Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 99, 24 May 1902, Page 10

Social Gossip.

By Christabel.

QUITE the latest novelty in the way oi an afternoon amusement is the Personality Tea," which cieates A groat amount of fun for both young and old The hostess piepares beforehaml a bagful of labels, and on each is wntten the name of some well-known pei son from Juhus Csesar to Queen Alexandra. The gi eater variety, both as to nationality, period, and occunartio.i, the better. Li Hung Chang, Cleopatra, and Columbus axe all equally appropriate The hostess also provides pencils and piogrammes, and, where artistic talent pievails, there is scope for decoration X- VC * A label is pinned on the back of each guest, and then they set to woik to discover what name they bear Tins knowledge is arrived at by asking questions 1 of one another, such as "Am I a woman?" "As I living?" etc. The leply must, of course, be only Yes" or ' No." As eaicth questionei checovens what, name she bears, she inserts it on her programme, and at once applies for another label. The effect is excellent, everyone speaks to everyone else, abundant topics of eonvrsation are provided, stiffness and formality vanish like smoke, and all the guests are moving about, so that no one feels sihy. Three prizes are bestowed upon the most successful competitors. A small, but very jolly, tea of this desciiptiora was given by Mrs Fitchett, at the D.1.C., on Tuesday, last week. In this case, the celebrities gave wav to animals and fish, and much amusement was provided by the guessing The prize-winners w ere Miss Scully and Mrs. Benjamin, for whom the tea was given Mis. Fitchett was handsomely gowned in black. Mrs. Benjamin looked well m brown, with lace, and a becoming hat. Mis W Kennedy wore a daak tailor-made Mis. MacEwen had on a fawn coat, black hat, and dark skirt. The Misses Heywood, Howlitz, and others were also guests. * * » There are going to be plenty of bails this season, and we are always glad of economical hints in the way of dress for these occasions. Have any of you ever tried the following method of procuring new shoes for old ? When your satin sihoes get soiled, do not discaird them but re-cover them yourself . Try and see if the result is not beyond your expectation. To beoin with, take a pattern of the sihoe. To do this, pin a piecei of paper over the toe a.nd along the sides as far as the> side seam * » ♦ Cut the paper off close rouad the sole, and pare neatly round the top. Then pin a second strip of paper along the back to meet the front, cutting it close in the same way. Finally, unpin both halves, lay on the satin, and cut out, leaving one inch all round for turnings. Remember to lay the satin face to face., of you will ha.ye both sides for one foot. Tins 1 can then be neatly stitched on. A curved surgical needle (that is generally included in a needlecase), though not necessary is more convenient. The heels can be either painted the desired shade, or covered with the satin used, gumming the material neatly into posation. Many a shoe have I covered when dances harve been plentiful, and dress allowance small. It is the only way to have shoes to match each gow r n. * * ■* Miss Laishleiy has returned from Sydney. * * itMrs. Batham is visiting friends at Napier * ■» • The Misses Harding are in Dunedin, having gone South to be present at tfhe marriage of Miss Susie Graham, which took place last week. The Hon. Mr. and Mrs. George McLean have taken Miss Holmes's house, in Hawkestonie-street, for the session. * * • Miss Zita Broad is spending the term holidays a.t Nelson. * • • Miss McLean is* with her people at Timani. * • * Whispers of the most glorious creations in thei way of frocks reach us from London. The coming season will surpass everything in the wav of gaiety and grandeur. So many lovely and influential maidens intend to r"ake their

curtsey to royalty, and, ot couise, a coining out" ball will be part ot the programme of their debut Somei of these will be on a magnificent scale. But to return, to the frocks. Lady Feo Sturt has already worn a most striking gown of the nchest yellow brocade, in, sJiades of paJe yellow to oranere. The material was embroideiod all o^ei with diamonds., and was a feast of colour Round the low-cut neck appealed a, w lde spreading Medici collar, in thick guipuz-e lace. The sleeves, which weie large amd full, were h rushed at the elbow with the same lace. The deep-folded belt was in orange el vet, and — a clever tooich— some black roses were tucked m at t\he side of the bodice Tins e,own is (-aid to have cost onh £130' # * * A wonderful gown has been ananaod for another Society leader An exquisite combination of white satin, srhea tissue pale blue velvet, and pink roses. Another was of ivory silk, over omk pongee, with lovely lace, and pale pink rases. A dinner gown, in cream satin, was trimmed with lace and gold embroideries. At the back of the skirt fell a waterfall of white net, spangled with gold. This frock cost a mere trifle— £4,5. * * * The engagement has been announced of Miss Mabel Tyndall (Nelson) to the Ror H Yorke, of the We*t Coast • • • Mrs. A. K. Donne has gone South to be present at the marriage of her sister, Miss Ramsay, to Mr. Percy, of the Polllaird Opera Company The wedding will take place in a week or two * * ♦ Mr. Frank Smith, son of Mr Amehus Smith, left last Satin day for Southport, Australia. He has been appointed probationer in the Pacific caible «.er\ico (ContinuediOii ptiqe 11 )

