SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 56, 8 October 1881, Page 52

SOCIETY

[We shall esteem it a favour if any of our readers {especially those residing in the suburbs and country districts) who can spare the time, will jot down for this journal any notable features of the social re-unions — balls, parties, at homes, concerts, picnics, &c. — which they may attend. We don't want to hear whether Jack flirted with Annie, or Mr B. was attentive to Mrs K. Those are private details, and no business of ours or the public's. It is, however, interesting 1 to know how many people there were at a dance, whether any " society " swells were present, also if the rooms were decorated in an unusual way, or any pretty dresses worn. We shall also be invariably glad to h ear of any festivities which are coining on. Communications will be kept strictly private, and (though they may not appear in print exactly as forwarded) will be used. Items intended for insertion in the current issue should reach this office not later than Wednesday morning. — Editor Observer.] — The Miss Alexanders entertained their friends at afternoon tea the other clay. — There will be a children's party at Mr A. Buckland's this (Friday) evening. — The Rink dance at Coromandel on Friday last "was a great success. — The children's Fancy Dress Ball at Ponsonby takes place to-night, Friday, and Avill draw a big crowd. — Ernest Butler and his pretty bride hare taken up their residence in Anglesea-street, where the bridegroom purchased a hoiise some time ago. — Mrs Ching gave a luncheon party to some friends the other day in her new house at Hemuera. — Miss Bessie Waddell, of Hobson-sreet, is to be married early next month to Mr J. Massey, engineer. — The engagement is announced of Mr Gr. Satmders of Queen-street, to Miss E. Head of Ponsonby. — Invitations are out for a grand ball, on the 11th instant, at Otahuhu. Archie G-oodfellow is secretary ; there's a treat in store, boys ! — Mrs Pounds gave afternoon teas on two evenings last week her friends being so numerous that she was obliged to divide them. _ — Who says the Waipu folks are behind the times ? The members of the debating class arc going to give a fancy dress ball in the Waipu hall. — A lady writes, " One or two of the gentlemen at the Ponsonby At Home wore filthy dirty gloves which seriously damaged some of the ladies good dresses. For the sake of five-shillings they destroy dresses that cost pounds." — Joe Bennett entertained the Hon. Greorge Maclean at a fishing party on Sunday last. The weather was most enjoyable, and the fish plentiful, but alack a day they all had to turn " good templars" for though the providor at the Club supplied a splendid lunch, he omitted to pack any liquor. — Mr Adam Home, well and favourably known as a former teacher in St. James' Sunday school, and who was for a number of years employed in the establishments of Messrs Morrin and 'Upton has been married at Tauranga to Miss Harvey, eldest daughter of Mr W. Harvey, senior, of the firm of Harvey and Kirk. — A resident of Newmarket complains that we do not do justice to entertainments given in the suburb of Eemuera. We admit that we have no regular correspondent there and shall be glad if the lady who wrote to us will remedy the omission. Items should reach here not" later than Wednesday morning. — Mrs McLeod Sen., of Helensville, entertained a number of friends at a pleasant bread and butter party on Thursday last on the occasion of the anniversary of her youngest son's birthday. Mrs Griffins contributed to the enjoyment by singing " Three pigs " and " Bother the Men." Dancing was kept up till two next morning, when all separated, after spending a most enjoyable evening. —Mr Ernest Butler, of the Star office lias taken unto himself a very charming wife in the shape of Miss Mary Lloyd, fourth daughter of Mr Neil Lloyd of Ponsonby. The marriage ceremony was solemnised on the 28th ulto., the Eev. R. F.'Macnicol being the officiating minister. No wonder some wag remarked a few weeks ago that Mr Butler was Al at Lloyds. — The Auckland Skating Club brought the season to a close last evening (Thursday) . There was no rinking, but dancing was commenced at Bp.m. and continued till midnight. The season of this club has been a most successful one, and and notwithstanding the early collapse of the more fashionable Wednesday night rink, the Friday one has had a large and regular attendance of members and visitors. — Mrs Mooney of Mangawai gave an evening party on Thursday week at her residence Kauri Falls. About twenty couples were present and the guests enjoyed themselves so much that dancing was kept up till an unusually late hour. Miss Mooney wore, muslin very prettily trimmed with ferns. Mrs Munn, white grenadine with pink bows and sprays of flowers. Miss Sarahs white tarletane and pink sash. Miss Brown black cashmere with white trimmings. Miss O'Neil black velvet and cardinal. — An aesthetic young poet in Parnell recently addressed a sonnet to his lady-love, in which among other fanciful illusions, there was a reference to her "sweet recurvinostral charms." She thought the sonnet " so nice," until, on turning up Pa's big dictionary, she discovered that the high-sounding poetical word in the above quotation meant (if it meant anything) pugnosed! The aesthetic youth now sends his sonnets elsewhere, and a fair, young, but rather "recurvinostral" lady at Remuera is inviting applications for the post of son-in-law to her father. No poets need apply ! —The Princess of Wales' garden-party at Marlborough House on July 15th was quite as large as the assemblages of former years at Chiswick. Her Majesty looked in radiant health and spirits, and was surrounded by grandchildren in different stages. The Princess of Wales wore grey, the Crown Princess violet slurped velvet, and Princess Beatrice blue. Short dresses prevailed ; and very short some of them were — more suited to a ten-mile stretch across country than a summer afternoon in a Royal garden. One lady, in a tight jacket speckled over with flowers, and a skirt of white inuslin fifteen inches

