Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 42, 20 April 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

Dear Ciiristabel — WELLINGTON is dull, deadly dull, and theic i& nothing domg in the way of amusement. The Bazaar people — and under that head seems to be included nearly everyone in Wellington, and many outside — are working apace I have been shown some very dainty tnfles, made by clever fingers, for one of the stalls. All that will be wanted will be purchasers, and, as Wellington is going to be inundated with visitors at the time, it is probable there will be a large demand for the supply. The refreshment stall is to be an enthralling resort, and many of the dainty amateur cooks of Wellington intend to excel themselves in toothsome delicacies. ♦ • • Sir Henry Irving has hit on a new wav to cope with the theatre-hat nuisance. At the Theatre Royal, Belfast, while "The Merchant of Venice was being performed, many women did not remove their hats, to the great discomfort of those sitting behind them. Before the first act commenced, a curtain was lowered, with the following painted on it in large letters —"Madam, will you kindly take off your hat, as I am sitting immediately behind you, and cannot see the stage." It had the desired effect. # 9 The Human Frog, at Dixs Gaiety, is positively weird, and ties himself up so effectively that a looker-on gets mixed up as to which are his legs and which his arms. As regards his balancing feats, they are superhuman and inexplicable. Grotesque as he is, nevertheless, he is graceful, and when he takes off his froghead he is distinctly good-looking — a sort of fairy prince that lias been bewitched. Already he is being imitated, and, consequently, flattered. There will be any number of small boys experimenting on their mother's flower vases, with unfortunate results for both vases and boys. • « • How tidy we are getting now that the Duke is coming' Paint and varnish, new iron railings, telegraph poles and wire* put out of sight, new stainedglass windows in the Premier's residence, a perfect eruption of frockcoats where frock-coats were never seen before, and reckless expenditure in paperhanging and decorating — who can say New Zealand is not loyai? Surely, when all arrangements are complete for the royal visit arches up, streets clean, the route garnished, and the frock-coats on, dear dinsrv Wellington will say, with the old woman in the nursery tale, "Lawk-a-mussv-me, can this be I?" * * * When Catherine of Russia made her royal progress through her huge dominions, a laige number of well-fed, smiling peasants, and a whole village in sections, preceded her. The neat huts were set up, the rosy children placed about in picturesque attitudes, a happy peasantry cheered their Empress as she approached, and a general air of prosperity and peace was everywhere. There is somewhat of an analogy between Wellington en fete and the Russian tableaux vivants that Catherine viewed with such satisfaction. « ♦ • What do you think of the latest Society notion, a toilette tea? It originated in America, where the wooden nutmegs come from, and was adopted in Christchurch a week or so ago. The title is suggestive of soap and water and a hairbrush, but the function is strictly decorous. A number of guests are invited to a farewell tea given for some mutual friend, and each guest brings with her some toilet requisite as a parting gift. A sort of collection is taken up. It would be awkward if eight out of ten visitors had brought soap. It is rather an odd idea, and one hardly likely to come into favour. It has a sort of penny-wedding air about it that is embarrassing both to the recipient and the donors. * * * Mrs. Findlay, on Friday evening, gave a most successful dinner-party to the Midland Railway Commissioners. • • • Rumours of all sorts of pretty frocks, some of them specially ordered from London for the ducal visit, are in the air. Now ; that there is a certainty of two receptions, and one in the Parliamentary Buildings, which will accom-

