Special Gossip

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 277, 21 October 1905, Page 8

Special Gossip

By Christabel.

THE Art Exhibition, which was opened on Saturday afternoon, is an excellent one. In fact, those competent to judge say it is the best ever given in Wellington. One has not much opportunity of viewing the pictures on the first day, for, as a visitor at a 'private view" in London remarked once: "There's nothing private, and no view." The "opening" is a pleasant social function, where one chats with one's friends, enjoys the delicious tea provided by the ladies' committee, and trys to avoid getting in the "view" of those who are "doing" the pictures in earnest. ♦ * * Mr. C. H. Howorth's charm ing little pictures were very popular, and quickly sold, and one generous buyer (Mr. L. H. B. Wilson) set an excellent example by purchasing "Mount Aspiring." (G. H. Howorth) and 1 presenting it to the Art Gallery. This brings one to a popular topic of conversation,, the growing necessity for an Art Gallery in Wellington. Are Wellington people always to find it necessary to explain to visitors : "No, we have no Art Gallery here, having no generous citizens"? Quite certain it is that if some good people would provide the room, others would soon endeavour to cover the walls with works of art. * « The pictures from New South Wales were immensely admired), and so also were others from the brush of a member of the Royal Academy. There are many lovely studies, and one wants to visit the exhibition several times to appreciate all the exhibits. The selling has been very satisfactory, Mr. Howorth's contributions being in much demand.

His Excellency the Governor performed the opening oeremony, and was accompanied by Captain Bmgham, A.D.C. Other visitors were: Mrs. Fell, who wore a purple cloth dress and hat with violets. Mrs. J. Tripe wore a grey frock, long white coat, white funs, and mauve hat. Mrs. L. H. B. Wilson wore a dark brown cloth dress, and brown hat with touch of orange velvet. • • • Mrs. Wallis wore a heliotrope gown, and black hat. Mrs. Bal combe-Brown wore a pretty black and white gown, and black hat; Mrs. Firth, a light cloth gown, fur coat, and pale ■green hat ; Mrs. Ewen, blue cloth coat and skirt, and' small toque , Miss Marbuiry (Nance O'Neil Company), a dark tweed gown, and black picture hat. Also present: Misses Ewen, Wilson, Harding, Bendall, Newton, Gore, Richmond, Riley, Atkinson, and Martin. » • • Mrs. Quick Inglis (Melbourne) has arrived, with her little son, on a visit to her mother, Mrs. Quick, Sandffiord, the Terrace. • * * Mrs. Cameron has returned from the South, bringing with her for a visit Lady Mackenzie. • • * Mr. and Mm. Holdsworth (Dunedin) have been staying here. • • * Mr. and Mrs 1 . Fosbery Nancanrow passed through Wellington en route to Sydney last week. . Their wedding took place very quietly at Avonside, Christchurch, Miss Violet Campbell (the bride) wearing a sweet gown of white muslin, and a lovely lace veil. Mr. Nancarrow has accepted! an important position in the Union Company, at Sydney. • * * Mrs. Seddon has returned from a short holiday spent with Mrs. Bean, her eldest daughter. • # * On Thursday, October 12th, a very enjoyable fancy dress ball was given by the Governor and Lady Plunket, at Government House. The scene was a charming and gay one when, the guests, in quaint and picturesque costumes, assembled in the ballroom, where the mantlepieces were banked with masses of yellow broom. In the drawingroom the exquisite dumps of azaleas, in various shades of pink, were admired by eveiyone. Shortly after mine

