Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume IX, Issue 454, 13 March 1909, Page 8

Social Gossip.

By Christabel.

IN the course of a chat with a leading local jeweller only yesterday, he mentioned the very interesting fact that engagements must be very plentiful just now in Wellington. "Why," he said, "I sold three engagement rings over the counter on Monday last, four more on Tuesday, and another four on Wednesday, although it was only a half-day. And some oi these rings," he added, "were rather costly ones, too. In fact, they should lead up to stylish weddings." • • • My exclamation of surprise and keen interest acted as a spur to the good man, and his memory responded. "Do you know," he said, ntith a laugh, "there is one young lady who must be engaged three or four times over, lo my certain] knowledge she has three engagement rings at least just now, so several Johnnies are bound to be disappointed." "Are there many disappointments of this kind?'" I timidly asked, in my dense ignorance of this sort of ringing-in.. "Well, I should Tather think they are pretty common, the jeweller promptly Teplied. "Just twelve months ago a young man came in and bought an expensive engagement ring. As he handed over his cheque and tried the ring on his little fimger, he said to me • 'I hope I'll have some luck this time. T^his is the fourth time I've bought an engagement •ring.' " Well enterprise of that sort certainly deserves some luck. Don't you think so, girls? * • • Miss F. Marohant, from Auckland, is at present the guest of Mrs Henry Blundell, Clifton House. • • » Miss Partridge has gone for a short holiday to ChristchuTch.

Mr. Cyril Bhindell is away spending a pleasant .holiday at Rotorua. In that connection I notice that the people up there have found out that Mr. Blundell possesses a good singing voice, for his name appears among the vocalists at a leoent, conceit in the Sanatorium grounds, and I learn, too. that he won great kudos. * • • The nuptials of Miss Annie Littlejohai (elder daughter of Mr. A. I. Little] ohn) with Dr. James B. MacDiarmid are fixtxl for April 6th. The marriage is to take place in the Terrace Congregational Church. • • • The engagement is announced of Miss Munel Webb, daughter of Colonel Webb, to Mi. Gilbert Giaham Hodgkms, ie»;i e trar of births, deaths, and mairiages. son of Mr. Hodgkms, ot Wellington, and brother of Mrs. Field. Mr. Havbittle has taken Mrs. Gore's house on Aurora Terrace. Mrs. Gore and her son and daughtei are staying at Day's Bay House. • • • On Satuiday Dr. Platts-Mills invited a few friends to say good-bye to Mrs. Holmwood and her daughter, Mrs. Ballanoe, who leave to-day for England. • • Mrs. F. Dyer gave a pleasant little tea to her young girl friends last Thursday week, three visitors to Wellington being the guests of honour — Miss Levick (of Sydney), Miss Appleton (Melbourne), and Miss Milne (Oamaru). The drawing-room, decorated with roses and dahlias, was gay with the pretty frocks and hats of the young guests, and during the afternoon several of them contributed items to the general entertainment. Miss Eileen Ward and Miss_C!^_BejiucAamp__sang, and Miss HenSah gave a violin solo^- • • * ~~ yrC Mrs. Dyer wore a pietty blue silk dress, with insertions of lace, and a dainty lace coatee. Miss I/ulu Dyer wore a white silk frock. Miss Seddon wore a handsome gown of black chiffon taffetas, tiimmed with a braiding of nariow black velvet, and a large black hat lined with white, and trimmed with wings. Mrs. Knox _ Gilmer _ was in a black and white striped voile, with which she wore a blue hat, trimmed with brilliant-coloured wings and red berries. Most of the girl guests wore white, with pretty flowered hats. Among them were • Misses Beauchamp,