modate a very large number of guests, there will be an opportunity of showing off these gowns. The handsome rooms in the new part of the buildings will make a fine setting for picturesque frocks, even though they be restricted to black and white. The last time a reception was held in the House of Parliament was at the time of the Governor's arrival in New Zealand, and was to welcome him and the Countess of Ranfurly. Then, the old rooms were transfigured, and filled with a brilliant throng. • * * How lovely the pastel-tinted cloths are this season l Three shades — a pale heliotrope, a dull green, and a scarlet orange — were particularly striking, and would make up into the most effective gowns. But we are not likely to see many of these exquisite colours in the streets just now, and must look forward to their appearance in the spring. Some of the evening materials are more poetic, but, alas, cannot be said to come under the head of half-mourning. A thin, black material, scattered with blush-roses in tinted velvets, was most beautiful, and the gold-embroidered lace the daintiest trimming imaginable. • • • Do any of the directors of the Wellington Gas Company go to Dixs? If they do, are they not forcibly struck bv the appearance of the young female who figures beside the stove, in the centre of the drop-scene? She is like nothing human, and certainly is not in the least spiritual. She has a swelled head, and Chinese feet, and is out of all proportion. If the girl had to be taken with the stove, the would-be purchaser would go elsewhere. Advertisements are works of art now-a-days, and faces and figures of lovely women adorn all sorts of pages. In the sacred name of art, let the ill-favoured damsel be painted out. • • • Miss Marchant, who left for a trip Home some time ago, has had, so far, the most enjoyable experience. The Arcadia arrived a day earlier than its time-table at Colombo, and the passengers were thus able to go up into the interior, and stay all night at Kandy. At Adelaide, on coming back to the steamer after a delightful day spent with Mr. C. T. O'Connor and his family, Miss Marchant found a box of exquisite flowers awaiting her, and a note enclosed, saying that an ex -High School boy from Dunedin could not let the daughter of his old chief in Wellington leave without some little memento of the regard he had felt for her father. • • • Mrs. Greenwood, wife of Mr. Greenwood, paymaster of H.M.S. Mildura, has returned to Wellington, after staying with the Fells, at Picton, for some weeks. She intends to remain here until the Mildura comes across in the train of the Duke of York. Mrs. Kingsmill, I believe, is returning to Canada for a year, and Mrs. Ellis is in Sydney, where her little son is at school. • * • Miss Ward (daughter of the Hon. J. G. Ward) is to be congratulated on gaining one of the three local musical exhibitions open to colonial candidates. (Continued on Page 11.)

The very latest in the way of muffs aie those of ostrich feathers, to match that most charming of neck garnitures — the feather boa. They may be made of dyed, natural, or white feathers, but must be finished with real flowers, a spray of the same fastening the boa. Just imagine the harmony of a claretcoloured cloth frock, with a velvet picture toque of the same colour, worn with a white feather boa and muff, sprays of real dark-red roses giving a fragrant and dainty touch to the costume. The fancy, where flowers have to be bought, might be extravagant, but it is undeniably pretty. On a grey boa and muff, the golden-brown chrysanthemum, now in blossom, would look most artistic, and would last out almost any afternoon function. • • * Fashion decrees that the flop hat and the toque up-turned in front have had their day. The new hat has the brim raised up from the hair on one side, the space being filled up with flowers or chiffon. • • # I saw such a charming evening bodice the other day. The foundation was a plain black satin, slightly draped across the front, with no sleeves — only a shoulder strap. Over this was worn a zouave, all aflash with jet. Soft folds of tulle above this formed a berthe round the bodice. Folds hid the satin shoulder-strap, and a soft festoon fell over the upper part of the arm. A further drapery of tulle fell across the front of tho bodice under the zouave. A lovely note of colour was given to this dainty bodice by a large rose, with petals of flame-tinted panne and heart of gold This, worn with a well-cut silk or satin skirt and* a, narrow jetted belt, would make a most admirable evening frock, at little cost, and the owner would have the virtuous satisfaction of remembering that, with lace sleeves and transparent yoke, she could work a transformation at any time. * * It seems like painting the lily to overlay chiffon with chiffon, and, then again f with lace, but such is the latest whim for evening frocks. A muchadmired chiffon gown was of black, over pale blue, over white, the outermost chiffon being painted with exquisite pink roses and foliage, while