Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 84, 8 February 1902, Page 10

Social Gossip.

By Christabel.

AT St. Mary's Church, Karori, on Wednesday* week, 29th ultimo, Miss Alice Marguerite Featherston, second daughter of the Hon. C. J. Johnston, M.L.C., was married to Mr. Arthur Duncan, third son of Mr. John Duncan, and golf champion of New Zealand. The ceremony was performed by Bishop WaJlis, assisted by the Rev. A. L. Hansell, incumbent of St. Mary's. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the "Wedding March" was played by Mr. Robert Parker, organist of St. Paul's. The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and was filled with guests. The bride looked very sweet and charming as she entered the church, on her father's arm, gowned in a beautiful dress of ivory duchesse satin, with a frill of ohiffon round the skirt. The bodice was of real lace, and completed by a> belt of silver tissue. i * * * { Her bridesmaids were the Misses Zoe • and Doris Johnston, Flora Brandon, and ! Iris Bell, who wore gowns of ivory Roman satin, slightly trained, with two flounces of the same material, and handsome wide insertion inlet in vandykes. The skirts were tucked round the hips, and looked most graceful. The swathed bodices, finished with a drape of real lace, lace yokes, and a cluster of flowers, had elbow sleeves, from which fell a frill of the same beautiful lace. Each gown was quaintly finished with a wide-folded sash of glace silk, prettily arranged high up between the shoulders, and from there the ends fell straight to the hem of the skirt. In each ease the colour wa? different, and corresponded with the ehou or flowers worn * + * Miss Johnston wore orange, Miss Doris pink, Miss Brandon heliotrope, and Miss Bell pale green. The effect was very pretty and original. They all wore black hats, with chiffon and ostrich tips, and their gifts from the bridegroom were gold brooches of different designs. The bride's gift from the bridegroom with a gold dagger brooch, set with diamonds and pearls. Mr. Kenneth Duncan acted as best man, and Messrs. W. Birch, R. Grace, and W. Higginson were the groomsmen. * * * After the ceremony, a large reception was held at "Homewood," Karori, the suburban residence of the bride's parents. The whole estate was gay with bunting, and at each gate were arches of greenery and flowers. The large marquee, erected on the lawn, was also prettily decorated, and, as the day was gloriously fine, the eiffect was particularly bright and picturesque It was really one of the prettiest weddings that has taken place hi Wellington for a long time. The movst delicious sweets and ice® were served in the marquee. The cake — a three-tiered one — was made at Godber's. * ♦ * Mr. and Mrs. Jolmston received the guests, the latter wearing a very lovely English gown of chine silk, trained with a chiffon luffle and cream toque. Mrs. New man was w earing pale grey brocade, with flounces of real lace; the transparent yoke was also of lace, and a hat of grey chiffon, pink roses, and lace. Mrs. Menzies w a.s much admired in a gown of black velvet, draped with beautiful lace, and a violet toque. Mrs. Bremner looked well in n beautifully-made gown of black, strapped with satin bands, and brightened with a handsome jet applique, a. vest of tucked chiffon, and a black toque. Mrs. Fitzgerald wore a graceful gov n of black silk voile inlet with cream lace, and having revers of steel appliciue, and a toque composed of violets and chiffon. Mrs. Walter Johnston's gown was of rich ivory satin, and with it she wore a black Gainsborough hat. IVliss Johnston wore a giey voile, strapped with black w ith a, black ruffle and toque with pink ro«es. Mrs. Murray-Menzies (Invercargill) was wearing a slate-grey Eton costume, with a vest of chifton and string lace, and a black hat. Mrs. A. d<? B. Brandon had on a black cloth gown, pink chiffon vest and a black ha.t with touches of pink. Miss Brandon wore a blue costume, and Miss A. Brandon crush strawberry voile, and hat to match. Mrs. Baldwin's gown was of .cream insertioned silk, much trimmed with lovely lace, and a toque to match. Mrs. Duncan wore a handsome grey merveilleux, and a black bonnet; Mrs.

