TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 63

TABLE TALK.

Monday. The commissioners appointed by th« United States Government, at present visiting Mew Zealand in the interests of the groat 1915 Exhibition at San which will celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal, passed through Dunedin during last week, and spent a day and a couple of nights in our fair city. Soma very interesting men belonged to the party, and it was a pity that they had not time to stay longer and see the many beauties of the South Island. The Mayor (Mr Downio Stewart) gave a dinner at the Fcrnhill Club on Wednesday night in honour of the Governor of Colorado (Mr Alva Adams), Major Cloman, Mr Statesmitb, and the lion, O’Xeill Sevier (commissioners), and invited a number of prominent citizens to meet them. Miss Stewart entertained the ladies belonging to the party at dinner also on Wednesday evening at her residence, Ileriot row. The table looked very pretty, being artistically arranged with silver-vases filled with pink ranunculus and grass. There were present: Miss Stewart, Mrs Alva Adams (Colorado), (Mrs Cloman (San Francisco), Mrs Carr, Mrs Gcorgo Roberts, Mrs Marshall. Miss Williams, Miss G. Webster, Miss K. Ulrich, and Miss Hay (Tcmuka).

Mrs Nisbet gave a most enjoyable afternoon tea at her residence, Aieiierfield, on •Thursday afternoon, as a farewell to Mra and Misses Al'Kerrow, London street, who leave shortly for Auckland, where they intend spending the summer months, after which they leave for a trip to England. Mrs and Miss Nisbet received their guests in the drawing room. Mrs Nishet wearing a black floral silk gown prettily trimmed with black lace, chiffon, and jet. Miss Nishet wore u soft oyster-grey crepe do chine, the bodice made with a zouave of white lace and yoke of white chiffon. AH thd girls belonging to Archerfield bended round the refreshments, and were most becomingly attired in white muslin dresses with white ribbons. During the afternoon the guesta enjoyed music in the drawing room, whilst delicious tea, cakes, and strawb?rries and cream were much relished in tho dining room, where the table was decorated with, masses of pale lavender rhododendrons. Some present wore: Airs M'Kerrow, who wore a black silk gown and net black bonnet; Airs George Roberts, navy blue serge trimmed with black braid, and black feather hat; Mrs I bun say, black silk coat and skirt, black toquo trimmed with tulle; Airs Todd, deep mustard cloth coat relieved with black, black skirt, neat black toque with wings; Mrs Johnson Brown, black costume relieved with cream, cream hat trimmed with black; Airs Edgar Hazlett, black crepe de china coat and skirt, black hat with purplo flowers; Airs Barr, navy blue cloth coat and skirt, cream hat with cream wings; Mra Dunlop, black silk mantle, black gown, neat black bonnet; Aliss M'Kerrow, smart black satin coat, black-and-white striped silk skirt, small blue hat trimmed with blua and pink chiffon and flowers; Aliss Farquliar, pale blue linen costume, large whita hat trimmed with palo blue and whita wings; Aliss Rose, white serge coat and skirt, largo black feather hat; Aliss Z. Hoes* cream cloth costume, braided in cream sill* braid, largo picture hat with feathers; Misq Morris, black coat anti skirt, black-ancK white feather hat; Alisa Fergus, eox© blua poplin, large white hat trimmed whita ostrich feathers • Aliss Todd, navy blue eerga costume, black nat; Aliss Allen, nattier blua cropoline, blue hat with touch of pink: Mias M'Lean, putty-coloured cloth ooat and skirt with full white vest, largo grey ha* trimmed with pink; Miss Aloodio, white costume with picture hat; Aliss Dowling, black-and-white striped coat and skirt, small whits) hat trimmed with black tulle; Miss St&wart, grey crepolino with floral coatteo, large grey nat trimmed with chiffon arid grey and heliotrope flowers; Mies Ramsay, whit© eerge coat and skirt, large white hat with flowers; Miss G. Webster, black crepe dc chine coat and skirt, white point lace collar, black and emerald green hat; Miss Fenwick, whit# serge coat and skirt, large black hat witj