Ward, M. Jones, Prouse, Perkins, Myers, Quick, and R. Seddon. ■/ * * The last tea given in Lady Stout's honour was that of Mrs. W. Kennedy, when, about twenty guests were piesent, including Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Findlay, Mrs. F. Samuel, Mrs. Nelson. Mis Salmon*!, Mrs L,. Bkuadell, Mrs Ewen, Mrs. Fulton Mrs. Stafford, and Dr. Platts-MilK Miss Kennedy, Miss Lulu Ewen, and Miss Sutton assisted the hostess in looking after her guests. Mils. Kennedy wore a pretty lace blouse, and dark skirt. Her daughter was in heliotrope. Lady Stout wore a grey tailor-made, and hat swathed with grey chiffon. Sir Robert and Lady Stout left on. Friday, with the good wishes of numbers of friends. • • * On Saturday last Miss Ward had a tennis paity for Miss Appleton, who has been heir guest for the past week. Miss Appleton leaves to-day for Dunedin, where she will Be the guest of Mrs. W. A Moore before returning to Melbourne. Mrs. Russell had a tennis party last Saturday afternoon, when she again entertained Mr and Mrs. Loder and Miss Godwin. Also present were Mr. and Mrs. F. Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Ross, Mrs. Wylie, Mrs Tewsley, Mrs. Oldham, and Mrs. C. Jones. • • • On Saturday afternoon a warden party was held in Mrs. Keene'n? beauciful grounds at Island Bay by the Y.W.C.A. The perfect weather aio doubt largely contributed to making the entertainment a success, and the gardens themselves were a great attraction. A programme of musical items wa« arranged bv Miss Lawson •m^ contributed to bv MJssps Whytf\ Butler, Sewell. and Bell and Miss' M Butler srave a most amusing recitation. There was also a book title competition for which Mr« Winder and Mrs. George had presented r>rizes, and these were woi t)v Miss Dick and Mi«s Ashman Tqi tvis seryprl *>iTii little tables "placed on the verandah. At the end of -the afternoon Mr. Hobv thanked Mrs Keene for the use •of her grounds and the delisrh+ful time sh<* had 1 siven them His remarks were loudly arplauded. • • • Among those present were • Miss McLean (president), Miss McCJay, Mrs.

Climic. Mrs. Webster, Mrs. Kerslake, Mis. Geoige, Mrs. Hursthouse, Mrs. - Biackburne, Miss Sewell, Mrs. J. P. - Luke, Mrs. Hoby. Mrs. Humphries, Mis. Macdonald, Mis. Chapman, Mrs. Keith, and Mrs. Maclean. • • • The ladies' yacht race attracted a good many sightseers to the different bays on Saturday last, and very pretty the yachts looked from the shore ; also the numbers of yachts which took over spectators and anchored for tea in the vanous bays. It is quite a new feature of the Port Nicholson Club's programme to have a ladies' race and one which it is to be hoped they will continue, for there are numbers of ladies in Wellington who enjoy a sail as much as the men. and who can handle their b°at in quite professional style. * # i The marriage of Miss Jessie Muriel West youngest daughter of the late Dr. West and Mrs. West (of Boltonstreet, Wellington'), to Mx. Leonard Basil Wall of Paremata, is to take place on Wednesday, the 7th of April. It w ill be solemnised at the Terrace Congregational Church • • • The annual tea of the Wellington Old Girls' Association will' be held tomorrow (Saturday) at the Girls' College. Last Tuesday, at St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth, Miss Jessie Caroline McKellar, second daughter of Mr. J. S. McKellar, of New Plymouth was marned to Mr. H. Abraham, of Khandallah, Wellington. The bride, who was given away by her father wore a gown.' of white lace over silk, with handsome veil of Honiton, and carried a shower bouquet. Hex sister, Miss Gertrude McKellar, as bridesmaid, wore a pale green silk gown., and white hat trimmed with hydrangeas, and carried a bouquet of the same flowers. The beet man was Mr. Cecil Gray. The guests were entertained at a wedding breakfast by Mr. and Mrs. McKellar, and later the happy pair left for Waaiganui, where the honeymoon will bespent. • • • The Misses Gladys and Zadie Nathan have left for Christchurch, where they are to be bridesmaids at Miss Louisson's wedding on March 17th. • • » Mrs. Fitohett also goes South on Tuesday, and will be the guest of Mrs. Stringer.

