CHIT CHAT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2210, 19 May 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHIT CHAT.

Social news is rather scarce just now, but in another month or six weeks the session will be once more upon us and we shall have lots of gaiety. I have to thank a Featherston correspondent, “ Becky Sharp,” for a gossipy little letter this week. If others would follow her example I should be enabled to make the Ladies’ Pages much more interesting. Once more, I shall be very glad to receive social news from town or country correspondents.

The Governor and Lady Glasgow have now boon a long time away from Wellington and wo shall bo glad to see them back again. lam sorry to bear a report that there is to be no Birthday Ball this year. This seems a great pity as the Orlando is expected back in Wellington shortly and tho ball would have been made a very gay affair by the presence of our naval friends.

The ladies' lectures in connection with tho St. John’s Ambulance Association commence early next month, and I hoar that the attendance is likely to be very large. Mrs Mackenzie, sister to Dr Mackenzie, is the secretary, and is most enthusiastic in discharge of her duties.

I noticed a very largo number of ladies present at the last Saturday “ pop " at tho Theatre Royal. It was pleasant to see Mrs Greenwood on the concert platform once more, and her artistic method in “Scenes that are Brightest" was much admired. Mr Lyon’s lectures in connection with the views of the West Coast caused roars of laughter. Ho is certainly a hundred times more amusing than halt the professional lecturers one meets with.

“ Progressive euchre" parties ore still all the rage, but there are signs that interest in them is slackening. After all there is nothing like a good dance, even in these degenerate times, when the young men are so lazy and tho task of the chaperone so beset with trouble.

I hear a ladies’ golf club has been started in Wellington. This is a very good idea, for the game is very suitable for ladies, involving a fair amount of exercise and being of a sociable character. So far I have heard no particulars concerning thej new club. Will one of the members kindly send mo a few notes ?

I hoar from Christchurch that Dr Meares is engaged to Mrs Garrick. The engagement is very popular in Christchurch, as both parties are well known and much liked in social circles in the southern city.

A now tennis club is to be formed on Clermont terrace, opposite Mrs W. N. Worry’s house. Asphalte courts are to be laid down, and as there are a number of enthusiastic players living in the vicinity, the membership of the club should Be very large. I hear that already no less than seventy names have been given in. A strong committee has been formed, Mr S. Biss being appointed secretary, the committee including Lieutenant-Colonel Hume, Messrs Werry, Wardrop, Foster, Barraud and Didsbury. A pavilion is to be erected in connection with the court, so that the always welcome institution of afternoon tea can be provided.

I hear that a large number of the new members of Parliament will bring their wives with them to Wellington for the first session at least, and this will no doubt tend to make society a little more gay this session than it was last. Many of the old faces, however, will bo much missed.

The Tainui will bring back from England, Mrs Hopkins, eldest daughter of Mr W. Turnbull.

Some three years ago the Misses Tnckoy instituted a series of assemblies at the Masonic Ilall during the winter months. During the first series about 30 people used to be present, and the assemblies have gone on getting more and more popular till last Wednesday about a hundred were present. Many of those who attend these assemblies say that they are jollier than a regular ball. Mr “Jack" Holmes, who is always a popular man among ladios (and among men too, 1 fancy) is the Misses Tuekey’s secretary, and soems to help them a great deal in managing the assemblies. Among the chaperones I have noticed Mesdames Gibson, MacGregor, Boss, Tuckey, Rose, Milos and Moss; and among the young ladies are Misses Boss, Bose, MacGregor, Lee, Hamorton, Beeves, Halse, Nancarrow, Heywood, Williams, Kempthorno, Blair, Seed, and many others. I must say that I could not imagine better hostesses than the Misses Tuckey, and their energies are rewarded by the success of the assemblies.

The engagement is reported of Mr Arthur Martin of Peatherston, and brother of Dr Martin and Mrs C. O’Connor of Wellington, to Miss Phcebe Hume, also of the Feathercton district. The \yed(Jing, I hear, will take place very shortly.

•Mias Wardrop, whose excellent lectures on cookery will be remembered, has been lecturing at Palmerston, on her way up to tho Hot Lakes district, whence, after a short stay, she will go on to Auckland en route for' the Old Country.

Lady Glasgow has been entertaining very freely up in Auckland, and there have been quite a number of pleasant reunions at Government House. The gubernatorial party are not expected back in Wellington until next month.

A pleasant little wedding took place on May 2nd at St. John’s Church, Tututotara, near Marton, when Mr Varah Mangham, eldest son of the late Mr L. Mangham, formerly of Chertsey, Canterbury, was married to Miss Eleanor Margaret Jenkinson, eldest daughter of Mr S. Jenkiasou, of Porewa. The pretty little church was hardly large enough to hold the friends who had assembled to witnesss the ceremony, which was conducted by tho Veu Archdeacon Towgood of Marton. The bride wore cream serge with plush trimmings, lace hat and veil to match. Her three bridesmaids wore Misses Isabel and Mabel Jenkinson, and Miss ManghamJ a nieee of the bridegroom; Mr Delemerfj a cousin of the bride, acting ns best man. After the ceremony afternoon toa was dispensed at the residence of the bride's parents, the newly-married pair then proceeding to their future homo at Bata. Miss Armstrong, of Marton, played the “ Wedding March " as the happy pair left tho church.

At Wanganui on May 9th, Miss Eva Ferry, eldest daughter of Mr Joseph Perry, a well-known Wanganui citizen, was married to Mr Joseph Dempsey, a popular Wanganui resident. The ceremony took place at St. John's Church, the Bev T. B. Maclean, of Christ _ Church, officiating. The two bridesmaids were ttio Misses S. and 0. Ferry, and Mr Dan Kitchen acted as best man. The young couple have a host of friends in Wanganui, and wishes for their future happiness and prosperity were many and most genuine.

A quiet little wedding was celebrated at Palmerston on May Ist, when Mr John Carville, of Glasgow, Scotland, was married to Miss Mary McGregor, of Greymouth. The wedding was celebrated at the residence of Mr Pegden, upholsterer, etc., Palmerston, brother-in-law of the bride. Miss McGregor is a sister of the well known Scottish athlete and dancer, Mr James R. McGregor.

The Eangitikei correspondent of the Canterbury Times says the following marriages are to take place shortly : —Miss Mary Lowes to Mr Duncan Mcßeth, of Kiwitea; and Miss Alice Lowes to Mr David Howie.

Wife-selling exists in Russia. A peasant recently . disposed of his young wife to a bachelor neighbour for . ICO roubles, A

fo vs wofiks afterwards tho husband rued his bargain ; but tho wife, being satisfied with the exchange, declined to return to him. He brought an action for her recovery, but was nonsuited. —“Aunt Ellon” in N.Z. Mail.