Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 264, 22 July 1905, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

THE Wellington Racing Club's ball, given at the Town Hall on Thursday of last week, provided a scene whichi for brilliance has never been surpassed here. The rich OTimson draperies converted that portion of the hall under the galleries into sittingout rooms, furnished with luxurious carpets and' easy-chairs, and whilst resting one could) stall watch all "the dancing. The gallery, too, 'was screened and beautified with tree-ferns, and, watching from there, the sceme below was very pretty. The lights everywhere were softly shaded; with rose-pink sdlk, so, even to the little details of arrangement, everything was perfect. • • • The exquisite decoration of the stage (the work of a clever young florist, Mr. Kennedy) was the subject of much admiration. Masses of pungas and palms were grouped about, and 1 vari-colomred electric lights gleamed from out the greenery with charming effect. All round the room were grouped the silken colours -and caps of various sportsmen, side by side with racing saddSLes, whilst pictures of old and 1 present "favourites" were hung on the walls. The very splendid) supper was a most important feature, and such merry little parties grouped themselves round the small tables, each set for four. * • • In the concert hall, converted for the tame into the cosiest of supper-rooms, the decorations were chiefly crimson diraperies. On the central table, at which sat His Excellency the Governor, the beautiful silver trophies were standling, and 1 crimson satin ribbons were placed across from corner to corner. The entrance to the Town Hall looked very charming, with handsome palms, crimson carpets, and' soft lights. Appropriate, too, was the splendid model of a grey horse, wearing a racing cover.

Punctually at moe o'clock His Excellency the Goremor «nd Lad? «™Jeb S^l'uSr P M- *&%*££, court) atid Miss Haroourt, who presented Lady Plunket with a bouquet tied with the club's colours. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Plunket were then escorted to a daas, and shortly after the Lancers were formed. In the official set, His Excellency danced with Miss Haroourt , Mr J. B. Haroourt wath Lady Plunket, General Babmgton with Mrs. Arthur Rhodes, Dr Collins and the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, Captain Braithwaite and Miss Ooaites, Mr. Arthur Cooper wath Mrs. Hislop, Mr. A. E. Rhodes with Mrs Babingboix, and Mr. Lan Duncan with Miss Doris Johnston. # * * The dresses worn were lovely. Lady Plunket's biaok velvet gown was reheved with jet and white chiffon ruffles. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket wore a gown of sky-blue silk, made with a full pleated skirt, and 1 laoe-draped corsage. Mrs. Rhodes wore a gown of cream duchesse satin, witih kn.ots of rose-col-oured velvet. Mrs. Babingtoai chose ordmson satin, aocordeon-pLeated, with hanging sleeves of white chiffon, and 1 her guest, Miss Boyle, from Christchurch, wore the daintiest gown of white gauze amd silver threads over silk , Mrs. T. C. "Williams, in grey brocade and lace. Mrs. Walter Johnston ("Hhghdem") wore a beautiful gown of brocade and laoe. Mrs. Collins's lovely dress was of pale blue silk, with wide insertions of delicate laoe. Mrs. H. Crawford wore shell-pink silk, the corsage finished with slurred) chiffon and) Eastern embroideries. Mrs. Brandon wore a handsome dress of cream brocade. Mrs. W. Grace wore black velvet, trained, and diamonds. Miss Coates wore black velvet, and lovely lace; Mrs. R. Levin in cream satin and lace. * * * Mrs. A. Duncan wore cream brocade ; Miss Harcourt, a gown of lovely diuohesse 6atin, made with a full -pleated skirt. Mrs. Findlay's very pretty gown of silk was coveredi with an overdress of jewelled! net, and the corsage was completed with, a fold of turquoiseblue velvet. Mrs. Hislop wore black, with an pver-dress of sequin net, relieved with a bertha of lace ; Mrs. Ewen, a handsome brocade gown ; M^s. R - towe, a pretty dress of lilac silk : Mrs.

