SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 73, 4 February 1882, Page 334

SOCIETY

Truth says ;— " The Balintore Castle estate, in Forfarshire, has just been purchased by Mr Chrrnside, of Victoria, Australia. The shooting over the moors on this property lets at £800 a season." The Duke of Norfork has proceeded with his infant^ son the Earl of Arundel and Surrey to the shrine of the Virgin at Lourdes, in the hope that a miracle may be wrought and the child th as recover his sight. The North Shore Ferry Company must have taken quite a pot of money on Eegatta Day. The steamers plied between the Queen-street wharf and Devonport at frequent intervals throughout the afternoon, and were crowded to excess. In the course of a few hours as many as 3000 people were conveyed to and fro. The strawberry Flagstaff Hill and other coigns of advantage, the beaches, and other places of retreat, were largely patronized. Northcote was also visited by a large number of sight-seers. The marriage of Mr B. Digby Tonks, jnur., of the firm of Tonks and Carr, to Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Alfred Buckland, Esq., took place at St. Mark's Church, Remuera, on the 26th ult., the ceremony being performed by the Yen. Archdeacon Pritt. Though the affair had been kept a profound secret between the two families, and it was decided for good and sufficient seasons that the marriage should be of a semi-private character, there were between 60 and 70 spectators at the church. The bride was in travelling dress, and was accompanied to the altar by her father and sister Kate, the bridegroom being accompanied by Mr Eobert Browning. Mr Hesketh very kindly j>resided at the organ during the service, and played the Wedding ! March at the close. After the ceremony the two familes assembled at the residence of Mr Buckland and partook of a recherche . wedding breakfast. The health of the bride and bridegroom was drunk in bumpers, and the heartiest wishes expressed for their future happiness and prosperity. Numerous and appropriate wedding presents were on view and were much admired. The happy pair then started for the steamer Rotomahana accompanied by many friends, and were met and welcomed-aj; the wharf by a considerable concourse of well wishers, who cheered them as they departed on the wedding tour in the South. An exceedingly select programme, rendered in part by the Choral Society's orchestra and by some of the leading amateur voices of Auckland, was presented last Monday (Regatta) evening, under the able conductorship of Herr Carl Schmitt, in aid of St. Benedict's Church, Newton. The audience was a fairly large one, but not so large as, but for the fatigues of the early part of the holiday, might have been expected. The selections were faithfully executed, and so some items call for special comment more than others, the concert as a whole may be said to have been as a inusicarproduction one of the most pleasant and successful presented to the public for some time past. Not to be to critical, but as an observer we may say that the opening chorus " Up quit the Bower," went fairly but wanted the power and vigour which was bestowed, and properly so, on the part-song "Harvest Home," in Part 2 of the concert, Mr Edwards sang the "The White Squall" with his usual ability, effectually accompanied on the piano by Miss Boylan. "The Syren and the Friar" duet by Miss Halstead and Mr Rhodes was well interpreted, Miss Bleazard sang "Sing Sweet Bird," a song that is suitable to her voice, sweetly and effectively. Campana's very pretty duet "See • the pale moon," arranged for tener and soprano was pleasingly sung by Miss and Mr Tole, whose voices however seemed to be struggling with a cold. This was followed by Wolloy's soprano song " Oh how delightful," a very fitting title not only for the song but as applicable to its rendition by Miss Halstead, who in excellent voice made quite a " hit " resulting in an encore " Kathleen Mavourneen." The Misses Avey and George sang Verdi's " Home to our Mountains," but for two female juvenile voices the selection was somewhat ambitious. In place of Miss Flood's song, a violin solo was kindly substituded by Herr Schmitt who chose an arrangement of " The harp that once " and roused the audience to a demand for more, but he simply bowed acknowledgement. The second part of the concert opened with the charming overture, "The Poet and Peasant," by the orchestra, under the baton of Herr Schmitt. This selection, and the valze at the conclusion of the concert, were most jjleasant achievements in instrumentation. The song "Wreck of the Hesperus " was well rendered by Mr Garland, whose voice, however, though a good one, was rather light for Weiss' composition. Leslie's " O memory," the only trio in the programme, was effectively rendered by Miss Halstead and Miss and Mr Tole. The voices were evenly balanced, and the harmony was well produced. Miss Donovan, who with one or two exceptions presided at the piano during the evening, played as a piano solo Ghiizo's "La Zingara," ( and it is needless to say that this lady fully sustained her high attainments as a musician and pianoforteplayer. Mr Rhodes, in good voice, gave the sacred song " David before Saul " most successfully. We heard again with considerable pleasure the "Berceuse," gracefully sung by Miss Fenton (with violin obligate by Herr Schmitt), who had to submit to a re-demand. Mr Forth sang "Come into the garden Maud " instead of " I arise from dreams," put down to him, and was deservedly applauded. A very enjoyable evening's entertainment concluded with "Gk>d Save the Queen," and the Benedictine Fathers publicly, through Mr Mahon, expressed their gratitude to the ladies and gentlemen who had rendered assistance. The Builders' and Contractors' Association, of Auckland, and their families and friends, to the number of fully 400, held a grand picnic at Huriua on Regatta Day, proceeding thither by a special train consisting of eight carriages. The arrangements, which were carried out without a ftijbch, were made under the supervision of

