TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 64

TABLE TALK.

Monday Evening. Last week being Show Week, quite a number of country folk assembled in town to see the show. Unfortunately, the weather was not as good as it might have been, and Thursday proved rather wet and dismal; but notwithstanding everything, the number of exhibits was larger than last year, and the attendance good. On Wednesday evening Miss M'Lean gave a small bridge party, which was much enjoyed by all present. Bridge was played in the drawing room, and those taking part in the game were Mesdames Ledinghara (Australia), Finch, Burns, Fenwick, Frank Fitchett, Cheeseman, Misses Batchelor, Webster, Carew, etc. Mrs Royse gave a delightful afternoon tea last week for her daughter, Mrs James Watson, Invercargill. Tea was enjoyed in the dining room, where the table looked pretty with pink and red pyrethrums and grass. Mrs Royse received her guests in the drawing room, and was gowned in a handsome black brocaded satin with white chiffon ruffle at the neok; Miss Royse wore a dainty pale pink chiffon over silk relieved with cream laoe; Mrs James Watson, smart black-and-white check coat and skirt with high ilcdici collar, small black silk toque with bunch of white lilies. Others present wore Mesonmes Oldham, Ledingham (Australia), Dodgslnm, M'Tntnsh. Hudson, Wallis, Nicol, Glirystall, Misses Rise, Raltrav, Mackerras (2), 0. Webster, Ulrich, Macassey. Graham, F. M'Lcnn, Jackeon, Gumming, M'lnlosh, etc! Great sympathy is foil for Mr and Mrs W. O. Mnckellar, whose house (Mocraki Station) was completely destroyed by fire early on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, Mrs Mackellar was away from homo at the time, and so lost all her personal belongings ns well. Saturday proved fine for the collectors in the streets for the Hospital and for the Belgian Relief Fund. The town looked very gay this time, for at every street corner there was to he aeon a gaily-decorated stand with all kinds of flowers and sweets for sale. At 12 o’clock a beautiful cake., made by one of the assisting ladies, was put up to auction several times, and each time it brought over £2. During the afternoon Miss Carrie Moore sang outside the Grand Hotel from a motor lorry, and she obtained a large amount for the fund. In the evening a number of nurses, accompanied by several ladies and gentlemen, went to the theatre and presented Miss Moore with a beautiful basket of flowers. The collectors have the satisfaction of knowing it was a record collection. for it is said that over .£I7OO was obtained.

The don ill of Dr Shand, a very wellknown and highly-respected citizen, took place at liis residence, St. David street, early on Monday morn in”. Great sympathy is felt for Mrs Shand and family. On Saturday morning a large number of people assembled at the Dunedin Railway Station to say good-bye to Mrs Bullock, who has been for so many years in Dunedin. As the train steamed out of the station Mrs Bullock was to be seen on the platform laden with flowers, and followed by the good wishes of her many friends present. Miss Mil! and Miss Agnes Mill (Port Chalmers) have just returned from a trip to England, where they have been for the past few months. Miss Falk, who was the miest of Mrs George Ritchie. Heriot row,, left for the north at the beginning of the week. Mr and Mrs Acton-Adams returned to Dunedin on Thursday. Colonel and Mrs George Stewart left for the south on Saturday. Mr and Mrs Ledhigham, who have been on a visii 1o Dunedin, left for the north, on route for Australia, on Friday. Mr and Mrs Aufrere Fenwick, who has been touring in England for the last year, have returned to New Zealand. The engagement is announced of Miss Muriel Stronach, third daughter of the late Mr W. G. Stronach. of Mount Pisa Station, to Mr Vivian Smith, of Taoroa, Taranaki. INVERCARGILL, November 28. The weather has been slightly better this week, and Wednesday being fine, there were a largo number of players at the tennis courts, where the Misses Mitchell and Miss M‘Caw provided excellent afternoon tea. Mrs Ronaldson entertained the member's of the North End Bridge Club on Thursday evening. A very jolly little Cinderella dance was held in the Girls’ High School Buildings on Saturday evening, Ihe subscriptions being in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund. Although so late in the season, it was quite cool enough to make dancing pleasant, and the school is admirably suited for a dance, as the sit-ting-out accommodation is so much better than that in either of the other halls here. There wore present, among others. Dr and Mrs J. G. Macdonald, Mr and Mrs T. Moffett, Mrs Oliver, Mr and Mrs M. Mitchell, and Mr and Mrs Gabites, the Misses Logan, Anderson, Tucker, Wylie, Brodie. Callender, de Castro, Thomson, Muir. Field, Brass, Gardiner, Macredie, Smith. Mitchell (2), and Featherstone, and Messrs Haw'ke. Watson, Mair, Brodie, Moodis, Roberts, Brass, C. Moffett, Vyner, Russell, King, Macalister (2), Cook, Sutton, Hawley, Saunders, and Macdonald. Mrs Hawke has returned from a holiday in Christchurch, Tiraaru, and Dunedin. Mrs Thomson (Stewart Island) is staying with Mrs