Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 49, 8 June 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

Dear Chr.ista.bel — A FRIEND, who lias just leturncd from Molboui'K.- lias been giving „c so'-ne go^ip about ' Floradora," which is having quite a recoul rim in Austiaha For instance, I lcani thai iui brnest Mozar, foimerlv ot Wellington, has a small part in the holicsome play, and sings it weii. Mi. Hugh J. »Va,rd, who was here with the Clunatown Company , is a great success a* Cyius. \\. biJram, the, proprietor ol the pet librae of tlie Island ot Floradora, a ill a ciever dance that he has, introduced lboncjred thice times e\erv night Kenninghain, the new ling ish tenor, IS a quiet young man, with a charming voice, and, what is almost equally as important, a most distinct enunciation. George Laun is, it possible, funnier than ever, and has a most congenial part. Wallace Brownlow, with his fine voice, is also in the caste. A veiy pleasant dance, arranged by the Committee of the Thorndon Private Assemblies was held in the Gormgstreet Hall, on Wednesday last week. The floor was perfect — it is said to be one of the best, if not the be&t, in Wellington — and the room was decorated with red, white, and blue, peihaps out of compliment to the thiee returned troopers, Messrs. Molumby, Pitt, and Rowntree, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the change from "the tented held and panoply of war." Miss Davenport, in white brocade, Mrs Stevenson, in black silk and lace, and Miss Twobill m orange silk and black lace, were the three hostesses. The greater number of the girls wore white, and very damty some of the frocks were, especially those of muslin with lace insertion. * * * Miss Molumby (from Nelson) wore black velvet and pink silk, her sister being dressed in white satin and violets. Miss Kelly wore a black dress, with transparent sleeves, and square, white lace Lollar. Miss Dale's frock was of white, with lace frills, and Miss Peters' also of soft white material, with a chiffon fichu. Miss Daisy Peters wore white mu^ln, with a lace bodice. Miss Swan and Miss Reid were dressed alike, in white inscrtioned frocks. The two Miss Harrisons, who have been staying with Mrs. Kelly, wore white muslins and lace. Miss Stevenson had on a soft white frock There were a number of others whose names were unknown to me. But all seemed to enjoy themse'ves, and it was rare to see girls sitting out. The men came to dance, and they did their duty — and their pleasure — with a will, and extremely well, too * * t Though, as a rule, in Wellington folk do not crowd to a ecture, preferring moie fnvolous rare, there vva& a capital audience at the Opeia House on Friday List, to listen to Mi. Giogan's wend experiences. He is an attractive lecturer. Ho is not eloquent, or even fluent, but he has the quaintest way of stating facts, and a very piquant gift of humour that appeals at the most unexpected times His adventures in crossing from Beira to Cairo, a three-years' journey over unexplored country, were most enthralling, and would have savoured of De Rougemont had not the narrator been well-accredited. * * * His splendid book of travel is prefaced by a characteristic letter from Cecil Rhodes, e\piessing his astonishment and adm nation at what Mr. Grogan had accomplished. The flag he carried thiough Africa was accepted bv the Queen, from whom Mr Grogan had a letter of tlnnl-s His lantern-views were very fine many of them bems: from sketches by himself The description of the cinnibal orgies he interrupted, told in the daikncss to a horrified audience, was not easi'v to be forgotten Mr. Grogan is a most attractive man, with fine features, a pleasant voice, and a charming personality. All those who have met him declare that he has not told a tithe of his experiences, and that he ha& had many more extraordinary still. * * * The diess circle was filled with a v ery attentive and enthusiastic- audience Amona; those present was Mrs Groqan, in an" requisite opera-coat of black satin white chiffon, and jewelled embroidery a most artistic and uncom-

