The Social World.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 543, 25 May 1889, Page 3

The Social World.

Notes of Current Social Events.

— Sir William Robinson has visited Übini's performing fleas at Melbourne. — An afternoon dance was giveu at Sydney on H.M.S. Orlando on Wednesday, May 1. — Hon. Mr Addington of Marton, and family, left for England by the direct steamer Rimutaka last week. —Lady Norman, the wife of the Governor of Queensland, is very dark, rather slight, and dresses with taste. —Mr E. Withy, M.H.R. for Newton, accompanied by Mrs Withy, has reached Australia on his way back from his trip to England. —In the retinue of the Empress of Japan, during her tour through America, will be ten fanbearers, twenty men-cooks, and fourteen doctors. — Debates aud theatrical performances are being introduced at Anckland Savage Club. The first debate will take place next Monday evening. — The Rev. Father Kehoe of Gisborne has arrived in Auckland for a change of air, his health having given way. Father Hayes takes his place temporarily. — Lord Onslow and party had excellent sport at Martinborough, but the deer were too shy, and the sportsmen had to be coutent with wild p and feathered game. — Miss Norman, daughter 'of Sir Harry Norman, Governor of Queensland, is said to be possessed of considerable conversational powers and to be especially smart at repartee. — On the occasion of his birthday, the Very Bey. Dr. Waters, Rector of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, was presented with a complimentary address by the students under his care. —Sir ' William Jervois, ex-Governor of New Zealand, has arrived in London. Report states that he will be appointed to an important office in connection with British defence works. —Sir George Grey was unable through indisposition, to take the chair at Mr Newcombe's lecture on John Bright the other evening. Mr A. Bell presided in Sir George's regretted absence. —Ere leaving for England the other day, Mr James Fairfax, of the S. M. Serald, gave jEIOOO towards the completion of the Nurses' Home in connection with the Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. —In accordance with a promise made to us •while His Excellency and Lady Onslow were in Auckland, we have received from Wellington a portrait of the Countess of Onslow, copies of . which we shall present to our readers next ■week. — Col. Forbes, of Lake House, Hamilton, has come to Auckland with his family. They will reside in the city during the winter, for the benefit of Col. Forbes's health, which has for some ; time back been rather precarious. — A very enjoyable entertainment was given by the ladies of the Parnell Wesleyan Church in -connection with the Band of Hope. Miss Connolly presided, and an entertaining and instructive programme was very creditably rendered. — Affianced young ladies in the United States have originated a novel method of announcing their betrothal. They send their friends a photograph of their left hand, with the engagement ring prominently displayed. — Lord and Lady Carrington gave their first "ball of the present Sydney season on April 24. About 400 guests were present. Lady Carrington's dress was of white brocade. Her Ladyship wore a diamond necklace and tiara and carried - "an enormous bouquet. — Be sure to read the opening instalment of "A Family Secret, " by Jennie Davis Bubton. It is not only gracefully and vigorously written, but has a novel and ingenious plot, is remarkable for its clever delineations of character, and is full of surprises. 