Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 847, 29 September 1916, Page 16

Social Gossip.

Deae Chbibtabbl,

fjFi HE local Orphans put up a very I' enjoyable performance in the ■ " Town Hall on Saturday night, when they. entertained their lady friends and. any number of other people's friends at a, concert. The hall was most beautifully decorated with flags. I have never seen it look, so splendid. The flags'of all the Allies, their house flags, and their every flag were hung in in-long lines across and down the length of the building. Patriotic mottoes shields, and long drapes of scarlet and gold were • used with most charming effect. The organ gallery, .was ..hidden from the eye by a screen of dark curtains on which three pretty Japanese •umbrellas showed up splendidly. The scheme of decoration was carried out by Orphan Doddrell assisted by Orphan Cook.

An officer--of the Orphans—l understand it was the President (Rev. A. E. Hunt)—apologised for the failure of the stage electric lights, and no doubt the orchestra suffered some inconvenience, but the audience rather liked the effect.- Eyes, these days do more than watch, and at night they are sometimes tired. The Orphans promised rest for some tired eyes on Saturday night, and they should not regret the absence of light. The executive officers wore a becoming band of pale blue ribbon across their shirt fronts, and all the orphans wear a little silver badge of membership, while a few aniong them are provided with a little, blue badge.-

-In the audience were many returned soldiers wearing their badges, also many men waiting to be called, and they were wearing the khaki armlet, so the badgeless man was more noticeable than usual. Ladies were in the majority, and it was noticeable that many, wore very pretty evening coats, red, pink, and emerald green, during the evening a speaker reminded 1 ie audience of absent ..members whose names are on the

club's Roll of Honour, and after the performance the roll was examined by very many interested ladies, who were touched to see that at least four Orphans have already gh en up their lives for their country, while many more are still on active service.

The programme • was charmingly varied. The orchestral items were excellently performed under 'the leadership of "Signor Moschini. The "Hunt in the Forest," wit'h which the programme opened, was the prettiest, daintiest, and lightest of affairs, and the "Barcarolle," which was given as an encore, was very much enjoyed by an audience which evidently is • familiar with good music. Mr. Hamilton Hodges was as charming as usual in all his items, especially in "Coming Home," which he gave as an encore. Orphan Will Crawford was exceedingly amusing in his songs and recitations.

Orphan Exton's sweet tenor voice was one- of the star items on the programme (but, oh—strictly private—how I longed to cut his hair f) Orphan Meates produced his big, bass voice, and descended to the very bottom-most depths of the "Cellar Cool," which pleased the audience. This just proves that the average human doesn't really mind the anti-shouting regulations. When Orphan'"Wood gave the "Drummer Boy" he was supported by all the other Orphan songsters, and a more delightful rendering cannot be imagined.

Half-way -through ; the programme supper was served. Orphans of every size and shape waited on the ladies, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It is quite a long time since most of us have been looked after in the good old way. Generally, these days, we are washing up cups and saucers by the hundred or nailing up packing-cases, or doing office work or any old thing which used to be done by gallant youths before they flocked to the colours.

The second part of the programme was very varied. The overture by the orchestra was excellent. Orphans Cu.lford Bell, Fras'er, Thomson; and L. Hanlon produced the humorous sketch called "The Burglar," and Orphan Luke provided some "Humour at the Piano." A quartette was enjoyed immensely, andthe Orphan chorus, "Soldiers'- Farewell," with which the entertainment closed, was splendidly given and very much appreciated. And it is "Thank you, Oirphans, large and small for a very pleasant evening." In "Orphan George Holloway the club has a valuable and sympathetic accompanist.

' 'Who will buy my pretty flowers ? ' cried, the flower sellers —and they, cried not in vain—last Saturday morning. The sale was- in aid of the Soldiers' Christmas Gift Fimd, and the fragrant blossoms were used to :• brighten the march of the trtiops who paraded through the streets that day. Flowers from the country had arrived by the cartload, and the city was- sweet with the fragrance of them. Days,, after these occasions the troops remember, the good wishes and' the evidence of affection which are showered upon them, and memory is very sweet. Wellington long ago realised, what privileges were hers, and she does not fail to use them.

