Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 274, 30 September 1905, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

SEVERAL very pleasant evenings have been given during the session by Lady Ward, and on Saturday last there was a small impromptu dance at Awarua Hatuse. It was very much enjoyed, of course. The draw-ing-room, was prepared as a ballroom, and a delightfuJ little supper was laid m the dining-room. Lady Ward wore black lace over palest pink glace, and a cluster of roses. Miss Ward wore a soft white silk drees. Mrs. Mills wore a black siLk dress, softened with white tulle; Miss M. Seddon, a pretty silk dress; Mrs. Frank Dyer, black satin and laoe ; Miss Rutherford, pale lilao satin and! lace bertha. Miss Christine Smith wore black satin and! lace; Miss Macintosh, white silk; Miss A. Macintosh, pale yellow silk; Miss Somerville, white, witih belt of deen yellow *silk ; Miss Brandon, white silk, with chiffon overskirt; Miss Grilmer, pretty blue orepe-de-chine gown ; Miss Mills, black satin, and crimson roses ; Miss G. Mills, whnite accord'eon-pleated silk gown ; Miss Webb, yellow silk and lace. • • * Amongst the men were: Dr. Oahill, Dr. Herbert, Messrs. TrimmeLl, Hiorring Harbotfcle, Hewitt, S. Seddon, Ward. Kennedy, GUmer, Loughjian, Somerville and Nelson. • • • We are sure to enjoy "Quality Street" when it comes along with the Boroughs next month. The quaint "prunes a,Tid prisms" ladies, with skimpy frocks and tight ringlets, are so picturesaue— o^ +he staere — but we should look with horror at the bonnets if they were suggested for present-day wear.

The fancy dress ball, held at Pahautanui, on Wednesday night, tlhe 20th mstant, was a most enjoyable and successful gathering. Some of the dresses worn by the ladies and gentlemen were quite unique and 1 anginal. Mrs. Smith, of the Thames, looked exceptionally well in a character which, according to the card, represented "Hmemoa." Mrs. Wise well sustained the character of "Clio." Mass McOoll, of Dunedin, went as the "Duchess of Devonshire, and Mrs. Marinas as "Day and Night." Among the gentlemen was a visitor from the warship Panther, beautifully dressed to represent the Sultan of Turkey. • • * Musicail people have been revelling m the Watkin Mills concerts — such a fine quartette and siongs to suit everyone. "Wonderful man, Watkin Mills!" remarked one ardent admirer, "he is equally at home with oratorio and a comic song, and everything that ranges between." The contralto (Miss Lonsd'ale, too, was a great favourite, and both she and Mies Kirkwood wore loverly gowns of brocade in delicate shades, with wide osta-ich stoles. On dit that Miss Kirkwood andl Mr. Harold Wilde, the tenor of the company, a.re engaged. • • ♦ At the performance of "St. Paul," on Thursday night, there was a full bouse. Archbishop Redwood and Bishop and Mrs. Wallis were present, and I also noticed : Lady Stout . Mr. and Mrs. Bal combe-Brown, Mr. Justice Cooper and his daughters, Miss Ashcroft, Miss Hayes, Mrs. and Miss Seed. Mm a,nd Miss Burnett, Mr. and Mrs. Coleridge, Mrs. Firth. Mrs. Ward, Miss Maa"£olionth (Napier), MissLuckie, and Miss Ewen. • • * The sum total handed by Sir William Russell to the Hon. E. Mitchelson, chairman of the Veterans' Home, as a result of the Charity Ball, amounted to £275 12s. Aucklanders are remarking that the ball must have been very excellently managed to prodluce such splendid financial results. • • • Miss Violet Warburtori has issued invitations for an exhibition of fancy dancing for her young pupils, to be held at the Academy, on October Pth, The prizes will then be presented to the pupils, the dancing having been judged by Mrs. T. His! op. Mrs. Fulton and Miss Tolhurst.

