DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 49, 6 December 1890, Page 11

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, November 20. There is nothing very brilliant to relate except an occasional dav of sunshine. We are mildly festive. Tennis is now in full swing, and Worth's Wild West Show has come. It is needless to say they are ‘crowded to the doors’ every night. Three ‘wild’ animals made their escape at the show grounds, and plunging into the crowds, dispersed the people. Did men and maidens, young men and matrons forgot their dignity and several positions in life, and remembered only how sweet life was. We hear a great many moaning un ier its burden, but when an opportunity like this presents itself of getting rid of it. how few avail themselves of the chance.

The chief feature of the evening since my last letter was provided by the ladies' Liederkranz. which is a club of lady singers after the same lines as the gentlemen's Liedertafel. Miss Jennie West was its originator and conductress. The president is Mrs E. G. Edwards ; vice-president, Mrs R. Martin. The Misses Pollen, Popplewell, and Irvin represent the committee : Miss Maclean is secretary, and Mrs H. M. Davey, librarian. Every now and again invitations are issued, and everybody goes who is asked. This particular evening was most enjoyable, as it finished with a dance. The musical portion, pieceding the dance, was also of a very attractive character. The hall was arranged drawing-room style, draped with Liberty muslin and carpeted. During the evening ice creams and other light refreshments were provided, which, being a warm night, were much appreciated. The evening opened with the Leiderkranzsinging the part song, ‘Princely Autumn.' The young holies taking |>art looked charming, all clad alike in white Grecian costume with bands of gold, so difl'erent in appearance to the lady chorus singers wearing the everlasting stiff white dresses and redami - white sashes. Miss Crawford sang ‘ Beauty’s Sleep ' very effectively. Several other part songs followed, then Miss Gertrude Dale gave a violin solo (Gondellied) wonderfully well. ‘ Three Little Maids ’by Misses Popplewell, B. Macdonald, and Anderson, was much appreciated ; they looked, sang, andacted their part well. After a short interval the Liederkranz then sang ‘ Midnight Bel),’ Miss Mills ‘ Forget, Forgive." and a variation came in Miss West's beautifully played piano solo. ‘Beanty'sEye' by Miss Popplewell received an encore. By the way, this is the last time I shall speak of this young lady as Miss Popplewell, as she will be married to Mr Monk man long before this reaches you so quietly that people outside the family were not to know exactly when the pleasing ceremony was to take place, but weddings arc like murders, they will out. She has in her possession a remarkably sweet voice, with which she has always been most good-natured, ami has established for herself quite a little reputation. Now to return to our previous subject. A pretty triobv Misses Hardy, Tennant, and Harlow followed, ami a tableaux, ‘ Princess Ida.' closed that part of the evening. The floor was soon cleared, ami dancing then began, during the progress of which the composer played his pretty Onslow waltz.

A not bet concert, a little musical gem, took place in St. John s Hail, Roslyn, rather an out-of-the-way place for a concert of such quality. Mia Blandford, whose name I mentioned to you before, gave it. She has every chance of firmly establishing herself in favour, as she is a musician of first-class abilities. Her performances during the evening were brilliant. Herr Winckleman, too, charmed the hearts of everybody with his cello playing. One good item of the programme—a violin solo by Mr A. L. Maclean—was lost to the audience owing to the fact of the death of Mr Maclean- brother, news of which had that day been cabled to Mr Maclean from Sydney. Miss Marshall appeared several times, ami was in good voice. •My Dearest Heart ’ by Miss Smythe also was a success. This lady was attired in white silk trimmed with pink. Most of the other ladies on the programme wore black. Miss Smythe is, I believe, going home to complete her musical training. She has got a very large voice, if one may so express it, capable, I should think, of a good deal when she has mastered the art of using it. In this Miss Marshall shines ; she is very expressive. Messrs C. and H. Martin and W. Manson created a pleasant diversion by a humorous quartette, ‘ Johnny Schomohes,' which brought down the house. *ln the Dusk of the Twilight,’ a duet by Misses Allen and Brown was lovely. The two voices blended most musically, and the piece was harmony throughout. Mr Sligo sang ‘At Even,’ and Mr A. Martin ‘The Ferryman.' Both gentlemen are to be complimented. The Carisbrook Tennis Club have at last had their opening day after having it put off for weeks. Even then the weather was not nice, for it blew clouds of dust. The grounds are, however, very sheltered, and Mrs Rose had kindly opened her gardens, which are attached to the court, and under the shelter of the trees tea drinking was indulged in. The new bride, Mrs E. Revnolds, was there, looking very charming in a pretty bride-like costume of light grey with hat to match. Miss Gibson, from Anderson’s Bay, also looked well in fawn and green, with the dearest little bonnet of Marguerites; Miss Rachael Reynolds' costume was of heliotrope : Madame Fodor wore a very handsome mantle of silk, with long hanging sleeves of lace : Mrs Billings (Sydney > was handsomely attired in rich black fabrics ; Miss Ethel Jones, grey tweed, with shirt front ; Mrs Maunsell, grey tweed, with seal jacket : Mrs Stilling, fawn gown ; Mrs Belcher, light fawn : Miss Belchei, a quaint costume of a rich fawn : other guests were Dr. and Mrs Bachelor, the Misses Sievwright, Mrs and Miss Spence, Dr. and Mrs Colquhon, Mrs and the Misses Dymock. Dr. and Mrs Jeffcott. Miss Amy Roberts. Miss Fraser, wearing grey ; the Misses Webster and Rattray, ami a host of other people. A delightful little musical evening came off at the Art Society’s exhibition, which was crowded in consequence. Tea and coffee were served, and between the items the ordinary gossip indulged in, which is often better left nnrecordeil. Messrs Denseni and Smith, Umbers, Corrigan, Barrett and Jones, and Misses Popplewell, Joel, and Muir, contributed. The Harvey Brothers' Variety Company still occupy the theatre. They have bad a very good season, but I expect the circus will eut them out, tor I hear middle-aged men ami women on all sides saying, ‘ Oh ! we must take the children !’ How happy to have children at odd times like this ’. Mrs John Roberts gives a dance to young people in a day or two, and everybody who is married are casting longing glances at the prospective dance. Maude.

