Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 81, 18 January 1902, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

NOT since the anti-ciuiohne league was formed has the skirt come in for so much attention It is the all-absorbing topic of conveisation in England, America, and, in fact, every counfcn, where a trailing skirt is to be found — and condemned. Not only is fair woman wat clung with keen interest the result of the battle 'twixt Dame Fashion and the vanous Boards of Health that accuse her of spreading germs of disease m the- most reckless manner — but the tyrant man is embarked m real earnest in a crusade against our graceful trailing skirt. No doubt, there is some truth in the bill of indictment, but a great deal of nonsense is talked also. • ♦ * The bedraggled and mud-stained muslins/ so of ten referred to, are rarely so, so jealously do we hold them up out of "the dust, knowing too well the penalty of renewing a worn-out "binding," a little task that most women take pains to avoid. On the other hand, if we do have our skirts cut a "sensible length," we think "Oh, now my skirt is short I need not hold it up," when, as a matter of fact, it is never so short but it can collect a good rim of dust and germs. The trailing skirt is, therefore, safer, being invariably held out of the reach of possible germs. But, until Dame Fashion decides in favour of some other style, the long skirt will be worn, in spite of lengthy articles on health, and what anyone thinks, writes, or says will have no effect in putting it down, for already Fashion has proved stronger than the Melbourne Board of Health, and we are her most devoted slaves. # I quite agree with our Australian cousins, that while we waste time and energy in a tirade against the trained skirt there is a far more senseless and dangerous fashion gaining ground unheeded—T allude to the transparent yoke. Many a seed of consumption is sown by girls ruthlessly exposing their throats and chests to the sudden changes of our climate, with only a covering of lace for protection. The transparent yoke is neither a pretty, becoming nor sensible fashion, and is far more dangerous to health than trailing skirts. • * * Last week I mentioned that the short veils of the 1837 period were being worn in Paris. 1 now notice that an effort is being made to revive the fashion in England. The veil just reaches the tip of the nose, and is loosely gathered together, and knotted at the back ot the hat. It is not at all probable that the fashion will be adopted except by those who wish to be conspicuous. • * • Queen Alexandra is very fond of wearing mauve, and that colour will be in great favour after the period of Court mourning is past. I notice that black and white materials still hold their own, and lovely are the frocks in these colours brought out by a lady lately returned from England. One especially has taken my fancy, and i« made of black and white material, in large, soft design, in bolero style, with wide, white applique finishing the ero, and also arranged on the skirt m Vandykes. # Social life in Wellington is absolutely dead at present, even the formal "call having been for the holiday weeks entirely suspended • • • From "across the Bay" come whisners of surprise parties, picnio dances, euchre and "Ping-Pong" evenings, so, f we want a little dissipation, we must go to the seaside for it. More Wellington folk "summering" at Muritai and Rona Bay, and laying -n a stock of rude health for themselves and the kiddies, just at present, are • — Mr and Mrs. G. F. C. Campbell, Mr and Mrs. Archie Wilson, Mr. and Miss Sim Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Webb (Thorndon' School), Mr. and Mrs. Wrigglesworth, Mr. and Mrs. M. G. Young, Mr. and Mrs. Cornwall, Mr. and Mrs. F Moorhouse. Mr. and Mrs ■ Bolton, Mr and Mrs. Veitch, Mr. and Mrs. Mantell, Mr Holmes (Union Bank) and Mrs. Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Trevethick, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Wright Mr. George Wright (Lands Office) and Mrs. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Barraud fHutt), Mr and Mrs. Frank Newson, Mr. and Mrs. Howden, Mr. and Mrs. A. Levy.