The christening of Lord and Lady Plunket's rniant son last Saturday, at Palmerston North, was quite a pictuiesque ceremony. The Government House paity was e&corted to the church by the Manawatu Mounted Rifles, under Captain Peach. The Bishop or Wellington performed the ceremony, and Mis. Walks stood proxy for th<? two absent god-mothers, Miss Williams and the Hon. Helen Plunk et. The god-fathers weie the Hon. A. M. R. Bmgham and Mr. H. P. Waterficld. * * " The youngest Phmket received the pretty names of Denis Kiw<a — Denis foa Ireland, and Kiwa (the Clap tain Cook of Maori mythology or legend) for New Zealand)." The Maoris, you know, call the Pacific "The Great Ocean of Kiwa." I notice that the Hon. Willie Carnoross, in the Eltham "Araus," rises to the occasion by calling these names a ' 'happy symbolisation of his Irish ancestry and his New Zealand biith." Long live httle Denis Kiwa! « • • After the ceieniony, their Excellencies gave a large garden party in. the grounds at "\Voodhey, when, the guests were entertained by boating on the lake, and tea was served in a laige marquee. Lody Plunket wore a charming Piincess lebe of softest Indian muslin, beautiiully embroidered, with a blue hat wreathed in pink loses. Irady Jane Gathorne Hardy wore deep oream orepe-de-chme, made in, Directoire style, with brimming of lace, and hat of oieani. Mrs. Waterfield was in .an Empne cloth gown, with pale "pink hat. « • • On Tuesday evening the members of St. John's Bible Class farewelled Miss Mina Caldow. who is leaving shortly to. pursue her musical studies in England . They presented her with a box of handkerchiefs. Miss Hopkirk making Tfche presentation in a happy little speech. Musical items were given during the evening bv Miss Caldow, Miss Tmgey, Mrs. F. Pope and Misses Pringle, Pierard, and Mowatt. The hostesses of the evening; were Mrs. Ewart Anderson and Mrs. E. Anderson, who were heartily thanked at the end of the proceedings, which finished with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" by the guests. • • • A delightful picnic, organised by Mrs. Nassau Haire and Miss Vmor Johnson, of the Hutt, took place last Saturday. The guests, about thirty in all', walked from Petone to the Ko.rokoro reservoir .where afteirnoon tea was served. They returned! by moonlight at about eight o'clock. • • • Among the picnickers were : Mrs. Malcolmson and Mrs. Haire, the Misses Jackson, Bodmm, Johnson, Treadwell, Sladden, Jones, Barraud, Cuff, Lee, Lambert, and Hickson, and Messrs. Herbert, Heaton, Richter, Nancarrow, Dudley, Alves, O'MeaTa, Howden, and Busby. Miss Ola Humphrey and the Williamson Dramatic Company leave for Sydney to-day. ♦ • • On Tuesday evening Mis. Remington gave an enjoyable musical evening at her house in Tinakori-road, m honour of Miss Cxesswell, from Christchuxch. A splendid musical programme was given by the guests present. Songs were sung by Miss Peddle and Messrs. Kenny, E. Parkes, and Widdup. Miss Cresswell played the violin, and also Miss Maud Remington and Mr. Piper. There were also given, a flute solo by Miss Simpson and pianoforte selections by Miss Remington. Mrs. Fraser and Mr. Kenny finishing what was quite an excellent concert. The evening concluded with an impromptu dance. Mrs. Remington wore heliotrope silk, with touches of black. Miss Remington was m a dainty white muslin frock, and Miss Maud a pretty blue silk. • • » On Wednesday afternoon Mrs. Hales gave one of her pleasant little teas, in honour of several Auckland ladies who are visiting Wellington just now — Mrs. and Miss Hellabv. who are the gueste of Mrs. Edcheloaum, and Miss Norrie, who is staying with Mrs. Hales. The rooms, as usual, were filled with beautiful flowers, roses, and sweet peas in great profusion, pale pink roses with maiden-hair fern, making a dainty table decoration. • * *• Mrs. Hales received her guests wearing a black silk skirt and cream lace blouse, smartened with touches of pale blue. Mrs. Hellaby wore black and white, always a becoming combination, with a black toque. Miss Hellaby was in wihite embroidered muslin, with a pretty floral hat. Miss Norrie wore a blouse of soft heliotrope silk, with a black skirt. •. « • Among the guests were: Mesdames Dyer, Etherington, Digges Smith, ArthuT BaHamoe, Wylie, and McKellar, Misses MoKellar, Bemdall. and the Misses Logan and Dr. Elizabeth Gunn,

