SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1931, Page 11

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

An impromptu dance was given by th-3 girls of the Mercantile Auxiliary last evening. The guests of honour were the officers, engineers and cadets of the merchant ships in port. Coloured streamers, shaded lights, and spring blooms added the bright note of colour. Mrs. A. F. McArthur acted as hostess, and wore a gown of Lido blue lace. Among those present were: Miss E. Skeeii, ivory souple satin; Miss _R. Booth, blue fische net; Miss 0. Spring, blue flowered ninon; Miss Peggy Lee> pastel blue georgette; Miss. C. Ifwersen, black Chantilly lace; Miss Joan Tilly, ■primrose georgette;- Miss E. McNeil, flame satin faille; Miss Joyce Dickie, ivory floral taffeta; Miss H. Dickie, lemon taffeta; Miss Moua Boyd, Lido blue taffeta; Miss Laura Edgar, cerise flowered chiffon; Miss I. Wilson, salmon pink net; Miss : I? Jennings, daffodil taffeta; "Miss J. White, Vine Spanish lace; M. Nash, claret toned ninon. * * * *

Tlie winter series of social functions held in connection with Mount Ro<3kill| School was brought to a close 011 Friday evening last, when a children's fancy, dress party was held in the Public Hall. The hall was filled to overflowing with young people in fancy costumes of every description, ranging from a Hawaiian girl to a Swiss milkmaid,- and from a queen to a scarecrow. The judges Meie faced with a. difficult task, and finallj made the following awards: Girls, prettiest costume, Betty Bereeford, bon-bon; Barbara, Burton, patty pans,- Lorna Schmidt, early Victorian lady. Most original costume, Gladys Green, very old lady; Aileen Garrett, pearlie king; Mollie Dale, knitting bag. J Boys, funniest costume, Douglas Sheppard, a popular starch; Lindsay Stephens, scaiei crow. Most original costume, Murray Griffiths, vegetable garden; Brian Bailey, Kobin Hood; Brian Walsh, prfhee. A special prize for the tiniest girl of all was presented to Marie Alcock as a pink fairy, and for the tiniest boy to David Harvey, as Bubbles. The children presented a charming programme of action songs and dances, and folk dances. X r_rious round games were played with zest, and supper brought a most enjoyable evening to an end. * % * *

A successful children's fancy dress dance was held in the Orpheum Hall, Onehunga, on tlie evening of Wednesday, October 28, in aid of the Onehunga l«ree Kindergarten. The committee was assisted by Miss Beresford, liei pupils and fine orchestra. About 250 very prettily dressed, took pait, the a. D es ranging from three _to fifteen years. Some excellent exhibitions of set dancing and solo dancing were admired. me evening concluded with a dapce given for the spectators. The _ outstanding fancy costumes and prize-winners ueie: Pearly king, Tom Ansell.; judge, Garuett Jackson; old'lady, Clarence Thorpe; best paper dress, Yvonne McMahon; Maori, Florence Ansell; old English, Sylvia Knio-lit;'- home brew, Edna Young; swagger, Ken Jones; Jacky Coogan, Beverlev Cornwall; fairy, Joan Eckman, Queen of Hearts, Colleen Eawhnson; fireman, Kenneth Downe; Red Indian, Billy Anderson; two little girls in blue, Rhoda Marshall and Nancy Rowlands; a bride, Thelma Goldfnteh; a rosebud, Bubbles Clark; the King, Wilson Bissett; magician, .Phillip Bissett ; Bed Ridmg Hood, Dawn Eustace; white-eyed - Kaffir, Crai" Patterson; Jack and Jill, Bobbie Douglas and Eunice Schellback; a Turk, Vincent Woulfe; Indian, Ralph Ansell.; fairy, Pattie Davies; Russian, Gates; Turk, Desmond Brain; powder puff Shirley Brain; bride, Maureen Clear; Mickev the Mouse,' Maurice Zuill; soldier, George McNickle; sailor, Frances McNickle; pierrot, Harry Fitzpatrick; Schneider Cup, Wilma West; soldier, Wallace Rawlinson; sailor boys, Ross Morgan and Jack Morgan; Choysa tea, Dawn Pellew; Early Victorian, Merle Muir; soldier, Douglas Petchell; girl in pink, Shirley Richards.

