PLEASURES OF THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1880, 2 December 1887, Page 33

PLEASURES OF THE WEEK.

The town has presented a busy appearance during the week, as show time always brings in a lot of country visitors. Unfortunately, the weather has been disagreeable again. lam beginning to think Otago disapproves of holidays for it generally puts on a black look and sheds tears over them. The opening of

The Royalties, or carnival, on Wednesday evening, in the Garrison Hall, was a great feature in the week's gaieties. I cannot do better than quote the Times' description of the opening and the dresses :—: —

At half-past 7 o'clock the doors to the gallery were thrown open, and a large number of persons soon found their way there. From this vantage ground a good view could be obtained of the interior of Kenilworth Hall and the gay processions that were to be seen there during the evening. About 8 o'clock nearly 80 children, representing fairies and sprites, marched to an accompaniment by Mr Leech's band, into the hall. The little girls were dressed in white muslin dresses, while some wore red and some blue sashes. The majority were provided with wands, and a few carried nicely-arranged bouquets in their hands. The boys wore differently coloured costumes, and each one carried a bannerette. After their entrance the fairies formed lines along the hall. The Engineers Band, under the conductorship of Mr Benjamin, then struck up a grand rn&rch tuue, comnosed by Mr Benjamin for the occasion, and entitled " The Royalties," and Mary, Queen of Scots (Mrs Marks), with her retinue, marched slowly between the lines formed by the fairies, and took up a seat on a raised dais to the left of the platform at the end of the hall. The queen wore a black vcket bodice, trimmed with white satin and gold all round ; a white satin underskirt, heavily embroidered with gold; and a Mary Stuart bonnet with veil. She was attended

by eight maids of honour, all nicely dressed, wearing Mary Stuart bonnets with king -veils, and long trains to their dresses. The queen was preceded by a military escort composed of 11 Highlanders ; her train was carried by two little pages ; and amongst her retinae were a number of gentlemen of the nobility, dressed in costumes of Mary Stuart's reign. After this procession came another, composed of Queen Elizabeth (Miss Watson) and her court, the ladies of which were beautifully dressed. The queen herself wore a cream satin petticoat heavily embroidered with gold, a cardinal velvet; tight-fitting bodice and long train, bordered with ermine and lined with Blue satin, and puffed sleeves richly embroidered. She was attended by seven maids of honour, richly dressed, two pages, and 13 noblemen, all of whom, after marching through the lines of fairies took up a position on the right of the platform opposite to Queen Mary's court. Then came Queen Victoria (Mrs Dr Martin) and her retinue. The queen wore a handsome, thick, white, corded-silk dress, with a train, let in from the shoulders, of crim* son velvet, bordered with ermine. Her regalia was carried in front of her on a cushion and in her train were six maids of honour in' ordinary evening dress, and representatives of all' the dependencies of England, including two Indian chiefs in their war paint, a Japanese, and an Irishman, and a negro, who looked as if they had bqen hired by her majesty from Borne theatre to swell the train of her attendants. The queen and court took up a position in the centre of the platform, after marching past the fairies. When the three queens and their respective attendants were all assembled they formed an exceedingly brilliant spec« tacle, and when the fairies subsequently danced before their majesties, and went through a number of pretty evolutions, the spectators could not fail to be delighted with the gay and animated scene before them. After the revels W6re over, the lower part of the hall was thrown open to the public, and 6oon the ladies and gentlemen ef nobility were to be seen mixing with the common crowd, while the fair stall-holders went to and fro in hot pursuit of purchasers for their wares, and with the view of inducing guileless young men to put their names down for raffles. During the eveuiDg, while the sale of articles was being carried on, the Engineers and Mr Leech's bauds played a number of selections at intervals, and the children went through a number of dances, under the direction of Mrs Hamman and Miss Pollen.