G. Moffett. Mrs Struan Gardner, who has been staying with Mrs Pilcher, has returned to Lilburn. Miss'Ronaldson (Dunedin) is the guest of Mrs Ronaldson (Gladstone). Miss Nurse lias returned from Christchurch On Thursday evening Mrs De Castro entertained a few friends to auction bridge. Those present were Misses Brodrick, Field, Ronaldson, and M’Credie, Messrs Roe, Somer eet Smith. Lawson, Rupert Hay, and C. J. Roberts. ' OAMARU, November 29. Last Saturday Mrs Hargreaves entertained a few friends at tennis. A Ladies’ Swimming Club has just been formed here, and has made a very good start, with a membership of over 70. They held their opening day Inst Thursday, but as it was a cold and showery afternoon, there was not a very large attendance. A delicious afternoon tea was provided by the members. Miss Maepherson has gone to Wellington for a short visit. Mrs J. M. Forrester, who has been spending a fen- weeks in Christchurch, returned home last week. Miss Keddie has also returned from Christchurch. Miss Mitchell (Otekaikc) is the guest of the Misses Nicolls. Miss Fullarton (Dunedin) is staying with Mrs Darling. TIMARU, November 30. Mr and Mrs Clelland. who have been motoring through Otago, are expected back early in the week. The Misses Hassell (Oamaru) are the guests of Mrs Hassell, North street. Miss C. Hart has returned from a trip to Australia and South Africa. Mr Guinness spent the -week-end at Ealing with Mr E. Guinness. Miss Anna Shand (Dunedin), Miss Crystall, and Miss Hall (Christchurch) were the guests of the Misses Shand last week. Mr and Mrs Punkney, Mr and Mrs Ross, and Miss Cox, who have been staying at Beverley, returned home on Friday. Much sympathy is felt with the relatives of the late Mrs Barker, who passed away last week. The deceased lady was universally beloved for her kindly thought and sympathy for everyone with whom she came in contact. Mr G. Guinness has joined the Expeditionary Force. This is the third of his four sons whom om- highly-respected Mayor is giving at the Empire’s call. CHRISTCHURCH. November 27. During Carnival Week there were several letters in the papers as regards women’s dress and the various moneys needed for the war funds, and pointing out how the one and only way for women to be really patriotic at present was for them to be clothed in sacks or anything similar; hut, judging by the following letters, tha_ sacks were not ponnlar on the whole. Considering how the women worked for the "War Fund and poor, and arc still doing so, the discussion was most unnecessary, as except for the wealthy the dressing at the races was plain, but smart. Mrs Walter Moore has again thrown open her house on Fridays, this time to sew for the wounded soldiers. Among the helpers are Mrs Could, Mrs Dalgety, Mrs and Miss Elworthv. Mrs Allen, Mrs Eric Harper. Mrs and Miss Fclmore, Mrs Millton.'Mrs Godby. Mrs and Miss Boyle. Mrs Wardrop. and Mrs Cooper, and the Misses Lee, Anderson, Reeves, AVestenra, Chapman, and Wood. Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, as president of the St. John Ambulance Society, has started lectures at his house every Tuesday, Dr Inglis being instructor. Among those who have formed the class are Mrs and Miss Rhodes, Mrs AVigram, Mrs and Miss Gould, Mrs G. Rhodes,'' Mrs and Miss Boyle, Mrs Godby, Mrs Bowen, and Mrs Allen, and the Misses Rolleston. Macdonald, AVilding, Wells, Humphreys, Wilkin, and Helmore. Last Tuesday Mrs Denniston gave an “ At home ” for her daughter. Mrs Harold Abraha in. Among the guests were Mesdames Wigram, Gould, Bowden, Thompson, Wild--ug, W. AVood. Million, Deans, and Wes-

tcnra, and the Misses Heaves., Humphreys, Harley, and Saunders. Mrs G. Dennis town and Miss Pyne left for England on Thursday. Mrs Harold Abraham returned to Stratford on Saturday. WELLINGTON, November 27. On Saturday the Governor and Lady Liverpool attended the Roberts memorial service at the Town Hall, and there was, of course, an enormous attendance of the public. With their Excel.encies on the platform were the Mayor and Mayoress, the lion. Mr and Mrs H. D. Bell, the Hon. J. Allen, Miss Fraser, Mrs and Miss Seddon, Colonel and Mrs Turner, Miss Robin, Lord and Lady Kelburn, and others. All the seamen from H.M.S. Torch and all the naval officers in port were also in attendance. On Wednesday their Excellencies opened the fete at the Girls' High School, and on the same afternoon the bazaar at the Palais de Dance, in aid of the funds of St. Joseph’s Parish, Buckle street. Miss Thorne George is the guest of her sis or, Mrs V. Eiddiford, at the Lower Hutt. The weekly " afternoon ” at the Pioneer Club is beginning to acquire a great reputation. The ladies meet every Friday and exchange letters received during the week on various subjects of interest. Last Friday was a “ war afternoon,” and many letters of surpassing interest were read. Mr and Mrs C. A. Richardson, with theil little daughter, returned from a trip to England during the week. Many inquiries reach me as to a certain story going about to the effect that Mr C. A Loughnan, of Palmerston North, has gone to the front as a chauffeur, and that his son obtained a commies ion, went to the front, and returned