The Social Sphere

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 44, 17 July 1909, Page 8

The Social Sphere

By MIBABEL,

Dear Nita —

Tho principal social event of the week was the danoe given on Saturday night at Government House by ther .Excellencies Lord and Lady Plunket to the officers of the men-ot-war in the harbour. It. was chiefly tor young people, although of oourse there were a ziumber of married ladies present. The beautiful white ball-room was ablaze with light, and decorated with palms and lyoopodiums. The supper table was decorated with white and green, and last but not least shone the beautiful gold candelabra of the late lamented Napoleon. Their Excellencies entered the ball-room punctually at nine o'clock, followed by the house party. The official set of lancers commenced at once, and was arranged as follows : Lady Plunket and Captain de Costa, Lord Plunket and Mrs Colomb, Miss Hall (of the house party) and Captain Colomb, Mrs Arch. Clark and Colonel Tuson, Mrs E. D. O'Rorke and Commander Luxmoor, Mrs J. h. Studholme (Ruanui) and Commander Grant, Mrs W. H. Parkes and Mr Arch. Clark, Mrs George Bloomfield and Captain Gathorne-Hardy.

Lady Plunket wore a sheath-fit-ting gown ol satin in deep salmon pink, which in some lighte took a quite a pale golden tint. The bodice was swathed with net and trimmed with velvet. With this costume was worn a tiara of diamonds. Mrs Colomb, lovely white silk net, inset with raised design of pale pink flowers and green foliage. Mrs Studholme, black and white confection, the lower portion of the skirt being white satin, over which fell a tunic effect of rioh black laoe. Miss Hill wore an Empire gown of soft creme satin. Mrs Arch. Clark, pale salmon pink, veiled with smoke grey chiffon. Mrs W. H. Parkes wore a beautiful floral silk, the corsage softened with silk lace. Mrs George Bloomfield was handsomely gowned in white silk, embroidered in silver. Mrs Waterfield, lovely white silk. Tlie Misses Browning both wore white silk.

Misa Isabel Clark looked very dainty in an English frock of pale pink silk. Miss Jessie Reed wore a heavy liberty satin in a soft creme shade. The bodice was made -with bolero effect, and hand-embroidered with silks in Oriental colouring. Miss Muriel Moss-Davis looked well in a modified Directoire frock of blue glace silk, with overdress of ninon, the upper portion of the bodice composed of creme guipure and finished with a handsome Directoire sash. Miss Devore, creme silk, with overdress of lovely creme lace, pink rose in corsage, aiid gold ribbon threaded through her hair. Miss Roie Nathan wore a slightly trained dress of white satin embroidered in silver. Miss Margaret Tole wore white satin. Miss Bay Tole was also in satin, heayiIv embroidered with silver, the bodice finished with silver fringe. ■ • ■ An enjoyable dance for young people was given by Mr and Mrs J. J. Craig, at their residence, "Omaua," Mountain Road, Mount Eden, on Friday evening of last week. The house was beautifully decorated, the supper room being gay with pink and white flowers. The verandah was enclosed, and lighted by Chinese lanterns and hung with bunting. The spacious corridors were fitted up as "sittingout" rooms, with lounges and easy , chairs. The floor waa in excellent condition. Mrs Craig received her guests in an Empire gown of brocade in the. faintest shade cf pink, embossed with silver flowers, the corsage softened with Maltese lace. Miss Craig wore a • dress pf lovely white . dQchet»e .satin,

made a la Empire, the upper portion of the bodice outlined with silver. Miss Connie Craig, pretty girlish frock of heliotrope silk, her hair tied back with a large black silk bow.

