of friends attended to ofler their congratulations. The leading toast, "The health of the bride and bridegroom," was proposed by Mr. Nielsen, and neatly responded to by the happy man. During the afternoon the newly-wedded couple left for the Wairarapa to spend their honeymoon. In the evening a social party was held at the residence of Mrs. Hansen, &en. A large number of handsome wedding presents were received, amongst them being a sewing machine, a dinner service, and some silver plate. * ♦ ♦ By the time the Corn walls get out to the colonies, the Duchess will be shocked to find how common her specially-ordered gowns have become. It is that foolish cable man who alone will be responsible. By this time half the suburban dressmakers in Sydney and Melbourne, and a good many throughout New Zealand as well, are busily turning out as many replicas as time will permit, of the Royal costumes. Every httlc village belle who can hope to get a bird's-eye view of the procession and other out-door functions

tells her fnends she is having her best frocks made something in the style of those to be worn by the Duchess. Even the Fnncess May hair-fringe is now being imitated right and left, and the neat band-box style of the Duchess is a « § ? revolution m the touzled, fluffy fashions of our Airy Fairy Lilians.

Lay on Mac Duff ! who hasn't read How bold Macbeth was slain, «7? 0W he>s been so lloon o since dead Why rake him up again "> Then let him rest, he's out of date, We'll turn to something newer If you've got a cold, be not too late, Take Woods,' Gmsat Peppebmini Coke