Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 87, 1 March 1902, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

I HEARD a delightful little story the other daj which, if not exactly complimentary to women, is at least amusing. An old cynic— he is an acquaintance of mine, by the wav— was asked by someone scarcely less cvmeal than himself, What is a woman's idea ot Paradise?" Prompt and pat came the reply The bargain sales Inere i, iust a gram of truth in this cviuc s opmion, but only the merest grain. Women certainly do revel in the sales, because then, at least, they have a chance of procuring some of the pretty things their richer sisters can buy at the beginning of the season. * * * But how is one to teach a mere man that p He does not understand, and m nine cases out ten does not w ant to understand, although he always nkes his woman-kind to be daintily and prettily dressed, and more or less m tno fashion. Truly, the average man is a mass of contradiction— he makes tun ot Fashion's vagaries, and vet, worn by the woman to whom he is related or who interests him, he will admire even its eccentricities. * • * The only present fashion which men cannot under any circumstances be prevailed upon to admire are the long, trailing skirts. In the ball gowns for the winter they aie to be as full and billon v round the feet, and have longer trains than ever. What else is possible, when gowns are to be made of such soft, transparent materials as chiffon, crepe-de-chine, and mousseline-de-soie? Half their beauty of effect lies m the soft draperies about the shoulders, and the fullness of the folds round the bottom of the skirt. * * * New styles in hairdressmg are all in the direction of wearing the hair low. Indeed, they cannot well be otherwise if one is to wear the now fashionable millinery, and what woman would consent to run counter to Fashion's whim s But, unfortunately, the hair dressed in the nape of the neck is genelally less becoming than was the high coiffure so long in favour. A clever woman, however, can be relied upon to find .some "happy mean." Ornaments in the hair, especially for evening wear, will assume importance — aigrettes, tiny bows of chiffon, wreaths of green leaves, and chaplets of banksiai roses are all de ngueur, the last two named being especially becoming to young girls. * * * White silk blouses are being so much worn that a hint at variation may be welcome. A good idea, and an effects lye one, is to trim them with bands of coloured ribbon about an inch and a-half in width. Paisley-patterned ribbon is much used for the purpose in Sydney, as are also the pretty pompadours The ribbon is laid quite flat sometimes in graduated lengths, beginning from the shoulder, and giving the appearance of a yoke piece. The front of the blouse looks well with a broad ribbon arranged from neck to waist. One very sweet pini Bilk blouse (which a friend has received as a birthday gift from Sydney) is tucked vertically' and trimmed with pompadoui ribbon, tiny pmk flowers on a white ground, with a tape border m pmk. * * * The Misses Caselberg, who have paid a long visit to Auckland, returned to Masterton last week The marriage of Miss Pharazvn to Mr. Crawford has been arranged for April 2nd. Mr. Crawford, through the death of his father, has inherited a large estate in England. * •*■ * The Thomdon Amateur Swimming Club held their annual sports on Saturday last. A very large crowd of onlookers were present, and some of the events were most exciting notably the "International Race," in which the Australian champions, Messrs. Read, Galley, Cavill. and F. Lane, and our own "crack" (Mr. Champion) took part. * • • The Wellington Rowing Club also held tiheir sports on the same day, and many of the lady friends of the members were present. Afternoon tea was dispensed, and a jolly afternoon spent. A squad of men from H.M.S. Lizard caused great amusement with their "greasy pole" act in fancy costume.

Dr. and Mns. MacGregoi left _last Thursday for a six months' trip to England. Colonel Babmgton has taken, furnished, Mrs. Richmond's residence, and, during Lady Douglas' absence m England, Mrs. 'Richmond will reside in hei house, Hobson-street. * * * Many Wellington people will regret to hear of the death of Mrs. WebbBow en. which took place at her lesidence, Nilenstreet , Nelson, on Tuesday last week. She had been ill for some months, and her death was not wholly unexpected. Mrs. Webb-Bowen will be greatly missed in Nelson, for her exceptionally cheeiful disposition and ready sympathy endeared her to all hei fi lends. Mis. and Miss Blair left foi England on Satuiday last. * * * Miss McClatchie, who lias been the guest of Mrs Gilmer, the Terrace, Wellington, has returned to Chnstchurch Mrs. J. Bidwell (Pihautea), Featherston) was in town for a few days last week. * * * The marriage of Dr. Daisy Platts to Mr. Mills, which was celebrated at Port Chalmers last week, was conducted by Bishop Nevill. The bride looked most graceful vi a gown of white chine silk, with frills of lovely lace, and embroidered chiffon. Her tw T o little bridesmaids, the Misses Gweneth Gallaivay and Marian Scott, wore white frocks, large white hats, and carried baskets of 6Tveet peas. Master Jack Grey (nephew of the bridegroom) attended as page, and was dressed in white satin. The bride was given away by her brother Mr. F. Platts, of Port Chalmers. The wedding breakfast was given by Captain and Mrs. Grey (sister of the bndegroom). at their residence. The wedding was quiet, but very pretty * * * Miss Mary R. Wilson's friends will be very pleased to hear that she has been awarded the University senior scholarship for chemistry in addition to taking her degree. Miss Wilson is an assistant teacher at the Girls' High School It is gratifying to note that every pupil presented from this school for the Civil Service examinations passed. (Continued on page 11.)