Lan Duncan, black satin dress, and chiffon hat. * * * Mrs. Higgiuson was in black and white brocade, and bonnet to match , Miss Higginson, a pretty white frock, and becoming hat. Miss Sydney Johnston wore a cream cloth coat and skirt , Miss Nancy Johnston, a soft white muslin frock, and pink silk sash. Mrs. Collins looked extremely well in a graceful black gown, and a black chiffon hat. Mrs. Crawford wore ai very becoming cream cloth Eton gown, vest of chiffon, and a cream toque. Mrs. H. D. Bell had on a lavender silk dress, and black hat. Mrs. Harold Johnston, grey sown, with a chiffon ruffe and black hat. Mrs. Godfrey Pharazyn wore cream, and a cream hat, with pink ro c es. Mrs. Grace was Jbeautifully gowned in a black and white brocade, strapped, and a black and white petal ruffle, and bonnet to match. Miss Pearl Grace looked girlish and pretty in a -white muslin frock, white boa, and black picture hat. Mrs. Hewett (Palmerston North) wore a handsome black gown ; Mrs. W. Turnbull, a black and white striped brocade, with a turquoise silk belt, and pietty hat. * * * Among others present -\\ere Mrs. and the Misses Barron, Miss Harcourt (in a cream costume), Mrs. W. Pharazyn, Mrs. Rhodes (in a very beatiful black gown with chiffon ruffle and black bonnet). Mrs. Moorhouse (v. earing black and white, with a hat to match), Mrs. Malcolm Ross, Mrs. Adams (in a black coat and skirt), Mrs. Bristol e, Mrs. Dryden, Mrs. Moss, Miss Cooper, Miss Fitzherbert, Miss Izard. The honeymoon is being spent up the, Wanganui river. The bride's "going-away" frock was a most becoming chine silk, of a pink tint, with a chiffon ruffle and pretty toque. The weddin'- presents were very numerous and handsome and included oheaues to the amount of £400. * * * Dr. Pennefather (one time Judere of the Supreme Court), who has been spending some weeks in, New Zealand, returned last week from a visit to Mount Egmont, in which he was accompanied by Mr. Oswald Beere, of Wellington, and Mr. Shakespeare, an Endish tourist. They had a very delightful trip. Dr. Pennefather left, last Sunday for Christchurch, whence he proceeds to Adelaide, en route for England. * * • The Misses Ronayne are visiting friends on the West Coast. Mrs. Ronayne has p-one to Christchurch for a week or two. * *• * Mrs. and Miss Beere left, last Monday for Rotorua, where they will snend a few weeks. * ~ * Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor leave for England in March. * * * Mrs. Huntley Elliott and her daughters have grone over to Muritai for a holiday. Mrs. Murison is staying her mother. * * * Mr.. Mrs., and Miss Tregear are also spending a short holiday on the t'other side of the harbour. * * * Dr. and Mrs. Cleehorn are in Wellington. * * ■* Mrs. Mauehan Barnett has returned from Kaikoura,. * - * Mr. and Mis. Bucholz have left for a delightful trip through the North Island. -*■<•- At a lecent fashionable wedding in Auckland — Miss Julia Nathan to Mr Alfred H. Phillips, of Sydney— a most amusing incident occurred. The bridegroom had risen to respond to the usual toast, and, in. doing so, paid a compliment to the ouick wit of the New Zealand girl. He offered to let his hearers into the secret of his proposal. Then he told them that -when he asked the allimportant question, Miss Nathan laughed hcaitily, and said, 'Oh, no, you don't have me." fie Avas nonplussed. Eventually, explanations reminded him of the fact that he had chosen All Fools' Day ou which to propose. The oioam of the joke lies in the fact that he ultimately did ''have" the lady in real earnest. •* *■ + At this same wedding, the bride uoio a beautiful wedding gown of rich noiv duchesse, each width tucked m tiny lialfmoon tucks. About throe feet from the hem a, wide flounce of excnusite io<-o point toll over a billowy frill of accordion pleated chiffon. The lone; tram of satin and lace was completed w ith a huge chou of chiffon on the left side, the elbow sleeves were finished witli a full of lace, and the yoke was a work of art m chiffon and tuck 5 :. Her "going away" frock of crepe de chine showed the finest of tucks, alternated with Cluny lace. The blouse was finishprl with a ramt original collar, and she w ore a, plateau hat. (Continued on peii/e 11.)