off the ground, was neither more nor less than a caricature. But it is pleasanter to recall the memory of beauty rather than ugliness, and to turn from paint and vulgarity to Lady Dudley, in a lovely dress of mauve, with white lace ; to the Hon. Mrs Reginald Talbot, in a mediaeval composition of brown satin and white ; and Lady Hermione Diuicombc, the incarnation of nymphliko beauty, in vestal white. There was also a lemon-tinted dress, with shaded parasol to match, which was refreshing to the looker-on, and most becoming to the wearer. — A very enjoyable and successful concert and entertainment took place in connection with the Mount Roskill School on Thursday evening, the 29th ult., under the supcrintency of Miss Fletcher, the much respected schoolmistress. The schoolroom was crowded to excess by the scholars' their friends and relations, and visitors from the surrounding districts. Mr J. W. Carr of the local school committee occupied the chair, and in a few opening remarks eulogised the present system of Education, and spoke of the benificial results of such entertainments in connection with our schools. A varied and highly attractive programme, comprising readings, recitations, dialogues, vocal and intrumental music, was gone through by the pupils and lady and gentlemen friends, in a manner that earned the hearty applause of the audience- The scholars aquittcd themselves remarkably well in their dialogues, songs and glees, redacting great credit upon their instructress. A large number of Auckland friends were present, both as visitors and performers. The proceeds are to be devoted to a very laudable purpose, viz, towards purchasing a harmonium for the school. — The ladies of Whangarci gave a very enjoyable" dance at the Public Hall last week. A large number of persons accepted the invitation, and dancing which commenced at eight o'clock was kept xip until nearly four next morning. Cardinal appeared to be the favourite colour for dress trimmings. Mrs Thompson wore a black silk, sashed with cream and cardinal and her sister Miss Aubrey was similarly dressed ; Miss Clcndon, black velvet, gold braid ; Miss Bedlinglon, white muslin, blue silk band ; Mrs Sleeman, old gold sateen, black and gold lace, cord and tassels ; Miss Jessie Taylor, black cashmere, salmon colour plush sash ; Mrs Boult, cream sateen, cardinal bows ; Mrs Alderton, figured muslin, pink sash ; Mrs McKean, black silk ; her daughters, lavender silk, polonaise of white muslin ; Miss Maekin, black dress, cardinal bows ; Miss Bell, black silk, cardinal bows ; Mrs Coates, black velvet white lace ; Miss Wilson black silk, black tarlatan overskirt, pink bows ; Mrs Sissons, black silk ; Lady Gribbes' daughters were all dressed in black, with rose pink sashes. There were several ladies very nicely dressed whose names we do not know, This was so essentially a ladies' invitation that they would not tolerate a master of the ceremonies and Miss Williams acted as "Mistress" thereof. Altogether the affair was a decided success.