SOCIAL GOSSIP

Free Lance, Volume XIX, Issue 993, 16 July 1919, Page 10

SOCIAL GOSSIP

The Victory Ball.

Deae Cheistabel, — * < A PERFECTLY gorgeous ball" the unanimous verdict upon the great function given by the Wellington Racing Club in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening of last week. For weeks hopes had run high as the Peace Ball of pre-war days was always the "close" of our July carnival. Even optimists cduld hardly dare to hope that this first year .of restored peace, and the function, handicapped, as it most surely was, by a shortage of everything that is necessary, could possibly be on an equality with "the • brilliant 'successes' of the club's past efforts. But to everyone's surprise and delight, the ball proved to b'e even bigger, brighter, better than ever before. Over a thousand [guests were gathered* together and, when - music arose with its voluptuous swell, dancing was out of the .question for some time until the numbers had thinned out appreciably and .many people had!. betaken themselves to the cosy drawing rooms provided under the gallery, or upstairs to the •gallery itself.

■ The decorations were really superb, a canopy of alternate red and white drapery and festoons of pink roses overhead, and swathings of red and white muslin and 1 garlands of roses and lycopodium round the gallery facade'made the great ball room look beautiful indeed. Here and there were suspended lucky horseshoes of roses 1 , and the doves of peace found

many a picturesque resting place for their feet. * * * * The stage was a mass of contrasting greenery and in the foreground were a number of apple trees in full bloom. Occupying the most prominent position on the stage was a large transparency with the great and glorious word', "Victory," in red letters, on a white foreground.

Just after, most of the guests had arrived in the main hall, came the first surprise of the evening— the lights were all suddenly lowered. The word "Victory," flashed its proud message, and then the illuminated flags of Britain and her Dominions and her Allies glowed brightly through the scented air. It was a thrilling moment. This, of course, was the right moment for the National Anthem which was sung with a verve and vim which have seldom been equalled 1 at any social function. Next followed the Marseillaise, and some American National airs.

The vestibule Avas a mass of lovely scenery brightened by hundreds of twinkling lights. A colossal horseshoe of red 1 , white and blue flowers, brilliantly lit from the back, welcomed the guests as they entered the big swing doors. Crimson carpets brightened and softened the double staircase, !and made it an excellent sit-ting-out place and a rendezvous for the dancers during the dance intervals.

For the supper room the same decorative scheme of red and white was

carried out, and the central table, loaded with the club's handsome presentation cups and epergnes and set off by masses of pink camellias and red and brown birch foliage was much # The ball was formally opened by the customary official set of lancers, and in it were: Miss Harcourt and the Hon. A. Myers, Mrs A. Myers and Mr Skerrett, Miss Skerrett and Sir George Clifford, Mrs Hall-Thompson and Mr Justice Herdman, Mrs Sleeman and Mr V. Riddiford. Mrs V. Riddiford and Captain Hall-Thompson, Miss Wilford and Colonel Sleeman and Miss Gorrie (Auckland) and Mr JAbbott.

Another set which was watched with the greatest pleasure and interest was the debutantes' set, and very charming they all lookedi with their shimmering silvery robes and pretty posies. The following girls made their official debut (though some of them have previously appeared at Vjgrown-nip" dainces): 'Misses Lai Duthie, Ida Duncan, Morice, Hawkins, Esme Geddis, Dyer, Daniel (Mas. terton) Tully, C. Baldwin (Palmerston North), A'Deane (H. 8.), Russell, Fulton, Kirker, B. Mathews, Levin, Keesing, Chudleigh, Koch, Hudson, and Ohatfield.

After the club's lea/ding officers and those who had danced in the official set had , seated! themselves at their supper table, Mr C. P. Skerrett arose and gave the military toast, which is so simple and yet so familiar to all those who belong to our Empire— "Gentlemen, the King." Then the musicians in the gallery played our National Anthem once more. * * * * Those ladies who chose brocades certainly looked very well in the brilliant lights. They were a trifle too brilliant by the wav. for the eamouv flage brigade, and those unfortunates whose cheeks rival the peony, when they. take violent exercise, but the brocades bore the test of the searchlights splendidly'. A number of very smart igowns worn bv the elder ladies were made of chiffon velvet and panne. A very distinctive gown of purple velvet was worn by Mrs J. Hume (Wairarapa). An extremelysmart gown of panne, an American importation, was worn by Mrs JR. Collins. Another young matron, Mrs A. Young, looked particularly

well in a gold tissue gown veiled with ninon. Mrs Jack Blundell's beautiful gown was an .artistic mingling of white and gold. Mrs C. Tringham's pretty frock was of lace, the skirt was flounced and relieved with a becoming shade of blue.

A charmingly simple frock of grey ninon pattern in silver was worn by Mrs V. Riddiford, and her sister, Mrs Gage Williams had on a torquoise blue ninon draped at one side. Miss Harcourt's dress was white satin veiled with black Chantilly lace and the deep collar at the back was finished with a handsome crystal tassel.

A smart little gown of black tulle with inset bands of white, and trimmings of jet was worn by Miss Skerrett. Mrs Hall-Thompson wore a white satin gown with floral appliques in pink tints. Mrs Y. Crawford wore her lovely wedding dress. A very picturesque gown of •cherry-coloured brocade and grey ninon was chosen by Mrs Brodie, and Mrs G. • Nathan looked extremelv handsome in another .cherry-coloured brocade. Mrs Dimock's brocade was a floral design and beautifully draped, the sleeves and corsage were of green ninon.

