SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1149, 9 June 1911, Page 9

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Government House Ball at Auckland. There was a brilliant scene at Government House on Tuesday evening, vlien his Excellency the Governor and Lady Islington gave a State ball, to which about 800 Auckland residents and visitors wore invited. Very extensive preparations hail been mads for the entertainment, for, with the exception of the ballroom, itself none too large for such a gathering, there were few facilities in the House itself for the entertaining of so largo a number of people. Canvas structures, therefore, figured so largely in the temporary fixtures as to almost metamorphose the appearance of the building. Tllo ballroom was tastefully decorated in a simple way, with greenery and largo flags. Festoons of lycopodium were placed across tho ceiling, and large ensigns and standards served to drape the walls, while palms and other green growths decorated the orchestra and_ tho dais. There is a courtyard of considerable size in the heart of tho buildings, and this was tented over, and made cosy with lounges, chairs, and soft furnishings, and lit .delicately with Chinese lanterns, forming a. pretty sitting-out room. The long and wide unroofed verandah, which i.9 a feature of the front of the building, was converted into a very beautiful supperroom, by erecting walls and a roof of green canvas, and lighting it wih elecricity and large numbers of candlcs_. The long vista thus provided, of brightly-' lighted tables, capablc of accommodating nearly 200 guests at once, was most attractive. The principal interest of the opening of the ball centred in the State lancers, m which their Excellencies and the principal guests present took part. The partners in the official set were: Lord Islington and Mrs. Ciodley, Lady Islington and General Godley, Hon. 11. Mitclielson and -Mr?.- P. Thorne George, Hon. Seymour Thorne George and Mrs. MiMielson. Sir Robert Lockhart and Mrs. "Wolfe, Co'.one! Wolfe and Lady Lockhart, Mr. _C. .T. Parr and Mrs. A. Guise," Mr. A. \Y. Beddoe and Mrs. Parr. I.adv Islington was superbly gowned in a Paris frock of gray charmeuse, with over-dress of French blueninon, bordered with wide gold and silver lace, this trimming repeated on the bodice, the ends of the lace held in .place by Egyptian jewels. The tiny sleeves were composed of beautiful lace. The jewels worn with this artistic creation wore a diamond and emerald tiara, and a magnificent necklace. Miss Stapleton-Cotton woro a beautiful froelc of emerald green shot with gold and white chiffon modestie. flnWied with a knot of pink rosebuds. Sirs. Godley was in a handsome whit.3 satin frock, with silver trimmings. Sirs. Guise was daintily frocked in ralo pink charmeuse. partially voiled with ninon, embroidered with pink rich flowers.

Danco in the Goring Street Hall. Tho second of the daises arranged bv a committee, consisting of the Misses Cleghorn, Chilman, Reid, and Dora Wilson, took placo in the Goring Street Hall last evening, and proved to be a very enjoyable affair. The hall had been attractively decorated, long ropes of lycopodium being carried from end to end of the room, while the stage had heen partially draped with dark red curtains, furnished with couchcs, chairs, screens! and tables. This made a comfortablo resting-place for those who did not dance. The suppertable, in another room, had been arranged with bronze and pale yellow chrysanthemums. The chaperons were Mrs. Cleghoni, wearing black brocade, relieved with white; Mrs. Holmes, black net oyer white silk; Mrs. Chilman, black silk with vest of cream tucked net and gold embroidery; Mrs. L. H. E. Wilson, black silk with jet trimming; Mrs." Fulton, electric bluo silk with black braiding; Mrs. firidge, black silk relieved with white. Others present were: Mrs. Corliss, wearing black net over black .satin; Miss Christie, black silk; Mrs. F. M. B. Fisher, whito satin frock with lace and crystal trimming; Miss Clcghori:, white ninon veiling, white silk; Miss Wilson, heliotrope net frock; Miss Reid, tunic dress of white chiffon with floral border and trimmed with pink bands; Miss Chilman, pale blue silk dress; Miss M. Wilson, black velvet frock, relieved with white chiffon; Miss Eileen Holmes, pale blue silk with whito net tucker; Miss Hickson, tunic frock of vieux rcse; Miss King, pale pink silk frock; Miss A. Holmes, white ninon. with pink bands, over white silk; Miss Osborne-GiblKS, white satin frock, with crystal embroideries and lace; Miss Fulton, heliotrope ninon Over vieux rose silk; Miss Scatcn, maize coloured silkfrock: Miss Lingard, floral silk dress; Miss If. Elder, vieux rose- siik; Miss Dean, white crepe (le chine frock; Miss Roberts, white net veiling, white silk; Miss Moore, blue ninon over white silk; Mis.s Mos«, block not frock; Miss Nathan, white crepe do chino with silver trimming.

