SOCIAL SPHERE

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 780, 16 December 1893, Page 8

SOC lAL S PHE RE

By Muriel.

"We have been blessed with so few fine 4aya for the several outings that have taken place this season that the fixtures for the approaching Saturday afternoons are being looked forward to with much interest by the ladies. There are the Agricultual Society Sports this week ■which are sure to draw an immense crowd of people to Potter's. Then, on the following Saturday afternoon, there will be the Auckland Schools Amateur Athletic Association Sports in the Domain and the North Shore Athletic Club Sports at Devonport. Both of these will be very interesting functions, and it is somewhat a pity that they should come on the same day. # # # < The school sports will be a great affair, rivalling, if not altogether surpassing the periodical gatherings of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club in point of interest. Just fancy a total of something like one thousand entries, and I am given to understand that this means fully one thousand starters. Why, the competitors will constitute a large assemblage in themselves, and when it is remembered that the contestants include one, if not more, from each of a large proportion of the rising families of the city and suburbs, it may easily be imagined what an immense number of parents and brothers and sisters, besides other relatives and the interested general public, will be present. * . * * I am told that there are upwards of thirty events on the programme, and an average of more than thirty competitors for each. What do you think of that for what the racing men call ' big fields ?' It would be a trifle monotonous if the races were to be confined to boys, but they are not. There are a number of open running, jumping and bicycling events, and the co-operation of the adult athletes will impart a great deal of additional interest to the sports. * *— # I am also told that Mr Jas. Halyday, junior, the Secretary of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, is acting in conjunction with Mr Burton, the Schools Association Secretary, in carrying out the arrangements for these sports on Saturday week, and it is therefore safe to conclude from this fact that the management will be first-class and that the pleasure of the spectators will be made one of the chief considerations. I see that a brass band is to be present, bo that we can depend upon selections of instrumental music during the afternoon, while the comfort of the ladies will not bs forgotten in the important matter of refreshments. Afternoon tea is to be dispensed to the fair sex in a marquee after the fashion introduced by the Amateur Athletic Club — a fashion which is very popular too, for one can enjoy the sports ever so much better if one is not denied the mild stimulant afforded by the afternoon cup of tea. * • * In view of the many inducements held out by the management of the sports, I expect to see a very large and fashionable assemblage in the Domain on Saturday week, if the weather is fine. The sports are a great attraction in themselves, there is a further attraction in the outing, the music and the afternoon tea, but to the average female mind the greatest attraction of all is to mix in a large crowd of welldressed people and to be able to see what is new in summer costumes and to know who has got~ the new things. It seems very trivial', doesn't it, but it is female human nature all the same. •• " • The tough and boisterous weather on Saturday interfered to an extent with the success of the Judge's Bay annual regatta.

The rowing races were completely spoilt, bat for the sailing races the wind, although strong, was . not unfavourable. Mr F. E: N. Crombie, the energetic secretary, assisted by a strong committee, worked' hard to ensure~success, and well they succeeded, considering the disadvantages to contend against. The attendance on the flagship was large. A band was present, jand during the afternoon performed numerous selections of popular music. Afternoon tea was provided, and it iB unnecessary to remark was thoroughly appreciated. The: starting was not altogether satisfactory, but I believe the competitors themselves were somewhat to blame. # # # Miss Holland, second daughter of Mr J. J. Holland, Mayor-elect, returned from an extended visit to San. Francisco by the S.S. Monawai on Saturday morning. Miss Holland left Auckland, for the purpose of visiting her uncle, Mr E. J. Creighton, but his death took place suddenly while she was at Honolulu, en route for San Francisco. * a © To-night, the fourth orchestral concert of the season in connection with the Auckland Choral Society is to take place. I hear the programme is one of exceptional merit. « •* * Despite the rather unpleasant weather, which as usual we were favoured with on Saturday, the attendance at the opening of the recently-formed Ponsonby Bowling Club was extremely good. lam sure quite three hundred members and visitors must i have been present, and the scene presented throughout the afternoon waß bright and animated in the extreme. The new and very tastefully designed pavilion and the large marquee erected for ' afternoon tea ' were both gay with bunting. West's Newton Band discoursed sweet music and assisted to render tbp afternoon a pleasant one. Mr Masefield, in a brief speech, declared the ground open, after which play was at once started. The two tennis courts, provided for the enjoyment of members' wives, daughters or friends -were fully occupied throughout the afternoon. Amongst the invited guests present were representatives from the older clubs of Auckland and Newmarket. The Pon sonby club starts with a large membership, and many a prosperous and enjoyable season may be anticipated. # * * Many very, fresh and pretty costumes were worn by those present, amongst whom I may mention Mrs Coe in a stylish reseda green costume, trimmed with velvet, hat to correspond ; Mrs Hodgson, black dress, handsome black jacket, black lace hat ; Mrs Boss, neat grey dress trimmed with lace insertion, pretty little bonnet ; Mrs Atkinson, becoming grey gown, creme feather hat ; Mrs W. Dufaur, striking grey and green costume, hat trimmed with green chiffon ; Mrs Hart, heliotrope gown, white feather hat ; Mrs Watt, dainty grey gown, black lace hat with white roses; Mrs Kirker, grey costume trimmed with shot silk, small bonnet; Miss Hackett, white drill costume, white hat; Miss Bees, electric blue gown with gold-coloured silk trimming, creme hat ; Mrs Hatson, handsome black merveilleux with lace, black hat with creme roses ; her little daughters looked dainty in creme -and heliotrope ; Misses Eusßeli, navy skirts and white blouses; Mrss P. Darby, shot heliotrope costume, creme feather hat; Mrs Peacocke, handsome black silk ; Miss Peacocke, grey gown, black hat with daisies— and others. # • • A charmingly pretty wedding, and one which excited a large amount of interest, was solemnised in at. Stephen's Church, Ponsonby, on the afternoon of Wednesday week. The contracting couples were Mr T. Browne, traveller for the firm of Collins Bros., •wholesale stationers, and Miss Stewart, eldest daughter of the late Mr Andrew Stewart, of Home Bay, Ponsonby, and Rister of Mr J. Stewart, solicitor. The interior of the church was very beautifully decorated with flowers, evergreens, etc., and a large congregation was present to witness the nuptials. The Rev. T. F. Bobertson performed the ceremony. The bride looked welHn a lovely gown of soft white crepon, made with long train, finished at the edge with a full ruche, the bodice softened with lace, etc., a coronet of orange blossoms, beautifully embroidered tulle veil, while a lovely bouquet completed a charming costume. The bridesmaids, four in number, were the Misses Stewart (three), Bißters of the. bride,. and little Miss Upton. The first three young ladies wore tasteful costumes alike of creme, large creme hats, trimmed with ribbon and chiffon, and carried bouquets

