TABLE TALK

Otago Witness, Issue 2170, 26 September 1895, Page 41

TABLE TALK-

Monday, September 23. The Lan Us' Musical Clab, which has held fortnightly meetings during the winter months, concluded their season on Friday, the 20lh ult. The eutertainment, which took the form of a mucicale, was held in the hall in the Y.NLO.A. Rooms in Moray place. Bach member was permitted to invite two friends of either cc*, so that there must have been close upon 100 ladies and gentlemen present. A moat delightful evening was spent, and the music, which was excellent, was listened to with wrapt attention. Too much praise cannot be given to Miss Busch and Mita Amy Robert*, and in fact all the committee, who have skilfully guided this new club through its first season, and theu at the finale given all the members as well as fche guests such a treat as they experienced on Friday evening. The hall was most tastefully decorated ; the bare walls were almost totally covered with flags, relieved here and there with ferns and flaxes. Tiny tables covered with gay cloths, and on -which were 6et choice sweots and dainfly bowls of primroses and vloletp, were dotted all about the room, and round these chairs were arranged in groups. The evening began with a pianoforte solo by Misa Royse, who played " Humoresque," by Mosjkow.ki, in a most able manner. Tho other pianofo.te soloists durlr.g the evening were Mrs Eardley Reynolds and Misß Branson; the former rendered ballad in A flat, by Chopin, in her usual masterly style, while the latter played a mazurka very well indeed, for which Bhe obtained an encore. The vecal soloists were Mrs Firker, Miss Alict Greenwood, Mias Lily Shand, and Miss Amy Roberts, the last-named (ringing a very pretty socg entitled " Moorifih love song," by Pizzi. ♦'Venetian Regatta," a duet, was sung by Mrs Israel and Mrs Theomin, and ttere Were two pait BODgs — tho first, entitled 11 Morning hymn," by Concone, waH sung by the Misses Greenwood, Bit! gate, Uiricb, S. Grabiun, L. S'jand, I. Rattray, L. Rdtray, and E. F.-rquhar — nnd the programme was brought to a closa by a solo arid double quartet from "A MkUummer Night's Dream," the former by Miss F. M Lean, and the Utter by Mis 3 Reynolds, Misa Cutten, Mies Rjyse, Mrs Sirgood, Mrs M'Leio, Misa Branson, and Mrs Theomin. Daring the interval refreshments were Beiv<jd, and this plra--ant evening was brought to a clote at 10 30. Amongst those present were Mr and Mrs B. C. Reynclde, Mr and Mrs Theomin, Mrs Branson, Mrs Catten, Mrß and the Misses Graham, Mrs Ritchie, the Misses Stephenson, MrS Jo witt, Mra Jeff coat, Miss Reynolds, Mrs Leslie Reynolds, Miss Webster, Miss Macasgey, Mr and Mra Finch, Mr Gully, Mr and Mr* J. Wright, Mr and Mrs Sargood, the Misses Mendelson, Mr Oldbam, Mr Henry, the Misses MacLaren, the Misses Roberts, the Misses Gilkiaon, Mrs Hewitson, Miss S. Butleman, Mr Pasco, -Miss Gether, Mrs W. D. Slewarfc, Mrs B.C. Haggitt. Miss Uiricb, the Misses Rattray, Mias R. Neill, Mrs R. Rhodes (Canterbury), ana Miss OBrien (Tun-iru). Mrs Higginßon wore a dead rose velvet gown trimmed with lovely laoe; Mrs A. A. Finch, a stylish white silk dress with large accordeon-plaited sleeves trimmed with fluted chiffon; Mrs L. H. Reynolds, pale grey silk with sleeves and trimmings of pink velvet; Mrs Theomin, black brocade with black Chiffon sleeves; Mrs Dowling, black moire, with fcleeveJess bodice of heliotrope bengalins cutlioecl with jfct; Mis? Reynolds wore can de nil satin with sleeveless bodioe of cloth of gold, the sleeves being composed of the same material as the skirt, butterfly bows on the shoulders, and long ende of rubycolonrcd velvet ribbon ; Mies Branson, aoft pisk silk frock with lace at neck and sleeves; Miss de Salamos, a Btripod silk dresa with aleeves and trimmings of pale blue silk ; Miifl fllendelson, a handsome dress of pale blue