Mrs Arthur Brabant, creme satin gown. Mra Moritzon (Dunedin) black silk. Mra Waller, rich black sUk. Mrs Hellaby, white silk with overdresa of black lace. > Mrs Kenny, black silk. Mrs B. Craig, white silk. Mrs Elliott, black silk. Mrs J. M. Brigham, handsome champagne brocaded silk, with bands of turquoise blue velvet, and rich creme lace on the bodice ; lovely pearl n.cklace with diamond clasp. Misa Bias, lovely frock of soft white silk. Miss Leys, striking gown of blown silk. Miss Butler, dainty white muslin. Mips Upton, white silk, with overdress of lace. Miss Brigham, white silk. Miss Kennedy, pink silk. Miasßagnall was all in bine. MissNesta Thomas, white silk Empire gown with gold trimming. Miss Kent, pale blue silk. Misa Jessie Frater, pale pink silk veiled with net. Miss Towle, creme satin. Miss Muriel Campbell, white silk veiled with net.

Miss Violet Tibbs, pale pink frock. Miss Commons, pale blue silk. Misa Kirkei, white silk. Miss Maude Farrell, heliotrope silk. Miss Virtue, handsome pink satin. Miss Rita Moritzon, white satia with silver trimmings. Miss Bleazard Brown, «blue silk. Miss Hazel Lindsay looked charming in white silk. Misa Bazeley, pale pink silk. Miss K. Devore, white silk, with overdress of lace. Miss Nellie Douglas, white silk veiled with net. Miss Oliphant, pale blue silk. Miss G. Newell wore her " coming out " frock.

Miss Ella Cooper, second daughter of Mr Justice Cooper, haa been in London for the past two years, and will be leaving next month on her return to New Zealand.

A meeting of the Benevolent Society was held on Friday afternoon last at the residence of Mrs Alfred Nathan, " Wickford," Princes-street. The object of this meeting will appeal to all women, as it is hoped by means of a street collection, to be held on Saturday, 24th inst., to gather a substantial sum for the relief of the distress among the poor of thia city, of which there ia, unfortunately, a sad amount this winter. As well as the street collections, a house to house collection is to be made in tbe suburbs. Those willing to help, either by collecting or giving donations of money or clothing, are invited to communicate with Mr F. G. Ewington.

Mr and Mrs Miller, of Rattraystreet, Devonport, gave an " At Home " to their friends in the Masonic Hall, Victoria Road, on Friday evening last. The hall was beautifully decorated with evergreens, and the supper table downstairs was a mass of white rosea, narcissi, violets and maidenhair fern. The platform was fitted up as a draw-ing-room for the elder people, who whiled away the evening with cards. Mrs Miller received the guests in a handsome trained gown of black crepe de chine. Miss Aileen Miller wore white silk, with silk insertion. Miss Marjorie Miller, dainty creme frock. Mrs Carter, creme silk and large red rose. Mrs Freeman, Nattier blue charmeuse. Mrs Ernest Ford, black silk. Mn Harrison, white silk. Miss Marion Metcalfe, green satin veiled with chifton. Miss Katie Graham, French floral muslin. Miss Beryl , Graham, pretty pink muslin with pink silk ceinture. Miss Gladys Graham, i white satin with tucked chiffon. Miss Frances Macindoe, blue silk, with j black velvet trimming. Miss Muriel Barr, creme frock. • • • 5 , Miss Gertrude Harrison, bine silk I Miss Eileen Cottrell, who gave ai s amusing recitation daring the evening • wore creme beribboned net. Mist j Doris Gittos, deep blae charmeuse t Miss Dorothy Cardno, white silk r Miss Ethel Alison, Empire gown o b sage green silk with white lace yoke I Miss Muriel Alison, pretty creme frock i Miss Ivy Philcox, supple green satu a with creme 1 net sleeves. Miss Elli i, Philcox, pale gree* f01k. ,,-, Mita Minoi

Prater, soft pink silk. Miss Barbara Perrett, white silk with silver trimming. Miss Elsie Garett, creme silk with overdress of net. Miss Emily Garett, creme silk, with blue Directoire sash. Miss Aroha Adams, white silk.

Mrs E. A. Reynolds and her pupils held a successful " At Home" in the Ponsonby Hall on Friday evening. Over one hundred guests attended, and dancing was enthusiastically engaged in.