The marriage ot Miss Ma} Moieciaft, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Hctim Moieeraft, and step-daughter of Mi. Edward. Lyndon of Napier, to Mi. Stuart Noble-Campbell, was celebiated at Wanganui on Wednesday. Februan 2bth. * * * Miss M Kcclesfit'ld is pa\ing a \wt to Timaiu * * * Tlie engagement is announced ot Mi. Jack C urtis (.Wellington) to Mi&s Sha<\ leGeorge, of Ponsonb\ Auckland * * • Mis. PediA (Hawke's Ba\) is in tow n and is the guest oi Miss C'oatrs Mrs. PMisent. her two little grandchildren, and Miss Douglas lea\e foi England on Satuulav * * ■+ The maruage of Di Hislop to MiV Wagstaff is ai ranged foi Thuwhn Maich bth. ■* * * The annual swimming t-poits ot the Girls' High School came off on Fnda\ February 21st. It Mas a delightful change to have a beautiful warm da^ foi the occasion, for the last year or two the weather has been am thing but kind on sports" da^ . The events weie keenly contested, and thoroughly enioved bv even' one Undoubtedly the canoe 1 ace caused the most excitement as the canoes were guaranteed to capsize vem n\o yards However, bv dint of good balancing, and no attempt at paddling one of the girls managed to keep afloat and win amid deafening applause The championship was won by Mis<= Thvra Yon Dadelzen. -t * T Why is it that the Old Girls " do not enter tor the Old Girls" raceIt was with difficulty that this event could be brought off on Friday, onh two competitors enteimg Sureh at least half-a-dozen girls could be found to make this race interesting. The judges were Mesdames (Dr ) Adams and Barron. and Miss Morrah acted as starter. Amongst the visitois were Lady Berkeley, who wore a brown costume Miss G. Sommerville. in a pretty blue gown and white, hat Mrs West in a tailor-made Mrs. Pollock, the Misses Marchant Batham. Curtis, and Nathan Miss McLean looked yen well in a gown of blue cloth, with cieain guipure lace and a black hat. * ¥■ * The Commodore of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club (Dr. Fell) and Mrs. Fell invited the members of the club, and their friends, to an At Home at their pretty lesidence in Malnna Bay last Saturday afternoon. The guests journeyed across the harbour m the Duchess, and from Day's Bay either w alked or drove to Mahina Bay where they were received by the host and hostess A most delicious tea wa& served m two rooms the tables being decorated, one with pink tiger lilies, and the othei with yellow and white flowers Flint ices and dainty cakes of every description were greatly enjoyed. The Commodore and Mrs Fell were most hospitable, and were assisted in entertaining their guests by Miss Fell (Nelson). tOie Misses Newton and Rawson The time simolv flew and all too soon we had to leave for Wellington having spent a delightful afternoon. * •* * Mrs Fell woie a pretty gown of black and white foulard, with a, black hat Miss M. Fell was in a pale blue muslin frock. Mrs Rawson wore a tucked navy silk blouse with a navy skirt and a blue, hat Miss Violet Raw son w ore a silk blouse and Holland skirt and Miss O. Rawson also wore a. Holland frock Mrs Mcc wore a handsome gown of black and white glace, and a bonnet to match. The Misses Mcc were in becoming yachting costumes. Miss Mee's being of white with a white cap and Miss M Mee's was a blue tailormade, and a cap to match * # -♦ Mrs. Symoiuj wore a biscuit-coloured cloth gown Mrs Knox, a tailoi-made and black hat. Mrs. H. Rawson had on black, and the Misses Rawson were m w lute muslin gowns and pretty hate. The Misses Nathan wore silk blouses and dark sknts burnt-straw hats with roses Miss D\er looked well in a blue tailor-mado gown and black hat Miss Halse was m a piettv muslin frock, and Miss X HaJse ware a white coat and skirt. Mrs. W. Johnston woie a pretty AAhite gown. * • • Mrs. (Di.) Young was in a black skirt, fawn coat and black pictuie hat Miss Stuart, a blue tailor-made gown Miss Young a pale green muslm, and hat with pink roses Miss Kathleen Fitzgerald, a giey frock, and bla,ck hat Mrs. Exlev wore a tailor-made gown Miss Exley also wore a coat and skirt and a black hat. Mrs. Blacklock had on a white skirt and silk blouse Miss Howitz, a silk msertioned blouse, and serge skirt, with a lose-tnmmed hat * • • Amongst the gentlemen present were the Vice-Commodore (Mr Mills), RearCommodore (Mr. Johnston), and Messrs Beauchamp, Turnbull Kilgour Holmes,

