AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 37, 13 September 1890, Page 11

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, September 8. The serious difference which lias arisen between the Union Steamship Company and their employees, and the consequent disorganisation of all business matteis, is the absorbing subject of conversation at the present time. The strike, if it continues, will undoubtedly affect every member of the community directly or indirectly, and is therefore to be deplored. Already the necessaries of life have considerably advanced in price, and will thus render the conflict a very serious hardship for the poorer members of the community. It is, lam sure, sincerely and earnestly hoped by everyone that an amicable and satisfactory settlement of the difficulty will shortly be arrived at. The Choral Hall was crowded to the doors on the occasion of the presentation of diplomas to the ten successful Auckland students of the New Zealand University. The chair was occupied by His Lordship Bishop Cowie, who presented the degrees, and upon the platform also were a large number of University graduates wearing their academical gowns. The successful students are Miss Mary Muir Sinclair, M. A. : Miss Edith Mary Adams, M.A. ; Thomas Watt Bell, M.D. ; Joseph Hurst Turner, M.A. ; Hugh Shrewsbury, M.A. ; F. J. Carter, B.A. ; Donald Murray, B.A. ; Sylvia Esther Gifford, B.A. ; James T. Nott, B.A. ; George Lippiatt, B.A. Miss Sinclair, Dr. Bell, and Mr Murray were unable to be present, the latter gentleman being at present in Wellington, w here he is engaged in Parliamentary journalistic work. Interesting and instructive speeches were given by His Lordship Bishop Cowie, His Worship the Mayor (Mr Upton), Dr. Giles (Resident Magistrate), and Professor Aldis. At the conclusion of the ‘ capping ’ ceremony the graduates and the University students, past and present, with their friends, . adjourned to the College Buildings, Eden street, where they were entertained at afternoon tea by Professor and Mrs Aldis. The tea was dispensed by a number of young lady undergraduates, and a very sociable and agreeable time was spent by the large number of guests present. The weather still continues bright and pleasant, and new and pretty spring dresses are daily to be seen. Miss Hughes wears a stylish fawn costume marie very plainly ; Miss Worsp, handsome dress in a bright shade of green, with hat to match ; Mrs T. Morrill. stylish fawn costume plainly made, but perfectly fitting, hat to match ; Miss AVallnutt, pretty black dress with yolk and sleeves of velvet, black hat.

The concert given in the City Hall in aid of the Early Closing Movement Fund was an exceptionally successful one. The concert was under the patronage of Bishops Cowie and Luck, Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops of Auckland, Mr J. H. L’pton, Mayor, and Mr A. E. Devore, exMayor. The large building was crowded to its utmost capacity, thus showing that the movement is a popular one, ami one which has also the sympathy and support of a large section of the community. A first-class programme was provided, which was thorougly appreciated by the audience. The vocalists were Miss Buckland, who gave ‘ White Wings Miss ’Warren, ‘ The Song my Mother Sang Miss Steele, ‘ Remember me no More Miss A. Rimmer, ‘Scenes that are Brightest, and as an encore, ‘The Song that Reached my Heart;’ Mr Percy Dufaur, ‘Will o’ the Wisp;’ Mr G. Knight, ‘The Romany Lass ;’ Mr C. White, ‘The Ghost’ (comic); Mr George Reid, ‘ My Queen ;’ Mr T. M. Jackson, ‘ The Message ;’ and Mr Maitland, ‘Thy Sentinel am I.’ Messrs Jackson and Dufaur gave the duet ‘Excelsior’ very successfully. Miss Freda Marsden, a young lady who has recently settled in Auckland, again proved herself a violinist of unusual ability, the instrumental selections in which she took the leading part being undoubtedly amongst the gems of the evening. The first was ‘ Romances ’ ( Vieuxtemps), with piano accompaniment by Mr W. H. Webbe, and the second Gounod’s lovely ‘ Meditation,’in which Miss Marsden was accompanied upon the piano by Miss K. Taylor, and upon the organ by Mr Webbe. Both selections w ere played by the lady from memory, and were rendered with exquisite sweetness and expression, and much artistic taste. In each instance an enthusiastic encore w as demanded and gracefully complied with. Miss Essie Chew contributed a ’cellosolowitli her accustomed success. Mr Webbe’s pupils gave a selection ‘ Domino Noir ' upon two pianos, organ-piano, and organ. The orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr J. H. Philpot, played with admirable success the overtures, ‘New Departure’ and ‘Pearls of Gold.’ The entertainment concluded with a beautiful statuary tableaux entitled ‘ Unity,’ which was admirably designed and arranged by Mr Theo Queree. Amongst those who received encores were Misses Warren and Steele, and Messrs White, Dufaur, Reid, Maitland, and T. M. Jackson. Miss Buckland wore a pretty creme veiling dress trimmed with bands of cardinal plush : Miss Warren also woie creme veiling and ruby plush, long creme gloves; Miss Steele, black velvet dress with high collar and cut V shape in front, aigrette of creme feathers in the hair, black kid gloves ; Miss Rimmer, black lace dress finished with coloured ribbons ; Miss Marsden, salmon pink veiling dress with white lace trimmings; Miss Chew, pretty dress of soft creme

