Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 119, 11 October 1902, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

MISS Pearson gave a veiy enjoyable dance on Tuesday week, the guests beang both grown up and juvenile. The hall wae charmingly decorated with bunting and foliage, and the stage was cosy with handsome screens, and inviting seats, interspersed with palms. The mantle-pieces were exceptional^ pretty, banked with oreen, out of which narcissi and yellow broom peeped, and the supper-tables, laid m an ante-room, were greatly admired The delicious sweets and savouries were arranged with tall vases of daffodils and smaller ones of primroses, while brightlycoloured baskets of sweets here and there added to the effect. The music (Mr. Fleming) was perfect. Mr. B. L. Salmon, as secretary, was most energetic and was assisted by his committee, the Misses Olive and Pearl Buraes. and Messrs. S MilUngton and G. Lyon The chaperones were Mesdames Collins, Prouse, Turner, Sutcliffe. Laing, and Tyer. # Miss Pearson \\as weani?" a lovely gown of eau-de-nil satin, the skirt finished with frills of chiffon, and the bodice was of chine silk, and chiffon caught with a large pink rose Mrs Jeffcoat was gowned in black, softened with chiffon. Mrs Barron wore black silk, with lace collar Miss Eileen Holmes a pretty white silk dress , Miss Smith (Dunedin), a becoming soft silk muchtuclzed and fnjled Miss Brewer, in pale yellow silk Miss L. Tabuteau wore white silk, and turquoise blue belt Miss Z Tabuteau also wore bine with a wjute frock Miss Snragc looked pretty in black silk Mis<? Kathleen Hannah wore white sill" and a pink sash. » « ♦ Miss Foster wore a black silk dre«s Miss M. Foster had on a dainty white frock Miss Prouse a becomme blue gown Miss C Prouse a pale njnV dress with sprays of daisies. Miss E Richardson wore white, and a blue snsh. Miss Dot Bievier wore pale blue Miss Gladys Foster wore white Miss Louie Scales, in white also Mi^s Bowlev white- Miss Mackay CMastertoni, blue silk. Mtes Marine Humphrey? and her sister both wotp white Mi«s TVersleisrh was in white Mi«s "Williams also wore white Miss Lamp pink silk Miss Allen (Tort Chalmers") a pretty silk dress. Miss 0. Burns wore a dainty frilled white dress • Miss P. Burns, white, relieved with a green silk sash Miss Tunhridse was much admired in a pretty silk dress. Miss Forbes was in pale blue Miss Mollie Laing wore whitp the Misses Bowley, Furriers Goldfinch, Oram. and Tyer also wore pretty white silk dresses, and two tiny pupils (Miss May Turner and Mona Brien) looked sweet. Miss 8n + cliffe was in blue and her sister wore pink * * * Some of the gentlemen were Messrs Tripe Holmes Turner, Fitzgerald Pye-Smith, Prouse, Burnett, C. Bridge Weybourne, Henderson, Hjorring, Macbeth, Solomon, Laing Staples, Macdonnell, Millington. Organ Smellie, Orton Stevens, Beckett Christohurch) , Sutcliffe, and others. » * * I have just seen two pretty hats, which are included in the trousseau of a Home-going girl. They are simplicity itself but most becoming. One, of sunburnt straw, has a wreath of black currants and a knot or two of dull green velvet ribbon. The other is of white straw, wreathed in trails of sweet peas, vari-ooloured, and exnuisitely blended. A propos of hats, in England, fruit is the popular trimming Small berries, cherries, etc are considered very smart. Smart they may be, but fruit-trimmed hats are rarely pretty, I think. They remind one of the fearsome wax atrocities our grandmothers used to keep under glass covers. * » * Linen frocks will be with us again this season. The generality of the skirts will have shaped flounces (volants, they are called in dressmaking parlance) these to be very much stitched, and the latest whim is to favour a centre seam. Why, it is not explained ; but then fashion never does condescend to give explanations We are expected to follow blindly whithersoever she leads us For the bodice, nothing can better the Russian blouse. This is easily washed

