THE Social sphere

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 922, 12 September 1896, Page 8

THE Social sphere

By Muriel

The young lady members and friends of the Ponsonby 'At Home' gave a moat successful leap year ball on Friday evening in the Ponsonby Hall. Seventy conples were present, and the gentlemen seemed to enjoy their novel position of being invited to dance, and escorted to sapper. The hall was charmingly decorated with flags, etc., and the supper provided was a very dainty and appetising one. Adam's band supplied excellent music. The evening proved an extremely enjoyable one, the committee being most indefatigable in their attentions to all. The committee were the Misses Batters, Devore, Langsford,Morrin,Rathbone and Wallnutt, and were distinguishable by powdered hair and patches.

Amongst those present were : Mrs Masefield, who wore a handsome rnbysilk gown, finished with panels of black velvet and lace; Mrs Devore looked very elegant in black satin gown tastefully relieved with - white satin ; Mrs Hanna looked very nice in black silk with pink sleeves and vest ; Mrs Upton, handsome black silk, the bodice trimmed with blue silk and jet ; Mrs Dnfaur looked nice in black skirt, amber silk bodice ; Mrs Ralph, creme gown with Bleeves of yellow Bilk; Mrs Oxley, grey gown, white silk sleeves ; Mrs Wallace, pretty creme silk dress, pink silk sleeves; Mrs Hitchcock looked well in creme, olive green plush bodice ; Mrs Crawshaw, handsome green velvet gown ; Mrs Goodwin looked nice in black, relieved with amber ; Mis Choyce, handsome gown of black lace over heliotrope silk; Mrs Dacre, handsome black silk ; Mrs Mahoney, pretty white satin gown ; Mrs Edger looked well in black silk and lace gown ; Mrs Barton, primrose satin gown ; Mrs Osmond, black lace costume ; Mrs Littler, amber gown; Mrs Morrin, black silk; Mrs (Dr.) Bedford, handsome blue satin gown, bodice trimmed with black lace and jet; Mrs Collins {nee Devore), wore her beautiful bridal gown of white satin, the bodice made low, and finished with chiffon and pearls ; Mrs Baker looked nice in creme and orange. Miss Butters looked well in pink, trimmed with pink satin ; Miss Devore, black velvet, becomingly relieved with red flowers ; Miss Langsford, pretty black dress, the bodice of green silk veiled in black lace ; Miss Morrin, pretty white gown; Miss Rathbone, pale Bine; Miss Wallnutt looked pretty in pale blue brocaded satin ; Miss Upton, lovely amber silk gown; Miss Maseneld, pretty pale bine ; Miss K. Masefield, pale green ; Mies Kennedy, white, relieved with pink roses; Miss Osmond, pink; Miss Colley, white ; Miss Dunnett looked well in black lace ; Miss Rita Tole, black, relieved with sleeves of red silk; Miss Cussen, dainty white; Miss K. Butters, creme, relieved with black. Misb Henton looked nice in blue; Miss Lena Owen, pretty creme; Miss O'Mera, becoming black lace gown; Miss Bach looked well in pale blue; Miss Goodwin, white, relieved with red flowers; Miss Savage, dainty white silk ; Miss Mitchell, pretty pale heliotrope gown, finished with chiffon ; Miss Atkinson, charming pale blue dress ; Miss Kelsher, looked nice in white ; Miss E. Rathbone, becoming pink dress; Miss Hickson looked well in white ; Miss Boss, pretty pink ; Miss Dacre, very becoming pale blue dress, relieved with white ; Miss Choyce, pretty white dress, relieved with blue flowers; Miss Laird looked charming in primrose ; Miss Spiers, pretty blue satin gown; Miss Osmond, simple white dreßs ; Miss L. Langsford pretty pule blue dress ; Miße Lewis, dainty pale yellow gown ; Miss M. Lewis, pretty heliotrope gown; Miss Braithwaite looked well in creme relieved with red feathers ; Miss Bees looked pretty in nink, bodice finished with jet ; Miss Caldwell, pale amber; Miss Preece," pale pink; Miss F. Preece, pale blue; Miss Walton, amber, relieved with red flowers ; Miss — Walton, tasteful, white costume ; and numerous others. Mra T. Cotter gave a large dance on Wednesday, September 2nd in the Remaera hall, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion with flags, ferns, lilies, etc. Burkes band "supplied excellent music, while the floor was in perfect order. A '

