Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 215, 13 August 1904, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

HEARTLESS man had the bad taste to joke about the earthquake. One of him circulated among some lady friends, and averred, with gloomy physiognomy, that No. 2 shake would eventuate at 12.15. Indeed, t was current gossip in town that the seismic authorities had ananged for a further dose of the uncanny visitation. On receipt of the assertion of the joker refeired to, the ladies passed the word Sundthat the safest place for people was the Brougham Hill Tennis Ground From 11.45 until 1 o'clock women in regiments, and infants in battalions, gloomed on the tennis court, waiting for the shiver, the rattle and the rooking of No. 2. That it didn't com is a cause for congratulation. f" c credulity of people is simply astonishing How anybody can predict earthquakes, or believe in the prediction, beats me. * * Seeing that men are brave, and women are not, it astonishes me to hear that, when the preliminary quiver happened, a man engaged in the lower Storey of the Government Printing Office made a bold bid for safety. He rushed the nearest window w«n a hammer, broke it open, threw the weapon out, .dived out among the broken .glass, and hit out for home and mother. I sincerely trust mother calmed ni= fears. Or, perhaps, he was going home to impart needed courage to the ladies • • • Football is the general topic of conversation everywhere, and at all times. Even we women, who have only the vaguest notion of what a "force-down or "throw-in" may mean, are looking forward with great pleasure to the big match, which cannot fail to be exciting. The influx of visitors will be tremendous, and Wellington will probably be as

crowded as at the time of the Duke s visit. Dunng their stay here the Biitisb team is to be entertained by His Excellency the Governor, whilst tluee of the footballers will be guests at Government House. * * * Miss Dransfield, who lias been visiting her cousins here, has. letuined to Melbourne. # # The Hon. R., Mrs. and Miss Arkwright, Overtoil, Mai ton, have oome to town for a month or two, and have taken Mi W. R. E. Brown's residence, in Tmakon-road. The Kaka Minstrels' delightful little entertainment and dance, given at the Sydney-stieet schoohoom last week, was greatly enjoyed by all the guests. Although the night was decidedly wintiy and wet, everyone arrived. The deem artions were very pretty. Until ID o'clock theie was an entertainment by the Minstrels, every number being splendid. A novelty was introduced into the programme of dances, the "Ribbon Lancers," which were voted gieat fun. The supper, provided by the ladaes, was veiy delicious. The "Kakas" were at one time very popular hosts, but have been lost to sight for the tost few years All their friends are pleased to know that like the "Stars," they were not dead, only sleeping. * * * The bazaai in aid of St. Mary's Home, held in the Sydney-street hall durmg last week, was a pronounced success. On Thursday afternoon, Lady Plunket, attended by Captain Braithwaite, was present, and declared the bazaar open. With her were her little daughters , also the Hon. Kathleen Plunket and Miss Aird. * * * The bazaar was an exceedingly attractive one, so many of the pretty articles on the stalls being uncommon, notably the lovely pottery fiom Liberty's, which sold like "hot cakes." Also, there was a wonderful display of cushions, which found ready buyers. The "sweets were really works of art, and many were quite too pretty to eat. One clever srirl had fashioned her tempting morsels like arum lilies and other flowers, and quite deserved the prize allotted 1 to her. * * * The dolls, too, dressed for the competition, were very beautifully clothed, and were, without doubt, the centie of attraction for the many little children who visited the bazaar In the even-

ing there was dancing, and Mrs. Jai ley's waxwoiks. Tliese were very funny, and capitally arranged. "TWeedledum and Tweedle-dee" were especially amusing. Captain Hughes as "Miss Jarley" scored a big success, and wore a white muslin diess. Altogether over £400 was taken during the thiee days. * * ♦ Lady Plunket at the opening ceremony wore a dark gown, white furs, and large white beaver hat. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket was rn> blue, with fuis, and pretty black hat. The stallholders woie dainty muslin aprons and mob caps, the coloured bow in which vaued for each stall Amongst the stall-holders were Mesdames Walhs, Samuel, Finch, Mouson, Pollen, Hursthouise, Richmond, and Stealey, and Misses Williams, Hai court, Seddon, Pollen, Powles, Coates, Lockie, Turner, sn& Duncan. * * * The marriage of Miss Blanche Mills and Mr. Vivian Donald 1 is to take place on Saturday, August 27th. Mis Chapman and Miss Vera Chapman have leturned to Dunedm, after an enjoyable stay in Wellington, duimg whicih Miss Chapman made her debut. Mrs. Milhgan gave a most enjoyable euchie party and dance last Friday evening. The house was piettily decorated, and +he laige hall, festooned with greenery and lighted with Chinese lanterns, was ai ranged for grogressive euchre. Later, it was cleaied for dancing. The prizes weie won by Miss Sime (silver scent bottle), Mrs. Corrigan, and Messrs. Hay wood and Woods-. The supper-table decorations were particularly pretty, festoons of smilax being trailed from the gasaher to each corner of the table, and this greenery was also interspersed among the silver candelabra and bowls of daffodils. After euchre, the>re was some excellent music, and later dancing was enjoyed. At supper, the health of the host a.nd hostess was enthusiastically toasted. * * * The engagement is announced of Mr. Murray M. Gardiner, of the Royal N.Z. Artillery, third son of Mr. Mainland Gardiner, of Dunedin, to Miss Christaan S. Forsyth, youngest daughter of Mr James Forsyth, of St. Olaor, Dunedm. * *■ * Mr. Fosberry Nancarrow's many Wellington friends will be pleased! to read 1 of his engagement to Miss Violet Campbell, daughter of Mrs. Michael Campbell, Avondale, Christ church .