flowers; Miss Allen, white costume, picture hat. On Saturday evening the Royal Artillery Band gave a most excellent concert in the Garrison Hall, when the building was packed. Some beautiful selections were given, and they were all thoroughly appreciated, as it is a long time since Dunedin has had a chance of hearing such a noted band. Those I noticed present in the audience were: Mr and Mrs Hosking, Mr and Mrs J. Dunlop, Mr and Mrs Moore, Mr and Mrs Phillips, Mr and Mrs Theomin, Mrs Fotheringham, Dr and Mrs Marshall, Dean Fitchett, Mrs Elmore, Dr and Mrs Russell Ritchie, Mr and Mrs A. Bathgate, Dr Bathgate, Mrs Allan Jackson, Misses Stewart, Wilson, Theomin, Ulrich, Hosking, Mill, Hny, Macassey. Ritchie, Denniston, H. Denniston (Christchurch), Cutten, Hart, Sim, Sise, Webster, M'Laren (Tima.ru), Allen, Law, etc. A dinner party was given by the Mayor and Miss Stewart at their residence, Heriot row. on Thursday night, in honour of Miss M'Kerro'v, who leaves for England shortly. On Friday evening Mrs P. R. Sargood gave a dinner party. The table was prettily decorated with vases of roses. Those present, as well as Mr and Mrs Sargood, were; Sir Joshua and Lady "Williams, Mr and Mrs Hosking, the Mayor and Miss Stewart, Mr and Mrs Moore, and Dr and Mrs Lindo Ferguson. Mrs Chaffey (Wellington) is at present on a short visit to Dunedin. The Misses Thotnaon (Invercargill) are visiting Dr Batchelor, George street. Mrs J. Deans (Christchurch) arrived on Thursday to meet Mr-, and Mrs C. Holdaworth, who returned from England last week. Mrs Francis Barker (South Canterbury) is at present staying in Dunedin. Miss Blundell (New Plymouth) is the guest of Mrs Sidney Allen, High street. Mrs Wilford came down to meet her son, who arrived by the Turakina on Friday’ and returned to Wellington on Saturday. Miss Hay (Tcmuka) is staying with Mrs George Roberts, Littlebourno. Mrs J. Dunlop returned from Fairlie last week. Miss Helen Denniston (Christchurch) is the guest of Miss Denniston, Melville street. Mrs M’Maater, who was in Christchurch for Carnival Week, returned to Dunedin on Saturday. INVERCARGILL, November 22. The band contest —for the success of which an influential executive has done solid work and given much valuable time—has come to an end, and the bandmaster of the Tiniaru Garrison Band leturned home with the substantial cheque for £fso in his pocket, being the first prize in the A grade. The Invercar° gill Hibernian Band annexed the £IOO cheque for the first place in the B grade, and the Invercargill Dominion won tho Quickstep prize (£3O). This was a most popular competition, and from 5000 to 6000 people were present at Rugby Park on Wednesday afternoon to witness the event, £3OO being taken at the gate. On Monday evening Mrs Studholme was hostess for a ladies’ bridge party at her residence, Wellesley, her gown being cream, accordeon-pleated, and trimmed with broad insertion in black. Mrs L. Webb headed the score-total list, securing first prize, and to Mrs Keaton fell the consolation. Some of the guests were: Mrs Denniston Cuthbertson, 'Mrs Moore (Dunedin) Mrs T. S. Miller, Miss Bedford, Mrs F. Chisholm, Mrs J. L. Watson, Miss Nurse, Mrs Eustace Russell. Mrs Haggitt, Mrs Hazlett, Mrs Heaton, Mrs L. Webb, etc. On Tuesday evening Mrs C. H. Roberts gave a bridge party for Mrs Donaldson (Gore) at heT residence, Gladstone. The hostess wore a smart cream silk frock. Among the guests present were, besides tho guest of honour. Mr and Mrs Ronaldson, Mr and Mrs W. Maclean, Mr and Mrs R. Dunlop. Mrs W. Hazlett, Mnrs Wylie, Mrs Alfred Smith, Miss

