AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 38, 20 September 1890, Page 12

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, September 9. One of the prettiest weddings I have witnessed for some time was consummated in St. Mary’s Church, Parnell. The happy couple were Mr John Ansenne and Miss Marion E. Clayton, daughter of Captain Clayton, of Parnell, The winsome bride, w ho- was given aw ay by her father, wore a beautiful gown of rich white silk, with very long full train, wreath of orange blossonis, and handsome veil, the corners of which were beautifully embroidered; the charming toilette was completed by a magnificent bouquet of choice flowers surrounded by delicate ferns. The bridesmaids were Miss Agnes Clayton, Miss Ella Cameron, and the three little nieces of the bridegroom, daughters of Mr James Ansenne. The two first named wore handsome and tasteful gowns of pink and blue Liberty silk, respectively, with dainty little floral hats to match, while the younger maids were attired alike in pretty white frocks with large white bonnets, and each carried a basket of Howers. Mr Joe Sykes officiated as best man. As the young couple are wellknown in social circles, there was a crow tied and fashionable assemblage present to witness the ceremony. The wedding presents I hear were numerous, handsome and many of them very valuable.

St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral was also the scene of a very pretty wedding during the week. The happy wedded couple w ere Mr Lannigan, brother of the w ell know n cont ractor of that name, and Miss Theresa O’Neill. I’he ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Hackett, in the piesence of a crowded congregation, amongst whom were a number of members of the Guard of Honour, Miss (>’Neill having been one of the officers of the Society. The bride wore a handsome merveilleux gown prettily trimmed with lace, wreath of orange blossoms ami beautifully embroidered tulle veil. The two sisters of the bride and Miss Smith acted as bridesmaids, and they were attired alike in pretty white dresses and wore wreaths of Howers in the hair.

An interesting double wedding was celebrated in St. Matthew’s Church, Hobson Street, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. I’. P. Hew lett. The brides were sisters, (laughters of Mr David Anderson, of Surrey Fann, Pokeno, and the bridegrooms Mr Currie and Mr Chapman, both of Whangarei Heads. The brides were given away by their father and were dressed alike in pretty trained gowns of white Liberty silk, wreaths of bridal blossoms and tulle veils, and each carried a lovely bouquet. Each bride was attended by two maids, one couple w earing pale blue veiling gowns and the other pale pink, their bouquets, which were very pretty matching, their costumes. As the bridal party were leaving the church the Wedding March was played upon the organ by Mr Mouzer.

Miss Buckley who is very well known as a prominent member of the < 'horal Society also entered the matrimonial state last week, the bridegroom being Mr Morris of the Post Office. The ceremony, I understand, was very quietly performed.

From a private letter I learn that Miss Seraggs, who some time ago was well known in musical circles anil who is now residing in Australia, is shortly to be married to an Australian gentleman.

The Remuera Social, Musical, and Literary Society are invariably noted for the excellence and success of their fortnightly gatherings. Last meeting, however, was unusually good, the programme being an exceptionally choice and entertaining one. The first part included songs by Mrs (Dr) Kilgour, Hute solo by Mr Bell, recitations by Messrs .lames and Benge, besides other items which I at present forget. The entertainment concluded with a highly amusing farce entitled ‘ A Bilious Attack,’ in which the characters were sustained by Messrs Montague and Laurie and Miss Robertson. The dance was capitably played, Mr Montague being especially successful. A short interval was as usual allowed for conversation, when refreshments were handed round by the gentlemen of the Committee. Mr Edward Mahoney acted as Chairman during the evening.

