Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 186, 23 January 1904, Page 8

Social Gossip.

By Christabel.

THE annual swimming sports in connection with the Star Boating Club came off on Saturday afternoon, and provided a very pleasant entertainment for the members, and a large number of lady guests. The day was exceptionally bright and calm — an ideal one for water sports and the programme was very interesting. Half way through an adiournment was made to the club-room, where really delicious tea and cakes were handed round. Some of those present were : — Mrs>. Bridge, Mrs. Bucholz, Miss Baker, the Misses Fell, Miss Otterson, Miss Fitzgerald, the Misses Elliott, Miss Burnett, Miss Knight (Auckland), Miss Blundell, Mrs. and Misses Brown, Miss Hickson, Miss Staite (Gisborne), Miss Henry, Miss Richardson, and the Misses Turner. • • Miss Stead (Christchurch) and Miss. M. Elworthy passed through Wellington last week. # * * The marriage of Miss Louie Kettle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. Kettle, Napier, and Mr. Hawkins is arranged for February 9th. ■* * • Dr. and Mrs. McCallum (Feildmg) leave on February 6th for Sydney, where they join the North German boat Frederick de Grossey, for England. * * * Summer sales are commencing, and soon will be in full swing. Wise women will depart to the seaside, and save their superfluous cash — far from the maddening temptations of the too fascinating bargains. There are many who thoroughly enjoy the scramble of the annual sales as much as any footballer does his game of Rugby, and who exhibit with pride the prizes of battle

at the end of the clay. When, bargainhunting, it is just as we'l to consider what will be worn in the futuie, and buy accordingly. Brown is to be the prevailing colour, we are told, and velveteen the material par excellence — 'f not for whole gowns, then for coatees and strapping — -and theie is a slight levival of the graduating bc..:ds of velvet on the skirt. Soft mateiials will be favouied for blouses, so if any blouse lengths of ciepe-de-chme are "going begging" it would be wise to become a.c possessor ; also any remnants of lace — good lace and in good widths — for it would come in for the deep lace cuffs, reaching from the wrist to the elbow, which are chaiacteiistic of the latest blouse. Charming cuffs cf tliis description can be made from odd scraps of narrow chine ribbon and lace, or from ribbon alons if clever fingers can manage the herring-bone stitch between. * * * The latest in millinery is said to be the "remnant hat," go called because of the numerous odds and ends that adorn ifc. Scraps of old lacs, an odd flower or two, suggestions of chiffon, and a border of fur, can be so cunningly arranged as to form a charming whole, but it requires a master hand to combine a variety of materials and colours, so the "remnant hat" is scarcely a success when attempted by the amateur. The green and blue combination is to be popular, we are told, and a peep at one or two of the newest hats convinces me that it will be so. Brown and green is another combination that will prevail. ♦ * * An Australian tells me that every year, when the flannel daisy is m bloom, a large bunch is packed and sent Home to Lady Carrington who loved the flower above all others. The yearly bouquet is ai little token of affection, for the Countess was very much liked during her husband's term of Governorship in New South Wales. Strangely, the flowers always arrive just in time for her birtnday and are one of the most appreciated gifts. * * * Wellington is not the only place in the world which possesses eccentric human; beings fond of taking their jokes in an unorthodox manner. In London, recently a well-known athlete offered, for a wager of £500, to do a real "cake walk" from the Trocadero Restaurant to Hyde Park and back between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wonder if he was any relation of the

