Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 207, 18 June 1904, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Chrisfcabel.

THK time has quite passed when afternoon teas were voted an ' cvnful boLe." Now , one looks forward with much pleasurable excitement to these bnght and well-arranged functions The hostesses exeit themselves and invariably succeed m surprising tW guests with some amusmg £nd entei taming competition One nuds too, that no one is in a hurry to leave now-a-days, but all want to see who will win the quaa.it or pretty iltt c prize which availably foims part of the attractive piogiamme • « * On Thuisday afternoon, the Mi^es Mills gave a very delightful tea foi then earl friends, and a most amusing idea was oa-ri led out. Each gu 1 was iequired to hem a seam of cloth with the left hand (the right being securely tied in a Simg) and no thimble. The neatest hem was shown bv Miss Powell, a \Vesc Coast visitor, who leceived a silvei photogiaph frame, and next m ordei or met it was another visiroi. Miss Basiley, from Auckland, whose Diaze was most appropriate— a silver thimble. lne tea-table was very prettily decorated ■with lemon silk, on which stood silveu Toowls of nai oi«si and snow-flakes * * * Miss Mills received the guests, and was w ewi ing a gow n of cream voile. Miss Blanche Mills woie a pietty blue silk blouse. and black skut. Miss Olive Mills had on a graceful cream voile dress and Miss Grace Mills woie a becomins; dress of blue silk taffeta, relieved with lace. Amongst the maaiy guests I noticed Miss May Seddon, wearing a cieam serge costume, a,nd blue tricorn hat. Miss Basley (Auckland), in stylish grey dre.ss, stiapped with velvet. Miss Gilmer wore a very piettv grey oostume, and green hat

Mis-, Kembei's dainty gmui was finished with puiple velvet, and liei hat u.us ti mimed with la\cly violets * * * Mis^ Prouse woie oieam \oile, and «i large black hat, Miss M. Bluudell, pietty cteam cloth costume, and bright led hat, Miss Hey wood, black \onle gown, and black hat Miss Bend.ill also wmo a pietty black gown, and liat with long black ostv\cli teathoi . Mis.s Stafford woie a navy cloth gown, and hat to match Miss MacGieeoi, black cloth tailoi-made, and pietty black hat Mbs Banon, stone-gi ey costume, and ice! hat Miss, O Kirkcakhe wa.s in n ,u \ blue, mih stylish faun straw hat, ami black bows. Miss G. Knkca.ldie also wore navy blue, and a sti.iw hat of the same shade. * * •» Otliei g^ils incited neie Misses Hoggaid, McTavish, Quick, Ma,i chant, Holmwood, Warburton, Fulton, Platts, Smith, Webb, Tregear, Tngg, Rose, Chaytor (Blenheim), Lambert, Simpson, Mestayer, McKay, Roaayne. Brown, Cow per, Wnght, Powell, and the Misses Kane * • ♦ Miss Sinclair, who has been staying with Mrs Tripe, and later with Mrs MacGregoi , 1 ©turned to Dunedm last week * -v * Miss Coyla Biown, who has been the guest of Mis Fitohett foi «evcial weeks, aho returned to Dunedin this week. * * • At the concert on Thursda-s mght m the Sydney-street schoolroom I noticed Mrs. Beauohamp, w eating black satin and long theatre coat Mis. Sprott also wore black ; Mrs Coleridge, long pastel-blue theatre coat Mrs. Oscar Keinbeir wore a pietty, long grey coat, and deep oollair, with lace applique. Miss Broad, wearing white silk Miss Richardson woi c black velvet, and deep berthe of lace, Mis^. Smjth, cream brocade blouse cream net fichu, and deep tuiquoise belt. Miss Turner, blue theatre coat, dainty silk blouse, and black skiit * ♦ * Miss Janet Ross wore cream muslin the skirt shin-red, and finished with a soft belt of old rose silk. Miss Widdop wore a fawn velvet theatre ooat with lovely ecru lace collai . * « * Tlie annual ball of the Civil Service Rifles comes off on June 24th and the College Rifles also propose to enteitain their friends shortly.