A large number of members and visitors were present at the opening of the United Lawn Tenuis Club on Saturday afternoon. Mr. C. 0. Mahony, the president, declared the lawns open for play, the vice-president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association also addressed the gathering, and outlined the tennis season's activities. The ladies' committee present were: Mrs. Israel, Miss Goulding anli Miss Thomas. The club's colours decorated the tea tables and pavilion.

A brilliant function was held at the St. George's Hall, Mount Albert, on Saturday evening, the occasion being the grand Marist social and dance. About 200 couples were present. The hall was gaily decorated with blue and. gold streamers and balloons, and presented an attractive appearance. The community singing was under the direction of Mr. Eric Man nail. , Supper was in the hands of Mesdames, Scott and Kerr. The organiser, Mr. E. Doyle, was ably assisted by the Springleigh Social Club. The proceeds arc for the Marist mission school playground.

The celebration of Hallowe'en was held on Saturday evening at the Y.W.C.A. by the Progressive Club, by giving the children of the members and their friends a party. The president, Mrs. Rawley, presided, and the committee surpassed themselves in providing a substantial spread.and all that delights a child's heart. The majority, of the children were in fancy dress, paper hats being provided. There were some splendid items by the children. Mrs. Baker represented the witch. At the close of a pleasant evening, cach child was presented with a pretty basket of dainties.

A largely attended dance was held last evening under the auspices of the Lily of Devonport Rebekah Lodge, J.0.0.F., in the Victoria Hall last evening, the music beiiig supplied by Mrs. Reece. The committee comprised Mesdanies W. Smith, J. Santo, L. Bla mires, E. Driver, S. Edwards, J. Burrows 'and Miss Hale. Among those present were: Mesdanies G. H. Whiting, J. A. Hartley, Brewer, Armstrong, King, F. Smith, McKenzie, Edwards, Long, A. Harper, Patterson, O. Christian, A. Gear, Diver, McKernan, Way, Locklev and Misses Crozier, Wilson, P. Cusworth, L. Horsley, Beverley, Armstrong, King,'M. Cusworth.

The Mayoress of Devonport, Sirs. H. F. W. Meikle, entertained the members of the Devonport Welfare League execu-. tive, and sewing circle at an afternoon held at the Hotel Cheltenham-on Thursday. Perfect weather favoured the occasion, and the delightful view obtained,of Rarigitoto and the intervening glistening waters of the channel from the dining room, where tea was served, added to the enjoyment of the afternoon. Bowls of puce-coloured scabias and beautiful foliage decorated the room. Mrs. Meikle took the opportunity of thanking all present for the great assistance which they had given her sewing circle to alleviate the distress in Devonport borough since Captain Meikle and herself had been elected Mayor and Mayoress. The hostess called upon Mrs. D. W. McLean, J.P., president of the league, to say a few words concerning the activies of' the league. During the afternoon several songs were sung by Mrs. Ernest Sharpe and Mrs. Maurice Meikle,' with Mrs. Penman as accompanist. Mrs. Meikle received her guests wearing a frock of black georgette and lace, with coatee to tone, and a black Bangkok hat. She was assisted.by her daughter, Mrs. W. Aiders, and Sirs. Maurice Meikle.