Just as pretty and bright as <a wedding could be was the marriage oeiremany of Mr. Charles Manley Luke, second son of the late Mr. g. B. Luke, with Miss May Lawson, eldest daughter of Mr. Alexander Lawson, of Wellington, which was celebrated' at St. John's Church, on Tuesday, September 26th. The bride entered the church with iher father, and looked exceedingly dainty in her bridal gown of cream crepe-de-chine over glaoe, and flounced with silk lace, the skirt being gracefully trained. A tulle veil wai=> worn over a wreath of orange flowers, >and a lovely shower bouquet was carried. • ♦ * The bride was followed by two ma.ids, Misses Blanche Lawson and May Luke, who wore very becomang dresses of ivory erepolime, prettily made with elbow sleeves and deep silk belts, and their green tulle hats were trimmed with clusters of violets, these flowers also composing the bouquets they carried. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. James Patenson, and at the conclusion the "Bridal March" was played by Mr. Maughan Barnett, organist of St. John's. Mr. Wilfred Kellow was best man, and Mr. Alex. Lawson, jun., groomsman. • • - # A reception was subsequently held at the residence of the bride's pameuts. Mrs. Lawson wore a handsome black and white gown, and black hat with primroses. Mrs. S. Luke (mother of the bridegroom) wore a handsomely embroidered black silk popLm gown, relieved with lovely lace, and a black hat with pink aigrette : her bouauet was also composed of pale pink flowers. • • ♦ The house was very tastefully decorated, amd the wedding breakfast wi.s laid in the dining-room, the table looking beautiful witTi quantities of lovely fresias and narcissi, in tall vases, on a delicate white centre. The health ™f the bride was proposed by the Rev. James Patensom, amd responded' to by the bridegroom. The weddirtic- presents were exceptioViany valuable and numerous, and 1 included a complete case of cutlery, a gift to the bridesn*oom from his friends at Messrs. Briscoe, McNeil, and Oo.'s. The honeymoon will be spent at Rotorua and Auckland, and the bride's gioine-awa.y Sown was a d"ark blue Eton costume, woni with a champagne-colourpd tun,^ hat and cerise roses. Her gift from

the bridegroom was a lovely pearl pendant, and the bridesmaids received a pearl orescent brooch and gold cable bangle respectively.- * • • Amongst the many guests present I noticed : Miss Luke, wearing grey, and a pretty hat with shades of violet amd pale green; Mrs. J. P. Luke, wearing a pretty nut-brown silk, trimmed with insertion, and her hat repeated' the shades. Miss Grace Luke wore a cream, gown, and pretty hat. Mrs. G. Luke wore black embroidered crepoline ; Mrs. W. Luke, black silk gown, relieved' with oream lace; Mrs. W. Cable, black silk gown. Miss Cable wore pale green,, with ostrich stole and' preitty gieen hat * * * ♦ < Mrs. Barbeir wore a handsome black gown, Mrs. J. Kellow, black silk gown, with beautiful black lace ; Mrs. Johnston, in champagne voile and ostrich stole; Mrs. P. Roberts, eiabro.dered crepolane, and hat with roses ; Mrs. Mack, tinted voiile gown, • and oream hat; Mrs. Evans, black and white gown. Mrs. A very also wore a pretty black and white dreiss. Miss Belle Lawson wore royal blue crepoline, and pale blue and pink hat. * "* » Mrs. Bush (Invereairgill) is the guest of Mrs. Menzies, Thorndon Quay. * ♦ « Mrs. Brandon gave a very enjoyable tea on Friday afternoon — the first since her house was enlarged, and the hall and rooms were very much admired for their artistic colour and arrangement. The tea was given for Mrs. Tilley, who is just now the guest of Mrs. Brandkxn. In the dining-room, where the tea-cables were laid, the decorations were of narcissi and purple hyacinths. * * • Mrs. Brandon received her guests, and was wearing a black voile gown. Mrs. Tdlley wore a pretty cream voile dress. Mrs. Wroughton (Tdm&ru) wore a navy blue cloth dress. Miss Flora Brandloai was in cream cloth ; Miss L. Brandon, blue voile. Miss De«ns (ChrAstcbureh) warfe pale green voile, and Paris laoe; Mrs. Bush (Invereairgill), black dreiss, relieved with green. Mrs. Elgar wore a preibty cream voile dress, and becoming blue hat. Also present I noticed: Mesdames Tweed, Larnach. Pearce, H. Crawford, Miles, Leckie, Ranlrin-Brown, C Cooper. Htislot>, Harding, Edwin, Stratbon, I^aa-d, Miss Turner, and Miss Ooates.