The following k a list of the names of the ladies and gentlemen of each court, with their respective titles : — Mary Queen of Scots, Mrs Marks ; Lady Mary Beaton, Miss Mobs ; Lady Mary Senton, Misg Herman; Countess of Arran, Miss M. Herman; Ladj Mary Carmichael, Miss Ln Hrun ; Countess Morton, Miss Tagg'irfc ; Lady Mary Hamilton, Miss Murray ; Duchess of Argyle, Mi6s Wright ; Countess Moray, Miss Wright; Francis 11. Mr Wilkinson; Earl Moray, Mr Hardy ; Earl Mar, Mr L Hardy; Rirzio, Mr Perrefct ; Earl Both well, Mr H. Le&ry ; Karl Morton, Mr K. Austin ; page. Master Fraser ; page, Master Hawkins ; Highland brigado, Lieutenant Hender-son,-and Highlanders as military escort; Queen Elizabeth, Miss Wntson ; Countess Salisbury, Miss Wilson; Lady Dudley, Miss Hardy; Lady Cecil, Miss T. Roberts; Duchess Northumberland. Miss M. Lowes ; Countess Nottingham, Miss M. Kvnns ; Countees Essex, TVliss B. Bvans; Lndy Burlelgh, Mrs A. Hardy; Earl Warwick, Mr F. Treseder; Earl Northampton, Mr Mander; Lord Willoughby, Mr Davis ; Sir W. Raleigh, Mr Iticbardson ; Sir F. Drake, Mr Ronaldßon ; Earl Essex, Mr Dobson; Earl Oxford, Mr Flinders ; Earl of Tyronne, Mr Fenwlck ; Earl Shrewsbury, Mr Power; Earl of Leicester, Mr Ashcroft ; Arclibishop Canterbury, Mr Watham ; Earl Sussex, Mr Ross ; Earl ,Mr Monkman ; Queen Victoria, Mrs Martin ; Maid of Honour, Miss Tewsley; Mauritius, Mi6s M. Tevvsley; Maid of Honour, Miss Irvine ; Maid of Honour, Miss M. Irvine ; Scotland, Miss Simpson ; Itftly. Misb B. Simpson; Maid of Honour, Miss Eva; Maid of Honour, Miss Austin ; Canada, Miss Fraser; Maid of Honour, Miss Boyd ; Lord Russell, Mr Dick ; Lord Palmerston, Mr Low ; Lord, Mr Sievwrlghfc ; Lord, Mr Fraser : Spanish, Mr Evans; African, Mr New bury ; Gibraltar, Mr Tapper ; Bombay, Mr Henson ; Indian chief, Mr Scoble ; Indian chief, Mr Tully ; Irish, Mr Alloo ; Spanish, Mr Greenslade; Guar€ of Honour, soldiers, &c. ; bearer of regalia, Mr F Hardy ; page, Mr P. Muir ; page, Mr P. Neill. Mrs A. E. Hardy wore a very handsome pale pink Ottoman silk train over a cardinal broche sKirfc embroidered with gold, steel, and pearl beads, and an Elizabethan bodice, also embroidered with pearls Mist, M. Lowes wore a nice white velvet and cashmere dress, with a court train embroidered in gold. Miss Wilson bad on n beautiful brocaded cardinal cretonne train, over a cream satin underskirt, embroidered with gold braid and pearls. She wore ehort puffed sleeves studded with pearls and a puffed collar embroidered with tinsel. Miss Beatrice Evans wore a green train with embossed silk over a whlte-and-gold skirt embrodered with jewels, a squarecub bodice, an Elizabethan ruffle, and a girdle and pearls. Miss Hardy's train was of crimson velvet, and was worn over a cream Batin