Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 194, 19 March 1904, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

OUR days pass quietly enough just now — unmarked' by any redletter functions — but these, no doubt, will come in dozens after Easter. There has been a little entertaining for some of our visitors. Sir John See, Premier of New South Wales, and his daughters have been visiting Hanmer, for the former's health, and they are now in Wellington, at fehe Royal Oak Hotel. • * * On Monday night, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward entertained them at a very enjoyable theatre and supper party. They witnessed "Why Woman Sins," now being played by the Holloway Dramatic Company, and afterwards returned to "Awarua House" for supper. Lady Ward was wearing black satin and chiffon ■ Miss See, a pretty cream merveilleux gown, with frills of accordeon chiffon ; Mrs. Dyer, wearing black satin : Miss May Seddon,, in grey crene-de-chine and lace ; Mrs. C. H. Mill« in black merveilleux. Miss Blanche Mills and Miss Grace Mills both wore soft cream silk gowns ; Miss Seed, in ivory silk and la^e. Mrs. B. Wilson wore pale pink silk. Some of the gentlemen were : Sir Joseph Ward, Sir John See, Hons. C. H. Mills, T. Y. Duncan, J. McGowan, and Messrs. B. Wilson, R. Seddon jun., F. Dyer, and Cox. • * • Several of Miss Holloway's frocks were much admired, notably a graceful gown of grey orepe over silk, worn, with a large hat with long ostrich feathers. • ♦ • Mr. Cuthbert Harper, the Christchurch athlete, who was so unfortunate as to dislocate his ankle at the championship meeting, has recovered sufficiently, his friends will be 'pleased to hear, to return, to his home. Mrs. Harper, who has been visiting Mrs. F. O*B. Loughnan here, returned to Christchurch with her son.

Mrs. Abbott and her daughters left by the Surrey last week for South Africa, where Miss Daniel's marriage will take place shortly after thear arrival. * * * This 1 winter promises to be a particularly bright and gay one as far as dancing is concerned. The committee which is arranging Miss Pearson's Cinderella dances has issued invitations for six assemblies, commencing at the end of April. "With such an. excellent committee, the success of the dances is assured. Mr. Fleming has been engaged to supply the music. The name "Cinderella^' explains itself— the programme will be over at twelve o'clock, an arrangement likely to be popular with everyone. * * * Miss Pearson is expected to arrive in Wellington early next month. In the meantime, her committee members are making all arrangements. They are : Lady Ward, Mesdames Fitchett, Finch, J. B. MaeEwen, M. Laing, R. A. Edwin, A. H. Miles, R. W. Kane, and Messrs. M. Denniston, G. Arbor, X Nancarrow, C. Robertson, and J. Laing (hon. secretary). . • * Mrs. C. Waldegrave and her daughters, who have been spending a few weeks with friends, have returned to Palmerston North. • • • Dr. Collins, president of the Medical Congress 1 , and 1 Mrs. Collins, gave a very large "At Home" last Tuesday afternoon, in honour of the visitors. The day was an ideal one for a garden party, so afternoon tea was arranged in two large marquees, erected on the lawn., faoing the sea. It was the brightest of entertainments, a band was playing, and the lawns were gay with the lovely gowns worn by the guests. A great many strangers were present, mostly the visiting medical men and their wives. Dr. and Mrs. Collins received their guests, the latter wearing a gown of black crepe-de-chine, relieved with white, and a large black hat. • • • Miss Holmes wore a handsome black dress, and black hat. Mrs. T. C. Williams was in black. Mrs. Rhodes wore black, a handsome coat, and a black toque ; Mrs. A. Duncan, a pretty cream gown, much shirred, with handsome lace. Miss Duncan wore pale pink, Mrs. W. Turnbull. grey brocaded satin, and emerald green sash ; Mrs. P. Baldwin, in royal blue cloth, and bright red hat; Mrs. Wilford, in white oloth, with pale blue collar and revers. Mrs. Martin was in cream cloth ; Mrs. H. Crawford, champagne-tinted voile, and strappings of scarlet.

