Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 109, 2 August 1902, Page 12

Social Gossip.

By Christabel

IT is, of course, a well-known fact that women depend laigelv on men for the success of vanous entertainments, while men have many amusements in which the fairei sex play no Dart. As a rule there are not many entertainments arranged bv women where men are entirely left out m the cold, but of late years an innovation has appeared in the form of "Girls' Teas," where men are not in the least necessaiy, in fact, quite superfluous. One has only to be present at one of these merry and enjoyable functions and hear the bright flow of small talk, interspersed with various entertaining items musical or otherwise, to be thoroughly convinced that nothing is wanting. " 'Tis just as well perhans, for the pet abomination of the average man is undoubtedly an afternoon tea. * * * Last Thursday a very bright and pleasant afternoon was given to hei fnrl friends by Miss Mabel St. George, at her mother's residence, in Wrightstreet. The whole house was cosy and warm, the bright fires being much appreciated after a battle with the cold wind outside. Ping-pong was indulged in, and at times caused much excitement. Two rooms were devoted to tea which was served in the j oiliest wav at various small tables laden with tempting s-weets. Miss St. George received her guests in a. very becoming blouse of crimson velvet and ecru lace, and a black voile skirt. Mrs. St. George was handsomely gowned in black, with strappings of glace. •+ * + The Misses Halse wore dark sknts, caracul coats, and pretty hats Mrs. Vamhain, a cinnamon brown dress Miss Olive Rawson, a blue Eton costume, and pretty felt hat. The Misses Palmer - Clark wore black tailor-made costumes. Miss St. George (Invercargill), a blue Eton frock Miss Welsh a pretty velvet blouse, lace collar, and red and black hat. Miss J. Welsh, becoming pale blue blouse and black skirt Miss Thaine, pretty gown of resida cloth. Miss N. Thaine, brown cloth costume. Miss Pollock was in red. Miss Elsie Palmer-Clark wore a black saque cloak, and skirt, and river hat of black glace. Miss Poppet Wills wore> a pale blue silk blouse, dark skirt Miss Gough (Bluff), a blue gown, and white furs. The Misses O'Sullivan had on becoming blouses and dark skirts Miss Gwen Rarnell, smart frock of scarlet cloth, and felt hat. Many other pretty frocks were worn but memory fails me. *■ * * Ping-pong can still boast of mam devoted enthusiasts, and the tournament oigamsed by Mrs. Simpson some little time ago is being played off with keen enjoyment and much skill. The several players meet on Thursday in each week at a different house, and there fight their battles. So far, the evenings have been held at Mesdames Simpson's Evven's, and Baxter's. About twenty -four have entered, and, as vet, the result cannot even be guessed There will be two first prizes — one for the ladies, and the other for gentlemen and two also for the "runners-up " * * * Although many of the good playeis favour newer wooden racquets, others, equally good, stick to the vellum, which they swear by. Mrs. Ewen still holds the champion scarf, which can only bf j competed for by players who leside on Wellington Terrace. lam told that in September this becomes the property of the holder, so it will soon be too late to challenge, if anyone is desirous of obtaining the honour. This scarf must be worn on all "State" occasions, and has been conspicuous at the ping-pong evenings. * * * I have just received a description of two beautiful fiocks, worn at a iecen'_ garden party in London. A French writer once declared that a smait gown gives more moral courage than the best religious principles, and certainly anyone armed with one of these exquisite frocks would feel ready for anything. The first was a study in mauve and white, the gown proper being of mous-selme-de-soie, over mauve, with appliques of white lace flowers over a mauve background. The waistband was of soft mauve silk, with knots of the same on bodice and sleeves. These latter ended at the elbow, with lace ruohings, and were met bv long wrinkled, white gloves.

