Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 188, 2 January 1904, Page 8

Social Gossip.

By Christabel.

KIA ORA to the new year, and all the Lance's readers. It is almost remarkable how little we colonials do in the way of welcoming the new year, compared with the reception it gets from English folk. A New Zealand girl, who was Home last year, told me of a quaint custom at one of London's fashionable restaurants. When all the theatregoers had made up their supper parties, and were having a lnerrv time, the lights suddenly went out, and, after a murmur of "Hush," one could hear a deep-toned bell chiming the hour of midnight. It was followed by a. silvery tinkle of one stroke as the new year entered. The lights went' up, and the merry holiday-makers, led by the orchestra, joined hands and sang "Auld Lang Syne." * * * The year 1904 will see many brides among our Wellington girls. I hear of no less than six weddings to take r>lace during the first three months. > Among the brides-intendent are : Miss Zoe Johnston, Miss Joan Parker, Miss Olive Rawson, Miss Daniels, and Miss Linda Koch. * ■» * Miss Ina Lee is staying with Mrs. Willie Adams, at Lanley Dale, Blenr heim. * * * The Misses Alice and Isa Fitzherbert also leave for England next month, where they will join their father. * * • Social matters are at a very low ebb just now. So many Wellington people are holiday making, you know, and visiting is out of the question. * * * Miss Maggie Simpson has gone to Auckland with her father for the races.

Mr. and Mrs. George Stead, of Christchurch, passed through last week with tbeii daughter. They also were bound for the Northern race meeting. * « * Mr., Mrs., and the Misses Runcie are spending their new year holidays in the Cathedral City. Miss Girvan Runcie returned from Feilding last week, where she has spent a very enjoyable two months' visit. * * * Mr. Rudmati, of Wellington College, accompanied by Mrs. Rudman, left last week for the North. * # * Miss Madge MacGregor has gone for i long visit to Southland, where she is the guest of Mr. and Mis. Mackenzie, on their beautiful run. ■» * * Mrs. and Miss Cachemaille are 1 eturning to England in February, after the wedding of the former's son to Miss Parker. Two engagements were announced in Christmas week, and both of the prospective brides are Hutt girls. The first I heard of was Miss Cora Lee, third daughter of Mr. Robert Lee, to Mr. Jim Pitt only son of the Hon. Mr. Pitt, Attorney-General. Mr. Pitt is in the Eastern Extension Cable Company's service, and has only lately returned here on leave from Cochin China. Miss Lee is- at present a nurse in. the Nelson Hospital. The other engagement is that of Miss Dorrie Fitzherbert, third daughter of Mr. Willie Fitzherbert, of the Lower Hutt, to Mr. Latham. * * * Miss Zoe Johnston will have a charming group of bridesmaids to attend her next week. I hear they are to be Miss Doris Johnston (her sister) the Misses Meta Johnston and Kathenne Fitzgerald (her cousins), and Miss Oonah Fitzgerald (cousin of the bridegroom). * * * A quiet, but very pretty, wedding took place at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral on Tuesday, December 22nd, when Mr. Oswald Beere, well known in law circles a*> being a partner in, the firm of Mentea and Beere, was married to Miss Ethel Whittem, second daughter of Mrs. Whittem, of Wellington Terrace. The bride looked very sweet as she came up the aisle with her brother. She wore a beautiful gown of ivory corded silk, the bodice having an effective draping of embroidered chiffon, and her tulle veil was

caught up with orange blossoms. Miss Whittem. carried a fragrant shower bouquet of white sweet peas and roses. * * • The bridesmaids were three in, number . Miss Alice Whittem (her sister), who wore a forget-me-not blue voile. The skirt was shirred at the hips, and it, with the bodice, was trimmed with a handsome insertion of Paris shade. The Misses Bishop (juvenile cousins of the bride, from Balclutha) made up the trio. They were attired in silk frocks, also of forget-me-not blue. All three had hats of drawn chiffon to matcn their frocks, simply trimmed with long sprays of forget-me-nots. They carried bouquets of pink sweet peas, which, with quaint pearl brooches formed the bridegroom's presents. Mr. Rawdon Beere was his brother's best man, and Mr. 0. Bendall was groomsman. *■ - * * Mrs. Whittem wore a handsome gown ot black spotted silk voile. The bodice had a vest of ivory silk and lace. She also wore a toque of black and white tulle, and carried a bouquet of mau« sweet peas. Mrs. Beeres gown was of. grey tucked silk, with which was worn a stole end, guipure lace collar, and a French bonnet of black, with rose pink rosettes. A bouquet of roses was carried. Miss Esteile Beere had on a very smart frock of champaene voile. The skirt was made with a hip yoke and circular French tucks, which were finished in front with quaint silk pom-poms. The Russian jacket was also finished in a like manner. Miss Beeres hat was of Tuscan straw , v ith large pale blue soft ribbon bow , and tiny roses under the brim. * * * Mrs. Leigh ton looked well in cream voile, and a black picture hat. Mrs. Vyn Beere, a recent bride, wore one of her trousseau frocks, a pretty cream canvas cloth and a large black hat. Miss Bendall was very much admired in a white shirred muslin, and a picture hat. The Misses Thane had gowns of shell pink silk, and burnt-straw hatsi with pink tulle rosettes. * * * After the reception, which was held at Mrs. Whittem's house on the Terrace, the bride and bridegroom left for Rotcrua, where the honeymoon is being spent. The "going away" dress was of grey pastel voile. The skirt was shirred, and the bolero jacket trimmed with a handsome guipure lace. A black chiffon Victorian hat, with tiny blue roses, completed a most becomino- costume.

