Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 98, 17 May 1902, Page 10

Social Gossip.

By Christabel.

SUCH a iea&t 01 music we luwo had lately — two gieat singes in one short week, and with them the tenor smgei Dam and wohnist Miss Noiah ilcKa> who won oui heaits with then first notes. (her oui tea-cups , u , ha\e had much discussion about the student, Amy Cables, and hci menehmshed mal, Mdlle. Dolores Time !, no doubt most of us weie inoic m lo\e with the lattei. * • Mdlle Antonia, Doloies appealed at hei second concert beautifully gowned m white biocade, with a pa.iel or nch black embroideiy, which was also continued up the coisage, and adoed fin ish to the transparent lace yoke A clustei ot heliotrope flowers were fastened by a diamond clasp, and in her low coiffuie a similar flower was arranged. Hen mannei is very graceful and pleasing • * * At one or other ot the concerts. I hare notaced Lady Ward handsomely gowned in black, and Miss Frasei leamng pd* blue, Mrs Quick, m black, with Maltese lace Miss Quick, black and white gown Mrs. Nicholas Reid, m black Miss G. Reid a long theatre coat. Mrs. Stott looked exceedingly well Jn pale blue silk softened with tulle, and a cluster ot mnic lO ses. Mrs. T. G. Macarthv wore a lovely threatre coait and pretty hock. • * * The Misses Mills were in silk blouses and dark skirt®, Miss Hey wood a cieam silk insertioned blouse, black skirt Miss K. Heywood, a prcttj silk blouse, with transparent yoke and dark ft knt. Miss Partridge wore a black gown relieved with white Miss Thomas (Chnstchurch), a very smait theatre bloupe and black satin skirt. The. Misses Pender wore white siU blouses and lace collars- Mrs. Prouse, a black biocaded gown. Miss C. Prou.se looked nice in pale blue. Miss Prouse, who accompanied her father's sones at Mdlle. Dolores' concerts, wore a charming frock of sky-blue brocade, quaintly made with a zouave, and white chiffon vest. Miss Skerrett w ore a pretty evening gown>, and Miss Kane, black, with touches of pink : Miss Tolhurst. cream Pilk blouse. Mrs Wilford was in black with pink roses Mr? C Tringham a becoming evening gown end opera cape Miss A Maginnitv, in white. » ♦ • Miss Dot Biewer has letumed fiom Wamgamui. • * * The members of the Star Boating Club e-ntertaineid their friends at a very ■enjorsabLei conversazione on Friday last. An excellent programme of musical items was gone through, and the prizes were presented to the various winners by Mrs. H. D. Bell. Supper was afterwards handed round. In his speech, Mr. Bell suggested that ladies e\emngs should be held more often, and the idea,, judging from the applause, wa& very popular. • • • Mrf. Bell wore a pale grey \ode '"gown*, and black toque, Mrs. Harold 'Jofthston, a pretty grey frock, and dairk hat. Mass Doris Johnston was in a white tucked silk blouse, black skirt, and pretty hat . Miss Kathleen Fitzgerald, a dark silk blouse , Miss F. Brandon, a blue costume , Miss Q. Bremner, a blue silk blouse and lace collar ; Miss Z. Tabatea.u, a t>retty white silk blouse and lace collar , Miss L. Blundell becoming blue silk blouse Miss It Butte. pink and white silk blouse , Miss Fullford, a cream frock. Miss Moran wore a red silk blous?, lace? collai and daik skirt. » ♦ * Miss Mills was in a pale pink satin blouse, black skirt MiesE. Mills wore blue satin ; Miss Reid, blue and white silk blouse. Miss N. Tunbridge looked pretty in an evening blouse and dark skirt . Miss Elsie Eliot t, a w hite silk bleusei- Miss Hickson, white muslin, Miss H. Gibbes, a dark costume . Miss G. Oswm, pretty silk blouse, dark skirt Miss Ward, a becoming f 1 ock , Miss Oswin, a silk blouse and daik skirt Miss Hackworth, a dark dress , Miss M Hackworth white mu.shn. Miss Newton looked well in a blouse of qalmon pink silk and a dark skirt • Miss Gill, blue and white blouse. Miss E. Gill a pretty white muslin , Miss Bendal], a becoming white silk blouse, black skirt, Mrs. W. Bendall, a soft silk blouse dark skirt.

