The Social Sphere

Observer, Volume XV, Issue 821, 22 September 1894, Page 8

The Social Sphere

By Muriel.

The annual ball of the ancient order of Druids is invariably conceded to be one of the most successf al friendly society anniversaries of the year, and that' on Thursday evening last was no exception to the rule. It was admirably managed, and proved to be a great success. Fully sixty couples were present, and the fancy dresses worn were both striking and original. Most tasteful decorations gave the interior of the hall a very attractive appearance. The grand inarch was led by Mr and Miss Good, of the lolanthe Social ; and this concluded, dancing was commenced and continued with unflagging energy during the evening. Mr R. T. Michaels proved himself a most capable M.C., and was well assisted by Messrs Moylan and Muller, as stewards, while the committee also included Messrs Mercer and Moylan (hon. sees.), Hunter, Sfcrathern, Lepine, and many others. Mrs Jones provided a good supper, and the music by Davidson's band was first-class. At one stage of the proceedings, Mr Alfred Kidd, District President, in a most felicitous little speech, presented Mr Peter Mackie with a nandsome Druidical gold jewel, on which a complimentary inscription had been beautifully engraved by Mr R. Ward. It was in recognition of Mr Mackie's invaluable services on the occasion of the recent procession and concert. The recipient responded very nicely.

Amongst the ladies in fancy dress were : Miss'B. Good as Summer Dav; -Miss Brannigan, Folly ; Miss Evans, Druidess ; Miss M. Brannigan, Billiard Ball ; Miss A. Brannigan, Patience; Miss James, Farmer's Daughter ; Miss Moylan, America ; Miss Dickenson, Dear Little Dot; Miss Cosgrave, Queen of the Daises ; Miss Jouning, Ponsonby 8.C. : Miss P. Castle, Innocence ; Miss Ball, Romp ; Miss Pitkeithly, lolanthe ; Miss M. Pitkeithly, Pleasure ; Miss Martin, Maritana ; Miss Green, Baby; Miss — Green, School girl : Miss Arnold, Snow Ball ; Mrs Elder, Cigarette Girl; Mrs Lye, Waitemata B. Club ; Mrs Robinson, Good Luck ; Mrs Price, French Vivandiere ; Mrs Reid, Greek Captive ; Miss Hewett, Spanish Girl ; Miss Cowie, Schoolgirl; Mrs Hooper, French Waiting Maid. The following ladies were in evening dress : Misses Kean, Piggott, Kidd, Muller, Shepherd, Conway, Belsham, Hoffey, Green, Lind, Wilkins, Summers, Flynn, Fletcher, and Mesdames Clifford, Armiger, Mercer, Bailey, Owen, Strathern, Peet, Hawke, Cornega, MeLeod, Marchmont, Trent, Dannson. The gentlemen included :— Mr R. J. Owen, as M.TJ.O.F. (Oddfellow) ; Mr W. Smith, Yachtsman; Mr J. J. Darby, Yachtsman; Mr T. Whiteside, Royal. Yachts man. Mr Mulier, Tiking; Mr J. Pitkeithley, Stockman; Mr Campbell, Fireman ; Mr Robinson, Court Page ; Mr R. Reid, Blue Page ; Mr S. Worm, Irish Lad ; Mr J. Jones, Yachtsman ; Mr H. Y. Thomson, Ship Captain ; Mr J. Farrell, Constable O'Finnerty ; Mr McLeod, Merican Price ; Mr Tucker, Clown; Mr H. Cleal, Yachtsman. The following wore evening dress : — Messrs Good, Fowler, Mercer, and Moylan, Hon Sec.) Elder, Bayley, McKean, Hooper, A. Kidd, (D.P.) Strathern, Osborne, Price, Connolly, Green, Armiger, (A.0.0.F.) Clifford, D. Mills, J. Peet, Quigley, Hawke, Flynn, (H.A.C.8.) Lepine, E. Lye, Hunter, Quedley, Billings, Michaels, A. Brannigan, W. Brannigan, W. Craig, McLeod, and Mackie. The programmes were beautiful specimens of the typographic art, and were done at the Observer office.

St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, was the scene of a charming wedding on the afternoon of Wednesday- week, the contracting couple being Miss White, daughter of Mr Bertram White, of Parnell, and Mr J. Stevenson, also of Parnell. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens, and was crowded with friends and spectators. The bride was given away by her father and looked pretty in a lovely trained gown of rich creme merveilleux tastefully trimmed with beautiful lace and real orange blossoms, wreath of orange blossoms, tulle, veil, and she carried a lovely bouquet. The bridesmaids were the Misses Flossie and May White, sisters of the bride, Miss

Ida Laishley, and Miss Maud Gould. The y. all wore tasteful and pretty gownfl alike of heliotrope soft material with yokes of fereme silk, charming picture hats- of white tulle, trimmed with violets, and each carried a lovely bouquet. The bridegroom was attended by Messrs Reid (Wellington), Watkins, Heywood and Hume. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Canon McMurray, assisted by the Rev. F. Gould uncle of the bride, the service being partly choral. A large number of guests were present, and were subsequently entertained by Mr and Mrs White at their residence. The newly-wedded couple are spending their honeymoon in Sydney.