The hat worn with this was a laige flat plate of straw, wreathed with mauve and white convolvu, with lipht leaves and tendrils imitated perfectly The parasol of white silk had flowers of thei same colour, and flounces of chiffon and lace. A string of pearls completed the effect The other gov n was of dove-grey orepe-de-chine, with ecru lace arranged in deep points on the skat, forming; a collar on the bodice, and making full, puffed under-sleeves. The entire costume was trimmed with mothrr-of-pearl sequin embroidery, and Ihp result was said to be distinguished and refined. * » • At the wedding of a very smart society girl, in London, whose Christian name was "Ruby," many pretty devices in honour of that name weie carried out. The nine bridesmaids and two tiny pages were costumed in cream and red, the pages looking lovely in ruby velvet coats, with diamond buttons, old lace rues, and the bridesmaids wore string-coloured lace frocks and ruby velvet capes strung from their shoulders Their hats were trimmed with red roses, and they each carried a white crook, to which was fastened a huge bunch of roses that scented the church. * ♦ * Of course, the bridegroom's presents were rubies, too — pretty "bee" brooches composed of those stones — and many beautiful gifts to the bride were also in those gems. The bride and bridegroom stood, American fashion under a large white bell of flowers to receive their guests, and their initials appeared on the bell in red blossoms * * * The third of the winter social evenings of the Government Insurance Club took the form of a, dance on Wednesday, 23rd July, and was one of the most enjoyable functions held by the club. Over fifty guests were present, including Mr Hudson (secretary of the Department) and Mrs. Hudson. Amongst the ladies I noticed Mrs. L. B. Jordan, wearing cream satin, trimmed with chiffon and violets , Miss Mouat, in white satin and geraniums , Miss Peter in white silk Miss Lee, white muslin , Miss Nash, white sdlk , Miss Jay, pretty blue silk and sequin net, Miss Levestan, pink silk blouse, black skirt Miss Inez Slatter, crimson velvet blouse and black skirt. * * » Miss Miller had on a pretty cream dress. Miss Clark wore black Miss A. Clark, a very pretty white book muslin. Miss Bock was in pink Miss P. Bock, blue Miss Kent, black , Miss Spicer, a heliotrope dress Miss Trevithick a pretty white muslin dress Miss Mowatt wore grey Miss Moore, yellow silk ; Mrs. Jay, black silk gown. Some of the gentlemen were Messrs. Strachan, Leves,tan, Wiggs, Kelling, Jones, Ewart, Fullaiton, Bock, Pedder, Wnght, Hickey, Coyle, Lindsay, and others. The arrangements of the jolly little dance were m the hands of the hon. secretary of the club (Mr. L. B. Jordan). The music was provided by Mr. Fleming. The Government Insurance Club is to be congratulated on the great success which attends all their social evenings. * * * Teams from the Government Insurance Social Club and the Wellington Cycle Club tried conclusions at Pingpong in the latter club's rooms, on Thursday, 24th July. The result was a win for the Cycle Club, the scores being 348 to 229. As the Cycle Club allowed their opponents a handicap of 60 points, the net majority was 59 points. The most interesting games were between Messrs. Phelan and Caffin Perkins and Crawford, and Halford and Williamson. During the evening the Insurance Club were entertained by the Cycle Club the captain (Mr. J. Fenton) extending a hearty welcome to their guests. * # * The honorary secretary of the Insurance Club (Mr. L. B. Jordan) replied in a short speech, in which he exnressed the pleasure experienced in these contests. He also expressed the hope that delegates from clubs playing mngpong might be called together, and a definite set of rules agreed upon. At the termination of the games, cheers were exchanged, and a very pleasant evening brought to a close about 10 30 p m.

