Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 147, 25 April 1903, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

REGRET, deep and sincere, was expressed by all classes of the community when it became known that the Hon. Dr. Grace, M.L.C., had passed away on Saturday. Although, he had been ill so long, his death was unexpected by many, for the bulletins lately had reported a slow but steady improvement. A solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Sacred Heart at 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning, and was very largely attended for the kind actions and genial manner of the late Dr. Grace had made him very much beloved. * * * The Countess of Seafield, who has been visiting Mr. and Mrs. Bowes Kelly, at Moorakyne, Melbourne, left by the last trin of the Australia to join her husband in England. * • * Miss M. Stuart has returned from a visit to friends at Wanganui. * » * The most popular discussion in the American papers during last "silly season" was "how men propose." The various American girls appealed to voted the average man'si proposal crude and inartistic, and even suggested that a® it had been man's privilege to propose for so many generations, that he should just about be perfect in the art. No doubt, the latest "novel evening " given by a smart set entertainer in New York was arranged with an idea of giving them practice. * * * St. Valentine's 1 Night the rather aporopriate date of this 1 proposal party. It was required that the young men should propose to the young women present. The latter -nere scattered in seculded nooks and cosy corners about the house each of which was numbered, and

at the stroke of a gong the men were sent eaoh to his lespeotive spot. A limit of three minutes had been placed upon each proposal, and at the end of this interval the men w ere rewarded with a heart' if their suit had proved successful, but if their pleadings were unavailing a mitten was bestowed. Two young men came out of the ordeal with equal honours, each winning 11 hearts and one mitten. * * * St. Augustus' Church, Napier, was the scene of a very pretty, though quiet, wedding on Thursday 16th April when Mr. C. E. Johnston, of Messrs. Dalgetty and Co. Napier, was married to Miss Muriel Balfour, second daughter of Mr. T. W. Balfour, of Napier. Hawke's Bay. the Rev. C. L. Tuke officiated, and the bride was given away by her father. Miss Nell. Cotterill was her bridesmaid, and the bridegroom was attended by Mr. J. Parker. The honeymoon is being spent at Rotorua. * * •• At the Wesleyan Church, Carterton, on the 15th April, the marriage was solemnised of Mr. Adam Rouse, eldest son of the late Rev. W. Rouse, to Muss Etta Dakin, fourth daughter of the late Mr. Charles Dakin, of Clareville. The bride wore a navy cloth gown, and a pretty 'hat em suite, and was attended by the Misses Nina and Olive Dakm, her sisters. They were daintily dressed in cream cashmere, strapped with satin, and carried lovelY bouquets. The Rev. C. Goodbehere acted a® best man, and the ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. J. Pendray. The church was tastefully decorated for the ceremony. The wedding party was entertained at the residence of the bride's mother, Clareville, and later on Mr. and Mrs Rouse left for their future home in Napier. * • • The engagement is announced of Robert W. Leege of Cullenswood Station St. Mary's Tasmania, son of Colonel Lepage, R A., Commandant Tasmanian. local Forces and Quen, only of Mr. F. W. Flanagan, Lands Department, Wellington. * * • Mrs. Flanagan took her daughter over to Australia a year or so ago, to have her rich contralto voice thoroughly trained, and Miss Flanagan will continue her musical studies until the end of the present year, in order to finish the complete course. * * * Another interesting engagement, which has been announced this week is that of Miss Edith Gilmer, only daugh-

ter of Mr. Sam. Gilmer, Wellington, to Mr. P. Stanley Laurie, of Penang, Straits Settlement. * • • An extremely jolly little dance was given m St. Peter's Schoolroom, on Friday April 17th by the officers and men of the Submarine Mining Corps. It was given chiefly as a little return to the ladies who so kindly assisted at their stall during the Military Bazaar. Mr. Fleming supplied excellent music, amd the supper, catered by Mr, G. Mawson, was all that could be desired. * * * Some very pretty gowns were worn by the ladies. Amongst them, I noted Mrs. Evans, wearing a handsome black silk gown, Mrs. Curtis, a black satin gown beautifully made, and trimmed with silver and ohiffon. Mrs. Ba«al Jones wore black and cerise; Miss Palmer-Clark, a dainty gown of pink glace. Miss Elsie Palmer-Clarke looked nice in w hite muslin, with green chou and belt. * * • The Misses Mander both wore pretty white silk frocks, and wreaths of banksia roses. Miss Evan® was in white, relieved with blue; Miss Pollock, , a scarlet silk dress, Miss Darnell, pale blue; Miss Brice, white silk. Miss Curtis wore white, with an overdress of lovely lace ; Miss Greenwood white insertioned musHn; Miss Burns, a daiaty muslin dress. * * * Sergt. -Major Baker was a most efficient secretary, and Messrs. Palmer and Pye-Smithi deserve great credit for the energetic way they worked to make the dance a great success. Some of the gentlemen present were Lieut. Col. Collins, Commander Campbell, Lieuts. Palmer, Basil Jones, Sergt.-Major Colcfough. and Messrs. Pye-Snuth, Maunsell, Radcliffe Henderson, Walters, Mabin, E. Fildes, McKenzie, Pavitt, Eversleigh, Millmgtoai, Wilson, Smythe, and representatives from the College Rifles, Kelburne Rifles Torpedo Corps, and several others. * * * The engagement has been announced in the Melbourne "Punch" of Mr Maurice Melville Louisson, youngest son of Mr C. Louisson. of Christchurcli, New Zealand, to Miss Beryle Benjamin, youngest daughter of Mr. S. Benjamin, of "Waimea," St. Kilda. * • • Mr. and Mrs. W. Kutchmson (Johannesburg) are on their wav to New Zealand. Mrs. Hutchinson lately lost her father, Mr. Booth, of Wairarapa.

