Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 137, 14 February 1903, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

THERE is not the slightest doubt that this winter will see the introduction of the short sikirt for walking. Already ome or two brave spirits have ventured forth, and now that the ice is broken, the comfort of "rainy day" skirts will soon be acknowledged by all. The new skirt is not a half-and-half sort of garment — just long enough to escape the microbes — but the smartest one I have seen — it really did look smart — was quite four or five inches off the ground, made quite plainly, of grey flecked tweed, with several rows of stitching asi the sole decoration. We New Zealanders have a reputation, for small and neat feet, so we should not in the least object to following the lead of the American, girls who have quite given uip the long skirt for street wear. Every girl knows that neatness is essential to a well-dressed appearance, and no part of our attire is more tell-tale than the hem of the skirt, which is an everlasting worry when trailing on the ground followed by a little cloud of dust. Ugly as that is, though, it is grace itself compared with the average girl's mode of holding her dress up. This little act makes nine girls out of ten. look distinctly awkward, and for that fact alone they should 1 be glad of the chanoe to dispense with the necessity. How many of us, I wonder, would be brave enough to experiment with a green veil — green frocks, hats, and parasols have been welcomed, but veals ! Alas, the perfect, complexions necessary for a good effect are few and fair between. Provided the complexion is there, though, the result is very chic and daring. A tall, fair, and handsome stranger, passing through here this week, looked very well in a white cloth gown, and cornflower blue hat and green veil. I noticed on her long granny chain one of those pretty photo-

graph miniatures which aie becoming so popular as charms. At a lecent wedding, the bridesmaids each received a miniature photograph of the bride (their sister), set in a circle of turquoise and pearls,. Sir George Whitmore, of Napier, who has been visiting England in search of health, returned to the colony by the Waiw era on Sunday last. * • • The always w elcome Pollard Company are paying a farewell visit e'er they leave for 1 South Africa. "The Torear dor" gives ample scope for, pretty grouping, and bnght and picturesque frocking, especially in the second act, where the scene is -set in Spain. Miss Connie Buttel appears in a striking and very becoming dress of scarlet silk, with appliques- of black velvet outlined witfh sequin. A scarlet soarf is artistically draped across one shoulder, and a toreiardor hat — also of scarlet- — is> worn with Miss Edgar wears a pretty whate gown, changing later into a frock of

cream lace, and an attractive hat. The bridesmaids make a charming group, in blue and white. Miss Al ee Pollard is the prettiest of boys, appearing in dark olive-green velvet — green seems to be ai favourite colour of this clamity maid. Miss 1 Gertie Campion wears some frilly and becoming frocks, and thei "companions" and chorus are all afrtned in picturesque gowns, the crim%on and black dresses worn in, the second act and toreador suits in various shades of saitin being particularly Mr. O'Connor also wears a handsome costume as> the Toreador. In the audience' I noticed Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, the latter in a black gown, with lovely lace Miss Ward, in vhite and blue . Mrs. H. D. Bell, wearing a silver gray gown, draped with lace , Miss Bell, in cream and Miss D. Johnston, in a white frock. Miss Daniels and Miss Abbot were both in pretty light gowns. Mrs. Turnbull wore a handsome opera coat with a deep laoe collar, and" a lace gown. Mrs. Malcolm Ross was in a pretty oream gown. Mrs. E. Tregear wore black.