splendid supper contributed to the pleasure of the evening, which passed in a most successful and enjoyable manner. Mrs Cotter received her guests in a handsome gown of black silk and lace, the front of bodice tastefully trimmed with silver passementerie ; Miss Cotter looked nice in dainty dress of orange silk ; Miss M. Cotter, charming creme silk dress ; Miss W. Cotter, pretty creme silk frock ; Mrs Jackson, elegant black silk gown; Mrs Tonka, dainty pink silk gown ; Miss Brodie looked nice in white dress, relieved with sprays of red flowers ; Miss Thorpe, pretty amber gown; Miss F. Thorpe, charming dress of eau-de nil silk; Miss Dixon, .pretty creme dress; Mrs Black, becoming gown of eau-de-nil silk ; Miss Dunnett looked charming in black lace ; Miss Brett, pretty white silk gown; Miss E. Brett, dainty amber gown; Mies MacFarlane, dainty white gown ; her sister looked nice in pink; Miss Whyte, black, bodice of pink shimmering gauze ; Miss Devore looked dainty in paje blue, beb<? bodice of dark blue velvet; Missßuckland, becoming pink silk gown ; Miss Essie Holland, charming white silk gown ; Miss Dargaville looked very nice in white with old gold sleeves ; Miss F. Dargaville, pretty creme, sleeves of floral eilk and green velvet ; Miss Peacock, pretty creme flowered silk dress, with sleeves of apple green silk; Misses Kerr-Taylor, pale pink gowns ; Miss Percival, pretty creme dress; Miss Jackson, tasteful eau-de-nil gown ; Miss Rose Jackson, pretty combination of pale blue and amber ; Miss Bush, becoming pale pink frock ; Miss F. Bush looked nice in pale bine satin dress. A great many others were present whose names are at present forgotten. The Glaßgow family return Home in February next, and it is no secret that the Wellington soft goods people are by no means sorry at their departure. In fact the sooner they go the better the shopkeepers will be pleased. They complain very deeply -that .iheir sale of winter stuffs has been completely spoilt by the economical fashion set by the Ladies Boyle wearing cotton blouses and dark skirts throughout the year. Wellington society mast, of coarse, follow suit, and print blouses have been the rage throughout the winter amongst all classes from the proudest to the lowliest. The consequence is that there is no sale for the seasonable materials imported for winter blouses . And as the fashions change so rapidly, next year the goods will be sold at a loss in order to clear. It makes one shiver to think of wearing thin cotton blouses in Wellington whilst a biting Southerly wind is blowing, but as the ' dear Grlasgows ' do bo why not everybody else, whatever the consequence ? Truly we women are silly creatures where fashion is concerned, and will blindly follow, however uncomfortable we may be or whatever the effect on our health.

The leap-year social which is being organised by a select committee of ladies to be held in Mrs Sowerby's Hsll, on Friday, September 18th, promises to he a brilliant success. No effort is being spared to secnre the comfort and pleasure of the guests, and Burkes band having been engaged for the occasion is guarantee enough that the music will be up to date. A large congregation assembled in St. Paul's Church. Symond-street, on Wednesday of last week, to witness the nuptials of Mr George Tonge, son of Captain Tonge, Freemasons' Hall, Princes-street, to Miss Alice Stanyer (Waldron) of Sydney. The ceremony was performed by the Key. Canon Nelson. The bride was given away by her cousin, Mr George Bettany, and looked exceedingly pretty in a trained gown of fine white serge, the bodice finished with a Sschu of real lace, and sprays of orange blossoms, coronet of orange blossoms, tulle veil, and she carried a lovely bouquet of choice flowers and ferns fastened with loops of white ribbon. Three bridesmaids were in attendance — Misses Bettany, Edie and Lizzie Tonge. Miss Bettany wore a pretty gown of creme cashmere, trimmed with lace, and chiffon hat trimmed with violets; MiBS Edie Tonge was attired in a tasteful gown of yellow hailshower muslin, and chiffon hat trimmed with violets, and Miss Lizzie, pretty heliotrope muslin dress, and hat similar to the others. Each carried a beautiful basket of violets and ferns. Mr G. Garter attended the bridegroom as best man. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the bridal party drove to the residence of Mrs Bettany, Ponsonby, aunt of the bride, where a sumptuous wedding breakfast was Berved. In the evening a very enjoyable dance was given by Mrs Tonge in the Masonic Hall. A large number of guests were present. Mrs Tonge wore a tasteful costume of black satin tiimmed with jet; Mrs Bettany, handsome black silk finished with lace; Miss ' Heath, pretty pink silk gown finished with creme lace; Miss S. Tonge, black skirt, dainty pink silk blouse ; Mrs Carter, black silk and lace costame; Mrs Churches, beautiful bridal gown of creme silk; Misses Carter (three), all looked well in blue, pink and black, and pink respectively ; Mrs Larson, black with

pink roses; Mrs Ellis, black silk; Miss Fernandez, pretty pink and blue gown ; Mrs Woodlock, black silk relieved with jet ; Miss Evans, black velvet, finished pink silk ; Miss Hedges, black and white costume ; Mrs S. Walker (Papaknra), black ; MiBB Barker, blue ; Misß Ussher, pretty creme ; Mrs Bunker, black silk ; Mrs Townsend, creme silk ; Mrs Marriott* black trimmed with forget-me-nots ; Miss Keene, tasteful white silk ; Mrs Pooie, black satin ; Mrs Earle, black silk and lace; and numerous others

