THAMES LITTLE TATTLE

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 50, 3 September 1881, Page 600

THAMES LITTLE TATTLE

— Brook, A.A., returns for the fancy dress ball on the 20th ult., and is to appear in a costume that will astonish the natives. — Johnny HoAve and Tommy Margetts opened to a very fair house at the Academy on Saturday, in one of their Protean entertainments, hut I cannot say it was up to much. — Gilmer is disappointed at not being allowed to display his delicate bottines (size 10's) in the step dance to be given in connection with the Harrison negro minstrel performance. — It appears that, the Government are loth to replace Murray, but why the Dickens is Withers sent poking his nose about overy month ? If Murray is in command let him command like the centnrian of old. — Upon consideration I have decided not to forward for publication the particulars in connection with a certain little piece of scandal which happened in the Hotel some evenings ago. It was really too awfully awful, you know. — Eumours are current to the effect that things are not progressing smoothly in the house of a certain gentleman in Pollen-street, and it is said that a wellknown citizen has been politely requested not to show Jiis nose inside the said domicile any more. | — Since the advent of the short-haired Hebe at V's Hotel, Charles' attentions to his old flames have been on the decline. It is rare sport to see the two spooning over the bar. Host Matthew says a match between a Duke and a Gordon would be highly desirable. —The Navals are .vroth afc the aspersion on their gallantry with regard to the "living souvenirs," mentioned in a letter signed "A Parent," which appeared recently in the Observer, and I am afraid that if the writer were only known to them he would get it hot. — HaAvley is jubilant over his prospective removal. An attempt it is said, was made to make Jim No. 3 in seniority, but the "powers that be" had evidently some consideration for old and faithful services, and would not suffer it. —The treasurer of the Grahamstown Fire Brigade was rather indiscreet, at the annual supper a few evenings ogo, in his remarks anent the local Pre3S. Thisjso riled Mac, of the " Twinkler," that he went for poor Tom in right good style, much to the discomfort of that worthy official and the amusement of the banquetters. — I must highly deprecate the boisterous romping some of the gentlemen indulged in during the rink dance lancers. Young Goldwater, from Auckland, sustaineda severe fall at the last "kick," and several other similar accidents have taken place. "Loafer," in the Star, seems to think this a laughing matter, but I'm sure the visitor does not think so. — E. K. Tyler, avlio is, I beUeve, considered one of the most caustic speakers in the Auckland legal profession, referred iv very rough terms to the actions of a certain " shining light " in the Wesleyan persuasion in regard to a well-known AVaihi mining property, accusing him of worshipping God on Sundays and Mammon on week days. Pretty rough, wasn't it, Mr Editor . — From all I can hear matters in connection with the sucking Minstrel Troupe are not progressing very smoothly, and the organization is likely soon to be a thing of the past. lam informed that the two principals, Harrison and Turner, are about to withdraw from it, in which case of course it will fall to the ground. My gracious, Avon't the ladies be disappointed ! — Little Figgington, of the Telegraph Department, has returned to the Thames after an absence of nearly two years at Blenheim, and his reappearance amongst us has caused quite a flutter amongst a number of fair damsels. I observed him at the promenade concert the other day with no less than three young ladies. This " lightning" man has evidently learnt a wrinkle or two down South. — "Your oavii" Avas much amused while sauntering down Pollen-street on Friday evening to overhear a very animated conversation which a gentleman and two ladies were carrying on in reference to a par in the Observer relative to a rink dance. It is almost needless to say that the writer came in for a fair share of polite abuse from the aforesaid persons as is always the ease when the Press treads on someone's favourite corn ; but, thank goodness, I am still in the land of the living. — We have been honoured by a visit from H. Claud Brook, Esq., A.A., and I am glad to say that the honour (hem !) was duly appreciated. Having by sheer —what shall I say — well, good luck obtained an introduction to one lady, he endeavoured to curry favour with her by letting her know through a friend that as he represented the Auckland Star she would be named the belle (Jf the rink dance in that journal. Such practices are highly reprehensible on the part of representatives of the newspaper Press, and ought not to be allowed by the proprietors. — The monthly dance in connection .vith the Kinking Club was held in St. George's schoolroom last week, but cannot be considered the best of the season. The floor was in very bad condition, and it is to be hoped the committee will see their way clear to hold the next re-union iv the Academy of Music. The music was very fair, but might have been better. The hint thrown out by me last week as to the necessity of providing suitable accommodation for the ladies in the way of dressing rooms has borne fruit, and the secretary (Mr W. W. Gudgeon) is entitled to the thanks of the club for his attention to the wants of the ladies ; indeed I heard several of the latter speak in high terms of Mr G. for what he has done for them, and he must feel flattered in consequence. The attendance was fair, and the sexes pretty evenly matched, consequently very few ladies were without partners during the evening. On the whole the dresses were a considerable improvement on those worn on previous occasions, and it is to be hoped I shall be able to say the same when I next write on this subject. In the opinion of many Mrs Perry was considered the handsomest married lady in the room : she wore plain black silk. Mrs Brassey looked well in black silk Avith broad white scarf of the same material. Mrs Gudgeon's cream coloured sateen, slashed Avith cardinal and brown of the same material, was much admired. Mrs Ehrenfried looked jolly in black silk trimmed with amber. Mrs George Lawlor wore a quiet light grey silk ; and Mrs E. H. Harrison black silk trimmed with cardinal. Miss Grey, who was undoubtedly the belle of the evening, Avas charmingly dressed in a short sleeveless black lustre dress delicately veiled by a plain grenadine cloud of the same colour. Miss Whyto was handsomely attired in a low, squarenecked, ecru lustre quilted with bright blue satin ; an ornament in the shape of a gold snake round her neck set off the dress to perfection. Miss J. Whyte looked dignified in white tarletan trimmed with pink. The dress worn by Miss Coney was composed of black lustre with rather tight skirt bound with broad white scarf. Miss Allom : black dress trimmed with real native fern, a hint for the fancy dress ball. Miss Ginn looked really handsome in dun-coloured silk. Miss Walker, as usual, in black velveteen trimmed with white swansdown. The Tararu Troupe looked remarkably pleasing in neat walking dresses.