a fringe of roses fell over the frothy, flounced edge of the skirt. It must have been a dream, especially if worn by a pretty woman, but a dream that would be something of a nightmare when the bill was sent home. * * * Mr. and Mrs. Keeler, at present visiting Wellington, are that ideal combination, author and artist. Mr. Keeler writes books — he is at present engaged on one about New Zealand — and Mrs Keeler illustrates them. A volume of poems by Mr. Keeler has been equisltelv illustrated by his wife. After they have finished their New Zealand work, they intend to collaborate on a book on Tahiti. # # Mrs. Ada Foye is the pastor of the Spiritualists' Church in Denver City, and has come to New Zealand to give some lectures and manifestations. She is eloquent and gifted, a woman of decided views, and she spoke for nearly an hour at the New Century Hall, with an ease and fluency many orators might have envied. The hall was crowded, and many were turned away. Those who were present listened with deep attention, and when the manifestations were given, even the most sceptical could not fail to be moved by the pathetic inquiries after dead friends. * • • There was nothing in the least gruesome about the elderly lady with the strong determined face that could smile so pleasantly. No lights weio lowered, no soft music plaved— theic was no death-hke trance. Everything took place in the full glare of the electric lights. Mrs. Foye talked with the smrits she said she saw beside her , she road writing in the air; she wrote under the guidance of her particular spirit, and tho rapping by which some of the questions were answered was distinctly heard by the audience. Although all was done openly the manirr>stahons were decidedly "creepy and thrilling, and though the meeting lasted two houis, many anxious to hear more went unwillingly away. Yours truly — Philliim There was unusual bustle and excitement in the Pelorus district, across the Straits, on the 3rd instant. The occa.sion of it all was the marriage of _Mr Charles Evan Jones, son of Mt. Evan Jones, of Bluff Farm, Kattuna, to Miss Harriet Mary Wells, second daughtei of Mr. David Wells, of Woodlands, Pelorus The wedding took place at the Bluff Farm, in the presence of a large gathering of guests.- The bude, who was given away by her fathei , looked charming in cream lustre, trimmed with satin, lace, and chiffon, the bodice having a tucked yoke with necklet of frilled silver bespangled chiffon and espalier pleated, and on the skirt waterfalls of cream lace. The bride

Miss M. Simpson is visiting Mrs. Allan Strang, of Awapuni, Manawatu. • • • At Fitzherbert, on Monday week, Mr. D. Clark, of Wellington, was married to Miss E. Gawith, of Fitzherbert. The' Rev. T. Newbold conducted the ceremony. Miss Ethel Go with (sister ceremony. Miss Ethel G-awith (sister of the bride) and Miss Kate Clark (sister of the bridegroom) were the bridesmaids, while Mr. F. Burbush acted as best man. The families of both bride and bridegroom are veiy old and highly respected residents" m this province, and the young people received a large number of choice and valuable presents. • ♦ » Miss Girlie Moffatt, who has been visiting Mrs. T. G. Macarthy for some months, has returned to her home at Invercargill. « • • A sale and entertainment in aid of the Mclanewdii Mission, and organised by ladies of St. Paul's parish, was held in the Sydney-street Hall lat>t Thursday. The sale of work was opened by Mrs. Walhs, and the stall-holders were Mcsdames Wan en and Morrison, and the Misses Fancourt, Marchant, Ashcroft, Powles, and Richardson. • * # Mr. Finch, manager of the Bank of Now South Wales, left for England bv the Tarawera last Saturday. • • • On Wednesday last week, Mr. F Zohrab, of Wellington, was married at Bishopdale, Nelson, to Miss Blanche Mabm, of Nelson. A great deal of interest was manifested in the event, on both sides of Cook Strait. The Rev. J Kempthorne tied the nuptial knot, and the bride was given away by her brothel, Mr. E. Mabm. She looked charming, m a die.ss of white surah, trimmed with pearl passementerie, and having tian.sparont yoke and sleeves Sho earned a lovely shower bouquet of v bite rosos and maidenhair fern The bridesmaid was Miss Lucy Gibb^ who wore white muslin, tnmmed with lace and insertion, and large w r hite hat Mi W H Rose, of Wellington acted as best man. At thf conclusion of the ceremony a reception was held at the residence of Mrs. Gibbs, Nilc-stioot. Mr. and Mrs. Zohrab axe spending their honeymoon on the West Coast.