Invitations have been, issued by the New-town Tennis Club for an at home, to be held on Friday evening, May Bth. • • « The first of Miss Koch's assemblies was held on Wednesday last week, and was a very enjoyable danoe. Despite the dreadfully wet might, about a hundred and fifty guests were present. Mr. Fleming's music was, as it always is, p^ood and the floor was splendid. Miss Koch wore a black satin gown ; Miss Linda Kooh, a pretty yellow dress, with a duster of red flowers. Lady Gibber. Mrs. Bend'al, Mrs. F. N". Meadows Mrs. Knowles, the Missies Elliott Gibbes, Hickson, Travers., Laishley, Bendall, Meadows, Holt, Richardson. Stuart. Ashbolt, Mcc, Kennedy Crowther. and Chantrey-Harris wore amongst those present, and some of the men were Messrs. Stuart, Hickson Lewis Gordon. Johnson. Guy, Ashbolt, Wevbourne. Downes, Robinson, PyeSmith, Richardson, Devine, and Burnett. • • • The D Battery Ball comes off on Friday mght this week. Last year this w-as largely attended, and was one of the jolliest balls of the year. • * • ''The Emerald Isle" is at present the fashion in Australia, and I expect, it is but a question, of weeksi e'er we have the pleasure of seeing it at the Opera House. The frooking has more than a, touch of the Gainsborough style, and Miss Florence Young makes the utmost out of the picturesque costumes, first apearing in a quaint green and white striped silk, with lone pointed bodice white muslin fichu, and a large black velvet knot and ends, a cap of white muslin sets off the becoming coiffure, and a stray curl dangles coquettishly on her shoulder. • * * A second gown., of Quaker-grey, with white muslin fichu and large grey hat is sweet and pretty. Another lady of the company Miss Ghiloni, is handsomely attired in royal blue velvet, with scarlet velvet and ermine train. She w ears her hair dressed very high, in the powdered, court style, which patches, of course, accompany. Some lovely jewels are also worn. • • • What do you think the girl from' Dol-lar-land does now when funds are short, and her pet charity goes a-begging! Sensation draws money, and the idea originated with some fun-loving girl Continued on page 11.)

with a keen eye for business. "Kiss tickets" were issued m connection with a large bazaar. Band® of girls sold the tickets at a dollar each- — each ticket, entitling the holder to one kiss. The identity of the girls who were to be kissed was a "dead" secret, of course, and there was an enormous demand. It was expected that on the evening the kisses were to be delivered the immense budding would not accommodate the crowd ♦ * * The Governor and Lady Ranfurly and the Ladies Knox were in Wellington for a few days, en route from Timaru to Auckland". Australian papers state very positively that His Excellency the Governor intends to visit his estate in Ireland in order to be present at the festivities arranged in honour of the comma; of age of Lord Northland. # * * Mr. and Mrs. Huntley Elliott and their daughters left Wellington on Thursday, to reside at the Lower Hutt. Mrs. and Mass Allan have also decided to live out there m the future, and there aie others who are seriously considering the attractions offeied by this popular suburb. * * * Mr. and Mrs. Michie aie staying at the Royal Oak Hotel • • » The success of Miss Borlase's fiist dance promises well for the futuie assemblies. It came off on Tuesday evening, m the Sydney-street Schoolroom, about a hundred guests being present. Mr. Fleming's orchestra supplied the music and light refreshments were arranged in an ante-room, the table being prettily decorated with flowers. Miss Boriatse received in a black silk gown. Mrs. H. Raw son w ore black * * * Some of the guests were Miss Macintosh in white silk , Miss Madge MacGregor, wearing black Miss Simpson, a very pretty white oramze over s>atm, with black velvet, bows Miss Finch, in white silk, Miss M. Finch, in white, with blue ohou. Miss Nelson looked well in black. Miss Rdey worei a dainty white muslin , Miss Ledger (Nelson"! in black , the Misses Waldegrave, in white silk dresses Miss M. Blundell, white sdk the Misses Stuart, in cream brocade and net gowns. Miss Hickson, m black net with bebe ribbon. Miss H. Hickson wore pale pink. » * * Miss Elliott had on a becoming win to dress, with bebe velvet , Miss Holt in a nale green dress, Miss Ewen, in white, Miss R Butt, in black Miss R. Stuart, in pale blue crepe-de-clnne Miss Johanscm looked nelJ m whit** with coirisp bows Miss Chffoitl in white Miss Mills wore a very nrettv pink silk frilled gown. Miss Grace Mills was in blue silk and lace Mi«s Vora Willis, a dainty white mutslin Miss Runcie wore black and a> handsome lace collar Miss Mariory Robinson in black Miss Ro&krui^e in v>m>. The Misses Na<than wore white, with pale blue ribbon Mis« James, in a pretty white and coral dress The Mi«-es

Txiiton. looked well in black, and many more present. # * # Some of the gentlemen w ere Messrs. Bridge, Haselden, Jacobs, Morling, Hjorring, Maunsell, Holmes, Pye>Smith. Reid, Griffiths, Garhck, Allan, Robieson, Fussel Finoh. Mr. Rhmd is an ene,rgetic seciretai"y and the dances should be a great success. (Continued on l^age 13 )