The engagement has been announced of Mibb Thyia Beetham, daughtei of Mi and Mis. Hugh Beetliam, Masteiton, Wanaiapa, to ]Mr Bethell, of Canteiburv. • • * A \ei\ jolU little dance took place at the Asylum last Friday night, when the guests spoiiit a very pleasant time- TJie progi amme of dances \aued somewhat from the oidinaiv, many 'squares" being included The quadnlles and D ; Albeits wcue voted 'gieat fun " Theie was an excellent sit-down suppei and the floor and mu>ic were also good • • • On SatuidaT [ast a veij pleasant t<- i was given by Mrs. Glasgow. A st '111,3 band played blight music, and veiy delicious afternoon tea was enioved. The table was deoora>ted witli yellow floweas and autumn leaves. • ♦ • Mis. Morice and her ehildien have returned to Grevmouth. On Saturday next, the Craven hoekej team, from Palmeiston North, will play a match against the Aoiangns, at Day's Bay This ought to be a very mteiesting game, but the Craveax team has. been considerably weakened, I heai , by some of the players leaving the College. However, the Aoiangis have been still moie unfortunate, Miss Simpson (then captain), Miss Macintosh and Mxs"s Maitm Kennedy — a strong tno — all being away this season. Mish Liddle, who h.a^ been visiting fi lends at Feildmg, letuined to Wellington List week • * * Mrs. E. 801 lase (Rangitikei) was in Wellington foi a day or two last week Mis C J Johnston entertained a number of friends at am 'At Home," last Thursday afternoon Mr. and Mi^ W. Levin, who have lately returned f 1 om their honeymoon trip to England, are staving with Mrs. Johnston. It is then'i intention to settle in the counti\ somewhere near Wellington. • ♦ # Musical people will have noticed that the famous Three Chairs Festival is to be held this year at Gloucester. It is interesting to note that up to her de-pa-ituie for New Zealand, Mrs. GloverEaton, was always one of the principal soloists at thh Festival, when held at Worcester, Hereford, and also at Gloucester. On one occasion, at WOl ceistei, Mrs. Glover-Eaton was associated with Miss Ada Ciosslev, who sang the contralto part in Palestnnn's quartette

Airs. Jirne-at Had field has gone to Napier foi a few weeks, Mid is> staying with her mother, Mis. Wood, Bluff Hill. * * * Mi. and Mrs. J Studliolme have been visit nig Mis Rhodes, The Giangc * • ♦ The piogiessive euehie party, given last Tuesday by Miss Partridge, Golden Hill, was most enjoyable Miss Finch and Mis. Schultz won the first and second ladies' prizes, and Messrs. Main ice Denniston and A. Rhind the gentlemen's prizes. Miss Partridge leceived her guests, and woie a pretty black lace gown, with a touch of eau-de-nil silk on the coisage. Mrs. Shnltz had on a gown of black and white silk, with deep bertfhe of a^cordeon-pleated chiffon, and Mis Bucholz was in white • — a pretty gown, with muoh valeneie'ine-. insertion. Mrs. Ohaytor was dressed jn blaok crepe-de-chine, and a touoh of old rose Mis. Wvlie wore black Mrs Malcolmson wore black, relieved, witn face motifs. Miss ToJhuist was wearing cieam crepe-de-chine , Miss May Ueddon, vi pale green Roman, satin, and tuek&d ohitton fichu Miss, C. Smith, was in black crepe-de-chine, brightened with a swathed belt of green silk, Miss M. Mackay, a becoming dress of lvoiy net, over silk, and finished with poppies, Miss I. Fmch, a, w lute silk Maltese lace gown ; Miss VV. Ehott, a pretty blaok lace frock; Miss E J^hott, pale blue silk. Miss Otteison also wore blue silk, Miss Miss Chaytor, a black satin gown; Mis^ New all, pale pink silk, Miss Mills, black ciepe-de-c-hine, Mis® Kane, fH-etty black frock, i elieved with one laige pink rose M* . Wright was w earing a w lute dr<api, and large bLack velvet bow on the corsage , Miss Stuart, white crepe-de-chine and lace. Miss Webb, white silk and turquoise blue , Miss Atkinson, white silk, and othvegieen sash , Miss Quick, in a pietty latee gown. * • » Some of the gentlemen were Major Mooie, M&ssis Bucholz, Wheelei, Harvey. Tripe, Denniston, Rhind, Shultz, Harnson, Spicer, and several officers of H M S. Tauranga. * * » A capital supper was laad m the din-ing-room, the table being artistically •arranged with pink and white cosmeas. Aflei wards, there was some music. Mcuoi Moore sang sevei al of his excellent Irish songs, and Mr Spicer gave

a Maori one, which wab veay quaint and amusing.

