THE Social Sphere

By Muriel.

PROBABLY no wedding for many a long day has come upon the

Auckland people more unexpectedly, or has occasioned more widespread interest, than that of Mr James Reid, the genial laird of Motutapu, which took place a few days ago. The bride was Mis.s Eliza Craig, the young and charming daughter of the manager of the estate. There is no man in the community held iv more kindly regard by the people of Auckland than Mr Reid, and this is not to he wondered at, in view of the unvarying hospitality and kindness he shows to the numerous picnic parties to whom he gives the freedom of his charming island. Therefore, it goes without saying that the popular sentiment is one of congratulation to Mr Reid and his fair young bride, and kindly wishes for their future happiness. The wedding, which took place in Auckland in the presence of several friends, was a very <|iiiet one.

The bowling reunion, under the gaslight, given on Wednesday evening by Mr Arthur Myers, President of the Auckland Bowling Club, and his mother, Mrs Louis Myers, to howlers and their wives and lady friends on the Auckland Bowling Green will long be remembered by those fortunate to be present as one of the most charming and novel entertainments ever given in our city. Words would not half describe the beauty of the scene, for the grounds, which are the prettiest in Auckland, were transformed by the aid of many powerful incandescent lamps, and hundreds of bright coloured fairy lamps, gay Mags, etc., into a fairy bower, which the darkness of the night made all the more effective. On the velvet greens, bowlers were busily engaged in the game which for them possesses such a fascination, while further on many ladies were engrossed with croquet. Coloured fairy lights gleamed amongst the shrubbery and trim flower beds, while Mong the Mistant boundary wall rows of hundreds of fairy lights were suspended, and glowed like jewels, the whole effect being indescribably beautiful, brilliant and effective.

The guests were received and most graciously welcomed by Mr and Mrs Myers at the entrance to the grounds. Refreshments of the choicest description were served throughout the evening, the host and hostess being assisted by many young lady and gentlemen friends, who were most assiduous in their attentions to the guests. Hunter's Band discoursed sweet music, and songs were tastefully rendered by Miss Maud Howard and Mr Wilfred Manning, both being enthusiastically encored. Before the close of the evening, Mr Edmund Mahoney, president of the Mount Eden Club, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Myers, which was heartily carried. Mr Myers responded, and also thanked the ladies who had assisted his mother' during the evening. Mrs Myers wore a handsome black silk gown and dainty little bonnet ; her daughter, Mrs Coleman, wore a stylish black gown, black picture hat ; Mrs Leo Myers was dainty in creme and stylish toque ; Mrs Lindsay, black costume, black hat ; Mrs Chinnery Suggate, handsome dress of creme brocade with bolero of lace, hat with pink roses.

Mrs Ilaidie, elegant gown of black brocade and pretty bonnet ; Mrs Ware, beautiful dark blue silk gown embroidered with silk, pretty hat ; Miss Ware, lovely turquoise blue flowered dress, picture hat ; Mrs Porter, black ; Miss Porter, black costume And black hat ; Mrs W. Rainger, pretty pale grey dress with ecru insertion lace trimming, red hat ; Mrs H. Qwen, blaok gown with creme lace bolero, large black hat ; Mrs Huddle-

ston, electric blue dress and picture hat; Mrs R. Battantyne, "white, and black hat ; Mrs Lambert, black skirt, and blouse of silver sequined gauze, black hat ; Miss Lambert wore white ; Mrs Coe, black skirt, and pretty blouse ; Mrs H. W. Wilson, dainty white dress with lace insertion and tucks, black hat; Mrs Ziman, black silk gown and black hat ; Mrs Seegner, black gown with heliotrope -silk vest, heliotrope floral hat ; Mrs Malcolm Niccol, black silk, with tucked silk bolero, black hat.

Miss Sellare, pretty white silk dress, with bolero of crerae silk passementerie, picture hat ; Mrs Myers, handsome black silk gown, stylish black bonnet ; Mrs J. McK. Geddes, grey costume, the bodice made with yoke of white silk, large black hat; Mrs Graves Aitken, black and white spotted foulard silk, black toque ; Miss Aicken, pretty white silk, white and black hat ; Mrs Ireland, black costume, and black bonnet relieved with white, her youngest daughter looked charming in black dress and creme bolero embroidered in gold, black hat ; Mjsh Winks, black skirt, pretty silk blouse, and white Tiat ; Mrs Duthie was very dainty in creme silk, tucked and trimmed with insertion lace, and black hat ; Mrs W. Gorrie, black ; Miss Gorrie, white tucked silk blouse, white skirt and white hat ; Mies Donald, dainty white muslin dress trimmed with insertion lace and tucks, over pale green, black hat ; Mrs Darby, black ; Miss Darby, ruby silk gown, with overdress of black embroidered net, pretty hat.