A number of smart young Wellington bachelors spent their Easter holidays at Pipinki, and some very "tall" yarns are now current concerning thedr doings while there. * * * The first of Miss Borlase's assemblies was held last Friday evening, in the Sydney-street Hall, and all who were present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. True, it was a trifle warm, but we had good music, floor, and partners — what more could one desire? Miss Borlase was wearing black silk. Amongst the guests were Lady Gibbes, Mesdames Elliott and Tregear. Miss Elliott wore pink silk blouse, black satin skirt, Miss Elsie Elliott, white muslin, turquoise blue sash , Miss Halse, mauve silk blouse, black satin skirt, Miss May Lingard looked extremely weU m black satin, Miss Rawson, yellow silk, with frills of yellow chiffon , Miss Smith, pretty heliotrope blouse, with touches of black velvet, black satin skirt- Miss Brandon, white muslin, lace fichu • Miss Fergus (Dunedm), black satin, Miss D. Fergus, white muslin, MibE> Butt, white silk frock. * * * Miss Richter (Palmerston) wore pink silk, Miss Tregear, black silk, white chiffon fichu ; Miss Wright, white muslin , Miss Homewood, white tucked silk, crimson roses, Miss Aldridge, beautifully embroidered muslin, Miss M. Waldegrave, dainty white silk frock, blue sash; Miss Edith Bendall, white, Miss Logan, blue, Miss Stuart, white silk blouse, black silk skirt. Miss Hessie Hickson, cream silk frock Miss Runcie, tucked silk blouse, black satin skirt. Some; of the gentlemen present were Captain Hughes, Messrs. Tos&well, Reid, Fitzherbert. Burns. Watkins, Simpson, McLeod, Mowbray, Wheeler, and Bridge. Mr. C. P. Bridge is acting secretary during Mr Barclay's absence. • • • The musical portion of tlic program mr was arranged bv Mis. Quick, and was vpiv much on joyed. Mi^% Surott plavcd a piano solo. Mrs Gillon and Mr. Tuiss sang the duet, ' Friendshio." the latter afterwards singing delightfully ' The Arrow and the Song." Mr. Hunter Biown's banjo solo was warmly applauded. Amongst the patrons were Metdamcs Harding, Howarth,

i Sprott, Izard, Fitzgerald, Merchant, ' jL^ghan, Fancourt, and the Misses s Harding, Sprott, Brandon, Powles, Marchant, and Quick. The "sweet stall, managed by the Misses Fancourt and Marchant, was fairly "rushed," and good "biz." was done by the Punch and '. Judy show. * • • On Friday last week Miss Nellie */ ms £ ie .> of Wellington, was married to Mr. John Macdonald, late of Dunedin. Ihe ceremony was performed by the Key. J. Kennedy Elliott, and the bridesmaids were Miss Maggie Christie sister of the bride, and Miss Jennie Macdonald, sister of the bridegroom. Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald left in the afternoon for the Wairarapa, on their honeymoon trip. * • • A very pretty wedding took place at St. John's Church, on the 3rd instant when Miss Alice Franklin, second daughter of Mr. W. Franklin, of the Government Printing Office, was married to Mr. Maurice Manthel, of the well-known firm of electricians, Andrews and Manthel. The Rev. J. Paterson officiated, and Mr. W. Franklin gave his daughter away. The bride was dressed in cream figured silk trimmed with Maltese lace, and orange blossoms, and she also wore a prettilyworked vest, adorned with orange blossoms, and carried a beautiful shower bouquet. * * ♦ There were four bridesmaids — two sisters of the bride, and two little girls The Misses Minnie and Hilda Franklin were dressed in white muslin, trimmed with lace and insertion, the bodices being draped with net fichu. They wore black velvet picture hats, trimmed with white feathers and silk, and carried crimson bouquets. The two little bridesmaids were Miss Doris Clarke (niece of the bridegroom) and Miss Elsabel Ross. They wore white silk dresses trimmed with lace and ribbon, and Dutch bonnets to match. They also carried baskets of flowers. * • • The bridesmaids wore dainty gold brooches, the gift of the bridegroom. Ihe bridegroom's present to the bride was a gold cable bangle. The bride's mother wore a black figured dress, trimmed with pink silk, covered with black lace, black bonnet, with white tips and pink velvet. The bridegroom's mother wore a black satin dress, trimmed with maize-coloured sik and black lace, and she wore a toque trimmed to match. Mr. Alex. P. Smith was best man, and Mr. Wm. Girling, of Blenheim, was groomsman. Mr. Maughan