SOCIAL SPHERE

Observer, Volume XIV, Issue 793, 10 March 1894, Page 8

SOCIAL SPHERE

By Muriel.

The Choral Hall presented a scene of beauty and gaiety on Wednesday last when the Auckland Society of Arts held their opening conversazione in connection with their annual exhibition. The attendance was both large and fashionable. The exhibition was opened by Lady Glasgow who arrived about eight p.m. accompanied by Lady Augusta Boyle, Mrs Stewart, Miss Wauchope, Miss Holroyde, Lord Eelburn, and Captains Clayton and Stewart, AD.C'e. The distinguished visitors were met at the enterance of the hall by the Vice-President and officers of the Society, His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. J. Holland, Mrs Holland and others, and conducted to the platform, where seats were placed. Immediately after arrival Lady Glasgow in a short speech in which she expressed the pleasure which it gave Lord Glasgow and herself to promote in any way the cultivation of art in New Zealand, declared the exhibition open. The Vice-regal party then descended into the hall, where they remained for about an hour, inspecting the exhibits and chatting with friends. The exhibits this year are numerous, and of more or less excellence, while a few are scarcely worth a glance.

Mr Steele'B picture ' Tattooing in the Olden Time ' which is yet in an unfinished state, came in for a good deal of criticsm. The Auckland Booiety of China devotees have a number of lovely exhibits arranged on tables in the centre of the hall. A large number of photos are shewn in one of the ante-rooms by the Auokland and Wellington Photographic Clubs. And last, but by no means least there is the wonderful inlaid woodwork by Mr Seuffert. It waß impossible to do more than glance at the exhibits on the opening night, the pleasure of viewing them properly having to be reserved for a future occasion. The hall was tastefully decorated with hanging baskets, ferns and evergreens, and a largo fountain in the centre of the hall surrounded with pot plants and greenery looked charmingly cool. The exhibition has been an attractive place of resort throughout the week, a band being present on each evening to enliven the time.

Lady Glasgow wore a handsome trained gown of rich pale blue moire silk, with pink Batin stripe and profusely trimmed with fine biscuit-coloured lace; Lady Augusta Boyle was simply gowned in white; Miss Wauehope wore a tasteful black gown with yoke of pale green silk veiled with black lace; Mrs Stewart, stylish black and white corduroy silk velvet gown; Miss Holyrode, pretty fawn costume, trimmed with irridesoent passementerie ; Mrs A. Clark looked very dainty in a tasteful pale blue gown with flounce and trimmings of biscuit-coloured lace ; Mrs Ware wore a handsome gown of crushed strawberry and black brocaded silk ; Mrs J. J. Holland, rich prunecoloured silk gown; Miss Holland, very becoming yellow silk gown, finished with black lace, her sister pretty biscuitcoloured dress with pale blue silk ; Mrs Shirley Baker, black costume trimmed with black lace insertion over band of crushed strawberry silk ; Misses Laura and Ella Baker, both wore pretty pink gowns and stylish hats.

Miss Birch, who haß just arrived on a vißit from Christ church, looked extremely well in a stylish fawn plaid costume, becoming hat; Miss Hesketh, pretty light costume ; Miss Stevenson (Eemuera), stylish creme flowered muslin gown, her Bister, dainty creme ; Miss Brett, tasteful creme silk gown, trimmed with bands of dark velvet, Btylish white hat with ostrich featherß ; Miss Reeve also wore creme silk, silver belt,and beautifully embroidered silk zouave ; Mrs and Mibbcb Kerr-Taylor, white costumes; Mrs J. R. Hanna, black silk

