The Social Sphere

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 42, 3 July 1909, Page 8

The Social Sphere

By Mirabel

Dear Nita — DanciDg seems to have quite " caught on " this season, and hostesHes no longer have so much difficulty in procuring dancing meu for the various winter festivities. Private dances, too, are more in vogue. lam sending you particulars of two this week, and have received invitations for several more in the near future, which you shall hear of later on.

A charming dance was given by Mrs J. McKail Geddes at Hazel Bank, Wynyard-street, on Tuesday of last week. I have already sent you an account of a dance at the same house, given principally for girls with their hair down and youths of the same age. The second gathering was for those of more advanced years. It was called a "green dance" — the ball-room was beautifully decorated with lycopodium and green ribbon. The supper-room looked a dream, with ferns and emerald green ribbons, relieved with red lights. In the centre of the table was a bank of moss covered with ferns, .while lycopodium traileddownthechandelier, held in place with emerald green ribbon. The garden and trees were a mass of fairy lights, while the balcony and verandahs were lighted up with Chinese lanterns. The spacious corridors were decorated with palms, and used as sitting out rooms, and the drawing-room was adorned with pale pink roses.

Mr and Mrs Geddes received Lheir guests in the ball-room. The hostess wore an elaborate frock of pale heliotrope liberty satin, with bands of black velvet, the small sleeves and guimpe composed of heliotrope chiffon, with thread of silver running through it.; handsome shoulder scarf of Spanish lace. Miss Geddes looked distinguished in iv_pry satin veiled in white net, with silver spangles. Miss Jessie Geddes wore a simple white frock, with emerald green sash and hair-ribbon. Mrs Cardno, handsome black and silver sequin robe. Mrs Moritzon, black glace silk with lace berthe. Mrs E. W. Fayton was also in black.

Miss McLean wore a striking dress of pale blue suple Batin, drawn in at the waist by a silver cord, with band of silver round the skirt, the corsage outlined with the same material, sleeves and tiny guimpe of pale blue chiffon. Miss Madge McLean also affected satin, in a rich shade of tangerine made a la Princess, with selfcoloured beads, the corsage trimmed with Honiton lace, falling behind in a stole effect. Miss Sybil Payton was daintily gowned in white and silver, with cluster of flowers on the corsage. Miss Myra Reid wore an Empire gown of pale pink satin and creme lace. Miss McLennon, pale blue silk. Miss Alice Hutchinson, pale pink glace silk, worked in gold, with chemisette and sleeves of white silk net worked in silk ; pink rose in hair. Miss Mills (Melbourne), white silk veiled in electric blue chiffon, with bands of gold. ■ • • Mrs James Frater wore her bridal gown ; so also did Mrs Frater, nee Hesketh. Miss Kirker, blue silk, with overdress of spotted net. Miss Upton, soft green satin, the bodice much trimmed with lace. Miss Roie Nathan was in white satin, the bodice composed of chiffon, with silver touches ; white ribbon threaded through the hair and finished with a white plume. Miss Gwen Nathan, stylish Princess frock of lettuce green satin with silver trimming. Miss Mary Oliphant, pale pink chifton. Miss Rita Moritzon (debutante) was daintily :f rocked in

Miss Gwen Gorrie was in white, with bands of turquoise blue velvet on bodice. Miss Hellaby, lovely white lace, frock. Miss Daisy Benjamin, striped white satin. Miss Beryl Keesing was much admired in a sheathtitting gown of emerald green satin. Miss Jessie Reed, white satin, the bodice beautifully embroidered in coloured silk ; Miss Minnie Frater, white and silver net over silk. Miss Margaretta Tole, blae satin, with Maltese lace on bodice and blue ribbon in hair. Miss Violet Tibbs, pink embroidered muslin. Miss Hay, white silk veiled with black net. Miss Camilla Steele, pale pink silk with soft white lace.

Mr Charles Hickson, late of Wellington, and his daughter, Miss Lulu Hickson, are staying at •• Cargen," Eden Crescent.

Mr and Mrs T. Gresham, of St. Mary's Road, Fonsonby, entertained a number of their friends at a card and musical evening on the 24th.

The engagement is announced of Miss Janie Hildreth, second daughter of Mr W. T. Hildreth, of Karori, to Mr D. G. Meredith, of Wellington, late of Hawke's Bay.

An enjoyable farewell dance to Mr Robin Cardno was held last Friday evening in the Masonic Hall, Devonport. Mr Cardno leaves shortly for Surprise Island, to take up an appointment there in connection with his father's business. The hall was tastefully arranged, and the supper-room decorations were carried out in red and white. Quite a number of people were present, amongst whom I noticed Mrs Cardno, wearing a trained black gown, with soft white lace on the corsage. Mrs Me Kail Geddes was in pale pink brocade. Mrs J. C. Macky, handsome black silk. Mrs W. J. Napier, French grey silk. Mrs Sutherland, graceful black gown. Miss Mary Geddes was handsomely gowned in white satin. Miss Jessie Geddes, pale green silk with emerald green velvet.

