Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 50, 15 June 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

Dear Christabel — THOSE who organised the Ex-Girls' Convent Dance ought to feel highly delighted with the result. It was most enjoyable, and the hostesses did npt spare any trouble to make it one of the best balls of the year. One great point was the numbers of men — a delightful feature in the eyes of girls who have sat, eager to dance, and yet were unable to do so because of a famine in partners. The hall, itself, has hardly ever looked prettier, and certainly the ante-rooms have never been so transformed into comfortable resting-places. Supper was contributed, and hence a feast of good things, and the tables were gay with exquisite chrysanthemums and foliage. • * # Several of the officers of the American cruiser Brooklyn were present, and apparently had a very good time. Some disappointment was naturally felt at their not all parting their hair m the middle — said to be the unmistakable sign of a young American. — and that they do not frequently say, "I reckon," "I guess and calculate," and "right away down." But one girl was fortunate enough to capture a true transAtlanticism. The officer had asked for a dance. She had none, but said she would be pleased to take him in to supper. Whereupon he remarked, "Wai, naow, I should be just tickled to death if you would take me in to supper'" Many of the dresses were extremely pretty, but owing to the crush — the only drawback of the evening — it was not easy to get a good view of them. Indeed, some frocks suffered sadly, and I saw a dainty tulle overskirt, with blue satin ribbon, on a shelf in the cloakroom. It had been rent early in the dance, and torn off by the owner. A dainty ivory brocade, with a very fine flounce of lace, was worn by Mrs. T. G. Macarthy, who, with the rest of the hostesses, was most untiring in her efforts to make everyone enjoy himself. Miss Skerrett's frock was of black brocaded silk, with transparent sleeves and a pretty lace fichu. Miss O'Connor had on white satin, with clusters of violets, her sister wearing black and crimson roses. Miss Etty Maginnity's frock was of pale pink, and Miss Alice Maginnity had on a white silk with shoulder straps of violets. Mrs. Loughnan wore grey moire velours, with lining of pink. * * /* Miss Reids frock was of black, with crimson flounces, and her sister's blue gauze, with chenille spots. Mrs. Turnbulls handsome gown was of steelembroidered tulle, over black satm Miss Darling wore a yellow silk blouse, and black skirt, Miss Shannon white silk, and Miss Holmwood grey voile and pink flowers in her hair. Mrs. Tuckey had on black brocade and white lace. Miss Scully wore white muslin and pink roses, Mrs. Gilruth black and black and gold collar, and Mrs. Ross pale green silk. Mrs Popham wore black, with left and transparent sleeves. Miss Amehus Smith's frock was of blue and white gauze over white silk. Miss Henry wore pale green brocade. Miss Pettit had on black and scarlet. Miss Julia Skeriett wore black, with a jewelled bodice, and Misfe N. Skerrett a pretty white lace skirt over white silk. A very smart frock was of white glace, with the full frill at the foot heavily corded. . , # On the whole, our American visitors have had a good time. They were even given a picnic in midwinter — which was said to be very enjoyable, The function on Saturday was much looked forward to, for it is a novel form of entertainment, and we have learnt in Wellington that men make the best of hosts , and many girls think naval men the nicest of "their sex. They have never time to grow tired of the eternal feminine, and are always ready to grasp the pleasures offered them. * • * The Friday morning's train' to New Plymouth was filled with people bound Rotorua-wards, and all alone the line it picked up policemen and Maoris The latter were, as a rule, exceeding plump and very outre as to costume, while the policomon seemed made in a mould— a very massive, large mould, with a

