SOCIAL GOSSIP.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 984, 14 May 1919, Page 16

SOCIAL GOSSIP.

Dear Christabe:l, — THE fine old house in Hobson street which for many years was -the home of the T. C. Williams' family, is now the Presbyterian Girls' College, and is called Queen Margaret's. The roll was first called in the beginning of this year, but the official opening ■; took place on Thursday of last week. The Board of Governors attended in full force and made an impressive appearance on the platform. All., the local , Presbyterian Ministers were present, except Dr. Gibb, avlio is ill, and from whom a letter was read. The Hon. J. G. W. Aitken presided, and the Rev. Gray-Dixon, Moderator of the General Assembly, performed the official opening, and spoke at some length on the need for the establishment of these Presbyterian schools, ofi which in New Zealand there are now three. # * * * The proceedings opened with prayer. During the afternoon the Lady Principal, Miss Jobson, gave an interesting address, in which she spoke of "the high ideals of the people who are responsible for directing the education of the pupils of whom there are already a great many, including 15 hoarders. /* # * * The printed programmes had the proposed colours of the school running diagonally across the left top corner —r-royal blue in the centre, a narrow border of gold beyond on each side, and beyond the gold again, black. At present the girls are wearing navyblue hat bands with monograms. Eventually they will wear the school •colours. On Thursday they of course ■wore white muslin and during the afternoon they helped to entertain the visitors, and looked after them very nicely.

The college is most charmingly fitted up, with the' dormitories,.airy, papers and paint very dainty. 'The large drawing-room is quite ..a pleasant place. The schoolrooms have been made; up-to-date. The kindergarten, under the direction of Miss Evans, is very modern and charming. During the afternoon, the matron, Miss Fyffe, who has a beautiful voice, 'sang "to the assembled company. The Art Class is a strong point in the curriculum and visitors were interested in the black-and-white sketches, watercolours, metal work, etc., which the pupils have already turned out. Miss Jobson is an M.A., with a reputation as a very successful teacher. She has been eight years in Invercargill, and was previously at the Melbourne Presbyterian Ladies' College, where, too, she was educated. Associated with Miss Jobson is an excellent staff. The grounds in" • which the school stands are being laid out in lawns with; borders for flowers . and there is a tennis court with trees near and round it. The school has made" a successful start, and will no doubt meet with continued success. * * * * General Richardson has come home and never did a warrior receive a gladder welcome. Soldiers poured into the Town Hall, and every time the General made a remark he was applauded. They think no end of him and small wonder, for he has proved himself a great soldier, a gallant gentleman and a. splendid organiser. The Town Hall greeting was one of the best —o-enuine, warm, and heartfelt, Mrs Richardson shared it with, her husband, and the General's mother-in-law, Mrs Warren, was among the people on the platform. * * * ■» At Heretaunga, in her home, last Thursday, Mrs John Duncan died, to the profound sorrow of her many friends who will realise how irreparable is her loss to her family and themselves. * * * * The Workers' Help Division of the Women's National Reserve has high ideals and great enthusiasm and is beginning in a very modest way. Already rfc has accomplished something. Some little relief has been given where it was badly needed ,and there is reason for believing that before long it will be firmly established with a financial backing and with a large roll of

volunteers. It hopes some day to be as useful and well-known as the Plunket Society which also had a small beginning, and with which, it should work. It is possible that some day itwill offer an occupation and profitable profession;- to many women who are interested in children. The names of the committee members and.executive officers are: Mesdames H. Adams, Aherne (hon. sen.), -Bayfield, Coleridge, Darling, Alex. Gray (president), J. D. Gray, Ernest Ha'dfiel-d (h°n. treas.), Porter, Hanan, A. M. Myers. * *• *■ * Here is a . true little story from Gisborne. The cherub is not yet three and is the youngest. His fond mamma had preserved many dozens of eggs, and., had stored five kerosene tins fud of them in the garage. One morning the darling was missing. In its case, to be missing means to be in mischief. There follow ?>. hue and a cry. The infant was finally discovered in the garage , where it; had already pelted the motor with quantities 'of eggs from two tins, but, being bored, had taken a stick to the others and with it had stirred the contents of a third tin and completed the- ruin of the first two. Eggs are now 3s 8d a dozen. Granny blamed Mamma, who really ought to look after the poor little mite better.

