Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 273, 23 September 1905, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Chijistabel.

IT is not often that we are entertained by a bachelor, and thus fact made Dr. Arnold 1 Izard's "At Home" all the more interesting. It was given at his old home, in Hobsomstreet, where the view from the verandah and lawn were very much admired. Dr. Izard received his guests, and was really a splendid host, doing the honours with miuch courtesy and quite upholding the reputation of the house for kindly hospitality. The rooms were gay with flowers,* the drawingroom being especially bright with cnnvson. anemones. Tea was beautifully laid in the dining-room", and also in the morning-room, aaxd the sweets were; of the daintiest I description. Exquisite narcissi in tall silver vases were the floral decorations. A band played on" the verandah during the afternoon. • * * It would be impossible to remember all who were there — Dr. Izard! hiasi many friends—but I noticed: Mrs. geddon, wearing black, relieved with,, white y\ Mrs. Wallis, in violet, cloth; ,'iLady Ward, in grey; Mrs. Adams, westing a handsome violet gown; Mrs. Grace, wearing black. Mrs. Quick wore black and black. and whit© bonnet. Mrs. C. Izard wore black crepe-die-chin©, and pretty hat wAfch clusters of violets. Henguest, Mrs. Isett (Wanganui), wore a black gown, long biscuiiccoloured coat, and pretty lilac toque-. Mrs. Herepath wore brown silk voile over glace, and brown hat, with ostrich stole of brown and white. • i • * Mrs. B&lcombe-Brown wore black silk voile; Mrs. C. H. Mills, black, and pretty toque ; Mrcsr •A. Pearoe',i sealskin coat, dark skirt, and red! Jaat ;

Mrs. Crawford, a violet cloth diets, and bat the same shade, Mrs,. Tolhurst, in black. Mrs. G. Peaice wore a navy blue gown and hast; Mrs.. Finch, black cloth and toque with ostrich taps. Mrs. W. Kennedy also wore a black tailormade gown, and 1 blaok and white hat. Mrs. Sprotb was wearing a dark gown, cloth ooat, and black toque. Miss Har court's gown was pale blue, worn with a long white coat and large hat. * * * Miss Miles wore a very pretty blue cloth gown, and stylish hat with rosebuds. Miss MacTavish woire grey tweed, and a grey chiffon hat. Mi&s. M. Fell was wearing cream voile, with fox furs and cream straw hat wreathed wirtih tulle. Mi's. W. A. Loigaa wore a pretty dress of crimson cloth, and a black hat; Mrs. Dykes, pretty tailormade gown, andl blaok hat , Mrt>. Buchanan, dark grey ; Mrs. Rankin Brown, a navy-blue gown, and black hai Miss Dransfield, cream cloth gown, and black hat. Miss Harding wore pale blue canvas cloth. Miss FitzGeorald was wearing grey, andl white furs ; Muss B- FitzGerald, pretty gown of striped floral silk; Miss G. Haroourt, white cloth gown. ♦ * * Miss Mills wore grey tweed, and pretty rose-i»rimmed hat; Miss Br&nidoii, white cloth gown, strapped 1 with black. Miss D. Johnston wore a pretty red cloth dllJees. Mass L. Brandon wore bliie'cioth, .and a white hat. Moss -Richmond wore black voile, and a black hglt with ostrich feathers; Miss M. 'Richmond, pretty blue gown, anid picture hat. Miss Finch wore cream ; Miss Eileen Ward, a pretty cream cloth gown," and large hat. Miss SeddWin wotre blue voile ; Miss^ May Seddom, white cloth. There were a great many gentlemen present, too, amongst whom were: Tlie Bishop of Wellington, Captain Bimgham, A.D.C., and several members of the medidaJ profession- * * * Lord and Lady Plunket and 1 the 1 Hon Kathleen Plunket have several tames visited the M^amar golf links. His Excellency enjoys a game. #,- * * A very enjoyable children's dance was given on Friday last by, Miss Roach, at Spiller's Hall, Boulcott-street.,, The frail was prettily decorated with clematis" and. ferns, and 1 looked very gay' and bright. The children^ $pent ' the