and also admits of great vanety m the way of collars A sailor collar of Insli crochet is yuite ideal for a lmen gown, and is much enhanced if th leaded in and out at the edge with coloured unorushable nbbon. It is to be hoped that shop-keepers will this season lay in a stock of pale green linen. At the end of last summer this favourite colour was absolutely at a premium * * * Sir Arthur Douglas and Miss Claudia Douglas left by the Paparoa last Saturday for London. Sir Arthur has six months' leave of absence, and it is hoped that the trip will restore his health, which has been very indifferent for some time. A good idea for a picnic parasol is imparted by a friend A last summei's faded silk — this one was blue and white — was covered with a white muslin cover, finished with tiny lace-edged frills and finished with a bow of satin ribbon. The owner of this "idea" recovered the parasol herself, and said it was very sample. » • • Everything in women's attire now-a-days is of the 'baggy" oider As long as the blouses fit well on the shoulder the chief result is attained (says an authority on dress). Waistbands are worn wide at the back, and either narrowed to a mere line or finished with a deep Swiss nodnt in front The back of the blouse pouches a little over the belt at the back but the length of the front is truly wonderful, and makes one think we are returnme to the "Greek" era. Waists now-a-days are at a discount and the woman of fashion no longer assumes an hour-glass appearance. This may be an age of extravagance and exaggeration, but in many cases it is combined w ith sound commonsense. One cannot olay golf, or even ping-pong, with a wasp waist, arK 1 anyhow. it is not fashionable to be pallid and delicate any more *■ * * The neckband, even the transparent neckband, is conspicuous bv its absence. We ha\e learnt to keep our throats cool at last . Sashes aie worn on all gowns coming to the yew hems at the back, knotted m places, and allowed to fall as they will. *- * * The "Sydney Mail" says — "There is a great tendency to dress the hair low, both for day and evening wear. In the case of the former it is partly on account of the> flat>crowned hats, which leave not the slightest room for the tiniest knot of hair. Whether or not the fashion will become general remains to be proved. It is certainly very becoming to many. 'Do not trouble to make a collai-band even of lace,' writes a correspondent. 'You wear a hand of black velvet at the throat, and some quaint eems on a gold chain.' . . The hair is best dressed down on the neck, and there ac eirJs who wear a broad black velvet bow iust above the coil No 'fluffiness' is now allowed, for the hair is waved smoothly and evenly the whole way down the coil A slieht dressing of brilliantine, the adiustme of a hair-not and the thills' is done Remember that all the wavni" must be smooth and the more neatly you dress

(Continued m> page 11 )

your hair the better style it is. The really great ladies wear their han ela*borately dressed, but it is always finish* ed off with the greatest care and neatness." The latest fad in belts is a silver snake about half-an-inch in diameter, and having honibly "snaky" heads and jewelled eyes. They are worn round the waist, either loosely or tight, fastened by the head biting into holes m the body, forming a clasp. They are made hollow, in oxidised silver. I saw one of these gruesome articles on a smartl y-dreesed girl yesterday. It is said that in New York the fashionable youths are not remarkable for theii strong nerves and one, when about to encircle the waist of his partner for waltzing, caught si<rht of her venomouslookme belt, and unceremoniously exclaimed. "Oh Jupiter 1 Please take the thine; off " ■x * * A very 3011.V little dance was given in the Masonic' Hall, on Friday evening last week. The chaperones were Mesdames Kirkcaldie, Mcc, and Taylor. The dance music was supplied by Mr. Fleming, and the supper, contributed by the ladies, was delicious. Mrs. Kirkcaldie wore a handsome black brocade, with blue panne velvet; Mrs. Mcc, a gown of black silk, Mrs. Taylor, a becoming black gown and lace fichu. * * * Mrs. Faulke wore a white silk gown, with diapes of lovely lace. Miss K. Krrkcaldie looked well in black, with chiffon and sequins Miss 0. Kirkcaldie wore a becoming dress of black net over satin. Miss Grace Kirkcaldie looked pretty m white silk. Miss Hannah was gowned in black brocade, and Maltese lace. Miss J. Hannah also wore black Miss K. Hannah was in a pretty frilled pink silk dress. Miss Taylor wore cream insertioned silk and red bows , Miss E. Parsons, red velvet , Miss W. Parsons, a pretty blue voile dress. » • • Miss Zohrab wore white silk , Miss M. Zohrab pade blue silk. Miss Macdonald looked nice in black satin. Miss F Gilmer was charmingly gowned in cream net over satin. Miss Salmon, vieux rose and cream lace Miss Bnrron, black, and touches of pink. Miss Brown wore her pretty "cominc-o'it" gown- Miss R. Richardson, a becoming *blaok silk, with a dark crimson rose. Msis G. Richardson wore black, and a turquoise silk chou. • * * Miss Shannon wore black Miss E. Shannon, cream silk. Miss Stubbs -was in black, with string-coloured lace Miss Lockie, pale heliotrope silk gown. Miss Young was admired in black, and lace fichu ; Miss Chappie, black silk and coloured chou , Miss Allen, dainty white silk Miss Spragg, black silk. Miss Weigel looked dainty in cream silk and chiffon. Miss Williamson (Auckland) wore a lovely heliotrope gown, with suggestion 0 of pink. Miss N Brown wore a becoming black silk and blue chou. Miss Barraud wore cream tucked silk. ♦ * ♦ Some of the ffentlemen were Messrs TJlundell Williams, Kirkcaldie, Young.