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The twenty-fourth annual ball of the Wellington Naval Artillery Volunteeis was held in the Choral Hall on Fridays July 25th, and was a brilliant success. There was a very large attendance, almost three hundred guests being present. The hall was completely transformed into a scene of beauty — large flags being hung across the room, and the walls were also a blaze of colour. The Union Jack, New Zealand, French, and German flags were conspicuous. The stage was arranged with cosy seats, and rugs, and from there one could watch m comfort the bright and everchanging scene below The sail ears 7 , two, was a point of vantage, and w as well patronised throughout the evenMen there were in any number, and the various uniforms were much admired. The Navals looked very cool and comfortable, especially those who wore white jumpers, but not even the "red ■coats" could compare with the uniforms of the naval officers, which are exceptionally becoming. Ping-pong was played in a side^room by those who did not dance. The floor was in capital' order, and the music, supplied by Miss Hawthorn's orchestra, splendid. Li^ht refreshments were served throughout the evening, and am excellent supper was catered by Mr. G. Mawson. Lieut. Cooper, P.O. Purdy, and Gunners Steel and Dawson acted a® masters of the ceremonies, and were indefatigable in their efforts to make the evening enjoyable for everyone present. * ■+ * Dancing m the official set were Colonel Newall and Mrs. Campbell, Colonel Collins and Mrs. Bias, Captain Campbell and Miss Newall, Lieut.-Com. Cooper and Miss Collins, Captain Turner and Mrs. Tweed, Lieut. Biss and Mre. Mianitell, Lieut. Smith and Mrs. A. Duncan, Lieut. Sloman and Miss Hislop. Amongst those present I noticed : Mrs. Campbell, in a beautiful gown of lace over pale green glace silk, and a duster of crimson roses on the bodice : Miss Newall 1 , in a rose pink gown, and woath of rosebuds in her hair , Miss Collins, in black and white. Mrs. Biss wore a black satin dressi and bertha of lovely lace. • • * Mrs. Hacon wore black silk, and Miss .Haeon a* very becoming tucked silk frock. Miss B. Hislop wore a pretty white silk dress, and Mass Joan Hislop also looked well in white. Mrs. Arthur Duncan wore a charming black gown, the bodice of white chiffon finished with a bolero of black lace caught with one large pink rose. Mrs. Tweed's black gown was effectively trimmed with red. Miss Travers wore a very pretty white' silk gown. Miss K. Fitzgerald had on a blue glace, dress, and lace — a very becoming gown. Miss 0. Fitzgerald was in pink. Mrs. Richardson wore black satin and jet applique. v- * * Mrs. W. G. Mantell looked well in black satin. Miss Barron wore black, and Miss E. Barron a pretty cream lace robe over glace. Miss Turton were yellow brocade and chiffon ; Miss Flo. Brandon, a soft silk dress. Miss M. Roberts was in white satin. Miss J. Roberts wore black silk , Miss McAnerin, white silk , Miss M. Boyd, a silk gown, trimmed with gold. Miss A. Boyd wore mauve. Mrs. Jansen was in cream, satin, Miss Harness, a black gown. Miss McGill wore cream ; the Misses Hare soft silk gowns, one pink and the other white. Mrs. Bullford was in black silk , Mrs. Alexander, pale blue saitdn. Mrs. A. Thompson wore white silk, and touches of blue. Mrs. Ross was in white muslin ; Mrs. Muir, a pink silk blouse, and pretty figured skirt . Mrs. George wore white muslin. » » « One of the most successful dances ever given by the Victoria College students was the hockey and tennis dance last week. The Sydney-street schoolroom was prettily decorated with flags and ferns, and about two hundred guests were present. All the arrange^ments were splendid, and Mr. G. Dixon (secretary) and his committee deserve great praise for the success' achieved. • » ♦ Amongst those present were . Professor and Mrs. Brown, the latter wearing a black brocade gown and white flowers; Lady Stout, in a very pretty black and white foulard. Mrs. Bathani wore a black silk ; Mrs. Hogben, a handsome black satin , Miss G. Reid, a becoming gown of pale green tucked liberty silk . Miss Batbam, a pretty yellow silk and chiffon ; Miss Grace Haroourt, a pink silk dress. Miss Edwardsi was in a lovely white chiffon frock embroidered in gold. Miss E. Edwards wore black silk, trimmed with ecru lace. * • • Miss Runcie looked well in black. Miss 1 Ewen wore a pretty black velvet dress, and bertha of lace; Miss Skerrett, figured silk, with a handsome design in violets. Miss Jackson (Hutt) wore white china silk. Miss Waldegrave looked nice in black net over glace silk. Miss Newall wore a pretty pink silk Miss Richardson, black silk and insertion ; Miss — Richardson . white. Miss Butt wore black silk.

tummed with white. Miss Wedde was in black satin , Miss E. Wedde, white tucked silk. Mies E. Eliott looked pretty in tuoked pale green, salk, with flounces. Mis® Stuart wore a pretty white silk dress Miss Whyte, a very pretty pink "-own , Miss Fleming, white silk, with touches of red velvet ribbon , Miss Nora Fleming, whit© oriental satin and chiffon. Miss Devine wore a dainty white muslin, with tucksi and insertion. Mrs. Niven (Wanganui) is visiting her parents, Archdeacon and Mrs. Fancourt. * * * Mrs. Johnston (Grey town Noith) is at present in Wellington. • * • Miss Demniston (Dunedm) has been staying in Wellington on her w ay home from the North. * ♦ • Mrs. Elgar entertained a, number of friends at an At Home on Thursday afternoon last week. ♦ * * Miss Ringwood is the guest of Mrs. Eustace Brandon, Tinakori-road.

