SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1188, 25 July 1911, Page 15

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Tho Victoria League. ; The Victoria League- of Victoria is not only earning tho gratitude of Australians abroad by putting them in the way of meeting congenial people in England, but it is doing a great deal for Australians at Home (savs an Australian paper). Thanks to its efforts, books, newspapers, and magazines find their way into the most remote parts of the bush. State schools are put in tho way of getting fine historical and educational p ; cturc-s, and Australians generally are made to feel tnat thev are by no means unimportant parts of the British Empire. Tho latest development concerns music. As the Victoria League grows in membership new organisation is possible, and the latest scheme is ono that will'find favour with many of tho members and juniors who have not hitherto found a way of working together. The mi>sic committee, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Albert Miller, recently called together a large meeting of those interested. It was decided to group the part singers, soloists, and instrumentalists into practising centres and to hold now and then a musical meeting when tho results can be enjoyed. Suitable music for the larger leagiw entertainments would then be available when required. School committees could accomplish a frood deal by applying for the co-opera-tion of the league, and we can foresee a time when Empire Day celebrations will be "big gainers" by reason of appropriate musjc Children's Ball at Stratford.

The Foresters' Hall >at Stratford presented a charming and animated sight on Friday evening last (writes a correspondent) the occasion being the plain and fancy dress ball given for the children. The ladies' committee, with Miss Nancy James as secretary, are to be congratulated upon the completeness of the arrangements. A prettier sight' than the bright-ly-clad little maidens, and the picturesquely dressed boys would have been hard to find, nnd if was particularly pleasing to witness the parents nnd friends .of the children dancing with them, one and all doing their best' to give the little ones a really delightful time. Judging by appearances, they thoroughly succeeded, for the latter were simply radiant with enjoyment. Mrs. Oarbe'rry has, for eight years in succession, given her granddaughters, a plain and fancy dress ball but this year she (accompanied by her daughter, "Mrs. "Uniacke) left for Ireland last May, and so was much missed on Friday evening's function. So that the children might still have their ball, however, a number of energetic, ladies formed themselves into a-coiljinitteo and gave the dance. A very dainty "supper was provided by the hostesses, and was greatly enjoyed by the children. The music' was supplied by Mr. and. Airs; Penn, assisted by a number of the ladies, while tho floor left nothing to be desired. Among those present were: Miss Andrea Uniacke, "Snow Queen" (and voted by one and all the queen of the evening also), while a tiny tot of two 'summers (Miss Massey, as "Fairy") attracted a large amount of admiration. The Misses G. and 11. Chenchen were particularly winsome as "Maids ef the 16th Century." Zelda Hogg made a. charming "Madame dn Barry." Meryl Skoglund as a "Dutch Girl" was quaintly pretty, her dress suiting her admirably. Maxine Skoglund appeared as the "Maiden All Forlorn." Miss Coralie Hunter as "Queen of Hearts" was much admired ; Muriel Young as "Flower Girl" looked very dainty; Hazel Mackay made an admirable "Gipsy"; Erena Hunter, "Wicked Fairy"; Kitty Grant, ":Schootgirl"; Manau Porritt, "Juliet"; Lucy James, "Snowdrop"; Kenneth- Grant, "Scout"; Bobbie Hogg, "Indian Prince"; Duncan Young, "King of Hearts"; Jimmy Young, "Boy Blue"; B. Menzies, "Cricketer"; Alex. Johnston, "Scout"; Theo. Skoglund, "Clown"; Oscar Skoglund, "Partial Eclipse"; .Miss Nancy Stubbs, dainty frock of blue silk muslin; Misses Joyce and B. Bailees, pretty frocks of Indian muslin trimmed with real lace and iusertion; Misses Mamie and Duchy Uniacke, becoming frocks of pink crepolino with touches of cream; Miss Dorothy Mackay, dainty gown of spotted net over white silk, strapping of silk corsage; Miss •M. Mackay, white embroidered Indian muslin; Miss Curtis, palo blue silk; Miss James, pretty frock of white silk, pale pink roses on corsage; Miss Nancy James, pale pink silk, trimmed with Paris laco; Miss James, bine; Miss Wake, smart gown of soft blue silk; Miss Freda Wake, pretty gown of pink silk, trimmed on corsage with delicate shade of Oriental embroidery; Miss Fussed, gowned in cream with touches of black on corsage; Miss O'Brien, cream silk taffetas; Miss Harden, dainty white embroidered gown; Mrs. Carey, black silk, relieved with cream;-Mrs. Hogg, gown of. blue crepoline, trimmed with rich cream insertion ami lace and finished with strappings of black nbbon velvet; Mrs. Raikes, black silk crepe de chine and old lace; Mrs. Johnston, orange brocade; Mrs. Porritt, gown of soft white silk; Mrs. Stubbs, handsome black silk taffetas with vest of cream; Mrs. (Br.) Menzies, cream; Mrs. Chenchen,- black crepolino with crimson roses on corsage; Jlrs. Rennell, handsome white chiffon taffetas; Mrs. Twiss, cream; Mrs. Smith, permanent blue velvet; Mrs. Wake, black silk and pretty cloak; Mrs. Hobbs, black silk, relieved with cream; Mrs. V.oung, cream and handsome cloak; Mrs. Birss, black silk taffetas, trimmed with cream insertion and finished with black silk fringe; MrTyler, gown of cream silk trimmed with point lace; Mrs. Pcnn, black silk with touches of cream; Mrs. Massey, cream down; Mrs. Lonergan, handsome, sequin robe over white glaco silk; Miss Stronach, pale blue silk; Miss Anderson, palo blue embroidered net over glace underdress ; Miss Lawrence, dainty white frock • Mrs. Budd, pearl grey gown of mousseline do soie; Mrs. J. Mackay, black crepe de chine, with cream laco yoke finished with narrow ribbon velvet; Mrs. Cardalc gown of red cashmere de soie, trimmed with velvet of corresponding shade. There were also present: .Messrs. Raikes, Young (2), Barry, Fookes, Chenchen, Crawshaw Skoglund, Cameron (2), Wake, Hunter' Uniacke, Fussell, James, Twiss, Penn' Johnston, Massey, Dr. Stevens, aud mauy orhers.

