AFTERNOON TEA GOSSIP

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 157, 4 July 1903, Page 12

AFTERNOON TEA GOSSIP

By Little Miss Muffitt.

A deadly insult is offered to Wellington by egregious Eketahuna. Its paper says that the -weather has been so bad lately that "resident® have imagined themselves in Wellington." I thought I heard someone chuckle. # • •

Latest amusement for the ladies of the Northern goldfields is the paperchase. Although a recent paper-chase at Waihi was hunted 1 on foot, the "Telegraph" remarks that "the ladies weire well mounted." This paradox requires robust understandings to give it the necessary point. » * *

Education has its advantages. A Kilbirnie youngster of my acquaintance recently got hold of a bottle of boot polish. He found that it is guaranteed "not to injure the finest kid." He was discovered by ma feeding the boot polish to the baby with a spoon! And when ma spanked him. he showed her the authority on the bottle. . • * *

Curious thing for a boy to be nearly blind in one eye, and not know it, don't you. think? Yet, an oculist who peered: at the pupils' peepers in a Wanganui school recently discovered such a boy. Also, that fifteen per cent, of the boys had defective vision. Either the oculist is scaring up trade, or New Zealanders are a sorry lot optically considered. Of course, an oculist would not be an oculist if every eye was sound would he? * * *

'Tm a bally Yank!" remarked a smart American, at an Eketahuna social the other night. "And I wantasing." They let him sing, and. he did very well. A newly-arrived clergyman was master of the ceremonies and gave out the programme. When things got a little dull his reverence rase, with all solemnity "I now call upon the bally Yank for another song," he said. And you bet the all-fired Amurrikan chortled some more, * * *

Miss Annette Kellermann, the beauteous Australian champion swimmer, is being much photographed just now, and really society girls might do worse than follow her lead, for she looks very charming in her water costume. Miss Kellermann is one of the features in Bland Holt's "Breaking of the Drought," and does a high dive of the sensational variety. Entrepreneurs are rushing pretty Annette with large offers, hut up to now she has refused to leave her native land.

• * « Invercargill has a Gaelic Society. Some "unspeakable Soot" recently sent a letter to it written in his ancient tongue. No one could read it, although the secretary stood at an open window, with his collar off, eating flannel, to give his voice the neoessairy Gaelic tone. On application to the writer, he sent along an antique book. His letter was an account of one of the Scottish raids of the tenth century' He himself was an Irishman!

« « • The ways of Providence are inscrutable. For instance, in the little town of Gilgandra, in Northern Queensland, the rain came not for two long, weary years. One Sunday the desperate clergy prayed for rain, and on Monday all the townsfolk were camped on the roofs of their houses, watching the live stock frofln the back country careering <m the flood water. The Presbyterian minister and some of his faithful flock were camped on Booli Booli Hill, the highest T)oint in the town. During evening prayer, the meenister remarked "0 Lord, we asked for a shower, but this is reedeekilous." ♦ » *

I understand that the New Zealand Rugby TJnion has no law on the subject of wearing artificial teeth while "playing the game." One player, in a country match last week, collided with another. His artificial molars dug themselves into his opponent's forehead, and stayed there until the referee extarcted them. The man who didn't want a double set of teeth was "knocked out," and the referee refused to give the set to its owner until the game was over. Perhaps, that teeth will be included in that section of the laws of football which prohibits players from wearing spikes in their boots.

Blenheim ladies have decided not to go to football matches unless they are run on different lines. The chief Rugby man m the little town has lecerved a note from a representative gn'l saying "If you desire our patronage you must have scats reserved for us, and die&s yourselves decently."

*■ * + Quaint advertisement in a Christchurch paper "Will the young lady who conversed with the American gentleman with the gold teeth, travelling by the express from StudhoJme to Chnstelhurch on Eimpire Day, please write to, etc." Tli© probabilities are that the golden toothed gentleman is either a dentist or is smitten w ith the charms of his fellow passenger. As he is an American, the former is the strongest probability. * * *

Glancing through the annual report of the Toronto Chamber of Commerce, I find that Geelong is in New Zealand, and Adelaide in New South Wales. As this is official and therefore correct I would sugeest that the said Chamber should give a paragraph in its next report about the recent gruesome Maori cannibal feast in Geelong, and the inundation of King William-street, in Adelaide, bv the flooding of the river Murray. It would be so interesting. * • •

The latest labour-saving device is the "electrical chairwoman." You merely set her going, and she scrubs the flooirs. The first importer of this device set the machine in motion, and failed to stop it until it had washed all the oilcloth off a room, scrubbed a hole through the floor, and rooted out the gaspipe. A man who tried to cut the connection with an axe was thrown through the door, and is being patched up. It was the most vigorous charwoman he had met.