Mrs. and Miss Edwards left for Auckland by the Westralia last week. The wedding of Miss Berta Edwards to Mr. Laxton Lomey, of Sydney, is fixed for February next. * * * Mr. Charlie Skerrett and Mr. R. Turnbull leave to-morrow for Sydney, where they join the Himalaya for England. * * * At St. Peter's Church, Wellington, on Wednesday afternoon last week, Mr. W. G. Somerville. solicitor, was married to Miss Lydia Eloise Hare. The bride, who was given away by her father Mr. W. M. Hare, was attired in a lovely gown of white duchesse satin, with an overdress of chiffon and lace and a full court train. She also had a wreath of orange blossoms and a veil, and carried a lovely white shower bouquet. * * * The bride w as attended bv four bridesmaids, namely Miss Adeline Hare (sister of the bride), who was dressed in white silk, and wore a Victorian bonnet trimmed with white chiffon and pink roses, and carried a shower bouquet of pink roses; Miss Dorothy Hare and Maud Somerville (nieces of the bride and bridegroom), who were both dressed in whitei silk and Victorian bonnets ; and Miss Phyllis Howard (niece of the bride), who had on a lovely Empire dress of white silk and chiffon, and a Victorian' bonnet of similar material. The three latter bridesmaids were little dots, from three to ten years of age, and carried shepherd's crooks. * • * The bridegroom's gift to the bride was ? diamond and opal ring and a gold neck lace with a pendant of pearls, and the bridesmaids were each presented with gold chain necklaces with heart pendants. The Rev. G. P. Davys conducted the ceremony, and Mr. H. H. Seed acted as best man, and Mr. F. C Edwards as groomsman. The bride's goingaway dress was of turquoise blue voile, trimmed with lace insertion, with a black picture hat to match. Iha honeymoon is to be spent in Christchurch. * * # A large number of relatives «'<nd friends were Dresent, and the married couple were the recipients of many presents, including one from the principals and staff of Messrs. Morison and Loughnan in whose office Mr. Somervillo had been for many years. The bride's gown was designed and made by Miss Watson, of the staff of Kirkcaldie and Stains.

A wedding which attracted considerable interest was solemnised at the Sacred Heart Church, Wellington, on Boxing Day, when Robert Walter Gordon Collins (eldest son of Colonel Collins) was married to Miss Olive Mary Beck, daughter of the late Mr. Richard Beck, of Kamen. The ceremony was performed by the Very Rev. Father Lewis, Administrator, assisted by the Rev. Father Kimbell, of Te Aro. The bride, who is gracefully tall and fair was given, away bv her brother, Mr. W. Beok, and wore a handsome gown, of ivory satin, with full court train. The bodice was prettily arranged with a berthe of Limericu lace, an accordeonpleated chiffon yoke, graceful hanging sleeves with chifton under sleeves, and finished with sprays of orange blossoms. The skirt and long train were trimmed with vandyked chiffon flounces, edged with bebe ribbon. Her tulle veil was fastened with a coronet of orange blossoms. She also wore a beautiful pearl and sapphire and ruby spray, the gift of the bridegroom, and carried a lovely shower bouquet of white flowers and maidenhair fern. * * * She was attended! by three bridesmaids : Miss Winnie Richardson (chief), who was dressed in cream voile, trimmed with lace, and a stylish hat to match, and wore a handsome pearl and turquoise pendant, a present from the bridegroom. A beautiful bouquet completed the toilet. The two younger bridesmaids, Miss Eveline Collins (sister oi the bridegroom) and Miss Vera Snowball, of New Plymouth (cousin of the bridegroom), wore cream voile dresses, trimmed with lace and insertion, and eau de nil sashes, with large white chiffon hats. Each little girl also wore a beautiful gold band bangle with the initials of the bride and bridegroom embossed thereon, the gifts of thebridegioom. Each bridesmaid carried a beautiful bouquet of gold chrysanthemums and autumn leaves. Mr. F. C. Hjorring was best man, and Mr. Reg. Y. Collins, of Wanganui (brother of the bridegroom), was groomsman. # * * After the ceremony, the guests T\ere received at the residence of Colonel Collins, where the health of the newly-mar-ried couple was proposed bv the Right Hon. the Premier. Mr. Seddon referred in kindly terms to the esteem in which the young couole were held by a very large circle of friends, and concluded by wishing them many years of happiness together. Over a hundred beautiful presents were received, many coming from the Wst Coast, where the bride's family are well known. * * * Mrs. Collins, mother of the bridegroom, received in a very handsome black broche, trimmed with white lace, and wore a most becoming hat. Miss Collins wore a charming dress of cream voile, richly trimmed with guipure lace and chiffon, and a stylish black hat. Mrs. Beck, the mother of the bride, was gowned in a rich black satin, and black