Mrs Colegrove, pretty periwinkle blue dress, hat to correspond ; Miss Tilly, black skirt, ruby silk blouse, black hat ; Mrs J. L. Wilson, handsome dress of black and white striped silk and stylish bonnet ; Mrs Whitney looked nice in blue and white striped silk and pretty hat ; Miss Sinclair, dainty white dress ; Miss Douglas was charming in white ; Miss Cooke, bright wine-coloured dress relieved with black ; Mrs Bedford, handsome black silk gown, black hat ; Miss Patterson, pretty light muslin dress and white hat ; Mrs Stevenson, black costume, black bonnet ; Miss Stevenson was dainty in black, and hat trimmed with pale blue silk ; Mrs Newton, black skirt, smart silk blouse ; Miss Crowther looked nice in white ; Mrs Peacock, handsome Mack brocade gown and pretty bonnet ; Miss Peacock wore black and white muslin ; and her sister, white silk.

Mrs Keesiug, pretty striped silk, black bonnet ;] Miss Keesing, black skirt, pretty blue silk blouse ; Mrs Ernest Moss Davis, stylish black gown with creme yoke and black picture hat ; Miss Buddie was charming in black, white feather boa and black hat ; Miss Dargaville, white, and hat with flowers ; Mrs John Reid, elegant black silk gown, black hat ; Mrs Arniitage, fawn skirt and pretty creme silk tucked blonse ; Mrs Ching, handsome blue and white flowered foulard silk and smart toque ; Mis Lyons, black skirt and violet silk blouse, black toque : Mrs C. M. Nelson, dark blue foulard silk and toque with a touch of blue ; Miss Nelson looked nice in white ; Miss Berry, crushed strawberry costume ; Miss A. Berry, white, the skirt much frilled, white hat ; Miss Alison was graceful in flowered French muslin and white hat ; Mrs Tudehope, black silk skirt and handsome pale green brocade blouse.

Miss Mow bray, black satin wkirt, white blouse, and white hat; Misses Myers, dainty white silk frocks and pretty hats ; Mrs E. Lewis, rich black brocade gown, and black bonnet with white ostrich tips ; Miss/ Dolly Davis, stylish grey dress and pretty hat ; Misses Moss Davis were charming in white ; Mrs Edmiston, black silk skirt and pretty fawn blouse trimmed with fawn silk and ecru laoe ; Mrs McCallum looked nice in black ; Mrs Holland, black silk ; Misses Holland, white ; Mrs Lusher, dark skirt and silk blouse ; Miss Ledingham, black skirt and pink silk blouse ; Miss W. Cotter, stylish green flowered Bilk, with folded waist belt of black &Uk and the bodice trimmed with ecru lace, picture hat ; Mrs Tewsley, handsome

pink dress with ecru lace trimming, hat to correspond; Miss Thompson was dainty in stylish pink frock ; Mfos Kerapthorne, pretty white .muslin finished with tucks and lace insertion, picture hat.

Miss Coffey, white skirt, 'dainty white silk blouse, with insertion lace and tucks, hat trimmed with pink silk ; Mrs Hart, dainty grey dress ; Mrs R. H. Abbott, stylish . black and white flowered muslin, black hat; Mrs Ritchie was dainty in black ; Mrs Neil, handsome black dress, black hat ; Miss Thompson, lovely white silk frock ; Mrs Manning, white silk, white ostrich feather boa, white hat; Miss Billington, smart black costume, hat with pink flowers ; Miss Metcalfe, pretty blue costume ; Mrs Segar, dainty white muslin dress, picture hat ; Misses Scherff were charming in white dresses trimmed with lace insertion and tucks, and hats trimmed with silk ; Miss Isaacs, pretty light dress and hat ; Mrs Peyton, grey ; Mrs S. Adams, grey figured silk, pretty hat ; Mrs Elliott Davis, handsome twine-coloured dress, with twine-colour lace bolero over black silk, black hat ; Mrs Alexander, elegant black costume ; Mrs H. Keesing, black silk grenadine, black hat.

Mrs T. Mahoney, electric blue costume ; Miss Wallnutt, dark skirt and pretty white blouse ; Mrs Hodgson, lovely black silk crSpe de chene dress trimmed with applique black insertion lace over white silk, black hat ; Mrs Lamb (Sydney), stylish black dress with yoke of ecru lace, black hat ; Mrs Crawford, black gown and black hat ; Miss Crawford was dainty in white ; Mrs Kingswell, black, creme lace finishing the bodice, black hat ; Mrs Clifton, blue costume with large white silk collar ; Mrs Cooper, black silk skirt, pink silk blouse and pretty toque ; Miss Langsford, white ; Miss Haven, green silk blouse, hat with pink silk trimmings ; Mrs Niccol, stylish mauve costume ; Miss Niccol, dark skirt and pretty white blouse ; Mrs Tanton, stylish black costume ; Mrs Gilmour, black skirt and bright pink silk blouse.

The marriage of Mr Donald Mclnnes, of Howick, with Miss Elsie Fountain, second daughter of Mr Harry Fountain, of Auckland, is arranged to take place at the end of the present month.

