SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 993, 7 December 1910, Page 9

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

An "At Home." Yesterday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. ,G. 8.-Dall gave a farewell ten at the Hotel Windsor for their daughter, Miss Vera . Ball, who leaves at the end of the year for London, where she, is to be married to Dr. Andrews. Tho pretty rooms liad been charmingly decoratcd with flowers, and a very enjoyable time was ppent in conversation, nnd in listening to the singing of Miss Ward and Mr. Waters. Tea 1 ' was served in the three rooms, tho tables, both large and small, being prettily arranged with sweet peas of beautiful shading and with roses. Strawberries and cream mado a delightful addition to the [ afternoon tea. Mr. and Mrs. Dall receiv- ; ed their guests in the central room, Mrs. ! Dall wearing a very graceful dress of the . palest shade of heliotrope nirion over ' amber silk, the bodice having a yoke and sleeves bf cream lace, and being trimmed with insertion worked with gold. With this she wore a becoming hat of molecoloured straw, with the faintest tingo of pink, trimmed with pjnk (lowers, and pretty foliage. Miss Ball wore a dress of biscuit-coloured Shantung silk with cream lace yoke nnd Paisley trimming. She had on a pretty brown hat. Among those present'were Mrs. T. Ward, wearing a coat and skirt of mole-coloured Shantung with black facingsand a black and white hat; Mrs. R. Smith, in a biscuitcoloured cloth dress trimnied . with black braid and a block hat with roses; Sirs. Ballard, in a black and white dress with heliotrope touches, a black embroidered coat and a black hat'with cream osprey plumes; Mrs. Shirtcliffe, a grey crepe do chine dress with a black'ninon cloak and black hat trimmed with ostrich plumes; Miss M'Lean, a very pale heliotrope dress and white hat trimmed with. heliotrope and. whito tulle; Mrs. Morris, grey coat and skirt, grey : feather boa, .and" black hat; Miss M'Lean, a cream dress and burnt straw hat with.pink choux; Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, a cream.coat.and skirt and black and white hat; Miss Newman, blue dress'and black plumed hat; Miss Shirtcliffe, a . blue-grey dress and black hat trimmed with roses; Mrs. J; Blundell, a black costume and black liat with black and white plumes; Mrs. Gordon, a grey dress and black-hat; Miss Millar, a dovegrey crepe de chine and pretty vieux roso hat; Miss Macandrew, a whito silk dress with lace, yoke and .sleeves, .trimmed with a.narrow gold braid.and black,hat with whito roses; Mi's. Ponsonhy, tussore coat, and skirt and black and white bonnet; Mrs. Tennant, a cream coat and skirt and-flower-wreathed liat; Mrs. Sutton, a blue and white silk dress and hat; trimmed with roses; Mrs. Knox Gilmour, a black costume and black hat; Mrs. do la Marc, a black dress and black hat with plumes; Mrs. Hudson, a black coat and skirt and black toque; Mrs. Holmes, a molecoloured costume and'liat to match; Mrs. Maun, a tussoro silk dress and white straw lint trimmed with small flowers; Miss' Hamilton, a grey dress and white ( hat trimmed with ,re;l; Mrs. D. Robertson, a vieux rose silk' dr&s' with black hat . trimnied, with pink rose's; • Mrs. Levvoy, black and white ninon over white silk, with a black hat with black and white ostrich plumes; Mrs. M'Villy, a saxo blub silk dress with a saxe blue hat ■ trimmed with black and blue feathers; Mrs.' Corliss, n black striped ninon over white silk, and black hat with ostrich pinnies; Mrs. M'Lean, a lemon-coloured dress with black chiffon overdress and black hat with plumes. Others present were Mrs. and Miss Nixon, Dr. and Mrs. rGibb, Miss Snttcn, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Morris,. Mr. Maun, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Logan, and others.

