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BRIEF MENTION.

— " Snuffy " has won his case. r*— Mr. Lannigan landed the most "whapuka's " on the fishing excursion last Saturday. — Mr. Matthew Clarke is thinking about getting married. The lady resides at the North Shore. — Mr. and Mrs. Ireland left Auckland last week, with the intention of " doing" the exhibition. — The famous Church of England preacher, Stopford Brooke, has become a Unitarian. — The Morrins and Bucklands returned on Monday from their trip to Napier. — Captain Ashby's marriage, with Mrs. Crombie, will not take place till February next. — I shall have a few pertinent questions to ask shortly about the Training School, at Kohimarmara. — Mrs. Haines was the acknowledged belle of the ball at the Choral Hall. — Bob Isaacs is laid up with measles, and was, of course, unable to go to tho ball. — Miss Porter, daughter of Mr. Edward Porter, formerly of Auckland, was to be married this week in London to a clergyman. — Dean's Minstrels will " show" on November 9th. in the Lome-street Hall, for the benefit of the Sick and Accident Fund Qf the Fire Brigade. — Mr. C. B. Stone, whose arm was, according to the "Herald," "broken above the shoulder," is progressing favourably, and will soon be about again. — Mr. Reader Wood will probably be appointed Agent-General, on account of his great understandings. — There is a strong family resemblance between the letters of "Francis" and "Frederick." Arcades ambo. — Mayor Peacock hasn't gone to see Lord Burleigh win the Melbourne Cup. Oh, dear, no. " Church business, my dear sir, church business." — Will the lady, who was kind enough to contribute sundry pars to Nos. 1 and 3, write to me again ? I have p.n offer to make her. — Tommy Owen, as the "Snowshoes," at the Ponsonby Dress Ball, wore a coat made from a j blanket. The stripes were exceedingly prominent. — The dress worn by Miss Harrison, at the Ponsonby Fancy Dress Ball" representing " Starlight," was a pretty pale blue, sprinkled with gold stars. — Miss White represented ' ' Columbia " at the Ponsonby Fancy Dress Ball, her dress consisting of stars and stripes. — All Longuct's wigs and head-dresses were hired for the Choral Hall Fancy Dress Ball moro than a- j week before it took place. . — The "Undine" dress, worn by Miss! Henrietta Langsford at the Ponsonby Fancy Ball, was a lovely light green, trimmed with silver lace. — T. B. Hill, champion of sparrows and other members of the feathered tribe unpopular amongst farmers, arrived by the " Zealandia" on Sunday. — Newton young ladies are making preparations for the winding-up ball of the Eden Dancing Club, which takes place on November 5. — The * * Newton School for Scandal " is the name given to a very estimable family of female gossips in that festive neighbourhood. — It has been suggested that a series of articles to be entitled " Who's who, or the Antecedents of our Local Worthies " would prove interesting. — It is said that a certain lady thought of going as " Maritana" to the Fancy Ball, because her " mari " is a tanner. — Mr. W. A. Thomson, manager of the New Zealand Accident Insurance Co., left by the " Te Anau," for Sydney, to establish a branch in Australia. — Mr. McCosh Clark deserves all praise for the unselfish manner in wbich he promoted everybody's pleasure at the Choral Hall Ball. He is a perfect host. — A gentleman, the other day, announced his intention of going to the Rink Fancy Dress Ball as " Ali Baba." On being asked how about the Forty Thieves ? " Oh," he said, " I shall pick them up there." — The young lady who went to see Teddy Haygarth off was so affected, that on staggering off the "Te Anau," she fainted twice. Naughty, naughty Teddy. — A very pleasant evening party Avas given by Mrs. Glover.last Friday evening, in her new schoolroom. The assemblage was large and fashionable, and the dancing was a la West. — The consecration of the Masonic Hall being built for the Remuera Lodge is to take place on Nov. 9th, the birthday of the Prince of Wales, the M.W. Grandmaster — a most appropriate day. — The excursion to Kamo .and subsequent fishing expedition jnroved a great success. There were any number of bank managers present, some of whom, for the first time in their lives saw the sun rise. — The "NeAV Zealand Times" copies the verses by "Bill Smuggings, larrikin," on "Compulsory Education," form our columns, and speaks of the Observer as " the society journal of the colony." — Mr. F. A. Whitaker, M.H.R., cune doAvn from Waikato the other day to meet the purchasers of the Patatere block. Rumour says there has been a split in the camp, and that the