Ronaldson, Dr Barclay, Mr Caws, Mr W. H. Brent, Mr Prain, Mr Purchas, etc. In the afternoon of the same day, Mrs T. S. Miller gave an auction bridge tea in honour of her guest, Mrs Heaton. Some of those present were: Mrs Studholme, Mrs E. Russell, Mias Nurse, Mrs J. L. Watson, Mrs Haggitt, Mrs Price, Mrs De Castro, Mrs Quinn, Mrs Denniston Cuthbertson (winner of the prize for highest total), Mrs L>. Webb, Mrs P. Chisholm, etc. On Friday evening Miss Ewart invited a few ladies for bridge to meet Mrs Donaldson. Some of those present *ere; Mrs Hazlett, Mrs A. Smith, Mrs Wylie, Mrs Ewart, Miss Hislop (Dunedin), Mrs Ronaldson, etc. Mrs Prain returned this week from New Brighton. Mr, Mrs, and Miss Sharp are back from a visit of some months in the north of the South Island. Mrs Heaton (Wellington) who has been Mrs T. S. Miller’s guest for a fortnight or more, left for the north on Friday. Miss Brodrick is back from her visit to Christchurch. TIMARU, November 22. Mrs Studholme, Mrs J. Barker, and Miss Laing-Meason returned from a fortnight’s stay at Mount Cook. Mr and Mrs Simon Mackenzie have returned to Timaru, and have taken Faillie, Miss M’Lean’s house in Sefton street. Mr Westmacott has gone to Te Kuiti. Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Millton are staying at Sefton House. Mr R. T. Bruce has gone to Rollosby. Miss Clifford and Miss Clissold have returned from Christchurch. Miss Blundell returns from Dunedin today, and will stay 'with Mrs Miles. Mrs W. White is spending a few days at Grasmere. Mrs Rolleston (Christchurch) is the guest of Mr and Mrs P. J. Rolleston, EeCren's terrace. Mrs H. Elworthy, who has been staying at Sefton House, returned to Craigmore on Saturday. On Thursday evening the Misses Shand gave a large “At home’’ at Craighead. Several of the pupils took part in plays, and eight of the senior girls danced a minuet. Mias Shand wore a pale blue crepe de chine dress, trimmed with silver fringe; Mias E. Shand, sea-green net over white satin; Miss Elizabeth Shand, pale pink satin, veiled in pink ninon. Among the guests were;—Mrs R. H. Rhodes, Mrs Jameson, Mrs R. L. Orbell, Mrs Gresson Mrs T. Rhodes, Mrs Egerton Reid, Mrs H. Elworthy, Mrs Little, Mrs R. Hay (Christchurch), Mrs Thomas, Mrs Rolleston, Mrs Howard Tripp, Mrs Bernard Tripp, Mrs W. Raymond, Mrs Inglis, Mrs Green, Mrs Vine, Mrs Gillies, Sira Thornton (West Coast), Mrs Gladstone Robinson, and Mrs P. Lindsay; Misses Buchanan, Howell (2), Turnbull (2), Raine (2), Blair, Brown, Marriott-Watson, Westmacott, Matheaon, Winter, Evans, Zeisler (2), Hay, Cocks, Turton, Salmond (Christchurch), Orbell (2), Wright, Hope; Messrs H. Tripp, B. Tripp, Leslie Wilson (Dunedin), W. K. Macdonald, Gladstone Robinson, Guinness, M’Laren, "Wine, Raymond, Green, Orbell, Rhodes (2), Thomas, Ulrich (2), and Little. On Tuesday night Miss Marriott-Watson, of Christchurch, gave a most enjoyable dance in the Assembly Rooms. The rooms were tastefully decorated with pale pink and pale blue, and the floor was in good order. In spite of the wet night about 40 couples were present. Among them were:—Mrs G. Buchanan, in black satin, trimmed with gold oriental trimming; Mrs Croucher (Waimate), in tussore, with black trimming; Mrs Chalmers black satin and lace over white satin; Miss Marriott-Watson, pale blue silk and white net; Miss Laidlaw, saxe blue satin, with handsome Irish trimming; Miss Freda Goodman, cream brocaded satin ; Miss E. Bowker, white charmeuse, trimmed with white lace over rose-pink satin; Miss H. Pearce, black lace over gold satin; Miss A. Gunn,, smoke-blue net over flame-pink; Miss G. Wood, black lace over gold satin; Miss K. Buchanan, pink-and-gold net over white satin; Miss Clissold, pale blue ninon, pink rosebuds; Miss Annette, white silk, Misses S. Beckett, Turnbull, Buxton, Caldwell (2), Armstrong, Pigott, Bowie, Turner, Wright, Chalmers. and Verity; Messrs Templer, Zeisler (2), Clissold, Pigott, Smith, Goodman (2), Hawke. Patterson. Webber, Hamilton, Dewhurst, Cockroft, Williams (3), M’Kibbon, Tennent, Paize, Aspinall, and Wright. s CHRISTCHURCH, November 22. On the final day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring meeting a drizzling rain set in early in the morning which set all doubts at rest as to whether it would be summer garments or wet weather raiments. Though a great crowd poured