Mrs. Wylie's afternoon tea, last Thursday, was exceedingly bright aad enjoyable. The pietty drawing-ioran was tastetully decorated with eaily spring flowers, with tinted leaves and borne lovely cream roses were much admned Tea wao laid in the diningroom, and the sweets were very tempting The floial decoiataons weie ohiet\y of yen aw da^es Duims the afteinoon "there «as some very excellent music. The duets sung by Mrs <*[o\eiEaton and Mrs. Wyhe were delightful . - • * Our hostess received, wearing a oieain voile skat, and velvet RR a « ™ a± - Some of the guests were Mrs. Fmdlay, who ware a navy-blue gown, sealskin coat and stylish hat. Miss Coate* woie a black tailor-made gown, and ostrich-feather boa,, with a black and white toque, M.s. Hams, stylish cream d.ess, and navy blue hat Her aster, Mrs. Louisson, woie a ohaimmg gown of rough white tweed, checked with blue, and a large felt hat * Mrs Kendall had on a handsome caracul coat, voile gown, and huge black hat. Mis. Shultz wore a pastelblue gown. Di Platts-Mills looked well m a long fawn dunng coat, with a daik-red sKirt, and pretty toque Dr. Isabel Wateon was in a brown taikwmade costume, and hat to match , Mrs. Hariison, in pale green voile, M.s. Samuel navy blue gown, faced uitu white Mrs. Holmwood had on a stylish coat and skirt, with purple facings, and black felt 'Napoleon" hat, Mrs. Watson, black voile gown and pietty hat. Mrs Buoholz woie a very becoming Fieneh grey gown. Mis Van Slyke a sealskin coat, with a dark gown Mis. Macarthy, a stylish ck,i et-cokmml gown, st lapped with velvet, and her black hat was' trimmed with chiffon and tips Mrs. Easterfieldwoie navy blue cloth and a black hat Mrs. Fulton, dark grey tweed, Mrs Giliuth, nanhlue gown and handsome white rui s Mis Derry pretty black gowni. Mrs W.ud woie a black gown, and a handsome sable cape, with pi etty black hat. Mrs. Ponsonby wore all black Mrs Andeison, black tailor-made gown. Miss Partridge was in navy blue , Miss Stua.it, reseda cloth, pi ettily made, Mrs. Wilberfoss, m black. Otheis present were Me&dames 1 Kaaie, Hales, Eicha.dson, Hoggard, Kemp, Budge, Tnngham, BlundeD, Gilmei , Clayton Lame Hoggaad, Eidhelbaum, Boss, and Misses Gilmer, Beauchart. Newall, and Liddle. The handsome gills who form the choius. in Williamsons Royal Comics made lasting impressions on many masculine heairts. Therefore, it is not surprising to learn that Miss Jean Nelson, who ha*, one of the best voices outside the front ranks, is to retire at the end of the New Zealand season, in ordei to marry a ChristChurch chemist He is a Mr. Marshall, and has lately started in business. Also, Miss Maud Chetwynd, the pert little dressmaker of "A Country Girl," letires this month, in order to settle down m private life. Wonder who will he next to follow suit • • * The 'Discoveiy" and "Morning" ball was one of the "brightest social functions they ha,ve had in Ghnstohurch for a long time past. Veiy novel and stroking were the decorations. At the foot of the staus of the Alexandra Hall, which weire decorated with flax, ferns, and palms stood a sledge, fully equipped for an expedition on the ice, while two figuies weie placed beside it, dressed in Antarctic fur costumes. The ballroom was hung with flags, among which were placed the personal flags of the different officers, of silk, embioidered with their crests. The supper-roam was draped with pale green and white Antarctic fishing net. • • • And, oh yes, at supper they actually had champagne of King Edward's own brand, which had been to the South Pole and back. Quite a number of the Christchurch girls have become engaged to officers of these exploring ships. No wonder thait Ohristchurch is deeply interested in the search for tie South Pole, and is most anxious that it should be persevered with The voyage for not a few leads to the haven of matrimony. # . . Do you remember Miss Kitty Grindlay, the pretty little brunette, who accompanied Miss Amy Sherwin in her last concert tour of New Zealand, in thecapacity of contralto singer? She made many friends in Wellington ,_ w;ho will be interested to learn that she is just about arriving in Australia from the Old Country on a visit to her mother. You know she married well several veais ago, and retired from the concert stage She is now Mrs. J. Dcmnan Wilson.

