AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 11, 14 March 1891, Page 10

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, March 3. Lady Onslow’s receptionat Government House was -a most successful and charming affair. I believe that fully five hundred ladies and gentlemen availed themselves of this opportunity of testifying their loyalty to Her Majesty through her representatives in Auckland, for I am sure the ladies look upon the Governor’s wife as quite as important a personage as himself. Her Excellency has such pleasant, unaffectedly gracious manners that she put all those who had the honour of a few minutes’ conversation with her immediately at their ease. The large drawing-room was prettily decorated with flowers, whilst in the dining-room opposite, several tables accommodated tea and coffee, with variations in confectionery, beautiful grapes, with stronger beverages for the tea-scorning male element. Shortly after four o’clock the Countess entered the reception-room, and greeted cordially those visitors who had already assembled. His Excellency the Governor, Mr Walrond and Captain Guthrie were with Lady Onslow, and exerted themselves to find topics of conversation interesting to the diverse company, which speedily filled the spacious room, and was presently drafted off to the dining-room to make havoc of the afternoon tea so liberally provided. Lady Onslow’s ostume was very tasteful and pretty, though simple. <• It •consisted of a gown of lavender blue trimmed with ficelle lace, high puffed sleeves, a dainty little bonnet tied under the chin with moss-green velvet strings completing a ■charming ioat ensemble. There were so very many ladies present, most of them strangers to me, and so many pretty gowns, that to describe them all is an absolutely impossible task. Therefore those ladies whose chic costumes do not appear will please accept this explanation. Now for a few dresses whose wearers happened to come within reach of my visual organs. Mrs F. Nelson George (Wapiti) was gowned in a very handsome brown dress with brocade trimming, pretty bonnet to match; Miss Effie Murdoch (Palmerston South), who is visiting her, wore a very pretty dress of sultan trimmed with white braided embroidery, floral hat; Mrs Napier was wearing one of the most elegant dresses of the afternoon, of a dainty cream with shell pink Howers contrasted with maroon plush ; Mrs Shera, claret costume handsomely beaded, bonnet with orangeostrich feather ; Mrs Tait, stylish black costume ; Mrs Masefield flowered dark crushed strawberry ; Mrs Roche, tasteful mauve and black t >ilette;MissJones(Sydney),greyishgown,brownsilksleeves, floral toque with scarlet poppies; Miss Shirley Baker, pretty cream costume ; Mrs Martin, black ; Miss Martin, all white ; Mrs Allan Kerr Taylor, mourning toilette ; her daughters were in white with black ribbons ; Mrs Gascoigne, blaclc silk and black lace ; Mrs I. Coates, green dress, crushed strawberry ribbons in her bonnet; Mrs G. Chambers Taylor, handsome black costume ; her sister, Miss White, pretty lilac dress, bonnet to correspond ; Miss Jessie Taylor, all white ; Miss Louie Taylor, flowered delaine with moss green velvet ribbon trimmings ; Mrs Mahoney, very pretty flowered heliotrope trimmed with velvet of the same shade ; Mrs J. M. Alexander, very pale grey striped poplin dress, becoming bonnet of two shades electric blue and forget-me nots ; Mrs W. Rattray, stone-coloured and blue-spotted silk, cream hat with narrow black velvet; Mrs Charles Hesketh, stylish black costume ; Miss Binney, pansy flowered delaine ; Mrs Houghton, pretty navy blue with velvet trimmings, white feathered-bonnet; Mrs F. Ireland, very handsome lace-pannelled costume, black bonnet relieved with grey; Miss Ireland, pretty rose-coloured gown with white braided work trimming, white ostrich plumed hat; Miss Battley, cream dress with Roman striped sleeves cream hat; Miss Bartley, olive green with shot silk trimming; Mrs Tewsley, navy blue; Mrs Pritt, black, white in her bonnet; Mrs Williams, black ; Mrs Upton, whom 1 ought to have mentioned liefore as she is the mayoress, only 1 am writing just as I recall the dresses, wore a handsome black silk ; tier daughter, a pretty grey costume ; Miss Devore, claret-coloured costume ; Miss Clayton, pink ; Mrs Goodhue was dressed in a gown of bright flowers on a black ground ; Miss Stevenson, French grey cashmere, dark jacket, grey feathered hat to match ; Mrs Howard Keep, stylish tailor-made black cloth costume ; Miss Chambers, white ; Mrs John Reid, China blue, with silver braid zouave trimming, becoming cream bonnet; Mrs Cremonini, rose, with black braided zouave trimming; Mrs Dixon, black ; Miss Dixon, Yokohamacostume; Mrs Brigham, very stylishly made black watered silk ; her daughter was garmented in pretty lilac with what the boys call * black fixings ;’ Mrs Tebbs, black silky diess with tiny coloured flowers all over it, trimmed with black ribbon-velvet, white bonnet ; Mrs Bourne, navy blue costume with white spots ; Mrs S. Hesketh, grey, black bonnet, a crimson rose relieving it; Mrs A. Buckland, silver-grey ; Mrs Ching, sage-green and