philo-Maoris are rejoicing. — Mr. and Mrs. T.Whitson returned from San Francisco by the " Zealandia." Mr. Whitson's health is very much improved, and he has come back full of Yankee notions about how to run a brewery. — "Te Witty" informs me that a worthy good templar, who occupied a spare hour carting a few bags of malt to a local brewery, is likely to be disqualified for so doing. — " Quiz" made such a hit Avith part I. of Mr. Reader Wood, that he wishes now to try his pencil on Mr. J. M. Lennox's understandings. I have, however, objected on the ground that paper is too dear at present. . — One of the most striking dresses at the Ponsonby Fancy Dress Ball was Mr. P. Lundon's " Cure." I may be pardoned for suggesting that he would look even better as a " Fenian." — If the creAV of the stage " Pinafore " Avere not present at the Ponsonby Fancy Dress Ball their costumes at least were. The preponderance of naval dress was very noticeable. — Captain Babot, of the "Hydaspes," has been appointed to the command of the s.s. "Northumberland." He was not on board the former ship when the collision occurred. — Next Aveek's paper will contain numerous illustrations of the principal Costumes worn at the Choral Hall Fancy Ball. — Much obliged to "Mercury", Avhose notice was a little late. I will, however, try to use some of it next week. — Some malevolent Hamiltonians have been making my par re the coming scandal in the Waikato apply to a well-known journalist. They are, I need scarcely say, wholly wrong. — One outcome of the Fancy Ball at the Choral Hall, will perhaps be a new North Shore Ferry Company. It appears a certain legal luminary was charged ten shillings too much for a lato boat, and on complaining to a director was treated with contumely. He says he will put down £1000, and get others to do likewise to start a new company. The directors of the present company are not much alarmed.

— An enormous crowd assembled to see the "Te Anau " off. The steamer was so full that tho Mayor, poor old boss, couldn't get a berth. — On the night of the fareAvell party at Miss Hill's, Ponsonby, Allan West was overheard to bid adieu to someone in the following words : " Good bye, dear old girl, mind you're ready when the cab comes !" — Jim McLeod, of Helensville, and -"Marcus," one of the local ten per cent, men, have drawn horses in the Melbourne Cup sweep. The Helensvilleites are to have a champagne dinner if either scores a win. — What are Aye coming to next ? The London " Tftnes," the staid respectable "thunderer," devoted two and a half columns to describing the the destruction of the Kelly gang. — A gentleman who offered his suburban residence for sale, in describing its advantages, said that it was within a quarter of a mile of a church and two public-houses. "You pay's your money, and you takes your choice." — " Oh, Romeo ! Romeo ! Avhy did you not wear a garment to cover your legs." Such was the ' question the impersonator of the above character was greeted with on the night of the Fancy Dress Ball, at Ponsonby. — Sunday School Teacher (to Young Aucklander): "Canyon explain what is meant by suffering for righteousness' sake ?" Young Aucklander : "Bein driv to Sunday schule in mornin, and driv to church arterwards." — Tlie superintendent of a certain Sabbath school takes his class on Sunday afternoon, and his glass on Sunday evening. The latter is supposed to be a counter irritant to the hoarseness caused by singing at a suburban church. — Poor Johnny has been let in sadly of late. He lent a levanter, in the soft goods line, £250, expecting to get the modest sum of £50 interest thereupon, and now I hear that attempting to repair a certain " kitchen " cost him £10. — A remarkable costume, at the Ponsonby Ball, was that worn by Mr. Jas. Stodart, and styled the "negative." Everything was opposed to the customary rules of dress, the shirt being black, and the clothes white. — Miss Ballantyne looked exceedingly pretty at the Ponsonby Fancy Di-ess Ball. She was dressed in the garb of a Greek girl, and the simple but artistic dress, consisting of a green skirt with dark trimmings, was generally admired. — Mr. Thomas Hoy, butcher, Cambridge, 'is about giving an "at home." Some th^ee hundred invitations are already issued. From i nat I hear, it is likely to put the other Thomas's affair in the shade entirely. — One of the principal costumes at the Ponsonby Fancy Dress Ball was that of Esmeralda, worn by Miss Langsford. The body was of black velvet, with gold trimmings, gipsy cap, white overskirt, with gold braid, and red underskirt, trimmed with gold tulle" — A gentleman Avho travelled from San