on to the course, the rain continued all day. Some of those present were: —Mr and Mrs Dalgety and the Misses Burnett (Dunedin), Mrs Stead. Mr and Mrs W. Stead. Mr and Mrs O. Reid, Mir and Mrs A. Elworthy. Mr and Mrs Allen, Mr and Mrs W. Clifford, Mr and Mrs Jameson, Mrs Hosking. Miss Hosking (Dunedin). Mr and Mrs C. Thomas, Mr and Mrs Boyle, Miss Boyle, Mr and Mrs B. Lane, Mr and Mrs Godby. Mrs Deans, Mr and Mrs Jim Deans, Mr and Mrs H. Reeves, and the Misses Clifford, Ogle, Humphreys. Wells. Gould, Harley, Grigg, Rhodes, Pyne, Sinclair Thomson, Nancarrow. Mrs Rolleston is visiting Timaru. Mr and Mrs Wilfred Stead left for the north on Tuesday night. Miss Denniston is the guest of Mias F. Denniston Melville street. Dunedin. Mr and ‘Mrs W. Bond who spent the winter in Christchurch, have returned to Dunedin. “The Sunshine Girl” and the “Belle of New York” have been staged by the Williamson Cqmpany during the week. Amongst the audiences have been:—Mr and Mrs R. Macdonald. Miss Thomson, Mrs Stead, Mrs

W. Stead, Mrs Nancarrow, Mr and Mrs Reid, Mr and Mrs Allen, Miss Ogle, Mr and Mrs Beals, Mr and Mrs G. Rhodes, Miss Rose, Mr and Mrs A. Elworthy, Mr and Mrs Melville Jameson, Miss Harley, Mr and Mrs Cowlishaw. Miss Lee, Mrs W. Clifford and Miss Clifford, Miss Rhodes, Miss Grigg, Mrs and Miss Hosking, Misses Humphreys, Miss Denniston. Numerous small tennis parties have been given during the week. Some of the hostesses have been;—Mrs Gould, Mrs Beswick, Mrs Allen, Mrs Wilding, and those playing, Mr and Mrs Congreve, Mr and Mrs Eric Harper, Mr and Mrs Godby, Mr and Mrs Beswick, Mrs Cowlishaw, Mrs G. Palmer, Mrs Reid, Mrs H. Reeves, Mrs Beals, and the Misses Cowlishaw, Lee, Wells, Humphreys, Harley, Wilding. Thomson, Boyle, Gould, and Ogle. GREYMOUTH, November 17. The croquet club held a very successful .opening day on Wednesday. The members of the committee wore bright red badges on their frocks, and were very attentive to the visitors. Two competitions were held, and the prizes were won by Miss Hambletou and Miss Baxter. Those present included; Mrs Lindcp, Mrs Lynch, Mrs Kemp, Mrs Spence, Mrs and Miss 1.. George, Mm Mabin, Mrs Morice, Mrs Tansey, Mrs Benzoni, Mrs Baxter, Mrs Fogarty, ills Wade, Mrs Shallcrass, Mrs Stubbs, Miss Kerr. On Wednesday evening a very enjoyable bridge and 500 evening was held at Mrs Sliallcrass's to rai.se funds to assist the croquet club. During the evening the prizes won during the season were presented to the following;—Miss Broard (championship), Mrs W. Baxter, Mrs Shallcrass, Mrs Tennent, Mrs Morice, Mrs Tansey, Mrs Smith. The bridge prizes were dainty pieces of china, and were won by Mrs Harley and Mrs Mabin. The 500 prize was won by Mjs Benzoni. Others present included: —Mr and Mrs Shallcrass, Mr and Mrs Kemp, Mr and Mrs Skoglund, Mr and Mrs Tansey, Mr and Mrs Harley, Mrs Austin, Mrs Morice, Mrs Phillips, Miss Kitto, Mrs Spence, Miss Moss, Miss St. George, Miss Carr, Miss Murphy, Miss Philltps, Mias Kilgour, Miss Gillon, Mr Collins, Mr Dennehey, Mr and Mrs Queen. Mrs Moss entertained a few friends on Monday evening at bridge. On Friday evening Miss Kitto gave a very happy little bridge party at the ISursea Home. Some of those present were:—Dr and Mrs Morice, Mr and Mrs Cook Mrs St. George, Mrs Harley, Miss Kerr, Miss Pike, and Mr Woodward. Several croquet afternoons have been given during the week on private lawns, the hostessses being Mrs Kettle, Mrs St. George, and Miss Kitto. . Mr and Mrs Broard returned from Christchurch on Saturday. ... w v. Mr Lewis,” engineer of the Public Woiks, Department, has been transferred to S °The la weather is at present delightful, and the tennis and croquet lawns are greatly patronised. WELLINGTON, November 21. Lady Ward and her daughter h * ve . to Christchurch for a few days, and mtepd to be back here soon for the marriage of the latter to Mr Wood. They are to be married from Mrs Seddon’a house Mns Seddon having placed the same at the disposal of Sir and Lady Ward for the puxP °General Godley. with