Amongst the uas-sengeis who left foi Knglcuid by the Athenic, at the ond of last wwk, \\t"ie Mr and Mrs. and Miss Simpson of Bonny Glen, RangitiL-ei Mi and Mis. Herbert Vaughan, AVa.nganui Mi Gilbert Carson and Miss Annie C'ajson, Wanaanui Miss Williams Wellington ,\nd Miss Jenmugs of C hnstchuich. r- * * The idea of a string paiU" kcaoi did appeal to me, bnt a Chustchuich gnl who has,' been to a few, says they aie a capital way of amusing and entertaining guests. Yon know the idea, — piosent each guest on arnvr.l with the imicl "t a bit of twme, and they go off, m pairs to unravel it to the bitter end, the. hist home" being the winnei. Of couise, in a, large, rambling house the advantages aie gieat, but much fun can be had even in a cottage, as thetwme can go high or low, through ko-s-holes or an\wheie * * • Ping-pong still holds its own and w ooden lacquets aie being riosth usod now in matches I am told a piece of emei\ -paper glued on to the iac<-|uet will cause a 'grand screw" in serving, but T cannot say I found it a success at the hist tua.l * *• * In London the ping-pong boom has not yet died out, for umte lately a leadnig "fashionable tea '-hop ha-s adde-d a legulation ping-pong table to its other atti actions Heie, for the small sum ol fourpence, one can play six games — a S et while the womes of seaiching for the baJls is leheved by the introduction ot a caddie. ♦ * * In future do not thiow aw aj \our ping-pong ball lust because you happen to tread on it and bulge it in. The expense of the game will be gieatly minimised by a simple method of restoring them to thetr proper shape. Dip them in hot^—verv hot — water, and the bulge will immediately disappeai and the ball returned to pla,y a*; good as over. Just dip the bulged part if you can do so without scalding your fingers. • * • lam told that there is a 'gieon" fever m London at present Kieiry011© who is> anyone revels in g^een clothes, and particularly green millinery. Lace is the most popular trimming for everything, and, embioidered with jewels, it runs to fabulous prices. But still the Pansians take the lead in extravagance for theie jewelled stockings have given way to hand-painted ones, which are said to be wo.ks of art and often biing £"30 a pan ' * • • Heie is a no\eltv — said to be a capital •• c li au " — for the next bazaar Ghost stories, cleverly told bv a ma.siied nairator in ghostly garb of couise in a dark room. It uould pioduce that creepy" feeling in which lovers of the lmstemous delight. In Sydney it was tn-iecl, and proved a fortune. The most popular "yams" were "The Upper Beith," by Marion Crawford aaid • Story of Black House," and some oneinal ones, too, were quite blood-curd-lin S Mis. (Dr.) Moore (Napier) i« visiting friends in Wellington. • ♦ ♦ The piesent style of coiffure — the plaited tail, turned under on the nape of the neck, and tied with ribbon, or fastened with a jewelled slide — is said to had from New York, and not from Paris. (Continued on page 11.)

