Special Gossip

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 254, 13 May 1905, Page 8

Special Gossip

By Christabel.

PRETTY Peggy," at the Opera Houwe, has been witnessed by large audiences during the week. Miss Stewart is very fascinating .as Peg Woffington, and makes .hei first entry riding on a pony dressed as an Irish peasant in a bright red skirt, bhort mu&hn bodice, and emerald gieen coat, with poppies wreathed in her hair. In London, hex frocking is more elaborate and we see Peg in a splendid gown of white, brocade and roses, opening over a frilly underskut of wlute lace, vuth a wonderful belt of gems. Most beautiful of all is the wedding gown of white bioradte, with the design entirely outlined in silver thread. It was a dieam. * * * Mrs. M-aesmare Morris, as Mrs. Bellamy another celebrated actiebs of the time, also wore some lovely frockb, notably a gown of sky blue brocade, with a full tram, which was cleverly managed, and I Alter xn. a charming gown of rose brocade looped' with roses. * # * In the audience I noticed . Mrs. Buchanan, Mrs. and Miss MacTavish, Mist* Williams, Miss Fraser, Misb Grace, Mlss Chnstane Smith Miss Moya Fitageiald the Misses Stuart, Mrs. MacEwan, Mrs Abbott, the Misses Fell, Mlss Waldegrave, Mrs. and Miss Holm wood, and Mis. Fortescue Wright. * # * ''CamilLe," at the Opera House, was very tearful. A brighter feature was tdie dressing. £300 fan it one of Miss Nellie Stewarts gowns cost? One misht well believe it. The most lovely creation was of pure white satin, veiled with some delicate fabric winch was richK embroidered with silver and gems and ropes of pearK, until it olung heiviiv Over the back of the beauti-fully-cut cor-agp huna; a cape of white

gauze, wluch dimply gleamed with salver sequins and! jewels Chaimmg was a house frock of white chiffon, edged with mauve, with deep corselet belt, in, whidh wete tucked 1 some Rm&vian violets. Anothei Tvhute | satin dievs was also lovely, and the ; flounces of lace were headed w ith whute camel lias and their foliage. A goiwn of foamy aluffom was 1 covered with a complete full length coat of heavy lace, which looked most graceful. Camalle's miaid looked very dainty m a black gown with da.mtv white frilled muslin apion and ouffis, and large black velvet bow in her ha,ir. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward have returned fiom Svdiney On their arrival tfliev were met by a great majiv of their friends, who warmly welcomed them back to New Zealand. They were at the Opera House on Saturday night. Invitation 1 - are out for the Convent Old Girls' dance which com pis off o-n Friday. June 2nd * • * The members of the Star Boating Club havei invited a large number of guests to be niresent at a oonversazio'ie at the Svdney-sti eet Hall on Tuesday, May 23rd, when the pnzes won during last seasom aa~e to be presented. * * * Everyone is pleased to heai that there is to bei a 1 ace ball at the time of the winter meeting It is to be held in the Town Hall. The Garrison Officers' ball will come oft somewhere about July. Piobablv that a,lso wdl be held in the Town Hall, and is sure to be one of the most popular of the season * * * Would you be "smart" ? Then di&oard for street wea.r your pretty high, heeled, pointed shoes, and don the ordinary leather boot with welted soles and firm muhtary heel. Of course foi evening and house wear the high heels are as high as ever, and have you noticed how becoming are the black velvet evening shoes, especially those with the tiny steeJ point's adorning them ? * # # You will all remember pretty Miss Olga Beatty-Kmgtefton, lound' herewith "Are You a Mason" Company, and will, no doubt be interested to i cad that =ihe has recently been mamed, accomplishunic bv the way, something of a record in short engagement®. An Australian correr-pondeint says — "In Western A»tralia a certain gentleman fell violently

