Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1904, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christabe).

THERE was a very large attendance at the opening of the Fine Ait Exhibition, on Saturday. The president (Dr. Fell) received. His Excellency the Governor, who, after an appropriate little speech, declared the exhibition open. The display of art is a particularly good on©, the woik of Miss D. K. Richmond and Mass Hodgkins being an interesting feature. The portraits in oils by Miss Riohmond attracted much attention, that of Miss Erica Fell being very generally admired. Miss Hodgkins exhibits a number of water colours— charming glimpses of Continental life. * * * I noticed two or three with Miss Ella Adams' name. Miss Adams is the only sister in. the clever Adams family, and possesses her share of talent. Interesting, too, were the two pictures by the English artists, Mrs. Stanhope Forbes and W. Lee Hankey. These weielent by Miss Richmond and Misa Hodgkin®. Ort the opemng day one can never 6ee th^ collection to advantage, of course, and this year it was almost impossible to get round. » » * Lady Plunket was present, and wore a pretty grey cloth gown, anid small toque. Mrs. Walks wore a violet toque, with slate-grey dress. Miss R. Williams was in blue, with a veiy pretty embroidered muslin collar. Mrs. Fell wore a handsome black gown , Mrs. Field, in grey silk, and pretty thieequarter coat.' Mrs. Fulton wore a blue voile gown. Mrs. T. Martin wore a black" hat. with roses and voile d'-ess. Miss Martin woie pale blue voile. Mrs. T. G. Macarthy Ind on n pretty cream cloth gown and picture hat. * ♦ * Also present- Mesrlames Larnach, Richmond, Tzard H. Gore, La Trobe,

Waterb, G. Powles (Otaki), Jackson, and the Misses Harding, Hodgkms, Stuart, Higgle (Wanganm), Lee, Biandon Richmond, Johnson, Wilson, Newton, Fell, Atkinson, with many otheis. Very refreshing afternoon tea. was handed round to all the. visitors. * * * What a number of dances theie have been just lately— delightful ones, too— and there aie still one or two in store. Mrs. Riddiford is giving one as a farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lindsay, who leave for England by the Rimutaka. Mrs. Rankin-Brown has also issued invitations for a dance, given for her visitor, MissFoote. * * * Mrs. Fulton has been arranging some theatricals, which come off soon, and aie being looked forward to with very gieat pleasure. Private theatricals are once more becoming popular, and are always thoroughly enjoyed, both by the audience and the performer®. Of coui-se the rehearsals are great fun. It is no doubt, a large undertaking juist for one night, but there is no more delightful form of amusement, especially if an impromptu dance follows. * * Jubt such an entertainment as this was given by Mis. Giace last Friday, at h«>r lesidence, Hawkestone-street. A gieat many guests were invited to witness the performance of "The Loan of a Lovei " w Inch was spendidly staged and acted in the ballroom. The little comedy is pretty, both in plot and setting, and on this occasion was greatly enjoyed. The scenery was cleverly painted by Miss Waldegrave, and the eftect of the "garden" much enhanced bv artistically-arranged palms and shrubs. . . . Mr. Frank Grace acted as stage-mana-ger, and Miss Grace, Miss Joan Hislop, and Messrs. Denniston, Higginson Pollook and Sloman were the performers. Muss Hislop, as the heroine, looked very sweet and piquant in a Dutch costume — a pale blue linen frock, with deep corslet, and a muslin chemisette completed with the quaintest cap, two lono 1 flaxen plaits, anal real sabots. Her second frock was of white muslin and lace, and with this a very becoming Dutch bonnet of point lace was worn. » * * Miss Grace wore a very pretty garden party dress of pale green and heliotrope shades, and her hat of pink straw was wreathed with wisteria. The men, also, looked well — Mr. Sloman especially, in real Dutch costume, bloomers, short jacket, and sabots. Messrs Denniston,