Miss Dorothy Cardno and her younger sister, Isabel, were daintily gowned in white muslin. Miss Dolly Metcalfe, green silk, with gold trimming. Miss Phyllis Metcalfe, pretty pale pink Empire gown. Miss Jenny Niccol, white muslin relieved with pink. Miss Doris Gittos, 'pale blue silk. Miss Max field wore green silk. Miss Ethel Alison, white satin veiled with net, and much trimmed with ribbon. Miss Eileen Miller, effective frock of white silk. Miss Aroha Adams was also in white silk. Miss Beryl Graham looked winsome in pink floral muslin with pink silk trimming Miss Gladys Graham was tastefully frocked in white satin. Miss Macindoe, white muslin, with Grecian pattern on skirt, worked in gold. Miss Jenny Macindoe, pale blue silk. Miss Frances Macindoe wore white silk. Miss Greta Ansenne, pink floral chiffon over white silk. Miss Minna An&enne, white silk, with gold touches.

Mrs E. W. Alison, Lake Takapuna, accompanied by her daughter, Miss Ivy Alison, left by the Main Trunk line express on Tuesday evening for the Empire City, where they will be the guests of the Hon. J. A. Millar. * • ■ The engagement is announced of Miss Ivy Allen, of Port Chalmers, to Dr Ziele, of Dunedin. * • • Miss Moodas Davis, daughter of Mrs Moss Davis, left on Wednesday with her sister, Mrs Moss, for Sydney, via the South. From Australia' Miss Davis proceeds to London. * • * The Auckland Hockey Association gave their third annual "At Home " in th 9 Choral Hall on Thursday last. The interior of the hall was quite transformed, decorated with banting and hanging baskets, of ferns and lycopodium. The stage was fitted up as a sitting-out room, and so also was one of the side rooms. Supper was laid in the 'annexe, the tables beautifully decked with narcissus, the Association colours being conspicuous ■. in the scheme of decoration.^ The

people attended the gathering. Burkes band supplied the music, and the floor was perfect. The following names represent the ladies' committee :— Mesdames L K. Benjamin, St. Clair, Coletnan, Elliot Davis, Kees George, W. C. Hutchinson, H. Metcalfe, W.J. Napier, W. O. Seiners, Misses A. Adams, Buchanan, Maris-Clark, JH. D. Cairns, Cooke, V. Clark, Connelly, Goudie, N. Rees George, Kean, Metcalfe, Miller, Jenkins, Jordon, Maeindoe, P. Metcalfe, V. Page, Phillips, L. O. Probert, N. Walsh and K. Wynyard. Messrs E. A. Tattley and E. li. Koskruge worked well as joint secretaries.

A delightful dance for young people was given by Miss Roie Nathan, daughter of Mrs Alfred Nathan,, " Wickford," Princes street, on Thursday evening last.

Quite a number of entertainments have been given lately in honour of Mrs Moss, of Sydney, daughter of Mrs Moss Davis, Princes-street. One of these was a " bridge " evening given by Mrs Louis Myers, of " The Mount," Symonda-street, on Wednesday of last week. On the following evening, Mrs Arthur Nathan, of " Pern bridge," Princea - street, gave another " bridge " evening ; while on Friday afternoon Mrs Leo Myers entertained Mrs Moss and a number of friends with the same pastime. On Saturday evening Mrs F. !£.. Baume, Syinonds- street, gave a delightful " At dome."

Mrs Copeland Savage (assisted by her sister, Miss Cooper) entertained a number of friends at afternoon, tea at her residence, Princes-street, on Friday afternoon.

A successful and well-attended dramatic recital was given by the pupik of Mrs C. C. Forsyth in St/ Andrew's Hall on Tuesday night. In. the first part recitations were given, by Mrs W. Jowitt, Misses Gillet, Stubbs, and Eileen Cottrell, and Messrs Cardno (2), Palethorpe, and Master L. Bevins. Mr Farrow contributed a sang, which was encored. All those taking part in the recital gave evidence of careful training, and reflected great credit on their teacher, Miss CottrelTs contribution being particularly bright. Mrs Jowitt looked well in pale blue glace silk,, the bodice adorned with silver fringe.. Miss Gillet and Miss Stubbs jvore> satin, the former choosing a delicate* shade of pink, the bodice softened with white lace ; while the latter wore white. Miss Eileen Cottrell wore creme be-riboned net. The* second part was devoted to an amusing political sketch entitled "A. Court scene," by Mr EL B. Bridge,, of Wellington. This was clererly performed by twenty ladies, including Mrs Forsyth, and caused much, merriment. A capable orchestraprovided the incidental music. Yours ever, Mirabel.

Messrs J. H. Porter and Co., corner of Pitt-6treet, have purchased at heavy discount the napery portion of an assigned warehouse stock, and advertise in this issue the prices atwhich it is being sold. The 6cale> of writing down from ordinary quotations is an eye-opener.

The woman who wears good clothes over are inferior Corset repeats the folly of the man in the parable who built his house on the sand and went out • witn the first flood. The costumes that fit and sit properly are always based on the P.D. Corset The wearer looks smart, and generally makes the most of herself. The wise woman wears no other Suppose you get a P.D. now.