puffed skirt, with puffed sleeves. She also had on a girdle of pearlß and an Elizabethan ruffle. Miss Roberts' train, composed of maroon velvet, was worn over a pink quilted skirt studded with pearls. Her dress had long hanging sleeves, and she likewise wore an Elizabethan ruffle. Miss Evans wore a blue moire train over a rose-pink sateen skirt, long hanging sleeves, a ruff, and a girdle and pearls. The ladies of Mary Queen of Scots' court were also very nicely dressed. Miss B. Wright (Duchess of Argvle) wore a train and bodice of old gold, botdered with pearls and blue feather trimming ; a blue underskirt, and a Mary Stuart bonnet nnd veil. Miss Le Brun (Lady Mary Carmichael) had on a white silk dress embroidered with pearls; an underskirt of tartan (12nd Highlanders), and a veil and bonnet to match. Miss Wright (Countess of Moray) wore a ruby velvet bodice and train festooned with pearls ; a pink underskirt, with ruby feather trimming, and bonnet and veil to mat^h. Mrs Murray's (Lndy Mary Hamilton) bodice was of cardinal velvet bordered with pearls. Her skirt and train were of cashmere, and she wore a bonnet and veil to match. Miss Herman (Lady Mary Seaton) had on a cerise silk bodice and train, bordered with swansdown ; Jan underskirt of cream satin heavily embroidered with fold and pearls. Miss M. Herman (Countess of Arran) wore a bronze plush dress and irain embroidered with gold and pearls, and bonnet and veil to match. Miss Moss (Lady Mary Beaton) wore a pale blue velvet dresß, and train embroidered with silver and pearls. Miss Taggart (Countess ot Morton) had on a black velvet bodice and train, and a white satin underskirt embroidered with gold. The following is a description of the dresses of the ladies belonging to Queen Victoria's court:— Miss J. M'Laughlin (Chinese lady), green sarstiet dress, trimmed with gold braid ; mantle of pluk broche satin, trimmed with cardinal and gold braid; and Chinese shoes. Miss Fraser, Canadian skating costume of dark blue 6ilk, trimmed with white swansdown; a girdle with pair of skates; and a white feather muff. Miss Irvine, a dress of pale blue, covered with coffee lace ; and a blue feather worn at the neck. Mißs Emma Irvine's dress was very similar to that of her sister, only she wore a white feather at the neck. Miss Austin, a pink skirt with black velvet body and pink feathers. Miss Kate Boyd, a muslin cream-coloured dress ; and cream feathers in the hair. Miss Eva, a cream silk, covered with cream lace. Miss Maud Tewsley, a cream silt<, trimmed with gold ; and cream feathers, Mlbb Simpson, a tartan skirt, with prinh -bodice; and a tartan handerchief on the bead. Miss E. Simpson, a pale blue skirt; pfcriped raervilleaux apron; blacP velvet bodice ; and white chemijelle.