strong Irish accent. One Maori lady was very sad, for she had, in obedience to a ruthless command, left her babies behind. Another was quite deformed, but evidently looking forward keenly to the delights of Rotorua. * * * Taiaroa, dignified and handsome, with his melancholy, high-bred face, was on the tram, and Tame Parata, muffled up to the eyes. No less than two D.S.O.'s were on board, one with a cooked hat in a tin-box, that he guarded jealously. An interesting passenger had lately come from Africa, where he had been nursed in a Boer hospital at Pretoria. He was loud in his praises of his Boer nurses, one of whom was the girl who helped Winston Churchill to escape. Her brother was complicated in the plot to kidnap Bobs, and was sent to Ceylon. Lady Roberts and the Misses Roberts often used to come to the hospital and see the four British invalids who were there. Kitchener he talked to for half-an-hour without knowing whom he was, so little is he like his pictures. * • * Auckland is positively overflowing this week. Stretchers decorate sittingrooms, beds are made up in passages, and late-comers are glad of a roof and a shake-down. Already, as I write (Saturday) the streets along which the Royal procession is to pass are looking very festive, despite the sea of mud that lies between the wreaths of greenery. The beautiful nikau palm is being largely used in the scheme of decoration, and one of the most beautiful of the arches is covered with foliage against which white lilies are to be set. * ♦ * A very picturesque feature of the procession in Auckland will be the living Union Jack. Ever so many children, dressed in red, white, and blue frocks, caps, and jumpers, are grouped together in a vacant space near St. Paul's Church. It is pretty to see the various units about the streets as they go to rehearsal, and to watch the bright combinations of colour they make. Yours truly — Phillida.

[Continued on Page 11.]

The third annual dance of the Convent Old Girls' Association was held in the Sydney-street Schoolroom, on Wednesday, June oth, and was a brilliant success. Foliage and graceful lycopodium made the room extremely pretty, and the Clunese lanterns added picturesqueness, and shed a most becoming light on the dancers. Minifies orchestra supplied the music, the floor was in excellent condition, and the buppei, piovided by the committee, was all that could be desired. * y- # I ornat from my list of pretty dresses those which "Phiilida" has already mentioned. * ♦ • Miss Kate Williams was dressed in black, w ith turquoise chiffon rosettes , and Mrs. Holmwood, black with silver passementerie. Miss Webb # (Nelson) wore black satin, with cerise trimmings , Miss Reid, black with pink rose* , Miss G. Reid, a most becoming dress of white embroidered net and bebe ribbon over blue silk , Miss Blundell, black satin, gauze sleeves , Miss Scully, white silk , Miss Toohill, white silk and chiffon, Miss Peters, white silk; Miss Fitzsimons, black, with scarlet poppies, Miss McGregor, pink Miss McDonald (Dunedin), black silk, with turquoise \elvct rosettes , Mis G. Henry pale gre> brocade Mi&s Learv. white , Miss Brown, white satin; Miss Barn', white silk and pale pink velvet , Miss Martin Kennedy, white, with violets, Miss Saunders, white frock. Miss Una Williams, of Wellington, who went over to Melbourne for the Commonwealth celebrations, ha& been staying at "Como," South Yarra * « * Evei since the invitations foi an "Afternoon Dance" on board the waiship Brooklyn arrived our one hope has been that Saturday would be fine and that we should be able to wear our most becoming hats without fear of them blowing out to sea. Nothing could have been finer when the "lookedfor" day arrived, so, clad in our smartest frocks, we "boarded" the "Duchess,' which, along with the "Duco," conveyed the guests to the handsome flagship. * * * An afternoon dance is, m itself, a novelty, but when you add the fact of its being on a man-of-war, the deck ot which was not long ago the scene at very different action, the interest doubles. The whole of the upper deck was covered in with flags, and beautifully decorated with mkau palms and lycopodium, and was brilliantly illuminated with electric light Here Admiral Remey and Mrs. Duncan (wife _ or the American Consul) received the guests # The ship's band discouised up-to-date music during the afternoon. Tea was served in the Admiral's delightful cabin, and the officers' quarters where Chinese servants ministered to the wants of the visitors. The champagne-punch was a drink quite new to many of the ladies who doubtfuly sipped it, but found it a very pleasant beverage. An interesting relic was a framed piece of ironwork, enclosing a photograph of the Brooklyn, showing where a shell came through at Santiago. Interesting also was a very fine exhibition of silver, including a handsome punch bowl and candelabra, presented by the city of Brooklyn when the boat was Amongst those present were —MrsDuncan, wearing a handsome black .ai id white dress, toque of black and who chifton, and a chenille boa Mis. BUI. black coat and skirt, blue toque Mrs. Harold Johnston, grey frock strapped with turquo^e velv.et toque to match Mrs. Wickham, grey dress, tucked with pink vest, and a grey toque .Mrs. T. P Macarthy cigar-brown frock, smart]y' tucked st^ppfd with «serjjon black velvet hat, with ospreys and buckle Mrs. McEwen, fawn coat, white silk vest, and smart toque, Mrs Woo quoise cloth tucked coat and skirt, Mrs. Butler, violet brocade and lace Mis. Brown, black coat and skirt black hat Mis Bingley, black and white foulard? Mu« Coates , black coat and skirt Mrs. Haselden also wore black, w?th a violet toque. Miss Harden was wearing blue coat and skirt, and a S k ,&<«; JK;,S foquo Miss N. Skorrett blue silk & burnt-straw hat with blue silk Miss Smith, beaver cloth coat black skirt, and green velvet and sable toque. * * * Miss Webb-Brown was dressed in blue coat and skirt white tucked vest, and black picture hat Miss Bell flowered silk frock, hat with roses Miss G. Reid black Eton coat and skirt, picture hat Miss Heywood, chocolate brown dress, black velvet hat. Mi« Dranj field grey frock, pink vest, and black hit Miss Madge McGregor, blue coat and 'skirt black hat, with touch of scarlet, Miss Lydia Blundell, fawn coat,