"A Moorish Maid," with its wealth of bright colour and pretty, tuneful music, lias drawn crowded houses. On Wednesday, His Excellency the Governor amd Lady Plunket, with a party from Government House, w&re present. The scenery is very rich rand pretty, and the dresses worn by the chorus are ■quaintly becoming. The tunics and soarves were worn loosely over the long, full-gathered trousers, all , the slippers were gilded, and their hair was l'oofce, with gauze veils and various ornamental Arrangements thereon. • • • Miss Buckmann wore a handsome gold sdlk costume, completely covered with Made gauze, and a gamae veal <tfawned with a handsome headless. Mass Lloyd Hasaell, as the Princess, was very dignified. Her first costume was in shades of pale blue and lilac, with white gauze veil, a.nd handsome jewels. Later, she wore an exceedingly rich-looking Moorish gown,. in <sr©am doth, elaborately embroidered. Miss Leila Spiller was very piquant and dainty, and wore a pretty dress o. lilac silk, covered with tulle, a hanidtome jewelled girdle, and a white gauze veil. Miss Nellie Dent made, a dainty English girl, in white book muslin, with bright-red parasol, etc The hockey girls, who were trained by Miss Be&re, danced very nicely, and wore short black skirts, white blouses, «nd> shoulder sashes of ribbon. Muss St. Just, who danced! so beautifully in the second act, wore a gracefcul gown of white silk, wrtb. blue and white girdle The carpet dance was really % delightful solo of graceful movement*, and artistic' poses. The tip-toe steps were particularly clever, and rounds oi applause and bouquets greeted the performer. # # There was a very large audience on Wednesday evening, and I noticed: Lady Plunket, wearing a white lace jmwn, with long blue coat, and deep collar of Carrick-ma-cross lace. Mass Plunket wore a blue coat, - embroddered in silk, over a white frock. Mrs. Walhs wore black; Mrs. Richmond, black silk ; Mass M. Richmond, black velvet, and lace fachu; Miss Erica Fell, pretty rose silk dress; Miss M. Fell, long coat and 1 white silk gown. # , • Miss Fell wore black chiffon^ Miss Harcourt, white satin ; Miss G. Harcourt, pretty cream dress; Mrs. J. Buthie, black lace gown. Mrs. W. Blundeffl wore black satin ; Mrs. Campbell, pretty black aindl white gown. Miss Haoon wore white muslin ; Miss Laishley, oream, and lovely feather stole ; Mrs. and Miss Haybittle, Miss M Seddon, Miss Partridge, Mrs. and Miss Warburton, Missi Grant Mrs. Kernot Mrs. and Miss Macdmald, Miss Watdegrave. Miss MacPherson (Dunedin) ,and Miss. Smith. • * « Mrs. 'Wroughton (Timaru) and her little daughter are oto. a visit to Wellington. # , , # Amongst the audience- at the Watkin Mills popular concert on' Saturday night was a theatre party among whom Mr. Fred. Haybittle wii& Host. ' A theatre party is a capital idea in the way or entertaining one's friends. ,* * * Amongst other items, of stage gossip wafted from Sydney is the rumour of a marriage between an African millionaire and an Australian actress who was over here not long ago, and 1 by many was considered yei J y beautiful. • p ' * The Wellington North branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand held their first annual social at the'Sydmey-street Hall on Monday, September 18th, and the fact that it was an unqualified success reflects great credit upon the promoters. The hall was crowded, and dancing was enjoyed until past midnight. The stage was tastefully decorated, and furnished with easy-chairs. — ■# * Amongst the many guests were : The Premier, Mrs., and the Misses Seddon, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, and Muss Ward, Mrs. a<nd the Misses Mills, the Hon A. R. Guinness (Speaker of the House of Representatives), and several members. Mr. and Mrs. Ward played excellent dance music, and Mr. Ward's juvenile orchestra were warmly applauded for their selections. Several enjoyable songs were contributed by the guests during the intervals. Supper was laid in tihe gymnasium, the tables being brightened with spring flowers. After supper, the Premier was invited to speak, and was received with much applause. The committee were indefatigable in looking after their guests, who one and all enjoyed themselves exceedingly. . , • Womenkind should really look very nice this season. Now that aill the new goods are opened, one can have a very good idea of what will be worn.