The following is the names of the various stall holders : —

Refreshment stall: Mesdames Vv\ G. Neill, .T. T?. Jones, K. J. Spence, Maxwell; J.libses Spfiice (i). Fraser (2), Haggitt, Henrique*, Scott, Webster (2). and Jones (2).

Flower stall : Mcsdames Howieetfc, Spenoer.Brenfc: Misses Ada Lowes. Beatrice Lowe», Brent, Nelh Haggitfc. anil Amy Mackerras." Children's refreshment stall': Mesdames Taggart, F. SI. Coxhead, Walcott, and Mibs Taggart.

Maori etall ; Mesdnmeß Palmer and Scott, Missef Norman, Young, and Harrison. Sunday School aud Young Women's Association

fltalt: Misses Le Brun. Mann, Pearson, Dodd, A. lie Brun, Qteeory, and Baird. Ladies' Guild stall : Mesdames Edwards, Mander, Fowell, Sfcatham, Muir, and Spedding, Misseß Stanford, Clapcott, and Orbell. Young Men's stall : Messrs W. J. Davie, P. M'Catthy, and several assistants. Programmes were distributed to visitors to the hall during the evening, which gave the holders thereof a chance in a lottery, and the holder of No. 100 gained the prize which was given on Monday night, and is entitled to a set of Maori mats of the value of £1. On Friday evening the holder of programme No. 329 was the wiuner of a Maori tea cosy, valued at £1. Miss Collinson presided at a very pretty Christmas tree, which gave great delight to the children. It is an exceedingly pretty sight to watch the children dance — such bright little pictures they make I looking almost as fairy-like as the fairies they represent. The tinkle, tinkle, tinkle of their bells has a rery nice effect. The old-fashioned bazaar is a thing of the past. Now we get a bazaar served up to us in new and striking forms — that of the carnival certainly being the most brilliant form. To see the costumes is alone worth a visit. There ha\e been so many bazaars lately that the pockets of the townsfolk have been somewhat taxed. Let us hope the country visitors brought plenty of money with them. The People's Day of the Show

vraa abominable, so far as weather was concerned. A cold wind was, of course, blowing, with intermittent showers of rain. Sometimes for half an hour the sun shone brightlj, and made things very nice; then another shower rendered umbrellas serviceable. One advantage about these showers was the fact that they prevented the sand blowing about Tahuna Park like it did last year. Last year most of us came home with half an ocean beach in our eyes. In spite of the weather, there was a large attendance, and the tram service was equal to the emergency, making it both easy to reach the grounds and come away again.

The show of Mosgiel goods was very interesting — more interesting to the ladies, perhaps, than any other portion of the show, excepting, possibly, the farm produce, for good housekeepers always like to know where to obtain the best butter, cheese, bacon, &c, and there was a good display of these.

I am exceedingly fond of observing the people and noting the way individuals enjoy themselves, and a great deal of thorough, simple, hearty enjoymentis,asarule, depicted upon the faces of those who have come — miles, perhaps — from the country to attend these gatherings. Such noble good faces many of them are bearing token to an honest, industrious life. What would some blase townsfolk give for one day of such real pleasure as those whose holidays are far, between enjoy ! Even the children in the towns nowadays turn up their little halfgrown noses at what their country elders | thoroughly enjoy. They criticise and ridicule I what is not according to their views with all the coolness imaginable; but, poor little souls, how they do enjoy themselves when they get into the country ! How nice the milk is ! How beautiful the fields !

To come back to the show. There was every arrangement that could be desired made for the refreshment of hungry and thirsty mortals. The booth provided by the Women's Christian Temperance Union was very cosy and convenient, the ladies in attendance very attentive indeed. The tea and cake was exceedingly good, and a brisk trade seemed to be in progress during the day.

The ladies who entered for the prize for the best lady's hack drew, as usual, a great deal of attention as they gently cantered round the ring. The gentlemen all crowded to see them, standing on the seats of buggies, &c. commenting on the horses and upon the figures of their fair riders. Mrs Johnson was the proud recipient of the prize, and very pretty she looked too ! The jumping attracted a large crowd— what a horsey people we colonials are. When this was over there was a rush for town. There is nothing to say about the dresses, because, with one or two exceptions, they were of dark tone, or covered up with waterproofs. Let us hope that the clerk of the weather on St. Andrew's Day will be kinder to the ladies. By-the-bye, I see that on that night and several others " The Pirates of Penzance " is to be performed by the Dunedin Operatic Company. This is a capital idea ; as else there would be no amusement on at the theatre to gladden the hearts of our country friends. The Exhibition of the Otago Art Society's Pictures has been another attraction of the week. The collection is certainly a credit to the society, which lias only been established 13 years. Ido not profess to bo an art critic, but I know the pictures I liked. " Hope " and " A Study," by A. Handel Gear, were two beautiful female faces. The wall panels were very pretty, and the flowers painted by ladies were lovely. '• Clematis," by Miss Sperrey, was a lovely picture of a Maori girl pushing her head through a clematis bush. Miss Beal had several panels, and a very real-looking bunch of wallflowers. Mi:>s Joel has also a number of exhibits. Some trumpctlillies made me envious. " Spring Flowers," by Mis-- Stoddart, was another beautiful cluster of flowers.