Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 139, 28 February 1903, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

SUCH a fashionable house — full dress even in the pit' — such intense curiosity, and such excitement were surely never before witnessed hi Wellington as greeted MeJba at her conoer on Monday night. From the Empire Hotel to the Opera House, whither the singer was driven in the smartest of equipages — footmen, outriders, and all — the streets were crowded with people, having nothing better to do straining for a glimpse of the lady fair. And, she is fair to see, too. Gowned in that exquisite Parisian dress of indescribably-delicate colouring, smothered with lovely lace, and still more lovely diamonds, and rose-oolour-ed embroideries, one realised that at any rate the reports had not over-rated her appearance, and we waited expectantly to hear her marvellous voice. * # * Another pleasant surprise, too. was the singer's graceful response to the vociferous applause and floral tributes. Of heir songs, I was especially charmed with Tosti's " Good - bye," for, in addition to perfection of art, there was just that touch of pathos which in tlie others was lacking. Th© charming little harpist in her simple, white, spangled gown, looked little more than a ohild, and won all our hearts with her music. • * • In the very large audience, I noticed The Premier and Mrs. and the Misses Seddon, Mrs. Travers, Miss Coleridge, Mrs. and Miss Grace and Miss Sculley, Mr. and Mrs. R. Loughnan, Mr. and Mrs. A. Pearce Mrs. Duncan, Mrs Caselbearg Mrs. Findlay. Mr. Robert Parker, Mrs. and the Misses Parker, Mrs. Wickhiam, the Hon. W. C. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Amelms Smith and Mrs. L. Pharazyn, Mr. and Mrs. Abbot Mr. and Mrs. MacEwan, Mrs. Ronayne Mr and Mrs. Arthur Young, and Miss

Simpson. In fact, I might extend the list to several columns, for everybody seemed to be there. * y- *■ Mrs. Miles gave a pleasant afternoon tea on Wednesday last week, fen." Mrs. Scott, the charming little 1 American wife of the clever artist now touring New Zealand. A large number of guests weire received, and music added to the enjoyment. The tea-table was a picture with, vases of sweet-peas, the various shades being exquisite, and disihes of dainty sweets and sandwiches. * *■ •* Mrs. Miles was in black voile, and silk ; the Misses Miles, in pretty silk blouses and dark skirts. Miss Rowland also wore a silk blouse and voile skirt. Some of the guests were Mrs. Scott, Mrs. and Miss Ewan, the latter wearing a most becoming dress of rose voile, with insertions of Paris lace, and a black picture hat. Mrs. Riley wore a grey gown, and Miss Riley was m pale blue • Mrs. Findlay in a, dove-coloured gown, beautifully made, with straps of pale blue velvet, and touches of rose pink . Mrs. MaoEwan. Mrs. StaiFord, Mrs. Wickham, Mrs. Fulton, were also amonest those present. * • • The_ Misses Seddon's afternoon tea, for Miss Gilmer, on Friday last, was a very jolly and successful function. The pretty rooms were beautifully decorated with flowers and in the entrance hall

large, white tiger lilies were artistically arranged. Sweet-peas and maidenhair, in silver bowls, stood here and there amongst the dainty sweets on the tea-table, and a visit to the greenhouse was rewai-ded with bunches of refreshing grapes. * * *- Fortune-telling produced a little excitement in the study, and some mus'c was enjoyed m the drawing-room, while on the lawn quoits and ping-pong were played by the more energetic. Miss Seddonj and her sister sang; also the M-sses Maginmity, Skerrett, Mee. and Webb. The guests were received in the drawing-room. • • « Miss Seddon wore a gown of ivory voile, with sash of pompadour silk. Miss May Seddon was in pale blue voile with Vandykes of white insertion. Mrs! Bean, who is visiting her parents, also assisted in entertaining, and looked well in a graceful black voile skirt and cream silk blouse. Mrs. Dyer wore navy blue voile, and a, black hat. Miss Gilmer's lovely gown was of white voile, with lace insertions, and a deep collar of point d'esprit net, and a stylish red cloth hat, trimmed with foliage and berries, was worn with this. * * * Miss F. Gilmer looked dainty in a white cloth gown, strapped with green, and a black picture hat. Miss Skerrett wore a pretty pale green costume,