On Saturday eyening, a very enjo ; able progressive euchre party was given at their Plimmerton residence, by Mr. and Mrs. J M. Richardson — a few guests journeying out from town to V»p present . * * * The Misses Hilda and Kate Hitchings (Napier) left by the Mokoia on Friday last, for Rydnev. e<n route for England. * * * The marriage of Miss Una Hitchings to Dr Edgar, of Napier, is to take place very shortly. Amongst the visitors at the Trentham Camp on Sunday were Sir Arthur Douglas (Undersecretary for Defence), Colonel Newall, Mr. T. R Macdonald, the Hrm C. H. Milk and the MisseMills, and many others. * * * Miss Mary Greenfield, who has been for the last year travelling on the Continent, returned to Wellington by thf Waikaxe last Friday. * • * Mr. and Mis. Jelhcoe, who have also lately returned from England arrived from Sydney by the Waikare * * Mr and Mrs Wilford have returned from Rotorua. The former has gieatly improved in health, the recent operation having relieved, and it is hoped quite cured, his throat trouble. * * * Miss Richmond (Wellington) is staving with Mrs. J H Hoskmg, Chri&tchurch. * * * Mrs. J S. Jamieson is paying; a visit to Auckland. * * • Mi«s Reid, who has been spending some months down South, has returned to Wellington « * •* The Misses Eastgate (Auckland) are at present in Wellington. [Continued on page 11 )

Mr R D. Duncan, the Chief Inspector of Machinery, and Mrs. Duncan are in occupation of a "cottage by the sea" t'other .side the harbour. Likewise Mr. and Mrs Tudor Atkinson, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilton. Nature must be dispensing tip-top medicine over there. , The Casino Girl" fascinates large audiences each night, and sings and dances her way through various adventures very prettily. Miss Lulu Evans who takes the ait of the Casino Girl, first appears in a frock of bright crimson accordeon-pleated silk, with glittering tabs in chess-board design over the skirt. Black velvet shoulder straps finished in a bow, with long ends, iorm one sleeve, crimson velvet, ai ranged in the same wa- forming the other. 1 most becoming hat of crimson tulle arid black tips is also \i 01 n. Her next frock of white satin, finished with a fringe or pale blue, ai ranged in vandykes, and a large white picture hat with tulle bows and ostrich tips are also pretty * ■* * Miss Edgai, who takes the part ot Miss Roxana Rocks the rich American girl, appears first in pale heliotrope, embroidered in silver, with a short cape of brocade the same colour hanging trom her shoulders, and a hat to match. Her second frock is of red silk with two deep flounces, and touches of black velvet bebe ribbon. Miss Karkeek scores a success as Mrs. Malaprop Rocks, and wears three or four equally effective gowns. The six opera sansrers look very pretty and gay in trained gowns ot pale yellow satin, with lace bolero and straps of black velvet, and hat a mass of yellow roses They afterwards apnear in black satin, studded with spangles, and very fetching black hats with white "birds" in front. • • I must not forget Miss Gertie Campion's two 'frilly" frocks. One, in th« first act, was pale pink silk, made with the tiniest frills to the waist the skirt is short, of course, only reaching to the knee. Her very becoming hat is also pink The blue frock in the next act is similarly made, and just as^ dainty. The Sisters "Rocks" have little else to do than look pretty, and that they do well, their ''rose/ dresses m the last act being simply sweet. The chorus are. as usual, gaily clad, and add much to the general effect when on the stage. • * * In the audience, I noted . Professor and Mrs. Brown, the latter wearing a black lace dinner gown- Mr. Harcourt and Miss Grace Harcourt, who wore white silk . Miss O'Connor, m pale grey, with lace, Miss E. O'Connor, a pretty frock of pink voile ; Miss Martin Kennedy, a becoming dress, and cream lace and buttercup chou , Miss A. Kennedy, white silk and chiffon ; Mrs. David Nathan, white tucked silk blouse, black tucked skirt and a black picture hat Miss Macintosh, black satin gown, with transparent sleeves, and a turquoise blue chou ; Miss Blundell, in a nale blue silk theatre blouse, with a cluster ol pink roses. Miss May Blundell also wore pale blue. • • • The Misses Brandon had on black and white blouses, lace collars, and black skirts : Miss Kane a white lace gown and blue silk chou, Miss Stevenson, black lace , Miss Pettit, pale pink silk , Mrs. Pye-Smith, a prett^ theatre blouse of tucked rose silk, with lace bolero- Mrs. Wilford, a brocaded blouse, and dark skirt, Miss Kirkcaldie, a black frock and embroidered opera, cape. Miss M. Mcc wore a white frock, and long grey coat • ♦ • Mr. and Mrs Arthur Pearce are spending the summer weeks at their pretty residence in Lowry Bay » * * Mr and Mrs. H. J. H. Blow and family are making their customary summer residence at York Bay. • • • Seatoun has attracted many city people to its sands and sunshine. Among those who are inhaling the ozone there* are Mr. and Mrs. Jack King, the Misses Bendall, Miss Hitchings (Napie^ Mr. and Mrs. O. Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Corrigan, Mr. and Mrs. W. Watson, Mrs. Gawith and her daughters from Masterton, Mr. and Mrs. H. Barber, the Misses Barber, Miss Pownall, Mr. and Mrs. Shekelton (PahiatuaV Mr. and Mrs. Arthur McKee, and a batch i« occupied bv Messrs. Martin, Owen, Haines, and others. • • • Plimmerton is also gay with visitors. Mr and Mrs. Stuart and the Misses Stuart, are staying there Mr. and Mrs. J M Richardson and their daughters, Mr and Mrs. J. Blundell and family, and many visitors from the Rangitikei district. # . Miss L. Bremner left lart week for a short visit to Christchurch. • • * A wedding interesting to New Zealarders took place at St. John's Church, Albany, a few weeks ago, when Captain Herbert J. Russell (Fourth South Aus-

