AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 26, 27 June 1891, Page 110

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, June 16. I quite forgot in my last epistle to give you a description of a fashionable and interesting wedding which had just taken place in the pretty little church of St. Mary’s-by-the Sea, Long Bay. The fair bride was Annie, third daughter of Captain Cholmondeley Smith, of Glen Var, and the bridegroom Mr Seymour Sowerby, second son of Mr Thomas Sowerby, late of Withcall Hall, Lincolnshire, England. The church was very tastefully decorated for the auspicious event, and long before the time fixed for the ceremony was crowded with the invited guests (a number of whom had come from town) and friends of the young couple. The nuptials were rendered all the more interesting from the fact that it was the first marriage performed in the new church by special license from the Bishop, and also the first marriage in the district. The bride was given away by her father, her two sisters, the Misses Kate ami M. Smith, attending her in the capacity of bridesmaids, Mr Alfred E. A. Smith acting as best man. The ceremony was performed by the incumbent, the Rev. E. W. Cross, A. K.C.L., the service bein<» choral. Mr J. A. Beale presided at the organ, and at the close of the service performed the ‘ Wedding March ’ splendidly. A reception was afterwards held at Glen Var. After receiving the congratulations of their many friends, the newly-wedded couple left for the Lake Hotel, where the honeymoon will be spent. A pianoforte recital of unusual excellence was given in the City Hall by Mr Leon Driver, a gentleman from Melbourne, but whom, I understand, originally belonged to Auckland, assisted by some of our best local amateurs. Mr Driver came with a high reputation asaskiiful and brilliant pianist, a reputation which he fully sustained. He played entirely from memory. The selections on the programme were ‘Il Trovatore ’ (Abbe Liszt), Chopin’s ‘ Polonaise in A,’ Rhapsodic Hongroise No. 11’ (Liszt), ‘ Pagainni Study’ (Liszt), and a brilliant descriptive piece, entitled, ‘A Storm at Sea,’ composed by Mr Driver himself. An enthusiastic encore was accorded the talented performer upon each occasion he appeared, which was most graciously complied with. The programme also included songsby Mrs Kilgour, Missßimmer, Mr T M. Jackson, and Mr George Reid. Mr S. Jackson played a clarionet solo, and Miss Freda Marsden a violin solo. Duets were also given by Mrs Kilgour and Miss Rimmer, and Messrs T. M. Jackson and Reid. Most of the performers were obliged to comply with the encores with which they were favoured, thus making the programme very lengthy. The night was very eold, and the majority of ladies wore thick wraps. Indeed, evening dress was almost conspicuous by its absence, at least, amongst the audience. Mrs Kilgour wore a lovely trained gown of pink satin, the low bodice finished with white lace ; Miss Rimmer wore a blaek evening dress relieved with pink ; Miss Marsden, white, with old-gold shoulder knots ; Mrs I pion, black costume, crimson plush bonnet ; Miss I'pton, blaek costume, hat to match ; Mrs (Dr.) Hooper, black silk gown, crimson bonnet ; Mrs Chapman, black costume; Miss Johnstone, pretty grey gown trimmed with black velvet; Mrs A. Littler, blaek silk gown, crimson plush opera cloak ; Mrs Tewsley, crimson gown handsomely braided with black ; Miss Goodall, black and white check gown ; Miss Dunnet, all black costume ; Mrs Varnoin, blaek velvet costume; Miss Knight, dark gown, plush jacket; Miss Taylor, black. The Ponsonby Social I nion held another of their sociable dances, which was largely attended. Mrs C. Campbell wore a handsome gown of dove-grey corded silk, the V shaped neck ami short sleeves finished with ruffles of white chiffon; Mrs Rees, handsome blaek silk gown, gold ornaments ; Miss Bees, who made her debut, wore a simple ami dainty gown of white Indian silk, the skirt finished with narrow flounces of line white lace, white silk girdle ; Miss Culpan, pretty white net gown ; Sirs Bartlett, cream net and silk finished with ruby plush ; Mrs Morrin, black satin, with Mediei collar; Miss Morrin, white lace gown, pink sash ; Miss Maude, white ; Miss J. Edwards, pretty white cashmere gown with large silk sash ; Miss Billington, claret velvet evening dress ; Mrs Drummond, black evening dress, the low neck finished with black ostrich feather trimming ; Mrs Hanna, black silk am) lace gown relieved with maize-coloured flowers ; Mis W. Boak, salmon pink gauze ; Mrs Gentles, heliotrope, the V r shaped corsage prettily finished with white ostrich feathers; Miss Owen, black evening dress relieved with cardinal ; Mrs Kronfeldt, handsome green silk gown partly veiled with lace; Miss P. Cossar, pretty white cashmere gown; Mrs Cossar, black silk and lace gown ; Mrs Culpan, black, relieved with crimson flowers ; Mrs J. M. Luxon, blaek gown ; Mrs W. J. Geddis, pink net, with large silk sash ; Miss Browne, handsome cream surah silk evening dress; Miss Watkins, white relieved with pale blue. Others were present, but their names have escaped my memory. Dr. and Mrs Lewis have left on a vist to Australia. The doctor's patients will miss him greatly.