Tmngham, a very pretty drees of white glace, with over-dress of black jewelled 1 net. * ♦ « Mrs. K. Duncan wore blue, a glace frock, charmingly made, with full skirt and Rommey bodice, andi dielioate white Lace relieved the corsage. Mrs. A. Abbott wore a pretty white glace gown and violets. Mrs. Walter Blundelil was in black, with bertha of chiffon; Mrs. Bias, m cream satin ; Miss Barron, chine silk ; Mrs. Buoholz, white, effectively relieved wit!h black ; Mrs. A. Youngr, in a lovely satin gown. Miss Johnston' was wearing a handsome brocade gown. Mrs. Dykes wore cream satin and 1 lace ; Miss Doris Johnston, a pretty dress of d'esprit net, relieved' with blue. Miss Seddlon wore sky-blue silk and lace; Miss M. Seddora, white satin. * ♦ * Mrs. Harold Johnston's gown was very uncommon — pale blue satdn, with wreaths of yellow roses and trails of rose foliage all round' the skirt. Mrs. 0. Kember was in white satin. A charming dress was Miss Heywoodfe ivory net, with bands of palest blue velvet, and a jewelled belt, and a wreath of pink roses was worn in her hair. Miss Scully wore a striking gown of chine silk, beautifully made. Mrs. Webster wore an extremely pretty gown of grey chiffon. Miss Burnett wore a pretty blaok gown, and Miss Atkinson also wore black. Miss Otterson was wearing white glace and lace. Miss Flora Brandon wore a pretty pink silk dress. Miss L. Brandon was in blue. Miss K. Fitzgerald wore white silk : Miss B. Fitzgerald, cream net over satin. Miss Gwladys Brandon wore a gown of white silk, with chiffoni berthe. Miss Loughnan was wearing white glace and lace ; Miss Skerrett, a lovely dress of palest lemon silk, much shirred. Miss N. Skerrett wore a dainty dress of rosecoloured silk. * » • Miss Mills was wearing cream satin ; Miss G. Mills, a pretty blue silk gown. Miss G. Harcourt wore deep cream satin. Miss Bodmin wore a dainty white silk dress, with deep flounces ; Mies Stuart, cream, crepe-de-ohine. One of the prettiest gowns was Miss Reids cream satin, trimmed with flounces of lace caugbjfc with pink rosebuds. Miss Simpson wore a pretty black glace, with lace bertha- Miss E. Simpson, rose-pink eilk ; Miss Brewer, a pretty blue silk dress; Miss Seed, in white satin ; Miss Gilmer, a lovely white satin lace dress.

Miss Coleridge wore white muslin, with blue bordering the dainty flounces. Miss Miles wore white satin; MissBroad, in white silk and crimson roses. Miss MacTavish. wore white, silk • Mrs. E. Hadfield', in oream silk and net; Mrs. Bannister, black brocade and lace ; Miss Bannister, white brocade and chiffon. Mrs G. M. Harbroe wore black brocade ; Miss Harbroe, pink loudissine silk, trimmed with soft laoe flounces. Miss G. Harbroe (debutante) wore whit& satin, relieved with cuiffon and white flowers. * ♦ * The Swifts -Association Football Ckib are holding their first annual ball at Sydney-street Hall on Thursday, August 24th, and the committee intend it to be an unusually goodl dianice. Messrs. F. J. Court&nay, B. L. Salman, W. Churchward, H. Graves, R. Duff, arndP. R. Pye-Snrith will be responsible for the arrangements. The thirteenth annual ball of the Wellington College Old Boys' Association was held at the Sydney^street schoolroom last Tuesday, and went witn a swing from the first note of music. The night was crisp and cold — perfect for dancing — and all the guests hadi come prepared for a bright and oleasant evening, and they were not disappointed, for the Old Boys on this occasion quit© upheld their excellent reputation as hosts, and those present at their ball will still look forward *-. + Jie Old Boys' dance as one of the most pleasant functions of each year. *• * * > The hall looked very bright, although elaborate decorations are, of necessity, a tale of the past now the room 1 has been re-papered. The stage was carpeted, and the College colours were draped about. The ante-rooms were furnished for sitting-out and refreshments. The supper-tables were very prettily a,rranged, and laden with delicious sweets. Mr. Fleming provided splendid music, and the floor was excellent. Those who had 1 endeavoured to dance at the Town Hall a few ndgjhts previous realised what a tremendous difference a good floor oan make. • • . The chaperones present were : Mrs. Firth, wearing a black lace gown, and Mrs. Mee-, who also wore blaok, relieTed with lace. Amonssst the many guests I noticed : Mrs. Webb (nee Miss Holmden), who wore a lovely gown of ivory satin, draped with lace, the train 1 and full skirt bein trimmed l with rows of narrow niched chiffon. Another nrettv white satin gown was worn by Mrs. Jack Curtis, and was also softened with chiffon. Mi^c Seddon wore a

