SOCIAL GOSSIP

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 123, 8 November 1902, Page 10

SOCIAL GOSSIP

By Christabel.

ON Saturday afternoon the Thomdon Tennis Club formaHy opened their courts for the season. Bright sunshine, with the prospect of watching; some enjoyable games, and delicious afternoon tea, attracted many visitors, and the grounds piesented a orett"} sight. I noticed Mrs. Simpson, Mis. Trevor Gould, Mrs. T. G. Macarthy Mrs. Hagan, Mrs. Cecil Adams, Mrs. Kane, and Misses Morrah, Haroourt, Marchant, Mills, Otterson, Hey wood, Macintosh, Brewer, Ehott. Hickson, Stuart, Hagan, Grant, Kennedv, Batham, and many others. * * * The organisers of the bazaar, held on Saturday last, in aid of the MimsterinoChildren's League have every reason to be pleased with the success of their efforts, for the social hall at the Girls High School, in which room the sale of work was held, was filled with visitors, and those assisting had a very busy tune selling the r»retty work. In the evening, the sale was also well patronised, an enjoyable concert adding to the general attractiveness. ■rf * * On Saturdav week last, Miss Estelle Beere's senior pupils gave an exhibition of dai:cing at the S^ dney-sfereet Schoolroom, and during the afternoon the medals Which had been won during the year were oresented to the winners bv the Mayor of Wellington. The hall was prettily decorated, and afternoon tea, with delicious cakes and sandwiches, was served in an ante-room, the tea table with large bowls of lilac blossom, being much admired A great number of guests were present, and spent a very delightful afternoon, watching with interest the many new and oretty dances. First a Japanese dance was performed by four, and later by eight, little girls, "and was picturesque and quaint. * • • A graceful country dance, bv both boys and was much admired also, an Irish jig. The cake-walk was an unusual novelty, as well as being verv pretty, and was danced by Masters Rov Muir and Harrv Bramley and the Misses Dora Levi and Myrtle Philp A sailor's horn^ioe, bv Ina Curtis and Leila Levi, was loudly applauded, and another was cleverly performed bv Aenes Fife and Mav Bramlev. Miss Nome Tabuteau, who is a most graceful child executed a prettv fan dance and Dorothy Tanner won much applause for her Highland Fling, and also her Pohs.i dance with Nonie Tabuteau. Skirt dances were given bv Miss Violet. Warburton, in a lovely White gown, and Miss Vera Greville. prettilv dressed in nmk. Little Agnes Duncan. Peggie Tumbull and Eudora Henry charmed evervone with their Highland dances. » * * Mrs. Biss (Dunedin), who has been payine: a short visit to Wellington, returned last week. * * • The distance travelled in dances has been calculated by some statistical mind. An average waltz takes one over about three-quarters of a mile. A square dance makes you cover about haif-a-miie, while a rapid gallop will oblige ou to traverse just about one mile. It will thus be seem that if a girl with a well-filled programme dances from eighteen to twenty dances in an evening, the result is really appalling Sav there axe twelve waltzes — a fair average — this alone makes nine miles. Three gallops added to this makes it tt\ elve miles, while from three to five other dances, at half-a-mile a-piece, bring her close upon thirteen or fifteen miles This is exclusive of anv extras. ¥■ * -* In spite of all whispers to the contrary, shaped flounces are still to the fore, and are to be seen specially in linens and such fabrics, which the thick and clumsy. This flounce, too, is ideal for washing frocks, as it can be lined without rendering it too thick for ironing, and also makes a necessary fulness about the feet — t.he "flaring" which we so affect at present. Woollen skirts of delaine, voile and even muslins are fashioned in this manner, but, as a rule tihe flounces are wider at the back than at the front. Muslin frocks are very dainty if made with shaped flounces, upon which are placed little narrow frills each edered with Valenciennes lace • • • Of the colours most in favour this season for millinery, preference must as-