Another Melbourne girl has married an Indian officer. On the 22nd of February Miss Maude Sprague was united to Brigadier-Geneial Angelo, of the Nowshera Cavalry Brigade In fact, Melbourne girls seem to be sought after by Indian officeis. Miss J. Highett* (also of Melbourne) lias just become engaged to Mr. Shippe, who is said to be "well up" m the Indian Civil Seivice. On the 20th Febiuaiy the Federal Postmaster - General (Hon. Josiah Thomas) was married at Adelaide to Miss Clara Ingleby, of that city. • » » _ Mr. and Mi s Walter E. Woods, of talavera Terrace, have reached Sydney on their return trip from the Old Gauntly, and will come on to Wellington by the Marama, leaving Sydney to-moiro-w (Saturday) • • • Two stylish weddings have happened lecently in Sydney, viz., Dr. Hi. O. S. Poidevm, the well-known representative cricketer, to Miss Isabel Barns (daughter of the late Mr. W. L. Barns, of Queensland), and Mr. Harold H White to Miss Esme Sly (daughter of Dr. George Sly). Mr. and Mrs. White aie now spending their honeymoon with us in New Zealand. They came across in the Mokoia. • # • On Saiurday last Miss Gladys Flux, of Newtown gave a kitchen tea to Miss Daisy Gaudim, prior to her departure for Auckland, and a number of the bride-elect's old school friends met to wish her well and cheer her with suitable presents of pots and pans. Tea was served in the dining-room, where the table was prettily decorated with sweet peas, after which the guests repaired to the lawn, where the presents were untied and displayed. » * * By the Whakatane, on Wednesday, Mr. and Mrs. Costello (who have been the guests of Mrs. Chas. Tringham, of Talavera Terrace for the past week) left for England. ♦ • • Mr. and Mrs. Howard Txipp and Mrs. and Miss Kettle (Christchurch) are travelling by the same boat.

Social oossip.

( Continued jiom yaye i).)

Last Friday aitemoon, at St. Mark's Church, Wellington, Miss Olive Stevens, daughter ot Mr. J. Stevens, of Hawker-street, was married to Mr. A. B. Hislop, jun., son of Mr. A. B Hislop, Kelburne, secretary of the Australasian Institute of Marine Eaigineers. The Rev. A. M. Johnson was the officiating clergyman. The bride, wtho was given away Dy her father, wore white chiffon taffetas, trimmed with Maltese lace, with veil and orange blossoms. Tie bridegroom's gift, a brooah in the form of a dagger, set w>th ■diamonds and olivmes, was also worn. Her bridesmaids, the Misses Maude and Ivy Stevens, wore silk frocks of pale blue and green respectively, and hats to match trimmed with black plumes. The best man. was Mr. Cyril Lovett (of Hobart), and Mr. Herbert Barrett was groomsman. » • • After the ceremony a reception was held by Mrs. Stevens at "Raweie, Hawker-street where sweet peas, arranged with maiden-hair fern, formed .artistic decorations. Mrs. Stevens wore black silk. Mrs. O'Meara (sister of the bride) was in brown, Miss Nellie Stevens wore green, silk, with black plumed hat. Mrs. A. B. Hislop een.r. wore black ninon over glace, with black and white hat. Mrs. Fordham was in pale blue silk, and Mrs. Francis a pretty shade of pink. The bride s going-away dress was a vieux Tose costume, worn with a brown hat trimmed with shaded foliage and grapes. • • • Mrs. Loder was again the guest of honour at a tea given, by Mrs Cecil Jones last Friday afternoon. Only a few people were present, and a very enjoyable time was spent. .During the afternoon Mrs. Oldham, who has a charming voice, delighted everyone with her singing. • # * Mrs Jones wore a soft grey silk, with narrow bands of black velvet, and some Irish <:xochet ornamenting the bodice. Miss Jones was in> white embroidered muslin. Mrs. Loder wore a coat and skirt of bro.wn Shantung with collar •and cuffs of green, and a brown hat with high chiffon, crown, trimmed with roses and wisteria. Miss Godwin wore a pretty dress of pale pink silk, with a black hat trimmed with cream feathers. • • • ~ Mrs. Russell had on a becoming dress of gobelin blue and white striped silk, trimmed with pipings of the blue silk: which exactly matched her dainty blue shoes. Mrs. Oldham was in cinnamon brown from bead to toot. Among the guests were also Mrs. Samuel, Mrs. Tewsley, Lady Ward, and Miss Appleton. • • Last week two rinks of lady bowlers from Greytown visited Wellington and played a match with the Kelburne lady players. The weather was fine, and a number of people watched the play with, much interest, the more so, perhaps, as the Wellington team included some of the i under players. As a consequence, the subsequent win. tor Wellington proved all the more gratitvmg The visitors were entertained to luncheon by the Kelburne Olub at the Kiosk, and both morning and afternoon tea was served at the Club House. A photograph, taken on, returning from luncheon, was the cause of mu^h laugh-