Mrs. Wroughton (Timaru) wore black, with a lace fichu, and her sister (Mis® Brandon) was in black satin. • » • Miss Luckie wore a handsome opera coat of black satin and lace, over a dark gown. Miss J. Skerrett wore a becoming gown, of pale yellow silk and lace. Miss N. Skerrett looked exceedingly nice in oream. Mrs. W. D. Lyon wore a styh&h theatre blouse Mrs. Munroe, a gown of satin and lace, and her daughters wore dainty silk frocks. • ♦ • Miss Tregear is visiting friends in the Wairarapa district. • • • Taraaaki-sjtreet the marriage was celebrated of Mr. Arthur J. Smith and Miss Seiina, M. Crowther, only daughter tf The RRep c Vt^ WefibS^ Ihe Rev. W. Shirer was the officiating clergyman, and the bride, who waf STS l . aWa L bv ¥ n Evans > ra an™ tremely pretty dress of French ar7v voale, trimmed with silk and Son § 7 Tr,"m? r i )nd j sm^ ds were Miss Elsie fh mm u T i ""* Mhss Kate Scott (niece of gowns of white muslin and lace. TW Sfw w° mm u the bridegroom were pretty gold brooches. Mr. F. Smith acted Z best Mr A. Draper as wZS'a ■ weddlQ g quietly oefo. the bridegroom's family. Later in t^e clay, the. newly-wedded couple left for tlie Taata where the honeymoon was spent. Numerous handsome gifts were received amongst them being a set of carvers, from Mr Smith's fellow -workers, and a marble clock. * • • Mrs. and Miss Hacon have returned rrom a visit to the country. * • ♦ . Miss Cora, Lee has returned from a visit to Australia. • • • A very pretty wedding was celebrated art. fet. John's Church, Wellington on Monday last, when Miss Eleanor Margaret Adams, daughter of a well-known skipper, Captain Adams of ™™»n Company, was married to Mr. J. P. Campbell, whose father is also a popular townsman, Captain Campbell of Levin and Co. The bride looked lovely nn a beautiful gown of white silk with veil and orange flowers. ' ♦ • • Her bridesmaids were: Miss Jessie Adams, Miss M. Brown, Miss Sybil Thirkell, and Miss Hilda Stewart (Continued on page 11.)

gilding). Mr. Sydney A. Campbell arted as best man, and Mr. J. Lainpoeiu £^h* Wangauui dastrict, where the honeymoon is being spent. The pre sents received were very valuable and n^merou^ The bridesmaid* gifts wengold brooches. Among* the large number «* 8 nresent I noticed Miss A. CampD&u, wearing a pretty blue frock and pink hsh. white delaine and chiton . M^s. hat, trimmed with blue. Rev. J. Paterson. * * * Invitations have been issued by Mr ceremony takes place on Tuesday, February 24th. • • * Amongsi marriage engagemento lately a jS is that of Mr. Peter Lews, of W^Snm, to Mw K. Hutching* of WeUmgton . Mr. Lewis and Miss Hut^ chfngs are well and popularly known throughout the ool<my (the former m Wnfss, and the latter m. musical circles) and they are the recipients ot congStulations from their many fneiKte. (Continued on page 13.)