Holmes, Brodie, hardc, Brown, Rudman, Bell, Nioholsen, Earkham, Richaiclson, Wordsworth, and Mabin. * #■ * No longer does one mount on. tap-toes amd gracefully extend one's hand High over the head when wishing to shake hands with a friend. Oh, no! That is quite old-fashioned , 1101 , do we ran at them, in a do-or-die, now-or-neve-r mauner. To be quite in the fashion, you take your friend's hand and give ie a sharp turn as if it were a barrel-organ. Some describe a complete circle with the other fellow's hand After a few private rehearsals, it is said one can perform the ceremony with grace and ease providing your friend's hand is ecjuaJ to the strain. The Panama, hat is to have a bigger run," than ever this season. It will undoubtedly be the hat of all men, even on "dress" occasions, at the smartest of functions. At Home this summer the Panama-hatted man was much in evidence * * * Miss Rinewood leaves next week for Sydney, en route to England, travelling fi'om there bv the Orient liner o mrahm rah The Misses Rose and May Carte intend leaving; for a visit to the North very shortly. The former goes to Auckland, and Mi«s May to Hamilton * * The "Dailv Mail" thus describes the Queen's royal mantle, whioh was made and embroidered in London It was of rose red velvet, the correct coronation colour, and was lined with eimine. In length, six yards from where it started between the shoulders, beneath the high Elizabethan collar, to where it ended, and it was the same width all the way down, so had to be very deftly arranged in folds to look elegant, and enable the pages to carry. Its weight was immense. When simply lined with fur before the heavy masses of sold and silk embroidery were put into it, the combined strength of two men only iust sufficed to lift it. The very nicest care was requisite in fastening the' mantle to the Queen's drees in order that the dragging weight of the robe should not destroy the toilet beneath. * * * The Queen's dress was all of gold — tulle, closely encrusted with pearls and diamonds of the purest water, was laid layer after layer on a foundation of cJoth-of-gold. All the work was done by natives of Delhi, and the pattern thereof was the emblems of England repeated over and over again in different forms. The effect was that of a cloud of radiance from which scintillated the heavenly constellataons * * * Cut low, in Court form, the bodice displayed in, all their glory the Queen's unparailleiled jewels — ropes of milkwhite pearls twisted in huge cables rivulets of diamonds, and sprays of scintillating stones produced a bla^e of radiance Her Maiesty woie the Koh-i-noor, the most splendid of all diamonds Her sleeves were long draperies of golden gauze-like wines, and she wore a collar of the Elizabethan foim This was all diamonds and pearls

The marriage of Miss Norah Riddiford and Mr R. Lewis is arranged to take place on November 4th. • * • The Misses Macintosh have returned to Wellington after a long visit to Australia.