white lace (a pretty dress) ; Mrs C. M. Nelson, light navy costume ; Mrs Dudley, black, lace mantle, white Howers in her bonnet; Mrs ('otter wore, as she always does, a strikingly handsome dress. The little Ladies Gwendoline and Dorothy put in an appearance about five o’clock, dressed in dainty white frocks, with large Leghorn hats trimmed with ostrich feathers. They made their way at once to Lady Onslow’s side and answered prettily, though shyly, when spoken to. Lord Hiua was not present, which some babyworshipping mothers regretted. At least he had not come in when we left. Mrs Motion (Western Spring’s Lodge) gave a very pleasant little ‘at home ’ the other afternoon to bid farewell to Mrs Carey Hill, who is returning to Christchurch. Mrs Motion was wearing a pretty brown and white flowered dress ; Mrs McArthur (Upper Queen-street), blue flowered costume; Mrs F. Ireland, handsome shot silk ; Mrs Joseland (Sydney), flowered delaine, bronze silk sleeves ; Mi's Hill, black, relieved by a eream flowered bonnet; Mrs Greenwood, handsome surah silk, white bonnet; Mrs Upton, black silk. Several of those present appear in the list of names in Lady Onslow’s reception, so I will not repeat them. A charming afternoon tea was provided, Mr Motion’s beautiful grapes being an important feature. The Sheridan Company are now performing the burlesque of * Little Black-Eyed Susan ’ at the Opera House to large audiences. The piece is prettily staged, the music throughout excellent, and the local allusions occasionally exceedingly amusing. Altogether I liked the performance much better than ‘Fun on the Bristol.' The night I was present evening dress in the circle was conspicuous only by its absence. Mrs Blair wore a handsome black silk gown tastefully trimmed with jet, grey gloves ; Mrs Ross, prettygobelin blue gown ; Miss Connolly, white gown tastefully trimmed with embroidery; Mrs White, pretty grey silkgown; Miss Scott, reseda green gown, the bodice prettily braided ; Miss Henderson, stylish flowered delaine gown trimmed with bands of moss green ribbon velvet; Miss Reid, pretty silvergrey gown trimmed with ribbon velvet to match ; Miss Young, pretty white costume trimmed with fine embroidery ; Miss Lynch, black silk and lace gown ; Miss Owen, pretty pale pink flowered costume ; her younger sister wore white with pale blue sash ; Mrs Hanna, black silk costume ; Mrs Austin, black silk costume; Mrs Cameron wine-coloured merveillevx gown ; her little daughter wore a pretty pale blue frock ; Mrs Weston, pretty heliotrope gown ; Mrs H. R. Brown, black silk costume; Miss Hill, pale green costume ; her sister wore white ; Miss Harris, crfime embroidered costume, the waist encircled with a sash of pale green silk ; Miss Graham, all white costume ; Mrs Lewis, black silk.

