SOCIETY.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 522, 22 December 1888, Page 14

SOCIETY.

[Society items of all kinds will be welcome for insertion in this column. All communications should be- aaaressea, " Society Editor, Observer ani> Fees Lance," and should reach this office not later than Monday mornin in each wee*, j

— Cupid shows increased vigour as the Xmas festivities approach. A quartette of new victims have succumbed to his fiery darts, the fair fiancees hailing respectively from Parnell and . Ponsonby, the gentlemen being residents of Remuera and Epsom. —The marriage of Mr James Hamilton, second son of James Hamilton, Esq., Puke Tapu, Awitu, and Miss E. Irwin, youngest daughter of the late John Irwin, Esq., Awitu, was solemnised "at the residence of the bride's mother, by the . Rev. R. S. West, St. David's, Auckland. — A most enjoyable dance eventuated at the residence of Mr .Tames, Parriell, on Wednes--1 day evening last. About thirty guests assembled, and a real good time was spent. Many of the ladieß* dresses were charmingly picturesque. Miss Slator looked charming in a vivid red gown ; Miss Fenton wore black, relieved by dusters of s crimson flowers ; Miss Robertson, pale pink ; Miss Rich, a pretty mingling of cream and blue ; Miss Herrold, cream Indian muslin, the draperies falling in soft art folds from the shoulder. — [Cor- .* respondent.] — A most successful Bazaar and Xmas Tree was opened in connection with the Methodist Free Church on Thiirsday afternoon. The faiv stall holders did a roaring trade during the afternoon, as well as under the more attractive illuminations of night with accompaniment of musical selections. The following ladies presided : — Misses Wheeler, Tudehope, Tattersall, and Hall, Wheeler, Dutton, Knight, and Waterhouse. The novel innovation — a gentlemen's stall — was under the autocratic sway of Messrs A. Withy, Whitehead, and Clark. Mrs Major dispensed toothsome refreshments from a groaning festive board. Father Xmas' trophy was entrusted to the tender mercies of Messrs Hudson and W. Knight. The bazaar was opened by the Eev. Mr Dutton, — The weekly meeting of Sandy's Musical Club (Burns) turned over a scroll of talent. The song and chorus, 'Maggie, Queen of Ayondale,' held the vocal gangway as introductory item, the warbling of Mrs Angus, Mrs Heighway, Miss MoLeqd, and Mr Carter being stamped Al. Major' Lusk shone in ' Good-bye, Sweetheart,' 'Nil Desperandum,' and 'Banks and Braes.' Miss MeLeod sighed vocally for ' The Bloom of my Own Native Heather' (not pearl cream), and . discanted on the beauties of ' Killarney ' with '-■ good effect. Mra Heighway told ' Jessie's Dream ' .. in sweet strains full of pathos, and further assured the land of cakes of her unalterable devotion. Mr Moncur sang ' Naebody Kens Ye,' and Mr Carter gave 'Highland Mary' and 'A Man's A i Man for A' That ' (even when he's a henpecked Benedick or a local poet). The elocutionary gauntlet was cast by Mr D. 8. McDonald and Mr Smith (who doesn't belong to London). The ineeti ing, contrary to Highland custom, closed with Auld Lang Syne.' —Pukekaroro went in for a bumper jollification on Tuesday evening, inspired thereunto in the cause of the annual treat accorded to the young ideas of the neighbourhood. A capital audience assembled to participate in the fun. which took the form of a minstrel entertainment! . The dark boys were in high feather, keeping the pot of mirth boiling at a furious rate. The get ups were worthy of Professor.Eagleton. The programme included 'Orewa Waltzes,' brilliantly played by the composer, Mr J. Dun. (We don't waste our talent under a bushel in this district). Master R. Dawson recited ' Waterloo ' Song, ' I'll Be Watching for You at the Window (wail of the wife of a non Blue-Eibbonite). 'We Don't Know How We Love Till We Miss Them ' splendidly sung by Mr Hurley. The other performers were:— Messrs Neil, Springall, Dowson, , Mooney, Maloney, and Murphy. Miss ' Leah Hood, a pupil of Misses Tutin, greatly disting- . mshed herself in 'Le Roi de Lahore ' (instrumental).—[Correspondent.] :.-• ' —The Maori School Sports at St. Stephen's ,; .Native School were largely patronised. The . ; programmo was a lengthy one, each item heivv . well contested. The feature of the afternoon's :■ amusement was a tug of war, entered into by ; half-castes and Maoris. The result of the drawing . warfare was a hard-won victory for the Maoris. ' "The conquering athletic heroes were: Half -mile c . e ' Tuteari 5 Steeplechase, Tuteari ; high jump, Hittitt; quarter mile, Tuteari; second division : /.Half-mile, Te Meota; high jump Toke : \ steeplechase, Te Meota ; manx race, Shaw and <--- Parairi. Shaw carried off high honours both in running and jumping. The prizes were useful as well as ornamental, including bridles, cricket :- >v batp, scarves, etc. Mrs W. Philson's fair hands ; : awarded the trophies to the fortunate compoti- . tors; Prior to the close of the sports the dusky ( youths testified their gallantry by giving three = rin f?5 cheers for the ladies, Sir George Grey, ,--.. and Mr Davies. The teachers were also pledged ; - m the jovial hip ! hip ! hurrah. y _i-The second anniversary of the Epiphany - ■ Clmreh was celebrated by a festive gathering- on ./ Tuesday evening at St. George's Hall, Great * . "North Road. The cup that cheered, with the I: /usual accompaniment of sweets, first held the ,;-.. boards. A feast of melody followed, contributed - a'a follows :— Miss Beere made her bow as the first V interpreter of euphony in a piano solo. Mr Tart ; Mr Harris, and Mr Morrin opened the floodgates r";: of vocalism, much to the delight of the audience. y:;^ % As hero vocalist, Mr Birdsall scored an unmistakhit ; his ditties,' 'I Found It,' and ' I Went §|^|t;h Him,' caused the founts of merriment to S^q^erflow, evoking hearty bursts of applause. Mr §|||3l&rringtoii was crowned .with the laurels of popglalularity, his recitation, ' The Ways I Have Heard ||J§iihe Charge of the Six Hundred Recited,' being >!£? without doubt the best item of the programme ; a i^^decided, encore was .the. result of the triumph of l^phunic-rdus elocution! ; Mr White's readings is also |»>;; ' worthy of special mention. Mr West held the in' the first portion of Part 2, Mr Farrington ;^ and Mr Wjistsupportirijf his clarionet solo with >t!|...o»pital recitations. Mrs Morrin, Miss Coombes, Mr Baddele> gave a vocal charge, their