Mi and Mis C I) Morpeth au staving with tnends in Auckland. Miss Darling and Mrs ajid Mis'. Chant ie\-Hajris left on Sunday last 101 Nelson to be piesent at the Jubilee celebiations Miss Una Hitclungs has letumtcl to Napier. Mrs and Miss Cmickshank and Miss Edwards aie visiting Nelson for the Jubilee week. Mrs. and Miss Sprott axe spending a few weeks with friends in Dunedin Mrs. Stott is paving a visit to the Cathedral City . The Misses Caselberg (Ma-sterton) are sta-wng in Auckland. * * fA verj pleasant afternoon tea ' — one of the first this year— was given on Friday week by Mrs. Gilruth. The pretty rooms were ga\ with flowers — crimson and white geraniums being effectively arranged in the drawing-room, and van-coloured nasturtiums than which no other flowers are prettiei for table decorations, wwe grouped on a pale yellow silk centre. The sweets were oi the daintiest order and the afternoon tea delicious. * * * Mrs. Gilruth received her guests in the drawing-room, and was wearing a lovely blouse of pale blue silk and a black satin skirt. Mrs. Benjamin wore a brown silk voile smartl} made, and a very pretty picture hat Dr. Platts wore a black gown, with ecru insertion and a black and white nat. Mrs. Harrison was m black Miss Scully a black and white silk voile gown. Miss O'Connor a navy blue tailor-made, and foreet-me-not chiffon toque her sister also wore a blue costume and cornflower hat. Miss Hey wood wore a smart tucked glace coat, with a black voile skirt and a very becoming black hat Mrs Fairhurst and Miss Wood, of Chnstchureh, were also amongst the guests. The latter contributed some most en]ovable goners during the afternoon Mrs Fitohett wore a bla-ck gown and a pmk toque Mr. Albert Peck of Wellington, has boon down at C hnstchurch to attend the weddnw of his bi other (Mi G L Peck) for whom he acted as best man The wedding took place at Belfast on Thursday 23rd January 1902 and the bnde was Miss A S Calderwell The engagement is announced of Miss Phaiazvn daughter of Mis W Pharaz,\n to Mr Ci aw fold of Pnhiatua _ — •*- Ping-Pong ' is quite out of date now Smart people 111 London have got tned of looting round under furniture m chase oi recalcitiant balls and have taken up with ferv oui the new game of Slap-bang-hang. It is like that populai hoa.id-shin game whcie a ball is suspended on a Jong stnng fiom the top of a post, and foui pla,jois with racquets endeavour to twist the string round that post bv making wild slaps at the ball. Two of course want it to go one wav and two the other The Slap-bang-hang post is fixed on a bar. which readies across the table and is screwed on Miss Lily Stephens, an ex-membei-and a most populai one too — of Po Ilard's Opera Company will be mained to Mr Eniest Schatz a well-known commercial tray ellei at Chnstchureh next month * * * In spite of the fi antic 1 ailing of the othei sex against the long skirt, it still continues to be worn gracefully tlnough the land. If men weie a little more observant tho\ would notice that ladies do not trail it through the streets One of our leading citizens, who is a keen admirer of oui sex sa\s that a piettv woman never looks moie attiactive than when she daintiK gathers her skirt to one side. Well The propei height foi a skirt -sou know , Is not too high and not too low Short skirts have not vet come to stay * + * Talking of fashions reminds me that painted collai s belts and ties aie the yen smartest weai Helena chanci for oui artistic girls » • * Have yon noticed that omoiald-gioen nnllinerv is quite the newest coloui headgear takes ? It is veiy sti iking and attistic eispecialh for nut-brown and golden-haired weareis also for those who possess that most pale dull blonde hair «o much admired y. -r * A lady just out from Home on a brief visit to the colom — I met hci at afternoon tea the othei day— tells me the poi te-bonheur of the day in London iust now is a bunch of hazel nuts loined together with tiny gold links Indeed nuts aic the craze of the houi You