Our new Town Hall is at once a joy attid a sonow to us. Its never-ending ajid complicated delays are most trying to the mere woman, who only mideistands that the many social functions which we ought to be enjoying in it aie still will-o'-the-w i*>ps The sweetness and patience with which we have waited, season after season, for a place where length and biraidith. and air could be bad for our lar^e balls and other ga.theungs, seem to have' been wasted. We jweas fa.i off as ever. • • • As a matter of chiantaJble surmise, I hope it may be ready for occupation next winter. Tiue, the Exhibition Committee want the sole use of it handed over to them. The Town Hall and the Greek Kalends seem to be synonymous. * # There axe waihngs in any and heaitfelt, that it is so, ovei our afternoon tea, and we feel it presses hardly upon ufe, since it gives us so few chances to air prett> toilttes," or to enjoy the cheeiful b light ness of any large functions. * • • Eveiyone is pleased and relieved that the Premiei's hea.lth seems to harve gi eatlv unproved, and w e are all glad he will soon be back in his old place. His raanv friends are also sincerely anxious he shall not ti'v to take up nearly so much waik nwain • • * The marriage of Mr. W H Bartlett, the well-known photogiaphei , of Auckland and Miss Couit, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Court, of Thames, was to takei place on Wednesday this week, at the Thames. The St. Louis Exhibrtaon a,nd Europe aie to be items in the honeA'moon trip. How nice ' • « • Mrs. Watson had a most pleasant tea for hei daughters' girl friends, and the time passed all too quickly for those young, folks with the games aaid amusements provided' foi them. • • * One of the pastimes at a tea. lately was to piick a card, picking out the four most hkelv names for the new Speaker of the Upper House The leasons (gi aye and gay) given f on some of the selections would have thrown many side-ligihts upon our Ms.L C. which would have amazed that "House of Lords " • • * I have seen some of the new umbiellas, which have a joint with a hinge in the handle. Tailor-made gowns generally have a strong loop of the material at the side of the slmt, into which this doubled-up handle hangs when the umbiella is not needed. In this way the very utilitarian muffs of the period can be easily earned, sance it leaves both hands at liberty. • ♦ • Talking of balls reminds me that over in Sydney great lntecrest as being taken in a ball which is projected 1 there in ordei to raise the wand for the Consumptives' Home. The Governor and Lady Rawbon have promised to be present, society dames are busy arranging fancy sets, and one lady has offered a prize to anyone in the gallery who guesses the gieatest number of headdresses, and the periods to which they belong. Now, why can't we do someH thmg of the same kind; here — in the fancy-dress ball line, of course' — so as to raise funds for our local charaities ? I am sure it only needs a proper start to be a complete success 1 . And it is such a time since we had a public fancy-dress ball In any case, there ought to be a Citizems' Ball to welcome Lord and Lady Plunket to Wellington • • • Miss Ada Thompson, daughter of Mr. Thompson, of Auckland, and niece- of Mr. W. K. Thompson, of Melbourne, left lately for Johannesburg, where she is to be married to a brother of her sister's husband, Mr. Leonard Chalhs, formerly of New Zealand. Several of the

family have lately settled in South Africa from New Zealaaid. Mies Thompson's family is wall known throughout New Zealand 1 . Her father pui chased f i om Sir George Grey has beautiful island of Kawau, neai Auckland, but has lately re-sold it to advantage. * * • The hats that are all ,straw from, brim to ci own Ai c very much the latest fashion. They must, however, be shaded. The lightest shade is in the oeuti c of the ciown, deepening gradually to the edge of the brim. Very daa'nty i osettes are made of light, fluffy straw, which look as light as shaded, chiffon. The bawds round the crown a,re made of plaited straw, which is so fine ■•■id irtricate that it looks like Oriental gal on, and is most effective. The great gjory of these "a.H straw" hats is that no weather spoils their beauty * * * An Auckland engagement Miss Alice Bui ton, of Mount Eden, and Mr. Frank Wilson, of Napier, son of Mr. Wilson, of Auckland, senior partner of the late drapery fiim of Wilson and McC'ullough The train arrangements foi the convenience of excursionists to the Palmerston Winter Show me set out elsewhere. •+ * •+ Mr. Goldstein, the widely-known gentleman's outfitter, is now duly installed in his new shop, m the finest building in Wellington — King's Chambers, old "Byko Coiner." His stock is new, and entirely up-to-date.