and mauve hat trimmed with lace. Mrs. Seddon's gown was a striking black and white silk foulard, and she also wore a black hat with lovely feathers. Miss Seddon was in cream silk voile, and blue picture hat, and Miss May Seddon wore <i sapphire blue voile, and smart darkblue hat. Mrs. Richard Beck (Lyttelton) wore a black tailor-made, and a, white hat. •» , * * A much-admired dress was woin by Miss Gallagher (Grey tow a North). It was of cream silk, beautifully shirred, and trimmed with bebe ribbon, and a handsome lace of quaint grape and vineleaf pattern • a sash of old gold and blue, and a French hat to match. Miss Grace Mills wore pale blue voile, and a hat of the same shade. Mi*s Sr»ragg had on a cream serge coat and skirt, and a blue hat with deep red roses. ♦ * * The happy couple left by the afternoon tram for the Wanganui district, where they propose to spend their honeymoon The gomg-away dress of the bride was a sma.rt tailor-made costume of slate-gray cloth with deep white silk collar, and hat to match. It may be worthy of remark here that Mr. Collins served in South Africa as lieutenant in the Fourth New Zealand Contingent, and was severely wounded m the left forearm at Ottoshoop. The injury was such j>,s to prevent him taking up the Imperial commission granted to him in the Oxfordshire Light Infantry. He is, however, still an Imperial officer, His Majesty the Kmgr having granted him a commission in his "Reserves of Officers," in recognition of his services in South Africa. On their return from their honeymoon, Mr. and Mrs. Collins will take up their residence at their new house, "Ottoshoop," Nct town. ♦ * * Two engagements announced lately are thosei of Mks Sheila Howley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Howley, Timaru to Mr. Val Hitchings, of Levin and Miss Keiller, Rang;tikei, to Dr. Watson, of Bulls. ». • • • The enpaeenient is also announced of Mr. Alec Young, Wellington, to Miss Kitty Lennox, of Auckland. ♦ * # Archdeacon Fan court and Miss Fancourt leave for England on January 7th. They will travel via Suez, and expect to be away almost a year. Mr. W. Fancourt is still pursuuicr his studies at Caius College, Cambridge, and has been successful in passing the divinity examinations for which he sat. ♦ * * Mrs. Raloh Fitzherb'ert and her sister. Miss Kennedy (Marton), are on a visit to their relations here. ♦ # # Mrs. Cecil Kebbell, who stayed for a few days in Wellington, after her return from England left for the country on Tuesday last.

Miss Ethel Ringwood is undergoing training as a nurse at the famous Royal Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich. * * * Mis. H. Hey wood (Pahiatua) is visiting her mother (Mrs. Lee) at the Hutt. * • Miss M. Seed is on a visib to her sister Mrs. Bowen, Napier. * * » Amongst the players at the Napier tennis tournament are • The Misses Ward -(Brougham Hill, Mrs. Frank Grady Mrs. Marchbanks and Miss Gore, the two latter staying with Mrs. Balfour; Mrs. Batham, Avho is the guest of Mrs. Bull , Miss Ross, Messrs. H. M. Gore, Sloman Laishley, F. Grady, R. Beere, Parker, Adams, and Cachemaille. * ♦ * Mr. and Mrs. Robert Levin and Mr. W. Levin spent the Christmas holidays at Masterton. * * * Mrs. Sainsbury and Mrs. D. Sainsbury (Napier) have returned from a trip t-> England.