several efforts in the cause meeting with unanimous approval, which merged into enthusiasm at the termination of ' Consider the Lilies,' most exquisitely sung by Miss Harris. The comic hero (Mr Birdsall) brought down the house with ' Yon Know.' From first to last the affair was a success. -^-The presentation of prizes in connection with, the Church of England Grammar School, Parnell, took place on Friday afternoon, in the presence of a goodly assembly of parents, cousins, and aunts of the pupils. Ihe Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell presided. The proceedings opened with mufic, Mrs Perciyal and Master Gillies being the first to ignite the fireworks of melody with a duet (piano and clarionet), 'II Lamento ' (Singi Bassi). The sparks emitted were brilliant as Parliamentary courtesy. Master Wynyardset elocutionary flames raging with a French recitation, 'Le Voyage de Monsieur Perrichon,' which, judging from the rapt expression of many present, was a sealed book to the majority. A march from ' Alceste,' by Master Fairburn, was a most creditable performance, showing the youthful pianiste to be a musician of great promise. The opening- scene from ' Julius Csesar ' was given by several of the senior pupils. The headmaster, Mr Percival, then crowned the ambitious hopes of the rising generation by reading out the prize list, of which we append a synops s j . — Silver medal (awarded for the greatest number of marks in all subjects during the year), Master Gillies, bronze medal, Master Sheppard ; Governor's prize for Divinity ,Master Gillies, Master Hall, 2nd, Master Grey coming in tor high encomiums ; English literature, Masters Tilly and Wynyard ; special prize for music, drawing and conduct, Master Smith ; best map, Master Elliot. Lower School : Silver medal, Master Griffiths (Major) : bronze medal. Master Stitchbury ; Governor's prize for divinity. Master Abbott ; prize for map, Master Ware. Second Form : Special prize for marks, Master Hall ; price for map, Master Dawson. An address by the Chairman, followed by a chapter of euphony, concluded the sayings and doings, Mrs Percival scoring an xinqualified success in her rendition of an andante (Beethoven), executed with artistic expression as a piano solo. — The City Council officials were bauqueted on Friday evening by His Worship the Mayor, Mr A. G. T. Devore, at Canning's Restaurant. Amongst the guests were Mr J. Broham, Inspector of Police ; Mr J. Hughes, Superintendent of the Fire Brigade ; Mr J. Cotter, City Solicitor ; Mr Shillington, Librarian ; Mr W. Errington, C.E ; Mr Elmes, City Treasurer. Mr W. Anderson, C.E., acted as chairman. The repast was a most sumptuous one, served in Canning's best style. The table, groaning under its weight of good things, idealised by flowers and hot-house plants, was a poem whose stanaes were heartily approved of. Toasts loyal and otherwise, were pledged with gusto, our gallant defenders in embryo coming within the category. Songs and music interspersed the elocutionary efforts, and a most convivial evening 1 was the result.