suxedly be given to blue and green combined. Six out of eight of the most fashionable French women are wearing these tints, both for morning and afternoon wear. The tones harmonise exactly with, the parrot plumage, and just at present wings form one of the prominent features in the way of trimming. Blue and green are also mingled for gowns and blouses, and a blue frock strapped with green is tihe acme of smartness. Remember, however, that no white must be added — for instance, blue material with a white spot or stripe would be most unsuitable, and quite spoil the general effect Plain fabrics in everv case must be employed. A letter from a Sydney friend tells me that Neil lie Stewart is playing in ''A Modem Magdalen" just now, and the dressing and staging us simply glorious. In the second act, the heroine's dress is cream — one of those fine silk crepey materials The skirt, of exquisite out, has a deep band of guipure insertion just above the knees, beneath this it is embroidered to the end of the train with roses appliqued on oream The short coat is embroidered in the same way with tight sleeves to the elbow then puffed with esprit net. With this is worn the "Frenchiest" of tonues with crown of net, swathed in soft sreen satin and a brim of pink roses and preen leaves. * * * But, lovely as that gown is, the one worn in the third act passes into the superlative and i® 'loveliest " It was cut en princesse — but such a out. The top part, was of apricot satin, a pale shade. The round-cut bodice is trimmed with passementerie, composed of brilliants that stand out like ereat diamonds, and over the left shoulder trails a cluster of pink rosebuds. The sleeves are latticed at the top with bands of brilliants. At the waist, the alpricot shade deepens and the skirt fits like a gelaming satin sheath, showing every graceful curve of her beautiful fitrure At the knees, a festoon of brilliants falls over a perfect foam of chiffon rills, flaring and billowing into a glorious train A morning gown in the last act is of white crer>e-de-chine, caught at the waist with a girdle. An overdress of white gauze is of bewildering beauty embroidered in butterflies, roses and floral effects. • • • An interesting novelty was introduced at a smart, at home aiven in Melbourne recently. The hostess had iust return(Continued on paqe 11.)