tralian Imperial Bushmen's Corps), third son of Mr. J. Russell, of Napier, Hawke's Bay. wa married to Miss May WardeH- Johnson, youngest daughter of the late Rev. W. Wardell-Johnson, of the -Priory." Albany. The Rev. Canon Louch officiated. The bride, who was given away by her brother (Mr. Frank Wardell-Johnson looked very handsome in a gown of ivory white moire, with transparent yoke and sleeves of chiffon, bolero of aHmue, a court train fell from the shoulders, and the veil was tastefully arranged over a coronet of orange blossoms, and fastened with pearl pins. She earned a shower bouciuet of choice white flowers and maiden-hair ferns the gift of the bridegroom. * * • Her attendants, the Misses Francesco and Butcher, were prettily attned in frocks of white figured muslin, with transparent yokes and sailor collars, and trained skirts finished with, frills edged with lace , twme-coloured straw hats, trimmed with glace silk and touches of black velvet They carried bouquets of shaded pink carnations and ferns and wore opal "butterfly brooches, the gift of the bridegroom The bridegroom was attended by Mr. E. S. Moir and Mr Algy Wardell-Johnson. • * The engagement u> announced of Miss May Wood, eldest daughter of Mr Wood, the popular master of the Boys High School Napier, to Mr. Ernest Hadfield The engagement is also announced of Miss Winnie Austin, of the Hawtrey Dramatic Company, to Mr Leslie Victor of the Brough Company • * * Mr. and Mrs. G. G Stead (Christchurch), are in Wellington, and at present staying at the Royal Oak Hotel. * * * Mr. and Miss Esam (Rangitikei) are visiting Auckland. ♦ * * " 'Aladdin' is all the rage here just now," writes me a Wellington lady on a visit to Melbourne, "and Miss Nellie Stewart, as 'the wonderful scamp, dresses the part most prettily. She changes costume no less than seven times' Two of the most stnkin- of her costumes are black — one, a skin-fitting black silk, a lion rampant embroidered in gold on the left leg, and a long cloak lined with mandarin yellow, with a sequinned hat grouped with bird of paradise plumes and turquoise pendants. Equally daring was her next costume, the black silk tighfcs fitting her grace-fully-rounded limbs most perfectly. an<l twined round the left leg was a carbon snake beginning at the heel, continuing round the body, and finishing on the shoulder. A second snake was coiled round the hair, with head erect and glittering ruby eyes. » * ■* In contrast to these was the dress worn in the love scene between Aladdin and the Princess. The short, wide tunic was of pink satin, bordered with a floral design, and embroideied beautifully. Fawn tights were worn, and a full, white silk vest, confined with a turquoise girdle and a dainty skull cap, bordered with turquoises. la this sh is simply beautiful." The following paragraph will, nc doubt, be of interest to many — lhe birch of a daughter to the Duke of Manchester, who married Miss Zimmerman of -New Yoik, has just been announced The Duke, it will be remembered, paic a visit to Melbourne a few years ago and made himself conspicuous at i bazaar in the Melbourne Town Hall bj purchasing silk blouses, etc., and trot tine round the hall to rame a stuffec elephant for the assistants. Strange t< say, the birth took place at Kimboltor Castle, where they are at present th< guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ross Mrs Ross will be better known as th< daughter of Mr. J Dallas, of Otago New Zealand. * * Mrs. Johnston (Greytown) is visitm? her mother, Mrs. Tripe. * * * On Tuesday, December 31st, a prett: wedding was celebrated at the Baptis Church, Vivian-street, the contracting parties being Mr. Hairy J. Newbegm youngest son of Mr. R. G. Newbegm of Auckland, and Miss Rachel (Elsie Chambers, fifth daughter of the lat Captain Chambers, of this city. Th< ceremony was performed by the Rev. C Dallaston. The bride was given awa; by Mr. A. C. Turner, and woie abecom me; gown of cream figured cashmere with the usual veil and orange blossoms She also wore a gold bangle, the gift o the bridegroom. The bride was attend ed by her sister (Miss Mary Chambers and Miss Annie Newbeein (sister o bndegroom), who were dressed alike v heliotrope and white muslin, with hat to match. They received from th bridegroom pretty gifts in the shape c gold brooches. Mr. Albert Carr acte as best man and Mr. James Newbegi as groomsman.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, a reception was held at the residence of the bride's parents, after which the happy couple left for Napier, where th« honeymoon was spent. The hnde s travelling dress was a dove-grey •&">" costume, with white silk vest, and hat en suite. Many and handsome were the presents received by the bride and bridegroom. • * * A very attractive wedding was quietly celebrated on Wednesday, January Ist, 1902 at the Kent Terrace Church, when Mr. James Hill ; house-furnisher, Wellington, was married to Miss Elsie Mary Griffiths, third daughter of Captain Griffiths. Tasmania. The bride, who looked charming in her travelling costume of electric blue cloth, with toque to match, was given away by Mr. Howard Parsonage. Her bridesmaid (Miss Donovan) was attired in a handsomely embroidered white frock, with a violet hat, and wore a gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom, who gave to his bride a gold watch and chain. Mr. T. Rattieran acted as best man, and the Rev. J. K. Elliott was the officiating clergyman. The honeymoon was spent in the Wairarapa district.