Barnett was at the organ, and played appropriate music, and as the wedding party moved up the aisle towards the church entrance, the strains of the "Wedding March" pealed out with stirring effect. * • « After the ceremony, the wedding party, and about sixty guests, assembled at Mr. Godber's reception rooms, where the health of the bride and bridegroom was toasted, to the accompaniment of musical honours. The happy couple left for Wanganui by the four o'clock train, on their honeymoon tour. The bride's going-away dress was navy serge, finished with collar of wlnte satin and guipure lace, and she wore a black picture hat. Amongst the numerous wedding presents was a handsome marble clock (suitably inscribed) from the employees of Messrs. Andrews and Manthel. The southerly buster at its height, With wind and rain and sleet, Ifa bound to give us every night, Wet clothes and cold damp feet. Bad colds and coughs must then prevail, We'll try to make them fewer, And take a dose of never fail — Some Woods' Great Peppermint Coke. CITY COUNCIL ELECTION. TO THE ELECTORS. LADIES and GENTLEMEN,— I am a Candidate for your suffrages at the coming Election of City Councillors. Though, as yet, untried in that capacity, I believe I am thoroughly qualified to represent you on that body. lam a staunch supporter of a sound progressive policy, and the municipalisation of all those services that can be profitably worked by a municipality, as the profits from such concerns are the means now adopted by up-to-date cities m olden lands to lighten the burden of taxation on the Burgesses, and to provide them with those services necessary to their health, comfort, and convenience, at a minimum of cost. t cordially invite you to my Meetings as advertised in the dailies, and trust that the acquaintance thus made will be the means of securing me your most energetic support. Yours most respectfully, ALEX. J. RAND.

wore a veil, a coronet of orange blossoms and a diamond ring and gold brooch, tho presents of the bridegroom. She was attended by Miss Emily Wells, her sister, Miss Mattie Jones, sister of the bridegroom, and the Misses Annie and Cissy Wells, her nieces, the former being costumed in subdued cream cashmere with white satin yoke and lace trimmings, cuirasse front, and embattle*mented necklet. The nieces of the bride wore attired in Kmpire dresses of hailstorm mushn, with frillings of lace, Gainsborough hats with ostrich tips, and each carried a basket of blooms. ♦ • • Mr Arthur Wratt acted as groomsman. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the guests w ere entertained sumptuously by the parents of the bridegroom, the health and felicity of the twain being proposed by the uncle of the bride, Mr. Dan. Wells, of Four Fathom Bay, Pelorus Sound. The display of presents expressed the esteem in which the happy couple are held, and were distinctly of a vaJuable and useful nature. During the afternoon, sports were held amongst the guests, the enjoyment of the day being continued with dancing and music until "all hours." The bride and bridegroom left for their new home, on the Terrace, Havelock, amidst showers of rices and good wishes.

Mr. Walter Naismith, a well-known member of the Wellington Rowing Club, was married at St. John's Church, on the afternoon of Monday week, to- Miss Mabel Cynthia Hunter, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, of Courtenay Place. The Rev. J. Paterson conducted the ceremony, and there was a goodly attendance of the friends of the happy pair. The bride was very becomingly dressed, in a costume of dove-grey, trimmed with white silk chiffon, and wore a long tulle veil depending from a coronet wreath of orange blossoms. She also carried a shower bouquet, with long white satin streamers. The bridesmaids were Miss Anna Callaghan, of Niriha, who was dressed in cream, trimmed with silk, and hat to match, and Miss Daisy Young (niece of the bridegroom), who was dressed in Wedgewood blue, tnmmed with blue silk, and hat to match. • • • Mr. Hugh Simms was best man, and Mr. Frank Naismith (brother of the bridegroom) was groomsman. The bride was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. T. Tindall. After the wedding breakfast, the newly-wedded pair set out for the Wairarapa, to spend the honeymoon, the bride wearing a navy blue costume, and black velvet hat trimmed with white feathers.