Madame Butt 111. Information has been'received in Huddersfield that Madame Clara Butt is'suffering from nervous prostration (says the "Daily News"). She was engaged for the Huddersfield subscription concert on November 15, but was unable to appear. It is stated that the famous contralto had been, in rather delicate health for the past twelve months, and sang at the recent Leeds Festival against the wishes of her medical advisers. She was taken ill at Dundee, and has cancelled all her engagements . for tho next six months. Madame Butt intends to leave England within a few weeks., Tho First in tho Suburbs. Efforts arc being made to establish an ambulance first-aid class, for ladies, at Ivarori, under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association. The class, ,if formed, will be the first established in the suburbs. East Coast Notes. On Saturday afternoon a "kitchen tea" was given at "Birch Triangle" by Mesdames M'Gregor ("Hikerangi"), York ("Bank View"), Presshaw, and Kunimcr, -in honour of Miss Fanny Barrer, who is to be married shortly. About forty people were invited, and tho afternoon was most enjoyable. Some clever competitions were arranged, the prizes being won by Misses M'Gregor, Barrer, .and Mr. P. Kummcr. A very tempting afternoon tea had been provided, strawberries and cream being greatlv appreciated. Mr, Gilmer, of Wellington, and Miss ■Manning,, of Christchurch, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. York, "Bank View." Miss Campion has returned homo to Wanganui. His Excellency Lord Islington and Lady Islington havo issued invitations for a reception at Government House on Saturday evening, December .10. Miss C. Cameron (Mastcrton) left for Dunedin last evening, where she will spend some months. Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Kelly .will arrivo from the south this morning. , A BOOK THAT IS A BOONi Miss Milsom, Hair and Face Specialist, has written a book, entitled "THE LOST SECRET" (to natural beauty). '.This book deals exhaustively on tho all-important subjects pertaining to Hair and Hairwork, Hairdressing, Shampooing, Electrolysis, Face Massage, Manicuring, etc., etc. It also contains complete price list of nil Miss Milson's famous preparations. The book alone is a teacher to ladies and gentlemen in homo hygienic treatment. Price, One Shilling (Is.). Send stamps or Postal Note.' Miss Milsom, King's Chambers, Wellington.—Advt.

A Picture Recital, When Miss' Sybil Johnson arranges an entertainment most people in Wellington know that they have something uncommon to look forward to, and last evening tho recital she gave with Mr. Clark proved to be no exception to tho rule. One could not help feeling a great deal of curiosity as to tho way in which she would illustrate the Rubaiyat with its recklessness of what is to come afterwards, its pessimism, and its weariness of life. There was no attempt at having a Persian setting, and that being so the rendering was somewhat tree at times. The vivid colouring of the figures was thrown up in strong relief against the ..dark background, and was very charming indeed. The grouping was really beautiful, and the posturing of the girls most graceful and most unstudied looking, while the scarlet figure of youth looked iudced tho very picture of young, fresh life and joyousiiess. Some of the tableau effects were particularly fine, especially at the verse:

_'For in and out, above, about, below, lis nothing but a magic shadow-show Played in a box whoso candle is the sun, Round which we Phantom Figures come and go."

And, again, in. the scene where the figure appears with the jar of wine, and the group makes jocund with tho "old familiar juice." Of them all, perhaps the last picture,,where the veiled figure of. Destiny and the sinister black figure of the Angel with the darker drink face, the trembling figures of Youth and Folly is the most 1 arresting one of all, the curtain finally closing down upon the crumpled-up figure of Youth—alone. Ihe recitations of Hiss Christine Picot, who is gifted with a clear, expressive and most flexible). voice, were delightful. So also were those of Mr. .Clark, and one could not but envy him his memory. The Ode to a Grecian Urn was in complete contrast to the Rubaiyat, and was, with its graceful movements and groupings, very delightful to watch. Miss Johnson has studied, the gestures and attitudes of tho old Greek figures with great gain both to herself and'her pupils. Ihe tiny children and the ones a little older were very pretty. After the movement and colour of the other poem, the ode was restful and cool. "Autumn," a pictorial procession and illustrated without Mr. Clark's recitation, was a beautiful study in colouring and in effect, the whole idea being exceedingly poetical in its conception. The whirl of the leaves, the wind scattering them to the four corners, and the scene where•the workers of the earth and the peasants bring the fruits of their toil to the figure of Autumn were very picturesque, while the one pale little snowflake was a most dainty conception. Altogether it 'was a very clever entertainment, and there was an excellent house, filled to overflowing to view it.