Francisco to Levuka with Sir Arthur Gordon, tells me the portrait which appeared in the Observer is far too flattering. His Excellency has an execrable complexion, and is, it appears, the reverse of good looking. — Mrs. Arnold's benefit Avili take place at the Lome-street Hall (not tlie Choral Hall as previo\isly stated), on Monday next, the 25th inst. All who wish to help a really deserving person should make a point of being present. — " He is made of the same stuff as the ancient martyrs," said a lady admirer of the much persecuted Mr. Nelson. "No doubt," was the answer, "he seems very dry. I should say he would burn excellently." — Fresh horrors are looming above the social horizon. In other words, tliree bazaars are announced. The Presbyterians of St. David's lead off the ball, and Otahuhu AVesleyans and local Roman Catholics will follow hard behind. — Last Saturday week one of the Thames cricketers bet a medico's wife a pair of "japanned manual covers" that he would make cock score. He made a round o, and walked two miles in order to escapo the congratulations of his fair friends. — Dr. Tanner's success is entirely attributable to leather. He wore a new pair of boots each day, and the old ones could never be found. Depend upon lit, there is nothing like leather, so go to Garrett Bros., and get a new pair of boots without delay. — [Advt.] 115 — My London correspondent writes that the shipping trade to New Zealand has fallen off considerably. People read such queer things in the English papers that they get frightened, and prefer emigrating to Canada. — Attention is directed to an advertisement announcing the opening of the Public Hall at Mount Albert, on the 26th inst. There is to be a miscellaneous concert, followed by a laughable farce, in which several well known residents will take part. — The s.s. "Durham " Avas to sail for Canter- J bury on September 15th, and would, my London corres- I pondent says, be a full ship. Only a few passengers were booked for Auckland by the " Loch Urr," which sailed j on September 20th. j — The "Lady Jocelyn " sailed for Tauianga direct on September 25. She brings a large number of passengers, viz.: 75 first-class, 80 second, and 150 third. Vesey Stewart has arranged for another vessel, the " Himalaya," to follow (also direct to Tauranga) on J November 25th. I — Some of the residents in Parnell consider \ Ponsonby people very plebeian, but is it very aristocratic to go to a ball and make remarks about people who are passing in a stage whisper, for that was done by one of the Parnell would-be aristocrats at the Ponsonby Fancy Dress Ball. — Mr. C. GreenaAvay is very anxious to be appointed Agent-General. He thinks that " the richest man in New Zealand" should hold the position, and he believes he would collect some valuable information about the way in which the Inspectors of Nuisances in the old country perform tbeir duties. — Mr. Bishop, asa "muleteer, "Avas certainly one* of the best dressed characters at the late West End Fancy Ball, but pray Mr. B. do try and manage the disposal of your handkerchief a little better when you next don the costume. The "pocket" was not in a very | convenient place. — One of the most benevolent men in Auckland is Mr. J. A. Pond, the Homoeopathic Chemist. Numerous poor families can testify to his many acts of kindness aud liberality in supplying them with remedies free of charge. Moreover, he does it all "by stealth" too, and will doubtless blush now he has been found out. — A visitor to WaiAvera, some time ago, explained to the people staying there, that he had great difficulty hi pronouncing any word containing the letter " s," but none in pronouncing those containing "h," and explained this by the fact that his own name was " 'Erbert "Enery." — It is not generally known that the gentleman who represented the South Sea Island Planter at the Ponsonby Fancy Dress .Ball, wore no less than three pairs of unmentionables at one and the same time. This will account for his remarkably "cool" appearance during the evening. — An attempt to resuscitate the "Muse" upon the old footing having resulted in failure, it is whispered that a new weekly journal, of a thoroughly democratic character, is to arise from the ashes of the defunct art publication. Its proprietors think there is room for another representative of the working man. — Dear old Grandmama Larkins (familiarly known as "Nosey") says "Fie, fie!" whenever by chance his horrified visual organs fall on a copy of the Observer. It is a pity tbe good creature doesn't take the paper iv, for he won't see the lifelike etching " Quiz" is preparing of him. Want of space prevents us revieAving at length in this issue the performance of the Harts at the Theatre. Suffice it to say there was (taking into consideration the Fancy Ball), a good house on Wednesday evening, and everything passed off pleasantly. The entertainment is a first-rate one, and should be seen,