Amongst the fortunate young Aucklanders who visit England during the Coronation festivities are Mr and Mrs Arthur Brett, of Lake Takapuna, who left for Sydney on Monday, and Mr and Mrs J. H. C. Bond, who depart next month. Mr Bond is chief clerk in the Auckland branch of the Union Steamship Company, and has been granted six months' leave of absence. Mrs Bond is the daughter of Mr David Goldie, and was born and brought up in Auckland. Both couples journey Home via Vancouver, and the wish of numerous less fortunate friends is that they may have a delightful and enjoyable holiday, and a safe return. While speedingiparting friends, it is pleasant to welcome back old friends in Mr and Mrs David Carter (the latter nee Miss Burningham, of Lake Takapuna), who have for some time past resided in Christchurch. Mr Carter is an old Ponsonby boy, and has for many years been connected with the Union Steamship Company, and he now returns to his former home to succeed Mr Bond in the local office.

The marriage of Miss Sis Middlebrook, daughter of Mr J. Middlebrook, of St. Mary'B Road, with Mr H. Whit-nall-Sinith, takes place on Wednesday, March 26th.

According to Dame Humour, a recent Auckland bride, whose wedding was much discussed, proudly boasted that on her wedding day every garment she wore was made of silk of the choicest quality. Lucky girl to have been born with the proverbial silver spoon. But, at the same time, it is doubtful if she enjoyed any greater happiness in her splendour than the girl less fortunately situated who had worked and saved to purchase her own trousseau, and, perhaps, made most of the garments she wore on the happiest day of her life with her own skilful fingers.

* The engagement is announced in Wellington of Miss Maud Friend, only daughter of the late Mr George Friend, for many years clerk of the House of Representatives, to Mr Vandrey Baldwin. Another engagement just announced is that of Miss Muriel Stowe, of Wellington, daughter of Mr L. Stow, clerk of the Legislative Council, with Mr Brian Lysaght, of Hawera.

The marriage of Miss Muriel Leadingham, daughter of Mr Leadingham, of, Albert Park, with Mr Sidney G. Sturt, of Luva, is arranged to take place in St. Paul's Church, on Wednesday, March 19th.

The engagement is annonnced of Mr Edward Horton, fourth son of Mr A. H. Horton, one of the proprietors of the New Zealand' Herald, and Miss Minnie Griffiths, of Australia.

The Countess Riaz and her daughter, the Hon. Dorothy Riaz, are at present visiting Wellington, and staying at the Royal Oak Hotel. The Countess appears to have created as great a sensation in the Empire City with her diamonds and her frocks as she did at Rotorua, and is described as petite in figure, of swarthy complexion, slightly aquiline nose, sparkling dark eyes, and of Jewish cast of feature. Her daughter is an interesting young lady of twelve or thirteen, and, like her mother, an excellent linguist.

The engagement is announced of Miss Elsie Clark, eldest daughter of Mrs J. McCosh Clark, of Remuera, to Mr Halcombe, of Wanganui.

The marriage of Mr William F. Gillies and Miss Flora M. Kidd, daughter of Mr Alfred Kidd, Mayor of Auckland, was solemnised at 8 a.m. yesterday (Wednesday) morning. The ceremony took place in St. Paul's Church.

The marriage of Mr Alfred H. Williams, of Parua Bay, and Miss Clara A. Edmiston, third daughter of Mr and Mrs James Edmiston, of Woodstreet, Ponsonby, was very quietly solemnised on Wednesday afternoon, March sth. The ceremony took place at "Ibrox," the iesidenceof the bride's parents, the Rev. T. F. Robertson officiating. A large and handsome wedding bell of white flowers was suspended »n the bay window of the drawing room, under which the couple stood during the ceremony. The bride was given away by her father, and wore a beautiful dress of white silk, the skirt finished with a shaped flounce of wide silk lace, headed with niched chitfon, and the bodice and sleeves tucked, and trimmed with silk lace, chiffon ruche and orange blossoms. She also wore a tiny coronet of orange blossoms, embroidered tulle veil, and carried a beautiful shower bouquet.

Miss Nellie Edmiston acted as bridesmaid, and wore a dainty dress of line white muslin, trimmed wity tiny tucks and insertion lace. MrMallabond, of Parua Bay, acted as best man. Mrs Edniiston, mother of the bride, wore a rich black silk gown with jet trimming and pretty lace cap ; Misß Edmiston and Miss Laura Edmiston both wore pretty white dresses with tucks and lace insertion ; Miss M. Edmiston looked very nice in electric blue silk ; Miss Williams, sister of the bridegroom, grey costume, the bodice relieved with pink silk ; Mrs Thompson, senr., handsome black matalasse gown. After the ceremony afternoon tea was served, and later in the day Mr and Mrs Williams left, amidst showers of rice and good wishes, to spend a few days out of town before proceeding to their future home at Parua Bay. The bride's going away costume was a smart coat and skirt of blue cloth, strapped with bands of stiched blue glace silk, blue silk veßt, and cornflower blue straw hat trimmed with bine spotted silk. A large collection of handsome presents were received, including articles both useful and ornamental.