* ♦ • Ladies of Gisborne are signing a petition to Government asking them for goodness sake to do something to solve the servant girl problem. They want the Government to import help ladies from Home. Considering that every Mary Ann at Home is hoping to marry an African diamond king, and that Africa is comparatively close to London, there is one chance in 100,000 of getting girls to forego their millionaires to undertake duties for which they would grow too exalted in a fortnight. * * •

lam told that one of Wellington's best-known ladies called on a dressmaker last week, and spoke for an hour on styles of dress for her two daughters. Then, she thanked the dressmaker effusively, and left. She said that, as her daughters received so small an allowance, she was obliged to patronise a cheap dressmaker, and she wanted some ideas. As the husband of the lady is supposed to be thriving wonderfully, it makes one wonder, doesn't it p * * •

Things are not always what they seem. For instance, a week or two back a zealous Melbourne shop-walker, who noticed a lady "getting away" with a parcel, demanded to see the firm's receipt for it. She protested it was inside the parcel, and refused to show it. Police office, presence of tihe husband, and the receipt peacefully lying inside the brown paper. Firm, feeling not at all well, paid on demand of lady's lawyer, £000. Shop-walker ? Oh, where is he ? * * *

The latest "study" added to the curriculm of American ladies' seminaries is the correct way to kiss. Lady lecturers bring their expert knowledge to bear on the "kiss dangerous," the "kiss hygienic," the "kiss frigid," and other kinds of lip salutation. By practical demonstration the kiss professors teach the sweet girl graduate the various forms, but, as yet, no particular ardour has been put into the salutes. To make tihe new study a success, the professors in ladies' colleges should not be ladies. -/■ ¥• —

Blunt Bishop Neligan, on the habit colonial people have of expecting a parson to mould his opinion to that of his flock —"It was not the clergyman's place to say wrhat people liked because they gave him a beggarly pittance of £140 or £200 a year, but to declare the whole Gospel of God. If the people did not like this, and refused to pay the stipend, then he would take the parson away, and lock up the church." This was a nropos of grumblings at Hamilton, Waikato.

•!«. *• * Parliamentary picnickers to the Islands found that the kerosene tin of commerce was the universal portmanteau among the natives. They out the tin longitudinally, and packed their Sunday, lava lava, and other attire m one half, fitting the remaining half on top. Then,, they attach coooanut fibre "straps" and are ready for travel. Talking about kerosene., the wily islander rather favours it as a. tipole when they get tired of oocoanut milk.

On Thursday forenoon, I saw a man dismount from his horse m Adelaideroad. "Here son," he said to a young boy. Son came, and held the bridle. I passed the same spot an hour and twenty minutes later. The man was emerging from a shop. He took a handful of gold and notes and silver from his pocket, and selected a sixpence, which he handed to the bay. Happily for him, before the boy cleared out he espied a threepenny bit. He grabbed the boy, and substituted the threepence for the larger coin. Is he a mean man?

A very pleasant afternoon tea was given last Friday by Mrs. (Dr.) Young, the guests spending a merry afternoon in guessing celebrities. Our hostess received in a pretty ivory silk blouse and cloth skirt. Delicious tea and sweets were served in the dining room; and the table was bright and pretty with early anemones. Mrs. Arthur Young and Miss Tolhurst tied for first prize—a cut glass and silver salt bottle. • * *

Miss Laird (Scotland) who is visiting Mrs. Young, wore a net black brocade with P,ins lace insertion, and Miss Robison and Miss Young assisted with the tea. Other guests were: Mrs. T. Young, Mrs. Wylie, Mrs. and Miss Tolhurst, Miss Denniston (Christchurch), Mrs. and "Miss Macintosh, Mrs. Herdinan, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Donald Robertson, Mrs. Gow, Mrs. Rotheram, Mrs. Hales and Miss Baker, Mrs. and Miss Logan, Mrs. H. Hall, Mrs. (Dr.) Logan, Mrs. and Mrs. Hannay, Mrs. A. R. Holmes, Miss Davie, and many more.

• * • Miss Marjorie Robinson (Nelson) was in Wellington for a few days this week. • * *

Large crowds of the general public have taken advantage of Mr. Harrisons invitation to be present at the term-end open nights and have watched with pleasure and interest the many clever performances by his pupils. First, on Saturday afternoon when almost a hundred children, whose ages ranged from 6 years to 16, went through a series of clever exhibitions including skipping, club swinging, and Sandow work. One could not fail to be impressed with the staunch and altogether healthy appearance of these budding Sandows, and no doubt the physical training they now receive will also make them self-reliant and confident, two of the most important items in a successful business man. • * *

So also with the girls, who performed their work with grace and evident pleasure ; I hear that it is cruel punishment to many of them if kept away from " gym. 7 Specially pretty and clever were the club exercise by a few of the older girls and an exhibition of vaulting by the senior boys. In the evening the floor was occupied by the senior classes, who were most successful in all their efforts. • * ♦

The Sandow evercises were most interesting and much clever work was done on the horizontal and parallel bars. An exhibition of club swinging was loudly applauded and the Sandow grip-dumbbell display was also enjoyed. A running maze was cleverly led and the wand exercises most gracefully gone through. Some daring feats on the rings was performed by the men, several of whom would be excellent advertisements for '"Plasmon."