Amongst the pretty spring diesses which I have noticed lately, I may mention Miss Binney, stylish black cashmere gown with sleeves and high collar of velvet, pretty little heliotrope Horal hat. Miss Russell, pretty fawn coloured dress with brown velvet sleeves and Medici collar, small hat, the crown of yellow marguerites. Mrs Cattanach becoming grey dress with grey velvet sleeves, hat to match, The Misses Scherff gave a charming ‘ afternoon tea ’ at their mother’s residence in Grafton Road. These maiden tea-fights are a new departure in the Auckland Society world, though they are very popular in other places. Being a novelty, several girls thought it would not be a success, and were most agreeably disappointed to find themselves enjoying the affair immensely. In a thing of this sort so much depends on the hostesses, and here they were well aware of their responsibilities, and discharged them admirably. Some of the dresses—of course only walking costumes and afternoon ‘at home ’ toilettes were worn--were, as a rule, very ehic. Mrs Scherff was in black; her eldest daughter wore a veiy becoming navy blue dress, with striped orange and red silk facings ; the second daughter wore an exquisitely fitting dress of the same colour without the silk trimming. Of the visitors I learn that Miss Rich appeared in a green costume ; Miss Maude Vaile, grey, with red plush vest ; Mrs and the Misses A. K. Taylor, black ; Miss Birch, brown ; Miss Atkinson, check costume, with black velvet trimmings ; the second daughter was in green ; Miss Laura Baker, green ; Miss Ella Baker, grey ; Miss Martin, brown braided dress; Miss Dixon, check costume, trimmed prettily with chocolate velvet; Miss Ada Dixon, crimson dress ; Miss Battley, who sang with great effect ‘ White Wings ’ ami ‘ Friendship,’ was costumed in a well-made brown dress ; Miss Bankhart, who played several pieces, wore fawn ; Miss Katie Taylor, dressed in black, sang ‘ For ever more ’ very sweetly. There was a good deal of music, and the afternoon tea was excellent. This pleasant way of entertaining might be followed with advantage by other’s, and I hope some one will remember to tell me about it, as I had great difficulty in getting this. I saw a pretty street dress worn by Mrs Walker, of Parnell. It was a handsome dress of black silk, mantle of the same trimmed with bead balls, black straw bonnet with black lace, and creamy yellow spray of Howers. At last the engagement of Mr Jack Lindsay (I suppose his real name is John) is announced. The young lady, whose name is unknown to me, is a Miss Chalmers, of Dunedin.

The Opera House was simply crammed in all parts upon the occasion of the annual benefit performance tendered to the Sisters of Mercy. The programme was a really excellent one, an<T consisted of the charming little comedy entitled ‘ Engagements,’ which was preceded by a short and first-class concert. The items upon the concert programme included vocal selections by Mrs Kilgour, Mrs Cooper, Miss Quinn, and Messrs Charters and A. L. Edwards. Miss Freda Marsden contributed a violin solo with piano accompaniment by Miss Kate Taylor and organ obligato by Miss Lynch. The Rev. Dr. Egan played a solo upon the Hute, and the orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr P. F. Hiscocks, rendered selections duiing the evening. Miss Lynch played the whole of the accompaniments with considerable ability. The comedy, which has been in rehearsal for some time, was splendidly performed, the different characters being well sustained by well-known amateurs. Mr J. A. Cooper appeared as Admiral Kingston ; Mr Montague as Lieutenant Kingston, R.N. ; MiFrank G. Laurie, Short ; Mr John Quinn, Dennis ; Miss K. A. Ryan, Mrs Poutifex ; and Mrs Cooper, Miss Mortimer. The comedy was produced under the personal direction of Mr J. F. Montague, and to him is due much praise for the success achieved. Much annoyance was caused to those who wished to witness the conclusion of the performance by the extremely bail taste shown in the dress-circle, many of the audience rising and leaving their seats just before the fall of the curtain. Mrs Cooper wore a pretty evening dress of pink satin and veiling the same shade, long white kid gloves ; Mrs Kilgour, pretty dress of rich flowered satin, with wreath of Howers across the front of the skirt, wreath of Howers in the hair ; Miss Quinn wore a tasteful dress of lemon-coloured Liberty silk, white Howers in the hair; Miss Marsden wore a ruby velvet gown made quite plain, the low neck and short sleeves finished with lace ; Miss Lynch wore a becoming black evening dress. In the comedy Miss Ryan wore a handsome tea-gown of purple Liberty silk with front of white lace, lace cap trimmed with ribbon ; Mrs Cooper looked very girlish and pretty in a simple white muslin dress, with large pale blue silk sash. In the circle 1 noticed Airs Edward Mahoney, Miss Mahoney, Mrs Thomas Mahoney, and her sister, Miss Wallnutt, Mrs Darby and her daughters, Mrs Lush, Mrs Macdonald, Mrs W. J. Ralph, Misses Lynch, Mrs Laurie, Miss Laurie, Mrs Dervan, Miss Dervan, Misses O’Dowd, and many others whom lat present forget. His Lordship Bishop Luck was present, ami a number of the Roman Catholic clergy.

Muriel.