Youth is coming into its own. What is probably the first of many dances was given in/the Young Street Hall last week by Mr and Mrs Stott for their two young daughters and son, who have all grown up during these years of - war.' The hall was prettily draped for the occasion, and the table in the' supper room was very gay with chrysanthemums. Miss Stott and her sister were daintily dressed in white, one with gold and the other with silver embroideries. .-■ Mrs Stott wore a becoming frock of rose charmeuse with an overdress of cream lace. The guests were the friends of the young people, and the programme consisted of modern danees, which are now the craze. * '.■'*•• * * Mr J. W. Marshall and his elder daughter (Tututotara, Marton) and Mr ■ IfratUk Hadfield were passengers to England by last week's boat which left Auckland. * •#■ * * On the 24th May. at St. John's Church, Tututotara, Miss Lorna Marshall, eldest 'daughter of Mr and Mrs W. Marshall, Manga Haupi, is to be married to Mr J. B. S. Dudding. *** * . Dr. W. Hislop, who. has been in camp for some months, has now been demobilised, and- is in residence at the Wellington Hospital until the new medical superintendent, . Dr. Woodhouse. arrives. Mrs Hislop, who returned from Christchurch some weeks ago is settled in .her. temporary home in the hospital grounds. Mr and Mrs J. Sttidholme are still occupying Dr. Hislop's house in Willis street, which they took immediately before the sudden termination of the war. Miss Ford (Hawke's Bay) is staying with them just now. *■■:■ * * * Mr and Mrs Erie Riddiford and Miss Winifred Miles have gone for a trip to America. * -:«• * * Mr and Mrs Walter Johnston are passengers to England this week from Wellington. Mrs W. Turnbull was to nave gone by the same boat, but unfortunately caught a cold a few days ago, and there is a chance that her •trip wiH be postponed. * * * * Mr Charles Nathan has returned from England with his wife, who is a charming, English lady. .They aire staying at the Midland. On dit that -. the wives of some of these waterside workers are getting a little weary of these perpetual stopwork meetings: An old man, giving advice to a young girl, once told her never to marry a parson for it is a great nuisance having a man about

the house day in, day out. Mrs Waterside Worker is reported to be in agreement with the old man and in many cases she is going out to work. Why is it necessary for all work to cease on the waterfront while delegates interview Ministers at the House of Parliament? Mabel. The engagement is announced of Miss Margot Levett, second daughter of Mr J. T. Levett, of Kelburn, to Mr T. Kearins, eldest son of Mr John Kearins, of Kairanga. *■ * * * The engagement is announced in Melbourne "Table Talk" of Miss Katie Goldstone, third daughter of .Mr and Mrs I. Goldstone, of Fitzroy, ' Melbourne, to Mr Harry Davis, of London, late of Auckland and Wellington. # ■ ' * ■ * * A very pretty Auckland weddinglast week was that of Miss Doris Craig, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ernest A, Craig, 'of "Manukura," Claude road, Epsom, and Mr Claude W. Knight third son of Mrs J. Knight, of Takapuna, Auckland. The marriage took place at the Epsoni Methodist Church, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. G. Bond. Mr Craig gave away his daughter, who looked very charming in a smartly-cut white cloth costume and a becoming hat with white ospreys. . She also wore a silk scarf, fastened with orange blossoms, Her bouquet was of white roses and maiden hair fern. Her two bridesmaids were Miss . Gladys Craig (sister of bride) and Miss Mollie

Knight (sister of bridegroom). Both looked-, charming in cream cloth costumes " with chenille stitching and smart black velvet Napoleon hats. The best man was Mr Harold Knight and the groomsman Mr Athol Hodgson. After the marriage ceremony a reception was*held at the residence of the bride's parents. The bride's travelling costume was a smart one in brown cloth set off by a fawn hat and handsome black fox furs.