of pink and white flowers, fastened with streamers of pink ribbons.' , Miss Upton wore a dainty blue frock, white lace hat, and carried a basket of white blossoms and ferns. .#■ # # Amongst the guests were : Mrs Upton, handsome brown brocaded silk, becoming brown bonnet ; Mrs W. Gorrie, black merveiileux gown, pretty little bonnet ; Miss Gorrie, pink orepon costume, black lace hat ; Miss M. Gorrie, dainty white costume trimmed with ombre silk, white feather hat; Mrs J. Stewart, elegant resida green silk gown, trimmed with lace cream feather bat : Mrs Gattanach, old gold silk costume, bonnet to correspond ; Mrs Kobertson, handsome black silk, trimmed with lace, black and gold bonnet ; Miss Gorrie, cornflower blue gown, creme hat. I believe it is the intention of the newly-wedded couple to spend the next six months travelling. * * « The concert given under the direction of Professor Schmitt by the Young Ladies' Orchestra was attended by a large and fashionable gathering. The programme was a good one, and considering the youth of most of the performers, the concert may certainly be regarded as most successful. Miss Reeve very ably and gracefully conducted, All the young ladies of course wore white, and very charming they looked. • * ■ * Mrs Worsp wore a handsome black gown relieved with light silk ; Miss Stevenson, pretty oreme ; Mrs A. Carrick, tasteful blue, relieved with white lace; Misß Wprsp, stylish green ; Mrs Thomson, handsome black flowered costume; Miss Golbeek, Mrs Page, Miss Hay, Misses Hesketh, Misses Hardie, Miss Moss-Davis, Miss Wilkins, and many others were also present. * • * On Monday evening, the burlesque • Bluebeard ' was repeated in the Catholic Institute by about forty of the scholars of the Napier-street School, trained by Misß Edwards and Mr Walterß. Miss Slator greatly asßistied by presiding at the piano, and by arranging the pretty Eastern costumes which were so much admired. Master W. Bashleigh was very good as ' Bluebeard.' ' Ibrahim,' an impoverished merchant, was well taken by Master E. Tremain. Miss Susy "Vause as 'Fatima,' and Miss Beatrice Coleman as ' Anne ' astonished the audience with their acting, while Master Rupert Armstrong as ' Selim ' won everybody's good opinion. During the evening the Skirt Dance and Gacbuca were admirably danced by several of the scholars. A flute solo by Master Kernot was well received, and Miss May Dunningham sang « Daddy ' very sweetly. The performance was a great success. * * # The engagement has just been announced of Miss Lily Hamlin of Panmure and Mr Alfred White of Auckland. • * . • Mrs Cheeseman gave her first garden party of the season at her charming home, Remuera, on Friday afternoon. As the weather was fortunately fine, the afternoon proved most enjoyable. Lord Kelburn and several officers from the Guracoa were present. Mrs Cheeseman received her guests in- a tasteful green silk gown veiled with black lace, and small black lace hat. She was assisted by her sisters, the Misses Keesing. Amongst the guests were Mrs Keeei.og, Miss Cbeeseman, Mrs McMillan, Mrs Conolly, Mrs Thomson, Mrs Upfill, Mrs Ching, Mrs Worßp, Mrs 3?. Buckland, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Churton and Misses Tilly, Von Stunner, Baker, Forbes, Bicb, Kerr- Taylor, Buddie, Laishley and numerous others. # # # I hear that a complimentary moonlight excursion and concert is to be tendered to Mr Arthur Towßey, the popular conductor, by the Auckland Orchestral Union and Liedertafel. The committee of both societies are using every effort to make the concert as attractive as possible. The programme is exceptionally good, and includes several new and choice pieces and songs. It should be equal to anything that has ever been produced in the colonies.