SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 50, 27 August 1881, Page 586

SOCIETY

— Mrs Checsman gives a grand party at Conquest Place to-night (Friday, 26th.) — Mrs Quick's children's party was a giant success. — John Britton's house wanning was an unqualified success. Mr Berry, of the Herald, was there and was actually seen to smile. — An old lady named Frost, residing near Riverhead, has been left £10,000 by the death of a relative. —Mr Simpson, of Te Awamutu, has come toreside in Auckland, and the ladies of that bucolic vicinity have lost their favourite beau. — Mr John Chambers' new house in Albert Park is one of the handsomest in that locality of palatial residences. — The bridesmaids at the late hay and corn nuptial were all married. No spinsters were invited. — We fail to notice the name of Hookey amongst the distingushed players in the football match, Auckland v. Waikato. — Mrs McCormick gave a very nice little dance on Friday night last at her house in Carlton Gore Road. Those present enjoyed themselves muchly. — The " Quite too utterly utter Contingent" cannot hold a candle to the "Jolly Bachelors" whose party last Friday evening was a decided success. — Evening hops of a private character are I very popular at Ponsonby just now. — Sandy Aitken, of the firm of Hesketh and Aitken, was married on Wednesday last at St. Mark's, to Miss Quartier, the only daughter of i Mr Quartier formerly a watchmaker in this I city. ; — " Ici on parle Francais " was such a success that Mrs Ireland intends repeating it this week. Miss Ruth Fairburn, Miss Walker, and Miss F. White, assisted by Mr Frank Corbett and the irrepressible Martin, are the performers. — Very few Aucklanders will recollect Miss Agnes Corbett, eldest daughter of the Chief Postmaster at Auckland in the old military days. Those who do, and especially Parnellites, will be pleased to hear that Mrs Patton {nee ' Miss Corbett) and her son have returned, and taken up their abode under the old paternal I roof again. They arrived by the Hermione. I — Another disgraceful practical joke has been ; played on us with regard to a marriage engagement. We refer, of course, to the notice of Mr Stubbing' s bethrothal in last issue. Our readers will remember what we threatened to do next time this happened, i.e., expose the delinquent. The signature to the letter informing us of this "bogus" engagement is " G. Gradwell,"andit is dated from "Parnell." — The late Mr Gray, of Pokeno, Avas first cousin to Sir George Grey, being a son of the great pro-consul's uncle, Colonel Gray. For years there has been a feud in the family so bitter in its intensity that the spelling of the name was altered. Since Mr Gray's death the breach between tte legislator and his relations has deen healed. Mr Wynne' Gray, of the Thames, is one of Sir George's second cousins. — -A meeting was held at Devonport on Tuesday evening pursuant to advertisement for the purpose of forming a Tennis Club. Mr J. B. liussell was in the chair, and Mr Bodell was appointed secretary •pro. tern. Twenty-six ladies and gentlemen gave in their names as members of the Club. The Devonport Domain Board have consented to a portion of the domain being used for the purpose on condition that the Club level and prepare the ground, reserving however, the right to resume it at the end of a year xipon the paying a portion of the expense. Rules were read and adopted and another meeting will be held next month to elect officebearers. — An extraordinary story is being circulated concerning the occult means adopted by the Mormons for securing their converts here. A man was persuaded by an " elder" to attend a gathering of the Saints in the Newton Hall. He states that after taking his seat four of the elders so placed themselves as to form a square about him, he being in the middle. Each of the elders then "wrestled" in prayer for his conversion, and while this was going on a weird influence seemed to take possession of him. He trembled violently, and almost lost all control of himself. By a strong effort he prevented himself from being entirely overcome, and when he got outside once more he ejaculated, " The Devil I" and rushed home vowing never to attend a Mormon meeting again. He firmly believes that it was either the devil or mesmerism and. one he considers is just as bad as the other. — The Napier Skating Club held their second meeting on Tuesday, August 9th. There was a very good attendrnce, many more than at the first, especially as regards the fair sex. There were numerous enquiries for the Observer with the account of the last rink ; and one gentleman appeared without his skates, but with an open note-book, passing himself off as your special. He would have done better if lie had attended to his young lady pupils, whom, we believe, will be the most Grace-ful skaters in the club by the end of the season. Mr C. fell in his usual graceful manner, but it was not very good form m one or two gentlemen to try and upset him. Mr H. seemed to be all there as "boss" of the t show ; indeed lie is a full inch taller since. He would look very much better if, when skating, he kept his head off his partner's shoulder. Mr W. was very attentive to the ladies, but they would prefer that he should learn to skate, so as to take them round instead of sitting still and looking interesting. There was nothing particularly striking in the way of eostximes ; the little hint in the OsfIERVER seemed to do some goou.