THE LADIES

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 66, 17 December 1881, Page 217

THE LADIES

Miss Murdoch's bridal dross was of white satin, trimmed with white laec and pearl, cord, and fringe. She wore a veil and wreath of orange blossoms. There is a marriage on the tapis between Thomas Peacock, Esq., ex-Mayor, and Miss Campbell, a sister of his late wife.' Mrs W. A. GJraham, of Hamilton, wore an exceedingly stylish dress at the Masonic ball. It was composed of coral silk and pale cream lace, made with a pointed basque, sherried up one side of the skirt with sherrings of cream lace. Mrs Murray Moore was on the Xorth Shore steamer on Saturday afternoon in a very stylish costume. The dress was of maroon silk, with a sleeveless polonaise of honeycombed grasscloth, trimmed with frieze to match ; bonnet of white straw, trimmed with maroon silk. She went with a party, including Captain Webb and his newly arrived son, overland to the Waiwcra Hotel. It is a singular fact that in the grace of her figure and the style of her toilette this lady bears a striking resemblance to the wife of the late lamented l)r. Hartmann, who was once the belle and cynosure of many eyes in Auckland. It is averred .on good authority that the ladies of the parish of All Saints' arc not united on the subject of decorating the church for Christinas, in fact, a great many of those best able to undertake the work have refused to have anything to do with it. Consequently, the labour will fall on one or two, and the church will suffer in consequence. !N"ow, if we may be allowed to give a word of advice, it is this. Let bye-goncs be bye-goncs on such an occasion. There have no doubt been many heartburnings, and many things said which should not have been said, but at Christmas time, and for Christmas church

decorations let us urge everyone to forget the past and to work together once more, it may be for the last time, to beautify and decorate "with the flowers and foliage of Christmas, that edifice where we ought all to meet together at least for that day, in Christmas peace and good will. A nice little escapade at City East in the Wel-lesley-street School. On Monday, the sth inst., the fateful morning when commenced the standard examinations for the year, and when, of course, everytliing ought to hare been in applepie order, the teacher of the girls' class, No. 4, failed to put in an appearance. Various were the surmises, dreadful the consternation. What was to be done ? No one else knew how many scholars were going up for examination, and .a great deal of confusion was caused. So much put out was Mr Worthington that he was cross for the whole examination. And no wonder. The young lady in question had been his ward and one of his host teachers for five years. The next day the whole affair transpired — she was married. Now, tlie absurdity of the thing lies in this. The match was a perfectly good one, and the engagement had been entered into with the consent of all parties concerned. Then why not have given the necessary notice to the Board and apprised her relatives of her intentions ? Why steal a march on everyone and cause herself to be talked about as could not fail to be the case with all the mysterious hurry and silence? Oh, caprice ! thy name is woman. The contest for City East puts one in mind of an aged, noble, and wounded lion caught in the toils, assailed by the yelpings of a small terrier. Setting aside all political questions, and taking the two men, man for man, there is all the difference between them that thore would be between a lion and a dog. Why did not Mr James McCosh Clark (let us giA'e linn his name in full) contest another seat '? We admit that he is a properly qualified representative, and he might have walked over Hurst's or Peacock's heads if he had so chosen. But to contest a scat Avith Sir George Grey, and to contest it Avith so much temper, and so much insolence deserved what it obtained — defeat. He brought against Sir Grcorge the banks and the wealth of Auckland. But he brought also the petty littleness of the bank book, the insolent imputations of his electioneering address, printed and distributed by both morning and evening papers, to all the inhabitants of Auckland. Whatever may have been Sir George Grey's shortcomings, whether or not he failed when in office to cleanse the Augean Stable bequeathed to him by his predecessors, he is none the less the foremost man in New Zealand, and at least deserving of respectful courtesy. lie, the ex-Governor of the Cape, thrice Governor of New Zealand, the Ulysses of debate, the accomplished scholar, the polished gentleman, one of the grand historic names which will, descend to the memory of our children's children, might at least have commanded a chivalrous respect from Mr Clark, the mere mushroom of an hour ! His victory would have been Auckland's shame, not because he is un« Avorthy of a seat in the House, but because he brought into the contest a petty spite, and thoroughly ungentlemanly behaviour. We have lost for the House of Representatives, entirely by his own ill-judged and ill.advised actions, a man man avlio otherwise might have done us good service. The closing assembly of the St. Andrew's Mutual Improvement Association attracted a large audience at the Lome-street Hall on Friday evening last, and should be the means of clearing off Avhatever debts they have incurred. Certainly the members deserve great credit for the satisfactory manner in Avhich they performed the duties' assigned to them. In the first part of the programme — the musical part — avc single out the songs of Miss Tait and Mr Menzies as deserving of especial notice. The young lady sang with great case and proficiency, a rather difficult song, " Longing," her loAvcr notes being deep and sweet, and her voice and whole manner of producing it, being far more finished than that of most amateurs. The gentleman possesses a very fine baritone, Avhich he manages Avell, though trusting rather too much to his ear, - yet giving much pleasure to his audience, and singing so naturally and delightfully that one hardly cared to criticise some faults of enunciation and manner. A very pretty duct by Mr Culpan and his little daughter also deserves notice, the child's voice and manner giving tokens of great promise. But of course the second part of the programme Avas the one most anxiously looked forward to, several of the amateurs appearing for the first time upon the boards. Many of the young people made decided hits, and afforded to the audience the healthy relaxation of a good hearty laugh. Here again Miss Tait came to the front, and acted her souhreite part Avith a verve and finish which. Avould have done credit to a professionel. She ay.-is evidently quite at home in it, and put the other ladies 'into the shade. Nevertheless Miss Fulloon looked and acted like a gracef ul • " ingentle," and as all that Avas required of her was to look avoll and to be made love to— (ahem)— we consider, especially for a first appearance, that she also was quite a success. Of the lady who personated the Maiden Aunt avo cannot speak so highly. She looked her part certainly, and Avhen she happened to remember A\-hat she had to say, acted very well ; but as she generally failed to do this, avc Avould venture to suggest a more careful study of her part on any future OC-; etision. The elderly gentleman Avas well perr formed and carefully made up, indeed he contributed largely to the success of the piece. But Avhat shall avo say of our old enemy, the hero and the loi'ier of the plot, the impetuous Cymon Broughton — handsome Hamilton Haslett? (Tli ere is nothing like alliteration!) Well, avc Avill be generous. He Avas really very good, and acted in a natural and gentlemanly manner. His part had evidently been, carefully studied, and had less of the amateur about it than we should have expected from a first appearance. It is needless to say that he looked the part to perfection. STREET DRESSES. Mrs Masefield : dross of navy blue silk, black satin beaded dolman.and bonnet to match, costume. Mrs Dargaville : dress of pink gingham trimmed Avith cream lace, and black lace bonnet.