The Princess Ida ball held last Thursday evening in the Victoria-Hall was a distinct success. The hall was decorated with flags, ferns and flowers and looked very tasteful, while the floor was in splendid condition. Among the many beautiful dresses worn, the following were perhaps the most noticeable : — Miss D. Love, Basket of Flowers; Miss Powell, Flower Girl; Miss F. Love, Marguerita; Miss Hayward, Starlight ; Miss M. Farquhar, Havannah; Miss Love, White Rose of York ; Miss Maggie Farquhar, Page Louis XIV. ; Miss K. Woollie, French Singing Girl; Miss Woollie, Fisher Girl; Miss Garratt, Brigand-; Mrs Garratt, Nurse. Mr W. R. Robinson, Arthur Roberts ; Mr Casey, Footballer ; Mr Bent, Artillery Officer; Mr Reid, Samoan Chief; Mr E. Bent, Rizzio ; Mr Lane, Hans the Boatman ; Mr F. Wood, Football ; Mr R. Love, British Tar; Mr J. Love, Erin-go-Bragh ; Mr Bradler, Page ; Mr Norris, Highlander.; Mr Garratt, cricketer. A large number of guests were also present in evening dress. The whole of the arrangements were in the hands of Messrs Love (2), Jones, andNorris, and the various details were carried out in a creditable manner.

The Ponsonby Social Union dance passed off very successfully on Friday evening. The attendance was good. Amongst the ladies were Mrs Rees, black silk ; Miss Rees looked pretty in pale blue trimmed with Sink silk ; Mrs Morgan, black silk and net ; lisa Morgan, creme finished with gold ; Mrs Cossar, black silk; Miss A. Cossar, pretty bright pink gown ; Miss Davis looked nice in creme finished with primrose silk; Mrs Sands, black ; Miss Sands, pink, with bodice frill of deep lace ; Miss Carr, creme, with sleeves of green silk ; Mrs Boak, pale blue relieved with white ; Miss La Roche, amber crepon gown trimmed with silk to match ; Mrs Hanna, black silk, with sleeves and bands of creme and gold brocaded silk ; Miss Clara Billington, dainty creme crepon finished with gold silk; Miss Flossie Billington looked pretty in a charming pink dress ; Miss Campbell, pink, with flounces of deep black lace; her sister looked wJI in pink with sleeves of green velvet.

Miss Bastard, charming orange-coloured gown trimmed with jet ; Miss W . Bastard, tasteful pale blue crepon costume ; Miss Halstead, pretty pink; Mrs Laxon looked nice in black ; Miss Adams, black, with sleeves and trimming of pale blue velvet ; Miss Geddis, pale blue ; Miss M. Edwards looked nice in white crepon trimmed with silk; Miss Ria Edwards, becoming pink finished with Mack lace ; Miss Wilson looked nice in black silk ; Miss Bedell, pretty white dress trimmed with black velvet; Miss M. Dickey looked well in white trimmed with amber silk ; Miss Williams, becoming blue costume, and others whose names I cannot remember.

The new 'Aye Maria,' by Mr Sydney Hoben, of Napier, was admirably 9ung as a voluntary at St. Benedict's on Sunday forenoon, by Mr John Fuller, the violin obligato being well rendered by Herr Zimmermann. Rev. Father Egan had very kindly transposed the music to a higher key. The composition is a beautiful and soulful one, and was charmingly interpreted by the gifted vocalist. Copies of this ' Aye Maria ' should now be in demand.

The members of the Ponsonby 'At Home ' held their usual monthly dance on Friday evening. r lhere was a large attendance and in every respect the evening proved extremly enjoyable. Mrs J. E.. Hanna wore a pretty black satin gown, with sleeves of flame-coloured silk; Mrs Devore, handsome black moire silk and velvet gown ; Mrs W. J. Duf aur, pretty dress of primrose crepon and satin ; Mrs Crawshaw, yellow crepon trimmed with black lace ; Mrs W. Douglas looked well in white ; Mrs Greatbach, black costume; Miss Hill, winecoloured silk gown ; Miss Morrin, pale pink, relieved with green ; Miss W. Laird, pretty old gold gown ; Miss Devore looked well in eau-de-nfl, veiled with black net; Missß. Devore, pretty pale blue gown ; Miss Grace Whitelaw, pretty coral pink gown; Miss M. Peacock, . white, with trimmings of heliotrope plush ; Miss Beale looked nice in white, relieved with scarlet poppies ; Miss Chrystal, pretty yellow crepon costume.

