BRIEF MENTION

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 5, 16 October 1880, Page 35

BRIEF MENTION

— Jimmy Poole is back again, and so is Blousse. — Something has gone wrong with the "kitchin" at the Albert Hotel. — Mr. and Mrs. Dewar have left Auckland on a visit to the Melbourne Exhibition. Those who want dresses for Wednesday's Fancy Ball should apply to Charley Weightinan. — The Captain of H.M.S. Danre was one of the most courted personages at the races last Saturday. — The new goldfield at Te Aroha is stated to be some thirty niiles beyond (Paeroa) Ohinemuri. — Some friends of Mr. Howard Haywood are very anxious to see him in town again. — A female correspondent writes to me to announce the fact that Captain Crawford, of the "Argyle," is the representative ladies' man of that district. — I shall feel obliged to anyone who will send me either particulars or bits of gossip about the Fancy Dress Balls. — Remember the Rees benefit to-night and " roll up "to the Theatre in crowds. Paddy Doran has put together an Al programme. — The amazing tale about a well-known furnishing firm, to which I referred recently, turns out be unreliable. — A very big scandal indeed will probably wake up the Waikato shortly. Of course there is a woman in the case. — By far the handsomest dress at the Pakuranga Hunt Club meeting was a brown silk, with a bronzed Japanese upper skirt and jacket. — Mr. R. H. Stevenson left for Gisborne last Saturday by the " Rotorua." Does he expect to find the missing pages of the letter book there ? — Mr. H. E. Morpeth's volubility at St. Stephen's Bazaar proved that he has missed his vocation. He ought to give up share-broking and turn auctioneer or Cheap Jack. — Tom Fernandez, of the "Ryno," has filed his schedule again. Some one must have been pressing the poor fellow, as his liabilities are only about £ 80. Mr. William Tremain, son of the well-known temperance advocate, will be married this (Saturday) morning to Miss Edmonds, at Beresford-street Church. — The marriage of Mr. Rutherford with Miss Green, daughter of Major Green, will take place next week. — The envy of the ladies — Allan West's back hair. It challenges even Swallow's competition, while Eagleton is simply nowhere. — The views of the Hot Lakes, which have appeared in the Obsebvek, are, it is only fair to state, from photos by Messrs. Hemus and Hanna. — A contributor informs me that Mr. Baker has been appointed Prime Minister to his sable Majesty of Tonga. Happy Baker ! — The " School Chronicle," a neatly got tip sheet, published by the boys of the Church of England Grammar School, Parnell, has been enlarged, and forms a capital organ for schoolboys to air their ideas in. • — It won't do, Joseph ; it really won't do. If you want a regatta at the North Shore you had better pay for it ; but don't run away with, the idea that you can take the Auckland aquatic festival over there. — Anrasing, isn't it ? After all the tall talk about running the Union Company off, Grice, Summer and Co. have actually caved in, and the " Hero " has become one of the red-funnel fleet. — It is said that a marriage is not impossible between a certain baptist parson, who is drawing very large audiences just now, and the daughter of the lady who plays the harmonium for him. — A certain person, known to fame by the mystic initials T.8.H., is credited with the authorship of the " Miller and his Men." T.B.H. will be getting into trouble one of these days. — Allan Webb is "starring" at Dunedin just like the great TJ.P. (by which I mean Upton Davis) is here. He has been delivering his lecture about the " Heroes of Seramphore " there. —At the St. Andrew's Concert the other night, a lady who was singing one of the parts suddenly stopped, and astonished the audience by saying, "JL really can't go on."

