Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 216, 20 August 1904, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

WHO of us imagined for one moment that we could get so excited about a football match. Earthquakes, bazaars, everything m fact, faded into oblivion when the great day drew near. Of course, we were as delighted as our brothers with the success of our boys. It is interesting to note how many English people now resident in these islands felt at the supreme moment, that their sympathies were entirely with the team of their adopted land. * *■ * The Britishers have become very popular during their tour, and freely express their enjoyment of tlie trip and of the great hospitality shown them by the New Zealanders. On Fudav last, Mrs. Hales entertained the British team at afternoon tea, with a number of Wellington ladies to meet them. All the guests spent a most enjoyable afternoon. Mrs. Halee's pretty garden is looking beautiful, with all the spring bulbs and flowers in full bloom, and several smal l tables were arranged on the wide verandah, from which the view of the harbour was much enjoyed. * » • In the dining-room, tea was dispensed also, and there was some enjoyable music in the pretty flowerdecked drawing-room. Two of the Britishers sang very pleasantly. Mrs. Hales's sons have so associated their names with the game of Rugby that it seemed quite natural and appropriate for us to meet the distinguished visitors at her house. * * * Our hostess wore a handsome srown of white and black brocade. Hei niece. Miss Higgie, wore a pretty green silk blouse and black skirt. Amongst the

guests were. Mrs. Fitchett, Mi&. J. P Firth, Mxs. Galbraith, Miss Seddcm, the Misses Staff oid, Miss Williams (England), and Miss Fraser (Dunedm). Mrs. Crawford, who was formerly established in Wellington as a painter of miniatures, has recently leturned from Australia, and, with chaiacteristic energy, has enteied into the life assurance business. She has accepted an engagement to tiavel m the interests of an influential colonial company. # * * While in Australia, Mrs. Crawfords talent in miniature porti aits was speedily recognised, and she received numerous commissions from political and bocial magnates on the other side. Among her patrons were . Lady Bray, of Adelaide, Lady Stone, of Perth, and Mr. H. E. Morgans, the Westrahan milhonaue, Her life studies for some time to come will be in the insuiance line, and I have no doubt she will make as great a success of them a® of her miniatures. * * • By the last 'Frisco mail, Mrs. GloverEaton received the pleasant news that the crew winning the four-oar race for the Wyford Cup, at the Henley Regatta, was stroked by one of her sons. A great many New Zealanders were pi esent at Henley this year, and the regatta was most successful. * * * Many will regret to hear of Lady Moreland's death, which took place recently at Bath, England, where she had been residing for some time. Lady Moreland was one of the talented daughters of Madame Carandini, so well-known throughout Australasia. Another daughter, Mrs. Leslie Stokes, is at present in Norfolk. * * • His Excellency the Governor, Lady Plunkiet, and the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, accompanied by Captain Braithwaite and Mr. Waterfield, were present at the football match last Saturday, and 1 watched with gieait interest the exciting game. Lady Plunket wore a very simply-made gown of grey cloth, with folded belt of grey silk, and a black chiffon turban hat with ospiey. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket wore blue cloth, with ermine stole, and pretty hat. The vice-regal party arrived very punctually, and were leceived by Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Campbell Mrs. Campbell woie a sky-blue voile gown, caracul coat, and small black hat, relieved with gold.

