AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 9, 28 February 1891, Page 8

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, February 17. I am delighted to be able to tell you that Society here has ceased lamenting the Achurch plays at the Opera House, and has been lately on science bent. The reformer is Professor Archibald, who has by his marvellous phonograph enabled our theatre-goers to recover their inoral tone. Many were very sceptical regarding the wonders achieved by this instrument. I may tell you, in confidence, that it is part of our Auckland creed to believe next to nothing that we hear and cannot prove for ourselves. But Professor Archibald has demonstrated that music—especially that of a brassy tendency—the human voice, in fact any sound, can be reproduced at will. I enjoyed the evening I spent listening to his lecture and phonographieal illustrations immensely. It was amusing to watch the struggle on the faces of the crowded audience not to laugh when the Napier Salvation Army, etc., was distinctly heard. If we laughed we lost the sound of the phonograph, which is not very powerful. At the end of each little piece there was generally a good roar, which in its heartiness must have gratified the lecturer. Great interest was also taken in a remarkably fine rat which made its way across the stage during the singing of ‘A Warrior Bold.’ Being an admirer of Mr Gladstone, I listened attentively to the phonogram he sent to Lord Carrington, but could not have distinguished the words had they not been printed on our programmes. There were quite as many gentlemen as ladies present at most of the performances. I will transcribe a few of the dresses that I noticed, only premising that as ‘colours seen by candle light do not look the same by day,’l may not be quite correct in some of the tints, most of the fair audience wearing morning gowns. Mrs Nelson, black jacket, spotted reddish dress, black bonnet enlivened by a flower wreath; Mrs Tebbs, grey dress, grey bonnet relieved by crushed strawberry; Miss Tebbs, pink. (I must interrupt myself to wonder if I told you that the Rev. W. Tebbs and one of his daughters has gone to England on six months’ sick leave. We are all hoping the change may set him up.) Miss Maning, black dress, black bonnet,'bronze or crushed strawberry ribbon trimming ; Miss Haslett, jun., slate grey, black bonnet; Mrs John Kenderdine looked nice in black, and a grey bonnet; Mrs Tewsley was wearing a stylish dress of brown, white vest, jacket with revers of lighter brown silk, black bonnet, floral garniture; Mrs Sharland, black, lavender in her black bonnet; Mrs J. C. Davis, grey costume, black bonnet brightened with flowers; Mrs Churton, cream blouse bodice, greyish skirt, black bonnet. A little girl whom I do not know was dressed in a quaint fascinating two shades of green (light and dark) costume, the Mother Hubbard bonnet, with a good deal of dark green velvet on it, suiting her admirably. Mrs Nashelski had on a handsome salmon dress with black velvet revers, white vest, salmon floral bonnet; her daughter was clothed in white ; Mrs Bernard Esam seemed much amused by some of the music, and wore black, white floral bonnet; with her was a piettily-dressed demoiselle in stone or cream Liberty silk flowered with lavender blue, hat to match ; Mrs Wright, wife of the doctor of that ilk, was garmented in black, the bonnet being relieved by cream feathers ; Mrs Abbott was in her own box, wearing dovecoloured grey robes, cream bonnet; Lady Fox was in black, with a white shawl, and a black bonnet; a pretty crushed strawberry gowned niece was with her, as well as Sir William. Dr. Purchas and his daughters just looked in on their return from the Lake. Being thoroughly scientific people, the lecture was just in their way. The young ladies were in blue striped gowns, one with a white blouse bodice anti brown hat with brown silk ruching, the other wore a white hat ; the youngest was in a blue flowered gown. Another doctor’s wife, Mrs A. O. Knight, was in a straw-coloured costume, very chic, bonnet to correspond ; Mrs Leys was in peacock blue, with vest, sleeves, and collar of velvet the same shade, white hat with a band of black velvet ; Miss Tole, black ; Miss Dewar, white ; Mis Frater, either dark brown or black dress, bonnet with brown ribbon strings; Mrs Harry Keesing, sultan silk, with an overdress of handsome blaek lace, black and floral bonnet; Mrs W. Geddes, pretty blue sjiotted costume, with blue vest and cults; Mrs Harry Hayr, black dress, handsomely beaded ; Mrs Lindsay, wife of Dr. Haines’ partner, was 'in a very effective dress of tabac satin triinmed with ficelle, bonnet en suite.