(Continued on page IS )

A most enjoyable dance was held in the Druids' Hall on 30th September, and the success attained reflects great credit on the organiser (Mrs. L. Dwan), who was ably assisted by an energetic committee of ladies and gentlemen. The stage was beautifully decked with flowers and greenery, and games were provided for those who* did not wish to dance. The arrangement of the sup-per-table left nothing to be desired. Mrs. Dwan received in a lovely gown of white brocade. * * * Among those present were Mrs. Keefe, in a oretty pink silk. Miss Meston looked charming in a black silk , Misses O'Sullivan, white and blue silk , Miss Lawless, a lovely blue silk Misses Flana/ran, white silk. Miss Reeves (Nelson.) looked well in black velvet , Miss Collins, pink silk , Miss Williams, oream silk ; Mrs. Jensen, yellow silk; Miss O'Donnell, stylish pink sily Mrs. Ryland, in black , Miss Cimino. a very pretty dress of white silk, with silver trimmings. * * * Miss Segrief wore a very pretty "-own of white silk ; Miss Simpson in black ; Miss Duignan, a lovely white silk gown; Misses Redmond, white silk. The Misses Laverty wore very pretty gowns of white silk. Miss Fahey (Canterbury) looked well in blue and white silk. * # • Messrs. M. Eller, P. J Twohill. T. Lawless, and P. J. McGovern made efficient Ms.C * * * Miss Davenport held her first annual ball at the Sydney-street schoolroom on Wednesday, October Ist, and the function proved a perfect success. Everyone entered into the dancing with great spirit, and the musio (Miss Hawthorne's band) was splendid. The ball-room was gay with festoons of flags, and the stage oosilv arranged for sitting out. The supper-tables in the gymnasium were very tastefully arranged with daffodils in tall vases, on a pretty centre, and coloured lights and miniature flags hung above looked very picturesque. * • ♦ The supper catered by Mr Mawson, was 1 most tempting. Light refreshmente were served throughout the evening in a side room. The secretary (Mies 6. Toohill) greatly assisted Miss Davenports, and saw that the guests enjoyed themselves. The chaperones were Mrs. Greville, who wore a black dress with sequins embroidery. Mrs. Stevenson, in black silk, and Mrs. Jay, who also wore a black silk dress. « • * Miss Davenport wore a handsome black brocade, with silk lace and steel passementerie. Miss 6. Toohill wore a pretty and becoming dress of ivory silk, trimmed with passementerie, and clusters of scarlet poppies effectively arranged on skirt and bodice. Miss A. Toohill was in black merveilleux, with lace and sequin trimming Miss Fisher, white silk and red roses; Miss Nash, white silk. Miss Bowen looked well in black satin and sequins. Miss Buller wore white silk Miss M. Wilson, black satin; Miss Innes, a pale sreen salk and chiffon » * Miss Sinclair wore a becoming dress of sequin net and black sati Miss E. Smolaar, white silk and rose pink velvet. Miss Bernasconi wore a pale blue silk, with passementerie. Miss Wilson was in tucked muslin ; Miss Wighton, black, with scarlet flowers , Miss Wilkinson, white silk and black velvet bands. Miss Williams looked very nice in black, brightened with sequins. « * ♦ Miss Cimino wore white tucked silk and passementerie. Miss Fole^ was in white with, tucked chiffon and red velvet , Miss Phillips, pale blue muslin and black velvet, Miss Reade, white muslin dress Miss J. Wilson, white silk and pink flowers — a nrettv dress Miss R. Wilson, white muslin . Miss Denhard, white silk and autumn leaves. Miss Peters wore a pretty white dress, with chiffon and pale blue silk. Miss Berry looked nice in white, with passementerie and turquoise silk , Miss Adams, white muslin ; Miss Meehan, white silk, brightened with trimming. -* * * Miss Linton looked well in white satin trimmed with olive-green velvet. Miss L. Linton wore white muslin and blue Miss Benge. a pretty Indian net dress, embroidered with beetles' wings and gold braid • Miss Armit, in white silk Miss Greville, canary silk. Miss Lucas looked well in black satin, with orange trimming and large spray of roses. Miss Jay wore pale blue silk Miss Barlow white, relieved with pretty red roses , Miss Souter, pale blue dress • Miss Breen , black silk and chiffon • Miss Casey, white and blue ; Miss Benton, white silk Miss Searl white silk. ♦ • * Miss Wilson wore red flowers with white silk , Miss Lester an exceedingly becoming and pretty frock of white silk, chiffon frills, and cerise velvet with a cerise silk sash Miss Hankings,

