The Social Sphere

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 47, 7 August 1909, Page 8

The Social Sphere

By Mirabel

Dear Nit a — Mrs Parser, of Sea View Rodd, Remuera, gave an enjoyable "song title " afternoon last Wednesday. The first prize, a clock handsomely mounted in beaten copper, was won by Miss Gertie Douglas, and tbe second, a silver shoe horn, by Miss Edna Macky. The hostess wore a becoming sheathfitting gown of pastel blue cloth, the skirt and bodice inset with silk guipure of a darker tone, and the edges of the skirt and elbow sleeves finished with bands of light brown velvet. Miss Dorothy Parker wore a dainty pale blue glace silk frock, much trimmed with soft white lace. Mrs Henderson, tailor costume of navy blue, with smart floral toque. Mrs Lamb also wore a tailor costume, with close-fitting toque. Mrs R. Davis, navy costume, with modish hat to correspond. There were also a bevy of young people present, mostly girls with their hair down. ■ « • The same afternoon a "kitchen tea," in aid of the Girls' Friendly Society, got up by Mrs William Rattray, was held in bt. Mary's Parish Hall, Parnell. A number of kitchen articles were donated, and a pleasant social time was spent by those present. On Friday the Ponsonby branch of the Auckland Mothers' Union gave a large tea ia All Saints' Schoolroom for the same object. It was very largely attended, and numerous gifts were received, both in kind and money. The committee and Mrs Culpan, the secretary, are to be congratulated on the success of the gathering. ■ • • The engagement is announced of Miss Vyvian Vosper , daughter of the Rev. J. Vosper, of Motueka, late of Johnsoaiville, to Mr Bernard Kirk, of tlie staff of Levin and Co., Limited, AVellington. MS ■ Mrs Henry Bracey has returned to Australia, after many years' absence, to await the arrival of her husband, the well-known member of the J. C. Williamson staff. • • ■ A cable message received in Wellington from England announces the engagement of Miss Geraldine Henry, daughter of the late Dr. Henry, to Mr Leonard Tripp, the Wellington barrister. ■ ■ m A most successful ball, given by the non - commissioned officers of the Auckland district, took place on Friday evening last, in the rooms of the Auckland Art Society. It was a beautiful night, and the committee, consisting of Sergeants H. Poile (president), Sergt.-Major Bickerton (vice-; president), Sergt.-Major Ellingham, Sergt. - Major Purdy, Regt. Q.M. Sergt. Woodß, Corporal Patrick, Sergeants Fricker, McKerras, and A. Herrick (secretary), worked hard to make the function the success it proved. The ball was held in the exhibition room upstairs, and opened with the Grand March, in which the uniforms of the officers added a pleasing note of colour to the frocks worn by the ladies. The rooms downstairs were reserved as card and supper rooms. The former, decorated with flowers and bunting, presented quite a festive appearance. The supper table looked very effective, with boughs of .wattle and yellow narcissi ; and white, pink and green Japanese paper was also in the scheme. Amongst the visitors were Colonel and Mrs Wolfe, Colonel Holgate, Colonel Paterßon, Major and Mrs Hazard, and Captain and Mrs Knyvett. Dancing was kept up with vigour until tbe small hours of the morning.

