Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 286, 23 December 1905, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christate).

ON Friday evening a great many young people journeyed out to Karori, having been invited by Dr. Platts-Mills to spend the evening at "Woolahra." The nature of the entertainment was a secret, but, being warned) about night-dews, we wisely ware warm clothing, and went prepared for outdoor pleasures. At the entrance to the beautiful garden our hostess received', wearing an. embroidered gown and long blue coat. * * * It was truly a charming sight that greeted us. Chinese lanterns, vari-ooloured and larger — were hanging atl over the beautiful grounds, lighting up the bush paths and lawns with a soft light. A band played! very brightly, and e'er long the more energetic ones weare dancing on the lawn. The pieoe-de-resistance, though, was a camp fire, where all the guests assembled, making a most picturesque and animated group as they sat round listening to a programme of songs and 1 recitations provided by Mrs. Ross and Messrs. Ballance, Oarr, Hill, Bristowe and Reuben Watts. The latter brought with him his banjo, and accompanied many of the songs. * * • Prizes were given for the most original answers to tihe quaintlly-worded invitations issued by our hostess, and the winners proved to be Mrs. Butts and Mr. Reuben Watts. Afterwards there was a delightful supper, served in a large marquee, and l then dancing and more music in the house. The merry party of guests drove home in brakes at the witching ftour ot midnight, having spent a delightful time, and sriven hearty cheers for their host and hostess.

Some of those present were : Mi-, and Mrs C. Richardson, Mrs. Buoholz, Mr and Mrs. Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm. Ross, Misses Chatfield, Skerrett, Twton, Ward, Butts, Nelson, Miles, S.nipsooi, Seddbn, Watson, kwen, Logan, kiliott, Ward, Holmwood. Wrighc, Tolhuist. Tregear, and Messrs. Watts, Adams, Gilmer, Fell, Clark, Webster, Didsbmry, Ward, Seddon, bir Kenneth Douglas, Dr. Hales, Captain Hollis and the Niwaru omcers, and Dr. McLean. Miss Feltham, a singing pupil of Madame Mueller's, who is to be married to Mr. Han is of Messrs. Levin and Co., on January 24th, is to be enter cained by her fellow-pupils shortlly. The Rose and Carnation Show was opened at the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon by His Worship the Mayor, and has since been' attracting large crowds. It is only a year or two since an enthusiastic little group of citizens met and proposed to form a club to encourage the cultivation of roses and carnations, and the splendid show at the Town Ball as the result of their untiring efforts, and, these enthusiastic amateur gardeners may well congratulate themselves on the success achieved! in so short a tune. • • • The Mayor was introduced by the president of the club (Mr. J. A. Tripe), and made an 'appropriate httie speech. To the "uninitiated it seems wonderful that the judges could decide upon the prize-winners, so beautiful dad many oi the blossoms look. The "Mildred Grant" is a rose of eacquisdte colouring and formation, and the specimen of this which won first prize was grown by Mrs J. G. Wilson, of Bulls, one of the most enthusiastic rose-lovers in New Zealand. The carnations were exceptionally fine, and varied in colour, some of saffron or old rose shade being lovely. A very fine specimen as large as a tea-oup belongs to the MJalmaison class, and is particularly handsome. Sweet-peas were in profusion, and f armed a very attractive feature of the show, and so also did the very fine exMbition of plants. ♦ • « There were more entries than usual in the amateur classes, and) the table deoorationjs proved' a popular attiraction. The successful one was a combination of palest green and yellow, the draperies of chiffon being interspersed ■with crystal bowls of nastur-