Mr. and Mis. W. F. Oameron gave a delightful euchre party and musical evening at tiliedr pretty residence, "Lochiei," Khandallah, last Friday. It was arranged, I believe, in honour of the guests, Miss Ross (of Diinedin) and Miss Oameron (of Melbourne) who are just now visiting Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. "Lochiei" is so well adapted for entertaining, and) on this occasion the drawing-room and dining-room were thrown mto one. Heie fourteen tables were arranged for progressive euchre, which game was played with great spuit until 10.30 The winners were. Miss Fleming, Miss Cuff, and Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson. * • « A very dainty supper was laid in the dining-room, the table being decorated with choice 'pimg flowers. After supper, there was some enjoyable music, and! a very amusing little play, entitled "The Calioo Ball," was performed by Mesdames Cameroui and Stafford, the Misses Cameron, and Messrs. Peicival, Ferguson, and Spicer, all of whom were excellent, and' contributed greatly towardis the evening's enjoyment. The "wee sma' hoors" had ai rived ere the guests said good-bye to their hospitable host and hostess. * * * Mrs. Robert Loughnan has returned from Palmerston North. * • • The Wellington Harbour Board officials scored a big success with their annual ball. Very striking were the decorations. The Druids' Hall looked leally pretty with festoons of bunting, etc., the Harbour Board's house flag, with its pretty ciest and motto, "Firme dum Fide," occupying the posit of honour over the stage. The colours of the Board — blue and white — predominated with charming effect. The committee also wore rosettes of the same colour. A noteworthy feature of the programme' was that many "squares" were danced, the D' Alberts especially being voted great fun. The excellent music, by Miss Hawthorne's string orchestra, was freely commented upon, whilst the suppei, by Mr. Mawson, was perfect. Mr. F. Robinson was the horn, secretary, and had with him Messrs. Hogarth, Ahem, "Waters, Gibbs, Furness, and Gifford, who are to be congratulated on the success achieved. The ball was so much enjoyed that the ladies have decided to give the officials a return ball at the end of the present month. This, I think, is paying the committee a big compliment, and they richly deserve it, so assiduous were they in their verymany onerous duties.

Dr. and Mis. Batchelor have returned to Dunedin.

A Wellington girl writes me from England that, wlulst up at London, she met orowds of New Zealanders, amongst whom were Mr. Charlie Skeirett, who looked very dapper in frook ooat and tall bat ; Mr. and Miss Simpson, who had had a delightful time in America , Mrs. Stuart and her daughter Millie, who had come over from Afnca, Mr. S. Harcourt, and Dr and Mrs. Anson It must have been a gi eat pleasure to meet so many Wellington people during a short visit to the great metropolis.

The attention of our readeis is directed to an illustrated advertisement appearing in another column of this issue, relating to "Goldien Eagle" tobacco. The election of a City Councillor takes place on Monday next, and notices from two of the candidates appeal elsewhere Mr. Folk Cohen, is a forty years' resident of Wellington, and knows its history and civic requirements He has a large following or people who know him to be a keen business man, and an apostle of refoim. Mr. Loudon, the well - known land agent, has told the people very fully what he intends to do m the event of his election. He is for more light and "no blunders," and is also strongly supported. Owing to the very large number or passengers who will be travelling to see the match Britain v. New Zealand 1 on Satuiday, the Wellington, and Manawatu Railway Company have altered their proposed train service, and an extra is being run from Palmeiston and back. This tram will convey Palmerston passengers only. The train leaves Palmerston at 7.30 a.m., and will arrive at Wellington at 11.45 a.m. The return train will depart fiom Wellington at 8.45 p.m., arriving in Palmerston shortly after midnight.