BACHELORS’ BALL AT ROSLYN BUSH (SOUTHLAND). A grand ball under the auspices of the bachelors of the district was held inthe local hall,a tineevening being experienced, which helpedgreatlytomaketheeventadecidedsuccess. The hail was beautifully and artistically decorated with evergreens and magnificent fems, etc., that grow so luxuriantly in the surrounding bushes. The members of the committee of management are worthy ot all praise for the skill and taste displayed in the decoration, also their efforts to make the affair such a brilliant success. Dancing was commenced shortly after eight o’clock, upwards of forty couples responding to the M.C.’s call for the first dance. Among the many neat and becoming dresses worn on the occasion the following is a list of those I considered prettiest :—Miss K. Cavanagh, black satin bodice, lace skirt, pink satin trimmings, white fan and gloves, shoes to match ; Miss D. Brown, white muslin, pale blue silk front and sash, gloves anil shoes to match. These two young ladies, in my opinion, divided honours as belle of the evening. Miss Fosbender, rich black satin bodice, lace skirt, jet trimmings, fan, gloves, and shoes to match : Miss T. Cavanagh, white lace skirt, pink bo-lice, white sash and gloves to match ; Miss Munro, white embroidered muslin and tartan sash ; Miss Burgoyne, rich navy blue velveteen dress, white silk sash: Miss’Fahey, white muslin, embroidered trimmings, gloves to match; Misses Bonney, cream-coloured dresses and blue ribbons ; Miss M. Cavanagh, white lace skirt, pink unue: lining, pink bodice, gloves to match ; Miss M. Fahey, pink dress : Miss M. Brown, black dress, salmon silk front and sash, gloves to match : Miss A. Brown, white embroidered robe, pink silk trimming ; Miss E. Burgoyne, fawn-coloured dress, trimmings of a darker shade: ML-s Cautield, pink bodice, cream skirt, pink silk sxsh, gloves to match ; Miss Murphy, cream-coloured dress, pink silk trimming : Miss Dawson, dark dress, front of terracotta ; Miss A. Dawson, white dress, pink silk front and sash, gloves and shoes to match ; Miss Jones, prettypink dress : Miss Ford, white dress, crushed strawberrysash : Miss Mitchell, brown dress, watered sash of the same colour, passementerie ornaments on bodice. There were many more pretty costumes; the names of the wearers I did not ascertain. Excellent music was supplied by Mr R. Edwards (violin), and Mr Irving discharged the duties of M.C. in a very efficient manner. Dancing was kept up till a late, or rather, an early hour next morning, when the numerous guests departed, agreeing that they had spent a very pleasant night. Visitor.

A well-known statesman, visiting at the house of a certain bishop, asked for a kiss from his host’s tiny blue-eyed flaxenhaired daughter, who was handing him some bread -andbutter at afternoon tea in the drawing-room. ‘No,’ said the child, ‘I won’t tiss ’oo !’ ‘Why!’ be asked, smiling. To the amazement of the other guest', the child replied, ‘ ’Cause my nuise says oo is ruining the country !’ Tableau I