wounded after unparalleled barbarous treatment by the Germans, that I hasten to set the truth down here. Mr Longhnan’s car, a recent purchase, with which he was doing a motor tour of the Kingdom when the war broke out, was commandeered recently, but its owner did not follow. He took a flat in London, and will prolong his residence a few weeks beyond his original intention. Probably he and Mrs Loughnan will come back to Palmerston about February next. Their son has obtained a commission in the Royal Field Artillery, and for the same is regarded as a very lucky youngster indeed. He has not yet reached the front, however, as he has been in a depot training. Therefore it is not possible for him to have been maimed, as described in the legend current in Christchurch, Wellington, and Palmerston. On Thursday at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral Miss Abercrombie, daughter of 'Mr D._ A. Abercrombie, general manager for New Zealand of the Queensland Insurance Company; was married to Mr J. C. Bolton, of Hawera. The bridesmaids were Miss Bolton, sister of He bridegroom, and Miss May Turner, the best man being Mr Wesley Bothamley. The bride wore a costume of saxe blue silk, with black and blue, and pink flowers, and she carried a bouquet of palest pink roses. The bridesmaids were in white, wearing the bridegroom’s gifts (signet rings), and they carried bouquets of a deeper pink than the bride’s. After the ceremony there was a reception at the bride’s father s place in Selwyn terrace. . , On Wednesday also Miss Alice Gale, daughter of Mr and Mrs Gale, of Wellington and niece of Mr and Mrs Donaldson, of Whitehaven, England, was married to Mr Ernest Morris, of Wellington. The bride wore ivory crepe de chine draped with cream lace, with satin and French knots. The wedding was a rose wedding, and the Rev. T. Hobday officiated. The bride went away in grey Cheviot serge and hat to match. The Victoria League met on Tuesday, and decided to spread a quantity of useful literature about the war, instructing the. peop.e inter alia aa to the reason why we are at war. The league is still continuing its career of usefulness. , , , Sir To a eph and Ladv Ward been through Wellington, and passed northward. Sir Joseph intent 0 n the huuncss of addressin'7' meetings. Both were looking extremely well. AUCKLAND, November 25. Belgian week commenced on Monday, the 16th of November. The amount of money, and the number of clothes collected proves that the people do, to a certain extent, appreciate all the Belgians have done for us, and seem to feel how much it is then duty to do all they can in return, so as to lighten as far as possible the suffering of the many homeless refugees in England. In the streets were collected £3513, the largest amount ever obtained in a single day in the Auckland gave a concert in the Town Hall on Thursday night. The proceeds, £l2O, went to swell the Belgian Fund. On Saturday afternoon there was a large procession to the Domain. The route was lined with people. The Navy League had a large Dreadnought, with Mrs J. C. Bloomfield, as Britannia, seated on a high turret. The ship was manned by members of the Navy League, who, with their buckets, collected much money from the crowd. A very delightful bridge party was given by Mrs‘Lloyd at her home m Otahuhu on Thursday afternoon. Mrs Lloyd wore a charming saxe blue charmeuse frock trimmed with white lace; Miss Smith, brown velvet dress, and Miss E. Smith, smart navy blue crepe de chine. Among the guests were Mrs George Bloomfield, grey coat and skirt, and a black-and-white hat; Mrs Field Porter, cream coat and skirt, and a white hat; Mrs Rathbone, black charmeuse, and a feathered hat; Miss Alice Walker, smart black-and-white check coat and skirt, and a Tuscan straw hat trimmed with striped ribbon; Mrs Ernest Bloomfield, amethyst charmeuse frock, and a purple hat with feathers; Mrs Drummond Ferguson, grey coat and skirt, and a pink hat; Miss G. Lloyd, pretty black-and-white frock; Mrs C. Brown, pretty blue dress, and a blue hat to match; Miss Alice Lusk, grey crepe de chine dress with a royal blue sash, and a black hat; Miss Olive Lusk, cornflower blue charmeuse coat and skirt, and a pretty hat with feathers; and Mrs Hope Lewis, pretty black-and-white dress with a black hat trimmed with amelhyst flowers. Other people present were Mrs Markham, Mrs Lucas Bloomfield, Mrs Upgill, Mrs Marsack, Mrs Brown, Mrs Bruton Sweet. Mrs Duncan Clerk, Mrs Minnett, and Mrs Foster. The house was beautifully decorated with flowers. Afternoon tea was served on Hie verandah. The tea table had bowls of sweet william in different shades of pink. The whole effect was charming. Mrs Colbeck has returned to Auckland, after spending two or three weeks in Wellington with her sister, Mrs V. Riddiford. Miss Horton has lent her house to Mr and Mrs Carl Buddie. Mrs G. Humphreys (Christchurch) is in Auckland, and is staying at Cargcn. Mrs Lucas Bloomfield has returned from Wellington. Mr and Mrs Wrighton (Puketntu), Miss H. C. Hedley (Wellington), Mr and Mrs W. A. Aldred (Wellington), and Mrs H. S. Izard (Wellington) are some of the visitors in Auckland, and are staying at Cargcn.