Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 188, 6 February 1904, Page 8

Social Gossip.

By Christabel.

ON Friday morning a very bright and enjoyable " nick - nack'' tea was given by Miss Ethel Heywood for Miss Linda Koch, whose marriage with Mr Webster takes place very shortly. Delicious tea, coffee, and sweets were served in the dining-room, the tables being prettily decorated with tajl vases of white flowers. In the study, the "nicknacks" presented by the guests weie arranged, and ereatly admired. The collection included quaint ornaments, photograph frames, pictures, fern bowls, and silver sweet dishes. There was some enjoyable music, Miss L Koch singing several songs delightfully. • # * Miss Heywood wore a veiv graceful dress of white silk, with many narrow insertions, and a deep satin belt. Miss L. Koch was wearing a grey-blue muslin, with insertions of fine lace. Miss Koch wore a soft white silk blouse and black skirt. Some of the guests were Mrs. Hales, Mrs. Jeffcoat, Mrs. R. Wood, Mrs. J. King, Mrs. Koch. Mrs. Bendall, Mrs. Abbot, and the Misses Bendall, Kennedy, Laishley, Griffiths, Baker, and Scully. ¥■ # + The marriage of Miss Edwards (daughter of Mr. Justice Edwards, of Auckland) to Mr. Charles Luxton Lonev, of Sydney, is to take place at Auckland on Wednesday, February 10th. *• * * What do you think of the very latest social fad, the making of paper hats? Womenkind are ever following some new oraze. In Australia, no matter ■where or when you go, you will find sweet femininity plaiting paper as if their lives depended' on it. A Sydney paper says • —"Strips of crinkled paper

aie used, and really the lesult is more than gratifying. At a little distance the effect is that of the finest straw, and some of the plaits are extremely pretty Black paper makes, up well, and w hen one calls into consideration tlie fact that an acceptable piece of headgear may be made for less than half-a-crovvn — trimming and all — it is little nondei that busy fingers are occupied in this way. Such hats are extremely light, as well as pretty and becoming, and are admirable both in the town and country." Miss Julia Moran has returned from a very pleasant visit to the West Coast. Mr., Mrs and Miss Lockie, who visited Auckland for the Bow ling Tournament returned to "Wellington via Rotorua and the Wanganui river, having excellent weather all the way. ¥■ — Mrs. Neil McLean, who accompanied her husband to Auckland foi the bowling, has also returned. *■ * i* Dr. Platts-Mills has letuuied fiom a delightful visit to her relations down South, and this week moves to Karori, Mr. Mills having purchased the attractive property previously known as the Karori Tea Gardens. Miss Christine Smith has gone to Nelson for a> few weeks, and is the guest of Miss Webb-Bowen. ¥■ * * Mr. and Mrs. McLean (Napier) and their daughters, passed through Wellington last week, en route for Sydney, where they will spend a few weeks. The Misses Mary and Lorna McLean win. remain in Sydney, pursuing their studies. * # * Everyone was greatly distressed to hear about the accident to Mr. and Mrs. Macßae, of Bowlands, and hope that the injuries received are not as serious as at first feared The Misses Mona and Alice and Master lan Macßae and Mr. Fitzgerald (Wellington) were also in the buggy, but were not seriously hurt. The accident occurred on the way from Masterton to Bowlands Station. A dog lumping suddenly on to the road startled the horses, causing them to gallop at full speed. Mr. Macßae 3 s> efforts were of no avail, and the_ buggy crashed into a bridge, and was violently overturned. Dr. Martin went up from Wellington by special train to attend the sufferers.

Mrs. Hafcrick (Wanganui) is staying at the Royal Oak. * * *■ Madame Sara Bernhardt probably wears more rings on her fingers than any other lady living. With the exception of the middle finger of the right hand, which is quite unadorned, all her fingers are a blaze of richly-jewelled rings, reaching to the middle joint, while the thumb of her right hand bears a ring from which an enormous emerald flashes its green fire. To be quite in the fashion this winter season, you must wear a beaver hat, preferably white. These hats are to be very large and picturesque, and white furs will be much worn also. * * * Mrs. and Miss Wolters have returned to Carterton. *• *■ *■ Miss Preece (Palmeiston) passed through last week en route to Timaru. Dr. and Mis. Anson have returned from Wanganui. Miss Griffiths (Wanganui) is the guest of Miss Simpson. Miss Laishley is visiting friends at Hawera. Miss Ralston is visiting Mrs. Cower (Wanganui). The Misses Koch left on Wednesday for Haweia The marriage of Miss Linda Koch and Mr. Webster takes place on the 9th February. <• * * The engagement is announced of Miss Winnie Parsons, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons, so well-known in musical circles, to Mr. Fabian Wills, eldest son of Mr. Frank Wills, Wellington. +• *■ + I hear that Mr. Alfred Hill's NewZealand opera of "Tapu" is in active rehearsal by Mr. J. C. Williamsons comic opera company in Melbourne, and it is said will go on the stage at the close of the present run of "The Country * * * The Otaki Orchestral Concert, which took place on Wednesday of last week, was a musical treat for the very large audience that assembled in the Town Hall. In the short time this orchestra has been in existence, the members

