SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 49, 20 August 1881, Page 564

SOCIETY

—The Mount Albert dance last week was rather thinly attended. — Miss James was undoubtedly the belle of the Mount Albert dance. > — There were actually only ten unmarried girls at the Mount Albert dance, and they were nearly all from Ponsonby. — Our tall friend has returned from Melbourne quite a swell, gloves and all. Girls take care now. — "A Subscriber" at the Thames will oblige by sending any stories he knows re the imposter about whom lie wrote to us. — Some people think that the Ponsonby "At Homes " are getting a little too dressy. Ponsonby papas have to pay tolerably lengthy dressmakers' bills. — Pat Lnnclon was immense at the Moiint Albert dance. He says the hall was prettily decorated, the supper good, and the whiskey abundant. — Rumour, with her myriad tongues, whispers that a Newton damsel is smitten with the autumnal charms of Mr Adam Porter, and that he reciprocates, — A Newton young lady was offered £2000 by her father recently, if she would postpone her marriage till after his death. Neverthless she refused. — Bob Bull, who has got a new suit which he styles a "bit of new," feels it very hard that there should have been two wet Sundays running. — The Auckland Dramatic Society intend to produce "London Assurance" as their first performance in the city. They fondly anticipate a grand success. — What is the name of the kindly lady who gave the Parnell 'busman such a tongue thrashing for allowing a Maori inside his 'bus last Saturday? Surely, she didn't want to walk 'er out. — It is said that the aristocratic leaders of Society at Home have resolved to exclude from their invitations the professional beauties who ' have succeeded in forcing" their way by their figure and facial charms only. — The magnificent mansion, 9 and 10 Gros-venor-square, London, belonging to the Earl of Crawford, was hired for the present season by Sir Samuel Wilson, an Australian millionaire, who, "Atlas" believes, will shortly become . the purchaser of this fine leasehold. — \ n engagement is announced between Mr Walter Stubbing, R. -v ., and Miss Carrie Kempthorne, youngest daughter of the late S. Kempthorne. * It is the intention of the happy pair to start for England, via New York, immediately after the wedding which Avill take place shortly — Directly Mr Norton, of the Telegraph Department, saw his intended marriage in the OBSERVER he was heard to exclaim to a friend: "Well now, it is really wonderful how and where that Observer paper gets all the news from. I wont trust another secret to any lady." — A gentleman who knew Mrs Morton Tavares when she was in Auckland informs us that her maiden name was Surtees, and that Mr Tavares was her elocution (not her French) preceptor. Master and pupil went to the theatre one night, and Miss Surtees had such an attack of stage fever that she eloped with Tavares, and they both went on the stage. — That tall, fair stranger, ladies, who has been causing your dear little hearts to flutter as he perambulated Queen-street, is Mr Lloyd, the inspector of the National Ltfe Association. He is a jolly Irishman, possessed of a large amount of the native wit for which his countrymen are noted, and as he has a handsome salary, he is decidedly a "good catch." — Some of the young ladies belonging to one of the leading Catholic congregations in Auckland, have made a formal complaint to the resident head of the church re the "fastness" and familiarity of two clergymen, whom it would be unkind to indicate. In consequence, there is likely to be a change in the locale 'of the rev. gay Lotharios. — Last Friday evening Mrs Barton Ireland gave another of her charming little parties. The first part of the evening's entertainment consisted of amateur theatricals, in which the ladies and gentlemen who took part, acquitted themselves excellently well. The second part consisted of dancing, which was kept up with much spirit, and all present spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening. — 'The first meeting of the new session of the St Sepulchre's Mutual Improvement Society Avas held on Monday evening last, when the Rev. B. T. Dudley read an inaugural address and Mesdames Brown, Gillillan, Bleazard, Ball, Blades, Dickson- and Ridings, assisted by Messrs Shirley and Smyth, provided an agreeable concert. Many of the songs were warmly encored and the pastor's address received marked, attention. The programme for the session comprises subjects for debate, papers, readings, lectures, &c, with the valuable ad dition of music at intervals. —The Thames : Monday. To the Editor : Dear Sir, — There is a young fellow in Auckland whose name I see constantly in your paper and who appears to pose as "no small pertaties" in musical circles. He came out in the third cabin of the s.s. Kent a year or two ago, and used to sing songs for the passengers and then go round with the hat to raise a shilling or two. I wonder if he remembers 'Xmas Day and the Butcher's goose ?— I am, &c, An Associate oe TARTS (Real jam, of course. ) P. S. — I shouldn't have let you know this if I hadn't heard that the party in question gives out that he belongs to a very good family in England. — How is it that so many persons who frequent the dress circle of the Theatre and the front seats of other places of amusement cannot refrain from eating during the intervals. The other night at the Theatre a "lady" and "gentleman " in the dress circle were seen discussing a large bag of bananas in a very businesslike manner, and again at the Lornestreet Hall a couple in the front seats were busily engaged munching, crunching, and sucking lozenges, emitting an odour of peppermint that brought to our mind the