The engagement is announced of Mr Wm. C. Hewitt, solicitor, of Waipukurau, to, Miss Florence Scott, 8.A., of Wellington. • • •

Mrs Metcalfe entertained a number of young people at a dance at her residence, Bridgewater Road, Parnell, on Monday evening last. The house was beautifully decorated with palms and evergreens. The corridors were used as "sitting out" rooms, and fitted up with luxurious lounges and easy chairs. A recherche supper was provided, the colour scheme for the floral and ribbon decorations being red and white. Mrs Metcalfe received her guests in a handsome black silk gown. Miss Metcalfe wore a black and gold frock with gold girdle. Miss Marion Metcalfe, pale green glace silk with bands of gold, and green chiffon scarf. Miss Dolly Metcalfe also wore silk, in a sage green shade, with gold bands. Miss Phyllie Metcalfe, dainty pink silk Empire gown draped with chiffon.

Miss Winnie Kent, pale blue silk. Miss Beryl Graham, pale pink floral muslin. Miss Aileen Miller, pretty white silk frock. Misa Minnie Steele,' pink Bilk. Miss Minna Ansenne, stylish creme silk with gold trimming. Misa Nesta Thomas, white satin, with silver embroideries. Miss Kathleen Williamson, lovely creme silk. Miss Caro, blue charmeuse. Miss Gwen Hill, white, embroidered with silver. Misa Jessie Lewis, creme silk muslin, with green and copper embroidery. Miss Leslie Ward, pretty white girlish frock. Miss Jennie Niccol, finely tucked white muslin.

The engagement is announced of Miss Myra bassett, youngest daughter of Mr W. G. Bassett, the well-known Wanganui timber merchant, to Mr Robert H. Billens, of the literary staff of the Manawatu " Evening Standard."

The Kaukapakapa Helensville volunteers — " C " Squadron Seddon Horse — held a successful military ball in the Kaukapakapa Public Hall on Friday evening last. A correspondent sends the following : — Major Blomfield, who, in the volunteer movement, ever shows a zeal worthy of emulation, did the Squadron (which forms part of his command) the honour of journeying from Auckland to be present. Sergeant Drinnan and Private Cole acted as Masters of Ceremonies. The Grand March was led by Major Blomfield and Miss Osbaldiston. Among the dresses of the ladies were : — Mrs Cole, handsome navy chiffon taffeta, vest of creme silk. Mrs Goodwin, black, relieved with creme satin and lace. Mrs R. Drinnan, russet brown silk, with autumn leaves and berries at corsage. Mrs Armstrong, black velvet. Mrs Jaffrey, white silk. Mrs Bishop (Helensville) white silk. • • a Mrs C. Smith, black skirt, white silk evening bodice. Mra Melton, handsome black lace over blue silk. Miss Dye, dainty white silk trimmed with lace and insertion. Miss Goodwin, white silk. Miss I. Foster, pale blue silk trimmed with black lace. Miss K. McLeod, charming Empir9 gown of white embroidered muslin. Miss F. Foster, dainty pink silk. Miss Baird, handsome creme satin. Miss J. Goodwin, becoming- Empire gown of pale pink voile. Miss White (Helensville), pale green silk muslin. Miss O. Foster, charming gown of white muslin and lace. Miss Oabaldißton, graceful Empire gown of pink silk. Miss Drinnan, white silk. Miss Gole (Auckland), green chifton taffeta relieved with creme lace. Miss Mabel Drinnan, dainty French muslin! blue

voile. Miss Donovan (Helensville), white silk. Miss Evans (Helensville), white silk. Miss Scott (Wainui), black skirt, creme silk blouse. Miss Shanks, pink silk, black trimming. Miss B. Armstrong, dainty creme frock. Miss kinlock (Auckland), pretty vieux rose relieved with black. Mißß Glanville (Wainui), white muslin, blue sash. The Squadron's thanks are specially due to the secretaries (Sergeant Drinnan and Private Dye) for their efforts in organising the gathering.