Mrs Elgar wore a tightly-fitting gown of Egyptian silver embroidery, and terminated .in a short "fish" train. A gown of black satin with an overdress of tulle and blue appliques was worn by Mrs A. M. Myers.

: ' Amongst the younger girls who wore dainty and' distinctive dresses were the Misses Loughnan, D. Tripe, Bennett (2), Park, Taverner, Ewart, (2), Salittond, Jenkinson, E. Bell, Stott (2), Duncan, Millais (2), Pilcher, Daniel, Barton (2), B. Earle, Duncan, Brandon, Kelson, D. Wilson, D. Abraham (Palmerston North).

An unpleasant feature of the race ball has been commented 1 on a good deal in all circles this week, and that was the manner in which some of the youths who were present abused the club's hospitality.

It would be quite an easy matter fior the stewards to ascertain the names of these convivial souls who cannot control their appetites or manage to behave properly, and refuse them admittance to the next ball.

Another thing that was objectionable was the rude way in which some of the young fellows pushed through the crowd, using elbows and knees freely. One astonished and irate -officer found himself suddenly detached from his partner's arm, while a brace of youths charged between them!

With the truly British hatred of making a scene in the presence of ladies the son of Neptune controlled his very natural desire to take the young offenders hy the shoulders and "introduce his. bootmaker to their tailor' , — to quote a trite figure of speechwhile he propelled them oiitside the hall! ****** The evening following the race ball was devoted! by the City Council to the Corporation Staff Ball. The decorations were practically the same hut an addition was made. The city's motto "Suprema a Situ," which was carried out in electric lights, for the last week, might really have hteen altered, to "Always merry and! bright," and 1 no one would have been able to gainsay it! The supper tables were decorated with flowers set in birch foliage, and the committee consisted: of Messrs W. F. Alexander, C. Bell, M. J. Casey,. R. V. Claverhill, E. A. Eyres, H. L. Godber, E. H. Hobday, A. W. Milburn, J. C. McKenzie, J. McQueen, A. J. Paterson, R. O. Paterson R. Sutherland and H. Tait. Mr A. M. Milburn was the .hon. secretary, and Mr W. F. Alexander the hon. treasurer. :

The news of the death of Mrs Robert Pharazyn at the great age of ninety-eight, was received with general regret by the numerous friends, by whom she was much respected 'and loved, in Wellington, Wanganui and Napier. Mrs Pharazyn was the widow of the Hon. Robert Pharazyn M.L.C, and died at Takapuna, Auckland, in the borne of her daughter;

Mrs McMurdo. When she arrived in New Zealand in 1863 she was then a widow (Mrs Lomax), and shortly afterwards she married Mr Pharazyn. Their house in Hob son street, at present occupied by Miss Coates, was the scene of many pleasant dinners and luncheons and croquet parties ,for Mrs Pharazyn was a woman of great social qualities and she was widely travelled, well read, and a clever conversationalist. Her sister had' married the brother of the famous Russian novelist Tolstoi and Mrs Pharazyn had spent much of her time with her relatives on the Continent. She could speak French fluently, and had stayed a good deal in France. After her husband's death in 1896, Mrs Pharazyn went to live with her daughter, Mrs McMurdo in Wanganui, then she lived in Napier for several years, and of late she has been living in Takapuna. Up to the very last Mrs Pharazyn's intellect was vigorous and clear, and' her grasp of things siocial and political was really marvellous. She leaves four surviving children, Major Lomax, Mrs A.. Stedraan, Mrs Fowler who has always lived in England, and Mrs McMurdo, who is better known in Wellington as Mrs (Col.) McDonnell.

The "ladies' night" of the ' Wellington Savage Club was held in the Town Hall on Saturday and proved highly successful. Chief Savage J. P. Fifrth -presided and the programme was distinctly novel and bright. There was a local playlet introducing the leading "Savage" talent in a kind of hunting symposium in Chanticleer Hall in the day of Dick Tur pin. Then followed the second part

of the programme, which was a travesty of H.lyi.S. Pinafore, giving opportunity for plenty of local hits and allusions. Dapsnb.

Miss Grace MoncriefE, of Kelburn, left by the Mokoia for Auckland, where she will be the guest of Mrs Maughan Barnett. ■

Mr John McEldowney, of Wellington, at present on a yisit to the Old Country was married! in May at his native town of .Londonderry to • Mrs Stewart. Mr and Mrs Meldowney expcet to reach Wellington in September. " :

A "Cheer Oh" concert, given in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Hostel by the young ladies, under the able supervision of Mrs Nixon, who kindly trained them, was held at the Khandallah Hall on Friday evening and proved very enjoyable. The performance was introduced by the young Pierrots in costume and the solos and choruses were of a bright and sprightly .character, the whole concluding with a farce entitled "Wanted a Wife." In this piece the characterswere capitally sustained by Misses McArthur, Watson, Lucas, Gault, and Darnels. The outstanding feature of the- entertainment was the spontaneous enthusiasm shown by the little ladies "to do their bit" on behalf of their protectors, the wounded soldiers. An impromptu dance wound up the evening, the music kindly contributed by Mrs Cox. The Wounded Soldiers' Hostel Fund will benefit considerably by this effort.