The much-talked-of Garden Fete, m aid of the Veterans' Home, was held at the College grounds on Wednesday last, .and was a pronounced success. From two o'clock in the afternoon, streams of gaily-dressed patrons orowded in at the gates, and all doubt as to the gate money being erood was soon set at rest. The committee of ladies, and their energetic secretary (Captain J. G. Hughes) immediately attended to the amusement of the great crowd, and the side-shows, tea-tents, and various competitions u ere quickly besieged. The College grounds have never looked gayer than oni this occasion, and some of the gowns worn were lovely. Splendid large marquees were erected for the tea,, and a band, of hard-working girls were kept busy the whole day. Others did splendid business with delicious sweets, and pretty button-holes. The hat-tnmming competitions for men was very amusing and the hats, when, finished being pinned in a row, camei in for much criticism. A putting competition, "Aunt Sally," cake-guess-ing, and motor-car rides were all well patronised. The latter was an excellent idea, and the various cars were simply rushed, and engaged rides ahead. The piecenle-resistan.ee was, ot course, the cricket match, between a team ot lady -layers from the Pollard Opera Company, and some of our local men who were attired in- skirts, and batted with the left hand. The quality of the cricket played by the girls' made those who went to scoff remain to applaud and the prize for top score, presented by Mrs. Fitzherbert, was won by the Misses D. Wilson and Wilmot Karkeek. The bowline of Miss Campion and Miss Z. Karkeek was very good. Messrs. Quealy and Albert, in fancy costumes, acted as umpires. The girls made a pretty picture, in white) pique costumefc, Strapped with black velvet white blouses, and neat panama hats with black banks, and they succeeded in giving the local team a good beating. There were seven, entries for the living poster competition, and the winner proved to be Miss Metcalfe, represent^ ing Nelson, Moate, and Co., who looked very handsome in a white gown with the name of the well-known tea firm in colours across the front, a large hat was ■worn bearing the same design, and in her hand she carried a staff, on which was fastened a packet of the tea. Ihe prize for the prettiest, gown was won by Miss L. Davis, representing Messrs. W . T. Turnbulls "Empire blue." The costume was of indigo, blue silk, with, a wide sash of white silk, on which was printed "Empire blue"— a hat of the same shade was worn. Archibald Clark and Son's "Zealandra Shirte" were well represented by Bliss Nellie Wilson, ■whose dress was of red and white satin, red forming the underskirt, with, a nshwife" apron of white. A beautifully-made shirt of white satin composed the bodice, and a large and becoming hat was ot the same materials, the crown being shaped like a huge collar. * * * Sharland and Co. were represented by Miss Z. Karkeek, as "Kola, Nip," in a

handsome dress of old-gold satin with panels of dark green, and the name •'Kola: Nip" being printed in various places. Slung across her shoulder vas a bottle of the tonic. The Free Lance was represented by Miss L. .Barber maw ell-carried-out gown of white and salmon pink, elaborately printed with cartoons, etc. In, her hand she earned, a lance. Miss Barber, who represented "Wertheim Seiwing Machines, loked extremely well in an arcadian dress of paJe blue and white silk, the polonaise bodice falling over a quilted underskirt. In her hand she carried a bannerette, ornamented with fancy designs. Master Roy Barber, clad in an oatmeal bag, represented McGill oatmeal on the back being the words. "What I growed on. The ludges for this, competition were Mrs>. KirkcaJdie, Mr. J. P- Firth, and Mr. Percy Buller. A very pretty wedding was celebrated on the 9th instant, the occasion being the marriage of Mr. Stephen Bernech, eldest son of Captain Bernech, Dunedin, to Miss Annie O'Galligan, second daughter of Mr. J. O'Galligan, Bolton Street. The ceremony was performed by the Eev. Father Holley, at the Sacred Heart Basilica, Hill Street. * * * The bride, who was given away by her father, was dressed in a gown of soft white silk, and carried a white shower bouquet. She was attended by four bridesmaids, the Misses May and Isabel O'Galligan, who were dressed in white silk, with white chiffon toques, and carried shower bouquets with scarlet streamers, and the two little daughters of Mr. F. J. France (Hattie and Eileen), who were dressed in white silk Kate Greenaway frocks, with large white silk hats, and carried, baskets of red roses. * * • Mr. and Mrs. O'Galligan entertained their friends at their residence in the afternoon, and in the evening the newlywedded pair left for the South, where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride's travelling dress was dove grey, with turquoise chiffon toque. •+ * * The annual Christmas Tree entertainment, which has been looked forward to so eagerly by the patients, took place at Mount View Asylum on Tuesday the 3rd inst. On that evening the large central hall was very prettily decorated and two large trees laden with useful gifts occupied the stage. Fully 200 patients were present and also a great number of visitors. * * * After dancing had been indulged in for some time the distribution of presents took place, and it must have been very gratifying to those who so kindly contributed to the Trees to see the pleasure with which the patients received their gifts. Several of the patients contributed to the musical portion of the entertainment and the hearty applause accorded to them was ample evidence of the approval