Miss Gittos, dainty creme gown, old gold sash; Miss Kennedy, pale pink gown; Miss Greatbatch, scarlet gown, with trimming of jet ;_ Miss L. Greatbach, pretty white, with green silk, sleeves; Miss M. Macindoe, creme gown relieved with red ; Miss Marion Macindoe, becoming pale blue gown ; Miss Bach, pretty pink veiling ; Misses Ormond, dainty all white gowns ; Miss Lena Butter, pale pink, with trimmings of moss green ; Miss Eva Hughes, dainty white silk ; Miss Boyd (Takaptma), white gown, trinrned with gold gimp ; Miss Caldwell, stylish pink trimmed with black ribbon velvet; Miss Atkinson, becoming creme delaine, with green silk sash ; Miss — Atkinson, dainty white costume ; Miss Vaile, black gown, finished with pale blue chiffon ; Miss Jolly, becoming white ; Miss Wallnutt, stylish white satin gown.

The usual fortnightly ' lolanthe ' social eventuated on Friday evening last, and notwithstanding the inclement weather some 40 couples assembled and danced to the excellent music provided by Messrs McComish (violin), Hyland (piano) and Demmock (cornet). Messrs C. Good and F. Davy efficiently discharged the duties of M.C.'s. Some very tasteful dresses were worn by the ladies.

Thomas' Hall, Wellington, was the scene of a brilliant assembly on Wednesday night of last week, the occasion being the plain and fancy dress social given by the United Ancient Order of Druids. About 90 couples responded to the invitation of the committee many of them donning fancy costumes and a very jolly evening was spent. Amongst the fancy dresses the following were the most conspicuous : — Mrs Geary, Old English; Miss F. Marsh, Druidess; Mrsßitson, Night ; Miss Casseday, Nurse of the Ist grade; Mrs Baillie, Scotch Girl; Miss Boon, Nurse of the 2nd grade ; Miss F. Fitzgerald, Red, White, and Blue ; Miss N. Gosling, Nancy Lee ; Mr Niccol, Clown ; Mr Woolcott, Boating; Mr Donaldson, Naval; Messrs Geary and Robertson, Druids ; Mr W. Day, Sailor ; Mr McGilbray, Turk} Brothers J. Johnston and W. Ritson made efficient M.C.'s.

The following item from the Blenheim letter in a Southern paper will interest many of our readers : — After the delightful surprise party up at Mr and Mrs Hanna's last week, it was very sad to hear that Mrs Hanna's sister-in-law r Mrs FlindersMcßae, had died the next day in Palmerston North, the two telegrams saying that she was dying and that she was dead, being received together the day after the dance. Great sympathy is felt for Mr Flin Mcßae, who is so well-known and liked here, and it seems so short a time since he drove his wife through last summer on their honeymoon trip.

The Ponsonby Social Union will conclude a most enjoyable season, and the most successful one for many years, with a ball on Friday week. Elaborate preparations are being made for the function, which promises to eclipse in every way the many charming wiud-up dances of this charming social. Early application is necessary for visitors tickets.

The annual plain and fancy dress ball in connection with the Whangarei Oddfellows' Lodge was held on Wednesday last in the Oddfellows' Hall, Watersstreet, Whangarei Our report will appear next week.

Attention is directed to City Council announcement in this issue. Mr A. J. Pilkington, Solicitor, late of Dargaville, has a professional announcement in another column. An announcement in reference to ' Lectures to Men on First Aid ' appears in ' our advertising columns. J-. J Auckland Orchestral Union notifies that practices will in future be held at Choral Hall, Symond-street. Mr A. A. Partridge, the well-known ban joist, has just received a consignment of banjoes of exceptional make, tone, and finish. Banjoists should inspect these instruments while there are any of them left.' They will soon be snapped up. A grand reception will be tendered to Miss Buckland to-morrow (Friday) at the Opera House by a host of leading local musical artistes. A splendid programme has been arranged for the occasion, independent even of which the great popularity of the young lady is certain to ensure her a bumper house on this her first appearance after her travels. Professor James' benefit carnival at Columbia Rink on Tuesday evening attracted, in spite of the weather, a splendid house. Professor James gave an exhibition of fancy skating such as probably never been seen before in this city. He was ably assisted by Professor Faust and others. The prizes were awarded on Wednesday evening.