AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 41, 11 October 1890, Page 11

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, October 1. Wirths’ Wild West Show has been the principal place of amusement, the immense enclosure being nightly idled with a vast assemblage. The wonderful feats of horsemanship exhibited by the cowboys and the scenes representing life in the ‘ Ear West ’ are especially interestin" and exciting, besides being decidedly novel. The exhibitions by the cowboys of lassoing, tying up and taming of wild cattle at Potter’s Paddock was, despite the heavy rain, largelyattended. I was not brave enough to venture out in the downpour, but I am told quite a number of ladies were present, the outward and only visible signs of dress being the mackintoshes and long ulsters in which they were enveloped from head to foot. The exhibition was, I believe, exceedingly interesting, the reckless daring displayed in the tying and taming of the wild animals causing excitement, amazement, and wonder. The company leave during the week in the s.s. Janet Nicol for the south, where, I am sure, their advent is being eagerly awaited by large numbers at the different centres of population. The Rev. W. Tebbs’ lecture on 1 English Song,’ or England’s music, England’s amusement, in connection with the winter course of the Y. M.C.A., was undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable of the series. The lecture was divided into seven periods, in which the lecturer related, in an interesting manner, the growth of English songs, and the characteristics of the different periods, vocal and instrumental selections of music being given at intervals to illustrate the various styles of music. The selection of illustrations was excellent, and included some well rendered glees by the choir, instrumental selections by Miss Buckland, Miss Chew, Miss Essie Chew, Mrs Tebbs, and Mr Reed, and songs by Mrs Morrin, who gave ‘ Should He Upbraid ’ and ‘ Home, Sweet Home ;’ Mr Tapper, ‘ Sally in our Alley ’ and ‘ Come into the Harden, Maud;’ Mrs Tebbs, ‘Cherry Ripe’ ami ‘The Bird’s Good-Night’ (with violin obligato); Mr Maitland, ‘To Anthea ;’ Mr Holloway, ‘ The Wolf;’ and Mr Parish ‘Tom Bowling.’ There was a very large attendance, ami at the conclusion a vote of thanks was given to the rev. lecturer, and also to the ladies and gentlemen who had contributed to the pleasure of the evening. The last fortnightly meeting of the Remuera Social, Musical, and Literary Society was, as usual, attended by a large, appreciative, and fashionable assemblage. An interesting and entertaining programme was gone through, the following ladies and gentlemen contributing to the pleasure and success of the gathering The Misses Peacock and Dacre played a pianoforte ■duet, Miss Short a pianoforte solo. Mr J. J. Boak gave the well-known recitation. ‘ Shanins O’Brien,’ with considerable dramatic ability. A trio for male voices was given by Messrs Conolly, Hesketh, and Short, their voices blending ad mirably. A vocal trio was also successfully contributed by the Misses Gilfillan and Mr Pollock, the programme concluding with an amusing farce entitled ‘Needless Stratagem,’ the various characters being very well su-tained by Misses Herrold and Hardy, and Messrs Hall, Paton, and others. During the interval for con versation light refreshments were handed round by the gentlemen, and while being enjoyed I had time to notice some of the dresses worn. Mrs Finlayson, handsome black lace gown trimmed with jet, ruby plush opera mantle, the hood lined with pink silk ; Mrs Conolly (Judge), dark blue and white striped costume; Mrs Ernest Burton, stylish black gown ; Miss Spiers, black silk gown relieved with white; Mrs Edmund Mahoney, pretty pink and bine flowered muslin dress ; Mrs Cattanaeh, pretty pale green gown, white Howers ; Miss Law, becoming pale blue dress; Mrs J. .1. Boak, stylish black lace dress, prettily trimmed with jet ; Miss Peacock, white and cardinal dress; Miss Dam pretty creme dress; Miss Kempthorne, stylish ruby costume ; Miss Short, pretty grey gown. Mr Finlayson occupied the chair during the evening. The fifth monthly dance in connection with the Ponsonby ‘At Home’ was exceptionally successful and enjoyable. There was a large attendance of members and visitors, the floor wasi in splendid condition, the supper excellent, and the music, supplied by Adams's band, all that the most critical could wish. A number of pretty dresses were worn. Amongst the number I may mention Mrs J. A. Tole, rich ami handsome gown of fawn silk brocaded with brown; Mrs Masefield also wore a handsome brocaded silk of black and cardinal ; Mrs Windsor, beautiful gown of white satin ami lace; Miss Masefield, very pretty gown of sea-foam green Russia net, with Medici collar an<l bands of black velvet, large posy of clematis ; Miss Devore, stylish and becoming gown

