SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 158, 22 September 1883, Page 8

SOCIETY

At the Union ball at Wang*nui, the lady in black and scarlet carried off the honours of belle, and her style was most ladylike. Her sister, in pink, trimmed with black lace, looked very pretty. The dance at Parua Bay last Friday night was a great success. There were about fifty couples present. The ladies were all very nicely dressed, black and white and black and cardinal being the prevailing colours. Dancing was continued until three o'clock in the morning. It was stated when the Baronoss Burdett-Coutts married Mr. Alphabetical Bartlett that she had to sacrifice a large amount of her wealth. Perhaps she had ; but as she still has the Bank, with fifteen millions in ready money in England, and twenty millions of dollars in the U.S.A. funds, Ashmead will, wo reckon, be still able to attend the Freethought lecture on a Saturday night even though he has to stop the weekly shilling he used to sling to the German Band. The Prince of Wales is very careful of his health. When he leaves opera or the theatre, he muffles up with a thoughtfulness for which he is not given credit, and as for his propensities as a " trencherman," the old days before the fever, when he could hold his own with the best, are dreams of the past. No one ever sees him now touch any food at a banquet, unless it be a piece of dry toast and a well-cooked chop, with the very plainest accessories. The Ponsonby "At Home " on Friday was a great success. The ladies, without one exception, , looked well, the most worthy of mention being : Mrs Masefield, wine-coloured velvet dress ; Mrs Arthur Lewis, black silk ; Miss Armitage, a handsome cream satin dress, and cardinal plush body; Miss Aubrey, white dress, pink flowers; Miss Oldham, oream silk dress, stjlishly made, natural red roses ; Miss Herne, a pretfcy pink dress ; Miss H. Langsford, black and blue ; Miss Harrison, blue silk (a rich dress) ; Miss Hanna, cream dress, and red satin body ; Miss H. George, black, and pink flowers ; Miss Ansseene, cream, and blue sash. Some of the best dresses worn at the Tauranga Musical Union Ball :— Mrs H. Brabant, handsome black silk ; Miss Marley, black velvet ; Mrs C. Jordan, black silk dress, pretty cap ; Miss Lundon, charming costume of silver grey, real lace ; Mrs G-inders, black silk dress ; Miss Clark, black dress, prettily trimmed with jet ; Mrs Ellis, black cashmere, prettily made, white lace c;vp, diamond earrings; Mrs Berkerley, black dress, cream bonnet ; Mrs Lundon, black silk dress, cream cap, slashed with prune ; Mrs Canning, black silk, long train, white bertha (very pretty); Mrs Marley, black silk, creme cap ; Miss Ellis, black brocade bodice, and cream sateen skirfc (vevy becoming) ; Mrs Commons, grey cashmere and satin, handsomely trimmed ; Miss Hewitt, black dress, trimmed with jet ; Mrs Tunks, black dress, cream and cardinal cap. There were many other pretty dresses, too numerous to mention. The fifth anniversary of the Royal Star of Auckland Lodge of Oddfellows was celebrated on Thursday evening last by a grand ball, which took place in the Choral Hall. Dancing commenced at i) o'clock ; before ten there were fully 120 couples present, engaged in the busy whirl. The hall was vci-y beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens, reflecting groat credit on Mr Humphries, to whose hands, we believe, this section of the work was entrusted. A substantial repast was provided by Mr Dallen. Tbere was an abundant supply of good things. Mr Impey's band supplied the music, which was perfect in. every respect, and met the approval of all the fashionable trippers of the " light fantastic " present. The following are a few of the most rioticable dresses worn: — Mrs Humphrey, handsome cream brocade satin; Mrs Scott, black satin, trimmed with jet ; Miss Robertson, .white muslin, white satin bodice, and silver ornaments ; Miss Edgar, peacock-blue satin ; Miss J. Edgar, cardinal satin *, MrS Walk6r, di'ab silk skirt, and

cardinal bodice"; Miss Clark, Indian muslin skirt electric blue silk bodice, and white lace; Miss Hargreaves, pale blue sateen, cream lace; Miss Chappel, green tarlatan, white lace ; Miss Cromwell, cream satin and lace ; Mrs Thorpe, black silk, brocaded velvet waist ; Miss Thorpe, white satin, white lace, and gold ornaments ; Miss O'Hanlin, pale pink sateen ; Miss Murray, pale' blue sateen; Mrs GL W. Connelly, black grenadine, cardinal trimmings, and natural flowers.