Messrs J. Holland, Jenkinson, W. Gt-ill, and GK Rhodes, members of the committee. The train left at 10.20. a.m., and on reaching Mr White's farm were cordially welcomed. Ample refreshments were prepared in a booth presided over by Mr Collins. An enormous boiler was soon under way, and in a very short time hot tea and a substantial meal were provided for all the party. This over, a series of races and other games for money prizes were arranged for the children, and spiritedly contested. This was followed by a dance in which the adults joined with great yest, the music consisting of a violin and harp. The "tug-o'-war" was spiritedly contested. The youngsters then competed for prizes at jumping with the pole. In other parts of the grovnds quoits, football, and cricket were going on. The amusements of the day wound up with a 200 yards race for adults, in which Mr C. Rhodes was the victor, Mr A. Pollard making a good second. A race was then got up between Mr Shaylor, builder, and Mr Knight, the well-known asphalter, the former giving his opponent 10 yares start, and Mr Knight winning in a canter. At 5.20. p.m. preparations were -made for the returning journer. Mr White liberally supplied fruit from his orchards, and did everything in his power to render the holiday enjoyable, for which he was heartily thanked by the Committee. The party reached town shortly before 8 o'clock. The Misses Leatham gave an invitation party in the Catholic Institute, Wellington-street, on Monday evening. Between 70 and 80 were present, and the affair was in every respect most successful. The programme opened with " Pinafore," played by a number of young lady amateurs. Considering the short time the operetta had been under rehearsal, and the absence of professional "coaching," the piece was very creditably produced, going through without a single hitch, while the dresses and accessories were appropriate. The caste was as follows : — Sir Joseph Porter, Miss Ann Danks ; Captain Corcoran, Jennie Leatham ; Buttercup, Bella Leatham ; Josephine, Annie Leatham ; Ralph Rackstraw, Nellie Danks ; Dick Dead-eye, Louisa Aylett ; Cousin Hebe, Miss C. Paine ; Boatswain, Miss A. Francis. Miss Annie Learham sang " Refrain audacious tar " in capital style. The captain (Miss Jennie Leatham) was spiritedly and appropriately acted, and would have done credit to a professional juvenile company. This young lady has all the qualifications of a good actress. Sir Joseph Porter was frequently applauded in the solos. Bella Leatham made a vivacious Buttercup. The scene with Dick Dead-eye was one of the best things in the piece. The tableaus were well arranged, but the choruses were frequently marred by an unexpected reinforcement by the babies in the gallery. Miss F. Paine skilfully accompanied on the piano. The ballet scene from "Le Cloche De Cornville," was very good. Miss Griffiths played the accompaniment very well. A little girl named Fortzer, who played during the interval, and supplied most of the subsequent dance music, exhibited much promise. She plays with considerable finish, and skilful execution. The hall was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up until daylight. Ample refreshments and fruit were provided, and the affair was in every respect well managed. The following were the dresses : — Mrs Mclnerny, cardinal silk, sash of lighter shade ; Mrs W. Donald, black moire antique, silver ornaments; Miss Donald, black silk, blue trimmings ; Miss A. Danks, white muslin, seresse bands ; Miss J. Leatham, cream silk, lace, and silver ornaments ; Miss N. Danks, black silk, silver ornaments ; Miss A. Leatham, black satin, silver ornaments ; Miss B. Leatham, cream coloured silk, lawn trimmiugs, silver ornaments ; Miss Griffiths, black cardinal ; Miss M. Griffiths, pink sateen ; Miss F. Payne, pale blue and cream ; Miss C. Payne, Pink silk ; Miss Grace Cottingham, pink sateen ; Miss F. Fortzer, pink sateen, with lace pinafore ; Miss Kate Tyler, black satin, ornamented with cardinal silk, blue flowers.