find them in buttons, a puipose to which the\ <ue admirabK suited in hats and h.mging tassels — am where and evcrvwheie But if \ou would be in the mo\ onion t you tnu'.t have them somouheie What a 1 of re&hmg change it would be if we could wimi these damt\ little ornaments a,s chains instead of the bi'culs and shells and miniature Chinese lanterns we h.no been bedecked with so long How piett\ and becoming weie the hocks worn bv Mrs Biough and the other ladies acting last week in 'The Second m Command 1 " That gown of mauve cloth beautifully fitting and strapned with a smait chiffon and brocaded vest was I think m\ f<n ounte With this Mis Biough wore a plateau hat with pink roses chiffon and knot* of black velvet. Her gown of sk"\-blue crepe de chine in Act II was also very MVee t — simply made it was finished with a white chiffon fichu caught with a clu<.tor of flowers A blue, chiffon and white lace opera cloak worn in thi'- act w a<~ a dream. 1 ' Prrtt\ Miss Chattens wore her most becoming frock in the first act It wa« of pale green voile smaitlv strapped with narrow bands of a darker shade he bands ending a few inches fiom the hem of the skirt, and finished with a fringed tassel lace revers and vest, and large green chiffon chou completed this pretty toilette The hat worn was of cinnamon brown, with pink flower^ and chiffon. Miss Vaughan looked \e*\ handsome in the second act. w earing a dinner gown of mauve biocade, with a wide collar of lewelled lace A panel of white lace was run with black velvet bebe ribbon and a wide insertion treated m the same wa\ was continued round the sknt The unifoims' — especially the mess jackets worn b\ the officers — were much admired bv us ladies and the more serviceable khaki 111 the last act reminded one of oui own men who had that da-* (Saumlavi left New Zealand tor Afiua Amongst the laige and fashionable audience I noted Mis Ci aw fold weaimg a pretty gown of lemon-coloured merveilleux With w lute lace and touches of black \ehet Miss Dransneld m gobelin blue satin aaul black -velvet and a lace fichu Miss Hislop in black satin Miss B Hislop, black relieved with white lace and Miss Joan Hislop looking veiv "retty 111 white with a laige turquoise chou Miss Edwin wore black Miss Harcouit black, and white lace Mrs G Robertson a black gown Mrs. Rose wore a black gown draped with real lace Mrs H Rpsr looked v orv giaceful in white Mis Raw son wore black with transparent jewelled sleeves and Miss Violet Raw-<-on was in white satin * * * Miss Stew ait woie a paie blue gown and white lace fichu, with a lovely black opera coat Miss Wix was 111 pale blue '-ilk and her sistei woie white Airs R Wood had on a piottv theatre blouse of pale blue glace with stnng insertion Mis F J Wood wore a prett-^ pink <-ilk bloii'-e with lace bolero Mrs Proust' woie black Miss Piouse pale blue silk blouse and Miss C Prouse white muslin Mis-S eed was in a soft cieam silk theatre blouse with cream MHition Miss Scully wore a beauti-fully-tucked cream merveilleux blouse and dark skirt The Misses Willis wore piettv evening blouses and dark skirts the Misses Learv white muslin gown<> and gobelin blue sashes Lach Stout has issued invitation caicK foi an At Home to-day (Friday) the occasion being the sih er wedding of Sll Robert and Lad\ Stout Mi and Mis*. Skciiett ga\e a veiy pleasant afternoon tea' at the polo giound on Satin da\ last The match — Wellington \ Manawatuw atu- -w as koenh ' ii io\ ed X pleasant little Gipsy Tea' was held at the Kilbnnie Tea Gardens on Thuisdav evening; last The party ]ouineved out 111 the ~> o clock tiam and on a 111\<d at the gaidens