o'clock, His Excellency the Governor and Lady Plunket, accompanied by tihe house party, entered the balliroom, the ladies wearing the very beautiful Louis Quatorze frocks of pale 1 blue merveilleux and rose anid white brocadle, which were so much admired at the Veterans' Ball. The Honourable® Helen, Moira, and Eileen Phinket wore dainty white frocks, and silk sashes, and were present during the early part of the evening. • * • Dancing in the vice-regal set were : His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Huslop, General Babington and Lady Pkmket, Captain Braithwaite, A.D.C., and Mrs. WalLis, Captain. Johnston and Miss Fell, Mr. Herepath and the Hon. Kathleen Plumket, Mr. J. B. Harconrt and Mrs. Babington, Mr. Skerrett and Mrs. Tolhurst, Mr. Turnbull and Mrs. Gorinig Johnston. The supper-table looked particularly bright with festoons of beautiful white clematis entwined about the handsome silver candelabra. * * • The costumes worn were chiefly those we had seen previously at the bal poudre, but were glad to see again. Mr. and Mrs. Harepath were once more prominent because of the excellence of their dresses, "Becky Sharp" wearing a paJe blue full round dress, with violet tabbed collar, etc., and! a wonderfullyoorrect coiffure. Mr. Wilford was splendid as "Lord Chancellor," and Mrs. Wilford was a dainty "Yum Yum." Miss Partridge wore a very picturesque Dutch peasant dress, faithfully oomplete in detail, and Mr. Hancourt appeared as a courtier. * * * The frilly "Early English" frocks and graceful "Beaucaires" were much in evidence, whilst five lively, young,, and pretty Pierrettes were (attended by one lonely Pierrot. Miss Cooper looked exceedingly well as a Gainsborough lady. Miss Seddon wore her pretty Louis Quartorze frock, with her hair dressed high and powdered 1 after the fashion of that period. Mrs. BanikinBrown and several of her set wore tbeicr pretty mauve and! primrose dresses. Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Arthur Young, and Miss Zoe Nathan represented! tibe other "Early English" set, frooked in white muslin, with B/omney curl and pink roses. • • « Miss Eileen Ward, Miss Prouse, Miss Mills, Mr. C. P. Skerrett, and 1 Mr. George Prouse were Quakers, and the Misses Miles, Reid, Simpson, andl His-

lop wore their quaintly pretty rose de lame frocks and 1 powdered hair. Miss Estelle Beere, copying a French picture, wore a sweet diress of sap green taffeta, with many little ruchiags, hair poudre, and carried a pretty staff with clusters of roses. Mrs. Elgar was very picturesque as a black-bird. • • • Several ladies ware pretty evening, gowns and hair poudire. Amongst them were: Mrs. Sidey, in white brocade ; Mrs. Tolhurst, black satin ; Mts.. Groring Johnston, who wore a beautiful goiwn of cream, satin and l lace; Miss M. Pell, who wore black silk and lacebertha; Miss Seed, in a pretty whit© silk dress, with cross-over bertha; Mrs. Oswald Beere, in ivory satin, and flounces of lovely lace. A novelty arranged for the guests' amusement was a flashlight photographic studio, which was fitted' up in the billiard-room, and the guests who pleaded were "Ssnapped" in their fancy frocks. The music waa provided by Mr. E. J. King's orchiestfa. There were no programmes. Altogether, it was a jolly little dance, and! will probably, be the last of the season, an on the 20th the staff leaves for Auckland to prepai'e for tbe visit of their Excellencies to that city. ♦ ♦ • Sydneynstree-t schoolroom was transformed into a veritable fairyland of beauty on Friday last, when three hiundlred little children attended! a. fancy diress ball given by Miss Borlase. It isdifficult to know who had most pleasure, the little ones, whose faces were radiant with happiness andl smiles, or the "grorwn-ups," who thoroughly enjoyed watching the graceful dancing of the children. A clown, resp.lendierat in a w.hite balloon-like dTess, with, brilliant white and red stars, was the cause of much amusement. •» * « A timid wee fairy did not know whether tOi laugh or cry* when a wtiokedlooking Mephistopheles came near, and a cute little '''Knave of Hearts," having eaten or lost his "tarts," found! consolation dancing with a sweat little Watteau lady, who wore a quilted skirt studded with pearls, little rose saiteen panniers, and laced bodlice, with hiex hair dlressed high and powdered, and carrying a pretty rose-trimmed crook. • • • The "Mandarin's" was a magnificent dress, being the genuine Ghinese garment of material resembling cloth of gold, with insertions of beautiful tiger skin, an appropriate pig-tail, wig, and