and hat to match ; Miss J. Skerrefct, a lovely laoe robe over heliotrope. Miss Mandl was in pale blue vodle, and a black hat ; Miss Edwards, a pretty gown of orepe de ohine, and picture hat. Miss McGregor was in a navy blue tailor-made. Miss Simpson, also wore a becoming blue costume, with blue and white silk revers. The Misses Brandon wore pale pink gowns. * * Miss Marohant was m a blue muslin diess and pretty hat. Miss Kane had on floral muslin. Miss Mills was in white, and her sister in biscuit muslin. Miss Tolhurst was in a white, embroidered muslin gown; Miss McClatohie (Ohristchurch) pale green orepe de chine with appliques of Limerick lace and hat of pale green, with bandeau of lace and trails of wisteria. Miss Waldegrave wore a pretty gown of cream voile with lace vest, and a wide, white hat. Miss Bertha Miles was in white silk. Miss Nelson also wore white silk. * * » Miss Stafford wore white cloth, with handsome silk vest ; Miss Effie Stafford pale blue insertiomed gown. Miss E Magmnity looked well in black voile' with blue chou, and pale blue hat. Miss &. Page was in white muslin, and large hat. Miss Heywood wore a dainty blue gown ; Miss E. Heywood, a charmang white silk gown, and cerise sash. Miss Macintosh was in pale pink linen. Miss E. Bendall wore a stylish grass lawn dress, with lace) collar and hat to match • heir sister was in a pretty silk blouse and black skirt. Moss O'Connor, the Misses 81/undell, the Misses Shannon, Miss Chatfield, Miss Curtis and the Misses Nathan were also amonie the guests. • • • Mrs. Fitohett has gone on a visit to fneinds in the South Island. • * • A very pretty wedding was quietly celebrated on Wednesday last week, at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, when Mr D Hannatty (of Messrs. E. W. MiHs and Co. s staff) was married to Miss Julia Ootch. onK daughter of Mr. E. W. Gotch, "Wadestown. The ceremony was performed hv the Rev. H. Stealey. The bride looked charming in a white silk gown, richly trimmed with Honiton lace, and she wore the customary orange flowers, and a real lace veil. Her shower bouquet was of white carnations and maiden-hair fern. * * * The bridesmaids were : Miss Ivy Chinchen who wore a blue voile gown and (Continued on page 11.)

pictuie hat, and the Misses Ada Barnett and Mabel Poynter who were both dressed in cream silk frocks and Leghorn hats. Their gifts from the bridegroom were sold brooches, and to the bride lie gave a gold necklet and cross. Mr. Drury acted as best man. After the ceremony, a reception, was held at Godber's rooms. Among the numerous gifts were valuable presents from the .firm and staff. • • • Miss Pearson, who lias been visiting Mrs,. Houghton (Auckland) for several weeks, has returned to Wellington. • • • Miss Ruby Seddon has now quite recovered from her recent illness. • • • Miss Wilson, of Myrtle Crescent, is spending a holiday at Rotorua and .Auckland. • * * Miss Webb-Bowen was 1 amongst the kelson visitors who came over to hear Madame Melba. • * * One of the prettiest ballets produced for many years is the "fan dance," introduced in "Dick Whittmgton," at Her Majesty's theatre, Melbourne. First come the Egyptian maidens, with quaint rich dresses aaid still quainter headdresses, waving large palm fans in their hands the original and primitive 1 method of cooLinc the heated features in the warm shadow of the pyramids. The hand of time moves forward a space, and chrysanthemum-decked Japanese girls trip in, clad in brightly-flowered kimonas. * * * The maidens of sunny Spain come next; all of them are most ethereally dressed in fanlike skirts of black net, much bejewelled with silver sequins , on their shoulders are fanlike epaulette®, and on their heads are also fans. They carry large fans in their hands also mi black and silver, and the effect as they move about in the graceful dance is most bewildering. » » * The birth of the fan in France is shown in three pastel tints of mauve*, pale blue, and pink, the colour combination heightened with the introduction of silver and ecold sequins. For the closing evolutions a large fan forms the background through which peep children's faces 1 , like framed pictures, renresentative of the Wctteau period. Th© fans of other nations, all grouped on each side, go to complete a most delightful picture. [Continued on page 13.)