Ladies will bo interested to note that Mrs. Rollcston has just received from England a very large assortment of Hair Goods, made of the best quality English hair, including switches suitable for hairclressing, in tho newest styles, which each purchaser will be taught gratis. Goods sold at English prices. 25(j Lambton Quay, opp. The Economic.

A Picnic on the Thames, Un Whit .Monday .Mr. unci .Mrs. A. W. Rutherford entertained a number 01 their Mow Zciiliind friends at a boating party un the 'i'liauics. An early start was made from I'addington, ami belore iniil-ilay everyone was comfortably settled in Uie W'elljcck, known as tho lastest moior launch on the Thames. At Uoultcr's Lock not an inch of water was visible between the cratt, each waiting their (urn to be let through. The summer costumes of both men anil women, the iluwcred hals or dainty pink and blue bonnets of the hitter, are a special feature of the river, and the light ami airy chatter of everyone tended to make the lengthy detention a matter of enjoyment. At Taplow L'ourl a real picnic luncheon was spread out. All kinds of dainties were produced from Hire? enormous hampers, and much amusement was derived Irom cutting up saiads, and melting butler for tho iced asparagus. Kodaks' were in constant use, and the results of the operators were most successful. Having "motored" up to Marlow, the party returned to Bourne End for tea. All who have

visited this delightful country must remember (he charming Ouarrv Hotel, gabled and hidden with creepers, with its wide-spreading grounds and—well, it was not surprising to see there countless honeymooners. At Windsor, evening papers, telling of tho extraordinary heat wave, were bought, and it was then that everyone tried to thank the host and hostess for tho refreshingly cool day I hey had enjoyed so much. For Miss Thelma Petersen. It was decided last evening by those attending the meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce for the purpose ot furthering the interests of Miss Thelma Petersen, tho young New Zealand singer, to hold it next Monday instead, at tho same time and in tho same place, as, owing to 'tho wretched weather, many were unable to be present who otherwise would have been there. The chair was occupied by Dr. Izard. Apologies for their absence, and promises of their support, were received from Archbishop Redwood, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Mrs. Godlev. Mrs. Fitchott, Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.P., Mr. Mnughan Barnett. Mr. Horace Hunt, Mr. Lawrence T. Watkins, Mr. Herbert Bloy, Jlr. E. C. Cnchemaille, and Mr. H. t'. Blick, who has undertaken the duties of treasurer. At the meeting to bo held on Monday the executive and general committees will be formed. Mi-, and Mrs. It. Eoydhouse, who have been spending some days in town, returned to Carterton yesterday. On Friday, at Greytown, the death took place of Mrs. T. E. Kempton, a well-known settler of Greytown. Tho deceased lady was fifty-two years of age. and was th'e only daughter of Mrs. J. Bond, of Belvedere. She arrived in the Wairarapa from England in 187(i. A husband and two daughters survive her. Mis. W. Cargill, who has recently arrived in New Zealand from England, and has been spending some little time in Dunedin, is at present a visitor to Wellington. She proceeds north very shortly, A class for instruction in home nursing will open next Friday under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association. The class will meet each Friday evening at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lambton Quay, at half-past 7, and Dr. Gunn will be the instructor; - "Living Bridge" will be an interesting performance for (his evening ia tho Stadium at the Exhibition.