black bkiit, and becoming scarlet toque , Miss M. Simpson, Eton coat and skirt, hat with loses, Miss Holmwood, blue-giey frock, large black hat, Miss A Edwin, grey silk frock, burntstiaw hat, the Misses Hislop, black frocks, Miss F. Brandon, fawn coat, black skirt, and crimson toque, Mi&s Higginson, brown Eton coat and skirt, black hat ; Miss Stafford, black skirt, white satm blouse, Miss Scully, white silk blouse, black sknt, and pretty toque. * * * The engagement is announced of Miss Avis Edwin, youngest daughter of Captain Edwin, and Mr. Arbor, of the National Bank, Wellington. * * * Mrs. C. Waldegrave, of Palmer&ton, is visiting Mrs. F. Waldegrave, Pipiteastreet. * • • A few of the young lady visitors vo tho man-of-war last Saturday, were, with the help of an energetic lieutenant, initiated into the mysteries of the American "Two Step" waltz, but they all agree it does not compare with "our own." * < < Mr. Geoige Craig, of the Customs Department, was married on Saturday morning, at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle-^treetj to Miss Teresa Moran, daughter of the late Mr. James Moran, surveyor, of Auckland. It was a very quiet and unostentatious ceremonial, only the immediate relatives being present. The Rev. Father O'Shea solemnised the marriage, and afterwards celebrated a nuptial mass. Mr. S. J. Moian gave his sister away and the budesmaids were the Misses Annie and Julia Moran, while Mr. H. E. Richards acted as best man. In the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Craig left by the Westraha for Australia, where their honeymoon is to be spent. * * # An "At Home" in connection with the Literary and Debating Society of the Marist Brothers' Schools' Old Boys' Association was held in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday evening, and passed off most enjoyably. The hall was prettily decorated, and presented a very pleasant and striking appearance. Pot plants were profuse, and added to the picturesqueness of a neatly-decorated interior. About fifty guests were present by invitation. The evening's amusement was enhanced by an excellent programme of music. * * * Messrs. McKeowen, Wiseman, Flanagan, Whittaker, and Gamble rendered several of Gatty's plantation part songs with fine effect. Mr. E. Wiseman, who has a capital bass voice, sang •'Asleep in the Deep," to which he received a flattering encore, and responded with "Out on the Deep." Mr. J. Flanagan gave ''The Wrecker's Light," while Messrs. C. Gamble and H. Earle contributed patriotic and comic songs respectively, to which they received encores. Instrumental pieces were executed by Rev. Father Moloney (piano selections from "lolanthe"), Messrs. J. Brady, and J. Styles, who gave as a violin and flute duet selections from "The Belle of New York," and Mr. F. Jones, who played on the violin selections from "The Geisha." Also, by special request, Father Moloney sang "The Gladiator am I." * * * The evening concluded with short addresses by Mr. J. Kavs (chairman) and the Rev. Father O'Shea (president of the Association). Both these gentlemen announced their intention of donating special prizes for the best essays m^the Christmas number of the magazine. During the evening refreshments were handed round * * ♦ I hear that no end of handsome reception costumes, which were made with sleeves, have gone back to the Wellington dressmakers to be altered since it came to be known that the ukase was shoulder-straps in lieu of sleeves, and long gloves to make up for the absence of other arm garnituie. * • • The Tennis Ball, on Friday June 7th, was a glorious dance. The Syd-ney-street Hall, prettily decorated with flags, evergreens, and shaded lights, proved a splendid background to the beautiful frocks worn by the ladies, and the handsome uniforms of the American officers who were present. Mr Prince Broad, as secretary, was energetic and successful. Six merry maidens made their debut, and all looked as though they thoroughly enjoyed their first ball. They were— Miss Kathleen Fitzgerald, who wore white silk, with overskirt of tulle. Miss Oonali Fitzgerald, white satin draped with chiffon Miss Waldegrave, handsome dross of white glace silk, with lace and poarl passementerie. Miss Holmwood, ■who was much admired, in white satin the bodice being tucked and draped with chiffon — the skirt also was finished with a tucked flounce, and tiny ruching of chiffon , Miss M. Chatfield, handsome white brocade, with jewelled net, and Miss J. Rutherford, in white satin and chiffon.