ed from an extensive tour oi the Eafct, bringing with hei many cui io& and Deautifui photographs. The lattei were exhilnted as limelight views and tlie ouraos were arranged cm small tables about the rooms where they were duly examined and admired. The afternoon was thoroughh enjoyed by ail the guests. * * * The annual sports in connection with the Wellington College take place tins (Friday) afternoon, and doubtless there will be the usuaJ large gathering of lady friends. On a fine sports day the grounds present a very pretty sight. All the ladies appear in their prettiest frocks, and the green terraces and laun form an excellent background, and of course, with about 300 boys running in the various races, the excitement is great. One> of the most interesting races of the day is the "Old Boys' " and ladies should see that their old bo friends have entered for this event ♦ # * The Newtown tennis courts were opened in perfect weather on Saturday last The president (Mr. J. MoGowan)* aftei a very pleasant speech, hit the fiist hill ave^r the net, and declared the soason open. Afternoon tea was enjoyed by the players and visitors, amongst whom I noticed Mrs. McGowan, in a becoming blue costume and black hat , Miss McGowan, pretty brown frocl and Maltese lace collar, Mrs G Clark, blaok silk dress, cream vest, and black and silver bonnyet Mrs. W. Bock tail-or-made green olotl 1 costume, and black toque; Mrs. F. Gracly, jun white frilled muslin, and white hat. • « ♦ Mrs. C. Fordham looked well in rosecoloured linen, trimmed with twine laoe insertion, and pretty hat to match Mrs. S. Brown wore a smart °rioen cloth gown, and black tooue w ith plumes. Miss Clark looked very nice in a frilled tussore silk dress . Miss Hi&kxp, crush-straw berry Russian gown. Miss Brown wore a pretty violet tucked dress and hat with violets. Miss M Brown wore blue spotted lawn, tucked, and finished with fnlls, and a scarlet obou and folded band, black and white ihat; Mrs. A. Carson (Dunedin), soft whit© silk blouse black voile sknt and picture hat. • * * Miss Grey (Melbourne) had on a >~>ietty blue voile dress and burnt-straw hat. The Misses Bock wore blue linen fiocks, and scarlet belts , Miss 1 Webb, a stvlish brocaded silk blouse, dark skirt, and piotuire hat. Miss Sidey was wearing a soft white muslin dress, and chiffon hat ; Miss Parrell, tucked grass law n frock and tuscan straw hat, with turquoise bows , Mrs. A. Clark, rose-colour gown, and chiffon hat. Mrs. Baillie a heliotrope muslin dress, and cream chiffon toque. Miss Morpeth wore blue muslin and lace ; Miss Hoiks, a white insertaoned muslin, and white hat Miss E. Evans, black gown, Maltese lace tie black and white hat. * * Miss Robinson wore a dainty tucked pink silk blouse, black skirt, Miss R. Sidey, a blue frock, and white straw hat; Miss Yeomans, fawn costume, and red hat; Miss G. Yeomans, red spotted silk blouse, dark skirt; Mis© McCaulev. blue silk and lace blouse, black voiled skirt; Miss Redward, black and whate muslin. Mrs. A. Hudson was in black. The Misses Ashbolt wore pretty mushn blouses and dark slurbs, Mrs Read a brown costume, lace collar, and black hat. Mrs. Winter wore blue and a white hat. Miss Read wore black and a picture hat. * # • Miss Glasgow wore a striped, bluesilk blouse, tuscan straw T hat , Miss Fraser, pretty blue muslin , Mrs. Staples, stylish black gown, and hat with tips ; Miss Ward, a red Eton costume, Maltese lac© collar and Tuscan hat; Miss Collins, black frock, blue chiffon toque Misses Christie, blue and white muslin dresses , Miss Crofts, a pretty tussore silk dress, black and white hat, Mrs. Glasgow, black gown laoe collar, and black hat. Miss Pilclier wore a fawn, strapped Eton gown, and hat trimmed with red velvet. • • • At a bazaar, recently held in Dunedin, where, I have heard it said, most of the original and clever ideas come from, a novel competition was introduced — biat trimmrm;, with real flowers The results were bewitchingly nrettv and effective, but, of course, the judering had to be done promptly , a® the beauty was of the quickly-passing order. The first-prize hat was of burnt-straw, trimmed with yellow primroses and variegated grasses, which, tied in a bow, represented ribbon The second prize was trimmed with apple blossom, and was also admired greatly. « ♦ « Mr. and Mrs. Herapath are staying a short time in Dunedin before leavins for India. # In last week's issue, an account of the marriage of Miss Tingev to Mr. Harold Pilcher was published, and the following is an account of the reception held afterwards bv Mrs Tingey at her resi-

deuce. Kent Ten ace. The guests were received by Mrs. Tingey, who wore a black mervealleux gown, and black bonnet with touches of lilac. Amongst those present weie Mis J. W. Piloher, wearing black silk, and a black and white bonnet. Mis E. Tingey (Wanganui), black Mrs. W. Waters, black skirt prettv blue silk blouse Mrs. L. Tingey, grey muslin,, trimmed witfli ecru insertion and hat with pink roses. * * * Mrs. W. Tingey wore a dove-grey cas,hmere , Mrs. Post, pretty lilac dress Mrs. C Smith, navy costume, with white glace silk, and a black toque, Mrs A. Gifford, in brown Miss Evans, m cream silk Miss Randerson, black skirt white silk blouse Mrs F. Willis, pretty white silk gown, black picture hat. Mrs Gilbert, black merveilleux skirt., amd pade blue blouse Miss Pilcliei becoming fawn costume strapped with frlace silk, chou of scarlet, and a hat with scarlet geraniums. * # * Mrs T Pilaher wore a blue muslin Mrs. E. Richer woie black Miss Kellv, a pretty w hite silk dress , Mrs. A Lamb, Mrs. J Lamb, Mrs Harrison Mrs. H. Hurre.ll and the Misses Bnttanic Hall, Jenness, Redstone, Shortt, Lennox, and Messrs. E. Kellow , White Cecil, Dix, Brooks, Bowden Tingey \. . Tingey, E. Tingev (Wanganui), H Huilell, and Kellv were also present. The bride and bndeigroom received many valuable presents, including a oheoue from Mr Tinnrey (father of the bride) a cheque from the firm, and a silver coffee service from the staff of Messrs A S Pa.terso'l and Co

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