Mrs Gcdley (word has been received by private letter), are on the wav out from London. They expect to be in Melbourne during the last week of December, and tc reach Auckland during the first week of January. Mrs Laurenson is receiving very large numbers of letters of condolence from everv part of the Dominion, in token of the high respect in which her late husband waa held by all and sundry. T , Mrs Wiiford is visiting her mother. Lady M'Lean, in Dunedin. The strike continuing, the lady residents who distinguished themselves, as noted in my letter last week, have kept at work in the sheds for the comfort of the men who are keeping the ports open. They indignantly deny that they receive money for the refreshments they dispense so well, ihe citizens take ample care that all sorts of delicacies are sent in daily, the provisions for the regular meals ate sent in by the Government punctually, - and there is no need for anyone to send money. Still less is there any for the sending round of hate, a thing falsely imputed to these ladies, to their great indignation. The work of the specials is not entirely free from trouble, as young Mr Bai, from Pabiatua found when he broke his leg in the fall ’his horse gave him in the charge in Post Office square the other day. Also young Mr Collins, son of Dr and Mrs Collins, who was taken suddenly ill one night this week and had to be removed tq the house of his parents in Hobson street. Thence bulletins are despatched regularly to friends, who are constantly making inquiries. Much sympathy is felt for the aoctor and Mrs Collins, for the illness of their son is such as to cause anxiety. Mrs Collins I hear, never leaves the bedside, although she has two nurses from the hospital to attend to the work. Her son came down in one of the contingents of horsemen from tlie Wairarapa district. On Wednesday of last week Miss Ruby Fish, daughter of tho late Mr H. S. Fish, of Dunedin, was married at St. Peter’s Church here, bv Archdeacon Harper, to Mr It. Spensley Clarkson, of Auckland. Mr H. C. Mayer, the bride’s brother-in-law, gave her away, and the bridesmaids wore Miss Amy Fish, sister of the bride, and Mias Joyce Bennett, of Dunedin. Mr P. W Baker (Auckland) was best man, and Mr R. A. Wilson (Wellington) sustained the part of groomsman. The bride’s dress was of ivory satin, draped, hand-embroidered, and trimmed with Honiton lace. She wore the orthodox veil, and carried a shower bouquet of white roses and pink carnations. The bridesmaids’ dresses w'ere of white voile over satin, hand-embroidered with pink and blue, white crepe d chine hats. A recention was held at the house of the bride’s 1 sister, Mrs Mayer, and the happy pair left later on tho way to Auckland. The Show of the Wellington Rose and Carnation Club on Wednesday was one of the most successful in the record of that well-managed institution. The innovation of holding it in the big Town Hall was much appreciated by those who remembered the stifling crowds in the Concert Hall, by which they were prevented in former years from seeing anything of Hie exhibits. Tho blooms of both roses and carnations were astonishing, and the proportion of novelties quite up to the standard of past years. His Excellency the Governor opened the Show, bringing with him the whole Government House party. Lady Liverpool wore charmeuse of periwinkle mauve, with tagal hat trimmed with pink roses; Mrs Luke (Mayoress) was in dark blue; Mrs Massey in dark blue corded silk; Miss Harcourt in blue with white hat; Mrs A. Pearce in black and white; Mrs 11. D. Bell, grey corduroy velvet; Mrs F. M. B. Fisher, black and white. Among the large crowd of visitors one remarked a great variety and uncommonly high standard of costumes. On Tuesday there was a pleasant wedding at St. Peter’s. Miss Olive Marsh, daugh-