moil wrap. Mrs. Owen, who sat in the baine io\\, wore black brocade and white Kico, a stranger having on a white c slunc re, made with a tunic, and tnmlncd with bands of wlntc satin Mis J'irJi lirid on a long giey cloak, over a pw'\ ami blue b ! ouse, and black silk and Mis Waid also woie a very pictfy giey cloak, madom Kmpue stye, with fcl.t'll-pink lining. Miss Ha&eldeno woie black and white, Miss Gore, <i blue blouse, and daik skirt. Mis. hpiott, white blouse and black skirt and Mrs Clark, back silk •<■*•* Miss Handyside. had on white and Miss M. Simpson scarlet Miss Izard wore black, with a lace drapery on the bodice Miss Coates wore a black opera coat and a black frock, and Miss Hislop, who came with Mr. and Miss Coates, had on a white frock. Mrs. Findlay wore a blue blouse and black silk sknt Mrs. Blown a grcv opera coat, over a back fiock Miss Brandon, white, and Miss Harcouit, a long grey cloak, over a white dress Mrs Ewen had on a black silk skirt, and a pink blouse , Mrs. Tolhurst, black and white Mrs. T. Young, white silk and ro<-e-colour , and Miss Tolhurst, white. Mrs. Arthur Pearce wore a black satin opera- coat, with a lace collar, and a black dress, and Mrs. Quick woe black brocade. Mr«. Stott had on a black moire skiit, and a white silk blouse, with silver embroidered bolero; Mrs. Gilruth wearing a turquoise^blue blouse, with lace, and a black skirt. Mrs. Menzies had on bolero, Mrs. Gilruth wearing a turMrs. Lees, black , and Mrs. White, black. « * » Mrs. White, from Dunedin, has come to Wellington for a month, and is staying with her sister, Miss Holmes. * * * Mi«s Swainson and Miss Taylor are having a very delightful time in London, and will soon be turning homewards Mr. and Mrs. Crawford will probably be back by the end of the year. * ♦ * Mr and Mrs Elgar, of Featherstnn with their daughter, are coming to Wellington for a few months, and will stay at Miss Malcolm's. * * * Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leckie, of Auckland, have been spending their honeymoon in Wellington. [Continued on Page 11. .]

Pathos and bathos went hand in hand at the recent fire, and men lost their heads and did extraordinary things, just as if they were poor weak women. In fact, I learn fiom an eye-witness — an impartial ono, for he was a boy, and boys are never hindered by politeness from telling the truth — that the women behaved splendidly. One man, sent by the fire-police — when things looked serious — to fetch out his valuables, appealed dragging a bag of flour, and another, seeing a row of wooden soldiers on d stick lying on the top of a cash-box, saved the toy and left the money. But the wisest and coolest-headed of men may do strange things under the stress of such a calamity. * * * Mrs. Donnelly is ill with pneumonia It is to be hoped the attack will bo slight, and that she may be able to take part in the Rotorua reception. * * *• Miss Medley's songs, that wero published in London, have run into a second edition. She has set to music a poem by Mr. D. Macdonald Ross, of Waikato, a rollicking sailor song I understand, too, that one of her compositions is to be sung at the State concert. Madame Carlton has been honoured with a command to sing before the Royal visitors. « • * One of the leading dressmakers in Wellington declares that she has never, since she left London, made such handsome frocks as she is now making for the receptions. One lovely gown, with a Court-train, draped with real lace, falling from the shoulders, is to be worn by a Consul's wife, while theie are whispers of an exquisite Irish point over dress, belonging to a tail, slight woman, that is to be something quite unique. It is difficult to be original when black or neutral tones are the only wear. "Violet in some tints is most trying and disappointing at night, and giey needs a special complexion and hair. However, if rumour be true, there will bo any amount of glitter and flash about the reception-frocks, for every second person seems to be wearing sequins 01 jet over silk or satin. How thankful the dressmakers will be when the functions are over 1 Tonics and a change of air will be necessary foi some of them if they do not want a physical and mental collapse. * * * A propos of frocks, though there has been no official order to the effect, it is generally understood that straps are to take the place of sleeves on the reception gowns, and that the bodices must be low. Many gowns that have been made with sleeves are being altered to confoim with this rule. The style is not becoming to everyone, and is absolutely dangerous for those with delicate chests, but what will you V II f aut souffrir d'etre belle, or, rather than plead as excuse age or infirmity, some of us will risk pneumonia or bronchitis. There is a curious inconsistency in the literal and the accepted meanings of full dress. Yours truly, — Phlllida.

The newest thing in the way of a belt-fastener is a buckle m the form of a brooch, which pins the ribbon or velvet in place in the front. The rage for dangling ornaments seems to be upon us, and belts of velvet, silk, and libbon are finished with rosettes of narrow velvet ribbon with from two to eight ends, from fifteen to twenty-nve inches long, finished off with gilt pendants. * * * Here is how a lady friend describes the Duke and Duchess, whom she saw at Melbourne — "The Duchess cames her beautifully-dressed head with consummate grace. Black glove&, reaching not quite up to her elbow, and a lowcut bodice, reveal the beauties of her arms and shoulders. Her Highne&s carries a fan, plays with it all the time she converses, and is constantly breaking into smiles that let great charm into her fine face. The Duke's large eyes roam from face to face. He is extremely quiet, almost to a show of timidity. He seems at times ab if he could withdraw from the Royal arena wherein he is. hedged." * * * On Thursday last week a most enjoyable, though impromptu, afternoon reception was given by Lady Stout, in honour of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leckie, of Auckland, who were on a short visit to Wellington. The table decorations were much admired. The centre of eau-de-nil silk was covered with exquisite lace, and delicate yellow and white irises were arranged in dainty white vases. Mrs. Robert Leckie wore a becoming frock of electric blue voile, the bodice trimmed with tucked white meiveilleux and embroidered chiffon, and a toque to match. * * * Amongst the guests were —Mrs Izard, Mrs. and the Misses Butts, Mrs. J M. A. Burns, Mrs. Kendall, Mrs. J. P. Campbell, Dr. and Mrs. Gow Mrs Walter Reid, Mrs. A. Pearce, Mrs. J. Tripe, Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. and Miss Butt, Mrs. and Miss Fancourt, Mr. and