Hawthorne, Exics . T. Young, Ran^on, and Nathan flic season oi Lent i^ now upon us, and the various distractions of Society aie for the Time being rung oft and the social mill generally is at a standstill. * + — Tlie dancing reason commences direc-t-h, artei Eastei for Miss Borlase is issuing imitations foi a scues of Uji dances to c-ommence on Tuesda\ Apnl 4th * • * .Mi. and Miss Spiagg who li,i\ c been for some months in Auckland are again in town. Mrs. Mcc left last Mo-ndaA toi a \isit to Timaiu The Gnls' High School Old Gnis Association have ananged then annual afternoon tea foi Saturday Maich Bt/h These functions are ahwns most curable. A Ping-Pong tournament is being ai ranged to be played that aft <•!- noon It should be worth watching as of the Old Girls aie dabs * * * Great, preparations are being made tor the Roman Catholic Bazaar at Eastei . One of its leading features, is to be the delightful comic opera Les Cloches de Corneville," for which the following cast has just been chosen — Serpolette, Miss Sheen Gennaine Miss Bnch Jeanne, Miss Comgan Manette, Miss White Suzanne, Miss Dnscoll Gertrude, Miss Farmei Grenicheux Mi Slack Marquis Mr. F. Hendn Gas-pan-el Mr F Dunne Bailie Mi Samuels Gobo, Mr. C Zachanah + ■*■*■ Miss Sheen is one of the most popular amateurs that ha.s evei played to a Wellington audience and her Seipolette is bound to be a great success. Miss Birch is also vei\ well known and lnghI\ appreciated The Misses Coingan, White. O'DnscolJ and Farmer are as \et, unknown quantities on tlie operatic stage, but they all ha\ c excellent. voices. * ♦ *■ Mr. Slack who i<- to appeal a.s Gionicheux. has taken a gieat interest m musical matters m Australia and possesses a vary nice light and flexible tenoi voice. Mr F Hendn' who is to be the Marquis, has a lobust baritone voice 1 well suited to the part and has, so far at rehearsals proved his capa^citv Mr. Dunne is expected to do well ahS Gaspard, while Mr. Albert Samuels, as the Baillie, and Mr. C. Zachariah. as Gobo, are said to be funny enough for anything. * • • There- is to be an oichestra of 18, and the scenery which has been m the mam painted by Mr. Gil Hoskins, is now receaving ts finishing touches from Mr Leader Williams The whole arrangements are in the capable hands of Mr. McLaughhn who is sparing no trouble to ensure a brilliant success. * ♦ * At the invitation of tlie Bishop and Mrs. Wallis, about sixt-\ guests assembled at Bishopscourt on Thursda\ afternoon last to hear a most mtei eating lecture h\ Bishop Stuart, on ' Life in Persia. ' After the lecture, afternoon tea was served in the dining-room, the table being prettily arranged with white flowers and chiffon Mrs. Wallis wore a pretty gown of blue and white silk muslin. Mrs Martin had on a navA pompadour silk. Miss G Martin was in pale blue voile Mrs. Tolhurst wore black, with a pretty bonnet composed of delicate-tinted hvdiangeeas Mrs. Duncan wore a blue bonnet with a black gown Mlss McLean, a tuiquoiseblue drees ■* + # Miss D Harding woie a heliotrope foulard, and hat to match Mrs. Kendall a grey muslin gown and hat with tips Mrs Edwin, black with lovely Maltese lace Mi<. E Blown wore a handsome black and white gown, and hat with plumes Mrs. Quick wore black Miss Quick looked well in white with tuiquoise folded belt Miss Fancourt was in a black mus-lin gown Miss Stuait woie a quaint Persian a;ow n * * • On Tuesdax next Misv. Stuart will sive a lecture on the 'Women of Peisia" at Mr<- W R E Biown'«-Tinakori-road ■)<■»* Mis and Miss Duncan and Miss Lily Izard lea.%e for Home almost immediate] \ . < • * A delightful little paitv was held on Friday evening last, at Higgmbotham's Hall, Kilbirnie. The affair was inaugurated by Miss Berry of Hawker-street, and Miss McGregor, of Epuni-street. and consisted of a cycle run to Kilbirme, and a social evening at the cosy little hall mentioned above. About twenty-five cyclist couples attended, and four delightful hours were spent in dancing and other amusements, after which the company partook of lefreshments, an abundance of which had been provided, and left for town at 12 30.