Madame Carelli's concert at the Choral Hall last Thursday eveniDg — the first of two in which she is bidding farewell to the Auckland public before setting out on tour — provided her audience with excellent entertainment. The concert-giver herself was heard in her best voice, and met with a hearty reception. Her principal items were the air " I Will Extol," from Costa's " Eli," the brilliant valse song from " Romeo and Juliet," and Gounod's *' Quand tv Chantes," all of which were delivered with telling effect ; and in response to encores she added the ballads " April Morn " and " Roses." Other contributors were Miss Galloway and Miss Carter (who played a harp solo), Miss Elsie Hamilton (pianoforte soloist and accompanist), and Messrs O. Pritchard, A. K. Wrigley, J. Lonergan, and Master Over, the whole making up an entertainment of far more than average merit.

The rnarriage> of Mr Richard Lawson, M.A. , of Warrnanibool College, Victoria, to Mis 9 Ida McMaster, was celebrated on June 30th at " Krinholm," Hopetonn-street, the residence of Mr Thomas McMaster, father of the bride. The marriage eervice was conducted by Rev. J. H. Simmonds. The bridesmaids were Miss Doty McMaster, sister of the bride, and Misses Monica and Roma Maginuess, her nieces. Dr A. C. McMaster, brother of the bride, acted as best man. The bride wore a becoming creme satin gown, and also a pearl and gold necklet, the gift of the bridegroom. Miss Doty McMaster was handsomely attired in a brown velvet Princess robe, trimmed with gold and creme, and wore a brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. The service being concluded, afternoon tea was served, and the health of the newly-wedded pair was toasted. In replying to the toast of "Absent Friends," the Rev. Gray Dixon, formerly of St. John's Church, Warrnambool, recalled many happy recollections of Warrnanibool and its people, and spoke in an appreciative way of the recent literary productions of Warrnambool men, particularly of the book of verse from the pen of the bridegroom.

Among musical people keen interest has been awakened in the performance to be given at the Choral Hall on Monday evening by Haydn Beck, the clever little Wanganui violinist, on whose behalf a fund is being raised for the purpose of sending him to Europe for study. A child whose musical talents have praised by violinists of the eminence of Kubelik and Marie Hall should be sure to attract a large audience. "Well known local artists will supply the rest of the programme.

Builds you up and makes you strong. That's what Steams' "Wine of Cod Liver Oil Extract does. As an all round tonic, strength restorer and body builder, you'll find nothing better.

P.D. Corsets give the figure the ideal poise and swing. With perfect support, they give perfect gracefulness. Modelled on true hygienic principles, they conduce to perfect health. As they flt the figure, and do not cramp it, they keep their shape. The PD. is the modern Corset par excellence, alike for the working woman and the woman of fashion.

You may think it will pay you to invest in one of the cheap suits that certain firms are spending so much in booming. Presumably, you have some reasoning faculties. Why not apply them ? The rule of proportion holds good in the tailoring trade just as much as in everything else. It's an easy sum to work out. Take the oost of the raw material, the rate of wages, and the various other incidentals. A little thought will oonvince you that a so-called "cheap" suit will ultimately prove extremely dear. Ido not claim to be able to make you a suit for £2 10s, or £3, or even £3 10s. I believe iv good material and good workmanship, and by my long experienoe I have proved that it can't be # done at the price. The minimum price at whioh a good suit can be made is £4, and my suits are made to fit well, to look well, and to wear well. Are not these the chief disiderata ? Of course they are ; but you don't get them in the cheap factory-made article. You are cordially invited to oome along and inspect my work. Even if you don't require a suit now, let me enter your measurement in my register for future requirements. I have a clean, new, and extensive range of suitings, and it will pay you to call and see them. Suits made to measure at from £4 upwards, and satisfaction absolutely guaranteed. Inscribe the name and address on the tablets of your memory : — Fred. Webley, the Quality Tailor, next Union Bank, and opposite Partridge's. — Advt.