Tables of Sport... " The Trick of the Nine Half-Crowns."

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 113, 30 August 1902, Page 20

Tables of Sport... " The Trick of the Nine Half-Crowns."

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were determined to make everyone happy, and I am sure succeeded. The secretary, in a few well-chosen words, thanked the visitors for their company, and said that the present social was only a preliminary to the annual social, which would take place on the return of the Premier and Mrs. Seddon, when she hoped to see them all there in full force, and remarked that their socials alwavs spoke for themselves. She then called for three hearty cheers for Miss Hawthorne, who, by her sparkling music had done much to make one and all happy. Three hearty cheers were then given for Mrs. Moore (the secretary) and the Council, and the singing of •'Auld Lang Syne" brought a most pleasant evening to a close at 1 a.m. Mrs. Moore acted as M.C. throughout the evening. Many influential guests were present at the social, including The Hon. Mr. Pinkerton, the Hon. Mr. Jennings, Mr. George Fisher, M.H.R., Mr. Wesley, Mr. W. McLean, Councillors Barber and Godber, and Messrs. J. Wilkes, H. Burnett, Hamilton, Jamieson, Culver, and O'Loughlin. A telegram was read from the Hon C H. Mills regretting his absence owing to a bereavement in the family. » ♦ • Among the company I noticed Mrs Ban-, who wore black silk , Mrs. Weiss, black silk , Miss Lawrence, white muslin . Miss Lester, white silk Miss Cooper, Japanese silk, trimmed with pale blue. Mrs. Shepherd wore a choice black and white blouse, daintily fashioned Mrs. Greig, white satin ■ Miss V. Waters, white muslin , Miss Burns, pale blue silk blouse; Mrs. T. K. Maodonald handsome black silk ■ Miss Whelan, white satin, trimmed with violets . Miss Allan, white silk , Miss Godber. lovely yellow silk blouse, trimmed with black velvet ribbon , Mrs. McLean black silk. Miss Reid, white silk Miss Parsonage, white muslin . Miss Murphy, black silk Mrs Moore, black brocade, with Honiton lace Mrs. Parsonage, black silk Mrs. Barnes, black satin , Miss Reid, white muslin . * ♦ * Mrs. O'Connor's At Homes are always looked forward to with the greatest pleasure, and the invitation to be present at the "daffodil tea," on Wednesday last, was hailed with delieht. The hall was a scene of beauty, with quantities of spring flowers arranged everywhere and the drawing-room equally beautiful, a blaze of exquisite colouring and lovely blossoms meeting one at every turn. The garden itself and conservatory were objects of envv to most of us, who could have wandered round admiringly for hours * * * Most delicious tea was seived in the dining-room and morning-room, the tables being, as usual, artistic and pretty. Vases of white porcelain filled with perfect narcissi specimens, were arranged on a pale green satin centre in one room . in the other, quaint little white boots of deep purple violets looked beautiful on a rich gold satin centre. Delicious dainties were handed round by a bevy of helpers. The guests were received in the hall by Mrs. O'Connor who was gowned in a handsome black brocade gown, with vest of real lace. The Misses O'Connor wore charming gowns of white tucked silk and lace and coloured silk folded belts.

Amongst the guests were . Lady Miller, Lady Russell, Lady Ward, Mesdam.es Grace, Tolhurst, Finoh, McLean, Duncan, Tweed, Barron, A. Pearce, W. Martin, A. Martin, W. Fitzgerald, M. Ross. Gilruth, Biss, A. Young, T. Young, Edwin, Fitzgerald, Barnes, C. Fall, Quick, C. Pearce, Abbott, Butler, Joseph, Millward, Gavin, Rhmd, Herries, Loughnan, Samuel, and many others. The Misses Martin Kennedy and Miss Tolhurst assisted with the tea. During the afternoon a string band played delightfully. * # » The members of the Wellington Club gave a magnificent ball on Thursday, August 21st, m honour of the King's Coronation. The whole of the club was thrown open to the guests, and the decorations were simply superb. Large mirrors, draped with Union Jacks, had poles of wattle on either side. Every fire-place was a work or art, narcissi, and lovely golden wattle peeping out from banks of fern and maidenhair, reminding us of childhood's dreams of fairyland. The balcony was cosy with flag-draped corners and easy lounges. A walk, leading to the marquee erected on the tennis court, was covered with an awning, and draped with bunting * * ♦ At every turn, one noticed the most inviting chairs, half hidden by folding screens and flowering shrubs. The marSuee itself was a lovely sight. Here le decorations were perfection. A miniature lake, with gold-fish complete, had tiny statuettes arranged in a bank of moss and maidenhair fern, from which peeped hyacinths and narcissi. Picturesque little bridges, and tiny blooms in pots, completed the beautiful picture 1 . Light refreshments — oysters, sandwiches, claret cup, and coffee, were arranged on the tables here. Supper was laid in the billiard-room, everything bein" f carried out in the same brilliant style. * * • The lights were exquisitely shaded with soft-tinted silk shades, and the mantelpiece was a bank of magnificent wattle and narcissi, relieved here and there with a scarlet blossom. The design for the table was unique and effective^ — large crowns composed of golden blossoms were touched with red, white, and blue flowers, and were laid on a bank of moss, and streamers of coloured ribbon were laid across the table. Every delicacy imaginable, or that one could desire, were obtainable, and evervone was thoroughly well looked after. A number of ladies, assisted with the decorations, and Mr. C. Izard was responsible for the successful arrangements. * * * An excellent backgiound for the beautiful gowns was made by the crim-son-carpeted stairs, at the head of wliich the guests were received by Dr. and Mrs. Collins, the latter wearing a becoming gown of white silk, with overskirt of Brooklyn lace, caught on the corsage with diamond stars Lord Ranfurly was present, accompanied by Ladv Constance Knox, who was gowned in a simple gown of white glace, and embroidered chiffon, with a ceri°e chiffon sash softly knotted also the Hon HillTrevor and the Hon W C Butler were in attendance. General Babineton and ai number of the Garrison officers were present, in uniform, and with Captain Rich and the officers of the Ringarooma added further brieht--ip«& to the scene Tlip programme and