Auckland Tramcars. A number of ladies in the suburban districts of Auckland aro taking action in respect to the comments recently made on the condition of the Auckland tramways by Mr. T. H. Xcsbitt, town clerk of Sydney. They have drafted the following petition, which is being circulated for signature, and will in due course bo ■nr^seiited to the City Council'"The Mayor and city councillors of Auckland,— We, the undersigned women of Auckland heartily agree with tho opinion expressed by the Sydney town clerk concerning the dirt, bad ventilation, and overcrowding of the Auckland tramcars, and earnestly beg that you will use every means in your power to ensure that the Auckland trnmenrs shall bo at least as clean as those in every other city of New Zealand."

The Arts Club. Last evening t'he members of the Orphans Club, called at tho Arts Club rooms and greatly entertained their hosts and hostesses with a delightful programme of speech, song, story, and recitation. A capital scene from "Sherlock Holmes" was given, and was, perhaps, the most appreciated of the ninny entertaining items, a close rival to it being the contributions from Orphan Rowley Robertson. Mr. Gore, in tho absence of Mr. liayward, presided at the gathering. Among those present were Mrs. Gore, Miss Gore, Mrs. Tewsley, Mr?, nislop, Miss Jl'Lean, Mrs. W. Eraser, Miss Van Staveren, the Misses Butler (2), Mrs. Waters, Miss Sutton, Miss Gibson, Miss Maudsle.v,. t'ho Misses Montgomery I Miss Baird, Miss Winder, and Jliss 6*i'yCompetition for Sweets. In connection with the sweets competition, held in the home industries section of tho Exhibition on Wednesday afternoon, Miss Carter, .with forty-three assortments, proved to be the winner of tho first prize. Hers was really a wonderful display, for all kinds of fruits and ■vegetables had been imitated, and one could have felt almost certain that potatoes, mushrooms, and berries of all descriptions were before one, and not sweets. Strange to say, another Miss Carter was the winner of the second prize, her assortment comprising twenty varieties. Miss Gillespie, with fourteen varieties, was highly commended. Mrs. Jones, of the Diamond Confectionery Company, was the judge. This afternoon a competition for, homemade pickle?, sauces, and preserved fruits is being held, Mr. Norton, manager of the Empire Packing Company, acting as judge. Next Wednesday - there will be a camisole competition, and it is hoped there will be a large number of entries. "Britannia and Her Daughters." The second performance of "Britannia and Her Daughters" by Lower Hutt performers was given in the King George Theatre last evening. Thero was a large attendance. Tho proceeds aro to be devoted to the funds of Lower Hutt Knox Church. A large share of the success of tho cantata is due to Mr. Lees (musical director) who has spared no pains to make the production so edifying. Mr. Brash as secretary has been very energetic, and a word of praise is due to Mr. Cate and his staff lor their work behind tho scenes. Miss Lloyd Hassell, the well-known singer and teacher of voice production, wns married at Timaru yesterday to Mr. James Martin, of the Wellington firm of builders and contractors, Messrs. Martin, Hun-ell, and Snaddon. Miss Kenwick, who is coming from England to fill tho position of chief instructress of tho domestic department of the Auckland Technical College, is expected to arrive in the Dominion towards the end of the month. On Wednesday evening, at Harcourt's Buildings, Mrs. O'Sullivan, of the Public Trust office, addressed the Girl Peace Scouts, taking as her subject "Tho Art of Study." ' Each point emphasised by the speaker was required to bo reproduced by a separate girl, and some highly intelligent observations were the result. At the conclusion of the meeting, a .vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. O'Sullivan by the girls. Girl Scout Field aoted as chairwoman. Mr. and Mrs. John Haliburton, from Feilding, are spending 'a few days in town, and intend returning on Saturday: The "at ; home" arranged by the committee of the Wellington College Old ■ Girls'" Association takes place this evening in tho 'Girls' College, Pipitea Street. An interesting programme of amusements has been arranged, including music, recitations, competitions, and other events. It is hoped that many "old girls" will be able to attend. The winner of Miss M'Lean's prize for recitation will recite "Tho Legend Beautiful." The staff of the Public Trust Office are holding their annual danco in the Sydney Street Schoolroom this evening. A special car to Newtown at 2 a.m. has been arranged for the convenience of those living in that garter of the city. Mrs. C. W. Adams, of Bellevue Road, Lower Hutt, leaves to-day for Sydney on a visit to her son, Mr. Arthur H. Adams, editor of the "Xono Hand magazine. •V most enjovable social, organised by the residents of Ohariu, was held jn the public hail of the township on Wednesday evening. A great many were present, and the time passed most pleasantly with sineins, recitations and dancing. Air. J. P. Luke, the member for the district, and Mrs. Luka were among those present.