happiest ot evenings, entering with, thorough enjoyment into the dlamces. Th© various rooms were cosily arraiuged for sitting-out, and during the evenamg there were several enjoyable selections from the phonograph. The supper tables were laden with dainties, andi decorated with choice palms and narcissi. Muss Roach received) her guests, and wore a handsome black ©repe-de-chine gown. Miss EJita Roach wore a dainty white silk dress, blue sash, and spray of forget-me-nots . • * * There were about sixty young people present, amongst whom I* noticed . Miss Turnbull, pale blue accordeon-pleated orepe-de-ehine ; Miss I*. Mead, white silk blouse, dark skirt; Mass L. Levi, flowered muslin; Miss D. Levi, oream sulk ; Miss Alma Jones, white muslin ; Mass Daphne Jones, blue nun's veiling ; Mibs Clara Geddis, white sulk; Miss Esme Geddis, dainty m/uslin; MissDoius Dlckersoai, cream silk, prettily trimmed; Mise Ina Rowdien, blue muslin; Miss May Curtis, white silk; Miss S. Corrigan, cream silk; Miss W. Dixon, cream voile; Masters Bush, Muir, Kirker, Miller, Jones, Parker, Wardell, Wilson, Kinvig, Turnbull. *• * # Several little teas have Jbeen given lately, the guests being invited to meet Miss Richmond, who is working enthusiastically for her excellent kinder•garten scheme. At these pleasant little teas, Miss Richmond explains the very business-like basis on which the committee is establishing this school — >if it may be called sueh — and! so many have shown their sympathy in a practical way by subscribing the sum of 2s 6d a year for three years.. On' Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Burnett .entertained a few friend® at her residence, Trnakori-road, and during the afternoon. Miss Richmond explained in a most interesting manner th© object of the scheme. ♦ * * The most beautiful spring flowers were in profusion about the pretty •rooms, and refreshing tea was served in the dining-room. ■ Some of the guests were : Miss Richmond, and Mesdames Miles, Marchibanks, Seaton, Rotheiram, Wylie Hales. # * " • Miss 1 Pearson has issued invitations for a bal poudre, to be held at Sydneystreet Hall on Friday, iSeptember 29th.

The Savage Club's enter talnment quite came up to all oiur expectations,, and was enjoyed immensely, novel, bright, and very amusing items being contributed by various members of the tribe. T!he decorations were much adtmired. Crimson carpets were laid on the stairs and corridors, and beautiful palms, bamboo, and nikau were grouped on each side with splendid effect. In the concert hall, tall cabbage trees were grouped about, and the stage was tastefully arranged) with palms. Unaque indeed were the amusing posters, the work of Savages Macbeth, Herdman-Sinith, and , Reuben Watts. The supper was arranged in. the corridors, and was handed round to the guests by the hosts during a short inteival. The gallery and liall looked very brilliant with pretty frocks and faces and gay uniforms, and' tihere were quite six hundred guests present. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Plunket, and a large party from Government House attended, and the Commander and officers of the Austrian man-of-war, the Vice-Consul and hjs 1 wife, Mrs. and the Misses Seddon, and Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were amongst the guests. * • » Lady Plunket wore black velvet, with rose point draping the square-cut corsage and diamond stars, and her lovely tiara was also worn. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket also wore black, relieved with chiffon. Mrs. Focke wore black satin and chiffon; Mrs. Collins, handsome brocade gown, softened with folds of tulle. Mrs. Dykes wore a lovely dress of rose pink silk, with over-dress of tinted lace, and acoordean -pleated chiffon frills. Mrs. Hislop wore black velvet, and a lace scarf. I also noticed: Mrs. Wallis, Dr. and Mrs. Pollen, Dr. and Mrs. Shand, Mrs. C. Cooper (Ghristchureh), Mrs. Walter Nathan and the Misses Nathan, Mrs. Yon Haast, the Misses Fell, Mr. and Miss Harcourt, the Misses FitzGerald, Mr. and Mrs. Wilford, Miss McLean, Miss Partridge, Mrs. and Miss Lough,nan, Mrs. Rhind, the Misses Mcc, the Misses Eliott, Miss Laishiley, Miss Tregear, Miss Robinson, Miss Ward, the Misses Mills, Miss Nelson, Miss Jofhanson, Colonel and Miss Prfrfc, Miss Halse, Macs Phillips, and, in fact, it would be difficult to say who was not there.

