MOUNT EDEN CROQUET CLUB

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 83, 29 June 1927, Page 4

MOUNT EDEN CROQUET CLUB

A pleasant little function took place on Monday afternoon at the Mount Eden Croquet Club’s pavilion, when Mrs. Mueller, retiring president, was presented with a rose bowl and a case of soup spoons, suitably inscribed, and Mrs. Bainbridge, retiring treasurer, was presented with two handsome pieces of china. Those present were Mrs. Rudd, president, Mrs. Owen, vice-president, and about 3S members. Mrs. Rudd made the presentations with a few well-chosen remarks, which were responded to by the recipients. Votes of thanks were accorded to retiring committee members. A FROCK FOR A BRIDE Brides in London and Paris have set a new fashion for fluffy wedding gowns. Instead of the satin and velvet of last year, they are choosing chiffon, georgette, lace and even tulle. A recent bride of twenty-three or so had her wedding gown made of tiny frills of tulle, the bouffant skirt having no trimming of any kind, and the picture bodice being finished with long, tight-fitting tulle sleeves. It looked very pretty, as crisp tulle always does, but the bride who is of an economical turn of mind and wants to use her wedding gown for social occasions afterwards would find georgette or lace much more serviceable. Lace is going to be worn a great deal .and a lace wedding gown is very light-looking and becoming. If expense is no object and a pure white frock is not expressly desired, why not choose parchment colour lace and a train of dull gold tissue? The frock could be worn again and again for parties, and the train could be cut up and used as a foundation for a second gown. So many wedding dresses are made now with long sleeves that a lace frock could be used for dinner or semifashionable parties, as well as for garden parties and at homes. Ivory georgette is much more likely to be of service to a bride than white satin. If there are not many occasions on which she wants to appear in white, georgette dyes beautifully, and could be turned at very short notice into a dress of one of the new soft mulberry shades or into green or peach colour. White silk stockings could be dyed to match at the same time.

Chiffon makes a very dainty wedding frock, but it is so fragile that little constant wear could be got out of it afterwards. For a youthful bride, nothing could be prettier, especially if a style with a full picture skirt were chosen.

Crepe de chine holds its own against all the light materials. It would make a very charming wedding frock, and give unlimited wear for a year or more. There is a light make, which is nearly as soft as chiffon; and a heavier one which would make an excellent foundation for pearl or bead embroidery. If the wedding is not to be an ultra-smart one, crepe de chine might well be considered by the prospective bride.

White shoes are not often worn by brides of to-day. Silver ones are much more popular and have an additional advantage in that they can be worn over and over again for dancing. Stockings of deep ivory or very pale flesh colour will go with practically every type of wedding dress, except a golden one. Gold shoes and stockings are, naturally, chosen by the golden bride.

Family 'lace is not so popular as it was for wedding veils. So often its colour is against it, and means the most careful choice-of- material for the wedding gown in order that the dress shall not make the lace look soiled.

Tulle or brussels net is more often than not chosen for the bridal veil, and old lace is used on the train.

HOLIDAY-MAKING IN FINLAND

“Villa Captain Gustavsson.” It was hardly a villa and we never saw the Captain! It had two rooms, and an attic which had to be reached by climbing a dangerous-looking ladder leaning against an ivy-grown wall. The furniture was of the scantiest, except for the masses of flowers; and the glass doors, serving as windows, had no keys to them! But we fell in love with the crazy, insolently red gables of the roof, and we took the place for our all too brief holiday in Finland.

From Abo to the island we sped, to be met by a smiling “fru” of seventy or thereabouts, proudly aware of her spotless clothes and shining boots. A basket of mushrpoms and a mass of rock-ferns in her arms vouched for a genuine welcome.

A tiny table gleamed in the babygarden. It was good to eat supper in the swiftly gathering June twilight, among the rocks and the gigantic pines.

But it was when we wanted to turn in that we realised that none of the doors would lock! The old lady had disappeared along the steep path, leading somewhere into the heart of apparently sheer rocks. Her village lay just behind the ridge, but we did not venture to climb unknown heights in the dark, and there was no choice but to go to bed with ap uncomfortable consciousness that we were easy prey to any would-be thief.

In the morning the dame descended again and had a lovely breakfast ready when we got up, but the matter of the keys had to come first. We dramatically pointed to our closed doors, and said, “Key.”

She smiled and opened all of them. A whiff of briny air filled the room, but “Key,” we said again and in desperation seized a bit of paper to draw the crude diagram of the required article, when sudden steps on the gravel diverted our attention.

It was the local minister! We happened to know a little German, so we told him all about it. To the old wojnan be turned, and instantly we sa\V a change on her benevolent face: the blue eyes flashed indignant fire, then gleamed with sudden tears; the mouth quavered, and the neatly kerchiefed shoulders were on the verge o. shaking. What in the name . . .

The pastor hastened to explain. The old lady felt hurt beyond all words. There were no thieves on the island, nor in Finland, for that matter. Why worry about locks and keys? If we did not believe her we wen free to go; she would let the captain know that he had been mistaken in leasing his villa to people who imagined that there could be rampant dishonesty in their beloved “Suomi.”

We had no desire to leave. We went up to the old woman and shook hands with her and assured her in so many gestures that we never meant to hurt her at all, and the pastor supplemented the rest. She smiled again, and they both left us to go on with our coffee and fragrant honeyed rolls. And this was real Finland!