Miss Ivy Allen (Port Chalmers) ha^> been visiting Lady Atkinson., and in now the guest of Dr. Platts-Mills., Karon. * * * Miss Alyce Holroyd, the clever young elocutionist, has left Wellington with the Woods- Williamson Company, om a tour of New Zealand. She will be away for at least three months, and during that time will play second lead and understudy for Miss Maud Williamson, so will, no doubt, gam a gieat deal of experience. Everyone wishes her good tuck and much success. * * * Mis. Seddon was handsomely gowned in black. Miss Seddon wore blue, and a large blue hat. Miss May Seddon had on a cream cloth costume, and blue hat, Mrs. C. H. Mills, in black voile handsome coat, and pretty white and black toque. Miss Pitt was in a grey gown, and black hat. Others pi esent wei c . Mrs. MoArthur, Mrs. Hamer, Mrs. Galbraith, Mrs. Tringham, the Misses Mills, and Mrs Pearce. Everyone, in fact, who could possibly go to the Park was present. * * * On Friday night, the members of the British and 1 New Zealand teams were entertained by His Excellency the Governor at a very pleasant smoke concert. The guests were received in the ballroom by the Governor and Lady Plunket, and, after "lighting up," they enjoyed very much the musical programme arianged. Songs were sung by Mrs. Glover-Eaton and Miss Gwen Flanagan, and also by several of the guests. Light refreshments were served 1 during the evening. Lady Plunket's black lace gown was relieved with diamonds. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket wore a pretty pink mousseline-de-soie. Mrs. Glover-Eaton wore black, relieved with sequins, and Miss Flanagan was in blue silk. * * • Miss Riddiford's wedding is arranged for Wednesday, August 31st. I hear the bridesmaids, seven" in number, are to be very picturesquely gowned. They will be two younger sisters, the Misses P. and N. Riddiford Miss P. Wilfard, Miss T. Hewitt (Palmerston), Miss F. Brandon, Miss Aileen Riddiford (Hawera), and Miss 0. Fitzgerald. * * # It is a pity that the St. John's Ambulance Bazaar is to follow so shortly after the other, but, in any case, the cause is so excellent a one that no doubt the promoters' — one of the most enthusiastic of whom is Mrs. Rhodes —

will meet with excellent success. The funds are required to support district nurses, who can do such splendid work. Their work lies entirely amongst those people who are too poor to afford' the necessary help. This Society helps .the poor to help themselves, because, you see, they reejeave practical aid just when most needed. * * * It means that a home can bie kept together when a mother is ill, by enabling her to be cared for at home instead! of being compelled to seek hospital tieatment. The nurses go from house to house, attend' to the sick, and put the place in order generally. It is a chants that should appeal to us forcibly, for it reaches that class of people who are too proud to beg when sickness brings dismay and suffering. At present the Society is only able to support one nurse, whose experience during theshort time she has been engaged in this work has more than justified the demand for funds. Indeed, it would make a piteous tale some of the poverty and suffering in this city of ours, anid this is what the St. John's AmbulanceSociety wishes to relieve. The bazaar will be opened by His Excellency the Governor, on August 31st. * * * Mrs. Wilford returned last week from Dunedm. The Licensed Victuallers' annual balL was held at the Draids' Hall on August 12th, and, as usual, scored! a grteat success. The decorations were very pretty, the 1 music good, and the champagne supper excellent, and there werea great many guests. Some lovely gowns were worn, notably a black satin, very richly trimmed with jet. Another lovely dress was of sea-green accordeonpleated chiffon, with medallions of delicate lace. * ♦ • The D Battery, New Zealamdi Regiment of Field Artillery, held their 13th annual ball in the Sydney-street schoolroom, on Thursday, August 11th, the function being a vejy great success. There were about 120 guests. Thehali was tastefully decorated! with bunftig and l swords, interspersed with mirrors and greenery. The stage decorations were most appropriate, for amongst the palms were two very business-like-look-ing Maxim guns, which, I fear, were not on this occasion treated with all the reSDect due to them. In the centre of the stage hung the flag presented to the D Battery. Supper was arranged' in the gymnasium, and here, too, a Maxim