make-up. His sister wore a capital representation, of a bat, with a real grey bat in her pretty fair hair. Sweet was a little vivandaere, whose childish fair face was surmounted by a tihree-oorner-ed black velvet hat, a little black velvet -coat opening over a gay vest, goldbraided, and bright slsnt. • • * Planters and students, sailors and savages, all frolicked together. &s>peeially noticeable was a flench soldiei— an. excellent "Flambeau and not far away was a pretty French laundress, with muslin cap and fiohu and linen frock. A dear little Juke* won many hearts, and her sister made a charming Pieretite. Dainty were the two Oheny girls in red frocks, white anuslm aprons, and quaint capes embroidered •in cherries, and picturesque lace caps. • ♦ ♦ One of the most admired guests was a charming and somewhat sad-lookmg Puritan m:aid, whose grey gown and white cap and shoulder cape suited her to perfection. A smart little housemaid, quaint little Japs, peasants, and ■court ladaes were all enjoying themselves. A pretty frock was Elsie Mjayraid's dancing dress, with many gay ribbons. "Rule Britaninaa" looked handsome and a "Dear Little Buttercup" was much admired. Really, all the little ones looked their best, and one and all thoroughly enjoyed the nappy party. Supper was laud m the gymnasium, and a bevy of older guests saw to the little ones' wants. Needless to say, the ball will long live in the children's memories as one of thear happy experiences. • * * A new Dramatic Club has sprung into existence, by name "The Mansions Amateui Dramatic Society," and 1 all the members are said to be quite new to the platform, although, after their bright little entertainment on Wednesday night last, one has suspicions that one or two at least did not make their maiden bow, but are quite old favourites somewhere, if not here. The little hall was filled with an iinvited 1 audience, who applauded enthusiastically. • • • The first connc drama was "One of You Must Marry," and was very amusing, being the story of two studious brothers who dread marriage, and, as one must marry, they draw lots, and to the elder brother's intense horror he draws the poize, namely, a distant cousin, who sihortly appears on the sceine. The elder brother's pluck does not come up to proposing point, so the younger brother volunteers to show ihim how it is done, and, in doing so, wins the girl for himself, discovering that love and marriage are not such a calamity as he imagined. » * * The acting of Dr. Jacob Zorn was really excellent', and! his make-up was splendid. Professor Wilhelmi Zorn, the younger brotlher, was another good study , and the aunt and pretty naece both acted 1 very gracefully. The audience was almost reduced! to "tears of laughter" when the farce, "Love in the Mansions" was being acted. The dialogue was very amusing, and Mrs. Jellaby's make-up immensely fetching — a red blouse, sprinkled witih pa/nsies, dark skirt, and black bonnet with sprays of apricots worn with a grey wig, and a bright red parasol. • • * Great interest was takeoi also in the first appearance of "Billy," who scored a big success. Songs were contributed by Msss Wren (who has >a sweet voice), Miss North Barnett, and Messrs. Queree and Ballance, t!he latter being encored for "Sally Homer." A very nice supper was laid in the supper-room, and afterwards dancing was enjoyed for an hour e'er the very pleasant evening was brought to a close. • * * A very pretty wedding took place at St. Mark's Church on Wednesday afternoon, the 11th instant, when Mr. Erie Hampton, of Ohiristchurcb., was married to Miss Catherine Banks, youngest daughter of Mr. A. Banks, of Willis^street. The ceremony was performed 1 by the Rev. Mr. Coffey, and many guests and friends were present. The bride, whio was given away by her father, looked very sweet in a dress of ivory crepe-dle-chine, with veil and orange blossoms, and carried a lovely shower bouquet. • • • Miss Ida Christie and Miss Sinclair were the bridesmaidfe. _ They wore piretty muslin dresses, trimmed 1 with Valenciennes laoe, and' pale blue picture hat«. Their bouquets were of pint flowers, with streamers of blue ribbon. The bride was also attended by her little nephew and 1 niece, Clem and Doris Hampton. Mr. Moore, of Ohristchurch,

was best man, and Mr. A. McKenaie groomsman. Mr. Hampton and Mr. JE. J. Hampton (brothers of thie bridegroom) were .also piesent. The bridegroom's gift to the bride was a sapphire and diamond! cluster ring, and to the bridesmaids pearl dagger brooch es>. * * A reception was af tea wards hold by the bride's parents, at Godiber's Rooms. Mrs. Banks (mother of the bride) received, in a handsome black voile dress, relieved with rich laoe. Mrs. Hampton (mother of the bridegroom) wore black voile, with chiffon hchu. Mrs>. Banks (aunt of the bride), was in black silk; Mrs. "' Hampton (sister of the bride), cream taffeta clo<bh, with deep belt of chine silk, ajid! stylish black hat with cream tips. Mrs. Gaudin, another sister, was in biscuit votile, with pretty cream floral hats. Mrs. E. J. Hampton wore a very pretty pale blue cashmere dress, with becoming hat. * * * Mrs. Dimock wore a smart black dress, and heliotrope hat , Mrs. Victoa Dimook, a stylish cream costume, wmii a much-admired pale blue hat trimmed with chiffon and 1 wreathed with banksda roses. Among the guests were . Mrs. Arnold, Miss Arnold', Miss Lulu Arnold, Mir. and Mrs. Gaudlin, Miss Grace Gaudin, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Broad, Miss Hilda Broad, Miss Gibbons, Mr. and Mrs. "Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Philips, Mrs. and Mass Christie, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, Mr. Robert Sinclair, Mr. Frank Sinclair, Mrs. Donald, and Mr. and Mrs. Moore. • • * The happy pair left for the South by the Rotomahana, the bride's travelling costume being of navy blue cloth with a very dainty pale blue bat. The presents, which werei numerous and costly, testified to the great popularity of the newly-wedlded pair, and includied gifts from Home and Australia. ♦ ♦ • St. Paul's pro-CathedTal was filled with guests and' onlookers on. Wednesday afternoon, the occasion being the marriage of Mr. Russell Dymock, of Messrs. Dymiook and Pearce, Wellington, to Miss Eva Fell, daughter of Mrs. A. G. Fell, The Cliff. The church was very picturesque and! bright with crimson carpets, electric lights, and! arum lilies, banked with greenery. The Rev. T. H. Sprott performed the ceremony, and tihe bride was given away by henfather.

