DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 47, 22 November 1890, Page 12

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, . November & The Governor will have to go if he brings such dreadful weather with him—rain, rain, rain every day. When it is not raining it is blowing, and on the whole I think the rain is preferable, for with that there is at least no dust. It spoilt the rain did the opening to the Catisbrook tennis, and the Otago tennis opening was put off for the same reason. I expected to have all sorts of pleasant thing* to say of it ; bat patience Sammer will be here some time, not at Christmas if this sort of thing continues. The Governor has returne-i from the Lakes, out there are no great festivities going on. The Theatre is open again. This time the boards are occupied by a minstrel troupe, etc, I have not been yet, but I expect it is the usual thing. Those of you who like it will see for yourselves when it reaches you in due coarse. I am sorry Miss Aehureh has gone. We did not see * Frou Frou.' I suppose it was not in perfect rehearsal. Miss Aehureh was unable to accept any invitations, because almost all the company were new in the pieces, and she had to rehearse with them every day. These dramatic luncheons are very popular now. and cmtainly artists visiting us tave no rea-on to complain of want of hospitality, for what with afternoon teas, picnics. etc., there is as much frivolity offered as such busy people can accept, and between you and me, don’t you think there is a lot of martyrdom in

The Catholic Literary Society gave a delightful ladies’ evening, to which some hundreds of invitations were issued. The schoolroom near the cathedral was the scene of festivity, but transformed out of all knowledge of a schoolroom. Tne windows were handsomely curtained, the floor carpeted, from the ceiling hung flags and fern baskets, and lounges and easv chairs gave place to the usual hard seats. In the centre of a circle of friends the Bishop- easy ehair made a sort of throne. He is such a dear, lovable old man, ruling, when he rules, by smiles. Father Ryan is another popular priest, young enough to be hail-fellow well-met with the young men of whom the society is chiefly composed. Messrs Houghton and Armstrong, two older gentleman, also take a great deal of interest in its affairs. Prominent among the ladies were Mrs Captain Baldwin, Mrs Dr. Ferguson, and Miss Popplewell, who was accompanist as well as one of the vocal attractions. Miss Popplewell wore a very softlooking gown of white nun’s veiling, simply made, with full bodice and sleeves, the collar turned down. It was fastened at the waist with a white silk scarf. The Society’s colours are white, and. I presume, the lady wore a white gown in compliment. She sang ‘ Sylvia ’ very sweetly, for which she received a recall. The evening opened by a very creditable rendering of the overture. ‘ Caliph of Bagdad,’ by the Society's orchestra, and after Miss Popplewell's song Mr J. P. Armstrong gave an address called ‘ Wanderings in America. ’ It was very amusing, but a little too long. I think no one item at an entertainment should exceed fifteen minutes. Miss Walsh, a young lady whom 1 have not heard before -ang with exquisite sweetness ‘Close to the Threshold.’ with cornet obligato. The cornet obligato would have been better if it had suffered in silence. Mr Rossitter, the composer. played the Onslow waltz, and then came an interval for coffee and other nice things. • Life’s dream is o’er,’ was a rather cruel suggestion after so good a supper, but as it was sung by Mr E. ". Dunne and Mr ". Woods, it reconciled one. A recitation, • The Brave Hussar, ’ followed, by Mr S. Simmonds, then ‘ The Kerry Dance,’ by Mrs Angus, who was in good voice, and looked very well in ravy blue. A quartette', • Kate Dalrymple,’closed the evening. Miss Weldon and Mrs and Miss Mottat were among the guests.