Pollock, and Higginson wore old-fashion-ed frock coats, of coloured cloth, and satin knee-breeches. The performers were all re-called, and bouquets were presented to Misses Grace, Hoslop, and Waldegrave. After supper, there was a veiy enjoyable dance. Mrs. Grace woie a handsome black gown. * • ■* Some of the guests were . Mrs. Haroll Johnston, the Miisses Hislop, Fulton Fitzgerald, Fell, Coleridge, Atkinson, Pollen, George, Harcourt, Scully, Johnston, the Hon. M. Bmgham, Mr. Waterfield, Judge Denniston, Dr. Shand, and Messrs. A. Cooper, Turrell, Hodson, Johnston, Sclanders, and Goring- Johnston. The Auckland "Observe! " says — "The absorbing topic of conversation at Devonport has been the mamaige of Mi. Malcolm Niccol, which took place at Christchurch last Tuesday, the bride being Miss Smith, eldest daughter of Mr. Herbert Henry Smith." This is Mr. Niccol's fourth matumonial ventuie. He 19 a well-known Aucklander, having been an early resident of North Shore and he is now lesident secretary of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons, N Z.C. Mr. Niccol left Wellington several months ago to take up his residence and carry on his official duties in Dunedin. * ♦ • Great interest is being taken in the Oza-Boz-Boz, or Gaiden Fete, which, but for the dieadful weather, was to have opened on Thursday. Under the circumstances, it stands adjourned till Saturday. The Hidden Treasure hunt is quite a novelty for New Zealanders. Wooden spades are to be provided, and one runs the risk of discovering anything from one shilling to a five-pound note. The only person "in the know," Tarn told, is the head gardener. Whab fun the baby show should be, but many mother I hear, who would like to enter their bairns are afraid to, for fear they don't score first prize ! * * * The "Haunted 1 Chamber" sounds very mysterious and weird. Perhaps creepy ehost stories will be related there. That bv the way, was a great draw at a Syd L ney bazaar — dim, religious light, uncanny furnishings in the room, and a clever elocutionist, who 1 recited tales such as "The Upper Berth," which make one feel horribly creepy. * # • A propos of ghosts, a clergyman once had to sleep in a haunted room whilst visiting at an old country house. On the morning of his departure, his host,

who had never mentioned l the fact of the room being haunted, asked him "how he got on with his nocturnal visitor?" The ready-witted parson replied : "Oh, Ah, yes>, I had almost forgotten. On the first night an apparition appeared at my bedside, so I asked him for a subscription to my Sunday school, and I did not see him again." The vice-regal theatricals should be a gieat success. "Old Goosebery" is most amusing, and "Which Is Which" is said to abound' in complicated situations. Those taking part are the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, Miss E. Williams, the Misses 1 Eva and Morna Fell, Miss Moya Fitzge>iald, the Hon. M. Bingham, Dr. Mason, Dr. Purdy, Capt. Braithwaite, and Mr. Waterfield. His Excellencythe Governor is stage-manager. * •* * A pretty marriage was recently celebrated at Hamilton, when Miss Minnie Stowers, youngest daughter of Mr. S. Stowers, Wanganui, became the wife of Mr. W. Giles, fourth son of Mr. O. Giles of Hamilton. The wedding was qu ; etlv celebrated at the residence of Mi and Mrs. Vincent. The Rev. A. J. Reed was the officiating clergyman. * * * Mdlle. May Moore Duprez has a fasjmation all her own. The snatches of conversation with her sympathetic audience are very amusing, and her remarks whilst dome; the most difficult movements of a dance are of the quaintest description. "Every move a picture," she smilingly tells us, and it is quite true, for her dancing is very wonderful and pretty. * • • Then, her frocks. The picturesque Dutch peasant costume is changed for the piettdest of dancing frocks, fitting gracefully to the knee, and then flaring out into billows of chiffon, which twist and turn with each movement of the supple dancer. Mdlle. Duprez has an extensive wardrobe, but all her dancing fiocks are designed in the same way, and beautifully made. * • • One of black material, covered with irridescent sequins, and finished with frills of black and' white chiffon, was sweet. Another is of crimson chiffon, and 1 a third of chocolate browit and rose pink chiffon. This is a dainty frock and most becoming. The audiences at Dixs have beeji very large and fashionable lately and a number of theatre parties have been present, eniovinor very much the bright and cheerful programme.