tiums. An effective one was a study m orirnMwi and white, andl a pretty design was carried out mi van-coloured bweet-peas. A large number of vi&itors were pretsent, aud a band piayed on the stage. Afternoon tea wat> very nioely served at small tables. Amongst those pie&ent 1 noticed: Lady Stout, Mrs. HWdet,, Mis. and Misses Quack, Mis&es Harding and Jidwin, Mu&s xfaybittle, iviiss Oaristmo Smith, Mrb. Hisaop, Mrs. Sihand, Mrs. Stuarb-Menteath, Miss juunodJi, Mrs. De Castro, Mrs. and Miss Winder, Mrs. Blundell, and Mrs. Smith. • • • A very pretty wedding was celebrated at St. I'lhoinas' Church, Newto<wn, on Tuesday last week, wnen Mr. Joe Inness, son of Mr. Inness, of Wellington, wa& married to Miss Amy Thornton. The church was beautifully decorated. The bridi? looked! exceedingly well in her pretty wihite bridlal gown, and was given away by her father. The ceremony was performed by tibe Rev. Mr. Walker, M.A. In attendance on the bride were her sisters, the Misses Fanny and Rose Thornton, and Miss Daisy Inaiess (sister of the bridegroom). They wore very becoming gowns of cieam muslin, with poppy-red hats, and lovely bouquets of red lilies to correspond. Theor gifts from the bridegroom were gold brooches. Mr. P. H. Smith was best man, and Messrs. T. Miller and Gf. Sample were groomsmen. » # < After the ceremony, which wias very quiet, a few guests were entertained at the residence of the bridle's mother, when many good w.shes were exprssed iov th& futuie of the bride and bridegroom. Amongst the many lovely gifts received was a handsome dinner service, presented by the members of St. Thomas' choir, botUb Mr. and Mrs. Inness having been members for several years. The turad'e's travelling gown was grey, worn with a pretty hat to match. • • • An unusually pretty wedding was solemnised at the pretty Muritai Church, St. Ronans, on Wednesday, December 20th, when Mr. Alexander Kennedy, son of Captain Kennedy, of Wellington, was married to Miss Nellie W'iUs. eldest daughter of Mr. and Mts. Frank Wills, of Muritai. The bride looked very graceful and 1 sweet in her bridal gown of white embroidered silk muslin. A deilioate veil beautifully embroidered' also, was worn over

a small wreath of orange flowers, and a shower bouquet, ox white rases and fern lycopodium was carried. A star pendant of pearls and sapphires wasthe oniy ornament worn by the bride. Mis* Winnie Parsons wat> the only bridesmaid, and 'her dress was a most becoming one o± white Swiss musim,. oveu eau-de-nil silk, and lace hat with d cluster 01 pink roses. Her bouquet was composed ox pale pink roses and sweet-peas, and' completed l a very pretty picture. The bridegroom wa» attended by Mr. D© la Mare. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. Bartlett, and the cnufon was most piccuiesque with decorations of grean,ery and' flowene, and a, large weovungr bell of white blossonus hung over the wedding group. Subsequently, a reception was held at "Lalla Byoofch," the home of the bride's parents. Every room was giay with lovely flowers, and the guests were received! by Mrs. Wills, who wore a gown of black brocade relieved with cream, lace, and' hat of grey chiffon and pale pink roses. • • • MJrs. Grant (the bride's grandmother) wore a pretty figured silk blouse, wad back silk skirt.. The bridegroom/ft mother wore a gown of grey satin, and. sweet bonnet of tulle and roses. The guests weire entertained at luncheon, when the usual toasts were proposed' and replied to with mudh enthusiasm. A very beautiful col'ection of presents was admired 1 . The case of fish knives and forks and servers was presented to Mir. Kennedy by the staff of the Oolonial Secretary's office. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy left on their honeymoon. The bride waa wearing a becoming gown of cream and blue flannel, with French straw hat an^ clusters of apricot roses. • • Some of the guests were: Captain and Mrs. Kennedy, Mr. and 1 Mrs. Charles' Izard, Mr. and Mrs, W. James, Mr. and M s Ben Wilson, Miss Parsons, Mrs. Lyon, Mrs. and Miss Brown, Mr. and Mrs. John Bkmdell. • • • \ Taradiale correspondent writes: — "A very successful so>al was given by the lady members of the Tride of Gtoeenmeadows 1.0. G.T. Lodge,' in the Greenmeadows Church, on Wednesday, December 13th. There waa a good attendance of guests, several members from other districts being present. Songs a".d recitations were contributed by the Misses Anderson and' McCut-

cheoa and Messrs. Ja<rvis, Smith, Trevelyaa. me Masteis Parub rendieaed a solo, whach was heartily encored. Misses Williams aua Aniderson, who managed aa the airangements indeed deserved ail the congratulations they leoeived upon the pleasant way in which the social passed off." . • • "liable TaiJi chats about Vivien JNoei, tut; popular little cnum ox JMLi&to Br^ne, who is a/so a meniDe. o>i her company. Her career on in«; stage has been, brief, although ®ucu <a sucoesa, ana bhe leaves ear»y in the new year foi America, where she bto Ob maimed to Mr. Henry (Jiapp, tormeriy ox Melbourne. Miss Moell. is t . ooosiii. ou Mr. L/iive yj ±fara, who was he^e hol lou^ ago surprising uib with h^. clever illusions. By the way, WeLfTngtou Jiai. ooncmuutea a clever and Oii^n.' htue member to the Tittell ii.une Company — Miss Lily Willj», who lefo here several monttus ago, and has been wiuu Miss Tittell Brune foa- &jme time. Mit.!> Willis was so successful ■as "Rowena," in -Merely Mary Ann," that she hais been given the paru of 'Freda" in "Leah Kleschner," now being produced in Melbourne. She is very much love with her woik, and is exceedingly popular with all who have met her in Australia, and her press notices have been, more than encouraging.