Thi- may be termed a musical letter, if you will be good en;u_h not to be sarcastic, for one of the leading features of the entertainments this week was Herr Winckelmann’s concert, assisted by the Dunedin Orchestral Society, Dunedin Liedertafel, Messrs A. -1. Barth, J. Timson, G. H. Schacht, W. Densem, F. L. Jones, W. Manson, and H. S. Rennert. The Garrison Hall wa~ fairly full, and I noticed among the audience Sir Robert and La iy Stout, the Mayor and Mayoress. Mr- Ro--, Miss Marshall. theMi-~es Halien - stein. Miss Mackerrow, Mrs Michie, Mi-- 'Vest, Mrs Mo-re. Mr- Murphy, Mrs Lindo Ferguson, Mrs A. Towsev, and others. The Dunedin Orchestral Society opened with ‘ Marco Spado,’ then Mr F. L. Jones sang ‘Far away where angel- dwell.’ Herr "'incklemann gave us a lovely selection on the 'cello. Line of the gems of the evening wa- by the Liedertafel, which has grown immensely in numbers. The item was the ’Joy Waltz.’ Mr Manson sang ‘My lodging is the cellar coo!,’ and he seemed to enjoy it. Cellars must 'r<e different plaees in song to what they are in prosaic life. Mr Densem sang * I'm a Factotum,' bat these were the only soloists. It seems to be the fashion hereto exclude lady vocalists a great deal from the programme. Why I Don’t you think a female voice relieves the monotony. As far as the music was concerned it was all perfect, but it seemed too heavy for a

popular concert. Mr F. Leech followed with another concert. I dare not enumerate all the items to you ; there were twenty, exclusive of encores. The performers were chiefly pupil-, and I suppose the best of these were given an opportunity to show their progress, which was very marked. Miss Lily Hutton. Alick and Amy Roberts, Mrs- M. Donaldson. Miss Edith Leech, Miss Mary Watson, the Misses Cornie and Bessie Gxirdner, Master 11 arty. Miss May Howel, and Miss Moseley all did more than well. At the Bachelors’ Balt at Hampden there w- a large attendance. Mrs E Lefevre, in -grey, looked well : Miss Little, in white and pink : Miss Orbell, al-o in grey and white; Miss M Kerrow, in brown: Miss Cameron, white Liberty silk : Mrs Sandage r, ran-y coloured -ilk : ML— F. Lauren-on. black : the Mi-se- Murcoll 3 looked nice in cream embroi iered dre—es ; Mrs- Durreen, white; Miss McLeod, white with cardinal. A farewell dance wa- given at Lee Stream to Miss Burnside, about twenty five couples being present. Mi— Bnrn--i ie » re white. --also did Mi- Ewart ; Miss L. Burnside,

black. Some excellent music filled in the gaps between the dancing.

A number of ladies here have taken up the idea of woman's franchise and I believe they will carry their day. The bridal couple. Mr and Mrs Reynolds, Jan., have arrived. and numerous friends are only waiting tor the proper time to elapse and then there will be a deluge of calls, as the Reynolds family occupies a high place in society here. The Shag Point and AUandale Quadrille Assembly held their ball lately. The music, door, and supper were a* great -access, and everyone -eemed to enjoy themselves immensely. Mis A. Mclntosh in a stylish brown silk relieve! with paie blue: Mrs Clark, tabac costume: Mr- McAndrew-, black and gold ; Mrs Wilson, black velvet; Mrs D. Mclntosh, pretty white gown: Mrs Janies Hollis, navy blue and pink silk: Mrs Hudson, black dress: Mrs Carmichael, white ami grey check : Miss Ball, pretty white dress; Miss Susan Bail, pretty pink mu-lin : Miss Campbell, pretty dress of white muslin : Miss Boag, dark red dress: the Misses Walker, navy blue and gold ; Miss C issy Clark, cream arophane. I had almost forgotten to tell you that another of oar young doctors was married last week—the assistant of Dr. King, of Seacliff Asylum, Dr. Fooks. Miss Marion Huxtable wa.* the happy bride. The wedding was at Al! Saints’ Church, and as quiet as possible, the bride wearing her travelling dress of dove coloured cashmere with velvet sleeves, and Medici collar to match, and pretty floral bonnet. Maude.