9 . —The Frith family provided a very pleasant and interesting programme at the Auckland Sailors' Rest last Saturday evening, consisting of ■solos, trios, and reading. The audience, though not large, showed by their applause their hearty appreciation. The St. Andrew's Presbyterian choir will perform this week. —The notorious Parisian champion of women's rights, Madame Astie de Valsayre, is again ; amusing the public by her efforts to wear masculine attire. She has formally notified the prefect of police that in the snowy weather the feminine , petticoats get wet, and give their wearers violent •colds. Such garments, she says, are only lit for women who have nothing to do, so, on future oc--1 casions, when business takes her out in bad weather, she intends to dress as a man. ) —At St. Peter's Presbyterian Snnday-selhool, Surrey Hills, on Wednesday evening, 15th|inst the Rev. R. Sommerville presided at a (fruit soiree, which was well attended. The \Rev $. F. Eobertson, who has lately arrived ifrom Scotland, delivered an interesting address.land •_ an excellent musical programme was provided as ' 'follows : —Piano selections by Misses Gilmer/(3), ' McMaster, and Currie, and Master Harold . Sommerville ; violin selections by Mr /and f ; Master W.alton; vocal pieces by Mrs Jone4, Mr |£Bell,j;MJ6ses 8e11, ... Smart,, and Angus. ) Miss accompanist. ... ■ ' f-

— By the mail steamer which left Auckland for San Francisco on Monday last, Mr Lawrence Benjamin of Melbourne was a passenger, and was accompanied by his son, Mr Rudolph D. Benjamin. Mr Benjamin, senior, is one of the successful pioneer colonists of Victoria, and after a tour through America and Europe he will return to make his home in the vicinity of Melbourne. — Mr Charles Hesketh, organist and choirmaster of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, Remuera, was the recipient of a complimentary address and a valuable gift of sacred music, from the members of the choir, as a token of their esteem and in appreciation of his long and painstaking services as organist, from which post he is now retiring. — Rumour is very busy amongst Australians in London about the appointment of the successor to Sir Henry Loch. It is generally believed that Sir Henry will vacate the position of Governor of Victoria in July next year, and it is asserted that the Marquis of Lome has expressed his willingness to accept the Governorship of Victoria if the salary were £20,000 instead of £10,000 a year. —There was a good attendance at the Mount Albert Mutual Improvement Class, last Friday night, and a very pleasant evening was spent with the poets, owing no doubt to the fact that the entertainment was under the management of two ladies — Misses Battley and Schnackenberg. A varied programme of songs, reading and recitations was very acceptably presented, at the end of which criticism was indulged in. — The Remuera Literary and Social Club held their first gathering for the season in the local hall, the president, Rev. I. Richards, acting as chairman. An excellent programme was creditably rendered and was much appreciated. Mr Mon tague's delineation of the " screen scene " from the " School for Scandal," in which he essayed all the characters, elicited much applause. During the evening, refreshments were partaken of with evident relish. — The opening ceremony of the Patumahoe Roman Catholic church took place last Sunday. Bishop Luck, assisted by the Rev. Father Me Manus, officiated. The church is built throughout of rimu, which was supplied by Messrs. Gearson and Shipheard. The contract was executed by Mr Waters, who has performed his work very satisfactorily. — A concert'in aid of the Grafton Gymnasium Club was held in the Parnell Hall last Wednesday night. There was a large attendance, and a very varied programme, including sentimental and comic songs, which met with much acceptance from the audience. During the evening Mr F. J. Moss, M.H.R., presented to tbe Selwyn Football Club, on behalf of Mrs Moss, a handsome banner bearing the monogram of the club. Captain J. Tizard acknowledged the gift in a suitable manner. — A pleasant gathering took place at St. Alban's parish schoolroom, Mount Roskill Road, on Wednesday evening, loth inst., when the Rev. P. Smallfield delivered a lecture on " Cyrus the Great." Mr F. G. Ewington presided, and a vote of thanks for an interesting lecture was given on the motion of Mr G. Shirley, seconded by Mr H. Seabrook. A musical programme had been prepared by Mesdames Sharpies and Bruce, and Misses Jahn and C. Dickson ; but as the lecture proved longer than was anticipated, the musical treat was postponed. —Mr Pleydell, who has left London by the Coptic for New