The lounge of the Lyceum Club was well filled last , night when a delightful evening was held by the members of the musical cii'cle. The evening took the form of a lecture on "Bach as a Tone Painter," and several very fine music*' items were also given. The convenor, Miss Kent, presided. In his address, Mr. Maugliau Barnett gave a description of the work of Bach, referring to its sudden rise to prominence and,popularifcy after- a period of undeserved neglect. Speaking of the composer's chorale pre/ ludes, Mr. Burnett said that at one time these were neglectcd, solely because Bach was looked upon as a writer of abstract music, arid for this reason his piano piece, "Capriccia," on the departure of his brother, was considered merely a 'youthful indiscretion. When considered oijly as abstract music many of the Chorale preludes were not understood, but this tendency of the public had been largely corrected since Schweitzer had studied, his work and 1 had shown that Bach was a tone painter. With the assistance, of Mr. Barry Coney, at the conclusion of lvis address, Mr. Barnett played six of Bach's chorale preludes on the piano. Each piecc illustrated the composer's methods of description Tho programme also included pianoforte duos, comprising four capriccios by Henry Saint-George and a variation on a theme by Beethoven, by Saint-Saen? given by Mrs. M. Gully and Mr. C. Towsey. Miss Nancy Gilmoro sang "Mandolin" (Debussy) and "Nymphs and Shepherds'' Pursell. A • rare treat ■ was given by Madame, Johns, who sang _ "Mimi's Farewell," and who was enthusiastically applauded. Madame Johns has just arrived in Auckland after spending some timo in Italy.

The Glen Eden Tennis Club's annual dance was lield in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. The 1 hall was tastefully arranged with; bowls of Iceland poppies, palms and hanging baskets. A demonstration of the modern waltz and quickstep was given by Miss E. Lynch and Mr. Patts. Miss Hemming and Mr. Nixon were the successful couple in the Monte Carlo waitz. Among those present were: Mrs. McNeil, apricot georgette, figured velvet coatee.; Mrs. H. ;J. Ford, , iet panne velvet and floral coatee; Mrs. J. A. Thompson, figured lemon .ninon, apple green coatee; Mrs. J. S. Ryan, figured marocain, moire coat; , Sirs, j ßothcrham, scarlet satin and black georgette coatee; Mrs. D. Wheatcroft, midnight blue crepe de chine; Mrs. Bollard, henna satin; Mrs. Perkins, brown floral georgette; Mrs. Aitelieson, peach, taffeta; Miss Fowler, eau de nil satin; Miss Joyce Fowler, apricot tafleta; Miss Thompson, saxe blue crepe de chine, apricot velvet coatee; Miss Routley, rose ninon, silver brocade coatee; Miss D. Hemming, black floral taffeta; Miss Dorn, peach velvet and georgette; Miss E. Kennedy, green georgette; Miss D. Kennedv, white satin; Miss Stubbings, saxe blue lace; Miss Moran, "black satin; 'Miss Severn, wliite frilled net; Miss D. Moores, flame corsage, black skirt; Miss Lvnch, black crepe de chine; Miss Linley. apricot taffeta; Miss Moores, floral voile; Miss Andrews, green crepe _ de chine; Miss Butler, scarlet lace; Miss Robson, .floral ninon; Miss Lowe, figured ninon; Miss Parsons, blue georgette.

The Parish Hall, Devonport, was crowded with dancers last evening, when an old-time dance was held under the auspices of Holy Trinity Church, for the hall fund. The hall was prettily decorated with festoons and coloured electrical devices. A very pleasant programme of dances was, carried out:-

A general meeting of the Writers' Club was held on Friday afternoon. Mrs. I. M. Cluett presided. Members expressed great satisfaction at the steady progress of the club as dis,closed by the reports of the secretary and treasurer. Matters of future policy were discussed and a vote of thanks to the officers of the club was carried with acclamation.

The officers and members of Court Maid Marion's Pride, Juvenile A.0.F., on Friday last, journeyed to Birkenhead to pay a visit to Court Pride of Birkenhead. A most enjoyable evening was spent in community singing and several items by the juveniles of both courts, after which supper was served by adult members. This hospitality was appreciated by Sister Gubb and officers of the juveniles.