AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 43, 25 October 1890, Page 11

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, October 16. We arc now in the midst of the most delightful and beautiful season of the year, when'all nature has donned its freshest, brightest, and best garb, and the weather is just pleasantly warm and extremely enjoyable. In consequence, thick winter gowns have become quite unreasonable, and, with feelings of neither sorrow nor regret are being consigned to the recesses of the wardrobe in order to make room for our lighter and prettier gowns. In millinery also the display is surpassingly beautiful and has never before been eclipsed in Auckland. The flowers; which form the principal part of our headgear this year, arc exquisitely lovely, and most perfect and natural in their imitations of nature. Amongst the new and stylish walking costumes I have seen during the week are : Miss Buddle, light crushed strawberry gown trimmed with ribbon velvet a shade darker, hat to match ; Miss Hasell, attractive brown check gown, stylish white straw hat trimmed with flowers and ribbon to match; Mrs Kings well, pretty crushed strawberry gown, floral hat; Miss Birch, brown dress with biscuit-coloured trimmings, hat to match ; Miss Lusk, black cashmere gown with sleeves of velvet, hat composed of violet flowers; Mrs Wynyard, handsome and perfectly fitting biscuit-coloured gown, with rovers of moss green velvet, green hat; Miss Firth, silver grey gown, gem hat; Misses Hill, stylish and pretty gowns of pale green and heliotrope, respectively, floral hats to match each costume; Mrs Windsor, handsome green dress trimmed with ribbon velvet, fawn hat with feathers.

Professor Schmitt’s very excellent concert, given in aid of the Y.M.C.A., drew a crowded attendance, the lecture hall of the building being crowded to its utmost capacity. The programme was pleasantly varied, vocal and instrumental numbers alternating. The instrumental selections included string quintettes by Professor Schmitt, Miss Buckland, and Messrs Mumford, Beale, and Brown ; ’cello solo, Miss Essie Chew; clarionet solo, Mr S. Jackson; violin solo, Miss Stevenson, and a violin duet by the Misses L. and E. Harrison. The vocal items were contributed by Mrs R. H. Hopkins, Miss Featon, Miss Barron, Mr A. L. Edwards, ana Mr C. Taylor. Miss Harding, Miss Adams, and Professor Schmitt acted as accompanists. The concert was the last of the series of winter entertainments in connection with the Y.M.C.A., and was given in place of the lecture on ‘Mendelssohn,’ promised by Professor Schmitt. All the performers were attired in evening dress, but amongst the audience ordinary walking costumes were worn. Mrs Hopkins wore a handsome creme merveilleux gown, the low neck and sleeves finished with tulle, aigrettes of feathers on the shoulder and in the hair; Miss C'hew, creme Liberty silk gown, elbow sleeves of fine lace; Miss Featon, pale pink dress draped with lace, pink sash ; Miss Barron, all white costume ; Miss Buckland, black velveteen gown, the corsage finished with a cluster of pink flowers, large creme silk sash; Miss Stevenson, pretty pale pink gown; Miss Harding, stylish velvet gown; Misses L. and E. Harrison, creme and white dresses, respectively. In the hall I noticed Mrs Johnston, black silk gown, black bonnet; Miss Haultain, black costume; Miss Kissling, dark green dress trimmed with velvet; Mrs Possenniskie, pretty stone-coloured cashmere gown with sleeves and high collar of dark prune velvet, tiny floral hat; Mrs Hooper, black gown, black and gold bonnet; Mrs Hitchcock, all black costume ; Misses Hooper, stylish dove-coloured gowns, floral hats ; MissMorrin, stylish wine coloured gown trimmed with ■ velvet, bonnet to match ; Mrs (Dr.) Lewis, pretty fawn costume, the bodice and panels of brown velvet, brown bonnet with wreath of pale pink roses; Mrs 1). Goldie, dark green costume ; her little daughter wore fawn ; Mrs Steadman, green costume ; Mrs Pierce, dark green gown .trimmed with plaid silk, bonnet to match ; Miss Pierce also wore dark green, with sleeves and trimmings of velvet, floral hat; Miss Watson, stylish terra-cotta gown with sleeves of velvet, floral hat; Miss Stone, pretty black costume, black hat. A large, fashionable, and highly appreciative audience assembled in the Opera House to welcome the re-appearance of the Rev. Charles Clark upon an Auckland platform. The opening lecture was entitled, ‘ The New Dickens entertainment,’ the illustrative recitals selected from the great novelist’s works being pathetic, humorous, and dramatic. The lecture was wholly delivered from memory,, and proved highly entertaining, the two hours spent in its delivery passing all too quickly. Among the ladies present I noticed Mrs D. B. Cruickshank, wearing a handsome black silk gown, pretty cardinal bonnet; Mrs Lewis, stylish cardinal costume, tan gloves ; Mrs Atkinson, black silk gown ; Mrs J. Reid, handsome dark green gown, green hat trimmed with gold; Mrs F. Earl, black gown, fawn hat; Mrs W. Culpan, black silk gown ; Miss Birch, brown costume; Mrs Knight, pretty grey gown ; Mrs C. Buddle, grey dress trimmed with black silk, small black bonnet with wreath of cardinal flowers resting upon her hair; Miss Geenie Davis, pretty creme dress with cardinal sash; Mrs T. W. Leys, a dark coloured gown, bonnet relieved with pale pink flowers ; Mrs F. Winstone, pretty terra-cotta gown trimmed with brocaded silk ; Mrs H. King, fawn costume ; Mrs Nathelski, black costume ; Miss Nathelski, pretty creme dress ; Mrs Burton, pretty grey gown ; and a great many others whose names at present have escaped my memory. Muriel.