SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 245, 17 October 1933, Page 10

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

The lawns of the Remuera Croquet Club were opened for the 1933-34 season on Saturday, when the president, Mrs. Daniels, welcomed the members and wished them a happy and successful season. Feeling reference was made to the loss the club had sustained in the death of the late Mrs. H. B. Burnett, and two minutes' silence was observed. It was reported that the financial result of the winter series of bridge afternoons was very satisfactory. The president, sending a ball through the first hoop, declared the lawns open for play, but owing to the wet weather, progressive bridge was played in the pavilion, the prize winners being Mrs. Isemonger, highest score, Mrs. Coltman, hidden number, and Mrs. Wallnutt, consolation prize. The tea tables were attractively decorated with a profusion of shaded poppies.

An enjoyable private bridge party was given by Miss Margaret Early at the Overseas League rooms on Saturday evening, in aid of furnishings for the clubrooms. Among those present were: Mesdames W. J. A. Thompson, Seelly, Sutherland, Monk, Smart, Stuart, Poppowell, Ackroyd, Esson, Orchiston, Mulgan. Magson, Mayho, Short, Streeton, Trewern, Black, Russell, McCormick; Misses Rudd, N. Montgomery, D'Arcy Jones, T. Monk, Burke, I. Anderson, Stuart, Kennedy, Downes, Furley, Edith Mowbray, Rattray, Craig (2), G. Fraser, Billy Mageon, Mary Mowbray, Mary L. Early, Phyllis Short, Katie Melville, Earl, Cook, Lloyd, Goodwin, Swales, L. Montgomery, Enid Hosking, G. Walters, N. Trevithick, L. Dunnet, K. Harty, E. Penrose, Buggy, N. Green, R. Palmer, D. White, Margaret Early M. A. Early, and C. Frieulander.

The Ponsonby Croquet Club's lawns were officially opened on Saturday last, when the president of the club, Mrs. Horsley, welcomed ' the visitors and wiehed the members a very happy season. She then asked Mrs. Badeley, president of the Auckland Association, to declare the lawns open. In a little speech Mrs. Badeley wished all tHe members every success for the coming season, and, after declaring the lawns open for play, was presented with a bouquet of pale mauve Argentine peas and golden Iceland poppies, representing the colours of the club. Mrs. Keesing, hon. secretary of the Auckland Association, was also present. The clubroom was beautifully decorated with bamboo, golden Iceland poppies, pale shades of mauve stocks, eweet peas, lilac and pale shades of mauve cinerarias. The visitors commented on the perfect condition of the lawns and the improvements that have been made. Owing to showery conditions of the weather it was decided to play bridge. The winners were: Mrs. Torrence 1, Mrs. Crowe 2; consolation, Mrs. Smithers; hidden number, Mrs. Thomas. A dainty afternoon tea was served by members of the club.

The official opening of the St. Helier's Bay Croquet Club took place on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large gathering. The greens were in excellent

order, but owing to the wet afternoon there was no play. The president, Mrs. Lowe, welcomed the members and visitors, and in a short speech declared the greens open for the season. Afternoon tea was served in the pavilion, the club's colours, blue and gold fiowere, being used for table decorations. Among those present were: Mesdaraes Lowe, Negus, St. Cliiir Inglis, Appleyard, White, Gordon, Roberts, Kinj, Laslett, Wynn-Dunn, Baylies, Clark, Boyce, Houchen, Moody, Cole, Williams, Hubber, Browne, Porter, G. Laslett, Gisby, Wright, Wilson, Biggs, Birke, Ravenhall, McLeary, Parker, Blackwood and Russell.

The official opening of the Onehunga Croquet Club for the season 1933-34 took place on Saturday. In spite of the unfavourable weather, which made play impossible, a very enjoyable afternoon was spent. Mr. R. Buchanan, past president o'f the bowling club, congratulated the club on the excellent condition of the lawns, and referred to the club's success in the past years and wished them every success for the coming season. The president, Mrs. J. B. Crawford, played the ball through the first hoop, declaring the lawns open for play, and welcomed the new members and wished all members a successful season. Afternoon tea was served in the bowling club's pavilion, the tables being beautifully decorated in the club's colours. Later the members and visitors were entertained by an orchestra from the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. Among those present were: Mesdames McGill, vice-president, Auckland Croquet Association; Oswald, vice-president, New Zealand Croquet Council; Crawford, president; Wallace, Co well, Foster, Patterson, J. Kerr, L. Bray.

The Ponsonby Motfel Yacht Club held its second dance of the season last evening in the Ponsonby Cruising Chub's clubhouse, St. Mary's Bay. The social room was prettily decorated with yacht club flags and streamers in the club's colours, blue and white, while two 4ft models added a nautical touch to the work of the ladies' committee, Mesdames R. and J. McWhirter, Edgar, Ireland and Miss Collings. Among those present were: Mrs. Sellars, who wore pink angel lace; Mrs. Nicholson, black satin beaute; Mrs. R. McWhirter, flame satin; Mrs. Cunningham, apple green satin; Mrs. Ireland, midnight blue satin; Mrs. Edgar, pink shot taffeta; Mrs. J. McWhirter, Alice blue georgette; Mrs. G. Hyauiason, rust brown satin; Mrs. Brims, black georgette; Mrs. Martin, white angel lace and eatin; Mrs. Davcran, black lace; Miss Mansfield, white crepe de chine; Miss Chitty, green organdie; Miss Daveran, mauve organdie; Miss Coughlan, pink satin beaute; Miss Matheson, blue floral taffeta; Miss Gardiner, shell pink satin; Mies Flemming, white satin; Miss McCarthy, brown organdie; Miss Collings, blue georgette; Miss Grien, primrose georgette.