The Gaelic Society gave a very pleasant social at the Druids' Hall on Wednesday last week, a large number of guests being present. The decorations were left from the Heretaunga Ball, the night before, and looked most artistic. Quite a number of the members of the Highland Rifles were present, and their bright uniforms were very effective. Mr. Campbell, piper to the society, played the pipes for the Scotch reels, and Mr. Frost (Christchurch) danced a Highland Fling. * • « Some of the guests were Mrs. Wilson, wearing a handsome black velvet dress and wide tartan (Royal Stuart) sash, and garnet necklace, Miss Barron, a heliotrope dress and violets ; Mrs H. MoLeod, cream silk, with lace and bebe ribbon. Miss A. Walsh wore pale blue silk. Miss Walsh was in black and jet, with scarlet geraniums on bodice , Mrs. Simeon, a lovely dress of white satin, covered with white tulle and salver, and point d'espnt frills edged with bebe ribbon. Miss Godber wore black velvet; Miss Harvey, a yellow Empire gown. Miss Russell, cream silk, trimmed with turquoise velvet ; Miss Long, white silk, trimmed white and silver sequin trimming. A capital supper was' catered by Mr. G. Mawson, and Miss Hawthorne's band supplied good music. ♦ # * The Girls' High School Old Girls' Association deserve; great congratulation on the success of their annual ball, held at the Sydney-street schoolroom, cm. Thursday, July 24th. Flags and evergreens were used for decorating with excellent effect, and the stage and side rooms were exceptionally cosy and bright. Pot-plants 1 and large bowls of wattle were prettily-arranged whereever it was possible, and the mantlepiece also was artistically adorned with that sweet-scented flower. So thoroughly enjoyable was the dance that when the last waltz on the

The> Coronation Ball, which was postponed on account of the King's illness, as to take place at Government House on Wednesday next, August 6th. * * * An open leception will take place at Government House, on the Saturday afternoon following. • • • Ail those who did not. hear Mr. Clifford Walker in one or other of his delightfully finished and refined entertainments, lost a treat. His audience' were from the beginning, in perfect sympathy — at one minute laughing at his clever and humorous speech, and the next choking back a tear for "The Little Crossing Sweepe*;." We all hope that Mr. Walker intends to stay at least a short time in Wellington, and will give us another opportunity of enjoying his cleverness. In the audience I noticed Mrs. Pollen and the Misses Pollen, the Misses Hislop, Miss Edwin, Miss Smith, Mrs. Tuckey, Mrs. and the Misses Walker, Mrs. M. Fox, Mrs. Ohatfield, Mrs. Haybittle, and many others.

programme arrived, no one was ready to go, and extras were played by the Misses M. Marchant, 0. and K. Kirkcaldie, Y. Wills and Mr. Rudman. The secretary (Miss Sanderson^ who was most energetic, and the committee (amongst whom were Mrs. B. Wilson, and Mosses 1 Stevenson, Fordham, Riohardsoni, and Kirkoaldie), worked hard to make the evening a great success, and were well rewarded. Minifies orchestra supplied the music, and an excellent supper was catered by Mr. Mawson. • • • The assistance of Messrs. Denton, Ferguson, A. A. Mcc, Sanderson, and A. Young was very much appreciated. They had kindly helped to decorate the hall (and men can be invaluable on such occasions), and in the evening they were the committee's right-hand in introducing strangers, etc. The ehaperoneo were Mesdames T. W. HMop, Marohant, MoKerrow, and L. H. B. Wilson. Flags for decorating were lent by the Post and Telegraph Department and the City Council. Supper wafe served in the gymnasium, and the table was very prettily decorated by the Misses Kirkoaldie. • • • Amongst the guests I noticed Miss McLean, who looked very nice in black silk, with transparent lace sleeves, Miss Eoclesfield, in black broche, with lace and silver applique. Miss Morrah wore a black satin gown , Miss Batham, ipale yellow silk and chiffon. Miss Sanderson's very becoming dress was of pale blue silk, tucked, and draped with cream lace. Mrs. Wilson looked very nice in a pretty black gown and red berries , Miss K. Kirkoaldie, cream silk, with ai dainty design in rose t>ink, trimmed with bands of rose-coloured velvet. Miss Grace Kirkcaldie wore a girlish and pretty white silk dress. • • • Miss 0. Richardson wore a pretty black net dress, over glace. Miss Mee's gown of crearni satin was finished with lovely lace. Miss M. Marchamt wore

