SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 64, 3 December 1881, Page 179

SOCIETY

— What became of the milk at the Parnell .social, oil ? — The Symonds-strcet social union ball was a very enjoyable gathering. All the ladies were prettily dressed. — The two Newton marriages reported last week are to be followed by several others very shortly. ■ — Shark-fishing on Sunday is scarcely orthodox, although it is decidely popular with the youth of Ponsonby. — At Epsom House, on the dismissal of the children, Annie Gardner was decorated with the silver medal by her classmates, Alice Bassett and Ethel Brookfield. — Mr Manson, of the Waltham Watch Company, entertained some friends at dinner at the Star Hotel on Saturday evening last. The ■menu was except ionably choice and well sustained host Cairn's reputation as a caterer. — The question whether or not the holding of political meecings in Sunday-school halls should be tolerated will probably "be discussed shortly up Wellington-street, way. A St. Matthewite says "Betsy Baker" was not so unseemly within the " sacred Avails" as a disorderly crowd crying for " Grarrard," and giving vent 'to hoodlumist propensities in other directions. — Mr M. Laing gave an cveningparty last week on the occasion of completing the bridge- contract. Amongst the guests were Messrs McDonald, J. Boyd, L. Joues, Captain Duff Laing, and MissM. Jones. The fun was fast and merry. Dancing was kept up until the small hours. Mr J. Boyu gave a- spirited fox-hunting song in fine voice. The host was complimented in speeches, and a very pleasant evening was spent. — Mrs B. gives Whangarei such very nice little dances, and so select too. She issues invitation*) to all the leading people, and after a very enjoyable dance, where bread and butter is prepared, and all has gone "merry as a marriage bell," the guests are politely asked for a subscription ; and in one instance a gentleman, not being prepared for the emergency, said if they would kindly call the following day at his house he would' pay, which they accordingly did at 11 a.m. — There were somo pretty dresses worn at th« dance in the Beresford-street school-room. Mi:* Brabazon wore, black grenadine and silver flowerMiss Ballantine, black velvet and cardinal satin ; Miss Henderson, old gold and wine-coloured velvet ; Miss Worthington. blue sateen and whke lace ; Miss Campbell, black, with cardinal ; Mi*} Jackson, blue, with wliite lace. The dancing was kept up with good spirit until half -past 13. As usual, there whs. plenty of ilirting. All tlio "jam-tarts" and "ice creams" of our fair city ai'e sure to grace the lovely jv l)oiniim Cricket Ground to-morrow afternoon. * Nothing is so inspiring to aspiring athletes as the- approving glances of bright ayes shot from beneath the soft shade of those really too utterly lovely 'bangs,' which everyone — not a*n uttor idiot, or ascetic —

must acknowledge as about the most charming style of coiffure of the century. Our fair correspondent will be there, and will tell us all about how everybody was dressed and looked. —Last Thursday evening there was a very pleasant dance at "Mrs G-lover's to terminate the dancing season. The class appears to have been an unqualified success ; about 10 couples assembled enjoyed themselves immensely. —The concert at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening was successful in everything but attendance. Miss Murielle's songs were certainly the best items on the programme, and an enthusiastic encore was accorded to each. Mr Gordon Gooch was in excellent voice. Comic and sentimental songs were rendered by Messrs St. Clair, Williams, and Maccabe, whose remarks on the Observer appeared to be appreciated. Fred Brabazon's ventriloquial exhibition was decidedly clever. — The Hamley Gun Club met on Thursday at Ellcrslie for a pigeon match and the annual election of officers, when the following were elected:— Mr S. Momn, President; Mr Kirkwood, vice-President. Committee : Messrs Wynyard, Ellis, Brown, Xewall, and James Russell. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr A. E. Isaacs. It was agreed that the Club meet every fortnight if a, supply of pigeons can be obtained. Mr Isaacs announced his intention of presenting a cup to be fired for by members. Messrs. J. Russell and Wooly were the highest scorers. — The concert and ball at Waipu on the whole was very good. The principal vocalist Avas Miss McKen'zie from Sydney. Her singing was perfection itself. She wore a white sateen dress cut square in front, trimmed with pale blue and silver ornaments. Mrs Scot, a black silk dress trimmed Avitli Avhite ; the Misses McLeods, white sateen with blue trimming, and silver sprays ; Miss McMillan, Avhite silk trimmed with black ; Miss Ross, black velvet with silver sprays ; Miiss MeKaye, Avhite sateen trimmed Avith blue. There Avere about fifty couples at the dance Avhich aviis kept up until daylight. —The young ladies of Auckland Avill have to look to their laurels, and exert themselves to the utmost to please, since La Mignonne Princesse, with her charming face and form, has taken all the hearts of the sterner sex by storm. They need to remember that they have to compete Avith one gifted Avith high intellectual powers, combined J with modern accomplishment ; and as she presides in that fairy-like scene, the " Crystal Bar," her flute-like tones and graceful manner are all that a poet or painter could desire. The everlasting fountain with its gentle cadence, and the fascinating smiles of the ministering Hebe, must be seen to be appreciated. — Inhere lias been considerable merriment up Ponsonby way at the expense of a Avell-known resident there. He lives close to the beach, and occasionally indulges in a sail on the placid waters of the Waitemata. One day last week he borrowed a boat from his next-door neighbeur, who is the secretary of a leading Auckland manufactory, and took his better half for a trip up the harbour. He did not return during the evening, and the owner of the boat, becoming alarmed, went in search of him. About daybreak he found the boat aground on one of the beautiful mud -banks with which the upper part of the harbour abounds. The occupants Avere thoroughly disgusted and miserable, having been there all night, and they were only too thankful to be conveyed back to Ponsonby. — There was a lnrge gathering of botli sexes at St. Francis' de Sales School on Wednesday afternoon to Avitness the presentation of prizes to the successful contributors at the examination. The concert which preceded the distribution was very successful. Amongst the best items were duet, " Sans Souci," by Misses Craig and Brennan ; duet, "Sparkling' Sunbeams," Misses Fitzsimons, Robinson, Fisher, and Jennings ; duet, "Princess Louise Waltz," Misses Stokes, Derrom, Hackett, and Fernandez ; duet, " Mazurka, 1 ' Misses Craig, Knight, Brennan, and Hill ; duet, " Maritana," Misses O'Dowd, Lynch, and Craig ; duet, " Messenger of Love,'' Misses Stokes, Fernandez, and Fitzsimons ; piano solo, " The Shepherd's Evening Song," Miss Lynch. The young ladies were very prettily dressed ou the occasion . — A very successful concert took place on Xov. 21th at jSorthcote, in aid of the organ fund. The attendance avus Avonderfully good, considering the state of the weather. The rev. Mr Bates Avas chairman, and gave a nice suitable address. The singing and play Avas up to " dick," and the country folks quite enjoyed the musical treat. The duets (selections frcm " Pinafore") performed by Miss Duder and Miss Annie Duder, were the g«ms of the evening. Much praise is due to Mr Lind for her ample sumptious spread of supper for the singers, and she pnmded all the delicacies 1 hat jSorthcote could produce. The following are some of the dresses worn : Miss Jackson, pink gingham ; Miss Duder, black merino, flounced skirt and fringe trimming ; Miss Bates, pretty black and gold satin dress ; Miss A. Duder. black cashmere, trimmings of cardinal with puffed sleeves, and hat to match. — A most enjoyable dance was given in the school, Upper WaiAvera, on the 18th inst., in order to raise funds for clearing and burning off the ground round the school. Upwards of a hundred Avere present, and, as botli the refreshments and music were gratuitous, the financial result AA-as very satisfactory. For the music, Avhich Avas excellent, avc Avere indebted to Mr De Grut, who played the piano ; Mr Smith, who played the violin ; and Mr Lewell and others, played on the accordion. - There being a dearth of musical talent in Waiwera, these gentlemen, j from the Orewa and Wainui, kindly gave their services. The refreshments, which were abundant, Avere provided by Mrs McCathie, Mrs Hall, '< and Mrs Faithful. There was a good muster of young ladies, most of Avhom looked charming, especially Mrs C. De Grut and Miss Harness, avlio were generally aeknoAvledgcd to carry off the palm, although Miss J. M. C, Miss A. R., the Misses 8., Mrs S., and two young ladies from Lower Wai wera Avere also greatly admired. The CA'cning was fine, the school A\ r as decorated Avith great taste, aud dancing Avas kept up until daylight. — Miss Donovan's .dancing class, which has been moefc successfully carried on for some time past in the Masonic. Hall, XeAvton, came to a finish on Friday night last, 25th inst., with a most enjoyable dance. Regret seemed to be felt