ter, and also loss of time to the players, many of whom left by the afternoon train. • • • A very pleasant evening was spent on Friday week last in the New Centuiy Hall, the occasion being the first annual social of Messrs. Thompson Bros., Limited. The hall was nicely decorated for the occasion,. A varied programme of music and elocution was presented, and thoroughly enjoyed, the following ladies and gentlemen contributing : Miss&s Freeman and Robertshaw, and Messrs. Hilliker, Hudson, McGrath, H. Press, Brooker, Hamill, J. Renner, Everton, Wallace, Hill, Jones, jun., and Baudinet. # • ♦ At the supper, loyal and other toasts were proposed and responded to. An ode composed by Mr. T. Hudson, an employee of the firm, was recited by that gentleman, and greatly appreciated. After cupper, dancing was indulged in, about fifty couples taking part, Mr. A. G. Wallace making an efficient M.O. Advantage was taken of the occasion to farewell- Mr. W. J. Thompson, who, with Mrs. Thompson, left for England last Friday. The employees presented him with a pair of field glasses, suitably engraved, while his fellow-directors presented him with a travelling rug. Mrs. xhompson was made the recipient of a dressing-case. The presentation on behalf of the employees was made by Mr. A. W. Press, manager of the company, Mr. R. C. Ranmer making the firm's presentation. * * * On Thursday of last week Mrs. Loder entertained a number of ladies at afternoon tea at Carroll's tea-rooms. Mrs. Loder has made many friends during her short stay in Wellington, and has been much entertained, wherefore she took this opportunity of returning

the Hospitality she had received. The guests included Mrs. Cecil Jones, Mrs Butts, Mrs. F. Samuel, Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Tewsley, Mr. Loder, and Mr. Samuel. • * * The hostess wore a dress of black voile, with silk bands, and coat of heavy black applique, ornamented with buttons, and a hat trimmed with dark blue and green wings. Miss Olive Godwin wore black mnon, with tiny vest of cream tucked net and touches of pale green, and large hat massed with mauve and pink orchids. Miss Ivy Scott (also of the "Red Mill" Company) wore dark red, with a becoming black hat. • • «■ Miss Alice Martin, of Kakaxamea, was married on the 3rd inst. to Mr. William Barnes, of Wangamui. The honeymoon is being spent at Hawera. • • • Mrs. Harry Burns and her daughter returned Jast Sunday from a. visit to Dunedin. • • • Miss Phyllis ffigginson leaves by the Oormthic on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Campbell, in England. • • • A very quiet wedding took place last Friday at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, when Mr. C. M. Tuirell, son of the late Rev. Charles Turrell', was married to MissY E. McColl daughter of the late Mr. Thomas McColl, of Melbourne, and sister of Mrs. Norman Patton (who was Mrs. Buckhurst). The best man was Mr. Higgimson, and_ Miss Phyllis Higginson was bridesmaid. The weddingbreakfast, to which only a few of the intimate friends of the bride and bridegroom were invited, was held at Mt. Guy Johnson's house, in Portland Crescent.