Great interest was manifested at the pretty marine suburb of North Shore in the nuptials of Miss Bartley and Mr Frank Ernest Mason. The families to which the young couple belong are well known and respected residents of the Shore, and long before the hour fixed for the ceremony (halfpast three) Holy Trinity Church was crowded to the doors with friends and interested spectators. The altar was tastefully decorated with flowers, and a pretty archway of flowers and evergreens was placed at the foot of the aisle. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. Bates, the service being choral. The bride, who was given away by her father, Mr E. Bartley, wore a handsome gown of ivory white Indian silk made with long train ; the front of the skirt was perfectly plain with the exception of three tiny frills at the foot. She also wore the usual wreath of orange blossoms and long tulle veil, and carried a very beautiful bouquet of pure white blossoms and delicate ferns and greenery. The bridesmaids, four in number, were the Misses Mason (2), sisters of the bridegroom, and Bartley, sisters of the bride. The first couple wore pretty creme costumes with long loops of heliotrope ribbon from the shoulder, and the other couple tasteful heliotrope gowns.Each maid wore a spray of flowers in the hair, and each carried a handsome bouquet of flowers. The groomsmen were Messrs Whitaker (best man), Alf. Bartley, Theo. Queree, and Bartley. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Rev. J. Bates presented the bride with a handsome family Bible from the vestrymen of Holy Trinity Charch in recognition of her long and valuable services in connection with the musical portion of the service. Mr and Mrs Bartley gave a large and very enjoyable party in honour of the event, dancing being kept up until long after midnight. On the following evening a children’s party was given, the hours passing most pleasantly with dancing, music and games. I understand the marriage of Miss Challis, of Parnell, to a son of Judge Munro takes place shortly. Mrs Edward Cooper gave a children’s party at her residence, Hamilton Road, Ponsonby, in honour of her little daughter Evelyn’s seventh birthday. Upwards of forty little guests were present, and the afternoon was spent most enjoyably. Tea was served on the lawn, a few lady friends assisting Mrs Cooper in entertaining and amusing the children.

Mr W. Simms, ledger-keeper at the Bank of New Zealand, left by the s.s. Manapouri for Christchurch for the purpose of entering the holy state of matrimony, his brideelect being a resident of that city. Prior to his departure the employes in the bank presented him with a very chaste and handsome silver tea-urn bearing a suitable inscription. Mr Hobart, assistant accountant, in making the presentation, referred in complimentary terms to the high esteem and regard in which the recipient was held by his fellow employes, and expressed the wish that the new life he was about to enter upon would be one of the utmost happiness and prosperity. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lady Onslow, who wore a stylish blue flowered silk gown and dainty little bonnet, Mr Fuller, an English gentleman, and His Worship the Mayor, Mr Upton, paid a visit'to the

Truant School, Albert street. Mr Burlinson, head-master, put the children through a number of exercises, and the distinguished visitors expressed themselves highly pleased with the good order and discipline maintained, ana also with the general conduct of the children. The school, as you are aware, is the only one of the kind in the colonies, the pupils being the little waifs and strays gathered from the streets, who are through the kindness and firmness of their teachers educated and trained so that they may become respected members of the community. Before leaving His Excellency kindly invited the children to tea at Government House, stipulating that only those who attended school regularly until the date would be allowed to be present. In consequence the sevices of the truant officer are not now required, for not only do the children attend regularly, but the backsliders and incorrigibles have also returned, so that the school is at present full to overflowing. The 2nd of April is the date fixed for the Citizens’ Ball. What to wear is the question now agitating feminine minds. One dressmaking firm, I hear, have already received orders for upwards of thirty new gowns. The Northern Club also purpose giving a ball to the Governor and Lady Onslow. Admiral Lord Charles Scott, Lady Scott, and family, and the vessels comprising the Squadron have also arrived, so that the next month or two promises to be exceptionally gay and lively. Lord Onslow has consented to open the Society of Arts Exhibition when the usual conversazione will be held. Ere closing I must describe a few pretty gowns I have seen lately. Mrs Coom, stylish black silk and lace gown, dainty little chip bonnet trimmed with ribbon ; Mrs Tapper, stylish gown of * blue and sixpences,’ the bodice finished with Directoire frilling, black lace hat; Mrs Schappe, black silk gown trimmed with ribbon velvet, grey hat trimmed with ostrich feathers to match ; Mrs Haworth, dark blue gown flowered with white, biscuit-colouied bonnet ; Miss Fenton, pretty biscuit-coloured gown, gem hat; Mrs Best, creme gown trimmed with moss green ribbon, hat to correspond.

Muriel.