evening dreßS ; Mrs T. Cotter, black silk evening dress, relieved with yellow Bilk ; Miss Bleazard, dark striped silk costume ; Mrs Nashelski, tasteful fawn costume; Miss Kaßhelßki looked nice in biscuit* oolour ; Mrs T. W. Leys, handsome grey costume; Mrß Upton, rich brown silk, irridescent passementerie; Mrs W. J. Napier, very taßteful creme flowered silk ; Mrs Peyton, black silk and lace evening dress ; Mrs J. L. Wilson, handsome dark, coloured shot costume; Mrs Whitney, greyish green dress, finished with twinecoloured lace insertion ; Miss Devore, very tasteful white muslin gown ; Mrs Choyce, handsome black silk ; Miss D. Dudley, pretty pale blue ; Miss Trevithick looked nice in white, blue silk sash ; Miss Jarvis, pale blue evening dress ; Miss Henderson looked well in amber, with bands of velvet round the skirt.

Thß most recent betrothal is that of Mr James Grey and Miss Grace Whitelaw, both of the Auckland Star staff.

Miss Wauchope, who has for some months been the guest of Lord and Lady Glasgow, left for Wellington on Monday. Miss Wauchope returns to England in the Gothic, which leaves Wellington" at an early date.

Two notabilities were on Queen-Btreet wharf the other afternoon— Mr Eden George, ex-Mayor of Christchuroh, and Her Worship of Onehunga. Were they walking together? Oh, dear no! One was walking behind the other— they were evidently unaware of each other's identity ! And nobody near to introduce them ! The pity of it 1

An interesting and charmingly pretty wedding was solemnizod yesterday after, noon at AH Saint's Church, Ponsonby, the contracting couple being Mr Ernest Didsbury Ashton and Miss Mabel Evelyn Culpan, second daughter of Mr J. G. Culpan, of Ponsonby. The young couple are well known in Auckland, and some time before the hour fixed for the ceremony (3 p.m.) the church was crowded with friends and interested spectators. The ceremony was performed by Canon Calder, who did not fail at the close of the service to give the young couple some excellent advice for their future guidance through life. Mr O. Williamson, junr., presided at the organ, and at the opening and close of the nuptial ceremony the bridal and wedding marches were performed with excellent effect.

The bride entered the church with her father, who gave her away, and looked lovely in a handsome trained gown of fine soft creme material with raised silk stripe, and very tastefully trimmed with lace and sprays of orange blossoms. A wreath of orange blossomß, from which fell in graceful folds a long tulle veil, and a beautiful boquet of white blossoms and maiden-hair ferns, completed a charming costume.

The attendant bridesmaids were Misses Bond, Ethel and Euline Culpan (sisters of the bride) , and Jeannie Kronf eldt. The first couple wore very tasteful dresses alike of light green soft material trimmed with olive green velvet, and pretty green fancy straw hats trimmed with biscuit-coloured lace and pink roses. The second couple wore dainty Kate Greenaway frocks of pale green veiling, the yoke finished with a frill of creme lace, large picture hats of drawn creme lace, finished with wreaths of white daisies and rosettes of green hebe ribbon. Each youug lady carried a lovely basket of flowers to correspond with her dresß, from which fell long loops of ribbon. Mr G. Ashton, brother of the bridegroom, and Mr Bertram Culpan, brother of the bride, acted in the capacity of groomsmen.

Mr and Mrs Culpan subsequently entertained a large number of guests at afternoon tea. The newly- wedded couple departed early in the evening from town, to spend their honeymoon, their destination being known only to themselves. The bride's going away dress was both stylish and becoming of light fawn plaid tweed trimmed with dark olive green silk and pretty burnt straw hat trimmed with olive green ribbon velvet and pink roses : Mr' and Mrs Ashton were the recipients of many handsome and valuable wedding presents. Amongst them being a lovely silver oake basket, and silver toast rack from Mr ABb ton's fellow employees in the office of the Gas Company.

