SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 161, 13 October 1883, Page 16

SOCIETY

Queen Victoria is only 4ft Bin high. The notorious " Skittles " still holds her own in London, while Cora Pearl is played out. The Duke of G-enoa and the Princess of Bavaria received the first week of their marriage over 20,000 begging letters. The Ponßonby At Home Committee have decided to hold a Fancy Dress Ball on December 2nd, and a children's dance on the following evening. , A very tasteful dress, worn by a lady vocalist at the late concert at Tauranga, consisted of black and ruby grenadine, trimmed with Spanish lace and ruby satin. Mrs Bice, of Te Arai, gave a nice party on ■ October 3rd, to a select few of her friends. Dancing was began early in the evening, and was vigorously kept up till the small hours, when all ■went home thoroughly well pleased with their evening's pleasure. The Hon. J. Taylor, known as the "King of Toowoomba," gave his son's bride a little cheque for £40,000. And this reminds us that the " King of Surrey Hills " presented his son-in-law -with — well, we don't remember the exact figure just now, but believe it was something under £40,000. The latest society craze in the way of picnics in America is breakfasting on a raft. The invitants swim out in bathing dresses, the heavy furniture being carried beforehand, and dressinggowns being in readiness on the raft. After the al fresco breakfast the company swim back to the - shore. There are thousands of suitable places in *' our beautiful harbour " for picnics of this novel character, and they would no doubt form a great attraction. (Probably the sharks would think so too.— Ed.) During the past eighty years four Earls of Strathmore have seated themselves in ancestral state at Westminster, and yet all the while the real Earl has been alive. He died only last year, aged 92 years, and he was a monster. He stood «ight feec in height. His head and the upper part of his body resembled a toad. His skin was marked with black and white blotches, and his hands and feet were webbed. He could neither speak nor hear, but his eyes were bright and wild. He never showed signs of reason,; and in order to avoid legal difficulties, and painful revelations, this horror was hidden in a part of the building prepared for the purpose. His gaolers were paid handsome annuities to keep silent. Last year the poor wretch died, and the secret has come out owing to difficulties concerning the disposal of his remains. There was a dance at Oruru, last week, in honour of the " Heiress of Wilkinson Hall " coming of age. The new big barn was prettily decorated with ferns and evergreens. A good tea < and supper was laid out with much taste in the Hall, at which about 40 people sat down. The lioat and hostess were untiring in their efforts to entertain their guests. The ball was started by the " Burly Farmer " himself and the lovely Miss E. A., leading off the first dance. Miss S.s playng was a great enjoyment, the time being so -correct. The honour of belle was divided between Miaß M. and Miss D. T. Mr L. was the best dancer in the room. During the intervals of the dances there was some most remarkable singing, the gem of the evening being Mr C.'s " Joshnass. ' The Oruruites have another grand dance on the tapis, when they intend inviting all Mangonui. A Te Awamutu correspondent takes exception .jto^the report of the Fancy Dress ball which appeared lately in these columns. The writer aays that our correspondent's report would convey 4 the. idea that Te Awamutu alone was represented, •whereas invitations were issued all round, including Cambridge, Alexandra, and Kihikihi, which were also well represented both in style and character. The following were most worthy of notice : — M'-'May Queen, Evangeline, Germaine, Dolly Varden, and Serpolette (Miss E. Farrell). The latter is described as having been very good. Mr Carley deserves great credit for the excellent supper he provided for the guests, as well as for his courtesy and efficiency as M.C. Mr Roche impersonated St Jacob; Mr Scotfc, ; 'Officer Auckland Light Horse ; Mr Bigg, Old English Farmer ; Mrs Nicholson, Evening Dress ; Mrs White, Dolly * 'l^wlen ;'MiBB Me Wards, Evangeline; Miss Farrell, Q-ermaiuej Miss Costello, May Queen. , The h "*j&lin of belie, says'our correspondent, was divided between Miss Grace, Mrs Evanson, Miss Costelio, and Miss Finch. , ,;.,i*.,O,ne.-Qf the. most iConspicuoua- events ;in the history of Hastings, Hawke's Bay, came off; on Wednesday, October 3rd, in the shape of a Fancy. * 'Bill/ The'" cdmniittee issued ' invitation tickets very liberally,- which was well responded ato by the youth and beauty of Hastings, and. surrounding districts. The dancing programme was large and well selected. The music consisted of . jßJaao and two, violins. The, ; supper was. supplied ft«^» v f|j:Bt-elaßs-Btvlepby Mr R;G3hayerj of Hastings. r rhe J 'fair ones were attired with extra grace, and rivalled the rain-bow in their hues. Amongst the most, conspicuous .of. the ladies we»e : — Mrs Parker as Night Shortens, looked; very pretty ; Miss McGHasthan in a very neat dress looped up ■with rosebuds, was very handsome ; Mrs Taylor as Early Dawn looked very engaging ; Mrs E. Taylor as Queen of Night was charming; Miss Chatman as Queen of Roses looked every inch a . queen; Miss Cheer looked very graceful as an Italian Peasant Q-iri; Mrs Nattle as Swiss Girl looked and danced well. Miss Ward looked very Wetty as Red Eiding Hood ; Miss E. Dennett as ', ".Starlight," wore the most elegant and fascina- % ting'toilet of the evening. The gentlemen were dressed much as usual, some dressing well, and some ought to have been, at the bottom of a well. Amongst the best were :— Mr Montague Smith as '/Bunthorne looked very well ; Mr 0; Warren as an Australiaii Stockman took the part to perfection ; Mr P. Martin as a Stag Hunter looked a regular double ditcher j Mr H, Honor as Don Caesar on i\ihs& ''Wedding' Day looked as if he would ■'•■like his P^Boon'to come.} Mr Dennett as a J^an-o'-Wara'