Miss Barbaia Putnam, ox Karon, gave her pupils' "tweiak-up" at thie ±teIreshment 4&oom&, on Jjnaiay lost. The little dance was very much enjoyed by all the <shalcureui. This week Miss Putnam lett for Auckland, having been specially sent tor to train two hundred danoet £ for the large Catholic bazaar, which will eventuate in a month oa- two. Miss Putnam is particularly clever at organising and ariangauig dances, and intends to teach some original and striking marches and quaint hgures on thus occasion. • • • A very successful conceirt was given -at the Town Hall concert hall on Monday night last, with th© object of obtaining funds to fuither th© musical education of Miss Lilian Irvine, who, though only fifteen yeans of age, succeeded in winning the Sydney gold medal for soprano soloists, andl who is now being educated at the Wellington Convent. There was a large audience, which included Lady Pluuket and a party from Government House, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, th© Mayor and Mrs. His] op, the Misses Seddon, Archbishop Redwaid, and several of the clergy. The programme was an enjoyable one, but chief interest centred, of -course, in Miss Irvine's songs. Her first one "Hush, My Little One," was sung with excellent expression and delicacy, revealing the fact that her voice was of remarkable <range and power, a pure soprano, with much of that n&oessary quality — sympathy. In fact, her technique and expression throughout the evening were really wonderful, considering her youth. The sweet notes are, produced without, the slightest effort ,even Zardo's difficult song, "Hanpy Bird," was guven with the greatest freedom and purity of ton©. « • • The audience was completely won, and applauded each item with enthusiasm. 'Yiainka's So iig" was the fir^t response to an encore, and this was sung very gaily, and ohoe more one was impressed with the excellent phrasing and expression. Ttetr's "Good-bye" ■was sung delightfully, with much power and feeling, and an encore was persistently demanded' when th© young sanger -chose something quaint, "If No One Ever Marries Me' ? (Lehmann), singing it with archness which, with her pretty, childish manner, quite captivated everyone. "The Miller and the Maid," also given in response to an encore, was another good item. , * * * Miss North-Barrett was heard to advantage in two songs, ''To the Angels" *(Zardo), which was warmly applauded, and ''Douglas Gordon," and, in respooi&e to an encore, she gave Chaminade's "Silver Ring." Mr. Leslie Hill sang splendidly "My Queen," and, as an encore, gave a chaiming little song, 'Absent." Mr. Cyril Tbwsey played Chopin's Polonaise in C sharp minor, and Herr Hoppe was encored for his rendering of the Cuier-Popper Gavotte. Li tins he was accompanied by Mjiss Edith Taylor. Miss Jennie Arndt was very successful with her recitations. Bret Harte's "Her Letter" was given with excellent expression and dramatic effect, and, in response to an encore, she reaited "Butterflies" daintily. Mr. J. F. Oarr's siweet voice was heard to great advantage m Willeby's pretty sons;, "Summer Rain," amd, being re-called, sang "My Garden." Mr. Duff was also rewarded with an encore for his remderinqr of "Hybrias th© Cretan," and gave the ever-popular "Alcala." Messrs. Jas. Searle and 1 D. LiTlicrap opened the , programme with Balfe's "Excelsior," Which was an enjoyable number. Miss. Irvine received two lovely oi imson bouquets during the evening. The accompaniments were played with sympathy by Miss K. Maloney. * * • Why, I won dei , do naval visitors always strike unpleasant and stormy weather? Notwithstanding the elements, though, our Austrian guests appear to have thoroughly enjoyed their sojourn here. On Tuesday, His Excellency the Governor and Lady Plunket gave for them a very enjoyable dannei party, which was followed by a dance. Those present a>t dinner were . The Premier and Mrs. Seddon, General and Mrs. Babington, Commander Yon Hohnel, Lieufc. Brosch, Yon Auber, and Preinl, Mr. andl Mrs. Focke, the Misses Fell, Mr. and Mrs. Lan Duncan,, Mr Arthur Cooper, Miss Cooper, Miss Hdslop, Captain Campbell, Miss Boyle, and Mr. Fras&r, M.H.R. _ Th© health of the Emperor of Austria was toasted, the band playing the Austrian national anthem. * • • Lady Plunket wore a bright red satin e;own, relieved with diamonds. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket was wearing pale yeUow. Mrs. Seddbn's handsome gown was of black and white striped satin brocade, with_ lace and diamond stars. Mrs. Babington wore a pretty satin gown and diamonds. Mrs. Pocke ware black satin and' lace. Miss Fell was in white sa/tin and; laoe ; Miss

E. Fell, pale blue silk; Miss M. Fell, eau-de-nil silk. * * » At the dance afterwards, Miss Siinpson wore white glaoe ; the Masses Mills, white acoordeon-pleated bilk; Mibb Butt, red satin and chiflan ; Muss Eileen Ward, ivory satin ; Miss Seddoii, skyblue sdlk; Miss M. Seddon, oream satoai and roses. Others present were : Misses SammerviLle, Brandon, Miles, Grace, Harcouxt, Gore, Coleridge, FitzGerald, Kember, and Logan. • • • On Wednesday .afternoon, Cominia-nder Yon Hohnel, of the Panther, and his officers entertained a few guests at afternoon tea, amongst whom were . Lady Ward and' Miss Ward, the Misses M. and R. Seddian, Mr. and Mrs. Focke Mass Hennah, several members and their wives, and Mr. and. Mrs. Dykes. Thle commander is simply a ohairming host, anid was greatly assisted! in entertaming by bis lieutenants, some of whom played and sang beautifully. Mass R. Seddon and Miss Ward and Mr. Dykes sang, and Miss Hennah played the violin. Altogether, th© afteiranoon was most enjoyable. Aftenniaon tea was beautifully laid out in the captain's saloon, and lovely flowers adorned the table. • • * Mad'amie Nita Steele is to be congratulated upon the success of her recital, given at tihe Sydney-street schoolroom.

