Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 106, 12 July 1902, Page 10

Social Gossip.

By Christabel

AT the invitation ot Mr. Hainson's lady pupils, many of then fiiends visited the g} mnasium last Friday afternoon, and, with gie&t interest, watched the class at u ork. Ever since, I have been possessed with a wild desne to jump wooden horses, swing clubs, and do the many interesting and beneficial exercises which we saw performed. Wonderfully well, and neatly done, the work was, considering the fact that many of the pupils had only attended for one term. I have been told by one of the pupils that there is nothing like a term at the gymnasium for cm ing colds of every description and chilblains, for many of the ills that come with winter are quite unknow n by those that go in fir the ''Harrison cure," and one's appetite as well as muscle grows larger day by day. There can be no doubt that it greatly benefits one's carriage. Amongst the pupils who took part in the display were the Misses Morrah Miss Quick Miss Parker, the Misses Hannav and many others. Lady Stout was present, wearing a sealskin coat, dark skirt, and violet toque , Mrs. Berry, in a purple cloth gown, and hat to match Miss A. Brandon a red frieze coat, black skirt and hat Mrs. Joseph, in black. Mrs. Wvlie wore a sealskin coat, black skirt . Mrs. Malcolm Ross a black gown and hat . Mrs. Tringham, sealskin coat, black hat and dark skirt,, Mrs Quick, in black and velvet bonnet. The Misses Nathan, Harding, Butts, Quick. Blundell, and others were also present. Have any of you got a " ping-pong" blouse? It is quite the most up-to-date novel ty. The accidents caused to silk bodices over the ping-pong tables have been innumerable, and sometimes quite too awful. A strain on the racquet arm, and split goes the silk, so dressmakers have risen to the occasion, and come forward with a design that will give the ping-pongers every scope. It is an improvised Russian bodice, roomy without being bulky. Wide, bell sleeves go with it, so the energetic one can throw her arms about in safety. Mrs. (Dr.) Clay (Otaki) was in Wellington last week. Mrs. J. King, who has been at Seatoun for some months, has returned to town and has taken a house in Burnell Avenue. * •* * A Wellington girl, who is at present enjoymg the season in London, writes that at a ball she attended the floor was hung on chains', and was so delightfully , sprinp^ that the chaperones were threatened with mal-de-mer, and took refuge in the cosy alcoves built in the wall, and provided with seats to accommodate those that were not dancing. ■*■ * * The first annual ball of the Highland Rifles, held in the Druids' Hail, Tara^ naki-street, on Friday last, was a great ■ success. The hall had been very tastefully decorated with flags and Chinese lanterns, and the stage looked delightfully inviting and cool, with a background of tree-ferns and other foliage. 'The electric lights were shaded with pink, and shed a light so soft and becoming that one can scarcely believe that tihe work of decorating was done entirely by the sterner sex. The programmes, too, with a tiny sprig of heather, were works of art. Minifie supplied the music, and pipers Messrs. R. Harrison, D. Campbell, and J. McDonald assisted. During the .evening a hornpipe and Highland fling were splendidly danced' by Messrs. McDougall, Thompson, and R. Harrison. Light refreshments and claret cup were served throughout the evening. Some of the dresses worn by the ladies were .exceedingly handsome, but on this occasion the Highlanders scored heavily as far as drees was concerned, for nothing could compare with their splendid uniforms. The kilties of McKenzie tartan and bright scarlet coats and plaid stockings, looked most picturesque and charming. Almost every corps in Wellington was represented also, and the room presented a very bright and animated scene when everyone was dancing The secretary (Mr. Thomson) and the Committee did their duty nobly throughout the evening, witih the result