What a sweet relief it is to have a refreshing cup of tea after an afternoon's shopping, and now Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains have added a further charm in supplying music at their handsome new tea rooms, On each afternoon last week the Italian trio of musicians, who play so beautifully, were stationed just on the landing outside the tea rooms, and their music was highly appreciated. » * * Mrs. O'Connor's " At Home " on Wednesday last week was most enjoyable, as her entertainments always are. The garden is looking very gay just now, and the guests found great pleasure in wandering round admiring the flowers Inside the house masses of beautiful cactus dahlias were arranged in tall vases, and looked very lovely. A string band played some fi»e valse ma&ie, and tea was laid in the dining room. The centre of eau-de-nil silk formed a pretty contrast to the vases of bright yellow flowers. • * • Mrs. O'Connor received in a handsome black silk gown, with lovely lace, and bonnet relieved with white and pink. Miss O'Connor's gown was of grey silk voile, tucked and trimmed with insertion of lace. Among the guests were Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Martin Kennedy, Miss €oates, Miss Brandon, Miss Izard, Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. Hunt, and Miss Scully. • * * Mrs. Hosking (Master.toir) has been visiting friends in Wellington. * r * Miss N. Drummond (Kilbirnie) intends visiting friends in Wairarapa for a month or two. » • • Have you seen the new coats ? It would be difficult indeed to pass Kirkcaldie and Stains' window without seeing them, for they are so strikingly smart that they attract your gaze however hard you try to resist the temptation. This year we are to wear three-quarter military coats, and no amount of description can do justice to their smartness — wide backs caught in with the military strap, fastened with plain gold buttons ; the fronts can be either buttoned cosily up to the neck or fastened back on either side with the same gold buttons. The pockets are finished with buttoned and stitched flaps and the sleeves have a wide stitched cuff ; but the chief feature of the coats are the capes, composed of few or many narrow flat lapels, falling gracefully over the shoulder. • * • One coat in dark iron grey that I saw was strapped with narrow black velvet bands ; pockets, caps, etc., were also of velvet, and the buttons were of oxydised silver and very pretty. This was very quickly sold to one of Wellington's most stylish dressers, but many of the other coats are equally attractive. • • • Zibeline, the material of the day, is used largely for coats. It is excellent for wear, and is light and warm. A snowflake zibeline coat was much admired, with stitched seams, military cape, and wide sleeves, and belt fastened with the inevitable gold buttons. These coats are very dressy, though serviceable. • • * In less expensive makes the tailoring is equally excellent, and mixed tweeds are substituted for zibeline. They have the same shaped military collars, strapped back, and wide sleeves, and are lined with plaid in colours corresponding with the tweed. One coat of dove grey had the capes lined and embroiderd in white silk, which looked delicately pretty. Another new coat, for those who prefer a shorter one, is the " San Toy." These are being much worn in Australia and are fashioned of cloth or zibeline, just to reach the hips in length, and have no collar — just a wide stitched band, sometimes of contrasting colour, continued down the fronts from the neck. The sleeves are wide at the wrist, and finished in the same way. • • * Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains have also j"ust opened up the finest of costumes in rich brown, reds, and all the fashionable shades. One very beautiful gown was of ripolene quite the latest thing in cloths, and unlike anything I have seen before. It is a hairy, silky material, essentially "wintry," but light. This model was in a rich brown shade, made of course with the American long pouched front, and tabbed jockey back, wide sleeves and shaped collar, from under which fell a another collar in heavy silk guipure. The bodice and skirt were both smartly strapped with a darker shade of velvet, which also formed the Swiss belt. Ornamental buttons were stitched on the tabbed straps. This was but one of many lovely costumes. Another was of violet cloth, piped with moss green velvet, and having the stylish long basque. Others were in fleched zibeline and snow-flake