cieuin satin gown, with net sleeves and lar fe e pink rose. Miss Ashbolt wore a dainty frilled white silk, with dune cash, and red satin shoes. « • • Miss Richardson wore white muslin ; Miss Bulkley, a very pretty gown of eau-de-ml silk and lace. Miss Henderson wore a most becoming pink silk dress • Miss Mcc, cream silk and lace : Miss Hannah, a lace gown over glace Miss Spragg, pale blue flounced silk dress; Miss Kirkcaldae, a pretty gown of ciimson silk; Miss 0. Kirkcaldie. ■white silk and lace; Miss Isaacs, pale blue silk, and her sister in lemon-ood-our, relieved with black- Miss Pollock, white muslin and embroidered net. white muslin and embroidered! net. Mi sis I. Gibto (debutante) woie white silk a.nd lace. Miss Churchward wore -white muslm and violets. M«sTnstwi, white book muslin andi crimson bebe ribbon , M.i«s E. Solomon a dainty white book muslin dress with Pounces ' and' bebe ribbon. Miss Harbroe wore pink silk, and her sister was in wh'te sat ; n and 1 lace. Miss Greville wore p^-le r»ink and' chiffon. Mass Y. Greville wsf in white muslin. At St. Mary of the Angels, Boulcottstreet, on Wedn-esd'av 12th inst., tihe wedding of Mr. Edmond Grace Twohill, of the Pub^c Works Department, to Miss Daisy Bertha Sherwood was solemnised. Th© Rev. Father Kimball was the officiating clergyman. Although it was desired that the wedding should be of the quietest description, the happy couple, on emerging, from the church, were met by a very large number of friends, who deluigedi them with rice. The bride wore a blue cloth costume, ■with white facing. Muss Violet Sainsbury. who attended heir as bridesmaid 1 , wearing pale blue. Mr. Patrick Twohill attended his brother as be>t man. On the day preceding the wedding the ■bridegroom was presented, on behalf of his fellow officers in the Public Works Department, with a handteome couch and denier <wvice. The Undter-Sec 1 ' e>tarv (M*. 810w 1 ! made the presentation, and spoke hapnilv of the relation's existing between Mr. TwohnMl, himself, and subordinates. The Misses Emmie and Mabel Mun.ro (daughters of Mr. G. S. Mun.ro, of the Industries and Commerce Department) are quiickly working their way to fame andi fortune on the musical comedy stage in London. Both girls have been for some time now in Mr. George Ediwatrde®' Company, which is playing "The Ladly Madcap." The other day Mr. Muniro had a note from a friend' at Christohuroh saying that a mutual friend — an officer of the Imperiail Nayy — writing from London, said • "Tell George Munro when, you see him that hi® daughter Mabel is now one of the recognised! beauties in London." * * Miss Mabel Munro, the youneer daughter, is> now chief under-study for Miss Delia Mason, and is a bright, vivacious little actress. The management intend shortly to give her a leading part, and are confident of her success. Mass Delia Mason, whom Miss Munro understudies was in Australia last year w^th ■the "Three Little Maids." Miss Emmie Munro is second undi&nstudy for another of the principals in the siame cast, and is also talented and dlainty. • * ♦ On Saturday afternoon tihe Congregational schoolroom was filled l with guests, invited by Miss Grace Kennedy, on tihe occasion of her pupils' concert. The childten and senior pupate taught by this talented violiniste gave practical evidence of the excellence of their training, and acquitted themselves one anid all in an admirable manner. Particularly clever and promising was the playing of Miss Pringle, who, with her sister at the piano, gave an excellent rendering of sonata, in F, violin and piano, "Allegro" (Beethoven). ♦ * * Miss Erica Hoby also played with expression, and several trios and! quai - tettes were listened to with great pleasure, the young performers beinig Misses Howden, Glasson, Eglin, Prmgle, and Hoby, and Masters Jam and E. Evans and! Lewis. Mrs. T. A. Revell sang several songs very charmingly, es>pecxally dainty being two of Mr. George Kennedy's. At tihe conclusion of the concert, afternoon tea was handed to the guests, amongst whom were • Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pringle, Mrs. Haoon. Mts. S. Kennedy, the Misses Barron, Miss Newton, Mrs. Evans, the Misses Nation, Miss Brenda Hacon, and Miss Campbell. Mrs. Maopherson (Dunedin) is tihe guest of Mrs. F. Waldegrave, having come up to be present at the wedding of Miss Waldegrave. which is shortly to take place. The committee of the Thomdon District School last Wednesday evening entertained the staff of that school and a few friends. Songs were excellently rendered' by Mesdamee Revell, Pytb-Jack-eon, and Messrs. Revell and Mack, also humorous recitations by Mr. King

(chairman) and Miss Benzani. , Dancmnig was also indulged in, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Mesdaineb Revell and Pyfct>Jaok®on acted as pianists throughout the evemiug.

I have pleasure in announcing that I have purchased from Messrs. Wriggles^■worth and Bums the whole of their negatives, and am now prepared 1 to supply copies to original sitters. Theisie portraits will be supplied in the latest and mast up-to-date styles. — J. N. Isaacs, Victoria Studio, Mannersstreet. Twenty-two shillings a ton is the lowest price ever chai ged m Wellington for coal, and the s.s. Rosamond's cargo from the State coal mine on Monday will be eo-ld at that figure. The ooaJ to be sold is screened, and is reported on as being equal to the best soi eened household coal in the colony. The Elite Skating Rink continues to attract lairge crowds of erutihusiasts, and one may see aJmost nightly excellent exhibitions by local exponents of all that is adept in the art of rolling round. The cheerful strains of the Rink Band, and! the general bustle, life, and merriment oif the gathering, as weill as the exhilarating nature of the pastime, claim increasing popularity.