an appetising tea w.is laid out in a gaiK-die^sed suraraci-lioi"-o Aftei the good things had been discussed an adjournment was made to a 100 m (placed at the disposal of the pait\ b\ Mis Higmbotham) and a pleasant tune was spent in singing rcatinf and caid-plaMng Among the festiv e pmt\ were Mis Elliott the Misses Mavsmooi Welch (2) Dai line Duncan Banks and Mes'-is Russell Know lev Maun^ell Hendeison Watts Elliott and Welch The Convent Old Girls held a most successful afternoon tea on Satuidav last It had been intended to aw aid the puzes foi the do'l-di easing and cushion competition on that day but owintr to the holiday tlie entnes woie not as numerous as the-\ should have been and the pi lzes wei c theiefoio held over until later Mis T G Macarthv has arranged foi a fresh competition in

which outsiders maj compete, to be judged the week after Leut As the prizes aip oxtiemely handsome, the number of competitors is likely to be very large and an inteiesting exhibition of piett\ dolls and beautiful cushions may he anticipated. Gieat prepaiations are afoot for the C athohc Bazaar in, the Skating Rink, about a month or two hence. These function'- are always a success. * * + Mis W Kennedy, who has been spending some w eeks at PaJmerston has returned. + * * Miss G Eeid, who has been staying with her sister (Mrs Strang), returned to Wellington last week Mr and Mrs. Strang aJ^o came down for the polo tournament. * ■» * Dr. and Mrs. Grow are in Auckland, whither they went to be present at the marriage of their niece (Miss Percival) to Mr. Peter Lawrence ■r- * * Miss McLeaji, lady puncipal of the Girls' High School, has been spending the vacation down South, and has returned to Wellington The Jew ish Synagogue on the Terrace, was quite filled on Wednesday afternoon this week with spectators eagei to witness the marriage of Miss Rachael Moeller, fifth daughter of the late Mr. Phillip Moeller, to Mr. Harry Arndt, of Dunedin. The bride looked extremely pretty 111 a lovely gown of ivory duchesse. Her skirt, was trained, and finished with a flounce of embroidered chiffon of dainty design, headed with a wide silk applique, which tnmimncr was also used with excellent effect on the bodice. The transparent w as of embroidered chiffon, and finished with a row of tiny pearls instead of a collai . Long sleeves of the same chiffon, touches of 01 ange flowers, and a large chou with long ends, completed this becoming toilette Miss Nora Long, chief bndesmaid, was gowned In a giaceful white silk frock The skirt was elaborately tucked, and had two tucked flounces and the bodice was piettily trimmed with finch tucked chiffon frills The other bridesmaids were the Misses Craw ford (niece of biide) and Arndt (sister of bridegroom) who also woie piettv silk frocks All the mauls wore black picture hats, with ostiich tips, and carried bououets of crimson carnations, the effect being most picturesque. They also wore gold biooches, the gift of the bridegroom. After the ceremony which was peiformed by the Rev. H. Van Staveien, a leception was held at the Occidental Hotel, and the many beautiful wedding presents weie much admirod. During the afternoon Mr. and Mrs Arndt left for Stratford, which is to be their futuie home The bride's going-awa-s dress was a very smart rovil blue tailor-made. The cutawa\ coat vv as fashioned 111 the Louis XIV st>le, and the skirt was perfectly plain A vest of white chiffon, and a pretty toque completed the costume The bride's mother was weanno- a black and white bonnet and a very handsome black brocaded poplin. The bodice had a vest of white tucked chiffon and a collar of rich passementerie, and was finished with tabs. Mrs. Crawford (sister of the bride) wore a lovely Town of erev tucked voile trimmed with exouisite noim "-ilk insertion and a becomine hat