The hist long night" ot the &ea&on m connection with Alls. H JB Mason s dancing assembh, \.ill be lu'd on Fncla\, d instant „ * • Betoie the Athomc loft, the officers wmh eute-i tanned at a very jolly little At Home, bv Mrs John Holmes. Tea, was sei\ed in the dining-ioom, tlie table being beautifully ananged with flowers and laden with daanty sweets. Mis Holmes w 01 o black Miss Holmes was ,n,uing ,i pretty silk blouse and daik skat Mrs. Fitchett wore a, seal coat daik skirt, an 1 urettv hat, Mrs. Blake (England) a black silk gown and sma.it hat with ivoi\ guipuie, Miss Pea* son, a .sUlish blouse of white inseitioned glace, and a^e<h sknt of black \oile, with an accordeon-pleated flounce * * * Miss Heywood looked \cm well in blown with a lace collar and brown tin ban hat Mrs Meadows a thiee(|uanter coat daik skirt, and black hat Miss B Mik\s, a blue Eton gown, and black nictiue liat Mrs. Mar Eh en was .admired in a handsome blown chess sealskin coat and hat with shaded rows Miss Gill, in black and white Miss New all looked nice in a blue gown and licit Mrs Stafford was, handsomely gowned in black and Miss Stafford woie a fawn coat, daik sknt and mctuie hat The Mis^ps Young looked nice in led Duimg the afternoon musical items were contributed b\ the Misses Miles, Young Giant, and Mi Matthews (Athenic) ** * • The date fixed fm the Thoindon Tonms Club ball is May 30th The College Rifles aie going to celebiate their fourth biithda-\ with a mihtan ball, to take place on June 13th. Miss Winnie Eliott left last Thuisdav /oi a M.sit to i elation* at Gishome * * ■* Miw, Helmoie 'Chi istehui eh) is visiting h lends in Wellington Otliei visitoiiV horn the Cathedial Cit\ aie Mis,s ( uddan and Miss Gaifoith. * * * Geneial and Mis Babmgton aiestaxmg in Auckland. * » * I dams-ay \ou would like to hcai a little about " the latest noveltv — the EomjicA 11 waist belt. It ha.s but lately been intioduced into S^dnov so if ajiv of \ou aie at aJI enterpu&mg theie is a, chance to be ongmal It is made with thiee narrow widths of ribbon, which must be cut thiee or four inches longer than the size of the waist, and m uneven lengths. The ribbons must be sewn together in the centie and look better if made of eru.shablei silk The ends aie left unstitched, and upon each of these ribbons, you must place a fancy buckle, the be>lt fastening in three places The novelty lies in the fact that the buckles come at diffeient angles, it docs not matter where exactly /hut it is Hist as well to have one in the front and the others each side The fortunes of a \ oung lad\ who arrived bv the last boat fiom England, pio\ed interesting to those ot her fellow paissengeis who weie in the know Being engaged to a well-known Auckland man who wiote for hei , she said aood-^e to home and England, and sailed for Maonland. At the first port of ca.ll, however she leceived a cable fiom her faithless one, who had rather late m the da-s changed bus mind and advised her to leturn to her patents The maiden who bv the wav, was \mv taJl and handsome, did not appio-.e ot this programme and decided to finish her tup, and have a good time into the baigam * , On the boit was an elderly bacbeloi , who had on more than one occasion, cast snnlinn- glances across the table at his thaiming vis-a-vi« with no effect He was delighted when the lach not only returned his smiles with interest, but emtertained him with her amusing chatter on every possible occasion. Ot couise he was wealthy, and ecmalh of oouise, nu lady knew it^ — result, when the bcxat reached Wellington the engagement was announced, and as neither had any friends in this city the wedding was. celebrated at once and the happy couple are now touring New Zealand together and hope to call on Auckland friends later on How exceodmgh jolly a sui prise partA can be when well managed The one oiganised bv Miss Shannon and a number ot ladies, to visit Mis Henry Blundell, on Thursday evening laLst was a great success m every way. The dming-room was qmcklv arranged for dancmg, and the drawing-room, conservatory, and balcony were used foi sitting out." Mr. Fleming provided splendid music and the surprise party Mi-nnhod the programmes and a deheiou.s supper Amongst those present were Mrs Blundell Hearing, a handsome black gown The Misses Blundell looked nice m pale blue «ilk blouses and dark skirts Mrs C T ring-ham looked very well in dark green velvet and Maltese