• * * Fencing classes are being tormed for ladies and should be largely patronised, for this fascinating art is said to have no rival in making one graceful in every movement. Ac Home amongst the smart society girls are many accomplished fencers. • ♦ •

Miss Borlase's Assembly last Tuesday, though not quite so well attended as usual on account of the many counter attractions, was greatly enjoyed by those present. Miss Borlase was wearing black, Mrs. Seymour (Blenheim), black brocaded satin with spangled tulle; Miss Butt, pink silk relieved with Pans lace ; Miss Riley, white muslin ; Miss Roskruge, black silk grenadine ; Miss Danby, Japanese silk ; Miss Trolove (Nelson), white muslin edged with bebe velvet; Miss Poynter, black; Miss Y. Willis, white silk ; Miss Brewer, white spotted muslm ; Miss Blundell, black silk and blue chou ; Miss N. Stuart, pretty silk net over a silk foundation ; Miss Logan, white silk; Miss Holt, blue silk ; Miss Barraud, deep yellow satin ; Miss Turton, pretty black gown relieved with red. • ♦ ♦

Some ot the gentlemen were: Messrs. Bridge, Seymour, Rhmd, Gibbs, Wolters, Butts, Nelson, Sclanders, McLeod, Palmer, Smythe, Kirkby. Nathan, Griffiths, Pye-Smith, and Holmes.

» • * The Victoria College Hockey, Football and Tennis Clubs combined hold their annual ball on Monday, 20th July. Mr. G. S. Prouse has undertaken the pleasant duties of secretary. • * •

An extremely smart coat attracted much attention in Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains' window this week. It was made by the ladies' tailor and fashioned with the very latest in " backs," tight fitting to the waist and then falling gracefully in three large fluted folds to the hem. Zibehne (iron grey in shade) was the material used and this was lined with sky blue brocade and the fronts turned back widely from neck to hem and faced with white

satin, strapped with black bebe ribbon and sky blue Oriental trimming. Much of the smartness was due to the deep cape, beautifully shaped in white satin finished with narrow rows of black velvet The loose pagoda slee\es were lined up with the same blue brocade and a wide insertion of white satin, piped with black velvet was both original and effective A coat similar in style and cut has been very much admired lately, having been worn by Miss Nellie Stewart dining her stay in Wellington.

* * * Mr. and Mrs. Seymour (Blenheim) are visiting Wellington.

* * * Mr and Mrs Camming (Auckland) are staying at Mrs. Castendyk's. Mr. Cumming has succeeded Mr. Jago as Chief Postmaster. * * *

The eageil>-looked-forward-to Mask and Domino Ball came off on Wednesday last, m the Sydney-stieet ila , and pioved, as was anticipated, wholly delightful, and very pretty. The girls, one and all, looked their very best, foi nothing is moie becoming than 'powdei and patches." Dominos were, ot course, worn by everyone, and many ot the men cutely added wigs as well as masks, thereby defeating their most intimate fnends in their efforts to identify At eleven o'clock, halt-way through a set of Lancers, the masks weie lemoved, amidst much fun and laughter. The guests were not foimallv lcceived but the girl-hostesses had piovided plenty of partners, and everyone had an enioyable time. The hall was very tastefully decorated with festoons ot yellow silk, and the stage and anterooms furnished for those sitting-out, were beautified w ith palms. Supper, in the o-ymnasium, was arranged at several small tables each very sweetly decorated w ith violets and anemones, and pretty glasses. Minifies orchestra supplied good mu-nc. and dancing was kept im with great spirit until 1.00 a m The chapero-ies were Mcedames Macintosh, Finch, Tolhurst. MacGiegor, Raw son, Nelson, and Miss C oates. ■+ "* Miss Finch was admired m a pretty pink silk gown, with ciimson flowers, and a white domino. Her sister woie blue also lehcved with flow ©is Miss Tolhui^t., in a white silk gown and Miss G. Reid also wore whate. Miss M. Simpson's pretty dress was of pale pink satin Miss Macintosh was in white and a white domino. Miss A. Macintosh woie pale yellow 'ilk and a pretty blue domino. Miss Nelson wore white Miss Miles, a pretU satin gown. Miss MacGregor was in oJ