jiii lovo with Must* Kingston, and when she left for England he followed her tlbere. Soon after hits arrival m the Old Country he gave a dinner party and dance at fcha Savoy to a number of guests, including Miss- Kingston. * * * "That mght, winch was a Friday, he proposed to her, and was accepted 1 . The next day he took heir down to his people to introduce her to them. Sumday Mis.s Kingston entertained the aforesaid lelatives. Monday she spent in buying her trousseau.' Tuesday they were married, and on Wednesday they mailed' for New York. That, I think, is about the shortest engagement I ha,ve heard of." * * * The latest fashion for veils in Paris us for those of coloured gauze or chiiffon, in either rose, emerald green or blue These are shaded fiom deep to pale colours, or instance, the \ ose pink one deepens to crimson, or the biscuit to dark brown. They are worn either thrown back over the hat or down loosely over the face, and in oentam shades are veiy becoming. Moist of t!he milhnerv eistaibhshments. here have these veils now in -stock, but so fair few have ventured to wear them. * * * General Ba.bin.gton and Capt. Campbell weie the guests of Mrs Dan Riddiford for the opening: meet of the Rangitiken houmds. The run — a very successful one — took place at "Clydesdale " the piopertv of Mr. Tom McKenzie. * • • Mrs. Travers is visiting friends a.t Nelson. * * ♦ The engagement is announced of Miss Kathleen INeill, third daughter of Mr. P. C. Nell, "Cnnigford," Dunedin to Mr. Bertie Fenwick, of Dunedin, youngest wn of the late Mr. Charles Fenwick, of Christchurch. * * * M'«s Violet Powell, who has' been vj sit ing Wellington fnendis .has returned to Westport. * * * Mrs. Cutfield (Wanganiu) is in Wellington an a short visit. * * +■ Muss Coleridge has returned from Dunedan, where she has been visiting friends. *■ *■ * Miss Cora Lee who has resigned fiom the nursing; staff of the Nelson Hospital is now residing with her sister at the Hutt.

Mrs. C. Izard has bean visaiting friends at Wanganui having gone up to be present at the marriage of Mr. Ernest Izard 1 and Miss Sybil Montgomeiie. * ¥■ * One is always quite sure of a pleasant evening when a performance is given by the pupiLs. of St. Mary's Convent, and the concert given by them at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening was quite up to their usual standaid of excellence. There were some splendid voices amongst the girls, and they aJI gave evidence of the excellent training tihey aie receiving at the Convent. * * » Chief interest centred m the singing of Mihs Macintosh, who was last year's gold medallist. Oil each occasion she won enthusiastic encores. Her first song was Merradante's soena, "Ah. s'estmto " given with dramatic expression, and "To the, Angels" with organ and 'cello oblicjato Thus was splendidly suns; with great expression. The encore numbeirs included! "To Stay at Home is Best" and "Home, Sweet Home. The singer received two love ly bouquet?. * * « Miss Buckburst oossesses a very sympathetic soprano voice of good quality and even production. Her first song v,m, perhaps, the more attractive, "Hush, Little One," sung very sweetly and with taste. In the soana "Roberto tv che adoro " this singer was quite equal to the demands for dramatic power, and scored another success. Her . encore songs were "The Low CJountree/' sung with much arohness and "The Last Rose of Summer." Miss Daly's voice is sweet and flexible, and most sympathetic in quality. Her rendering of "The Swallows" was. encored, and later Miss Daly was again heard to advantage in a bright and dainty song by Wekerlin. Miss Rita Rabone has a powerful soprano voice, wh eh has been well produced. Her singing of "Bel ragigao" proved" that it was 1 flexible, and' 'her enunciationi — <a pleasing feature of all the Convent pupils — was excellent. A trio, "Aye Mana," sung by Misses Buckfrurst, Evans, and' Macintosh, was an enjoyable item, and the oh or us from one of Waginer's operas was gaven with, much verve, and worn a well-deserved encore. * • * The accompaniments were sympathetacallv played bv Mi^s Campion, who a'so contributed a Liszt solo. Miss Moran assisted the pupils, pilaying with great success, ' Souvenir de Hay-