lato tht* Mismas Shannon, pictt> hockb oi eau-de-ml silk Mivs M. Blown was adinaied m a piett\ white gown Miss Mills wabin black Miss O Mills, pale blue silk blouse and daik &knt. Miss Spiagg was tlnummg in a pale pink Miss Void, Maulonald looked nice m white satin Mist, G Rieha.idson w d>s in black, with pale blue Miss R Homewood appealed to ad\antage in a gown of white silk. Misfc Cuddan (Chn.stc-buich) woie heliotrope silk. Amongst the men weie Me<-sis Pownall, Blundell Ballance, Honing Smith Hai \ e\ , Williamson Komewood, Law son Vincent Budge Ward Aetualh said that huh de\ otees of the ta.scmatmg pastime aie now appealing at pmg-pong tournaments at Home m Kate Gieenawa\" fiock'- Comment is unneces^'iiv a< tins iact speaks foi During the sinking or the mad .scene horn Hamlet" b\ Miss Ann Castles, an auchtoi waus heaid in the dress cuclo tolling a fiiend that the work was Shako«pea,ie.'s greatest effoit, and the la&t one to ' do" it m Wellington was Wilson Banett 1 'But " sand thefnend, Shakespeaio wiote ho didn't compose'" Mn doai " came the answer Shakespoaie did e^ ei"\ thing l " * * * Another stor\ tiomthe Pit" is e:iualh funny. While Miss Noiah McKay was playing most exquisitely a man was lieaid to remark to his wife 'I suppose she's put on to kill time they must kill time somehow in between'" • » • West Coasters aie not gieech , but they like a lot Tho\ boa^t of a good many successful men and women besides oui Premier, and now Miss Amy Castles is to he added to their li<-t of celebrities. At least there are mm ours afloat a,nd one- lath was hoard to say sho distinctly l-praombws being at school with the i,uti(> Amy Castles on the West Coast ♦ » • The Wellington Gamson Ball conms oft on Juh 10th and pi onuses to be a,s aieat a success as> cvei The Wanganui Hunt Club held their annual dmnei at the Rutland Kotel on Satuida^ week. The whole hi net ion was ehaiming, as the club had the good sense to> admit the ladies to the dinner, and theiebv destioy another relic of baibansm The dmnei was a yen excellent one of se-i en coui^es. The head of the table was occupied bv Mi W Nixon the president of the club supported on Ins light and left by the deputy mastonsof the Rangitikei and l^emont Clubs Mefesis Tom McKonzio and Jack Tai" Hafitie The following ladlos wore proont Mis A Higo;ie. Mis. Cooper, and the Misses Tlissie (2), Quoo-nio Nixon Biewer (2), Dune Baker (Auckland) and Mis Sutheiland * • * The toasts weie, fiist, Huntin° r " J«'phed to by Messis. Hastie and McKen/ae Mi-s Butheiland then sang Oia Pro Nobus " to a ycrv appieciatire audience. The Ladies " proposed b\ Mr Nixon was replied to b\ Mi Jack Knderby, who gallantly remaiked. The aie all light" Mis Cooper sang When we aie mar.-ied " veiy piottily, and then the populai toast of The Fanners" was pioposed Coupled with the name of Mr Ru.ssoll Grace (son of Dr Grace Wellington) was the toast 'The best sport m the counts which was diunk with musical honours. Mr Speed lephed, as Mi Grace is in South Africa Mr Swan's elevei and amiiMiig recitations weie much onjo\ed, and so "ended a most pleasant evening and" writes a correspondent. ' may I bo there next \ear " * * * Na.pier haft, been enlnened latch by some very excllcnt dances Not the least enicnable was the first of Miss Hug-he-s' series of wmtei dances which was held in the Foiosteis' Hall on tho 9th May The loom looked very gay, adorned* with bunting clim santhemums, and autumn loa\es and of couise the mam pre+t\ gowns of the ladies added to the effect. Miss Hughes leceived in a figuied silk o-own, the bodice piettily tiimmed with'tuKiuoiso blue Lad^ Whitmoie was gowned in a handsome black satm .md Peal lace. M^is Ronald had on a black silk Mis. Dixon looked well in black and white Mrs Stedman, pa,le green satin, relieved with pink Mis. (Di ) Edgar looked chaiming in whato silk the bodice handsomeh embioidered with gold seoums Mrs. Dewes woie black satin, with clusters of uoletfe on the corsage Mrs Cornfoidwas m black silk Mr? Kreegin. black satm and jet Miss L Kettle looked pretty m black satin and chiffon Miss L Cotterill dainty blue vilk and lace. ♦ * * Miss Bondall (Wellington) was much admired m white silk with touches of blue Miss McLernon looked exceedmgh nice in pale green satin and black insertion Miss Cornford was m white Mi«s Abbot (Wanganui) black satin Miss Balharry (debutante), handsome