white satin, Miss Swain, pale green muslin , Miss K. Swain, oream silk ; Miss McGregor, white mushn and turquoise blue sash , Miss Hunwioh, white. Miss Phelps wore oream muslin; Miss Midlane, white silk , Miss Walter, white muslin, Miss OBrien, pale blue silk; Miss Evans white silk , Mrs. Greig, pale green silk and violets , Miss Makstiead. crushed strawberry cashmere; Miss Fraser, white muslin, Miss Kelly, white muslin: Misses Charlton, white silk. * * * In a paragraph referring to the marriage of Miss Riddiford and Mr. R. Levin, the latter's name is misprinted Lewis. * * A most successful At Home was given by Mrs. Tolhurst, at her residence, Grant-road, on Wednesday last week. Despite the winter weather, the rooms were well filled with guests, and, once inside the hospitable house, the disagreeable weather was quite forgotten. The bright fires looked cheerful, and the delicious hot tea was enjoyed. Ping-oong was played energetically bv many of the guests. Exquisite flowers made each room beautiful, and the tea-table was charming with man-** bowls, silver and glass, filled with yellow primroses, which, with, soft feathe>rv green, were arranged amongst the delicious cakes, etc. Assisting with the tea were the Misses 0. Fitzgerald and Davy. Mrs. Tolhurst received in a trained gown of black silk, much tucked. Miss Tolhurst was in white silk, with ecru insertions. Mrs. Gerald Tolhurst also wore a pretty white silk gown. Mrs. T. Young's 1 gown was a delicate -^rey cloth. Miss Neave wore a white lustre dress. Lady Stout was in black, relieved with white , Miss Logan, a pink costume. Lady Ward was gowned in black silk, and a black hat with ostrich feathers. Mrs. F. Loughnan wore a brown cloth costume, and hat with violets. Mrs. Vawdrey Baldwin wore a blue tailor-made costume, with embroidered collar and bright red hat with geraniums. * * * Miss Foote was in a black gown and hat. Mrs. C. Pearoe wore a sealskin coat, dark gown, and hat with turquoise blue. Miss Nathan wore a purple cloth gown. The Misses G. and S. Nathan wore pretty red costumes and hats; Mrs. Martin, a violet gown and hat to match; Miss G. Martin, a dainty white silk blouse, dark skirt, biscuit hat with roses. Miss Fancourt was wearing a brown costume. Mrs. G. Brown wore red. Miss H. Davy looked very nice in a grey Russian costume, and a hat with black daisies. Misa N. Davy's becoming gown was scarlet, and her hat was the same' shade. ■ • • Mrs. Herries was gowned in brown cloth. Miss Z. Johnston wore blue frieze. Mrs. Herepath wore brown, and a hast the same shade , Miss Higginson, a blue dress, and black picture hat. Miss Brandon had on a black eown, caracul coat, and black hat. Miss A. Brandon was in red, and a black hat. Mrs. Tweed was in violet cloth. Miss Waldegrave wore an exceedingly pretty black frock with short tucked bolero, and a lac© front. Miss Nelson wore grey, and a white felt hat with roses. Mrs. Fitchett wore a smart coat, with a bright red skirt, and pretty hat. Miss Macassey was in a dark tailor-made ; Mrs. Simpson, in a grey gown. « • * Dr. Platts-Mills gave a small but very enjoyable, "Girls' Tea" on Tuesday afternoon, in honour of her guest (Miss Ivy Allen). An "observation table" was a feature of tihe afternoon, each guest, after two minutes' peep at a table strewn with various miscellaneous articles, was requested to write as many as she could remember on a slip of paper. While the papers were being "corrected," most delicious afternoon tea was handed round. Miss E. Holmwood was the winner of the competition, and received as a prize a retty gold belt. Miss G. Mills, who won the "other first," was presented with a dainty embroidered handkerchief. The excellent view from Dr. Platts-Mills pretty residence was admired by everyone. » * • Our hostess received in a very becoming black tea-jacket, with accordeonpleated chiffon frills, and a wide turnback collar of ecru lace over silk, and tianspareni front of the same lace, and a graceful black voile skirt. Miss Allen wore a soft white silk dress, and a blue folded belt. Miss Rundle was wearing a pretty white silk blouse, and white serge skirt. Mrs. Rattigan was gowned in black, and a black bonnet. The Misses Turner also wore black gowns, and pretty black hats. Miss Ringwood, a dark grey tailor-made, and picture hat. Miss Stafford had on a smart red costume cream vest, and a black hat. Missiß. Holm wood, a pretty dark gown, chiffon ruffle, and hat with pink geraniums. Miss G. Holm wood wore a dark costume, and a black hat. Miss Waldegrav-> was in a navy blue tailor-made, and , grey felt hat with ostrich tips