have made rapid strides, and. with the conductor, Mr. Woodmass, are to be congratulated upon their success. Their most successful effort was the performance of selections from "Martha" and "Maritana." Mr. Woodmass (Wellington) played, a clarionet solo excelently winning an, encore. Mr. Minifie (Wellington) was also very successful with his clarionet solos. * ¥■ * Mr Byron Brown and Mr. W. Whitehoin contributed enjoyable songs, and the sinking of the Maori boys was capital, and brought down the house. Other good items were a oomic duet by Mr. J. Hakaraia and Smiler, and the trio by Mr. W. Whitehorn and Masters Pirimi and Nehu. "I'se goin' back to Dixie," by Miss McCleland, and an, invisible chorus was a very popular item. Miss' Kibblewhite's. solo, with violin obligato, was received with enthusiasm. This lady contributed several items specially arranged by her, and 1 in addition, Miss Kibblewhite placed the accompaniments with much sympathy. •* * * Already this capable orchestra of twenty-two instruments have purchased and paid for an organ and piano. The members are very enthusiastic, and Messrs. W. Whitehorn and the honorary secretary (Mr. Mortin) deserve much credit. Amongst those present were Mrs. Winchester in white silk; Mrs. Kibblewhite, silk blouse and black skirt Miss Simcox, who looked very well in a cream silk gown Miss Kibbler white in ivory silk, with lace insertion ; Miss MoLennan, whie ; Miss Minifie, pale blue silk. * •* * Many Australian women, who previously had a horror of athleticism, believing it altogether destroyed their femininity, have been entirely won over by "Vulcana," the strong woman, now giving exhibitions of strength in Australia. In repose on ordinary occasions. "Vulcana" is as womanly and graceful as the most feminine of society leaders. It is when performing various movements pictured within a frame that one realises her wonderful development. * * # There are many New Zealanders who will be delighted to hear that Miss Belle Hitchings, who, as* Miss Naoier, has been wonderfully successful in her toriginal musical monologues at Home, contemplates a visit to New Zealand. Some months ago Miss Nanier made all arrangements to sail, but the offer of an excellent engagement caused her plans

to be altered. Her visit will only be a flying one, but at least one entertainment will be given in Wellington, enabling her many friends to hear her professionally. Miss Napier is a very clever musician, and herself improvises the accompaniments to her recitations. She is versatile, an excellent mimic, and the fortunate possessor ot a sympathetic and very musical "speaking voice. , Unfortunately it seems very doubtful if we shall have the pleasure <*«?«"« Miss Maud Jeffries and Julius Knight in "Monsieur Beaucaire and thenlater play, "The Eternal City In the latter, the frocking is very lo\ elj , and it is generally admitted that the beauty actress looks to gi eater advantage as a brunette than in her fan; "make-up" in "Monsieur Beaucaire. Of the dresses in the new piece too much cannot be said. Can you imagine anything more exquisite than a long, flowing gown of hand-made Irish crochet mounted over voluminous flounces ot ivory chiffon? In such a frock Miss Jeffries makes her first appearance. The only touch of colour is given bv a narrow sash of claret-coloured chiffon. With this costume are also worn a wide stole and boa of ermine while a flat felt hat of white bound with black velvet is finished with a drooninec white feather. . * Those of you who have read the book will remember how Donna Roma visits David Rossi The door is thrown open In answer to her knock, and she stands in a background or shadow, a radiant figure in her evening finery. tier e own is of pure white chiffon over w hite silk sparkling here and there with embroidered net. Over this she wears an exquisite cloak of cloth-of-gold, which shines like sovereigns freshly burnished. This regal garment is lined with folds ot wine-coloured chiffon, and is finished about tlfe low-cut shoulders with a scarf ofnetandduchesse lace Diamond ornaments are worn on the bpdice, and a tiara of tbe same precious stones are placed in the hair. We next see Donna Roma in her studio m a simple frock of cornflower-blue chiffon, over which she places an overall of twine-coloured crash, embroidered in colours.

We have received a handsome wall calendar from the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. It consists of six cards, painted in colours, the subjects being quamt, and the execution artistic. The Palmer Publishing Company, of Featherston-street, call attention to the simplest system for learning the pianoforte, which they claim is by the use of Batt's chart of chords, obtainable from them. Mr. Goldstein, the Cuba-street mercer has been exhibiting in his shopwindow this week an interesting picture showing the strength of the Japanese navy. Each ship is mctured in its relative size to the rest of the fleet, it is not true that Mr. Goldstein has accepted an admiral's commission in the aforesaid navy. He is too busy navigating a prosperous business. The Dramatic Students, who have on numerous occasions performed in aid of local charities, are once more in harness. On this occasion they are performing (to benefit the funds of St. Mary's Guild), at Sydney-street Schoolroom, on Monday and Tuesday, the loth and 16th instant. Of the five pieces chosen, "Fennel" is new to a Wellington audience , likewise, the "Man in the Street." We have once before seen "The Duchess of Bayswater" and "My Lord m Livery," and, judging from &uch previous performances, a treat is in store for those who patronise the entertainment. Tickets are to be had from the members of the Guild, the Students, and from the secretaries, and, as the seating accommodation is very limited, early application should be made for seats. The box-plan opens at the Dresden on the 11th instant. There will be a first-class orchestra and new scenery to add to the enjoyment of these one-act comedies.

The usual St. Patrick's Day sports meeting is to be held this year at Trentham Park. A strong # committee has been organised, and it is intended to make the gathering the most successful yet held. An interesting programme has been arranged, and liberal prizes are offered for all events. Programmes may be obtained from the secretary, Mr. J W. Callaghan.