■white sataii and clnfton chess, Miss Coruioi (.S\dne>), black &ilk. Mist. M. McYa> (debutante) looked x cry nice in a piettj gown of white msertioned muslin, with flounces and bebe ribbon. * * * Miss C. McLernon wore a, pietty pale silk, finished with oream lace and xelxet of a daikei shade. Mi&& Hovell looked very attractive in green .satin , Miss Williams black her sister, Miss F. Williams, being also in blaok. Miss Hiinilm's black gown was relieved with tui(|iioise blue Miss Pollen (Wellington), white '•ilk Miss Yon DadeLszen wore a xcix piettx frock of white. silk, Mis Gore, black and while .silk, ?<liss Buike black satin Miss ft. Buike, white satin and clnfton Mrs Biadlex a he'iotiono >-ilk row n .Mi'-s J Heath had on a damtv whate mseitioned muslin Mrs Baxtei , shcllpink satin Mi^s Wilson, cieam xojlp oxci glace silk, Mrs. Pax ltt, a pretty gown of green moire Miss Dulce Ke'iined\, white silk. Miss Sutton, black AKo pie.-,eiit were Dis Kdgai, Ronald, and Henley, and Messrs. Macassev. Kettle, Broad, Rodie, Cornford, Coopen- Bell, Nelson, Dmxviddie Hill, Balharrv Brandon, McLernon Paiker, Maigohouth, Fitzherbort Peacock, Pala.iiet, etc What a va&t impiovemeiit are the show windows at the D.I.C ' Before new , a,ll sorts of dainty articles xx'ere hidden away in the daik show-rooms, and one had to take them on trust, as it weie Noxv, they are teinntin^ 1 '- displayed to a most appreciative public, and duly admired and purchased. At present, the silk skirts are the great attraction, and they are lovely. Accordeon fnlls or tiny flounces adorn the more elaborate ones. Every shade is theie One skirt of black silk, with a flounce of eau de nil and black silk, is effective and useful. Di Ada Affleck has just gone into paitneiship with Dr. Robert Harchnan ox-er m Svdnov It is a hfe partnership starting with orange blossoms. * * * Kven the Chinese woman is. advancing. The nexvest woman of that ra«e is Dr. Yamai Km who has been admitted to the medical profession in San Francisco * « * Mi. G M Reid, one of Auckland's most popular vocalists, is to be married to Mi^s Burgess of Devonpoit, at an early date. ¥■ » * How frequently the medical piofession picks its wife from the lanks of the hospital muses' The latevt case in point is Dr Marsack, of Auckland, whose engagement with Nuise Hardxuok i,s just announced * * * Mi^s Koch's assembly, last week, was (jiute as emoxable as the others have been and a laige number of guests ix ere present Amongst the ladies were The Misses Koch Tregear, Marchant, Thomas (Chnstclmic 1 !), Ehott, Mills. Blown, Wills Holdsxvoith (New Plymouth Stuart Turton Gaiferth Grant, Butt Watkins, Bat ham Traxers, Gieenlaw- Hickson, Ban and, Newell, and nianv others. ■♦ * ■» The membeis of the Stai Club have decided to hold a b > this veai' It xx ill take place m the Choral Hall An intei evbing wedding to ijianv residents of Mitchelltoxx n took place on Wednesday, Apiil 23i'd, at the residence of the bndegroom's parents, when Miss Saiah Max Stead xounirest daughter of Thomas William Stead, x, as married to Mi. Geoige Heai field, youngest son of

Mr. John Gun&ton Hearneld, of Wellington. The Rev. W. Shirer was the officaaitmg clergyman. The bride, who was given away by Mr. Hearfield, senior, wore a pretty cream gown, with wreath and veil, and carried a bouquet of w lute flowers. , * * * The bnde&maad& were Miss Rachel Hearfield and Miss Pearl Farrell (nieces of the bridegroom). Both were prettily dressed — one in white , and the other in yellow — and they carried bouquets of white flowers. The bridesmaids each received gold charms set with rubies, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr. Ernest Fan ell ww r a% best man, and Mr. Leonard Heai-held groomsman. After the ceremony, a goodly number of guests sat down to the wedding breakfast and in the e,\ oning, about eighty friends were entertained at a dance in the Mitchelltown schoolroom. The presents were numerous and valuable The bride's travelling dres^ was of black serge, with cieam silk front, and black hat.