dn, ' which demands not a little from the peiformer. An empluatao leeall brought torth the delightful "Saitaielle" (Papmi), which Miss Moran gave with much spirit. The hall wa& well filled, and the audience most enthusiastic in praise of the woi k of the Sisters of St. Maiy's Convent. * * * Madame Nita Steele has sufficienth recovered from her recent accident to be able to resume her elocution clasps. Although very busy, Madame Steele has still a few vacancies for pupak, who could arrange the time to suit thembelveb'. Madame hopes to give aai elocutional y recitaJ e'er long. The last ole given, by invitation, was a very gieat success, and w<is much enjoyed by the priests. * * "* An original aijd veiy excellent met bed of enterta ninor ] ia ,^ been introduced b\ a Wellington hostess, who invited a number of guests with the 1 equest that each one should in some way c itertain the other guevts. The result was a delightfully pleasant evening. Every hostess knows how often guests are selfish. They can but will not assist in entertaining c o a few invitations on the new principle would, no doubt, hav# excellent effect. A «otlq: o performance of any description, however simple, has quite double the charm when, given read'lv bmehtly and pleasanitly. • • * Theatre parties have been a popular method of entertaining. On Wedinie?^ day Mr. Grace was host, and' the play "Pretty Peg^ " was very much enjoyed. The guests were Misses B^am - d.on. Miss Hiislop Mists Waldesrrnveu Messrs. Sclanders, Myln^, and HigpTinsoTi. ♦ ♦ • The nookeiry book which is beine; compjled for the Home for Incurables should find read.v buyers, for the recipes are very good miainy ouite o'"iginal. nnd all are tried. # * • Quaint are the savings of cMdren A diaintv three-year-old daughter of one of Wellinorton's most erotihuNiiastic bridge players caused a smile one afternoon. The ehnldi had 1 often neßtled at her mother's side during am afternoon game of bridere, and 'had become nuite familiar with the names of the cardis, and so it happened that when a. probable trip to Enerland' was discussed 1 the father turned and said- "And then, Alice, you wi.ll see thie Kinor andi the Queen." Prom^tlv oame the answer "And. daddy, won't I see the ace too?" ♦ * * The first of Miss 1 Borlase's assemblies took place on Wednesday evening, at the Sydney-street Hall, a-nd, despite the fact that most of the guests had been dancing all the previous night, it went off very brightly and was much enjoyed. The guests were received 1 by Miss Borlase, who wore a black siilk gown. The ohaperones weie Mrs. Fulton, Mm. Tregear, Mrs. Bridge and Mrs. Buoholz. Amongst the dancers I noticed • Misses Tregear, Fulton, Lambert, Bulkley, Moreoroft, Bor-

ldse, RawteOii, Spiag-- Biewer, and Stuaxt. ihe second popular concert a,i ranged by the. Wellington. Piano Company Jjfc- to be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, May 24th, and a, uowded Jiall should greet the performers. It is not veiy often that one can enjoy such a musical treat as this will be for the small sum of one shilling. One of the principal attractions will be the violin playing of Master Victor Hams, who, although quite a, ehald, has already been to England and. won sevelal excellent scholarships (which lie will take advantage of later on) and competitions. His taUent is remarkably de>veloped f orchis age, and his playing is delightful t*o hstein to. An other attraction will be the singing of Mrs 1 . Gower Burns, of Christohureh Those w ho have heard Mrs. Burns' sweet and sympathetic voice will not miss the opportunity of again hearing her, and it is piobable that Mr. Fia,nk Graham, so popular in Wellington, will agaun be heard. * * * Many people '.a ill be interested in the engagement, lUbt announced, of Miss Jessie McLean, the only unmarnad daughter of Mr. Donald McLean, of Melbourne, to Dr. William Craig, of Rotoirua. Mr McLean and his daughter shortly return to Melbourne, after a long sojourn at Roto, ua, where they have been starving for the benefit of Mr. McLeans health. » • * A very pretty and attractive wedding toiok place at St. Maik's Church on Tuesday, 25th ult., when Mies Mabel Helen Moore, third daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Moore, wasi married to Mr. Ernest P. Andrews, eldest son of Mr. H. And lews Oriental Bay. The ceremony was perfoimed by the Rev. R Ooffey, M.A. The bride, who was given away by her brother-m-law (Mr. Ernesifc Beckwav) looked 1 very winsome attired m cream crepe-de-ohine, nicely trimmed with embroidered' and niched chiffon, and sprays of orange blossoms. She wore the usual wreiath aaid veil, and carried a shower bouquet * • • Miss R. Moore and Miss B. Andrews, with the Misses E. and V Moore, were the chief bridesmaids. They wore pretty cieam crepoline' dresses, trimmed with silk ruclungs and. lace, and orim/soii belts and had on oreaim beaver hats. They carried shower bouquets of autumn leaves and berries, with oiimson flowers and streamers. Other bridesmaids were the little Misses Andrews (Gertie and' Muriel), wiho wore dainty frocks of InrJjani lawn trimmed with lace and insertion, with white satin sashes and silk Victorian bonnets. Tfhey each carried a pretty basket of autumn leaves and flowers, with' crimson ribbons. Mr. Arthur Andrews (brother of the ondpgroom) was best man, and Mr. Ernest Card groomsman. * * * The service was fully choral, I|h© bride and bridegroom being: members of St. Mark's choir. Mr. Lawrence F. Watkms, Mus. Bac , played the "Wedding March." The Easter decorations