Mrs. Fulton was wearing a beautiful dress of black brocade; Mrs. F. Waldegrave, black satin, with, cream lace; Mrs. Charles Waldegrave (Palmerston), black satin Mrs. Tringham, black crepe de chine, with scarlet geraniums , Mrs. Chaffey, black and white brocade ; Mrs. Holmwood, black brocade. Mrs. Harold Johnston's frock was of soft black chiffon ; Mrs. Chatfield, black satin , Miss Smith, blue and white silk chiffon, the tuuic skirt falling daintily over white lace flounces. Miss Webb-Bowen (Nelson) looked very well in cream duchesse satin, finished with lace and pink roses. Miss Simpson was in white satin, veiled with net, pale blue sash, and violets; Miss M. Simpson, pale green satin, with black velvet and pink roses. Miss G. Reid, becoming white satm frock ; Miss A.Johnston, black and white silk dress ; Miss F. Brandon, black satin, and scarlet poppies. * # * Miss Mary Seed wore a very dainty frock of pale blue tucked net ; Miss Tregear, white muslin ; Miss O. Gore, white satin. Miss Harcourt was in black satin ; Miss Iris Bell, white satin and point lace , Miss Douglas, pale pink silk , Miss Foster, yellow satin ; Miss Broad, white brocade ; Miss Pownall, white satin, with a fichu of chiffon. Miss Bendall looked very well in white satin. Miss Marchant wore violet satin, and Miss McKerrow yellow satin and violets. * * * The Ophir will be well worth visiting when she berths alongside the Queen's Wharf next week, and, no doubt, there will be eager inquiries if she is likely to be thrown open for public inspection. There are royal apartments on different decks — drawing-rooms "panelled in rosewood and satin-wood, with inlay," "the carpet a deep-f>ile Saxony of a delicate fawn colour," and so forth, and so forth , smoking-rooms, writing-rooms "upholstered in blue leather," grand stair-cases, and a dimng-saloon (with a table to seat fifty-six persons at need) that contrives to pay a double debt as a concert-room between meals.

Mr. G. Atkinson, for some time back in. the employ of Mr. L. P. Christeson, Willis-street, has taken over the Albion Hairdressing Saloon, in Courtenay Place. Mr. Atkinson is a thoroughly competent tradesman, and ought to receiye a fair share of patronage.