The Ladies Column NOTES BY "THE DUCHESS"

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 36, 21 May 1881, Page 389

The Ladies Column NOTES BY "THE DUCHESS"

— Since I last wrote, a large ball, and a party have taken place and been the topics of conversation amongst the society ladies of Auckland : Mrs. Alfred Isaacs' ball, and Mrs. Kerr Taylor's evening party. Mrs. A. Isaacs' ball was intended to be the event of the season. Money •was freely expended. Canning supplied the supper, and was given carte blanche, in order that everything might be first-class. The Hall and supper-room, were beautifully decorated. The dais was carpeted, and row of ferns in pots arranged upon the lower steps. The floor, upon which great pains had been bestowed, was scraped, waxed, and in capital dancing order. Two hundred and fifty invitations were issued, and even the invitation cards were marvels of floral display. But unfortunately, owing to fortuitous circumstances, only about one hundred and fifty of the invited guests assembled at the Choral Hall. There were deaths in some families, sickness in others ; and the smaller number showed sparsely upon the ample floor. Then, owing to that abominable exclusiveness and petty mindedness which prevails in some circles in Auckland, they separated into cliques, one throned upon the dais, the other on the floor of the Hall ; and no one seemed to have courage enough to break the magic spell and bring about amalgamation. Yet, in spite of all these adverse circumstances, the splendid supper glittering with cut glass and silver, the splendid music, the splendid floor, the really lovely dresses, all looking fresh, and sparkling with colour, and flowers, and jewellry, made up a tout ensemble which was well worth the trouble of dressing for, if only to look on.

— Mrs. Alfred Isaacs wore cream silk lieavily trimmed with black velvet and gold fringe. It was aii exceedingly handsome and suitable dress. Mrs. Montague wore a rich "black silk "beautifully trimmed with old gold plush. Mrs. Ching had on 'white satin trimmed with blue brocaded silk, with white ostrich tips on the right shoulder. Mrs. Haines wore a pale blue silk. Mrs. Lawford and Mrs. Fen ton wore black velvet. Miss Brookfield looked well in a short dress of pale blue satin richly trimmed with chenille gauze and a deep silk fringe of the same colour Miss Jenny Isaacs was in plain white satin quite untrimmed, and she looked charming. Miss Katy Isaacs wore a cardinal plush body laced at the side, with white silk skirt and cardinal sash. Miss Lawford wore a plaiu white sal in bodice laced up the back, over white muslin skirt, trimmings of lace and white azaleas. Miss L. Lawford was in a maize muslin with black velvet bodice, trimmings of black lace and crimson roses. Miss Fenton looked very nice in in plain white muslin, and Miss Edith Fenton wore black. Mrs. Tom Morrin's dress, which was universally admired, was an embroidered white satin made with great elegance. Mrs. Lionel Phillips wore white satin trimmed with white lace. Miss Marks' dress was peach pink silk trimmed with pink plush, which harmonized avcll wilh her lovely complexion and profusion of fair hair.

— Mrs. Allan Kcrr Taylor's party was a very pleasant reunion to which many of the crcuio de-la-creme not invited to Mrs. Alfred Isaacs 1 ball, went and enjoyed themselves immensely.

— Fans of increasing, and still increasing size are dcrigucur among great ladies at home.

— Mr. Neville's overcoat was much admired by the ladies on the football ground on Saturday

— There was no rink in the Choral Hall last week, nor will there bo any this week. Skating seems to be at a discount, yet it is a healthy and graceful amusement, and the girls here have so few !

— There was a little undress dance on Friday evening in the Ponsonby Hall. These weekly dances will be continued all the winter. It is a pity that more married ladies do not give them their countenance and support. The first Ponsouby "At Home" takes place this (Friday) evening. A very large number of names have been received, and the season promises to he a successful one.

— Pigs and elephants, as ornaments, are going out, and shrimps coining in. Not only are they worn as earing.s, but as brooches, bracelets, necklaces, lockets, and shoe-buckles, and are made in pearl and gold, coral and ruby. A coral shrimp — what could be more natural ? The newest thing in hair-pins is a tuning-fork of gold. It is used to fasten a flower on the hair, as a safety-pin would attach it to the dress. But the design is hard, and, though ideally there is beauty in a tuning-fork, considering its use, it is actually ugly and ungraceful.