menu cards were very pretty, and will be treasured with other mementoes of the King's Coronation. * « • Lady Ward looked very handsome in white satin duchesse, with laoe and silver passementerie. The Hon. Mrs. Butler wore an exquisite gown of shellpink orepe de chine, with lovely lace. Mrs. Arthur Pearce was gowned in rich yellow satin, with panels, of blue and silver. Mrs. Abbott wore an elegant dress of black jetted lace, over white' satin and diamonds. Mrs. Bell had on a blue brocaded gown; Mrs. Wilford, black, relieved with blue; Mrs. Herar path, white, with an overdress of beautiful lace and touches of turquoise blue velvet. Mrs. Edwards wore a beautiful gown of black and white embroidered chiffon, over duchesse satin, with lace on the corsage, caught with diamond stars and jewelled passementerie. ♦ * ♦ Mr®. Walter Johnston was gowned in black and white brocade, draped with lace. Miss 1 Johnston wore black, relieved with lace. Mrs. W. Turnbull looked exceedingly nice in black velvet, with fan panels of white, finished with lace and touches of turquoise. Miss E. Williams was in pale blue, with accor-deom-pleated flounces. Mrs. Harold Johnston wore black and white, and straps of jet. Miss Harcourt was in Mue brocade, and Miss Grace Harcourt wore amber satin and embroidered pansies. Mrs. E. D. O'Rorke was admired in white duchesse, with an overdress of laoe and pearls. Mrs. Herbert Rawson wore a becoming heliotrope brocaded gown and laoe bertha. Miss Rawson wore pink silk, and her sister white. # * • A very beautiful gown was worn bq Mrs. T. G. Macarthy. The foundation of white satin duchese, lined with satin frills, was covered with a dress of exquisite Limerick laoe, under which was a lining of flesh-coloured chiffon. Anything more delicate than the faint suggestion of pink under the lace could not be imagined. The corsage was also of lace, over chiffon and satin, and finished with a lovely flounce of the same old lace caught with a cluster of beautiful roses. The gown was made by Madame Hansom, of the Economic. *■ * * Miss MoLean (Dunedin) had on a handsome blue satin gown. Mrs. Miles was in black. Miss Miles wore blue silk, with pink rosebuds, and roses in her hair. Mrs. W. Kennedy was in black satin. Mrs. A. Strang was much admired in cream duchesse, with lace and pink roses. Miss Jessie Reid wore white satin and chiffon frills. Mrs. R. A. Loughnan wore a charming gown of grey satin and lovely lace. Mrs. Trevor Gould looked graceful in blue crepe de chine, with accordeon-pleated flounces. Mrs. Wallis wore a handsome satin gown. Mrs. V. H. Baxter had on black satin, and scarlet flowers. Mrs. Rose wore black. Miss E. Haseldon wore cream brocade, softened with chiffon flounces. • * ♦ Miss Elsie MacTavish looked exceedingly nice in pale blue silk, with ac-cordeon-pleated flounces and Paris lace. Miss Fitzsimmons wore one of the nrettiest gowns — cream duchesse, covered with an overdress of exquisitely-em-broidered cream chiffon, the pretty corsage finished with three deep cream

chiffon roses. Miss Thyra Beetham (Branoepeth) wore eau de nil silk. Mrs. Newman wore amber aatin, with lovely lace, Mrs. Elgar, white satin; Miss B. Hislop, a black gown, relieved with Uce. Mrs. StuartrMenteath wore a handsome gown of blue silk, with crimson embroidered bands. Miss Gore was m cream satin. Miss Sprott wore black satin. * * * Miss F. Brandon was in white satin - MissArkwnght, a very pretty rose-pink gown relieved with lovely lace • Miss Claudia Douglas, white brocade; Mrs MjtateU,bl«* satin with jet pavement ?^W ' l. Mr . s - B uch^ looked Tbandsome m black, with lovely laoe. Mrs. Ewen wore black. Miss Lulu Ewen had<£ her pretty /coming-out" gown. Miss V. Jitzherbert was in white satin and chiffon. Mrs. Balcombe Brown wore * • ♦ Miss May Blundell was gowned in white satin softened with chiffon frills Mrs. W. Nathan, a handsome Ek gown Miss Nathan was in white M« Butts m .black, with touchS of blue. Miss Riddiford wore a lovely gown of ivory satin and laoe. Miss KUiott wore a pretty white silk gown m£ k S. zger^ was in white S : miss K. Fitzgerald also wore white.