Zealand, where he will occupy an important post in convection with the Bank of New Zealand, originally arrived in South Australia as a mate in one of Dunbar's ships, and attracted attention to himself by gallantly saving the life of a lady during the passage. At the time there was a vacancy on the staff of the National Bank of Australasia, and Mr. Pleydell was asked if he would like to exchange his seafaring life for something on land, the result being that he entered the bank. — A very enjoyable evening was spent at Rawene on Thursday, May 9th, at a concert and dance given by the Kohu Kohu Minstrels, in aid of the Kohu Kohu Cricket Club. Everything passed off successfully, although the weather was not all that could^be desired. Mr Doyle proved I a very good interlocutor, while Mr Johnson as bones, and Mr Dunstan as tambo, were the life of the evening. Messrs Robinson, Triphook, Brislerer, and Beazley gave violin and accordeon solos which were warmly appreciated. Mr Borem was very good in the comic song and dance " McCarthy's Mare." The whole concluded with a dance which was kept up with vigor till daylight. Great credit is due to Messrs Robinson and Beazley for the manner in which they played for the dance. Mr H. A. Williams officiated as M.C. — A concert and dance came off in the Public Hall, Patutahi, on Thursday May 16th, and was a great success, considering the other attractions which were on that evening. The following programme was gone through :— Overture by Mrs Gentles and Miss Judcl ; Mr Goldsmith sang " Steering Home," and was loudly applauded at the finish ; Miss Raleigh sang, "Far Away," in an exquisite manner ; Mr Nock sang, " I Cannot Sing the Old Songs," in&n admirable manner; I Mrs Stewart sang " Jessie's Dream," and got a tremendous ovation at the finish ; Mr O'Meara sang " The Warrior Bold," and the audience demanded an encore, but it was refused ; Mr Woodward sang "Hurrah, for the Meadow," which was the gem of the evening, and in response to an encore he gave, " The Parson and the Clerk ;" which brought down the house. Mrs Gentles sang "He Kissed Me when He left Me," very nicely ; a duet by Mrs Batty and Miss R. Macfarlane was very well rendered ; Mr Goldsmith sang "The Arab's Farewell to His Steed," in his usual pleasing manner; Miss Raleigh sang "The Scotch Brigade ;" Mr Nock gave a recitation which kept the house in a titter for sometime ; and Mrs Stewart sang " The Bridge." After the concert was over, the hall was cleared for a dance, which was kept up by about thirty couples till an. early hour in the morning. v '•

—Mr T. H. Ivey, who has resided in Auckland for about twenty years as manager of the local branch of the Bank of New South Wales, left on Tuesday for Sydney, where he will assume the management of the head office of the above-named institution. The staff of the Auckland branch presented him with an album of New Zealand scenery, along with an appropriate address. On Saturday evening Mr Ivey was entertained at a farewell dinner at the Northern Club, Mr J. McCosh Clark presiding. Mr Ivey was the recipient of an address from the ■'Chamber of Commerce on Monday afternoon. His successor in the management of the Auckland branch of the Bank of New South Wales is Mr R. A. Tennent. Two concerts, in aid of the funds ef the Auckland West Kindergarton, were held last Thursday and Friday evenings, in the Foresters' Hall, Newton. On Thursday evening several tableaux were exhibited, and met with such acceptance as to warrant their reproduction on Friday night. The Grafton Orpheus Clvb — Messrs Martin, Edwards, Hamerton, and Charter — contributed very materially to the evening's enjoyment. Songs were rendered by Messrs A. H. Edwards and T. Charter, and by Mcsdames Judson, Edgar and Clutsam. _ Herr Tutschka contributed a violin solo in his usual masterly style, and had • to respond to an enthusiastic recall. The violoncello solo " Nocturne was played by Mr F. Clutsam, who in response to a recall gave a concert mazurka of his own composition. — St Andrew's Hall, Symonds-street.was packed to its utmost capacity, on Monday evening the 13th May, on