The popular vocalist, Madame Burton, sang into Professor Arcnibaid’s phonograph, and the song was reproduced to the great delight of the audience at the Opera House. ‘ Believe me if all those endearing young charms ’ was the vocal item selected. Mr Reader Wood also marie a speech, which was fairly well heard.

There has been a perfect epidemic of weddings lately, but I am glad to tell you the contagion does not seem to be spreading further just at present. I could learn nothing about the marriage of Mr Dennison and Mrs Stone, daughter of the late William Kigby, Esq., of Liverpool ; and the nuptials of Mr Humphrey Haines, the clever oculist, to Miss Jenny Isaacs, of Remuera, seemed also to elude my pen. They were shrouded in mystery. Various reports were about for weeks beforehand, and I was frequently told, in the strictest confidence, that the marriage had taken place that very day. The lady is a Jewess, the gentleman a Christian, hence the interesting question arose amongst the gossips—according to the rites of which church will the wedding be celebrated ’ But the gordian knot was cleverly cut, the question answered by a quiet, unpretentious ceremony at the Registrar’s office. But who was there ’ I know not. I was not asked, so can tell you nothing about it, save that the secrecy of the proceeding has caused more comment than the grandest wedding would have provoked. The Sunday preceding the visit to the Registrar was the occasion of a quiet social gathering of relatives and friends at the residence of the bridegroom’s brother, Dr. Haines, Albert Park. A meagre account of these festivities is all that has tickled the news-loving public ear. I fear you are tired of hearing about weddings, but as Cupid has left the young people and attacked those of riper years, I must »just mention this one. The bridegroom was Mr W. Edgecumbe, of Western Springs, who is over eighty years of age, and his bride Miss Turnbull, of the North Shore. The lady, who is about half his age, is a native of Scotland, though she has lived for some time in New Zealand. The Rev. R. F. Maenicol married them, and Mr King, of Queen-street, gave the bride to her husband. About a dozen friends proceeded after the ceremony to the Star Hotel, where an excellent breakfast was enjoyed. No honeymoon was arranged, the happy couple returning at once to the bridegroom’s home. This is the third matrimonial venture of Mr Edgecumbe. Mr F. Battley, Inspector of the Loan and Mercantile Company, has left us to pay a visit to England, Mrs Battley accompanying him. Ido not know what many good works connected with the Tabernacle will do without them, as both were always willing and able to help whenever required. Mrs Battley, especially, devoted much time and energy in a quiet, unassuming way to the V.W.C A., etc., etc. In all these efforts for the good of others she will be greatly missed. Her married daughter, Mrs C. Houghton, takes charge of the household at Mount Albert whilst her parents are away. I cannot refrain from a slight mention of the most un-summer-like rain, combined with tropical heat, which we have lately enjoyed. It even affected that worthy statesman, Sir George Grey, who spoke into the phonograph a message to the native chiefs of New Zealand at Wellington. The phonogram runs thus translated : * Auckland, February 14, 1891. Oh my friends, —My friend Mr Archibald is going hence to Wellington together with two friends. Be sure and treat them with great kindness. They wish to behold all the beauties of New Zealand. Let them be very kindly treated by you. This is all, from your loving friend, George Grey.’ Of course the translators may be at fault, but to me it sounds like a milk-and-water message, the rain having assisted to largely dilute it. One can scarcely call it the cream of the veteran’s speeches. I told you a few minutes ago that weddings were on the decrease. I was wrong. The epidemic is not over, for Miss Leighton’s marriage has yet to be described, but you shall have that next week. I will conclude for the present with a few pretty street dresses. Mrs Clark, of St. Helier’s Bay, is wearing a stylish blue serge, open jacket, white vest, sailor hat; Miss Dunnett, figured blue costume, white hat; Mrs John Chambers, handsome black dress, lace mantle; Miss Chambers, pretty pink gown, very pale shade, sailor hat with a white ribbon. Mrs Duncan E. Clerk (nte Miss Madge Bruce) who, with her husband, has come from Sydney, is wearing a dainty brown costume. Mrs J. May, white bodice, black skirt. In my next letter I shall have something to say about

• Fun on the Bristol.’

Muriel.