brocade trimmed elaborately with pearl trimming ; Miss Royae, Grecian dress of pale pink silk; MiBS Haggitt, a pretty frock of black orepcm with butterfly sleeves of eilk and jet; Miss Rattray, black crepon and i- Ilk with Maltese lnoe at neck and sleeves ; Mlbs Sise, yellow fcilk; Mlps A. Greenwood, white silk trimmed with black ribbons and lace; Mies G. Roberts, green velvet and lace ; Miss Roberts, a shot silk gown with deep lace at neck and sleeves.

Mrs Henry Mackenzie gave a large afternoon tea on Saturday at her residence, The Chalet, High street, in hononr of the golf ladies who are visiting Dunedin from OhristChurcb, Wellington, and Timaru. As the tournament did not begin till Monday, most of the Btrargers were able to accept Mrs Mackerzie's hospitality. About GO or 70 guests were present, and as the dining room, drawing room, hall, and morning room were all thrown open there was ample accommodation for the visitors. There was some music in the drawing room during the afternoon, Mr- Hipglus and Mi-Js Duisy Boyd playing punoforte solofa and Mr Cl u .\Yf s and Miss Roberts rendering vocal eolca iv a most acceptable manner. Amongst tho guests prehent were tho MUbfcs Rattray, Miss Kathie Nrii), Mrs aud Miss Boyd, Mrs Lindo ifer£u?o», Mrs Tower, Mrs Woodhorjse, Mrs George Gould (Ohri&tchnrch), Mrs Scott, Mrs Bowen Mrs J. E. Danniston (Chris tcburch), Mrs G. L. Denniston, Mrs Boyle (Olmstohurch), Mrs Wilder, Mia Colqahour, Mrs Pyne, Mrs Sinclair-Tnornuon, Mi^s Cargill, Mrs Vernoo, tiie JUisses Rjherts, Mrs L. Keyaolds, Miss R : ynolds, Mr Webster, Mrs Ogston, Mr Olewea, Mr and Miss Biae, Mrs Poatleihwailp, Miss Stamford, Mrd CAmpbell (Csristchurch), and Miss Gibson. Mrs Mackenzie received her guests in the

hall, and wore a rich black silk skirt and black bodice composed wholly of chiffon; Mrs Sinclair-Thomson, grey costume with large accoidann-r-laited sleeves, hat en suite ; Miss K. Neill, electric blue frock with yoke and trimmings of white Bilk, and lace, large picture bat of black lace ; Mra Colquhoun, pale g'oy gown with corselet bodice of black velv.:t; Miss Turton, black and white checked dress with moire silk sash ; Miss Stamford, ekirt and jacket of grey cloth, and veat of blue silk, large black hat relieved with green. A special meeting of the Kahanga Club was held last Saturday evening in St. Matthew's Schoolroom, the object being to show to the lady golf players from other cities how this club ia managed, and what sort of entertainments is produced. The hour fixed for the entertainment to commence was 8 o'clock, and ere that hour arrived the ball was well filled with membera of the club, their lady friends, and the strangers from OhristchErch and Timaru. The hall was most artistically decorated with ferns, flax, and other greenery, while the mantelpiece, and above it, was a mass of daffodils set in green. The body of the hall was arranged as a drawing room with numerous little tables, and chairs placed round them. On each table was placed a chaste little vase of yellow primroses and purple violet*, and also one or two dishes Of delicioua sweets. The stage looked very comfortable with dark crimson hangings and carpet and comfortable chairs and lounges, and also upon it was placed the piano. Very neat programmes were distributed amongst all present, and each stranger received one. The programmes were a work of art, being moßt beautifully painted by respective members of the club. The first item was a pianoforte solo by Mies Annette Wilson, She first played the march " Tokio," and followed it by an impromptu composed by herself. The next item was a recitation by Mrs J. Oargill entitled "A Frenchman at Golf," a most amusing poem describing the many difficulties to a foreigner which this fascinating game reveals. Mrs Cargill gave this in a moat realistic manner, her Fienoh accent being good. This was followed by a song entitled *• Fiflnella," by Mm Monk-