could meet of an evening for a game of billiards or a turn in the gymnasium.

date Christmas Card® on the market I They are cheap and good. One doeen beautifully mounted, with nuon'i greetings for ss.— J. ft. Js^^ Mai £ ners-street, Wellington.

Mr. Ross, the captain, congratulated members an the bright prospects of the new club. Their first evening meeting had been an unqualified success, and he was satisfied 1 they possessed material that would before long make itself felt in athletic circles.

A preliminary programme of the first annual sports gathering for 20th January has been, printed and circulated, and it is hoped that other clubs will iespond to the, invitation, and Bend representatives in large numbers to this meeting.

Photo Christmas Cards. — Isaacs' Christmas Midgets are the most up-to-

Miss Oarr was tendered an, evening on Tuesday, 19th December, at the New Century Hall, by her shorthand pupils, when some one hundred past and present pupils assembled together and indulged in music, cards, and dancing. The musical programme was varied and greatly appreciated by those present, items being contributed by the Misses G. Stuart and H. Minifie (piano), Miss M. Stem and Mr. Mueller (violin); Mrs. Mueller, Misses W. Birch. Oasble, Messrs. Tregear, Rankin, Donaldson, and H. Minifie (songs), and 1 Master Pioot (recitation). At the conclusion of this programme, Mr. Minifie, on behalf of the pupils, presented' to Miss Oarr a handsome silver manicuring set as a mark of the appreciation in which ■she is held by the pupils. Mr. A. Penty acknowledged the pi-esentat'on, 01 behaJf ol Miss Carr. • • ■» Shortly after eleven, an adjournment was made to the supper-room, where the artistic taste ot the Committee, ably headed 1 by Mis* Lily Milligan, had a repast laid out in such style that the verdict was • "It seems a pity to upset it," but this was soon, overcome. A euchre tournament was played during the* evening, the successful players being Miss Aickin (greenstone brooch) and Mr. Wright (greenstone pendant). Dancing now occupied! th© floor until the small hours of morning:, and the gathering broke up with three, cheers for Miss Oarr. Too- muqh praise cannot be Accorded the committee for their successful management. • • • The Wellington Ola Navals' Association had a gay time ou tfiiday ju.ght last at) GrociDer'ss. Rooms. Lxeuit.-Ooi. Duncan, once aomm.ctnd.iiig the corps, and Mr. Duncan weie the chaet giuests, and many other distinguished people other than the ancients themaeiveto took n oup o' kindness. There was much Kinging and talky.talky, but no stiffness, and it was evident that the Old Navals intend stirring themselves up with a mighty stir in the outbeirjraciing and gunnery line during the coming year. We always think it is a pity that these men, who call themselves "Old Navals," and many of whom are quite young, shouldn't be navals now. We would excuse some of the "tubby" ones, and let them go on the resen-ve, but, as a general thing, there doesn't seem to have been any occasion for the members to have left the volunteer service and to justify their existence by being merely "has beens." * * • Christmas reminders are still coming to hand, in various useful and pretty forms. We have to thank the Phoenix Aerated Water Company for a handy pocket-book and pocket-knife, Messrs. J. H. Robinson and Son,, watchmakers and jewellers, for a stamp wallet, with j calendar in gilt letters, and Messrs. Brodriok and Kmvig, Badham and 1 Biss (Northern Assurance (Jo.), Commercial Assurance Co., and 1 Mr. J. Hott for office calendars. i ] A special general meeting of the Hutt Y a^ e y Amateur Athletic Club was held at the Lower Hutt on Tuesday evening. The chairman (Dr. Purdy) eulogised the executive and its , efforts in arranging the club's evening * meetings, which are proving so emm- * ently successful, and in obtaining a membership of one hundred' in so short a time. He hoped 1 that this would be the nucleus of a sport® club possessing its own well-appointed club room, where the young men of the district