Mrs. Jeff coat wore a graceful gown of pastel blue cloth, with silk fringe®. Mrs. Hunt wore pale green voile; Mrs. C Cooper, cream cloth, and large hat ; Mrs. Cooper (Karori), in black brocade, relieved with whit©; Miss Cooper, pretty gown of pale pink muslin ; Mrs. Miles, violet crepe-de-chine, and toque with, violets , Mrs. Gilruth, cream cloth gown, with strappings of emerald green , Mrs. H. Hisloo. cream cloth dress, and black hat- Mrs. Arthur Young, gown, of cream canvas voile, and picture hat ; Miss Coates, in black, and a black hat. Mrs. Fitchett wore a lovely gown of biscuit voile and lace. Mrs. MacEwan wore a cream cloth gown, and pretty blue hat with daisies. • • * Mrs. O'Hagan wore cream cloth : Miss O'Hagan, red frieze, and a red velvet hat. Mrs. H. Rawson wore a royal blue gown, and black hat- Mrs. E. Rawson, black, relieved with white; Miss E. Rawson., gown of ivory voile and lace; Mrs. Fulton, a black voile gown, black hat; Mrs. Finch, black voile gown, and cream guipure trimming, black hat, Mrs. and Miss MacTavish, the latter wearing a very pretty gown of ivory cloth, with bands of forget-me-not blue. Miss O. Fitzgerald wore wh'te embroidered muslin, and a white hat: Miss Grace cream cloth gown, black hat; the Misses Waldegrave, in cream cloth gowns. • * «■ Miss Stafford wore a cream-embroid-ered muslin, and white felt hat, with black panne, velvet spots. Mrs. John Abbott wore a lovely gown of pink sunray pleated voile, and large hat, with white furs , Miss Higginson, paJe blue floral delaine, black fiat • Miss Miles, becoming French flowered muslin, over heliotrope silk Miss Denniston (Dunedin), in cream voile. Miss Williams wore a cream cloth gown. • • • Other guests were- Mrs. W. A. Logan, Mrs. and Miss MacGregor, Mrs. and the Misses Richmond, Mrs. and the Misses Fitzgerald, Misses Hislop, Misses Harcourt, Mrs. Holt, Mrs. and Miss Martin, Mrs. and the Misses Edwin, Mrs. and the Misses. Harding; Mrs. J. Rankin Brown, Mrs. E. Hadfield, Mrs. A. M. Smith, Mrs. and! MissEwen, Mrs. and Miss Nathan, Mrs. Bothamley, Mrs. Tudor Atkinson, Mrs. H. Richmond, Mrs. Rhind, Mrs. and Miss Butt, Misses Fell, Mrs. Savage (Auckland), Mrs. and Miss 1 Simpson, Mrs. T. Young. • • • St. Thomas' Church, Wellington, was the scene of a very attractive wedding on February 10th, when Miss Rosa Powell, daughter of Mr. T. S. Powell, Wellington South, was married to Mr.

James Lindsay, of the head office staff o<f the Bank of New Zealand. The ceremony, which was conducted by the Rev. John Walker, was fully choral, in compliment to the bride, who has been for many years connected with the choir, anl is an accomplished musician, having taken the degree of L.A.B. Mr. Powell gave his daughter away, and! the very becoming bridal gown was of ivory silk, trimmed with lace and chiffon. An embroidered tulle veil was worn over a wreath of orange blossoms, and a lovely shower bouquet of white roses was carried. * * • The bridesmaids were : Misses Lizzie and May Powell (sisters of the bride). Miss Ethel Adam (of South Canterbury, niece of the bridegroom)) and Miss Hilda Wesney (of Wanganui). They, woie frocks of soft white silk, much gauged, and trimmed with lace. Their picture hats were also white, and a charming touch of colour was given by their bouquets of scarlet begonias. The two elder maids received from the bridegroom gold necklets and pendants, and the younger maids' gifts were gold brooches. Mr. S. Lindsay (South Canterbury) acted as best man, and Mr. H. S. Powell as groomsman. • * * At the conclusion of the ceremony, a reception was held in the Victoria Hall, many guests being entertained. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay left for Canterbury where the honeymoon was spent. The bride's travelling gown was of fawn tweed, worn with a hat of rose pink. Amongst the many lovely wedding presemts was a set of cutlery, the gift of the head office staff of the Bank of NewZealand, and a polished oak and silver tray and cut-class tumblers from the members of St. Thomas' choir. • # • Mr. R. M. Simpson and Miss Simpson are off this monthi for America and England, travelling by the Sonoma, which leaves Auckland on the 25th March. The St. Louis Exhibition will be an interesting item on their programme of sight-seeing. • * ♦ ■' Miss Belle Hitchings passed through Wellington last week, en route to Napier. Her many friends in New Zealand will be delighted to see her again., but Miss Hitchings' visit will only be a flying: one, as engagements 1 necessitate her early return to England. At least one entertainment will be given in each , centre by this clever New Zealander, who has made a specialty of musical' monologues. The performance here will probably take place at the Sydneystreet schoolroom, early next month.