Miss L. Blundell, a light fawn coat, brown skirt, and black chiffon hat. Miss G. Mills wore a navy costume, and a black hat. Miss Y. Platts's -retty frook was of grey blue cloth, and hat to match. * ♦ • Miss Holmwood (Melbourne) is visiting her aunt (Mrs. Holmwood), Kelburne. * * * Mrs. Moorhouse gave a pleasant Afternoon Tea last week, at her pretty residence. * ♦ « A most interesting event will take place on Saturday, October 11th, when Mr. Pharazyn celebrates his* 100 th birthday. Born in 1802, his life has been full of varied experiences. Many friends besides his relations, will gather to congratulate him upon becoming a centenarian. * • • The last of the extended evenings in connection with Mrs. H. B. Mason's dancing classes was held last Wednesday, and proved quite as enjoyable as any that have been held previously. Invitations are being issued for the breai-ing-up ball. * * * Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Y. Lodder are entertaining their friends at a ball in the Sydney-street schoolroom this (Friday) evening. * * * Mrs. Stevenson has returned from a visit to Auckland. * • • Miss Williamson (Auckland) is visiting the Misses Heywood. * -i Escalloped Eggs. — Take six eggs, five spoonfuls of minced ham, a little chopped parsley, three spoonfuls cream and one of melted butter , season to taste, one-fourth cupful breadcrumbs moistened with milk, and a spoonful of melted bufeter. Line the bottom of a small, deep dish. well buttered with soaked breadcrumbs; put upon them a layer of chopped ham, with the parsley. Set m the oven covered until smoking hot. Beat the eggs to a stiff froth.; stir in the cream and a spoonful of melted butter, pour upon the ham ; put the dish, uncovered, back into the oven and babe until the eggs are "set."

It is often remarked that our city is getting more like London every day. In no respect is this more noticeable than in the matter of dress. Colonial gentlemen, as well as ladies are anxious to be dressed in styles as worn in Piccadilly. Mr. D. Milligan. who caters specially for the gentlemen's trade, is at present showing an assortment of .English novelties in suitings, suoh as would do credit to any West End establishment, and in another column he invites those who want to be dressed in the latest fashion for the New Zealand Cup or the holidays to visit him without delay. Mr Chas. M. Luke, candidate for Newtown, invites his friends and supporters to meet him at the State School, Riddiford-street, this (Friday) evening. Mr. W. G. Tustin is going to speak a piece in the Victoria Hall, Adelaideroad, on Thursday nest, 16th instant, and, as "Willie" is a racy raconteur, and has views which are believed to be novel, a most interesting time will be spent. Mr. W. G. Tustin will give you reasons why he should be returned for the Newtown electorate at the general elections, and if the hall is big enough you ought to go. If the night is fine an overflow meeting may be arranged for. Mr. P. J. O'Regan. has not been thirsting for the November fray for any great length of time, and it is but recently that his friends persuaded him to buckle on his electioneering armour. You see, the vigorous P. J. rather thought that the elections would interfere with his solicitor's examination for which he sits in November. The friends who feared that the elections would turn his brain from the law, and get him "plucked." seem glad that he is going "bald-headed" for both contests. The reason he is not a candidate for the old West Coast seat is that examination, for P. J. wants badly to rake in the six and eightpences without unnecessary delay. He has been "barracked" into trying his chances for the city, although at no time did he intend to finally go out of politics. When he consented to "have a go" for a seat, it was generally thought that the election would take place in December, and this w ould have given him a chance to get through with his law examination. He will put up a good fight for both contests, which come off almost simultaneously.