The housewife is begintung to realise that all is not as it used to be in the grocers' shops. Gone are the men who used to know'vexactly what brand of tea we like, which kind of bacon and what strength of cheese. Each 'week sees fresh faces and each week we more And more realise how many and great were our blessings in the past, and how much we have lost or are losing. The hasty housewife should walk delicately. It is not always the, grocer's fault, and those people who can do so should make a point of going down to the shop to choose their goods instead -of ordering by telephone !

For some reason which has not yet been explained, it is not anticipated that .women can be immediately successful in the grocer's business. It seems to the average woman that nothing could he more simple, but one who knows something about the trade informs me that training -nd preparation are required. Prices c 1 . every.day, and things are not as ti.ey used to be. In few shops is there accommodation for a- mixed staff, and they need very careful management. Be that as it may, the female grocer's assistant will appear very soon —in fact, has already appeared—and the wise grocer will bow to the inevitable and begin now to train her the way she should go. » * * '»• Ladv Stout has returned from Auckland. " ■ ■ ■ * * * * Mrs. Wood has returned to Napier. *•'■■* • ■» Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ross, of Auckland spent the week-end in Wellington, and returned via New Plymouth -on Tuesday. Mrs. Herbert Coleman (whose husband is in camp) has taken Mr. Zohr.ab's cottage at Heretaunga. No good Samaritan has\yet seized an excellent business opportunity,' and in the neighourhood of tue camp there is still no suitable accommodation for the families of The good people of Here--tauhga, who built cottages for their own conveniences, are sacrificing themselves, pro bono publico —and presumably at a price,!; Almost all the summer cottages are let. When the summer holidays arrive, what will happen?

A charming entertainment was given on Tuesday afternoon in the Returned Soldiers' Club by the members of the Allan Wilkie Company. The affair was organised by Miss Ruth Norreys, who contributed two of the most enjoyable items on the proramme, and whose delightful manner and friendly ways did very much towards making the afternoon' a tremendous success. Many returned soldiers, in unifox-m and in mufti were present with their lady friends, and there were also present some other invited guests, many of whom interest themselves -. most keenly in the conduct of the. Club. The newlyelected Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Biss, presided in an informal way.

The artists, who contributed items during the afternoon were: Miss Ruth Norreys, Mrs. Woodward (whose songs were charming and who acted as accompanist), Mr. Cave (the delightful Touchstone of- the previous evening), Mr. Beritley Russell, and Mr. Kehoe. Mr. Fox, that returned soldier,, who takes a very keen ihteerst in the affairs of the Club, made a little speech of thanks, and afterwards invited all present to step upstairs and enjoy the afternoon tea which was waiting and which proved delicious and refreshing. Many present were delighted to have . the opportunity of meeting Miss Norreys and Mrs. Woodward and the men N of the company. Mrs. Woodward's little daughter was. present, and was daintily dressed in white and black. A modish suit was worn by one of the guests. It was a black and white check affair with a smart cape collar and a bright ribbon belt, and a jaunty little blue sailor hat. ** * - The sailor hats and the panamas are very much in evidence just now on the heads of the. populace and in the shop windows. The old-time droop appears to be going out. The hat of to-day is straight-brimmed or tilted slightly upward, and is becoming to the ordinary human. ' ' © » o fl Mr. John Fuller, junior, Wellington's senior City Councillor, was quietly married on Thursday (yesterday) afternoon to Miss Lavinia Moar, the youngerdaughter of Mrs. G. M. Moar. of 44. Devon-street, "Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller left by the Sydney boat the same day. Mr. Fuller is well known all over Australasia. He is a son of Mr. John Fuller, .of Auckland.

In the Egyptian '-'Gazette" of Thursday, August 2nd, there appears this announcement: — Pennethorne-Miller, on. August Ist, at the British Consulate, and afterwards at St. Mark's Church, Alexandria, James, only son of Captain L. P. Pennethorne, Worcester Park, Surrev, to Mabel Dawson, youngest daughter of the late Mr. M. "R. Miller, Napier, New Zealand.

Mrs. Birss, a Carterton lady, who has been doing a great deal of patriotic work, has received news that her son. Lieutenant Birss, is wounded. Mrs. Birss, who before her marriage was a journalist, has raised over £60Q by her own efforts for Red Cross purposes, and her small daughter . has % managed to collect over £116 by selling tickets for a beautifully-dressed doll.