— Another church row— this time at St. Mary's, Parnell. It appears Archdeacon Maunsell has substituted a new and very low church hymn book for the one previously in use, and Mr. Barton Ireland and other members of the congregation dissaprove of the change. Mr. Ireland intends, I hear, to submit the book to the Synod. . — His Royal Highness Prince Albert Edward Angerstein was the first of the fishing party on board tne Waitaki to catch a " whapuka." " I would give five pounds he said, "to land a big fish," and no sooner d!d he drop his line into the water than one obligingly GuelrfL C ° meS ° f hems a desceudant of the — The young couple Avho frequent a retired walk at Ponsonby, and who patronise a popular shady seat, are informed that the hugging and kissing which they indulge in so regularly is not pleasing to the youngsters who stealthily witness the osculatory exercise from behind the fence. They say that the young man will not have it all his own way in future. — Much obliged, ladies, for the tasty and • acciirate fancy costume you so kindly sent me. ' I wore it at a private dress rehearsal tho other night, and was much pleased with the effect. Though a little baggy in places (no doubt from much use) the fit is good, in tact, I feel quite cocky about it. You may rely on my not forgetting the three insertions. — My astute friend Wickham has been woefully hoaxed. The " Herald " saw through " Francis Sfc i at , ]^ lore ' BA " of " The Chesnuts, Remuera," without difficulty, and transferred his fan-ago of ungram- " matical Billingsgate to the waste paper basket. Not so Mr. Wickham ! The temptation to have a rap at the Observer was, I suppose, too strong, and he fell into the trap like a lamb. — It is affirmed, in sporting circles, that the Rev. David Bruce has beon appointed chaplain in ordinary to the Victoria Racing Club, and left by the s.s. "Te Anau," to assist at the celebration of the' Melbourne Cup. I hear, too, the Presbytery have subscribed a "pony" between them, and requested Davy to put it on the winner. He will interview Joe Thompson on the subject. — Where is uoav the buxom little Traitress who used to received the orders and accept the change of the lunchers and diners at Waters' restaurant ? She has not been seen at her usual post for some time, and many of the "spoons " who used to linger lovingly over the glass show case when she was near, now go elsewhere. Rumour has it that she is on her way to the hymeneal altar. The male waiters are disconsolate. — The other day, a sort of part painter, part glazier, part shingler, received an account from an hotelkeeper, not twenty miles from Hamilton, for something like twenty pounds (beer score). A few days after the publican was served with a per contra, among other items, for putting in nine hundred squares of glass, leaving the publican a few shillings in the glaziers debt. Tho account had only been running for about three years. What a smashing business must have been done. — Aif Isaacs met Avith a nasty accident on the fishing excursion. After catching a large schnapper, he kicked it, and by some mischance, the fish's fin bone penetrated through the boot, and ran into his toe. The accident was not discovered till an hour afterwards, and then a steward pulled out the bone, which proved to be nearly an inch and a-half long, with his teeth. Tho pain was excruciating, and poor Aif fainted. Subsequently, however, he recovered sufficiently to be able to entertain the company with sundry solos on a penny whistle. — At a recent sitting of the Supreme Court, Judge Richmond made use of the word " bifurcated." An interested litigant, thinking it a term of reproach or severe condemnation, jotted it down forthwith in his notebook and left the Court. A dav or two afterwards he was eulogising the Judge's deep learning to everyone whom he met, and singularly enough the obtuse term was invariably pitchforked into conversation, or rather lugged in by head and ears. It is vow Mr. Sawdust's favourite adjective, despite the severe muffling associ- ' ated with its pronunciation. — Mr. Adam Brock Avas a conspicuous figure at the Fancy Dress Ball on Wednesday evening. He appeared as the Right Bower of Clubs (the Right Bower of Hearts would have been a more appropriate character I for such a noted lady-killer to assume), wearing a suit covered