the occasion of the concert in aid of the funds for improving the interior of the church. The first part of the programme consisted of Mrs Jarley's waxworks, Dr Dawson ably filling he role of showman. A piano solo by Miss M. Chapman opened the second part of the programme, Mr Edwards following with the popular song, "My Sweetheart When a Boy;" duet " I Would that my Love," Mrs Newcomb and Miss Tait ; reading, " Minister's Mistake," Mr Fowlds; song, "We've said Good-Bye," Mr Pilcher ; zither solo, " Love Song," Herr Heinitz ; song, " Olivia," Mrs Newcomb ; recitation, " One Niche Higher," Mr McCarthy; song, "My Heart's Beloved," Mr Edwards. The famous giant family having given their services gratuitously, they were tendered a hearty vote of thanks. Mr W. Calpan, organist of the church, is to be congratulated on the success of the evening's entertainment, he having had the management of the whole affair. The singing of the National Anthem brought to a close one of the most successful concerts yet held. — The concert given by Messrs S. and W. Hayr, in the Mount Iloskill School, on Friday evening, in aid of Mr and Mrs Bailey, an aged couple, was a moat decided success. The following programme was gone through : — Pianoforte duet by Misses A. Hayr and McGregor, " Waves of the Ocean ;" song, " Golden Love," Miss Warren ; songs, " Warrior Bold," and " Monarch of the Deep." Mr George ; song, " Dear Heart," Mrs Clayton ; song, " McGuinnes," Mr C. Hanncken ; song, " We'd Better Bide a Wee," Miss Beid ; songs, " Useful Knowledge," and " I Fancy I Have Seen You Before," Mr C. White ; song, " Thy Face," Mrs Pick ; song, " Plymouth Sounds," Mr Clayton ; song, " I Love You More Than I Can Tell," Miss Clark ; song, "My Sweetheart When a Boy," Mr P. Hanncken ; pianoforte solo, Miss Brown ; song, " Chieftan's Daughter," Miss E. Beid; recitation, "The Country Squire," Mr Neal ; vocal duet, "The Cousins," Misses Brown and Reid ; song, " Miss Hooligan's Christmas Cake," Mr C. Hanncken. At the close of the programme, dancing was indulged in with good spirit until 2 o'clock a.m., all present being thoroughly pleased and amply repaid for a trudge through the rain and mud. Messrs Hanncken supplied the music. — We append the list of gentlemen who enjoy the right of private entree to Government House, Wellington. It will be seen that members of the Legislature, as such, are excluded, while their masters, the heads of the Civil Service, are among the elect number. The list is as follows :— The Hon. the Premier, the Hon. T. Fergus, Defence Minister, the Hon. G. F. Richardson, Minister of Lands, Hon. E. Mitchelson, Native Minister, Hon. T. Hislop, Colonial Secretary, The Hon. Sir Frederick Whitaker, Attorney General, Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, Sir W. Fitzherbert, Sir G. M. O'Rorke, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice, Mr Justice Richmond, Mr Justice Williams, Mr Justice Denniston, Mr Justice Gillies, the most Reverend the Primate of New Zealand, Right Reverend Doctor Hadfield Mr W. H. Quick, Chancellor of the diocese, the Most Rev. Archbishop.Hon. P. A. Buckley.M.L.C, Mr C. J. Toxward, Danish Consul, Mr W. H. Levin, United States Consul, Mr E. Pearce, Consul for Sweden and Norway, M. Lustalot de Bachone, French Consul, Mr G. Fisher, M.H.R., Italian Consul, Mr A. Caatendyk, German Consul, Mr J. R. George, Portuguese Consul, His Worship the Mayor, Mr. J. Duthie, Messrs G. S. Cooper, J. E. Fitzgerald, C.M.G., W, Gray, H. S. McKellar, W. R. S. Browne, R. C. Hamerton, J. Sperrey, C, Y. O'Connor, H. J. H. Elliott, C. J. A. Haselden, D. M. Luckie, F. W. Frankland, Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G., Dr Lemon, Dr McGregor, Rev. W. J. Habens. Rev. West, Rev. H. Van Staveren, Rev J. Patterson, M.A., Messrs J. McKerrow, J. Maxwell, and W. M. Hannay, Railway Commissioners, Major Gudgeon, Captain Humfrey, Messrs S. P. Smith, G.B. Davey, H. H. Greenway, J. W. A. Marchant, J. C. Gavin, W. S. Reid, Eb. Baker, sheriff, D. G. A. Cooper, Registrar Supreme Court, T. M. Lewis and C. T. Batkin, Lieut-Col. Hume, LieutCol, Butts, Captain James Campbell.