amongst some of tlio ladies that it would be the last of the season, but nil appeared to eujov themselves thoroughly. The dresses on the occasion Avero very elegant, as also the numerous bouquets :— Tile Misses a.'s looked charming dressed in pompadour, trimmed with pale blue sateen, Mother llubbard style; Mrs S. looked very well in cream coloured dress, trimmed with ruby velvet and white lace ; Miss D. .wore a handsome dress of pale pink sateen ; the Misses A.'s who wore pale blue sateen covered with embroidered net, were much admired ; Miss D. wore pale pink sateen, trimmed with black lace ; Miss K. D., pale blue sateen, trimmed with white; Miss S., white tarlatan, trimmed with white lace ; Miss W. 13., cashmere, trimmed witli blue ; Miss P., dress of blue plush, trimmed with white ; Miss 11., dress of cream sateen, trimmed with pale blue and cream lace ; Mrs I\, dress of grey poplin trimmed with black. Messrs. (Tarlnnd and Anderson deserve much praise for the manner in which they fulfilled the duties of M.C.'s. The caterer (MrMcEwen) is also worthy of commendation for the niiinner in which he prepared the supper. Miss Donovan was presented with a silver inkstand, and brooch and earrings. —The Bazaar opened in the Drill-shed last week in connection with St. Matthew's Church, and maintained until Tuesday evening last, has been a, financial success, much to the gratification of its promoters, and greatly to the disgust of the select coterie who held aloof from it and misrepresented its object. Although the stalls were neither numerous nor remarkable for the extraordinary uiiality or variety of the exhibits, the nightly' attendance of a bevy of fair young fossiekers had the effect of pushing 'the sales most admirably. Every eelibatic young fellow who was "' run in "' proved a mark for feminine wiles and artifice, and in few instances did failure follow their efforts. Despite the terrors of the Graining and Lotteries Act, art unions were indulged in with the greatest zest, while the glowing face of the little parson blossomed into smiles' as the cash rolled pleasantly in. The Rev. Hitchcock, got up in faultless attire, and adorned with ladies' favours, "bossed" the Royal Academy Exhibition the mark !), and graphically recited the enormities of the midnight assassin (a struggling flea), when lie was not engaged in lisping out the sweet accents of "love." Dr Dawson makes n capital stage manager, and his pieces '* went. " well. " The Census" was perhaps the best of all. .Jemmy was heard to better advantage, and Const. Aldermanu's enchanting DundTvarv whiskers carried the female heart by storm. Altogether the Bazaar was prolific of fun and amusement, helped along a i'vw managing mammas in their search after sons-in-law, and cheered the ministerial heart with replenished coffers. — The entertainment given by the Auckland Dramatic Society in the Remuera Hall was a great success, in spite of the unfavourable weather, and was well attended. The scenery, new act drop, and classic decorations, painted by Mr Thornton, were perfect, and elicited much admiration. The piece de resistance of the evening was " A Lesson in Love," with Messrs Robertson and Pearson in the leading male characters. Both acquitted themselves well. Mrs Carte's make up in the character of the gushing old maid was admirable, and her acting throughout would have done credit to a professional. Miss Isaacs as Mrs Sutherland, the match-making widow, played with great vivacity and correct appreciation of the requirements of the character, being well seconded by Mr F. Hull as Captain Freeman. Miss Katie Isaacs' Edith was also a very meritorious performance, and Mr Pearson's Bubblebrook was exceedingly good. The garden scene was strikingly realistic in every detail. The light comedy, " PaVents and Guardians," evoked unrestrained mirth throughout. There was a strong cast, the schoolroom furniture and properties were real, and the piece was spiritedly played. Miss Katie Isaacs played Mary ; Mrs Carte, a Frenchwoman ; Mr Robertson, the French master ; and the pupils were Sibbin, Mochatta, Keesing, Fairburn, Nolan, and others. The Rcmuera people intend to produce shortly " Won at Last."