ter of Mrs Marsh, of Eoslyn, Dunedin, wa* married to Mr B. Mooro, of the Bank of New Zealand, Palmerston North. The bride was married in coat and skirt of ivory cloth with lace ruffles and white tagal hat with tulle trimmings, and she carried a of pink roses. Mr and Mrs A. W. Young, cousins of the bride, had a reception after the ceremony at their home in Wellington terrace. Mrs Young received in champagne cloth gown, and white tagal hat with ostrich feathers; the bride’s mother was in blue; her cousin, Mrs MacPherson, of Dunedin, in blue also, with white straw hat; Mrs Johnston (Bulls), sister of the bridegroom, silk shantung and floral hat; Mrs Amelins Smith, the bride’s cousin, blue cloth braided with black. After the reception the bride and groom left for the north. AUCKLAND, November 13. The Auckland Racing Club's spring meeting was opened at Ellerslie last week under beautiful weather conditions. The attendance, however, owing no doubt to the present industrial disturbances, was not nearly as large as usual. The course, however, was looking beautiful, and all the_ flower beds, especially those in the saddling paddock, were gay in appearance. The large fountain was covered with water lilies in white, cream, and red. Mrs W. H. Parkes was wearing a smart amethyst coat and skirt, with a touch of coloured embroidery on the collar, and tagel hat lined with amethyst and trimmed with feathers in a like shade; Mrs Frank Rosa (Cambridge), green charmeuse coat and skirt, and grey hat massed with feathers; Mrs E. Firth, navy blue coat and skirt and smart hat; the Misses Norah and Rachel Gorrie, white bengalina coats and skirts, and pretty hats; Mias

Hole Nathan, cream cloth coat an 4 ■with large crepe de chine collar, and black hat massed with white feathers; and Braithwaite, bine coat and skirt, and biacK hat with feathers. , The second day’s racing opened with very indifferent-looking weather, although no iual rain fell. Most .of those present were in coats end ekirts, although there were some pretty frocks worn. Miss Inoyd ag wearing a pal© 'vienx-x os© ©pong® coatee, witli checked skirt, &&& cream & with touches of pink; Mrs Frank Frye > dark hlue coat and skirt, and small Pana a hat with black band; Mias Gome, dark g y tailored suit, and white hat with bows; Mrs Markham, smart blue coat and skirt, with a touch of red and white trimmings. and nattier blue hat with blue tulle mount and tiny deep pink roses; and -Mrs Parker Upton, grey coat and skirt, and black hat. , . On Wednesday of last week the marriage of Miss Nesta Thomas, elder daughter of Dr and Mrs Thomas, St. Stephen s Parnell, and Captain Douglas Russell Kirker, eon of Mrs J. Kirker, Ponsonby, took place at St. Mary's Cathedral Churcli, Parnell The bride looked charming in a lovely frock of white ohaxmeuse with,-beaded overdress of dull white heads, the bodice being draped and softened with lace. A .wreath of orange blossoms adorned her hair, and a bridal veil of tulle was also worn. There were two bridesmaids —-Miss T. Thomas and Miss Queenie Kirker {sister of the bride and bridegroom respectively). —and they wore dainty frocks of pale mauve silk muslin, with drapings of fine white lace, and white feathered hats. The service, which was performed by Canon Mac Murray, was fully choral, ana the church was beautifully decorated with arum lilies and masses of white and pink roses, while a floral bell hung from the archway at the foot of the chancel steps. After the ceiemony a reception was held by the bride’s parents, a large number of guests being present. Mrs Thomas (mother of the bride) wore a frock of white crepe de chine, the bodice of which was finished with fine white lace, and white hat with tangerine rosea; Mrs Kirker (mother of the bridegroom) wore a grey crepe de chine, finished with embroideries in the same shade, and black hat with white lancer plnme. A special feature of this wedding was the beautiful bouquets. Flowers with us in the north at the present season ere both abundant and beautiful. Mr Robert "Walker, who passed away while staying* at the Esplanade Hotel, Devonport, was a very well-known identity in Auckland. Hs arrived here with his family in the early sixties, and