Mrs. Robin Deck is off to England, and is making an offer to all those who have- soldier friends in hospital in England. She is prepared to carry messages, to make enquiries, and to report pro-gress—-with details. Mrs. Deck is the widow of Lieutenant Deck, who was killed at Gallipoli, and she is a daugh-ter-in-law of Major Deck (in charge of Victoria Military Hospital, Wellington). ■w » * • Mrs. Edward Newman (Rangitiket) is staving in Wellington just now. Mrs. Harry Crawford is leaving for England quite soon. -Her only son. Mr. James Crawford, is safe in a hospital in London. He has spent many months n% Salonika, where he was finally taken ill. ■k * * ' *

Mrs. Wilford's only son is convalescent in an English hospital. He went away with the Advance Expeditionary Force, and was present on that historical occasion when the Union Jack repkeed the Hun flag on the island of Samoa. Later, lie returned to New Zealand, volunteered for further service, and went abroad with one of the Reinforcements.

. Dr. Ross, formerly of Waipawa and later of Wairoa, is in a hospital ship carrying the wounded between Bombay and. Suez. He has made several trips to' the Persian Gulf. Dr. Ross is well known all over New Zealand. * * * * Mr. and. Mrs. .1. Studholme have returned from Fiji, and are again staying at the Grange with the. children of the Countess of Glasgow. . . * * * . * In the most recent casualty lists is the name of Captain Gilbert V. Bogle, whose marriage to Miss Margaret Fell, of Wellington, took place just before he left New Zealand with his unit. His young widow is in England • with Mrs. Fell, and happily she is now a mother. News of the birth of her child reached Wellington not very long ago. Her father. Dr. W. Fell. is. on active service in France or in a ■ hospital in England, and. her brother is in Frarce. An elder ' brother of the late Dr. Bogle left for the front not very long ago. He was a married man and a very successful surveyor' His wife and two young children are at present living in Wellington. Another brother lost his life while serving with the Canadian forces, and

the fourth brother is on active service with the Australians.

Mrs. Cyril Birch, who has been in the Wellington district since Easter time, left for Dunedin on Wednesday night. During her husband's absence on active service, she and her little daughter will live with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Williams, Mornington, Dunedin. The Town Hall is as usual a very busy place just now, for the Countess of Liverpool workers are packing the Christmas gifts for the men at the front. Each parcel is wrapped in a handkerchief and tied with a bootlace, and each contains a pair of socks; a card, cigarettes, soap, a tin of milk, a tinned plum pudding, and one or two other things, including sweets —and very much love and many good wishes. # " * ' * * Mrs. Jack Faulkner (Hastings) is staying at the Royal Oak with Mrs. Coleman (Napier). Mabel. A quiet wedding took place at St.' Mark's Church, Wellington, on Monday, the 18th, when Wynne, the only daughter of Mr/ and Mrs. A. L. Haywood, was married to Mr. Harold H. Hart, of Free Lance staff. The bride was given away by her father. Miss Emily Fallani was bridesmaid, and Mr. Fred Haywood best man./ The Rev. Worsley Thomson officiated.

in January.. 1914, at the Torres Strait Hospital in Java just after Nordica's memorable tour of Australia and New 'Zealand. Under it the bulk of her fortune goes to her three married sisters in the United States, and the only other bequests are £6000 to M. s Romayhe Simmons, secretary and acodmpanist for sixteen years, and two small bequests to servants.

"Dad" Wardley, a Melbourne identity well known in official Labour circles, celebrates his. 101 st birthday next month. He has lately been suffering ~ from the first bout of illness he remembers since he. had the measles just one hundred years ago! . '' ~.y. «■ »- « • * - .'■'.'■

The late Sir John Henniker Heaton, who married one of the daughters of "the founder of the Sydney "News" and rose to fame and fortune, was a great collector of good stories, and his daughter has just published a sample lot of them. Here is one that bears re-telling: On one occasion a famous Irish politician met Heaton at Nice and invited him to lunch. After helping Heaton to wine, the host, wished to recork the bottle temporarily. He started to explain his v want to the French waiter: "Garcon, garcon, voulez-vous voulez-vous—bou-choir—bbuchon—boucher"—all the "time -he was waving the claret-bottle in the air-—"What the , devil's the infernal ': word ?" Then the waiter spoke: "Shure, an' is it a corrk, yer Honour was afther wantin'?'' he asked in soft rich tones of the ' purest > Tipperary. '•>