Everyone who met Miss Dora Rignold —here with the Shakespeare Company —felt the charm of her manner—sweet, placid, and gracious; always the same, always unaffected. She is a great favourite behind as well as in front ot the footlights. It was whispered that more than one New Zealand man ottered her his heart and hand, but Miss Rigno'd's "double," Mr. Holding, was ever close at hand to guard his own interest, and now their engagement is announced At a fancy dress ball, held on the "India," during the passage from Australia to India, Miss Rignold won the first prize. The character represented was a Red Cross s.ster of mercy, and the wearer was ye y proud of the ract that she made the dress entirely on the boat. It was all white, except for the red cross on the breast and arm. • • * The Medical Congress is being held iust now, and black frock coats and silk hats are flying about all over the place. We women ponder over many important questions suggested by these learned men —and don't you forget that we have lady doctors. Subjects not generally associated with afternoon tea came up for discussion —so interesting some of these arguments have been that, who knows, we may some day realise that afternoon tea is more pleasantly digested with serious subjects of conversation than with the flippant, though bright, small talk that usually accompanies it. * * * * A propos of talk, a visitor here recently expressed great surprise that so few New Zealand girls attempt to converse that is, in the true meaning of the word. Chatter they can, in, an entertaining and pleasant manner, but immediately one tries to draw them on to a deeper subject, they retire from the field. To their credit be it said they like to listen, and, no doubt, store the information safely away. Not only at afternoon teas and 1 social functions is there a lack of conversation, but in the homes of intellectual people there is a noticeable lack of thought, or expressed thought, amongst the young people, who seem determined not to give the more serious questions any time. We have been told our faults pretty freely lately —candid visitors have spoken out. Is this latest accusation wholly true, 1 wonder? t Most people of an inquiring frame of mind like to know the origin of everyday customs. There are probably tew who know that the veil of lace or tulle which hides the faces of brides, originated in the Anglo-Saxon custom of performing the nuptial ceremony under a square of white cloth, held canopy-wise over the bride and bridegroom, by tall men. The "throwing the shoe" is sup^ posed to be a symbol of the parents renunciation of authority.

Messrs. George and Kersley. of the Economic, have just imported a splendid stock oi the latest autumn and winter goods. To enable their many customers to see them to advantage, they gave an afternoon display and musical recital, on Thursday (St. Patrick's Day). There was so much to admire that one visit would not nearly exhaust the show. Conspicuous were the fashionable dress materials. Gracefully draped in front of the black-dress counter were handsome robes in all the new shades, flecked and checked, and on a centre table near by were printed velveteens and more dress materials, tastefully combined with the effective chenille and gold trimming specially made to correspond. Hanging above, in festoons, and skilfully blended, were the Japanese silks, the two rode meeting at a point where the true orange confronted Paddy green without a suggestion of quarrelling. • ♦ • In this department the concert took place, and the platform was prettily arranged 1 with handsome curtains, in front of which was hung a mirror surrounded with palms and pot plants. Under a pretty archway of Madras curtains, one arrived at the flannelettes — a bewildering variety, and so pretty. If we don't like spots, we must wear stripes, for all the newest goods are made that way. Particularly taking was a flannel of sky-blue, with floral stripes in pink, and another of similar design was in red and white. A new material is satinlaine, a flannelette with superior finish, and it will be much worn,. This is madfe with a design of rtlotifs, on a plain ground. Green, — myrtle green —is a popular colour for blouse flannels, and is relieved with the pompadour spots. Altogether, the viyeUas, flannels and satinlaines make a most attractive show and an archway, cunningly contrived, of these materials shows them to great advantage. • • * A novelty in bed-spreads catches the eye. These are Parisian —and look it. Manufactured of French point, and finished wit/h deep full vandyked flounces all round, they could be used over a colour, or over an ordinary quilt. Then, the eiderdowns are also uncommon, selfcoloured mostly, with a conventional scroll of white. Anyone furnishing should see these latest-eiderdowns.