Man was well got up ; Mr W. Broughton as a Fox Hunter looked a proper cross-country rider ; D. Woods as William Tell was very telling ; H. Selig as a Darkey and Chadwick as Clown tried hard to amuse the audience during the intervals, and I think succeeded, Chadwick especially as he is a natural clown. The slippery floor caused a few falls, and even the dreamiest waltzer can't be quite insensible to the dazzle of hose when flashed right under his eyes. But all these little things break the ice you know, and don't do much harm so long as they don't break anything else. Now, the great and momentous question to decide is which among the ladies was belle of the ball. Amongst the married ladies Mrs Parker is without a rival. For young ladies Miss McGlashan has a rival in Miss Dennett. For gentlemen Messrs Smith, Warren, and Martin were by far the beet.

STEEET DBESSES. Miss Mogenie : Black silk dress ; turban with peacock's feather trimmings. Mrs Culpen : Handsome black beaded cashmere costume ; sealskin hat. Miss Briton : Light brown cirmelite costume ; brown Langtry hat en suite. (Very stylish). Miss Croaker : Black beaded costume ; straw G-ainsboro' hat, large black satin ribbon bow. Mrs J. Alexander : Black cashmere dress ; handsome brocaded jacket ; black velvet hat. Miss Chamberlain : Navy -blue velvet dress ; pretty Spanish lace cape ; Spanish turban with plaid ribbon. Miss Ansley : Brown check costume ; large white straw hat, trimmed with Indian muslin and lace. (Very becoming) . Miss Minnie Baker : Black cashmere skirt ; satin waist to match ; black turban, trimmed with velvet and ostrich tips. Mi9s M. Chapman : Seal-brown cashmere dress ; pretty tweed four-in-hand to match ; brown Spanish turban, trimmed with velvet. Miss Murray : Fawn carmelite dress, trimmed with silk and fringe of a darker shade j white straw hat with lace and feather trimmings. Miss Firth : Prune cashmere skirt ; velvet jacket to match ; black straw princess bonnet, trimmed with prune Ottoman cord ribbon and velvet. Mrs Johnson : Handsome black silk costume ; black brocaded mantle ; pretty white fancy straw princess bonnet, trimmed with pale pink plush and roses. Mrs H. Powell : Stylishly made black and white check zephyr costume, with black silk and beaded trimming ; a very handsome black satin brocaded dolman ; daisy bonnet, with narrow cream satin ribbon, cream lace and crushed strawberry.