formed a conspicuous featurte of the decorations. The committee received many congratulations upon the great success of this season's ball. • ♦ • Amongst the guests were. Mrs Smith, in. black crepe-de-chme : Mrs. Duncan, black accordeon-pleated chiffon ; Mrs. Fletcher, pink satin , Mrs Skelley, black velvet, Miss Clark, black satin; Miss A. Clark, white muslin . Miss R. Bock, white silk ; Miss P. Bock, yellow muslin, trimmed with white silk; Mrs. Overton, white silk, trimmed with heliotrope passementerie. Miss Corrigan wore blaok silk sequin, with ti immings of lace medallions , Miss Taylor, pink acoordeon-pleated silk ; Miss Brown, dainty white book muslin ; Miss Tresize, white silk, trimmed with scarlet; Miss Charlton, white cream silk; Mi«is Morris, white muslin, trimmed with bebe ribbon , Miss Geoghegan, white satin , Mrs Cimino, black velvet: Miss Cimino, black acoordeonpleated chiffon, and white 1 silk lace. * * * Amongst the gentlemen present were Captains Courtney and Turnbull, Lieutenants Smith, Petherick, Sandle, Menzies, and Comgan, and Messrs. Muiray, Herbert, Stubbs, Overton, Bould, Williams, Fuller! on, and Simeon. * * * A most enjoyable dance was given by a number of young ladies in the New Century Hall last Friday evening, about sixty couples dancing to excellent music contributed by Miss Ranger. The hall was prettily decorated with large ferns, and the supper-room wa*. also moely arranged. The Misses Temperton and Greville acted as secietaries. • * • Some exceedingly pretty dresses v, ci r worn, and amongst the ladies I noticed Mrs. Frost, and the Misses Cohen (Dunedin), Williams, Temperton, Greville (2), Irons, Smith, Pearce, Holroyd, Bowley (2), Morgan, Oram, Randall, Tingey, and Grubb. The chapeiones were Mesdames Pearce, Williams, Ghreville, and Remington, all of whom were handsomely dressed' in. black silk. Messrs G. B. Williams and B. L. Salmon assisted the hostesses. ♦ * * Mis. Pitts gave a most enjoyable euchre party and musical evening last Thursday at her residence, Cambridge Terrace, the occasion being the birthday anniversary of Miss Grace Pitts Some of the guests were Mrs. and the Misses Wiggins, Misses Charlton, Barry, Rawnsley, Mowell, and Messrs Barry, Pitts, Jones, Healey, and CalJan » * * Mr. Maurice Denniston, who was injured whilst skating at the Rink, has almost quite recovered. Miss Dennis-

ton has gone South for the Christchurch races. Others who have gone down are The Misses Sybil Montgomery, Missies F. and L. Brandon, and the Misses Wilson (Rangitikei). * * * At a recent song evening, one of the guests completely baffled even the champion guesser. One would think by now nothing new could be evolved to illustrate a title. On this occasion a little doll was piquantly attired in moss and fern leaves. Simple, certainly, but the efforts to guess what it represented weie all in vain. "Wearing o' the Green" was several times suggested, but no one thought of the correct answer, "With Verduie Clad." Who is the pretty New Zealand girl now in Melbourne on trousseau intent p Fiom all accounts she is arousing much inteiest at the fashionable hotel at which s>he is staying with her mother. An Australian paper says — ''She is so sweet and gracious of manner — a rather unusual trait in a modern athletic girl — that she wins all hearts. There is a good deal of contioversy among the guests of the house as to whether the palm for beauty should be awaided to the 1 dainty New Zealander or to the blonde Melbourne beauty who is also staying there at the present time. Honours are about easy, for one seems toi have as many admirers as the othei ." A pi etty little fad which has been much m vogue in London is the flower hat-pin. Suppose your summei hat be decked with loses, then your pm-head too should represent the queen of flowers, or, if no flowers aie worn, and the trimming is of tender mauve, the pins might be a violet or 01 chid. Fruit has been much worn, but has not much that is pretty to lecommend it. Cherries are both ornamental and durable, but veiy few of us would caie to decorate our hats with, say, 01 anges or apples in natural sizes. * * *■ But, even fruit of any description would be preferable to the tin eat of West End milhneis, who predict that e'er long we shall trim our hats with vegetables ' Even now thei c are distinct signs of the approaching innovation. Some iecent Parisian models had on them olives, acorns, and miniature tomatoes.

On Satuiday next, the 27th instant, the event of the season in the hockey realm of spoit will take place at the Athletic Park. On that date lepresentative teams of the Noith and South Islands will meet in their annual contest, and, judging by the elevens selected, a splendid exposition of the game should result.