mafif and in response to a hearty encore she sang "Ohl promise me" moßt sweetly. The last item on the first part now came, and was extremely clever, and delighted fche audience. It was entitled "The Scarecrow : A Silent Drama," and was performed by Mi«s A. Cargill and Misa M. Oargill. The plot was—First, the two Isvers ; second, the jealousy of the lady, who thinks the gentleman is making love to someone else, whilst in reality he is lighting bis ci#ar under the shelter of an umbrella and the scarecrow. The third scene is the reconciliation, and all lived happy ever after. As this entire piece was acted in dumb show, no word beiog spoken, it was indispensable that the performers should be " artißtes," which they decidedly were. After this tea, coffee, and cakes were served, the younger portion of the audicr 03 making themselves useful in serving the rtfre-hinentß and placing them on the tables. Tiie second part comprised a character sketch entitled "A Day at Golf," by Mrs Sinclair-Thomson and Miss A. Oargill; nn Kg) ptian dance, gracefully performed by Miss L M-id^aren and Misa Elsie Ball ; the reading of the priza essay, " New Z "aland from a Tourirt's Point of View," by Miss Browning; and lnet)y a Swiss «ong and tableau, the fVmer by Mis* S. Gahara, and the loHer by Miss E. Ulrioh, Miss Maud Sise, Mv.b H Diiver, and Miss E MacLaren in Swiss peasant coßtumn. Amongst those present were Mefi'latnes Denniston, Lindo Ferguson,. Ritchie, I'o.stlethwaite, Mackenzie, Butterworth, Wilder (Ohmtchurch), Boyle (Christ church), Woodhouse, Molland, Scott (Cantfcrbury), P. Campbell (ChrUtciurch), Pvne (Chriatchurch), Webster, Caigill, Cutten, Finob, Bell .(Wellington), Rhrdeß (Ohmtchnrch). Smithson, Denniston (Chrictchurch). A. Ferguson, Hewitson, Inder, Noill, and Park (Melbourne;, the

Misses Rattray, Roberts, Stephenson, Naill, Sise, Ctmeron, MacLareu, O'Brien (Timaru), •Dnnoan (Wellington;, Gibson. Farquhar,. Hrtggitt, Mendelson, Stamford, Oargill, Hay, Shand, GilkiEon, Cutten, Tuiton, Bwtleman, Graham, Driver, Webster, and Reynolds. Mrs Ferguson wore a striking combination of pink and white silk, the entire front of the skirt beicg composed of the former, and the bodice elaborately .trimmed with white chiffon and far; Mrs Pyno< a Btylish gown of black eilk with sleeveless bodice of yellow ailk veiled in black chiffon and large black silk sleeves ; Mrs Mackenzie, pale pink silk ; Mrs Eatchelor, pink Bilk veiled in black net ; Mrs OargilJ, black silk ; Mrs Denniaton (Christcburch) wore a handsome gown of pink obtoman silk, the skirt outlined with jst, the bodice also trimmed with jet and chiffon ; Mios K. Neill, heliotrope velvet blouse over dai k skirt ; Miss Graham, blue silk, and her sister a pretty blouse of blue silk with trimmings of red velvet ; Miss Mendelson, pink bengaline with tho sleeveless bodice covered with white chiffon ; Mrs Vornon, cream silk with trimmings of spotted chiffon and old gold silk ; Mrs Gould (Obristchurcb) wore a black Bkirt and blouse of flowered silk ; Mrs Woodhouse, black silk with sleeves and trimmings of yellow silk; Mrs Wilder, a gown of heliotrope silk relieved with yellow.