Two bridesmaids, Misses Mildred and Morna Fell, preceded the bride up the aisle. Their gowns wer& exceedingly becoming, of ivory chine silk, witli a design of tiny ro&e wreaths. The skirts were simpily made, with foill gathers, and the bodices were madte with a Vabaped vest of lace, outlined, and finished with a band and bow of black velvet. They wore large cream straw hats, with pale pink and yellow roses, and carried bouquets to correspond. • * • The bridle looked exceedingly graceful in her gown of rich white satan and lace, with an exquisite lace veil worn back from the face, with a small wreath of orange flowers. Her bouquet was composed of roses and azaleas. Mr. F. Hodson was best man, and Mr. Sclanders groomsman. As the bridal party left the church, the "Wedding March" was played by Mr. Rowley. A leception was subsequently held at the residence of the bride's uncle , Mr. Gerald FitzGerald, Tinakori-road. The pretty rooms were tastefully decorated m honour of the occasion with a profusion of lovely flowers, those on the tables being white fresias. The health of the bride was proposed by Mr. H. D. Bell. Mrs. Fell received! the guests, and wore a gown of black brocade, with lilac bouquet and toque. Mrs. G. Fell (Nelson) wore a very handsome gown of grey brocade, and carried a large bouquet of pink and' cream rosebuds. Mrs. Macintosh wore black brocade, and toque witih violets. Lady Stout's pretty grey silk gown was relieved with lace, a.nd her toque was wreathed with violets. • • • Mrs. Stott wore a grey and white check voile, and burnt-straw hat with crimson roses ; Mrs. George' Oooper, black brocade gown, black and white hat. Mrs. Bi'ss was va. cream cloth, and a white hat ; Mrs. R. Levin, white cloth gown, bound 1 with black, anid a large whit© hat with ostrich feathers, and ostrich stole. Mrs. Buchanan wore pale blue silk voile, made with triple flounced skirt : Miss Hardourt, cream voile dress ; Mrs. M. Myers, white gown, and burnt-straw hat with pale blue silk. • • ♦ Mrs. J. Tripe wore a pretty grey Eton gown, and lilac 'hat, and heir lovely bouquet was also of lilac. Mrs.

Menzies wore black silk, and a laoe scarf and black and white bonnet ; Mrs. Botbamley, black silk voile, andl pretty trieorn hat ; Mrs. Harold Johnston, pale blue linen frock, and hat' with {rases; Mrs. Lan Johnston, a lovely gown of palest green silk, andl white hat with, roses. Mrs. Pollen's pretty black salk gown had many little frills, and with jit was woim a large black hat. Mrs. Shamd wore cream, and a large black hat. • • • Mrs. Arnold Atkinson was in black; Mdss Huxsithouse, lilac muslin, and white hat , Miss Cooper, a pretty dress of biscuit silk vodle, and' hat with roses. Miss Dons Johnston wore a brighlt red gown ; Miss Flora Brandton, a pretty heliotrope miusiin gown, with very graceful chiffon scarf. Miss L. Brandon was m cream. Miss Miles wore a very becoming dress of mauve and white voile, outlined in mauve, amd a white Hat with mauve ribbon and pimk roses. • * • Miss MacTavish wore a pretty cream voile frock ; Miss Atikinson, black cloth, and white hat with green, foliage. Miss Coleridge wore blue • Miss I. Coleridge, grey Eton gown and white ostrich ruffles. Miss N. Drummand! wore a dress of grass lawn, with deep belt of rose silk. Mrs. Fell wore mauve; Miss Erica Fell, a diainty gown of muslin and lace, over palest blue, bkiie amd white hat. Miss Oonah FitzGetnaldfs gown was grey, with lace yoke amd embiroidieries. Miss Moya FitaGercald was in cream. Miss Elsie Macintosh wore a white cloth dress, amd! pretty teat. • • * The bridesmaids' gifts from the biider groom were gold bangles, andi nannibeira of lovely gifts were received by the bride and bridegroom.