with playing cards, with the Right Bower of Clubs in the middle of his back. Like the " Heathen Chinee" be had twenty-four packs, not in his sleeve though, but on every part of his clothing. — The scene Avas laid in the principal Auckland photographic establishment. The young and handsome artist was engaged in taking the likeness of a wellknown lady. " Where shall I look." said the fair one, when all appeared to be ready. " Oh, never mind yet," responded the artist, "I only want focusses." "Four kisses, indeed," ejaculated the indignant lady as she flounced out of the establishment. Mr. is looking up " Webster " to find another word for focusses. — The " School Luminary," published by the A.G.C. boys, is a younger brother of the " School Chronicle." The proprietors do not, however, appear to receive as mucli support from their fellows as the Parnell lads do. In the current issue the editor complains rather bitterly about it, and calls upon his schoolmates to lend assistance. Let us hope they will. Thd pars in the " Luminary " look as if they had been editee by a master. — Mr. AVilliam Rattray Avent to the Fancy Dress Ball as a Swiss peasant. He wore a black felt hat, with a white feather fastened in with a buckle made of silver and brilliants, a black velvet jacket and vest embroidered with blue silk ; a white shirt tied with bows of blue ribbon on the sleeves, blue knickerbockers trimmed with white ribbon, blue and white striped stockings, and shoes with large buckles on them. The costume was very effective, but Mr. Rattray had better put his calves out to grass before he exhibits them again. — It is whispered that an elderly Adonis, well known in society, was invited to dinner by a lady who shall be nameless. Dinner was served in the lady'e boudoir, and her maid was the sole attendant. Everything went well until some strawberries were put upon the table. The maid, unaccustomed to playing the part of neat-handed Phyllis, presented her mistress' embossed silver powder box instead of the bowl of crushed sugar, and the guest freely besprinkled his fruit with pow dre de viz. He says that all the whiskey in Auckland cannot wash away the taste of that dinner. — If there is one kind of snob more offensive than another it is the starched empty-pated prig, who having, by a series of flukes, scraped through the easy B.A. examination, at Oxford or Cambridge, protrudes the fact on every possible occasion afterwards. These are the men who always attach B.A. to their signatures, have B.A. printed on their linen, and feel mortally offended if a friend omits B.A. on an envelope address. They undoutedly are B.A.s, but in the Colonial rather than the University sense of the term. — Nothing excites OAven McGee's feelings so much as a good, horse race — not even a political meeting. For the time he becomes quite oblivious to his surroundings. During the running of the Pakuranga Steeplechase recently, he was vociferating from the Grand Stand with stentorian voice, "Death or glory. Go it you cripple ! Ten to one on the Don ! Hurrah ! Thar he goes ! By jove, capitally done ; a regul'r peegazer," and so on for at least seven or eight minutes. The ladies seemed to enjoy the performance. — They met on Monday morning, Avhen the rain was coming down in torrents. "Why don't you buy an umbrella, instead of getting wet in this way ?" said citizen A. to citizen B. " Can't afford it, times are too bad" was the response. " Why not get one like this, it was cheap enough ?" persisted A. B. took up the umbrella and examined it closely, then he said, slowly and "succastically", "Yes, old fellow, it was cheap enough to you, for the umbrella is mine. I lost it three months ago," and he marched off the article in question triumphantly. — If you were at all a decent chap, Wickbam, you'd have chucked the effusion of that mythical and rascally personage "Mr. Francis Strathmore, 8.A." into the waste paper basket. That is what Ido when people send me blackguardly letters about you, and I've had a good many of them, I can tell you. There was one especially, from the Thames, which, covered six or seven pages, and gave a most entertaining account of certain mining operations, which, I daresay, you remember. It would have been a nice little sensation for the Observer, yet I unselfishly consigned it to oblivion, and this is the way you reward me. Oh, fle ! fle f