was over 90 years of age at the time of his death. With the death of Mr John Burns, of Epsom, one of the most respected and kindliest citizens has been, taken from us. The Seatest sympathy has been expressed for rs Burns and her grown-up family in their loss. The strike is. still the most absorbing topic of conversation amongst us. Housewives have all been busy in endeavouring to get in.large supplies in case of a famine. As ia usual with us in Auckland, we are always very, loud -and very hysterical over our undertakings,-.land the suddenness and volubility of the -strike was no exception to the rule. There, is no ,doubt that without the protective and mpral force of the large number ,of special constables and farmers from the country • there .would have been serious riots. At' this‘ time of writing, however, the general-opinion seems to be that Auckland will bo .once again its happy, peaceful self before another week has passed us by * , " ■’d'dr I ''*- 1 , ■■ November 20. Social life during the-, past week has been a dead letter in ..consequence of the strike, which, contrary to all -expectations, is still going on. The cessation, too, of the tram service has been no small factor in helping to keep us all at home. Fortunately/ however, for those who care forced to go in and out of town, thq weather has been fine and bright, eo that , they are able to walk in comfort. ’ ' ... ; .. . Many anxious opinions have been ex-, pressed as to the ability of the Exhibition authorities to keep*- faith with the public in opening on the due date, but it is now a certainty that everything will be in readiness by the Ist of next month. Although it is considered .that .the first few weeks of the opening may be to a certain extent marred through the present industrial troubles, there can be I no doubt tbnt the Exhibition will' turn out to be a brilliant success. ■ ; ■ Miss Jessie Reid- is the guest of Mrs Guy Williams, Masterton. Mr Williams has been for the past few weeks in Wellington, having enrolled as. a member of the new Arbitration Union working on the wharves. Dr and Mrs Kenneth Gordon, who arc at present in Auckland; were presented with an illuminated, address and a purse of sovereigns before leaving their late home at Oha-eawai. The Rev A. H. Colville, M.A.. vicar of St. Mary’s Church, New Plymouth, accompanied by Mrs Colville, are to take up residence in Auckland for some time, having exchanged with the Rev. W. E. Gillam, vicar of St. Matthew’s Church. It is thought that the change will benefit Mrs Gillam, who has for some time past been in indifferent health. Mrs and Miss Donner, Gisborne, have been in Auckland fox a few days, and have gone up to Rotorua in waiting fox the sailing of their ship tq England, which has been delayed through the strikes. Mrs Knox, Wellington, is a guest at the Mon Desir Hotel, Takapuna, and is to remain m the north for some time. Miss Chinnery-Bro’.vn, Parnell, returned last week from a visit to Mrs E. G. Matthews, Gisborne. Sir Robert and Lady Stout, with Miss Janet, are at present in Auckland. Two of their sons from England, now fully-quali-fied doctors, have also arrived in Auckland. Lady Stout is to lecture hero on the subject of women and children and the necessity of adequate measures for their protection. Last week it was my sad duty to tell you of the passing away of Mr John Burns, head of the firm of Messrs John Burns and Co., the well-known hardware and iron merchants, of this city. The interment took place in the cemetery attached to St. Andrew's Church, Epsom, the funeral procession being perhaps one of the largest we have ever had in Auckland. This week I have to announce the death of Mr Thomas Cotter, K.C., which took place at Auckland last Friday in a private hospital after an operation. Untiring as Mr Cotter was in the pursuit of his profession, he never lost an opportunity of performing a kindly deed. Mrs Cotter and her family have been inundated with telegrams and letters of sympathy with them in their bereavement.