npelene, all beautifully tailored and finished. One was particularly smart, having the appearance of the "new bolero " at the back, and in front a long pouched bodice. * • ♦ One of the prettiest weddings ever celebrated in Wellington was the marriage on Tuesday last of Miss Dorothea Gilmer, elder daughter of Mr. Hamilton Gilmer, to Mr. Charles Ziele, of Christchurch. The ceremony was performed at "Fern Glen," Mr. Gilmer's residence on the Terrace, the hall being arranged to represent the chancel of a church, and decorated with tall palms and greenery. Over the bride and bridegroom was suspended a large white floral bell. The guests lined the hall, and the bridal party came down the stairway to the strains of appropriate music, played by a string band. As the bridesmaids stood on one side of the stairs, to allow the bride to pass, they made the prettiest ot pictures, their charming dresses showing to great advantage. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked lovely in a gown of white duehesse satin draped with flounces of rose point lace and accordeon pleated chiffon. The long train was entirely composed of chiffon frills over satin and her lovely veil of Limerick lace was the gift of her mother. A shower bouquet of white roses, carnations and maiden hair fern completed the toilet. She also wore a handsome diamond star pendant, the gift of the bridegroom. k Her bridesmaids were: her sister, Miss Florrie Gilmer, Miss Alice McClatchie (of Christchuroh), and Miss Mary Stuart Seddon, whose dresses were cream crepe de chine over Louisine silk, with innumerable tucked frills and lace insertions. Over the pretty bodices they wore deep, graceful capes, also of lovely lace, reaching almost to the waist and finished with a large deep pink rose. Their picture hats were of pale blue beaver with panne rosettes and blue wings, and they carried bouquets of pink roses and sweet pea and blue chiffon streamers. Their presents from the bridegroom were pearl and turquoise pendants. Mr. Price acted as best man and Messrs. W. Bethune and S. H. Gilmer were groomsmen. * * * At the wedding breakfast, served in the dining-room, the decorations consisted chiefly of blue shaded hydrangeas and maiden-hair, which harmonised with the colouring of the room. The toast of "The Bnde" was proposed by the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. and was re>sponided to by the bridegroom. Other toasts were proposed by Drs. Collins and Gilmer, and Mr. Martin Kennedy. A splendid collection of presents were arranged in the smoking-room, and! were much admired by everyone. During the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. C. Ziele left for Christohurch, which is to be their home, the bride wearing a grey panne cloth gown, with vivid green vest and pipings, and a grey hat with green wings and panne rosettes. * * • Mrs. Hamilton Gilmer wore a handsome gown of black orepe de ohine, relieved with black velvet and lac© medallions, a cape of guipure lace, and a black bonnet, with cream panne and lace rosettes. She carried a bouquet of white roses and sweet-peas. Amongst the guests were • Mrs. Seddon, in. a, lovely gown, of black with panels of white brocade, and a black and white bonnet , Miss May Seddon, in a pastel pink voile gown, and lace collar, and a burnt-straw hat and roses. Mrs. Frank Dwyer wore black voile , Mrs. Bean, a fawn dress, with green pipings. Mrs. Collins wore a pretty heliotrope gown, and hat to match. Mrs. Henry had on a blaick vode sown, with touches of orange in her hat. Mrs. Gibbs wore white cloth. Mrs. (Dr.) Gilmer wore pale blue crepe de chine, and a black picture hat.

The monster picnic and sports, to he held at the Porirua Athletic Club's grounds on St. Patrick's Day, will be held under the auspices of the Wellington Hibernian Society, which is arranging for special trains to run on that occasion. "What is described as a gigantic absolute unreserved sale of a bankrupt jeweller's complete stock in trade is that announced in our columns to be held by Messrs. Macdonald. Wilson and Co., at their rooms on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next, commencing each day at 12 o'clock. Under instructions from the Deputy-Official Assignee, Blenheim, in the bankrupt estate of W. J. Sandford. the whole of the stock-in-trade comprising gold and silver watches, diamond and and other rings, studs, sleevelinks, bracelets, bangles, brooches, silver ware and c.p. ware, fancy goods, optical goods, etc. The catalogue, which can be had on application, contains nearly 1000 lots. A gaslight display will be held on Saturday and Monday evenings from 7.30 to 9 o'clock.

The Wellington Physical Training School and Gymnasium have greatly increased in popularity and utility sine© Mr. Bennie Dovey, its gold medallist instructor, came from London to take up the work. The school deserves suocessi, for it has not only developed the physique of its pupils in a remarkable manner, but has been the means, in many cases, of restoring pupil® to robust health. The instruction, scientifically undertaken by the most competent mami available, is not tendered with the object of making expert show gymnasts of the pupils, although, of course, trick work may be learned. The main object of the school is to bring its pupils to the highest poaht of physical perfection, making it practically impossible for a disease germ to gain a footing on a healthy subject. * * * Particular care is exercised in the training of children, so that the weak may not be overtaxed, and so, gradually, without hurt, have their physical poweirs and health increased. I"h© organisation is very complete, seven instructors being detailed for squad work, under Mr. Dovey. One of the features of the school is the large number of ladies' who have joined, and who are gaining greatly in grace and the beauty attained only by the possession of physical health.