AUCKLAND BELLES-PAST AND PRESENT.

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 43, 9 July 1881, Page 476

AUCKLAND BELLES-PAST AND PRESENT.

No. 4.— A Belle of the Pkesent.— Miss Annie Burt. This young lady, born and brought up amongst us, a true daughter of the soil, is one of whom the soil may well be proud. To her Byron's well known lines apply. She walks in beauty, like the night Of Southern climes and starry skies ; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes. Her figure is a little below middle height, slight and pretty. She has hereditary claims to good looks. Her father, when a young man, was handsome. So handsome, indeed, that the young ladies "looked at him." He was a member of the choir at St. Paul's in those far away days, and complained bitterly of being "looked at" by one of the young" lady members, whereupon there appeared an advertisement in the New Zealander,— "Wanted a Veil. Apply to James Burt, Esq." We had to put our ' ' society " advertisements into the political newspaper" then, not having attained even to a liberal ' 'daily. " Miss Burt used to come with her papa to the little church at Reiiiuera, where Bishop Pattison held the services (he was not bishop till' long after), a small damsel of six years, and sit as good as gold among those privileged hearers. Even then she gave promise of future beauty. There is a sweet expression in her face, the outward index to what must surely be a sweet and quiet spirit. She has been engaged for a long time to Mr. John Mills, of the customs, and is now on the eve of her approaching marriage Avith him. I am quite sure that she will take with her to her Southern home the good wishes of the Community of Auckland. Esmond.