of pink net ; she also carried a large posy of clematis , Miss Clayton wore her pretty bridesmaid gown of pink Liberty silk, relieved with pale blue Howers ; Miss Evans, white net costume finished with ribbon ; Miss Laird, becoming pink net costume ; Miss Beale looked extremely well in a pretty white net gown ; Miss Alice Tye, tasteful and becoming pale pink dress, pretty fan composed of white clematis ; Miss Rita Tole, handsome white silk gown draped with silver spangled gauze. The Mjsses Laurie, of ‘ Maxwelton,’ Mount Eden, gave a very enjoyable party last week in Waite’s Hall. The party was exclusively for young people, of whom a large number were present, and a delightful and pleasant evening was passed. Mrs Schapp also gave a party on the same evening at her residence, Eden Crescent, which, I hear, proved extremely enjoyable and successful. Housekeepers all over New Zealand will be interested in a new form of automatic extinguisher patented by Messrs Smith and Schmitt, of the Auckland province, and denominated ‘ Bergers’ Patent.’ After it has been set in the required position upon the candle the latter has merely to burn down to that point, when a cap is released which closes over the wick and extinguishes the light. A very quiet wedding took place at St. Andrew’s Epsom, when Miss Maier, niece of Mr Beck, of Mount Albert, was united to Mr Joseph May, of the Three Kings. The bride looked very nice in her pretty dress of dove-coloured cashmere, relieved in front by silk folds, her fair hair surmounted by a most artistic and becoming bonnet of grey tulle; pink heath entirely covered the crown ; one of the narrow velvet strings was of that colour, whilst the other was grey. Tt seemed a pity that there were so few present to admire the bride, only the immediate relatives

being asked to the ceremony. Mr ami Mrs May have discovered a quiet retreat for the honeymoon, utterly refusing to answer all inquiries as to its locality. Another wedding which has lately come off allords a remarkable contrast to the quietness of the above. Mr Philip Wirth, of circus Laue, was married to Miss Sarah Jane Hodgson, daughter of Mi W. Hodgson, at St. Mary's, Parnell. There was an immense crowd to view the wedding, as a rumour had been spread that the bridesmaids were to appear in due circus attire, ami attended by a throng of cowboys in correct national costume. Though some people had to indefinitely defer their dinner or lunch (the ceremony being announced for 1.50), the church was densely packed, and a rush was made for the pulpit as a special coin of vantage wherefrom to view the performance. The bride wore a cream merveilleux gown ami a floral toque with short tulle veil and lovely bouquet. The four bridesmaids were attired in navy blue, tiimmed with cream and narrow gold braid, large cream hats, for the Misses

Wirth, whilst the bride’s little sisters wore pale blue ami Leghorn hats. The carriages were drawn by magniticient white horses. As some one remarked, * Talk of a circus, this one's worth seeing.’ Decidedly weddings are contagious, for I have still another to chronicle. This eventuated at Papatoetoe, ami excited great interest amongst the residents ot that usually somewhat stagnant locality. The bride is the eldest ‘laughter of Mr .fames Wallace, of Hillside, Papatoetoe, while the bridegroom, Mr Maurice Harding, of Horo Horo, near Dirgaville, Northern Waiioa, is a son of Mr John Harding, of Mount Vernon, Hawke's Bay. The bride is well known in Canterbury, four of her uncles, the Messrs Overton, being amongst the oldest settlers in that district. The heroine of the hour was costumed in a dainty white gown, with broad white watered silk sash, veil ami wreath. She also carried a magnificent bouquet. Two of her bridesmaids, the Misses Wallace,wore pretty whitedresses with bluesashes, veil, and wreath of natural Howers; whilst the other two, one a sister of the bride, the other a niece of the bridegroom, were similarly attired, only their sashes were pink. There were over forty guests, who all partook of a sumptuous breakfast at the residence of Mr and Mrs James Wallace. The presents were numerous and handsome. The only drawback was the absence of the bridegroom's father and sister, who were prevented from arriving in time for the ceremony, by the delay of the steamer, on which they had embarked at Hawke's Bay.

I have just space to add a few attractive walking costumes. Miss Worsp wears a stylish black cashmere and velvet dress, with tiny little hat to match ; Mrs W. ('oleman, lon<; steel grey silk dust cloak, just showing the edge of a cardinal skirt, black hat with feathers ; Mrs J. A. Tole, dark blue silk dress, dainty and very becoming bonnet of pale heliotrope colour: Miss Moss, peacock blue cash mere dress, white gem hat trimmed with ribbon to match ; Mrs (Dr.) Lewis, stylish olive green bordered costume, bonnet to match.

Muriel.