Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 143, 28 March 1903, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

THE departure of the Squadron left things rather flat socially and nothing to cause excitement is being taJked about. Of course, there have been several small teas, and some "farewelhng." Miss Ettie Magmnity, for instance, had a very pleasant sendoff. A number of people watched the embarking of the: passengers by the Rimutaka, amongst those who left for England being Mrs. and Miss Eigginson, who will be away several months, and Miss Magmnaty, who intends to study hard at her profession. • • • Mrs. C. Howarth, who has- been visiting Mrs. F. Waldegrave, returned to Invercargill last week. • « • Mrs. Stott has returned from her visit to Auckland. • * * Lovers of stage sensations must have had a good time in watching the startling episodes of "Man to Man," as represented by the Fitzmaurice Gill Company, at the Opera House. The wrecked train, with its accompaniment of crimson hehts and screaming women, is very realistic. • • • Miss Fitzmaunce Gill is a pastmistress in the art of graceful posing. and wears some very charming dresses. Her first appearance is made in a trailingl gown, of soft, white muslin, with a deep cape collar of lace. Her next gown was her wedding-dress, of ivory satin, worn with a becomingly-arranged veil of lace In the following act, three very pretty dresses were worn. One particularly pleasing wasi of skvblue crepe-de-chine, made in the pretty semi-Empire, high-waisted style, with rucked skirt and hanging sleeves and deep lace fichu. • * ■* A gown of black crepe, with wide transparent yoke and tight-fitting

slee\ es of cieam lace, was worn in the accident, scene, and our last glimpse of this graceful actress levealod a dress of rose pink satin, the skirt rucked round the hips, and finished with a tucked and lace-edged flounce. A large black pictuie hat was worn with it • • • Miss Lavinia Dove plays the coquettish old maid in a lavender gown, aiul Miss Kate Gair, who is a Wellington girl (otherwise Miss Kate Wnsglesworth), made a bright and pretty maid. Miss Mylrae' as the Gipsy, looked picturesque in a brightly-coloured frock.

The GirLs' High School Old Girls' Association held their annual tea on Saturday afternoon m the central hall, which was most tastefully arranged. Miss McLean presided, and the report was lead by the secretary. Miss H. Sanderson. A new committee was elected for Hie year, and a letter from Madame Naverne (nee Miss Hamilton) was listened to w th great pleasure by the girls. • • « When all the business part of the nrogramme had been dispensed with, delicious afternoon tea, with ca.kes and s i idw iches, was handed round bv the

committee. Many small tables werearranged about the hall, each being laden with tempting sweets and brightened with flowers. There was a splendid muster of "old girls," and the reunion, was a great success. A most enjoyable concert programme was contributed by Mrs. B. M. Wilson, Misses Davidson, Chantrey-Harris, Bendall, Warburton, Tabuteau, Sanderson, Kirkcaldie, Richardson, and K. Mowatt. * * • The Misses Cargill, of Dunedin who some years ago established tea rooms in Home, have many friends in New Zealand, who will be very pleased to hear of the marriage of Miss J. Cargill tofeignor de Pozza an eminent artist and portrait painter, of Rome. * * • Many North Islanders will be interested to hear of the marriaee of Miss Isabel Rutherford, the eldest daughter MI- ii-7' utherf ord, M.H.C of Mendip Hills Canterbury, and Mr C Robinson, of Cheviot. The ceremony which was an exceedingly pretty one' was performed in a large marquee erected for the occasion, and beautifully decorated with flowers and foliage The Rev. W. R. Campbell, assisted" by the ■ttev. J. F. Snee, were the oflioiating clergymen. The bride was given away by her father and looked lovely gowned in rich ivory satin draped with flounces or ttomiton lace, transparent yoke, and pretty chiffon sleeves finishing the bodice, and the trained skirt had flounces of aceordeon-pleated chiffon. A wreath of white heather was worn under an exquisite veil, a,nd the bride carried a shower bouquet, and also wore a diamond and pearl necklace and handsome marquise ring, the gifts of the bridegroom. * * • Her attendants were the Misses Emily and Ethel Rutherford and Bessie Robinson, who wore soft white silk and lace frocks, large esorit net collars and white hats trimmed with velvet and geraniums. Their gifts from the bridegroom were pearl and turquoise brooches. Two dainty maidens, the Misses Amuri and Gretcbe«, Rutherford, acted as flower-girls, frocked in white muslin. and carrying floral crooks. Mr. A. Robinson was best man. • * • At the conclusion of the ceremony, the "Wedding March" was played by Miss Ross, and the wedding breakfast was served, the tables being tastefully decorated with choice white flowers. The many handsome wedding gift®, display(Continued on page 13 )