gold silk Miss A. Ra-nson, wlute Eiik gown and white embroidered domino. Miss E. Raw son wore pale blue silk and lace. Miss Olive Raw son was m ivory A stnkmg domino was worn by Miss M Fell (white and black silk)), over a piettv gown. Miss May Blundell was m white silk; Miss R. Butt, a domino of iod Roman satin, over a pretty mnk gown. Miss Logan looked well in a domino of lilac silk, over a pale erey =ilk gown. Miss Olive Gore^ was admiied in pale blue satm. Miss Grace Rile\ w-oie cream silk net, Miss F. Marchant, in pale pink, and Miss M. Mai chant in blue, both looinng exceedingly nice. Miss Howard, in a becoming black gown. Three Christelm ich visitors were present—•M^ss Molmeux wearing ere am satin . Miss, Thomas, also in white, and Miss Denm«ton, a pretty satm gown. Miss N. Davie woie white chiffon, over satm. Miss J. Skenett was in white. Miss Seed w ore pink , Miss May Seed, a becoming lace gown, Miss May Seddon, in cieam brocade, Miss W. Eliott, in white silk. Miss Olive Mills, m pink Mlk. Miss Etame Ward wore white, Mi^s Alice Gibbes, a pretty cieam gown. Miss Stafford wore pink, and Miss E. Stafford, blue silk. Miss E. Joseph was in w lute silk ; Miss New aJI. a. pretty gown of sulk, softened with tulle Mss E MacTavish, pale yellow silk Miss G. Harcourt in white. Miss L Ew-en w ore black satin. The Misses Waldegrave had on pretty white tulle eowns, and eau-de>-nil silk doimnos. Many others were present, but one had very little time to recognise them.

Some of the gentlemen were The officers of H.M.S. Lizard, Drs. Webster, Ulrich, Herbert. Putnam, and Messrs. Tolhurst, Nelson, Harvey, Hjorring, Knklev, Stout, Rawson Harcourt, James R. Robeitson, Jacobs, Gibbes, Butt Sclanders. Burnett, Spencer, Allan, Guffiths, Kilhck, Bridge, etc.

A very pretty wedding was solemnised at St. Peter's Church, Wellington, on Tuesday, June 23rd, when Mr. George Leonard Wakelin, fourth son of Mr. R. A. Wakehn, Wellington South (formerly of Greytown), sawmiller, was united to Miss Evelyn E. Stone, second daughter of Mr. Stone, of the Inspector of Machinery's Department. Miss Stone, who had been for seven years librarian at the Greytown Library, was presented with a wedding gift in the form of a purse of sovereigns by the residents of that town. The officiating clergymen were the Rev. Allan M. Johnson, vicar of Greytown North, and the Re\ . Davies, of St. Peter's, Wellington. The bride's gown was most

becomingly made of figured ivory voile with chiffon silk trimmings. A tulle veil was worn over a wreath of orange flowers, and a lo\ely shower bouquet was carried. * * * The bridesmaids were the Misses Lilian and Hilda Stone, who were attired in dresses of white figured silk, with white picture hats and charming bouquets of red berries and autumn leaves. The best man was Mr. N. Wakehn, and Mr. T. Blackwood assisted as groomsman. The bridegroom's piesent to his bride was a gold necklace and amethyst pendant, and to the maids gold necklets with wishbone pendants. The bride's gift to her husband was a handsome gold watch. • A leception was afterwards held at Godbei's rooms, when the health of the bride and bridegroom was proposed in a very felicitous speech by the Eev. A. M. Johnson, in which he remarked on the great loss Greytown would sustain by the removal of Miss Stone. The wedding gifts, costly and numerous, were much admired. The honeymoon is being spent in Wanganui and the bride's going away dress was of dark green cloth with cream satin vest and large white felt hat trimmed with lace and grapes. Mrs. Stone received the guests in a handsome gown of black poplin relieved with cream lace and a bonnet to match.

* * * Miss Edith Cooke, the well-known masseuse of Hanmer Springs, was recently married to Mr. Cogan, of tlhe s.s Taiyuan (China Navigation Company). The wedding was quietly celebrated, and took place from the residence of Mrs. Arthur Longden, Neutral Bay, Sydney. The honeymoon was spent up the Blue 1 Mountains.

•* * * Mr. T. K. Sidey, M.H.R., was, on the 17th June, married to Miss Helena Baxter, of Dunedin. * ■* *

The marriage of Mr. Ernest W. Hitcihmgs, Palmerston North, and Miss Lilian Bell, second daughter of tlhe late Mr. James Bell, was celebrated at All Saints' CJiuroh, on June 17th. ■* * * The engagement has been announced of Mr. Edmund Broad to Miss Edith Waddy, Blenheim. •* * *

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blundell have returned from a round of visits in the Marlboroueh district. Their fine house on Talavera Terrace is almost completed.

Miss Alison (Takapuna) is visiting Wellington, and intends to remain for the greater part of the session. Continued on page 16.