WELLINGTON SOCIAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1201, 8 March 1895, Page 14

WELLINGTON SOCIAL GOSSIP.

\ Wellington, March 5. "Til spite of the dull and threatening weather on Saturday afternoon, I think there were more people present at the Amateur Athletic Sports than I have ever seen, and the grand stand was crowded with ladies.- ?-

The most exciting events of the day were the bicycle races, especially the fivemile Championship and' the Three-mile Handicap, both! of which were won by Mr F.E. Muir, who rode splendidly, and midst much cheering and clapping was carried shoulder high, machine and all, off tlie ground. The Ladies’ Bracelet race also created mpch interest, especially among the fair sex, and was eventually won by Mr A. Patrick. <

Among those present I noticed the President, Mr H. D. Bell, accompanied by Mrs Bell and the Misses Bell, the former looking extremely well. in a dark tweed costume, white shirt front* ■ and tie, pretty little black velvet bonnet with lace bows and flowers. Mrs (Dr) Gillon also looked very well in a black gown trimmed with jet, small jet bonnet with velvet butterfly bow ; Miss Pearce wore a black gown with light grey vest, black- hat trimmed with satin ribbons and deep blue flowers; Miss L. Izard, fawn covert-coating costume, burnt straw hat with ribbon bows and jet; Miss Grace, black skirt and jacket with moire lapels, stiff front and tie, pretty black hat with pink roses, her sister wore a similar costume and sailor hat; Miss Medley, black* skirt, .pale blue blouse and band on her sailor hat'; Miss Barnett, a beautifully fitting light brown costume, white chip hat much trimmed with natural ostrich feathers ; Miss Marchant, fawn gown, white hat trimmed with tulle rosettes and quille ; Miss Tuckey, black costume, light front, burnt straw hat with black band; Miss Gore, striped tweed gown, black hat with loops of black and blue ribbon; her sister wore a brown skirt and jacket and sailor hat; one lady who was a stranger' to me wore a neat fawn costume, white straw hat with bows of black ribbon and jet; Miss Pownall, navy serge costume, blouse and pretty cream hat with flowers; others present were Madames Seed, J. Fulton, Ronaldson, Gore, Levi, and the Misses Johnston, Atkinson, Hey wood, Cooper, Pickering, Kennedy, Reid, Seed, Richardson, Glover, Morrah, Barber, Upham, etc. The engagement is announced between Miss Lilian Izard, second daughter of Mr

C. B. Izard, Hobson Street, and Mr li. R, Butterworth, fOriherly of Dunedin. It ia i-umoured that after all Mr and MS'S A. E. Eight intend returning to Wellington and taking up their abode among us. I believe they have taken a house in Hobson street. Dr and Mrs Collins have on Thursday for a year’s trip to England. Mrs Collins gave a small farewell tea last Friday afternoon.

I am sorry to say that so far Mr Maughan Barnett’s very excellent concerts have been poorly patronised. I feel sure that if people went once they would certainly go again, for seldom do we have a chance of hearing a pianoforte soloist perform as Mr Barnett performs, and on Saturday afternoon he was heard at his best in the solo “Soiree de Vienne " (Liszt), his other pieces, a melody by Fumagalli and Schubert’s well known serenade, were also beautifully executed. Mr F. S; Pope was the only vocalist, and sang three songs, his best being Cowen’s “ Snowflakes." Mr Alfred Hill played a violin solo in his usual good style, and Mr Frayling, who I believe hails from Auckland, gave much pleasure by his ’cello solo. A couple of trios were also given by Messrs Barnett, Hill and Frayling. Miss Williams was the accompanist. Mr Barnett gives another concert on Thursday night., It is to be hoped that the attendance will be better than heretofore.

The season of Lent has begun, which means, of course, less gaieties for some time. I believe we are to expect the .squadron Here shortly. Curiously enough there always happens to be a warship here during the •Lent season ; but nevertheless we generally managed to give the officers “ a good time " in a mild way.

Croquet seems to be coming in again. I heard from a friend in Christchurch the other day that it is much played down there, and is quite taking the place of tennis.

Mrs Pynsent has been giving some very pleasant little croquet parties this summer, and Mrs J. P. Maxwell has been entertaining in the same way. Tennis still holds its own here, I am glad to say, and the Thorndon Courts are full nearly every afternoon. The Te Arp Club Courts are also well patronised, though of asphalt, which is not nearly as pleasant to play on in the summer as grass. Among those who have been giving tennis parties lately are Mrs Brandon, Mrs (Dr) Grace, Mrs W. Johnston, Miss Pearce, Mrs Tolhurst, Mrs W. R. E. Brown, and Mrs Friend,.of Karori. Violet