sandwich-board man, who paraded the streets here in immaculate attire, eyeglass and all. * * * A clever, versatile, and entertaining gni, residing in a Northern town, has cultivated a talent very much neglected by most people — the art of whistling. It is a great pleasure to listen to her sweet, soft notes as she accompanies herself on the piano, whistling operatic airs, coon songs, etc., with very great expression. There are many advantages in this accomplishment, as one does not need to buy music, or carry it. and when, as m this case, the cultivated notes are clear as a. bird's, the w lustier is in great demand. Mrs. Roland Robertson has been staying with friends at Napier. Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Beere have returned from their honeymoon, and are residing at Goldie's Brae, Grant-road. * * * The marriage of Miss Fry. Feilding, to Mr. Charles Lance is to take place very shortly. After the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Lance return to India. * * • In this glorious weather one welcomes a cool drink. Try this recipe for a "pa-sset" much loved by our grandmothers, but seldom heard of now-a-days. This one well repays) the slight trouble of preparation. Squeeze the juice of two lemons into a china bowl. Sweeten to a syrup, add a little brandy. Boil a quart of milk or cream, or half milk and half cream, with a bit of orange peel in it. Remove the peel. When cool put the cream in, a clean china teapot, and pour it over the syrup holding the pot at a good height. Make the passet the day before it is wanted. • * » Another engagement of interest just announced is that of Miss Millie Stuart, daughter of Mr. D. T. Stuart, Wellington, to Lieut. Handcock, of H.M.S. Penguin. Miss Stuart is at present living in South Africa. • * * The velvet that is to be so largely worn, — that is if we follow the example of our English sisters and have whole gowns of the material, is just-tihe sweetest, softest, lightest substance imaginable — it is called velours mousseline and chiffon velour, and is said even to rival crepe-de-chine in its soft undulation. What could be more charming than a gown of grey velours, with

soft lace, a touch of fur and a picture hat? It the gown is to be an out-door one, though, it is generally built on less picturesque, and more useful, lines, with short skirt, a«nd finished with military brands, which are really smart. Some of the velvet frocks have been made with velvet short coats having a wide, flat collar of cloth in vivid colour, embroidered in palon. The touch of colour is repeated in the wide cuffed sleeves. ■» * t Costumes generally are being deoorated horizontally now-a-days, which bears out the statement that "tall women are the fashion." * * * A bride-to-be has< brought out amonsst her trousseau a gown of greygreen velvet. The hem is adorned with a wide self-coloured band of oloth, rising vandyke fashion at the back almost to the waist. The vandkye cape on the bodice is a lattice of narrow gold threads. As a matter of fact, it seems as though King Midas has been reincarnated of late, for the touch of {;old on all we wear now-a-days is absoutely übiquitous, and pursues one to the uttermost ends of the toilette. * * * One of many pretty gowns being worn just now is a voile of sap green outlined with blaok. The vandyked' skirt falls over an accordeon-pleated flounce, which has several narrow runnings of black. Large handsome motifs of black lace are arranged on the overskirt, which is toned down with an edging of delicate white lace. White chiffon bells appear from the widely-cut voile sleeves, which with the bodice, is also trimmed with black motifs. The hip and front panels of the skirt and pretty yoke cape are all otulined with narrow blaok velvet bands correspond, in- with the flounce. * * * Miss Eugenie Duggan, leading lady of the William Anderson Company, wears some pretty growns. One, of rose pink satin, is beautifully made, the front being outlined with a design in pearls, the corsage softened with chiffon of the same shade, and long, transparent sleeves. Over this, on one occasion, she wears a full-length coat of satin of the same shade, lined with silk, and the vandyke ca^e is edged with Paris lace. This frock is changed for one of orimson chiffon, elaborately trimmed with flowers ; and later again, is wont the loveliest gown of all — black jet and chiffon, beautifully fitting and graceful.

Mr. and Mrs. Bcaxter have returned from a very enjoyable visit to the Southern lakes. * » • An authority on the matter of men's attire, "The Major," who thinks men's fashions should receive more attention in the papers gives me the follow ing note of interest . —''The overcoat that will be worn during the coming season is likely to be a single-breasted Chesterfield", which is of course, far lighter in weight than a garment cut in the double-breasted style, and is, therefore, more handy for general wear. This coat looks well with a roll collar, but should be cut in such a manner that it can be buttoned high at the neck if desired. A point worth remembering is that the collar and cuffs are not made so wide as formerly. The length', should be about three inches below the knees — long enough in fact, to prvent it being cumbersome." * • * The tie of the hour is a lovely shade of violet — the Russian violet— and the material used is crepe-de-chine. Nothing else, I am told, is being worn in London. One youth, who lately letumed from England, remarked pathetically that he bought twenty violet crepe-de-chme ties before, he got the exact shade to suit his complexion and eyes ! The recent big fire reminds me of <* plucky incident, whereby the lives of many girls were probably saved by the pluck and self-possession of a young governess. There was a serious outbreak of fire just as the girls' of a large college had commenced work one morning, and, learning of the danger, the young teacher said "Girls, there are some visitors from London below, and they wish to see how quickly and mce-ly you can march downstairs into the playground." In this way all the children were removed from the burning building, knowing nothin? of the danger.