— _ One of the most interesting of approaching marriages is that of the youug and charming proprietress of an Auckland dressmaking establishment to the son of an Auckland ironmonger. — That is rather a singular yarn that is being told about the captain of a certain vessel being drugged in an Atickland hotel and relieved of surplus cash valuable papers, and jewellery. — It is really astonishing how prevalent the Dunn-fever is amongst the Presbyterian young ladies of Axickland. Worked slippers and pocket handkerchiefs are said to arrive at the residence of the reverend gentleman at the rate of a dozen per diem. Poor things ! —Amongst the worshippers at Beresford-street Congregational Church last Sunday was a matronly she goat, which, by some accident, strayed into the building, and could only be expelled by the united efforts of two deacons and a " puffect stranger." — The man Richardson, to whom Mrs. Newman Hall has been married, was. it will be remembered, the co-respondent in the famous divorce case. He keeps livery stables at Brighton, and is much younger than Mrs. Hall. — Mr. W. M. Commons has been shedding the light of his countenance upon Auckland this List week. He looks as jolly as ever, and doesn't ax>pear at all downhearted about the prospects of Tauranga. — Last week, the steamer " Vivid." Captain Moore, went up to the landing-place, near the new gold find at Te Aroha, with a full cargo. Several prospecting parties start for the new Eldorado in a few days. — Mr. and Mrs. Devore gave a very agreeabla evening party at their residence in Ponsonby, on Friday last. The youth and beauty of the western suburb were well represented. — The Union Bank, not to be outdone by the National, are despatching their Mr. Woodward to represent them at the Melbourne Exhibition, so that the handsomest man of Auckland will not have it all his own way. — Jim Philson in oh ! such a nice new suit of dittoes, was knocking about amongst the ••gyurls" at Ellerslie last Saturday. He and one or two others appeared to be the sole representatives of Auckland's jeunesse dorce (that's a good phrase) in the enclosure. — Young S , who was for some time a Wesleyan Sunday-school teacher, has been " sacked" by Mr. Morley for listening to the doctrines promulgated by the Itev. Geo. A. Brown, the " common-sense " preacher. How these parsons love each other ! — Mr. Stewart, the civil engineer, is apparently not an admirer of Mr. Reader Wood, or he would have expended 3d. in the purchase of an Observer, instead of reading the pen and ink portrait of that gentleman through Upton's window on Monday last. — Mr. Dargaville, who appears to be an immense favourite with the ladies, was " all there " at the races last Saturday. I saw him sxirrounded with a bevy of fair creatures, betting gloves here, there, and everywhere in a most reckless manner. — Wilfred has obtained six weeks' holiday to go to the Melbourne Exhibition. So the young ladies attending St. Mark's Church will have to console themselves with the singing of the quartette, instead of the music of his sweet voice. — Two sons of Wesleyan parsons Avere among the gentlemen riders at the Pakuranga Hunt Club Races. If the Observer is read in the spirit world, and John Wesley peruses this paragraph, I am afraid he will use language not to be found in his hymn-book. — It is understood that the eminent tenor, Mr. Wilson, has taken up his abode with Professor i Swallow. This auspicious union of two great minds under one roof ought to be the means of bringing forth great results. — Friday week was a red-letter day for the boarders at the Convent, Ponsonby. The Lady Superior had a party to celebrate the breaking up of the dancing class, and the " Mistletoe Bough" song and dance was performed by the young ladies. — Miss G 's make-up as an old dame of ninety-five, at the children's party, last Saturday evening, was remarkably good, but I question whether the young lady will always adhere to her expressed determin- \ ation never to enter the bonds of matrimony. — Mr. W. W. Robinson, who is now seeing life in the old country, is not expected out again before the new year. Billy's returning with a young bride will be a severe blow to many fair ones in this city, who have long had an eye on him. — A correspondent informs us that the woodcut representation of the village of Ohinemutu, given in our last issue, was shown by him to a number of natives from the Hot Lakes, and that they pronounced it "very correct." They are determined to support the Observer henceforth. From an advertisement in another column it will be seen that the firm of Messrs. J. Cosgrave and Co., are opening ivp a lot of " spring goods." This term the initiated inform me embraces all the wondrous vanities and fal-lals in which ladies delight. The fair sex may therefore be