The New Lynn branch of St. Andrew's Society lield another of its functions on Monday when a successful "At Home" took place under its auspices, a very largo number of members and friends being entertained to a series of dances, interspersed with songs and monologues. The ball was set rolling with the Circasian waltz and other Scotch , dances. Mrs. Clark gave a fine rendering of "The Auld Scotch Sangs." Mrs. Horridge pleaded with "The Old-Fashioned House in an Old-Fashioned Town." Mr. W. Kay gave a humorous recital. Supper was served during an interval, and then .dancing was resumed. The Laurie family quartet gave a sympathetic rendering of "Annie Laurie." Mr. J. Thompson gave a droll rendering of "The Drunk's Lament," Mrs. J. Black sang "Hail Caledonia," and Mrs. Wilson sang "Loch Lomond," members and friends joining in the refrain. A duet by Mrs. Laurie and Miss Thomas entitled "Down the Vale," provided a fitting finale to an enjoyable evening. A hearty vote of thanks to the artists was called for by Chief Stanley George, and was responded to in fine style. The accompanist for the evening was Miss M. Fergusson. Dance music was supplied by F. W. Rnowles and W. Allen, and Piper A. Livingstone. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne," ended another memorable night in the annals of the New Lynn St. Andrew's Society.

Mr<3. Cook, of Whangarei, recently gave a birthday party for her young daughters. The two-tiered birthday cake was decorated and much enjoyed by the children. Those present were: Misses Rona aud Joan Ransom, Stella and Eileen Dent, Joy and Dorothy Logan, Evelyn, Paiiline and May Barrett, Olive Adams, Dorothy McKie, Mabel Kidman, LoiTta and Dorothy Nicholls, Murial Cookson, and Mesdames Kidman and Nicholls.

A social gathering of the Tawhiri Social Progressive Club, One Tree Hill, was held last week, Mr. J. Coan, president, chairing a very enjoyable function. Mr. J. Roger led the company in community singing, Mrs. Marks sang, and Mr. Peacock gave eomo appreciated recitations and a solo. Mies Joan Temperton executed Highland dancea to bagpipes music supplied by Mr. Dickeon. The other accompanists were Mrs. Crawshaw and Miss Marks. The competitions were won by Mrs. Burton and Mr. T. James. A special committee was elected to arrange a mock court to provide funds for a proposed children's Christmas tree.

A successful "Sunshine Fair" was held recently in the Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna, under the auspices of the members of St. George's Women's Society. The hall was a picture of bright green and gold streamers, flowers and masses of ferns and greenery. The stalls were all attractively decorated in the same colours, while the flower stall was a solid bank of every bright hue mingled in a glorious riot. The fair was opened by Mr. J. W. Williamson, in the absence of Mrs. Williamson. Also on the platform were the Rev. R. L. Walker, who, in the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Morgan Richards, introduced Mr. Williamson, Mrs. Morgan Richards, president of the Women's Society, and Captain Algie. Bouquets were presented to Mrs. Richards by little Margaret and Max Robinson. Those in charge of the stalls were as follow:—Work stall, Meedames T. Hanna, McMurtrie and Russell; fancy stall, Mesdames Leyden, R. Shaw and J. Walker; novelty stall, Mesdames Hopkins, J. C. Rennie and Miss Ella Weston; apron stall, Mesdames Baldwin and Graham Howie; children's stall, Mrs. Carter and Miss Froude; cake stall, Mesdames Dryden and Mahon; produce, Mesdames Robert Johnstone and Ewing; ice cream, Miss J. Galbraith; flower stall, Mrs. Hammond aud Miss Jackson; afternoon tea, Metdames Robertson, Hamilton, Lochore, Murdoch, Cornfoot and Miss Rushbrook. A cooking demonstration was given by Mrs. G. Galbraith and Miss Dixon.

The Taneatua Golf Club's annual dance, held in the Taneatua Hall, proved a great success. There was a very large attendance of dancers from all parts of the district. A Monte Carlo dance was won by Miss N. Bush and Mr. B. Washer. During an interval in the dancing the club president, Mr. G. Peebles, expressed the club's appreciation of the support accorded the club, and presented the trophies won during the past season, as follow: —Ladies: A championship, Miee N. Reid; B championship, Mrs. C. Old; C championship, Mrs. Thorn; Hamerton Clip miniature, Miss M. Eae; silver ■ button, Miss «. Reid; silver medal (A), Mrs. Mervie; Ringer competition, Miss Old and Mrs. J. Thorn; bronze medal, Miss N. Reid. Men: Championship, Mr. J. D. Wardlaw; B championship, Mr. T. E. Hamerton; Rogers Cup, Mr. B. Wright; Rogers Cup miniature, Mr. Clnircher; Ringer competition, Mr. R. McGougan.