of the audience. Altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent. * * * An evening passes quickly at Dixs and the entertainment is very bright and pleasing. Miss Emmie Smith, with the pretty smile and expressive eyes, wears such very becoming hats — one of cerise roses and white chitfon is very chic, a corresponding cluster of roses is prettily arranged on a soft white gown and her parasol (an important feature) is of white chiffon. Her actions and little side-play " bits " while crooning coon songs are very pretty to watch. Miss Devella's white hat worn with a short satin dress is like " Sweet Nell of Old Drury's " — almost as large as a cart-wheel, and has a wealth of lovely ostrich tips. * # * Mrs. Mason, accompanied b^ the Misses Mason, and tneir brother, left by the Monowai for Sydney, where they will join the "India," for England. Before leaving, Mrs. Mason received many tokens of esteem from her many friends, by whom she will be greatly missed. Mrs. Mason, who intends to make her future home m England, has been one of the most assiduous workers in St. Paul's parish during her residence m Wellington. •* -"■ •+ Miss Isaacson, whose engagement to the Key. Otho Fit*gerald has lately been, announced, has been, spending a few weeks with his sister Mrs. J. P. Brandon, Miramar. * ■* * Mm. George Harper, Christchuroh, who has been visiting Mrs. R. A. Lougjinami, returned South on Monday last. # • • Mm. and Miss Bajfour (Napier) are on a shopping expedition to Wellington, and arei the guests of Mrs. Moorhouse. Miss Balfour's marriage with Mr. Johnson, of Napier takes place very shortly. • ♦ • Miss Nell Cotbrell (Napier) is staying with friends in Wellington. * * * Mrs. Ohas. Howorth (Invercargill) is the guest of Mrs. Frank Waldegrave. Mr. Charles Howorth is very well known as an artist, and his pictures of Stewart Island particularly were greatly admired by the Countess of Ranfurly. • • * Missi N. Skerrett has returned to Hawke's Bay. • • • An Australian writer has a little tosay on the subject of the new uniform for the men-of-war, which has been a much discussed topic lately • — "One of tlhe most striking innovations which have) crept into the Royal Navy for very many yeiars is an accomplished fact. The war ships in Sydney Harbour are painted French grey. We have not yet got quite' used to the loss of the spick and span black hull, v,iifo> tihe fine white line round the bulwarks, and shining brass-work which flashed in the sunshinei. The Royal Arthur looked like a> great grey splodge in the dusk, and the smaller gun boats seem to

have shrivelled up to dull insignificance. A foreign officer (an© can't help these international jealousies) had a good deal to say tbt other day about the mavy in its new grey dress. He mustered his best English: "If dey baint der slheep grey, vy don't dey badnt def officer? I vouJd baint dJean greem!" The "green," is,, froani a foreign standpoint, probably duei to the frank friendliness and hospitality which makes tihe Britisih Islands and the colonies "beyond the seas" a safe place' of refuge for distressed persons from eiveiry country in Europe." * * * The annual picnic oiven b~ Messrs 1 . A. G. Turnbull and Co., to their employees, was held on Tuesday last, in gloriously fine weather. The guests were conveyed to Day's Bay in the Duchess, and the day passed in the happiest manner', with racesi. tugs-of-war, and sports of every description. The tug-of-war was won by the store department after a good battle. Jupp's band supplied music for dancing, and Mr. Arthur Cole and his worthy relative, "Aunt Sally," kept the. youngsters in a, state of delight. Messrs. Hill and Houghton also amused the children with shorts. * * * A game of cricket, was enjoyed after the very excellent luncheon, served in the pavilion, where, later in the daiy, afternoon! tea was also enjoyed. Before leaving for home, a photograph) group was taken by Mr. Daniels, and three hearty cheers were given for Messrs. W. G. Turnbull and Nicholas Reid. The outing wasi thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Mrs. Nicholas Reid was present, and Miss Bendall, Miss Holroyd, Mrs. and the Misses Morrison Mrs. C. E. Fordham, Mrs. and tihe Misses Hislop Mrs. and the Misses Bock, Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Houghton and) many others.