On Wednesday evening Mrs J. M. Ritchie gave a small dance in honour o£ Miss Cameron, who is at present paying her a visit. During the first part of the evening a very clever play was given, entitled " The RovolS of the Husbands," written by Mr Nichol and performed by the Misses Lily and Ethel MacLaren, Mr G. Sievwright, and Mr Nichol. This was an amusing Bketcb, showing first the independence of the wives, and then their complete Bubjugation by the stronger sex. The Missee MacLaren wore walking costumes during the play, and looked charming, Mis 3L. MacLaren's dresa being of black crepon, the bodice trimmed with blue silk, and a large black hat trimmed with blue chine libbon and flowers. All acted admirably, and the performance made a pleasing diversion in the dancing. The large drawing room was converted into a danoing room, and supper was* served in the dining

Mra Ritchie received her guests in a trained gown of black silk ; Miss Cameron wore a pretty gown of blue nnn's veiling trimmed with chiffon ; Mrs Teschomaker, blask silk ; Mra Lintott, red silk and black lace ; Mias Webster, black and yellow ; Miss F. Kit tray, pale blue beng&iine trimmed with green velvet, passementerie, and blue forget-me-nois; Mrs Mackenzie, pale pink silk ; Mis-< Bartleman, white silk and lace; Miss L. R^tray, pink silk; Mra Higßinß, a handsome gown of yellow brocade trimmed wilh white fur; Miss Neil!, heliotrope brocade; MissG. R A)ert», green velvet with lace at neck and sleeves ; Mius Reynolds, pals green satin with bodice oE cloth of gold and ruby velvet ribbon ; Mis 3 Maud S : se, white brocade and obiffun; Mias Macassey, black. There were also present the Messrs Pasco, Sievwright, Macassey, Niohol, Gibbons, N. Sievwright, Oldbam, Reynolds, Sise, Morris, Rattray, Higgins, and Webster.

Qnite a nnmber of ladies are visiting Dunedin at present. Mrs Boyle, Mrs Wilder, and Miss Duncan are staying with Mrs Lindo Ferguson in Hiojh street; Mrs Pyne is with Mrs Mackenzie; Mrs Vernon with Mrs Oolquhoun; Mta Scott and Mrs Bowon are guests of Mrs Ogaton, and Miss O'Brien of Mrs StephenßOß ; Mra John D«nniaton is staying with her sister, Mrs Woodhouse; Mrs R. Rhodes is with Mra Her»tlett, Manor place; and Mrs George Gould is the guest of Mrs Sinclair-Thomson. The second annual social of the Otago Cycling Cluh was held at the Choral Hall on Thursday evening last. There were about 80 couples present, the lioor was in excellent order, and the music supplied by Mr Grist's band was eood. Among those present were

Mrs So&dman, in a bl&ck silk grenadine with violets; Mrs Smart, heliotrope satin with trimmings of cream lace and chiffon ; Mrs Lodge, pretty costume of pink Liberty ; Mra M'Kinley, pretty costume of croam satin, bodice trimmed with cream lace ; Mra Lewis, pale blue nun'e veiling, pick Liberty Bilk sleeves ; Mi«s Young, a very pretty costume of buttercup veiling with pearl trimmings; Mifs Walls, pink nun's veiling; Misa Hintz rose pink veiliog, black bebe ribbon trimmings Miss Jay, cream cay h mere, puffed sleeves of figured Liberty silk ; Mies Oorbett, pink nun's veiling; Miss Fogo, bine nun'a veiling, white lace trimmings ; Miss Samson, cream satin striped crepon, trimming of cream silk ribbon ; her sister, a pretty blue frock ; Miss A. Hintz, pale pink nun's veiling ; Miss Cuthbertson, cream silk crepon, full sleeves of myrtle green velvet ; Miss Bastings, cream crepon trimmed with heliotrope surah ; Miss Campbell, pink spotted muslin ; Miss Dow, gobelin blue cashmere, black lace ; Miss Russell, pretty dress of pink silk net, trimmings of moss green ribbons ; Miss J. Campbell, white crepon, pretty pale blue satin Bleeves ; Miss Bastings, white crepon, sleev9B of pale green Liberty ; Mies Wishart, cream crepon, pretty cape to match ; Miss Muir, white cashmere with white satin sleeves, bodice prettily finished with white daisies. The invitation concert given by Miss Annette Wilson in the Choral Hall on Tuesday evening, the 17th. was crowded, the audience being a very representative one. Miss Wilson is certainly a versatile composer, and her compositions are just of that graceful and thoroughly harmonious order which Bhould make them extremely popular as drawing room selections. Among the pianoforte solos I may especially mention the " Reverie," in which some extremely pretty passages occur, and the " Bonree," which is very bright and sparkling. The "Good Luck" march has a catchy air with a very pretty refrain running through it, and the " Midsummer Eve* mazurka is extremely pretty 5 the eecnnd movement I particularly admired, and tucn the return to the smooth flowing grace of the opening theme. The andante, for violin was undoubtedly t'ne m^=f nowerful composition on tbo ih f , me -5 uuue full justice to