Ed in the drawing-room, were admired bj the guests. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are spending their honeymoon dow n South. The bride's travelling gown of blue voile, was most becoming and her pretty hat, of white astrakhan, was trimmed with one effectively-ai-ranged bird A veiy enjoyable dance was given by Mr. Rutherford, the marquee, lighted " with Chinese lanterns, proving an excellent ball-room. * * * The engagements are announced of Miss Amy Roberts, eldest daughter of Mr. John Roberts, Littlebourne House, Dunedin, to Mr Menlove (Oamaru) ; and Miss Y. Campbell, fourth daughter of Mrs. Michael Campbell, Christchurce, to Mr. Hope, who but recently arrived from England. Sir William and Miss Y. Russell were in town this week to meet Lieutenant W. R. Russell, who arrived from Capetown by the Tonganro. Lieutenant Russell is on furlough. • ♦ * Mr. H P. Tuckey left by the "Surrey" for South Africa. Mi. Tuckey, who held a captain's commission in one of the N.Z, Contingents, has accepted a good appointment in Africa. -+*■•"- Mrs. and Miss B. Edwards leave on Saturday for England via China and Japan. They will be away for a year and return by way of \menca. # * * Mrs. Stott, has returned from Auckland. * *■ * Mrs. A. Pratt has been visiting Wellington and is at present the guest of Mrs. Moss, Karon. # Mr. Scott, an English artist, and his wife have been " doing " the various beauty spots in New Zealand, and are most enthusiastic in their praise. It is very pleasant to hear that our little country compares so favourably with the other picturesque spots of the world. Indeed, many say that in point of river scenery New Zealand can hold its own anywhere. After a little more travelling in the South Island, Mr. and Mrs. Scott intend returning Wellington, where they will remain for some months. * * * The deepest sympathy has been extended to the Rev. Llewellyn Dove in the loss of his young wife, who was the youngest daughter of Bishop Hadfield, expnmate of New Zealand. It is scarcely two years since Mrs. Dove took his bride to Hunterville, where they resided until a few months ago, leaving there with the intention of going Home. The trip was postponed on account of Mrs. Dove's illness. During their life in Hunterville both Mr. and Mrs. Dove were extremely popular with the parishioners, who were quick to perceive Mrs. Dove's land and sympathetic nature. The circumstances are particularly sad, for Mrs. Dove's infant daughter is only six months old. • • • Whilst in Sydney, Lady Ward and Miss Eileen Word were the guests of Sir Edmund and Lady Barton at the performance of "Zaza" by Miss Nellie Stewarts Company. It is said to be a

" one woman " play, and Miss Stewart wears five equally lovely and becoming costumes. First, a simple but very "Frenchy" gown of mauve and white muslin is worn with a ruffle of mousseline-de-soie, tipped with crimson poppy petals, and a toque trimmed at one side with a large crimson poppy. A ballet dress of crimson satin, with true lover's knots of black jet, causes rather a sensation. A picture hat to match is fastened to her short fair wig with diamond pins. Her black stockings are embroidered in jet, and the shoes worn have bright red heels. * * * Another gown is of red chiffon over which is worn a cuirass body and skirt of white cloth slashed to disclose billowy flounces of chiffon beneath. In the -last act Miss Stewart wears an exquisite Parisian gown of white glace veiled and draped with tawny lace. The long angel sleeves reach almost to the ground, and the large picture hat is of the same lace fastened with diamond buckles. * * * Two popular Sydney girl-artists, who have been "doing" New Zealand pretty thoroughly with their cameras and sketch books, entertained their friends in a delightful fashion on their return to Sydney. Invitations were issued by them for an At Home at their studio "to view New Zealand scenery." All their charming sketches were displayed and greatly admired and the clever hostess added to the enjoyment by describing briefly the wonders of Rotorua and the famous Wai mangu Geyser. Their collection of quaint curios was greatly envied, and many of the guests made up their minds on the spot to take the advice of these girls and trip over to New Zealand next hot season and have a real jolly holiday.

That old favourite, smacking as it does of the salt sea spray, the King's Na\y and worried virtue, "The Harbour Lights," occupied th© Fitzmaurice Gill Company and the boards of the Opera House for the first time on Wednesday night. You know the plot. It is like ten thousand others. Murder by a villain, accusation of a pure and spotless hero, doubts, rrusigivings, falling mow, and tattered garments, hero's soulful prayer, heroine's hard part, smiles chasing sobs, and all the good old harrowma; business, interestingly wrought up tot moving situations, and in the hands of artists who miss no points. Mr. Ohas. Blake, as the dashing hero, and suspected 1 murderer, Lieut. Kmgsle^ is sustaining a good reputation., and Miss Fitzmaurice Gill, as Dora Vane, clothesi her well-chosen part with interest. All the players dot excellent work, and the surroundings 1 of the "Harbour Lights" suggest -oossibihties for scenic offeots which are fully availed of by this fine company. * * * Harry Queally, of Pollard's Opera Company, does not intend returning to New Zealand from South Africa but is erorae; to try his fortune in the London Hail Is. They say Mis» May Beatty, at present with Musgrove's Comic Opera Company in Melbourne is likely to reioin the Pollard Opera> Company at an early date.