First and foremost, one is struck by the embroidery which adorns all the Lwien gowns. It is the real old! English stamped variety, and, provided one has any amount of time and patience, the homemade article is equally as effective as the bought. One girl, who is very busy preparing her trousseau, tells me she feels it part of her duty to embroider at least one yard a week, and in this way she will be able to flounce her petticoats with this "wear-for-ever" em broidery, than which nothing is more excellent for eveny-day use. • • * Then, one notices the extreme fullness of the summer skirts. Ajll are eithei pleated or gathered at the back amd on the hips, generally leaving a narrow panel in the front, quite plain. The bodices are very simple, most being gathered on the shoulders and "fulled" into a deep waist belt. The old American stock collars will still] < be worn, but a newer and daintier article is the new necktie. It is really the most cunming little affair, and, of course, American also. These ties, may be made from embroidered muislin. or cambric handkerchiefs, and, few the benefit of country cousins who cannot "quiz" the ties in town, I will explain the method. Cut your handkerchief in half cor-ner-wise, then fold one half into narrow pleats like a little fan, make a neck-band of the remainder, fastening it at the back invisibly. Then stctch the fan piece to the centre of the front. The centre point of the tie hangs exactly down the front of the dress, and the sides taper off in folds. These may be made also out of coloured silk or handkerchiefs with coloured borders. By the way, the "mouchoir" of the hour is the one with coloured! borders. The latter, of course, corresponds with one's gown. Reminds one of Julius Knight was it not' — who always carried one to match his shirt, which was gene/rally rose-pink or pale blue ! * * Every woman is relieved a/nd delighted to see once more the useful and fresh-looking camibric "shirt- waists." Nothing looks neater for mornimg wear than a cambric blouse with neat linen or stock collar and serge skiirt, and. then they are so economic, too, for dressy occasions. The exquisite cotton, voiles, with the sweet, arcadiam-like designs, are quite the latest, and some of the silk muslins with pink rosebuds thereon would tempt the money from the most frugal. In the world of hats, the point most remarkable is their small proportions • The little tilted "Watteau" hat, _of straw, very much trimmed with tiny rases and blue ribbons at the back, and tilted well over the face, is quite fashionable. The "drum" shape, swathed in tulle, caught at one sidle with roses, looks well. Newest of all are the lace hate, shaped like a Breton sailor, of white chiffon, but covei-edi with tiny frills of white or tinted lace, about a.n inch wide. These, need very little

trimming, which is just as weill perhaps, as it takes about thirty yards of lace to make them successfully. « • • We are continually beang told when wearing our delicate muslin or voiUe frocks — if we ever have suitable weather — that the quaint chiffon or lace scarves will be a necessary accompaniment. These have not the slightest pretence to utility, but are worn low, draped over the arms, and are a graceful and pretty finish. Elbow elleeves will be worn by many, and long gloves or mittens. * • « The etiquette of card-leaving is to many people very confusing. Fre*quently, one hears men. enquiring what they should do when paying a "duty" call. In this case, a card should only be left in the event of a hostess being not at home when the call is made. I have pleasure in announcing: that I have pui-enesed from Messrs. Wrigelesworth and Binm® 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-dlate styles. — J. N. Isaacs, Victoria Studio, Manners-street.