Mrs Culpan, mother of the bride, wore a handsome striped gown of bisouitooloared silk figured material finished with brown silk, dainty little biscuit-

coloured fancy straw bonnet, trimmed with brown ribbon velvet and pink silk poppiea. Mrs Ash ton, mother of the bridegroom, handsome wore a grey silk gown bonnet to correspond. Mrs H. Ashton, rich black silk gown, and pretty hat. Mrs Arohdale Taylor, sister of the bride, looked exceedingly pretty in a stylish fawn costume with full sleeves and trimmings of fawn silk, fawn hat trimmed with pansies ; Miss Ashton, grey flowered gown, pretty datk green bonnet finished with rosettes of narrow green and pink velvet ; Mrs H. Culpan, rich blaok and heliotrope mervielleux gown, becoming little bonnet to match. Many other handsome gowns were worn by guests, but unfortunately there is neither time nor space to give a description this week.

The Countess of Glasgow intends to hold a reception at Government House, from four to six, on March 14th.

The engagement of Mr Clem Lawford, of Parnell, and Mias Hilda Lewis has jnst been announced. Miss Lewis left for England with Dr. and Mrs Lewis about a fortnight ago, but returns to Auckland in about a year.

The Brough-Boucicault performances have been attended by crowded and fashionable audiences eince their opening. Lady Glasgow and suite having been present on several occasions. On Thursday evening her Ladyship wore a handsome blaok evening dress, the bodice finished with lovely creme lace; Mrs Stewart wore a pretty greenish blue silk, finished with lace; Miss Waaohope, pink silk; Mrs Shirley Baker wore a handsome silver grey silk ; Miss Gertrude Baker, becoming pale blue silk ; Mrs Ghing, brown merveilleux gown, the low neok finished with a frill of deep creme lace; Mrs Lawry, handsome black evening dress ; Mrs Houghton, blue oostume ; Miss Heßketh, pretty light grey evening dress, her sister looked nice in pale yellow ; Mrs Ponsford, handsome pale blue silk gown ; on another occasion she wore a blaok silk gown with creme front; Mrs Sydney Nathan, black silk, the low corsage finished with deep frill of lace ; Mrs J. J. Boak, dainty creme gown ; Misses Scherff, pretty light costumes ; Miss Firth, tasteful black evening dress; her younger sisters looked nice in pink ; Miss M. Edwards, tasteful pale green muslin and silk costume ; Mrs W. Blomfield, becoming creme and yellow silk dress ; Mrs L. Bloomfield looked very pretty in blaok and pale blue evening dress ; Mrs Upton, black Bilk; Mrß Ireland and her daughters, Mrs Bloomfield, sen., Mrs O. Chapman, Miss Girdler, Miss Fenton, Miss Langsford, rose pink silk evening dress ; Miss Freda Langsford, stylißh green and fawn costume ; Miss Kate Edmiston, becoming creme evening dress; Mrs and Miss Gamble, Mrs E. Buchanan, black evening dress ; Miss Walker, Mrs W. Wright.

The marriage of Miss Henderson, of Ponsonby, and Mr Harding, of the; Northern Wairoa, takes place in a few weeks, I am told.

Mr and Mrs T. Morrin and Mr and Mrs A. H. Nathan left for Sydney by the mail steamer on Saturday last. * • c

You cannot do better than get your cards, invitations or programmes printed at the Obsbbvbb office. Chaste designs.

City Council invites tenders for several important works. See advfc.

Messrs Robinson and Yates (successors to Arnold, photographer) have an attractive announcement in advertising columns.

All the Ladies op Auckland get

their Music Books tastefully, neatly, and

cheaply bound at Mb Lets', the well-

known Bookbinder of Wyndham-street

two doors below the Gas office). — Advt.

Clearance * sales generally afford a good opportunity to replenish, house stocks, and such an opportunity is furnished by the retirement from business of Mr A. Aley, ohina, earthenware and plated goods merchant, Karangahape Road. He has a well-seleoted stook, and he has decided to let the goods go for any prioes they will bring within reason. Don't forget to look at them.

TTtfRE! Fire! Fire! Fire!— Every Jt} description of Hoisery, Gloves, etc., slightly damaged by water; all reduced.— C. Hopkins.