Wednesday, October 12th, was the wedding day of Miss Lydia* Blundeil, third daughter of Mis. Henry Blunr dell. Clifton Ten-ace, the bndegroom bein" Mr. H. Digges Smath, ewi oi the late Captain Smith, ot the 41st Regiment. The marriage took place at St. Peter's Church the ceremony being performed b* the Rev. G. P. Davys M.A. Weddings are always pretty and interesting bu! this one was particularly so, botn the bnde and bridegroom being very popular members of families long resident in Wellington. The bnde was given, awa y h % her eldest brother Mr. Emjl Blimde-U, and looked very charmincr vi hei handsome biidal gown of ivoiy duchess satin. Deep flounces of accordeon-pleated ohiffon trimmed the skirt, which was finished with some exomsite Limeuck lace, and S court tram A veil of the same lace was worn over a small wieafcn ot oianee. flowers, becomingly arranged m ?V bride's p.etty hair, and she cained i shower bouquet of white flowers. of pink roses and forget-me-nots, with pak blue chiffon, sti earners. Mr. Jas. Smith was best man, and Mr. Fairchdd groomsman. As the bridal party left th» church Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" was played. • • * Subsequently, there was a reception a- "Te Krteroa," the residence of the bride's mother, a gi eat many guests ting, entertained. Afteinoon tea wm laid in the dining-room, and the table Mr Gill two old friends of the family. \ pretty idea was introduced in .a "wedding-hook," bound > ivory, m which each guest wrote his or her name, an 1 a wish for the bride's happiness. • * * Mrs Blundeil received the guests and was weanng a handsome gown ot black corded silk, and pretty black and ay Lite toque. Mrs. Smith was attned m black merveilleux, and a black and bonnet. Mrs. Agmen Smith wore a gown of palest green crepe-de-chine, and large picture hat. Mrs. Ti ingham was in rose-coloured crepe-de-<jhine—a charmmg gown—and hat W i eathed with pink roses. Miss Smith wore ivory voile, and a pretty red hat. • * Mrs. Holmwood wore a veiy stylish gown of leaf-green cloth, and a green tulle toque, Mis. Kennedy Macdonald black gown and handsome coat, and toque with pink and led roses. Mrs. Louis Blundeil wore black voile, with lace motifs, and a black picture hat. Miss May Blundeil looked well in cream spotted voile and lace and picture hat, rose trimmed. Mis. Wyhe hf.d on a pretty black and. white costume. Mrs. Fied. Wood wore a pietty giey tailm-made costume, and black picture hat The Misses Mcc were dressed alike, in very stylish gowns of heliotrope muslin, and laige black hats. They earned bouquets of mauve mseb, and chiffon bows. Mrs. Walter Blunder wore blue canvas cloth, and burntstraw hats with brown flowers ; Mrs. if. Lawson, vieux rose costume, and black hat Mrs. P. Blundeil, cornflower blue cloth dress, and black hat; Masses Richardson, cream voile frocks, and becoming hatg with cerise and pink rosettes. The Misses V , M , and I. Marshall wore dainty muslin frocks, and picture hats. • • • Mrs Focke wore black crepe-de-chme anrt a pretty toque ; Miss Fenwiok (Dunedin), pale green voile, and black hat, Mass Biown, pretty blue voile gown, with cream lace and black hat. Miss Francis wore white and green costume, Miss Ruby Young, pale green voile, and black picture hat. The presents were very beautiful, including a handsome clock from Mr. Smith's fellow officers in the Railway Department. The bridegroom's gift to the bride was a pearl pendant, and to the bridesmaids handsome "Nellie Stewart" bangles. The bride's going-away gown was a blue cloth tailor-made, and a pretty blue hat. • *■ • A recent marriage at Taihape was that of Miss Ellen Spencer, of OhingaitJ, and Mr. R. J- McDonald. The bride wore a handsome gown of white silk, and the orthodox wreath of orange flowers. The bridesmaids were : Miss McAlley, who wore blue voile, and Miss Thompson, in a dainty white silk gown. Both bride and bridegroom are very widely known and popular, and received numerous choice wedding gift®. T" 6 honeymoon is being spent in Wellington The bride's travelling-gown was of erev voile, worn with a stylish toque.