that the Highland Rifles.' ball will not soon be forgotten by those who were present. Amongst the ladies I noted were. Mrs. Macintosh, gowned in black, with transparent lace yoke and sleeves, Mrs. W. C. Fitzgerald, in a black lace gown Mrs. Davenport, a black silk gown Mrs. MoNaught a. gown of white silk. Mrs. Elliott wore pale blue. Mrs. Finucane was in. cream , Mrs. Thirkell, black satin , Mrs. McLeod, a handsome white silk. Miss Masters was in black satin, Miss M. Fox, cream ,and blue ribbon bows. Miss McMillan looked picturesque in a Highland dress. Miss Harvey wore cieam silk , Miss Lohgton, fawn Miss Dunlop, pale yellow silk. Miss Barron, white. Miss Taylor was in black. Miss OBrien (Greymouth) wore a blue and white gown , Miss Reid, white. Miss G Toohill was in a salmon pink dress Miss L Toohill wore a white gown Miss Plank, white Miss Cooper, white silk . Miss Aldous. in pale blue. Miss Armitt had on white silk Miss Frankland also wore white. Miss Belfit was in black. Miss Parry, a white dress. Miss Irwin wore a soft white silk. The Misses Wilton both wore black gowns. Miss Duff looked well in cream silk, with lovely guipure trimming. Miss Wilton was in blue and white Miss Harvey, white . Miss Ini Smith, a pretty white silk. Miss Maia Smith also wore white silk Miss Mason, blue silk dress Miss Brown, black satm. Miss Uraue wore blue. Miss Barr had on a black satin, and red flowers Miss Greville, a pretty gown of yellow silk. A lovely white silk gown was entirely covered with an overskirt of glittering iewelled net, and another white silk frock was trimmed with the most eixquisite brocade, and roses, in natnral colours outlined in gold thread. Those who danced the reels were • Misses McMillan, Wilton, McKenzip DnfF. McGregor. Mrs. Elliott and Mrs. Reich and Messrs McPhe©, Munro, McGaskill. Reich. Eliott, McLeod, Lieut Forbes, and Corporals Grant and Forsyth * *■ *■ Other Wellington corps represented were- Pet one Navals (Lieut. Archibald") Civil Service. Corps, Kelburne Rifle City Guards, City Rifles, D Battery Engineers, and Submarine Miners. * * * The Highland Rifles have, amongst their members, both the tallest volunteer in Wellinsrton (Corporal Wilson) and the shortest (Bueler John Francis Fitzeerald). The latter is also the youngest bueler attached to any volunteer corps. (Conthnied on page 11.)

The Wellington College Old Boys' annual ball v as' held m the Sydney-street schoolroom on Friday last, and was even moie successful than usual. This ball is known for its jollity and good-man-agement. On this occasion, there were almost two hundred guests present, including Mr W. H. Field (president) and Mr. A. de B. Brandon and Dr. Martin ( ex-presidents of the Association). The hall was prettily decorated with bunting etc , and over the centre of the stage thei College flag was hung, with the British Ensign and the Stars and Stripes on either side. * * * A strong committee saw to the pleasure of the o-upsts. Mimfie's orchestra supplied excellent music, and the solendid supper wa^ catered by Mr. G. Mawson. The tables were most tastefully decorated with holly, palm« irises and the. Association's colours bv the Misses R. and G. Richardson a'irl Hannah Tn opening a verse of the "National Anthem" w-as sunsr The chauerones were Lady Gibbe*. Mesdames Mcc Gilmer Wills and Hales * ** ■* There were two debutantes — Miss Lily Brown, wearing a, very pretty soft white silk dress flounced and tucked, and trimmed with embroidered chiffon and pearl passementerie, and Miss Elsie Ashbolt who looked very nice in a becoming dress of white glace silk flounced nearly to the waist at the back of the skirt, and graduating in front. The bodice was trimmed with a deep frill of mousseline-de-soie edged with lace and finished with white- silk bows on the shoulder*. Mi«s M. Marchant wore her pretty "comine-Kmt" dreps of white <rUce> entirely veiled in net, fashioned with many frills. * * * Lady Gibbes was handsomely gow lied in black satin, with jet trimming. Mrs. Gilmer wore black and white brocade. Mrs. Wills was wearing a handsome black silk gown. Mrs. Field (wife of the president) wore a lovely gown oi rose pink satin. Mrs Martin was much admired in rich cream satin. Mrs. Ward was in black silk, relieved with lovely lace . Mrs. Cole, pink silk. Mrs. Leary wore black silk, and sequin tiimmmg Mrs Buttle (Napier) oream brocade Miss Logan, a pretty white silk gown and chiffon trimming Miss Marchant, black satin and jet. *. -*■ * Miss Pearson's lovely frock was ot eau-de-ml satin, with chiffon bodice Miss R. Richardson, a blue silk gown, prettily finished with lace Miss Richardson wore black silk, with an overskirt of spotted net,, and the corsage was relieved with white noweis Mfss Clark wore a becoming black sown with Honiton lace collar Miss Hargreaves (Christchurch), a pale green satin gown, chiffon frills. Miss Prouse fookecl well in sky-blue satin and pearl passementerie. Miss J. Griffiths (Wanganui) was in black velvet Mist, F Gilmer wore a very pretty frock" of black frilled net over satin. Miss Osborne Gibbes wore a tucked white silk frock , Miss Mee. a very pretty gown. Miss Ehott, a pretty ten a Ltta silk. Miss Ivy Barraad w ore a striking gown of black lace Miss Drnmmond, pale pink silk and chiffon frills- Miss Wills looked well in b ack satin. Miss Barron was in a black «lk Miss Hannah, a lovely frock ot cream brocade. Miss Lydia Blunde 1 s becoming gown was of pink tucked silk Miss Hennah a dainty white silk * * * Miss Curtis wore a red velvet gem". Miss 0. Mills, pink silk the frills edged with lace , Miss Gibson (Patea), pale blue silk. Miss W. Parsons a pretty blue voile dress Miss Kirkca'die wore, a lovely figured silk and pearl trimming Miss Vera Macdonald, black satin and lace collar Miss Y. Bock a white msertioned silk gown. Miss R Young looked very pretty m canary silk with an overskirt of muslin Miss Beee, a black gown, lace bolero. # Some of the gentlemen weie Mi. Denton (secretary) Messrs. Luckie, Murray Ward Brown, Kirkcaldie, Holmes,' Smith Seddon, Gale, Blundell, Ashbolt, Logan Wills * *• * Mrs. Riddiford has issued invitations for a "bal poudre," to take place on July 17th. Masks and dominoes are to be worn also bv the ladies, and masks by the gentlemen. The ball is being looked forward to with great pleasure. Special trains will convey the town guests to the Hutt at 8.15 p.m , returning at 2 a.m. The dominoes are to be either red, white, or blue, so there will really be no knowing who's who. * ♦ ♦ Mrs. E. J. Riddiford entertained a number of young people at a dance last Friday. A few town guests were present. » » • The Misses Randall-Johnston (England) are visiting New Zealand, and are at present in Wellington.

