Wanganui in Wisps.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 971, 27 February 1919, Page 10

Wanganui in Wisps.

DeaK C'UKISrABKI.

THIS gay week of gallops and trots lias been a seven-days' round of fresh faces and excitement. Owing probably to the many months since our last meeting and also probably to it being the first gathering since the peace whispers, an altogether tremendous crowd journeyed hither. As usual, in fact just a little more so, there weren't nearly enough beds to go round, and many rested under the shade of pine and macrocarpa. The host of one well-known establishment which boasts a roof garden hit upon the novel idea of allowing his guests to strike camp on the said decorated balcony. During the day the tents looked quite ordinary, but- at night there were possibilities availed of to the full. Soft yellow- and warm red electric lights" filtered through the unbleached canvas, more electric lights twinkled among the potted cabbagetrees and shrubs, the whole effect being not unlike the " garden of Allah." ;,Visitors do not as a rule retire early, ■so the silhouette-loving public had to repair to the picture palaces, as usual. * * * *

The weather, disappointing at first, cleared up into sunshine and pretty frocks. Khaki, although in evidence,, was less noticeable than of yore, most of the men looking alike back on, but about every tenth coat front sported a silver - badge.

The. ladies' frocking, in every style and colour, suggested every shade of opinion, costumes of course predominating, and the tulle echarpe being much favoured. Among the many groups dotted about I noticed: Mrs Mackay, wearing a creme costume, _ black and white hat; Miss Cohen, fawn costume and hat, "black tulle scarfe; Mrs Saunders (Australia), navy blue with touches of putty colour, ermine fur and navy hat; Miss O'Brien,-black and white check, leghorn hat showing blue lining and pink roses; Mrs Baddeley, black costume, heliotrope and cerise hat; Mrs McKelvie, powder blue costume, trimmed with handsome oriental embroidery, black and gold hat; Mrs Scott, black costume and black hat; Mrs Gibson, bottle- green costume, green and gold hat; Miss Bull (Hunterville), creme costume, black hat; Mrs Hughes-Johnston, blue and white striped dress, bkie hat; Mrs Hill, navy coat and skirt, navy hat; Mrs Cleland, sapphire blue crepe dress, black and gold hat; Miss. TJrquhart, -carmine pink costume, white fur and black hat.

7 On Thursday night, the swimming carnival was held at the Municipal Baths, a big crowd of interested and sound-lunged spectators seizing every seat and perch from which they could witness the sports. Owing to the epidemic and the miserable season up till a few weeks ago, swimming has not been indulged in as much as usual, and although all the events were got off well, there was not quite as much dash as usual, and the times were a little slower occasionally. Mr Turner as judge, Mr Broadhead timekeeper, and Mr Jones as starter, did their parts well, and the club officials gen- ; erally did their best to make the carr nival enjoyable. . .

* * * -55fgjThe Hon. T. M.; Wilford spent some |3x3!ay£ here on a visit to his mother, 4?-Mrs Wilford, Gonville, who is ill just Snow. -

Rev. Father O'Connell left on Monday for the South, and will be absent for a few weeks.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS PATRICIA, OF CONNAUGHT,

Quite a number of well-known folk are having a game of " general post." Mrs M. E. Duigan, late of Gonville,

has moved into a new home in BelE Street. Mr and Mrs T>. P. Cullinane have sold their Waireki Estate to Mr" R. Craig, and will be camping temporarily at Mi;s Duigan's old place until, they move to their new home up the Main Trunk. Mr W. Craig has bought the old and- well-known residence of Mrs Earle, sen., Wickstead Street, and. Mrs Earle will be moving into a smaller house before long.

Miss Cullinane, St. .John's Hill, - and Miss M. McCormick, Gonville, are holidaying at Ohaktine and Karioi.

Mrs Leslie. Hill (Wellington) and little daughter are visiting Miss New— corobe, Castlecliff. WEntITOID.