THE SOCIAL SPHERE

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 38, 27 May 1916, Page 8

THE SOCIAL SPHERE

[By Myra.]

ON Wednesday afternoon of last week, Manure wa was mildly excited over the advent into their sleepy little township of about 30 convalescent returned soldiers and a number of townspeople, who had accepted the invitation of Mrs Alex. Muir to attend a lied Cross tea in the local hall, about 300 guests spending an afternoon which was both pleasurable and profitable. There were numerous small tables, each ornamented with a bowl of lovely roses, which did one good to look at. Musical items of great merit were given by Mrs Maguire and Sergeant Sutherland, they having to respond several times to urgent requests to favour the company again. Miss Lovell's recitation was also thoroughly appreciated. Mrs; Hudson-Williamson, the organiser of these Red Cross teas, was present, and spoke in her usual clear and decided manner on the need of sustained effort in the good cause. Major Dr. Maguire gave a most interesting address, giving his personal experience of Red Cross work done in Egypt. The Rev. Mr Wood, of Papakura, on Hphalf of those . (present, thanked the speakers for their able addresses, and afterwards very dainty refreshments were served by a number of girls in white frocks and aprons, red crosses and red silk handkerchiefs tied round their heads making them look very attractive. The result of the gathering was that aboxit £20 were collected, and it is expected that other Manurewa residents will follow Mrs Muir's example and give similar functions.

Mrs Sydney Nathan, accompanied by her daughter Miss Dorothy Nathan, have gone south, and will he visiting Christchurch and Dunedin. ■ * ■

A small : informal "Afternoon Tea," at which the quests knitted and chatted,-was given on Thursday, last week, by Mrs King Walker, Mac Murray Road, Remuera, in honour of her sister's approaching marriage. Miss Fhylliis Metcalfe, the bride elect, wore a pretty frock of grey satin and ninon. The hostess wore a dress of tangerine and old gold floral ninon. The guests included Mrs Ceo. Metcalfe, Mrs Potter, Misses Margery and Phyllis .Lindsay, Misses Nancy a'ul Margery McCormiek, . Misses Brenda and Iris Kenderdine, Miss Brown (Christclnireh), Misses Daisy Friend, "Winnie Kent, Mary Oliphant, Daisy Wallace, Newman, Caro, J. Geddes.

About two months ago, "The Mother's Thought Guild" was formed in Auckland, with a committee of seven ladies, viz., Mesdames HenniSj J. Coe, i Davidson, MacShane, Wells, Welsh, the president being Mrs Waghorn. The Guild has already over one hundred members in New Zealand, and is being started in several centres of Australia. The first of the afternoon meetings of the Guild was held at the residence of Mrs James Coe, Mount Eden Road, on Thursday, 18th May, a number of ladies being present. The president explained how the "Mother's Thought Guild was formal with the idea of creating a beautiful mental atmosphere in the home, and by so doing helping the evolution of children.

All the members are asked to use the Daily Affirmation :—"I am a mother, therefore I must be loving, patient and gentle, so that I may make my home happy and train my children wisely," and to carry the thought with them through the day. It is hoped that its influence will be felt from North Cape to the Bluff . Every opportunity must be given to the children, for upon them depends the future of the Empire. Two appropriate poems, "The Mother" and "How Very, Very True/ were read by Mrs Coe. Mrs Davidson gave a much appreciated address on the "Influence of the Mother."

A wedding of lmich interest to many Thames and Auckland people was solemnised by Rev. E. Cox at East Street (Methodist Church, Newton, on Tuesday, May 23rd, between Sylvia, fifth daughter of the late Mr "William Boxall, of Thames (an honoured veteran of the Crimea, Indian Mutiny ami New Zealand wars) and Mrs Boxall, now of "Waiotahi," Grey Lynn, and Fred, second son of the late Mr C Williams, of Parawai, Thames, and Mrs Williams, now of Grey Lynn. The bride, who was attired in an effectively simple gown of cream crepe de chine, wore the orthodox veil and orange blossoms, and carried a choice shower bouquet. She was attended by her sister, Miss Gay Boxall, becomingly gowned in a cream coat and skirt of gabardine, with black velvet hat having cream silk bands. Her brother-in-law, Mr John Hepburn, gave the bride away, Mr A. Williams attending the bridegroom. The bride's mother was becomingly gowned in black, and the bridegroom's mother was attired in .grey with handsome grey feather boa and hat wreathed in white ostrich plumes. After the ceremony, a reception was held at the residence of Mrs Hayhow, where 50 guests partook of a recherche breakfast, the usual toasts being honoured. The presents were numerous and choice, the bridegroom's present to the bride being a unique series of rich polished gold quartz specimens from Thames , , joined by gold links, and to the bridesmaid, a silver purse. The bride's travelling dress was of grey gabardine. The honeymoon -is to be spent at Rotorua.