— The advance agent of Cole's Circus has arrived. He brings with him tons of bills and is making elaborate preparations for covering the town with posters. From what I can hear the show will be the biggest thing seen in Auckland for many a day. — Messrs. W. Ashby and Co. Avrite under date, London, September 12, "The s.s. 'Northumberland ' has been chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Co., for Wellington, on 21st October. We have several passengers, and think she will be full. We saw a clipping from the 'Star,' stating that Money Wigram's boats had stopped running. We don't quite understand how or where tlie * Star ' got that information. We, ourselves told you that the ' Kent ' had been sold to the Spaniards, but said nothing about the others, which sail as usual ; for instance, the ' Somersetshire ' is now on her way to Melbourne, and the 'Durham' and 'Norfolk' are loading." — A musical correspondent Avrites : — "ln last Saturday's Observer * Muse' has a characteristic onslaught on the hapless Choral Society. No connection of the muses he, rather of the furies I should think, for this is the second time the little Alecto, or Megaera, or Tisiphone.has paraded that malicious idea(no this.but old as Coiman's day, or older), of passing over, except with a few bitter words which might seem to imply some sense of injury calling for vengeance— all but one of a whole chorus and orchestra, reserving his single word of praise for the drummer ! Not that the Fury-Muse is altogether wrong— the drummer's part is, in serious reality, one of the most trying in the whole orchestra, and all the praise was, in this instance, thoroughly deserved. The Society's whole performance, however, although doubtless evincing in several parts insufficient rehearsal, was, in truth, not so utterly despicable as Muse makes out. He might, I think, have been more considerate in his mention of tho ladies though, but enough said. Somehow, I fancy that, after all, he doesn't understand stand Handel's very un-French style. Possibly Samson is too strong for him." — To seriously criticise a performance like the Rees' benefit would be to " break a butterfly on a wheel." Suffice it to say there was a crowded audience, which appeared to enjoy itself mightily. lam glad to learn that the proceeds were substantial, and the expenses kept down. Some of us who havebeen connected with amateur performances know what an elastic word that one "expenses" is. A number of stage-struck ninnies want to exhibit tbeir tomfooleries before an audience, and make some unfortunate widow or orphan's troubles the excuse. Wigs, wine, scenery, costumes, refreshments, and half a-hundred other things are paid for out of the receipts, and then a small balance is, with much parade, handed over to the beneficiare. I mention this not because there was anything of the kind this time, but because I think people who imagine they are benefitting the widow and orphan by attending such performances should be made to understand that a shilling given direct is, generally speaking, worth more to the object of charity than 2s. 6d. spent in theatre tickets. — A pleasant re-union took place last week in the Public Hall, Otahuhu, the object being to obtain funds towards paying for the harmonium in the Anglican Church. The chair was taken by Mr. Gould, " pastor loci," who opened the proceedings with a few appropriate words. The first part of the programme was songs and glees, by local amateurs, assisted by some of St. Mary's (Parnell) choir, and also by a lady from the Thames, Mrs. K. The latter has a most lovely soprano voice, one indeed that is hardly equalled, certainly not surpassed by any Auckland amateur. The glees were capitally sung, and the whole concert was extremely creditable to all concerned. After the concert, young, middle-aged, and old betook themselves to dancing. In this particular, a certain jolly insurance agent, Mr. McM., devoted himself with more than his usual vigour. Were he not a much married man, I should have said that, true to his insurance instincts, he had gone in for " taking" somebody, though hi this case it would have been a heart instead of a life. I have seldom assisted at a pleasanter little party ; everyone seemed to have laid themselves out to amuse and be amused. I don't know whether it is exactly fair to single out two young ladies when all were charining, but certainly Miss G — - — and Miss H , by their praiseworthy exertions, added greatly to the enjoyment of a very enjoyable evening.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18801023.2.6

Bibliographic details

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 6, 23 October 1880, Page 43

Word Count
4,696

BRIEF MENTION. Observer, Volume 1, Issue 6, 23 October 1880, Page 43

BRIEF MENTION. Observer, Volume 1, Issue 6, 23 October 1880, Page 43

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