a white silk with touches of green ; Miss L. Tolihurst, a black net frock over satin, and cream roses. Miss May Young was admired in a handsome black gown, with cream lace fichu and blue ohou. Miss Ruby Young also looked well in canary-coloured silk, with a deep lace frill. - Miss Jessie Hannah's gown of black, witlh cream lace, was admired. Miss Burnett wore eau-de-nil 1 silk. Miss R. Richardson wore a becoming black dress, with ivory guipure. Miss Richardson wore black, with a lovely bertha of Maltese lace. Miss E. Richardson was in pale blue silk. Miss Salmon looked nice in a pretty gown of vieux rose. Miss Parsons wore a handsome white satin dress. Miss W. Parsons' gown was black, relieved with Spanish lace and blue. Miss E. Parsons looked well in red velvet. Miss G. Richardson wore black; Miss Y. Wills, a becoming yellow satin ; Miss Hales,, pale pink silk; Miss Staples, a gown, of eau-de-nil silk. Miss Benzoni wore white silk and lace. * * * Some of the ecentlemen were . Messrs. Denniston, Sloman Ferguson, Ross, Tolhurst, Cunningham, Blackburn^ Mcc, and Sanderson. *■ * * White felt hats are so very popular this season, and the most careful wearer cannot prevent them getting soiled in dusty Wellington, so here is a reliable recipe for renovating them: Make a thin paste of magnesia and water and rub in with a small brush ; dry in the sun, after which brush out with a stiff brush. * • ♦ Miss Eva Travers is visiting New Plymouth, and is the guest of Mrs. Perm. * * * Mr. Frank Gheen, who made ouitea record number of friends while here with the Wilson Barrett Company, has gone to America. * # * Mrs. J. Evelyn Wright, of Island Bay, has had a sale of her furniture, and will be living in town for the future. Miss Flossy Wright is staying with Mrs. Kane in Halswell-street, and will be shortly leaving for an extended visit to Australia. * * • Mrs. Stevenson left last week on a visit to Auckland. * • • The following note, clipped from the "Sydney Mail," will interest Miss Violet Mounifs many friends . — Miss Violet Mount, a soprano, who has studied on the Continent, and has sung at many important concerts in Auckland, N.Z., gave a private concert at the Centenary Hall on Monday afternoon, the 14th instant. Miss Mount possesses a flexible voice of good range, lacking somewhat in body, but with good power in the upper notes. She was best heard in Grieg's "Solvieg's Song." Several other artists appeared. * * * The Petone Navals held their annual ball on Friday last at their drill-shed, which was most tastefully decorated for the occasion. There was a large attendance, including a party from town, and excellent music was provided by Minifies string band. Lieut.-Com-mander and Mrs. Kirk arrived at 8.30, when dancing commenced. Mrs. Kirk wore a handsome gown of black net, trimmed with narrow bebe ribbon, the bodice being relieved by a lovely spray of roses. * • * Among the party from town were: Miss Nash, who wore a white silk frock, tucked, and prettily trimmed with chiffon; Miss Fisher, whose dainty frock was of cream silk, tucked, and flounced most becomingly, with a spray of pink carnations across the bodice; Miss- Whiteford, in pink ; Miss Nellie Wlhiibeford, in a charming white silk dress 1 . Miss Wood wore white. The Misses Tetley also looked well in white, and Miss Fleet was 1 becomingly dressed in yellow. Miss Donovan wore a handsome gown of white silk, trimmed with blue. Mrs. Cruickshank wore black. * * » Lieutsi. Archibald and Wood, officers of the company, were present, and there were representatives of many other corps. A very enjoyable supper was provided, and dancing was continued till the small hours of the morning. The guests enjoyed themselves immensely, and tihe Navals rightly consider it the most successful dance they have yet held. * • • Dr. Platts-Mills, who has been enjoying a rest and change down South, has returned to Wellington.

Sheilock Holmes was what we term A specialist in crime ; His methods surely must confirm Him greatest of all time. And though our object's not the same, Our method's ]ust as sure, To kill bad coughs is our great aim, With Woods' Grevt Peppermint Cube.