——»«—■—— 1 11 lin 1 ■'■ ■■ u«iid by Mr Barrett. Mies Blanay sang "Tha evening cloud" charmingly — her voice ia always so fresh and pure in its quality ; and Mr M-inson did all that could be done with the "Kraken," a peculiar and unlovely theme to ask any vocatist to expend himself upon, but Mr Manson's voice C3me out very finely in the slowly descending finale. The concert, with its entire programme of Misa Wilson's own compositions, gave ample proof of her thorough knowledge of music.

An extremely bright and successful draw-ing-room entertainment was given at All Saints' Schoolroom on the evening of Thursday last. A good deal of curiosity and expectation had evidently bean aroused, as well as some misgivings as to obtaining seats, for I am told people were gathered about the door long before it was opened. Before the curtain rose for the first part of the programme the Hchoolrooir was crowded wilh a fashionable audience. Some slight change was made in the concert programme, and the first number was "My lady's dower," very pleasingly rendered by Mr Houghton. Solos were given by Mesdames Logau and Monkrnan in their usual good Btyle, while the quartet, "Johnnie Schmoker," by Meßsrs Paßco, Johnston, and Brannon (2), awoke the enthusiasm of an encore. Miss Napier Btll danced the "Gitana" with the perfect grace and spirit which always dia« tingaiabes her dancing, and being vehe« mently enoored, gave a still more charming and piquant dance, substituting Castanet* for the tambourine she had used with such tffoct in the "Gitana." Bbc wore a very haudaome cOßtume of white lace with icarlet satin laced bodice. A solo by Mr S. Branson, who possesses a very sweet voice, concluded the first part of the programme, The second part of the entertainment consisted of the pretty little comedietta " Oux Toys," and the characters were sustained as follows : — Miss F. M'Lean, the lady doll ; Mr Hume, the gentleman dell ; Mias Graham, I Little Red Riding Hood; Mi D M'Lean, the wooden fioloVr ; Mss L. Shand, Little Bopeep; Mr G. Branson, Noah. Miaa Nina Gibson was the fairy, and spoke both the prologue and epilogue very prettily, danoing charmingly and looking a very fascinating fairy— white floating robes, giozy wings, star-tipped wand, and everything en regie. Tiie dresses were very handsome. The young ladies all looked very pretty, and the men took their parts effectively ; but it is impossible to avoid noticing the specially good acting of Miss F. M'Lean and Mr D. MfLean, who were quite the stars of the company. It is understood that the eutertainment — which was in aid of All Saints' Guild — was entirely got up and managed from first to last bj Mrs Napier Bell. If this is true, she must have felt amply rewarded by the brilliant success of the evening. Weigel's Journal for September oontaini the usual variety of useful and pretty suggestions for dresses, millinery, and lingerie. There is, however, nothing novel or striking enough to call for special mention, unless T call your attention to some pretty shapes foe the new large collars.