Mrs Bolton, of Wellington, and Mrs Macnamara, of Jervois Koad, Ponsonby, gave an ''Afternoon" on Saturday last at the latter lady's residence, the following; guests being present: Mrs J. Lund on, Mrs Donoran, Mrs Grinlinton, Miss Or-

monde, Mrs Kiely, Miss Mcllhone, Mrs Wright, Mrs lie De?, Miss Brightie Jones, Mrs Outhwaite, Mrs Condon, Mrs and Miss Gcillagher, Miss Cronin, Mrs Lincoln, Misses Fitzpatrick, Mrs Stitehbury, Mrs Higgins, Miss R. Ralph, Misses Casey, Mrs V. Casey, Miss Lorrigan, Mrs * Hanson, Mrs Clarke, Mrs T. Frost, Mrs MacdonaUl, and Mr* Tonks. Tlie function was given in older that the ladies could arrange a bazaa,r which is to take place next Saturday afternoon and evening in St. Benedict's Boys' Clubroom, East Street, the object α-ing funds for Mother Joseph. A'.'.jert's Home for Children, when there will be fortune telling, fancy dancing, and the usual enjoyments of a bazaar. The ladies last Saturday at Mrs Macnamara's purchased tickets in a number of beautiful articles which will be raffled next Saturday. Any ladies having articles for the bazaar may leave them with Mrs Macnamara, 95 Jervois Road.

Mrs Ormiston, a well known resident of Whangarei, returned home on Monday evening, after a pleasant holiday in Auckland.

A quiet military wedding, which was of interest to a large circle of friends, was solemnised at St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral by Archdeacon MacMurray on Monday afternoon, 22nd inst., the bride being Miss Phyllis Metcalfe, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs H. H. Metcalfe, of Bridgewater Road, Parnell, and the bridegroom, Sergeant Basil Buddie, son of Mr and Mrs Buddie, of Devonport. The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her father, looked very smart in a coat and skirt of nigger brown cloth, the wide skirt made short and showing a pair of high-legged boots, with brown suede tops. Her small brown beaver hat was banded with vieux rose velvet and had a tuft of feathers of the same tone at the left side. She carried a large posy of violets. There were no bridesmaids, but the bridegroom was attended by Corporal Stuart Dickinson, who, of course, was in uniform. Dr. Thomas played appropriate mu\gici both before and after the ceremony, following which the bride's friends were entertained by her mother at her residence, where the breakfast table was beautifully decorated with white chrysanthemums placed in silver vases and epergnes. The usual speeches were made and responded to, and later in the day the newly married souple set out on their brief honeymoon tour, the bride wearing the costume in which she had been married.

Mis Metcalfe, the bride's mother, was handsomely dressed in black silk, her black hat having black and white feathers. Mrs Buddie (bridegroom's mother) wore a black silk gown, black velvet hat with white ospreys. Mrs Geo. Metcalfe was wearing a khaki costume and a grey feather. Mrs Broadfoot (bride's sister) was in a lovely costume of grey crepe de chine, the coatee embroidered in blue and pink silks; her brown tagel hat had 1 a pink and a brown pompon , . Mrs King Walker (another sister) wore a costume in a pretty shade of vieux rose Shantung silk, her pink hat having a crown of black leaves and flowers. Miss Daisy Friend was in a smart khaki costume and a purple hat wreathed with a feather in the same tone. Miss Macky wore a cream costume and a black hat. Mrs J. Dickinson wore a black silk gown and a feathered hat. Mrs Entrican, khaki costume, black velvet hat. Miss Dickinson, navy cerge costume trimmed with military braid, black velvet hat. Misses Lindsay, navy costumes and black and white hats. Also present were: Miss J. Geddes, Miss Oliphant, Miss W. Kent, Miss Newman, Mrs Potter, Miss Wallace, Misses E. and S. Mahoney, Miss V. Syme, Misses McCormick (2), Miss Caro, Misses Kenderdine (2), Miss Brown (Christohureh).

A vovy pleasant function ovontuated oil TJhur&day evening,. May 18th, at the Foresters' Hall, New-

ton, the occasion being a complimentary farewell social tendered to Mrs Chns. Prince, of Wanganui, who lias niacin a host of frienils during her holiday visit to Auckland, which has been spent with her parents, Mr and Mrs 0. Townsend. Afoout forty couples were present, besides a goodly number of the juvenile element.

Mr James* Anderson (brother-in-law to Mrs Prince) carried out the duties of M.O. in a very able man. ner. Excellent musical items were rendered l by Mrs Lamer, Miss Anderson, Messrs Bassett and Wilkinson, the former being an uncle to New Zealand's V.O. hero, CoVporal Bassett. Mr Wilkinson's rendering of "The Deathless Army" was a great effort and was much appreciated. The supper table was laden with all the dainties possible to procure, and reflected great credit on the ladies who were responsible for such an excellent repast. The toast of the evening was proposed by Mr T. Brough, wishing the guest of the evening bon voyage, which was drunk with musical honours. Mr J. Anderson ably responded on behalf of Mrs Prince, to the toast. The dance music was supplied in a brilliant manner by Private Farmer, who has just returned from Gallii]>oli. The merry gathering indulged in games and dances until well after midnight, when the time-honoured "Auld Lang Syne" was sung, joyed themselves.