Mis. ('. Peaice ga\e a \ei-\ enjoyable afternoon ten on Fndiv l<i«-t week. Mr and Mis Xoiman Gun (Dannewrke) aie in Wellington foi a few \\ eeks. Mis R. H Abbott (Auckland) is \ lsiting Wellington and is at piesent tlir guest of Mi^ Pve-'-'inith Miss Gibson (PateV) w bose engagement to Mr "Kins" Hickson, son of Mr. C. A. Hick&on, Wellington, bos lately been announced, i« on a visit to friends in this. town. Tbe engagement bas been announced of Miss Stocker, youngest daughter of Archdeacon Stocker (Invercaigill), to Mi. Gerald Bianson, of Dunedin. ■*■*■* Mi. Maimce Denniston, who recentl\ passed hiss final examination for the dental profession, intends to spend a veai or tw o at an American dental college before commencing, practice in NewZealand. * * # Some leally exquisite Indian embroidery work ls being shown at the D.I C lust now The table-cloths aie very handsomely embroideied in gold m lovely designs, and the table centres are most tempting, but the embroidered muslins and sati'is are just too sweet for anything- One, a fine white India muslin, with a deep design in thiead and beetles' wines, is one of the prettiest things I have seen for ages, and a satin heavily embroidered in silver would look beautiful made 1173 A dark crimson table-cover is heavy with a massive design in ""old, and eolomed silks relieved with beetles'' wings. * •* * The most important function of last week was, I think, the laige and successful At Home given on Thursday last by Major-General and Mrs Babmgton. The house was entirely thrown open to the o:ues.t^, and King's string band played delightfully on the verandah which was enclosed and furnished with cosy Afternoon tea was laid out in two 100 ms, and the tables were laden with every description of delicacy, and weie prettily arranged with shaded lights old gold silk, and goise floweis An unusually laige number of men weie> present. * * ■* Mrs. Babington leceived in the diaw-mg-room, and woie a handsome black silk voile gown, with a collar of lovely white lace Miss Babington, cream figured silk, relieved with quantities of very pretty lace. Lady Constance Knox looked eh aim ing in a frown of 1 Ohe-coloured frieze and a< large black hat Hon Mis Butler, a black voile gown, caracul coat, and black hat. Mrs Grace' was crowned in black Mrs. Crawford, a pale blue voile gown and black hat. Mrs. Collins w-as m black. Mrs A Duncan wore a red cloth costume, and red hat. Miss H Johnston, a brow n frock, and hait to match Miss Z Johnston ai gown of turouoise cloth, black hat Miss D. Johnston a rosecoloured frieze, and pretty hat

Miss Higgmson had on a blue Russian costume, black hat. Miss F. Biandon, a dark red gown, and pretty hat. Mis. W Turnbull, a pretty gown of black and white striped 'Silk, with touches of turquoise blue, and toque to match, Mrs Tweed, black gown, relieved with violet silk. Mrs. Quick wore a handsome' blaok gown, and black and violet bonnet , Miss E. Williams a smart Eton gown of white cloth, with satin and lace blouse and pretty toque. Mr* Wallis was enwned in black • Mrs. Raw son, a dark blue cloth gown. • ♦ • Lady Ward was wearing a blue costume, with a Russia,n coat, and black hat Mrs. Fulton, dark gown, and black tooue • Mrs. Beauchamt) a ralaid gown and smart hat Miss Hey wood.