leitt up for the occasion, looked very pietty. The honeymoon was spent at Wanganui. The bride's gomg-away dress was blue crepolme, trimmed with white satm, with hat to match Mrs Moore (mother or the bride) wore black Jbouasane silk, trimmed with black chiffon over maize sl Jk, and wore a black bonnet with white ospreys and touch or nia.ze. Mrs. Andrews (mother of the bridegroom) was dressed in, black merveilleux silk, with black lace over white satin, and wore a black chemlle to^ie, trimmed with black chiffon ajid leather. * * * Tiie bridegroom's prtbent to the bride was « gold pendant, set with pearls and tuiquoise The bridesmaid's (who were sisters of the bride and bridegroom) also received presents, and there were numerous, wedding pre enfe. A wedding breakfast was held vm the Victoria -tldll also, a very enjoyable evening paity. a * * * A well-known Wellington society dam* had a tr p to the Hot Lakes dror111" Jlrfister. And at afternoon tea she gaily tells how she laised a hearty laugh against herself. It wa* when a D*rty of visitors were at Waimangu. Ine guide was showing them a roaring steam hole near the Devil's Frying-pan Suddenly the wind earned the volume of steam a little to one Side. "Now Ladies, please hurry up whilst the steam is out of the way I" said the puidle. It was too much for the lady from Wellrwrton. "Oh, I can't," she screamed, 'I can t pos-sibly go through there . I'll ero back the other way'" She thought the guide wanted them to enter the steam hole for the purpose of exploration. * • « An engagement is announced between A. Bernard Rapke, eldest sont of Mr. N Rapke, Flinders-street, Melbourne, and Julia third daughter of Mr Ralph Levoi, J.P , superintendent New Zealand Accident Insurance Company. Mr and Mr 1 ?. Levoi and family weire residents of Wellington until some two years asco. and now live at "Shelfofrd," The Avenue Windsor, Melbourne. * * * Mr. Richard Arnold 1 (clerk of the Arsemblv") and Mr«. Arnold have returned to Sydney. having had, a holiday in New Zealand. They were delighted with fcheiir tour, and thoroughly enjoyed the time spent here. * * * The wedding ' Miss Noni Rickards. d'augibtipii of Mr Harry Rnokards with Mr. Maas. was celebrated 1 auite recently at Sydney, and attracted a very Iq.rnre crowd, of curious onlookers, who behaved very much in the same way as some of the Wellington onlookers do at ponular weddings here. On this occasion, however, they were fldmonMiied bv the cleiroryman who, with uplifted hand,s, requested them to stand 1 off the seats, and remetmbeir where they were. ¥■ * * TJus. 16. realiy to be a season of brownis. I am told that brown, velvet and chiffon, will be largely used m millinery, and already brown is the favourite colour for frocks. Very serviceable you will find the felt hats, especially the hairy kind, trimmed! simply with ribbon choux and a, quill.