expected to " roll up " in crowds. — Miss Gribble, who proved so successful at the recent musical contest, has commenced her course of instruction with M. Cailliau. I hear that the little cognoscente has advised her not to sing so frequently in public, and to charge for her services when she does sing. He has formed a good opinion of her vocal abilities. — A young man of heterodox views in matters religious,and of decidedly anti-matrimonial opinions, I has read the Rev. D. W. Runciman's lecture on " Rocks I Ahead," and now claims the worthy parson as a convert to Free Thought. He says that there can be no mistake about the matter. —At Waterloo, Wellington prayed for Blucher or night to come. Possibly he was ashamed of his ill-made Bluchers, and wanted night to cover them. He was not aware that the well-known firm of Garret Bros, supply Bluchers, and every other description of sole cases of the best material and workmanship. [Advt.] — Look here, Mr. Gradwell, I hear from a trustworthy source that you are blackguarding the Observer up hill and down dale, and otherwise making mischief. Take my advice, sir, and drop it. It is not gentlemanly, neither is it politic. More on this subject (if necessary) anon. — A lady writes to say that her Ma visited St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday morning, and is quite convinced that if the basso (?) of the choir would take a little Honey to assist the production of his notes, the congregation would be spared the infliction of many of their munber feeling (H)ill. — It is said that a certaiu City Councillor is casting sheeps eyes at the Mayoral chair, and thinks of contesting the same with Mr. Aickin. Can this be the party who belonged to one of the suburban highway boards, and made use of his position to exchange thirty feet of his own land for fifty feet belonging to the public. — Judge Richmond has a decided weakness for punning and joking. This week a juiror claimed exemption from service, on the ground that he was deaf of one ear. " Oh, indeed," remarked the judge, with twinkling eye, " that is a serious objection. Jurors are expected to hear both sides." — A Presbyterian parson edified his congregation last Sunday by perpetrating an unmistakable Scottish bull. Referring to " the peace which passeth understanding," he observed, with impressive solemnity, " The inner vacancy is felt to be filled with an intense satisfaction." What a happy simile ! — The champion lady-killer in St. James's Church is a young ironmonger, who has obtained quite a local reputation for his seductive charms. The girls of the choir are desperately in love with his classic features and Hyperion curls; and I am told that after the weekly practices there is quite a struggle to obtain the [ privilege of his escort home. i — The Sydney "Bulletin" copies from the Observer, and the "Star" clips freely from the " Bulletin," thus it happened that in my evening contemporary of Saturday last there were four highly interesting items of stage gossip, which had appeared in the " Critic " exactly four weeks previously. This is the melancholy result of poaching on other folks manors,

—It is said that when young ladies and pnttemen visit the palatial residence of Eeader Wood for the first time, they invariably ask to be shown the great legislator's shoes — small twelves, you know ! They are regarded as objects of great curiosity, and the fairer members' of the household take quite a delight in exhibiting them. Their fame has travelled far and wide. — Within the space of last month no less than four marriages have takeji place at Whangaroa ; in fact the Whangaroa people seem to be all getting paired oft. One of the trading vessels in her last trip, took down four wedding cakes, and it is probable that at least two more will go next trip, as two couples are at present making great preparations. — The Auckland S P Society holds its meeting with locked doors, and it has therefore been rather a difficult matter to obtain the result of the famous £20 investment in the Melbourne Cup Sweep. Judging, however, from the gloomy countenances of the members as they stand at the Thames corner, I should imagine the " spec " hadn't answered. ' — Major Derrom is becoming erascible in his old age. He actually snaps at his subordinates when they venture to address him, and on arecent parade day he made an offensive retort by way of reply to an innocent remark of Captain Dighan's. The Hobso'n Company have taken the matter to heart, and down to the rawest recruit are now in a state of high dudgeon. — Newton Pairs has taken tip his quarters wtihMr.Lennox. His successor,in the Upper Queen-street music store, seems to be doing a fair business — so fair, in fact, that he considers himself able to support a partner in his joys and sorrows, and will, a few weeks