Mis. Benjamin who dcpaits this week toi Melbourne will le<n c main fi lends behind Mam little functions ha\e been an an sod as tarew ells" toi hei duniig the last few weeks. On Fiid.w, Mis. MacKwen eiitei taiiu d Mis Boniamm and a number of friends at an afternoon tea Tlie bright, pretty 100 ms, with shaded lights and general air of cosiness, were in great contrast to the prevailing elements outside Gioat fun was caused bv the guests ■draw ing pigs — blind-folded of course a, prize w as given both for the best a,ml woi&t specimens Dr Mills was the winner of the hist, a-id Mi«s Barnett the latter Tea was served in the dininelooin, the table being the obiect of much admiration Jonciuils and daffo- ( . S l l ] — the first of the «ea,son - were beautifulh arranged with tinted autumn leuos and looked lovely. * * * Mis MacKwen was wearing a piettv tea-gown of \ leux rose cloth. -* lls Beniamin was in black leheved with blue and a black ha.t. with tips and a large buckle. Mrs. Kwen also woie black Miw Sutton (Napier), a faw n costume. Mrs. Beauchamp wore a dark tailor-made, and smart hat. Miss D>er looked well in a biscuit-coloured gown, with lace and a becoming hat Ali&s Heywood was admired in brown and a piettv brown hat, with touches of blue Miss K. Heywood looked very nice in a chess of Wedgwood blue, and a hat of the same shade, with black tips. Miss N Kennedy wore a black eown and black hat Mrs Malcolm Ross wore a black voile gown, and black hat Miss Bannetts a pretty light gown Assisting with the tea were Mrs. Fitchett, who looked well in a smart black voile and black hat Miss Inehs, in a silk blouse and dark skirt and Miss Young who looked pretty in a black eown and black hait. ♦ • * Miss Sutton (Napier) is just now the guest of her sifter. Mis Kwen. • * * Miss Nora Riddifoid left for the South on Monday last. She will swncl some time visiting friends. • • The Russian blouse is uuicklv coming to the foie and I notice that the stage favours this style of gown In * acme the Music" at Melbourne a taJJ. eiaceful actress appears in a sma.it gown of coronation red, the Russian bolero front trimmed with handsome guipure, almost meeting over a vest of lace and surah, with a shoit fnneecl sash fastened in front. • • • Miss Jessie CampbeLl has gone home to Melbourne, aftei a vi^at of some months to friends in Wellington Miss Joshua, who has been the guest of Miss Ba,rne,tt returned bv the same boat _ * •* Miss Richaidson is wsitmg hei aunt <Mis X Reynolds) at Dunedm. * • * Tis said that Mis Biown-Pottei is laigeh lesponsible foi the aieen lago. On e-vei-v possible occimoii she dons that colour and even in hei house dec on ation it is the dominant shade At her delightful cottasc at Bwu the bed100ms aio <iuite unu.ue The bedsteads aie built low of w lute \>oodand o-old cane with c-h aiming pa,le gieen silk and Lace coveilets. The windows aie all diaped with cool green-tinted cuitain-- This fafecinatine lady follows the Fiench fashion of lunching without <i tablecloth and has embroidered mats for the plates and dishes ♦ * * In thefce da%s of no servants and independent washing-ladies it would be well if w-e could adopt a \ei \ P oc ' uhal custom from foreign paits." lule \isiting lelatiou-s at Biazil, not lons, ago a certain Wellington lach was taken to dinnei at the houLe of a wealthy mei chant Evervthme was «uranged in the gorgeous and lavish .South American style, and the strangei was grea,th emjoving herself. Lpon sa\mg good-bye, however, she received a shock for her genial hostess suddenly sajd It \ou have am washing send it loundtous" The idea of sending one's hnen to a fnend to be washed wa^ veiA T funny. * * * But, it was subsequent 1\ explained to her that at Biazil it is the custom tor very wealtln households to take m laundi-A w-oik as employment toi the large letinue of s C rv-ants Con\e«i,.nt \cr\ for the less, foi tunate houstholdens Can \ou imagine Ars Kichman saMiig My dear don t bothei \ouiself about \ our washing iust ha\< it all sent round to^ me m\ seivants ha\o nothing to do " ♦ • * A \cn delightful little At Home was wpu bv Mrs J D Gia\ of Giantroad on Fnday last The te,i was gneiii foi one 01 two Auckland friends at piesent visiting Wellington and the guoste were with few exceptions old residents of the Northern city. A most eniovable time was spent m pleaant gossip a dainty sea was served and everywhere beautiful chrysanthemums were artistically arranged with autumn foliage.