words of Tom Dibbin, who, when waked up one night by his wife to listen to the howling wind, replied: "Oh bother! put a peppermint lozenge outside the window; they're good for the wind." We would suggest that the following be placed at the foot of all theatrical advertisements and bills :--" N.B._ Consumers of edibles charged double price in the dress circle." — On Thursday week, the creme cle la creme of Auckland society were gathered together at Major Nelson George's residence at Epsom. The house was evidently built with the intention of making it unsuitable for entertaining, and, despite the best efforts of the present owner, this fact was most forcibly brought home to the guests on Thursday evening. It must be most discouraging for a host who knows how to entertain, and has the means to do so properly, to be cramped for want of room. This was the unfortunate case in which Major George found himself, and the only wonder is that he succeeded as Avell as he did in providing for the enjoyment of his guests. There are plenty of rooms in the house, but the rooms are too small. The consequence was that there was hardly sufficient space for dancing, and the gentlemen had often some difficulty in finding their partners, on account of their being a number of small withdrawing chambers. However, the music was excellent, the supper was laid in Canning's best style, Major George proved himself a splendid host, and Mrs George showed herself a most charming hostess. The consequence was that the guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves and pronounced the dance one of the best, if not the best, of the season. — On Thursday week, the usual Cinderella dance took place at the Mount Albeit Hall. On account of Major Nelson George's dance I being on the same evening, there were not so many present as usual, but there were quite as many as could conveniently dance at one time. Mrs Greenwood, who left early to go to Major George's, wore a very handsome blue satin dress, Mrs Motion, black satin, Mrs C. B. Stone and Mrs Waterhouse, black silk, Mrs Maseiicld, pink muslin trimmed with pink silk, Mrs Stephenson, white silk trimmed with cardinal, Mrs Baker and Mrs Pearson black silk, Miss Evans, white tarlatane, Miss Barnes, blue sateen, Mrs James, black silk, Miss James Grey, silk trimmed with blue, Miss Boylan, black silk, trimmed with cardinal, and Miss Baker, black grenadine, trimmed with mauve. The music (piano and cornet) was all that could be desired, and the floor, though small, is one of the best in or near Auckland. All present, therefore, spent a right merry time, and were sorry when the dance music ceased, and the strains of "God save the Queen" were heard. It would not be right to close this notice without mentioning that Miss Boylan received well-earned kudos for the spirited way in which she played the extra dance while the musicians were at supper. — It was in the palmy days of Auckland, and when one of our most respected citizens was daily expecting to be elected to the Mayoral chair, that a good joke was played on' on young X (you can see him in Queen-street daily). He was then one of the employes in the store of the expectant citizen, and naturally was on the look out for some fun if his master was successful. His fellow-clerks got scent of this and determined to have their fun at his expense. They accordingly laid their plans and one morning innocent old J. asked young K. if he was going to the banquet, " SVhat banquet," says K. "Oh, up at the boss's house at Mount Eden," replied Mr Innocent; " we are all going, and we are to take some ' girls and to have a dance. "' " Allright ; I'll go, t< o, and bring my cousin," said X, and sure enough he did go. He started, but before he had got half way it came on to rain, so there was nothing for it but to turn back. However his father kept an express cart, and dauntlessly the pair got on board, wrapped themselves weil up, and drove out in style to the house at Mount Eden. Now it happened that the citizen Avas away, and only his children and governess Avere left at home. Nevertheless young X boldly Avent up, knocked at the door, and hoped he was not too late for the banquet. "What banquet ?" asked the astonished governess ; and then came a disclosure of the joke. Hoavever, Miss M, who saAV through it, determined the two should have some enjoyment arranged an impromptu dance and supper, and sent young X and his cousin home on their Avay rejoicing. Next morning K. appeared at the store as usual, and asked his fellow-clerks Avhy they did not come, and much to their disgust, they found out they had played off their joke too well. Subsequently the boss got to hear of it, and he has still many a hearty laugh when he thinks of the impromptu banquet given in Ms honour. <