material ; Miss Taylor wore all white gown. In the circle evening dress was not generally worn. Miss Harding wore a pretty dress of cardinal cashmere and plush ; Miss Jackson, stylish black dress, hat to match : Mrs Briton, black silk gown, plush mantle, stylish black bonnet with a touch of cardinal ; Miss Briton, stylish fawncoloured dress combined with black velvet, made with Medici collar ; Miss A. Briton, pretty navy blue dress with velvet sleeves ; Madam Tutschka, all black gown: Mrs J. Grey, handsome black silk gown; Mrs Saunders ruby mervellieux dress, bonnet to match ; Misses Cossar, pretty myrtle green dresses; Mrs Henderson, handsome dress of black moire silk ; Mrs Hanna all black costume; Miss Baker, pretty fawn dress with brown velvet sleeves and high collar. The fourth dance of the season in connection with the Ponsonby ‘ At Home ’ was held on a wet ami unpleasant evening, hub notwithstanding there was an excellent attendance, and a most agreeable and pleasant evening was passed. Mrs Upton wore a handsome dress of seal brown silk ; Mrs Windsor, beautiful dress of rich flowered silk made with long train; Miss Evans, becoming dress of black jet, finished with cardinal ribbons ; Miss Langsford, pretty dress of white tarlatan ; Miss Baxter, stylish dress of pale heliotrope material ; Mrs Buchanan, black net relieved with amber ribbons ; Miss A. Tye, pretty black evening dress ; Miss Masefield looked well in amber net finished With aigrettes of feathers to match; Miss Devore pretty pale pink tarlatan dress. An exceedingly pleasant surprise party took place at the residence of Mr and Mrs Foster, Home Bay, Ponsonby. Mr and Mrs Foster warmly welcomed their unexpected guests, who at once proceeded to take possession of the house. In a very short time dancing was commenced, which was kept up with vigour until after midnight, the music being supplied by Adams’ Band. A dainty and appetising supper was laid ami partaken of, the solids being provided by the ladies of the party, whilst the gentlemen supplied the liquid refreshments, and also the band. The pleasant anticipations and high expectation formed of Mrs Young’s dance at Lower Glenside were fully justified by the event. It was certainly one of the pleasantest balls given in Auckland this season. I really should not like to say how many there were present, but there must have been over ninety dancing couples. From the first we saw it was going to be one of our evenings. It was quite funny to see the distracted way in which the ordinary dilatory young fellows rushed round in frantic endeavour to fill their cards. Some few of the men left towards the middle of the evening to go to another dance, and a clique of boys of the ‘eating age’ forsook dancing for supper immediately the rooms were opened, and stopped there the whole evening. What a queer idea of enjoyment isn’t it, to go to a dance merely to eat and drink? All the girls seemed to have new frocks, and most of them carried beautiful bouquets of violets. I really wondered where they all came from. Mrs Young, who wore a handsome black costume with lace cap, seemed to enjoy herself watching the pleasure of others. I sat out a whole set of lancers on purpose to get some idea of the dresses, but there were so many I got quite confused. I noticed specially Miss Bower, R.A.M., of whose wonderful musical powers I have already told yon, in a pretty costume of white cashmere, with a tasteful arrangement of ivy leaves on the bodice and in her hair. During the intervals she wore a pretty little Direetoire opera cape, which was eminently becoming. Miss Howard, in blue, looked well, as did Miss Cashel, in white enlivened with blue sash. Miss Halyday wore a handsome ball dress of embroidered tulle in a pretty shade of cieam. Miss Dudley was in plain white, and Miss A. Binnie in pale blue. The Misses Hesketh were in white, as was Miss Buckland. Miss Cox wore a gown of blue cashmere vtitli an Elizabethan collar; Miss Hume was much admired in a pretty cream costume. Miss Ching looked pretty in light blue with ribbons of the same shade. There were dozens of others who looked just as pretty, but 1 could not find my pencil to get them down, so will liavp tn *»<» 11111 PC(H<I('(L

Muriel.