hence, lead to the altar a charming young lady, who has been his almost constant companion for some considerable time. May the pair be happy and prosperous, say I. — The author of " Rhymes For the Times," who is the poet laureate of Auckland, announces for next week's issue, "The Gay Terpsichoreans, or a Peep into Fashionable Society," showing how a well-known produce merchant, a judicial official, aseedsmanj a soda-water-manufacturer, and a revenue officer, beguile the busy hours in the enchanting intricacies of the mazy dance, arid the society of beautiful women. — Mr. John Lamb has a nephew in Auckland who loves him very dearly. The young man came out "frao Glesgo' " a year ago, at the solicitation of his beloved avuncular relation, and, on landing in this port was chagrined to receive the cold shoulder. He now finds relief in his unoccupied moments (which unfortunately are very numerous) in clipping from newspapers uncomplimentary references to the great miller, which he carefully transmits to "the auld folks at haine." — Mr. Lewis, Inspector of Cattle, and Chief Inspector of Sheep, is very punctilious about his title, and, with a look of supreme contempt, annihilates " the ignorant creature" who has the temerity to abate one iota of the cherished dignity. He never permits the bucolic Cattle Board to forgot that he is the superior officer. Take him all in all, however, he is a jovial and ccmrteous old fellow, and one can afford to stand his lttle weaknesses. — The "Star" has got a musical critic who, as a writer of inflated rubbish, can give at least two stone to any journalist in Auckland. In a recent issue of my contemporary this animated wind-bag describes the " Eeinuera Musical and Literary Society" as the home of "mirth, Politesse (sic) and lamusique," talks of Mr Isaacs indulging in a pas de deux, and informs the public that the applause on the night in question " was akin to that which invariably greeted the late Charles Dickens m his celebrated humourous readings,' ' Heavens ! what rot. — One of the leading pupils of Allan West's dancing classes is Little Boylan. No one can hold a candle to him in the posturing, scraping, advancing, retiring, swinging and promenading of a square dance He does them all capitally. It is a charming sight to see him, spectacles on nose, and face mantled with blushes, tripping forward in the fourth "figure of the first set, with a lady's hand in each of his own j and better still is ittosoehiniinthegallopade. He quite outshines the juvenile Barrington and the dignified Alderman, although the latter are thought to be the greater favourites with the fair sex. Advance Ponsonby! — Mr. Barstow should provide himself with a cocked hat and gilt-headed staff forthwith, if he intends to adopt the Bumble style of petty tyranny. If an industrious, steady, stone-mason can be dragged from his work into the august presence, and bullied for no fault of his own, it is a very peculiar state of things. Was the E.M. afraid that the reporters would not be able to catch some of his sorry attempts at punning ? or is he so charmed with the tones of his own dulcet voice that he must have perfect silence to ensure the full enjoyment of the treat? Whatever be the cause, his treatment of Mr. Burn is the subject of unfavourable comment in all quarters. — A bloody affray (unattended, I am happy to say, with loss of life) took place in Tonranga the other day between Da Vincy, son of the great Fitzgibbon, and a local auctioneer of repute, whose initials may or may not be E.C.J. Da Vincy, it appears, did some work for B.C. J., and charged him half the usual professional fee. 8.C.J., however, thought one-third ought to be enough and tendered that sum to his Mend, which so enraged Da Vincy that he used very bad language indeed "By Gord," said E.C.J., "no one shall speak like that to me," and he fell upon Da Vincy and commenced to pummel him. An eye-witness describes the scene that followed as side splitting. He says the two scratched each other and jumped about and swore in a most extraordinary manner j in fact it was the best joke the onlookers had seen for many a long day. — A couple of sad - looking Civil Service sweUs gave birth to the following gems a few days aeo, when under the influence of two threepenny beers. No. 1 began : — " Stamp, stamp, stamp, the boys are parching, They cannot spare a tanner for beer, This cruel ten per cent, has fostered discontent The shilling stamp idea, too, is queer." No. 2 followed : " Stamp, stamp, stamp, Whenever we get our screw • . Stamp, staanp, stamp, With this d reduction too : How can a fellow live ? How can he pay each call ? By golly, I'd like to give A thrashing to Johnny Hall. It's oh ! to be a slave Along with the barbarous Turk, Where swells have never a sou to save. If this is Government work."