on Wednesday night. Although the elements were of the moot wintry description, there was a good attendance., and the vaaiaus items were much enjoyed. Especially good were Madame Steele's own contributions — "The Captive," gaven with much dramatic force and power, and later an amusing story, "Tfoe Three-cornered House." Associated wfith Miss Mary Butle,r Madlame Nita SteeJe gave the pretty teasing soe<ne from "Romeo aindl Juliet." As the mirae, in appropriate costume, Madame was excellent, and Miss Butler, wearing a pretty Juliet dress, acted prettily. ''Pygmalion and Galatea" (Miss Ella Cooper and Mr. Theo. Tresdze) was very well done. The stage was arranged as a studio, and both performers acted very naturally. Miss Cooper afterwards recited "The Organist," scoring a success. Her voice is well modulated, and both enunciation and expression are pleasing. Misses Sara and Addde Van Staveren gave a scene from "As You Like It" in a very clever manner. TSheir lines were spoken with excellent expression, and both showed much dramatic talent. Hearty applause andl two handsome bouquets 1 rewarded! their efforts. • • • Miss Winder was encored for each of her recitations, her best effort beine; an amusing monologue, "He tried! to tell his wife." Later on she gave "Mt.

Potts's Hat." Miss Hilda Miles recited very nicely "Tale of a Dog," and was warmly applauded. MiesS Butler was re-called tor "Lahmvatt-," and Miss Gnnaoie Beck was very good! with "Tbp Rationalistic Chicken," although inclined to haste., probably through near vousness. • * * Miss Hayes gave an amusing account of how the widow obtained potatoes, and Mr. David Wheeler, who has a. welltoned voice, and should develop in/to a good elocutionist, recited "Our Folk" with good expression. Later, he read "The Portrait." Miss Sara Van Staveren gave a clever humorous account of "A Quarrel," and Miss Ad'die Van Staveren was equally hiappy in "My Sweetheart." The last item, was Hamlet's Soliloquy, given by Madame Nita Steele, and was one of the best items of all. Madame is a fine elocutionist, and undoubtedly possesses the power of imparting her knowledge to her pupils. • * * In the audience I noticed: Lady Stout, Lady Ward 1 , Mrs. Findlay. Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Quick, Mrs. and! Miss Van Staveren, Misses Simpson and Watson, Mrs. and Miss Wheeler, Mrs. Knight, Miss Turner, and Mrs. Waters. » • There are rumours of a fancy dress ball to be given, by His Excellency the Governor and Lady Plunket cm October 9th. • * • It was feared by many flower-lovers that the severe weather of the last few days would affect the spring show which was opened at the Petone Drillshed on Wednesday. However, no serious damage was done to the flowers, and the Horticultural Society announces that the entries and blooms are much, larger than on any previous occasion. The various groups of bulbs are so beautiful that one does not know where to begin admiring. Christchurch and Napier contribute many splendid specimens of narcissi, and the beautiful cinerarias (from Mr. Chapman's conservatory) wexe objects of envy to many of us. It was simply a feast of loveliness, and one can, only regret that the majority of Wellington , people are barred from such a delightful recreation as flower-growing. • • • The unpleasant weather prevented all but the most enthusiastic spirits vem- - turing from town, but the Hutt was well represented. The show was opened by Lady Plunket, who was presented with a lovely! bouquet, and a band was in attendance. Afternoon tea was provided for the visitors. Mrs. R. p. Kirk and Mr. Greig, joint secretaries, have been chiefly responsible for tifie excellence of the show. • * * The portrait of Mass Hardinge-Malt-by, which is in the Dresden window, and has been much admired, was tinted by Miss Kane, who has been doing some very beautiful colouring work lately. The photograph was taken at Mr. Brown's studio, Willis-street, andl is an excellent likeness. Miss HardingeMaltby's pupils are to give an entertainment at St. Peter's schoolroom on October 2nd.

I have pleasure in announcinig that I have purchesed from Messrs. Wrigglesworth and Binns the whole of their negatives, and am now prepared' to supply copies to original sitters. These portraits will be supplied in the latest and most up-to-date styles. — J. N. Isaacs, Victoria Studio, Manners-street.