v A quiet but pretty home wedding took place, on Monday, July 26th, wheja Miss Mabel Rees, fourth daughter of Mr W. J. Rees, Shelly Beach Road, Ponsonby, was married to Mr John Leonard Mallabond, elder son of Mr J. Mallabond, of Parua Bay. The drawing-room was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and the Rev. McCauley Caldwell was the officiating clergyman. The bride was given away by her father, ani looked very dainty in a white embroidered muslin. She wore the orthodox wreath and veil, and carried a bouquet of white roses, snowdrops and ferns. Miss Gwenda Rees was the only bridesmaid, and tbe bridegroom was attended by his brother, Mr F. Mallabond. The bridesmaid was attired in white lawn, beautifully braided, and she carried a bouquet of yellow and white flowers. Only the immediate relatives of the bridal pair were present. The bride's mother was handsomely gowned in dark green cloth, braided in self colour. Mrs Harnett (sister of the bridegroom), was stylishly frocked in grey tweed. ■ a • The engagement lis announced of Miss Ivy Hart, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Woolf Hart, of Hopetounstreet, Ponsonby, to Mr Joseph Hyman, third son of Mr and Mrs M. Hyman, Newcastle-on-Tyne. • • m The colour for the coming season is to be a pale shade of mauve — smoked panne violette being tbe correct term. Green, too, in all its endless shades, will be much worn, and is likely to be more popular, as mauve is becoming to few people. ■ .». ■ The blouse has anything but de' parted from our midst. Some evilminded person is extremely anxious to banish it from amongst üb, and another strong-minded person is determined that the foul deed shall not be committed. The blouse is one of woman's privileges. It is a blessing, and a clean blessing at that. For everyday wear, the complete dress cannot be clean. It is not so easy to have a complete frock " tubbed " as it is a blouse. A blouse gets dirty and is washed. A bodice gets dirty, does not show the dirt, and is objectionable. • * • The engagement is announced of Mies Lilian Treadwell, only daughter of Mr C. H. Treadwell, of Lower Hutt, to Dr Begg, of Wellington. .» • •» Another new feature for the coming season will be the reigning simplicity of sunshades. They may be in silk or tussore, and have a border of printed flowers in various tones. The 'shape is less deep than it was, but it is not quite Japanese. The extravagance of this apparent simplicity lies in the fact that the sunshade must irrevocably tone absolutely with the gown with which it is carried. Tortoise-shell handles are very much in favour, and the stick should be long. • • • The V shape is the most fashionable back and front in dresses, and the idea is carried into low-cut gowns. Kerchiefs of tulle or chiffon head the top of many evening frocks, and it is a mode that is always becoming, andhasa softening effect on the skin. The berthe is often replaced by fringe strung with glittering paste, which has a very charming effect. • • m At the Te Aroha Roman Catholic church, on July 28, Miss Nellie Peterson was married to Mr J. Brennan. Nuptial mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father McGuinness. The bride, who was given away by her unole, wore a handsome creme silk Empire gown, with veil and orange blossoms. She was attended by two bridesmaids, Miss A. Petersen and Miss E. Brennan, who were dressed in creme cashmere, trimmed with laoe t with pretty white hats to match. Mr Brennan, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man. After , the wedding breakfast, Mr and Mrs ' Brennan left on a honeymoon trip to Rotorua. The bride's travelling costume was navy blue > doth, with hat to match.

To tone down the greens and purples that are to be worn, a little black is being introduced into most costumes — say a miniature tie, a soupcon of piping, a suggestion of a sash, or a discreet veiling, • 9 • Mark Twain is dear to the hearts of English-speaking people the world over, but it may not be generally had so sweet and melodious an instruClara Clemens, who is likely to make a name for herself in another field of art. She has a voice which may prove almost as remunerative and almost as pleasure-giving as hefather's gift of humour. Miss Clara Clemens originally intended to be a pianist, and studied with that object both in Paris and Vienna, but she had so sweet and melodious an instrument in her throat — a contralto voice of great depth and purity — that, without abandoning the pianoforte, she set herself to become a great singer, and she has succeeded. She and Miss Marie Nichols, who is a young violinist, have toured together with huge success in America, and last year Miss Clemens sang at the American Concert at Queen's Hall, and was received, both for her own sake and her father's, with rapturous applause. There has boen a great suffrage movement in Iceland during tiie last tliree years, and the political education oi women has been pushed on witn enthusiasm. In January, 190 b, tiie women of Iceland, like tiaose oi Iranclnse. .Excellent organisation Denmark, obtained the municipal marked tlie proceedings that followed and all the female candidates were elected. The fourth part of the councillors are now women. So favourably is the cause received throughout the island that it is hoped full political rights will be granted in 1911. " Those who would wed in the State of Washington must first show that they are in fit health to perform the duties of matrimony and parenthood," (writes an American corespondent). " Unless both parties produce satisfactory medical certificates, the registrar will not grant them a mariage license. Many countries have discussed proposals for the prevention of the perpetuation of degenerate types, but probably the law which came into force in Washington this week is the first of the kind that has ever been actually enforced. Of course, little Dan Cupid is very angry at this pruning of his powers, and he is roaring lustily of the rights of sacred love. He has been whispering to heartsick swains and maids of wiles wherewith to circumvent the brutal materialistic law. Many of the wooers took out marriage licenses just before the law came into force, intending to hold them for some months. But the brute law was not be outdone. The State Attorney ruled that no such licenses would be valid unless they were used immediately. Hence a number of hasty journeys to the altar. And Cupid laughed." Yours ever, Mirabel.

Stormont has been scratched for all engagements at the C.J.C Grand National Meeting. Capitol is displaying good form over the big fences in his schooling at Ricoarton. Grenadier, Scotty and Le Beau are voted by the Riocarton folk to be very fit. Weak women can make themselves strong and healthy by taking Steams' Wine of Cod Liver Extract. It builds up the blood, and strengthens every muscle, nerve, and organ in the body. The district agency for the Yorkshire Insurance Company, Limited, has passed into the energetic hands of Mr E. Canavan Smith, of Short-land-street. The company is a substantial concern, with a capital of two millions sterling;, and besides undertaking fire and life r_sks, # is ' prepared to issue policies coverings accident aiid employers' liability.