Mrs. Gore, Mis. Young, Mis. Leckie, the Misses Brandon, Miss Drausfield, and Mr. F. Leckie. + * * If it is tiue that the Government intends to eiect an arch of "toi-toi" on the line of loute to be traversed by thenRoyal Highnesses, they are to be congiatulated upon then decision to have at least one decoration typical of our coimtry. Most of the other ideas for decoration seem to be meiely slavish copies of conventional designs. f * » The next excitement in the way of dances will be the "Bazaar dance," 01ganised by those who are to assist at the "Tncuiables Bazaar." Very soon after that the High School Old Girls will give their annual bail. Last year it was a tremendous success, and it promises this year to be equally enjoyable. Jewels are coming into fashion for girls moro than foimeily. Eveiy girl now-ardays has a string of pearls. Sometimes a single pearl is presented on each birthday. The King is said to have ongmatcd this sort of present. A diamond spray 01 a jewelled necklace is often given to a gnl now when she comes out. As the season for balls is fairly launched, it may be of mteie&t to remark that in Society puie white is now seldom worn by girls after the first ball. A change is then made to blue, rose, green, and other colouis This is an innovation, but corresponds with the advance of the age, and suits the twentieth centuiy young lady. A bit of news from Paris — elbow sleeves, instead oi long sleeves to the wrist, are now in favour for evening gowns , skirts are very simply made — indeed, they are almost untrimmed. * * * A "Wellington lady, who was there, tells me that Mdlle. Dolores (otherwise Tiebelli), the sweet singer, wore a dream of a black gown at the State concert in Melbourne' — a nch black silk, with a skirt panel of net sequmed in a striking design of ivy leaves. The sequined net was on the bodice, and a beautiful sequin trimming, with hanging drops, finished the whole. I fancy the bolero intends staying with us. There is a rumour, however, that its shape is to bo changed, and that the smartest will be made with little coat-tails at the back. At pieseul, the tailors remain faithful to the bhoib Eton and bolero effect tor the majority of their frocks, and the little cloth coatee, strapped and treated in a practical manner, will be for some time a smart feature in the tailoring world. * * * Plain tortoise-shell combs are still to bo worn, and bows of tulle, flowers, and ospreys will be in vogue as much this season as ever. * * * Our skirts still trail upon the ground, and, though this is hardly a wise fashion, it is an extremely graceful one. The stylish skirt continues to fit tightly at the top, only coming out full from the knees, where some are finished with two or three plain-shaped flounces. The latter style is certainly gaining a fair amount of popularity, as is also the mode of fastening the skntatthe front. * * * A lady friend, who has just returned from, the Commonwealth celebiations at Melbourne, has brought with her a great deal of interesting gossip about the Royal visitors. She says everybody was impressed by the striking and elegant appearance of the Duchess. Her figure is supeib. Her dressing is a model of elegance, and her head is the quintessence of neatness, and beautifully poised. Strong features and a fine complexion give the Duchess an attractive air. Then she is vivacious, bright, sees everything going on, comments on everything, misses nothing, is perfectly frank, pleasant, and natural. The Duke is quiet, less observant, less interested, it would seem. He is some inches shorter than the Duchess. At the opening of Parliament he seemed excited and nervous, while his wife was perfectly cool. At the review the gigantic busby that he wore quite dwarfed his Royal person.

The Australian Widows' Fund Life Assurance Societys Limited, has purchased that extensive block of land, ■with buildings theieon, the front portion ot which is at present occupied by tho Society as offices. The piopeity has a frontage of sixty feet to Customhouse Quay, and a depth of 192 feet limning through to Victoria-street, thus having frontages to two of the principal business streets of the city The directois have found that, owing to tho great progress made during the time the Society has been established in New Zealand, it was necessary to make adequate piovision for future expansion It is their intention to erect a substantial building on the site at no distant date.