W.S.P.L, ■-...-' A meeting, of the Women's Social and Political League was held in their rooms last evening, and," being, tho last of the year, took the form of a social evening. Items'"were contributed by; Miss Writ tenberg, Mr. Wemyss, Mr. Frank Andrews,- and a clog dance by Mr. Andrews. Eortune-telling was also one of the amusements of tho evening. Among those present were: Mrs. Eiwllay, Mrs. Peild, Mrs. It. M'Kenzio and Miss M'Kenzie, aild Mrs. lluddo. - ' ■

Breaking-up at Wanganui College. ' Moro than usual interest attaches to this year's, "breaking-up" of . Wanganui Girls College (writes our' Wanganui correspondent), inasmuch as it -marks the retirement of Miss M. A. lTraser ,from the post.of Principal, which, she has'held for the last seventeen years with credit to herself and honour to tho college, while it {is not.-besido the mark to say that it will be hard to over-estimate the beneficent influence she has had on the hundreds of ■girls who passed through her hands. In consideration of her retirement it was felt that tho occasion,,was opportune for marking tho appreciation of Miss Waser's labours by a more than usually" "large' gathering of "old girls" at the college which they own as Alma Mater, and the result is a. series of interesting functions being held this week, which will culminate on-Thursday with the annual presentation of prizes by his Excellency the Governor. Breaking-up week began on Sunday afternoon, when a religious ceremony, was held in the fine assembly hall, tho latest addition. to . the extensive collego buildings, where 500 past and present students, with their friends, had assembled. The service was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Jacob (Anglican), Rev. J. A. Lusford (Wesleyan), and Rev. J. D. M'Kenzio (Presbyterian). Prayers were offered by Archdeacon Jacob,' and Scriptures read by Mr. Luxford, after which Mr. M'Kenzie preached an eloquent ■ sermon from tho text, "She hath done what she could.'' The reverend gentleman dealt with the influence of women in tho State, the Church, and the home, and was listened to with wrapt attention. Following Sunday's services, tho garden party given by Miss Fraser, Lady Principal, on Monday afternoon, served . as a most auspicious inauguration of festivities incidental to this year's prize week. The weather was delightful. The picturesque grounds, with their wealth of trees, shrubs, and flowers, were in perfect order, and arrangements mado by tho hostess for tho entertainment of the army of guests left nothing to be desired. Just how many responded to the invitation would be difficult to estimate, for hundreds were constantly moving about. Scores were seated at tables,.; which were dotted everywhere about the grounds, and every shady nook and corner had its occupants. Refreshments'were dispensed by well-organiesd companies of college girls, who saw that no' guest was neglected. Miss Fraser received on tho lawn in front of the main entrance, and throughout the afternoon was untiring in her efforts to make the time pass pleasantly for all present. She was ably assisted by members of her staff, while the girls entered most heartily into the spirit of the occasion, and vied with each other in emulating the' courtesy and consideration of the hostess. The departure of tho last guest marked. the termination of ,011 cof the pleasantest and most successful functions over held in connection with the college. Tuesday evening was "old girls'" night, and the reunion brought' them together from places as far apart as the north of Auckland and from Dunedin. During the evening, which was spent in song, dance, and reminiscence, Mrs. Wickhani, on behalf of the "old girls," presented Miss Fraser with a diamond ring, and on behalf of present girls with a diamond brooch, representing the school motto,

"Ad Astra." Occasion was also taken to present Mrs. Wood, matron of the college, with n small gift in honour of her birthday. The function was in a truo sense of the word a reunion, and all who had tho privilege of being present will long cherish pleasant memories of it.

The Ancients had all sorts of strange traditions and fables concerning the Bloom of Youth and the Fountain of Youth. Tho modems havo found both in—Lakshmi. Thousands of happy women tho world over testify to the sovereign efficacy of John Strange Winter's marvellous skin tonic. Some of these enthusiasts are ordinary folk, some are famous folk, and some are royal princesses. Lakshmi costs 3s. 6d_ a bottle, and is sold by all good chemists everywhere. A bottle fostv a long time.— Advt. i For Up-to-date Costumes, seasonable and well cut, go to W. S. Bedford, 43a Willis Street, over Shop occupied by F. Cohen, Mercer.— * You frequently hear of cases of chronic constipation—cases that havo existed for years. In nine cases out of ten the trouble has becomo chronic through improper treatment. Tho patient has formed the habit of taking strong purgatives and has so weakened tho bowels that they will not act naturally. Chamberlain's Tablets euro connlipation and cure it permanently, because, instead of doing the work of tho bowels for them Chambcrlnih's Tablets simply stimulato them to perform their own functions. Ix