Mis Gra.v leeened m a giacehil black \oile sknt a,nd primiosc and lace blouse The Misses ( hat held, prettily attiied in silk blouses and daii k skirts, assisted with the tea Duung the .iHenioon MissSpiap,R delHited everyone with her clever recitations. Mrs. T. Brown (Auckland) woie a dark tailoimade gown. Mis. Hales «i» in violet cloth, and a toaue with \ io!ets . Mrs. Knox a daik cloth gown becoming to<(ue Mrs. Koch in a daik blue cloth gown Mrs. Clayton woie black, and a black hat. Mrs. Clarke-Johnson also woie a black gou n and bonnet. Otheis present were Mrs. Furtn , Mi's. Hiejgev, Mrs. H. Crammond Mrs. J. P. Campbell, Mi^s Campbell, Mrs Koch, Mrs. Spragg. Miss Cameion (Aucklend), Mrs Butiler, Mrs. Heibert Dix, a,nd Mrs George Ross • * * Mis Charles Pearce entertained a large number of guests at tea on Friday afternoon last. Ping-pong was nlaved with spmt, and music was enjoyed. • » • Mrs. T. Brown (Ponsonby, Auckland) is the guest of Mrs Knox, National Bank. Cuba-street. • > • The Misses Miles gave a \en enio-\-aible ping-pong evening to their "oung friends on Wednesday night last Play was kept up with great spirit for some hours- and after supper dancing was indulged in for a .short time. Mrs. Miles wore a dark silk blouse, and voile skirt Miss W. Miles was in white silk. Miss B. Miles, a blue silk blouse, dark skirt , Miss H. Miles, a pretty grey frock. In eluded in the merry party of euests were Miss Elsie Simpson, wearing black velvet Miss R. Simpson, a pink silk blouse, dark skirt Miss Muriel Waldegrave, a orett\ white silk frock Mi«s Lulu Kwen. silk blouse, black skirt- Miss Lucy Biandon pale pink

silk Miss Y. Beaaichamp, a black velvet fiock Miss Molly Macintosh, white silk Misis .T. Haybittle, a nink silk blouse, chuk skirt, Miss Bessie Fitzgerald wluto silk blouse, dark skirt and Mcsms. Guffiths, Tom Seddon, Sloman, Blundell, Rhmd, W. Holmes, and Broad. Miss Mvi lei Darling has returned from her\is' f to Picton and Blenheim * » » Miss Winifred Birch, t'.ie popular "Wellington singei, has returned from a. \ei\ enioyable tup to friends at Christchuich * ■* * Lieutenant Dudley Hewitt's many h lends will be pleased to learn that he lifis lecently received substantial piomotion in ha\ ing been appointed to the Indian Staff Corps. Mr. Ted Cornford, anotlur okl Wanganui College boy, who we nt a,w a,y w ith the Seventh New Zealand Contingent and left many friends behind him, has accepted a good position on the <3ita,ff of the Standard Bank, Duiban. * * * Talking of Africa, do you not wisih O'U could be transported to Groat Shuui " the beautiful residence of the late Mr. Cecil Rhodes, just for a day or two, to enjoy the many beauties of house and grounds. The front of the house is approached through a long avenue of lime trees. Sewn© idea of the vast giounds and their beauty may be sained from the fact that one walk, a mile- in length, is fringed with purple h\ drangea and arum lilies, on one side of which runs a gully with a most luxuriant group of rare ferns and beautiful water palms. ■* * ♦ Miss Skenett entertained a large number of friends at an At Home last week