Muss Beeie's pupils gave a veiy excellent exhibition of class dancing at the Sydney^street schoohoom last Monday afternoon, when a gieat many guests weie present. One raiely has the pleasure of witnessing a piettier sight than the giaceful movements of these children, all of whom wore the daintiewt of white muslin laoe-inser-tioned frocks, and bright silk sashes. Lady Plunket, who expressed much pleaisuie at being present, was presented with a chaiming bouquet by Miss Ngaire Riddiford. Seveial of the dances weie le 1 by Lady Plunket's little daughters, who are pupils of Miss Be©re. * * * The various exercises wei c exeeedinglv w-ell-peifoimed, and they alone should make the most awkward child giaoefulin her movements. Following quickly after one another were polkas, hornpipes, lush jigs, eoidiahty dance, and flings. Especially charming was a flower dance by the older pupils, who earned, and cleverly manipulated, aiches of van-coloured flowers. A tambourine dance was equally good, and the cak&-walks, especially one perf ormed by the Hon. Helen and the Hon. Eileen Plunket, were delightful to watch. Miss Beeie certainly deserves gieat credit fa- the way her pupils acquitted themselves. The entertainment was in eveiy way a great success. Mis. Beere wore a handsome black biocade gown, with overskirt of lace. Miss Beere had on a pretty gown, of the pale&t pink muslin, with deep lace yoke and double-flounced skirt. Lady Plun^ kf t wais accompanied by Miss Aird. I alia noticed Mrs. Walhs, Mrs. Seddon, Lady Stewaid, Mesdames T. C Williams, Pynsent, Hunt, Bal combe-Brown, Bailhe, H. Johnston, Van Slyke, Abbott, Tuckey, 0. Beeie, Donne, Ward, Firth, Ross, Faulke, Seaton, M. Beere, Henry, Riddifoid, and the Misses Duncan, Coates, Grace, Somerville, Sed-don, Taylor, Henry, Burnett, R. Williams, Scully, and Heywood. Quite a number of gentlemen were also pi esent. The marriage of Miss Ida Blundell is to take place on November 12th. Miss Gwen Flannagan's mainage is fixed foi Maich. * * * Miss Sara Hymen, the pietty Sydney girl, here with the "Country Gnl" Company, and who made many fuends whilst here, is soon to take wing from comic opeia, and intends leaving, with lelations, for England, where she is to bo married. Miss Hymen's fiancee is a popular Sydney man, who at pi esent holds a good position m England. * * * Mrs. Glover-Eaton left this week for Nelson, having been engaged for the soprano solo work in the production of "The Ancient Mariner." The marriage of Mr. W. E. Ahem, of the Government Railway Department, Wellington, and Mi&s Tuckey, took place on Wednesday of last week, at the Sacied Heait Basilica. Tlie Rev. Father Holly was the officiating cleigyman. Miss Tuckey wore a very becoming gown of cream canvas voile, and a cream chiffon hat wreathed with nasturtiums. Miss Ryan, who attended the bnde, wore a blue tailor-made gown, and white chiffon hat with black tips. Mr. Frank Thompson was best mam. * * * The presents received were very numerous and costly, and included a set of cutlery fiom the bndegroom's brother officers, and a solid silver tray anl tea service fiom his personal "whare" friends. Mr. and Mrs. Ahem left bv the afternoon train, en i oute for Waniganui, where the honeymoon is being spent. * * * Australians are raving about Miss Tittell Brune, the fascinating American actress. Her manner, voice, frocks and "pretty blown hair," have, they say, a chaim all her own. * * * The engagement has been announced of Miss Agnes M. Donald, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Donald, Auckland, to Lieutenant G. H. Steer, of H.M.S. Empress of India. * ♦ * The Pahautanui Town Hall was opened on Wednesday last with a very successful ball, almost two hundred 1 guests being present. Music was supplied by Mr. Platt's string band, and Mr. C. Gray acted as secretary of the committee. Some pretty dmsses were worn. I noticed Mrs. F. Brady, m white satin ; Mrs. J. Sinclair, white silk ; Mrs. Peattie, white silk and net; Miss Abbott, blue silk , Mrs. Milton, black silk A number also came from town, including Mrs. Firth, the Misses Callow. Mrs. Ritson, Mists Birch, and the Misses Toumans.

We thank His Excellency the Governor for a copy of the souvenir programme of the Veterans' Home Fete. It is handsomely got up>, and is copiously illustrated.

The average citizen returned to woik on Thnisday morning a moist, unpleasant body, with soggy boots, a wrecked umbrella, brownpa peiy coat, and other spindrift. If he chanced to glance at the D.I.C. winr dow, m Panama-street, he must have reckoned that the expert windowdiest>er was a humourist of the first \v ater. Standing m a neglige attitude in the window was a wax gentleman, in a summery stiaw "boater," wearing a bieezy, 120-degrees-ui-the-shade white soft shirt. His flannel trousers suggested iced drinks amd strawberries and cieam, his dainty white shoes the rippling liver on which the parched mosquito plied his nefarious calling, andi Ins complexion was sun-kissed and smiling. * * * Even his exquisite black cummerbund suggested hammocks' swung under summei tieeis, a new novel, a big cigar, and soda water. Surrounded by summer hats — panamas and every kind of headgear calculated to keep> the head' cool — he was typical of what the weather was no-t. We saw the expert advancing with a deadly gleam m his eye. He charged the gentleman, seazed him. by the waist, the white legs quivered. He wu*s ashamed' of himself. He was gone.. Later he came back with a storm-proof coat on, a hard weather hat, and an umbrella. * * * Dear Lance.- — Your Taihape mudr scramble, in last week's issue, is really a bit good, but it doesn't quite come up to an moidetnt that happened at Foxton, neai the Wainkamo bridge, a few weeks ago A man was driving a four-ton load of flax out of the swamp, when he drove into a mud drift. On his nonai rival at the mall, a search party wem out to look for him. They found the lash-end of a whip-thong lying in the mud. Further investigations proved thai the man was sitting on the top of hit, load, holding up his whip as a signal of distress. It's really true, too. — Yours, etc., Reader.