A most enjoyable social evening was spent at the St. Bonaventnra'a Hall, Parnell, on Monday last, when a large number of the friends of Mr and Mrs George Raynes, of Parnell, assembled to assist in the celebration of the silver wedding of these well-known residents, who, by the way, were married at the old Paddington Church, London," on September 7, : 1871. The' floor was in splendid condition for dancing, having been specially prepared for the occasion by Messrs Winks and Hall, and the music, snpplied by Messrs Reid and Davidson's string band, was all that could be desired. A programme of twenty dances was gone through with zest, and the guests one and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. During the evening Meedames Raynes, Cooper, and Maxwell, and Mr Lewis and Father Eeogh favoured the company with songs, which were greatly appreciated. The supper was a splendid one, the menu being most palatable. The tables fairly groaned with the weight of all the delicacies of the season. The supper was served in Mr A. F. Stilwell's best style, and reflects great credit' upon him.

Mr and Mrs Raynes were greeted with general congratulations on the attainment of the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding day, and were aho the recipients of many handsome prepentß, including souvenirs from all their employees The stage waß decorated as a drawing room, and reserved for the elderly folks,' who indulged in cards. Among these were several very old Auckland residents.including Mesdames Alexander, Pollock, Walker Paul, Winks, D. Robertson, Gilmer, Hamley, Lumpkin; Eastdown and others. Altogether, there were about 150 present, and some of the ladies wore very handsome dresses.

Among the most conspicuous of these were Mrs Raynes herself, looking like a bride in white satin, pearl and chiffon trimmings ; Mrs Schapp, handsome white satin gown ; Mrs Howard, pretty yellow satin gown ; Miss Winksjjjale gveea, velvet trimmings ; Miss Nellie Winks, pink, black velvet trimmings ; Miss Harrison, black lace dress ; Mrs J. Raynes, black and heliotrope silk, and her daughter Lily, wore pretty white striped silk, while Maud wore heliotrope, relieved with white ribbons ; Miss Kilfoyle, all white ; Mrs W. Speight, black velvet ; Miss Eva Kilfoyle, pink costume ; Misß Dash, green silk ; Miss Eastdown, creme gown ; Mrs Dawson, tastefully attired in pale green ; Miss Smith (Waiwera), white dress, red poppies ; Miss V. Speight, pretty white dress, trimmed with violets; Mrs Cooper, pale blue gown; Mrs Maxwell, silver grey dress. Daring supper, Mr B. G-ilmer, the Town Clerk of Par n ell, who stated he had known Mr Raynes since he was a youth, proposed in very suitable terms the health of Mr and Mrs Raynes, which was drunk with much enthusiasm Mr Raynes, in replying, made a most appropriate speech, and thanked his many friends for their kind expressions of goodwill.

The last of the Hamilton Club Euchre parties took place on Friday evening, in the parish hall, Mrs Bright and Mrs Blackburn acting as hostesses. Play was kept up with a good deal of spirit. Mrs H. Biggs won the first prize, a pair of vases, and Mr W. Cussen the first gentlemen's, a walking stick. The ladies' boobie, a vase, was awarded to Miss McPherson. At the close of the game an excellent supper was enjoyed, the table being laden with all sorts of good things. Mrs Bright wore a tasteful black costume ; Mrs Blackburn, dark skirt, and

pretty pink blouse finished with white ribbons ; Miss Ethel Hay was greatly admired in dark skirt, dainty crimson silk blonse, white opera cloak ; .Miss Hume looked well in figured white cashmere gown ; Miss Alice Sands, white skirt, becoming pink blouse; Mrs Sands, handsome black grown ; Mrs H. Biggs, dark ekirt, pretty figured velvet blouse; Miss Jolly looked nice in pink ; Miss Wallnutt, dark skirt becoming red blouse; Mrs (Dr.) Eenny, pretty black costume ; Miss Wright looked nice in grey shot cashmere ; Mrs Cnssen, black, and her -guest Mies Reid, pretty white dress. A number of others were present, but their names are forgotten.

I understand that my Wellington correspondent was in error last week in the reported engagement of Miss Simpson. The announcement I have since .found to be incorrect.

S27D

328 D