Amongst the novelties interesting to women are the pompadour hair frames, of celluloid, so arranged that one can dispense with the injurious hair pads, now so necessary. Everyone should really experiment with one of these. Quaint are the new buttons; sets of iound pearl buttons, gun-metal, oxydised silver, and gilt will all be worn this year, and Messrs. George and Keisley have a varied assortment from which to choose. # # Perhaps, the lace will be as much admired as anything —especially the excellent display of Maltese, collars, scarves, and dainty handkerchiefs, and many yards of various widths, both m lace and insert on, are showi. Also Torchons. Valenciennes, and many other makes are prettily festooned amongst the ribbons. In ribbon, the latest make is panne, and! most of the new designsi are striped. Here there ie a great stock suitable for belts, ties, millinery, etc. We all admired the "stock" collars, especially those of linen embroidered in delicate shades of silk, and the long stock ties of glace silk, much stitched — these have quite taken the place of the lace ties we used to wear. At every turn there is something to admire — gloves in all the new shades, stockings, silk, lisle, and cashmere and suspenders complete. Then, the silk and moirette underskirts are alone worth a visit. As in other departments, green is the dominant tone here, all the green skirts being very stylish. Dainty silk blouses, beautifully made, and cream cloth or voile skirts, are also just opened The "Economic" tea-gowns, of accor-deon-pleated crepe cloth, are lovely. There were four, in shades of pink, blue, cream, and white, with deep collars and hanging sleeves. The gowns were entirely accordeon-pleated, and finished at the hem with tiny frills. Messrs. George and Kersley are showing a wide stock of winter coats and jackets, all having the fashionable straps and stitching. * * * In furs, there are some beautiful sets. Thibet and marabout, in the long stoles, are marked from a guinea. Sable and, Russian skunk stoles, with muffs to match, and grey llama and fox, and white thibet are also much admired. There were also several stylish coats of moleskin, now so much worn at Home. The millinery department was en fete, everywhere hanging beautifully-arrang-ed baskets of flowers and ribbon—violets, geraniums, forget-me-nots, and autumn leaves —all made a most attractive show, and a large festoon of cornflowers, at the head of the stairs, was most natural. In the intervals of admiring, one enjoyed the delightful music provided by Misses Barratt and O'Donovan , Miss Holroyd recited, and Miss Moran (the well-known violinist) also contributed. Altogether, the display was one of the most attractive ever held in Wellington, and Messrs. George and Kersley are to be congratulated.

One of the finest medical works published in the interests of suffering humanity, and which may be obtained for the small sum of one shilling in stamps to defray postage, is "Clinical Experiences." containing 570 pages of instructive letter-press, 150 medical plates, and 31 chapters upon general diseases. It is published by the specialists of the Freeman and Wallace Medical Institute, corner of Elizabeth and Bathurst streets, Sydney, and corner of Elizabeth and Bourke streets, Melbourne, opposite the G.P.O. Special articles upon snake bites, gunshot wounds, fevers, invalids and care, sunstroke, burns and scalds, apparently drowned, prescriptions, epilepsy, cancer, insomnia, electricity, etc., make it invaluable to country people residing where medical men are scarce. Orders should be sent in at once.