The Mascotte danee also took place on the same night as the Ponsonby social, and proved, I hear, extremely enjoyable. Hugo’s Buffalo Ministrels and Madame Cora, the hypnotist, have commenced their seasons at the Opera House and City Hall respectively. The weather was beautifully fine, and a large number of ladies journeyed out to Potter’s Paddock to witness the football match between Grafton and Gordon. The game was an interesting one, and resulted in a decisive victory for the former club. Mrs Masefield wore a handsome gown of black merveilleux trimmed with crushed strawberry silk, black bonnet, and fur-lined mantle ; Miss Evans was gowned in black cashmere trimmed with velvet, black hat ; Miss C. Lawford, stylish navy gown ; the jacket showed a facing of crimson, and opened over a white shirt front striped with red, red gem hat; Miss Firth wore it navy costume, and her sister, black trimmed with velvet, black hat, and stylish cloth jacket; Mrs E. Burton, skirt of fawn plaid tweed, seal plush jacket showing a crimson silk vest, black hat with feathers; her sister, Miss Speirs, wore a bluishgrey costume, and brown cloth jacket trimmed with astrachan to match ; Miss Masefield, sage green gown with sleeves of silk, black hat, and fur pelerine ; Miss Devore also wore green ; Miss Gittos, navy costume ; Miss Rees (Parnell), green silk gown flowered with white, plush jacket, and tiny fawn hat; her sister, Mrs H. B. Lusk, wore a prunecoloured gown and blaek felt hat; Miss Jervis, navy serge gown, the jacket trimmed with astrachan, small black hat ; Mrs Cotter, handsome navy gown with large brown spots, small navy and brown hat, stylish fur-lined cloak ; Mrs Thomas, (Remuera), stylish navy costume with Newmarket jacket, hat to match ; the Misses Russell, navy and dark green respectively ; Mrs Davy, dark brown costume, bonnet to match; Miss Edith Haliday wore a stylish and wellfitting navy gown, and light brown hat; Miss Gorrie, grey gown, large hat covered with feathers ; her sister wore a dark green gown, hat to match ; Miss Macindoe, stylish brown plaid tweed gown, gem hat. The Auckland Racing Club had the worst of weather for their winter meeting at Ellerslie, and I was surprised to see so many ladies present. Promenading on the lawn was simply out of the question, owing to the wet ground, and during the whole afternoon not more than half-a-dozen were brave enough to make the ventuie. There were several choice gowns worn, but the fair wearers being seated on the stand and covered with much-needed wraps and furs, proper descriptions of each could not be obtained. Tailor-made costumes of navy blue serge with gold braid trimmings are evidently in favour this season, for a great number were worn, while dark green seems to be another favourite colour. We had such a splendid day for the meet last week, and I must really tell you a little about it. The rendezvous was Gray’s farm, about four miles from Otahuhu. Hounds and hunters mustered well. We stai ted four hares during the day, and each time enjoyed an excellent run. Most of the jumps were over scoria walls. The riders who followed were: Mrs Bloomfield, mounted on Dan, a fine big horse belonging to Mr E. O’Rorke; Miss Kerr-Taylor, who attracted a good deal of attention as she was riding Premier, hitherto only known as a Hat-racer. This was his first appearance in a hunting-field, and the graceful rider was cheered for the plucky way in which she took him over all the walls, not one being objected to. It looked much prettier than playing football. Miss Garrett came to grief at one wall, her steed calmly leaving her behind, whilst he went for a run on his own account. After he was caught the young lady bravely remounted, and continued her jumping. I noticed Mr Kelly upon his usual charger, Play Boy, who never refuses a jump, though, I am sorry to say, the horse caught his foot on a barbed wire, and threw his lider ; Mr Kay, on Young Brien-o’-Lynn, a chestnut, splendid jumper; Mr V. KerrTaylor on Tairoa, a well-known jumper. These three gentlemen jumped everything, their horses being noted for their prowess in this line. Mr Kettelwell on Don ;Mr Gilmore on Tomato, who, I am sorry to say, made his rider into tomato sauce by throwing him off at a jump, and dragging him for a few yards. His horse then ran away, but somebody kindly came to his assistance, and caught Tomato. Mr Sinclair upon Sambo, who, at the close of the hunt, threw his rider and disappeared, and could not be found. The owner then had to borrow a horse from one of the neighbours to give chase. He found Sambo after an hour’s hunt down in a swamp. Mr D. Tonks on Odd Trick, also a splendid jumper ; Mr Bloomfield on the steeplechaser, Highland Laddie. There were many others following. Those whom I observed were Messrs Percival, Garrett, T. McLaughlin, etc. Amongst those looking on I saw Mr McLaughlin on Sir G. Grey. The reason why he did not jump, 1 expect, was he was afraid to damage the " Grand Old Man.' Miss M. Kerr-Taylor, who was riding Kingfisher, only looked on this time.

Mrs (Major) George and her sister, Miss McGlashan, gave a large girl’s afternoon tea at their residence, Wapiti, Epsom. It was a farewell tea to Miss Murdoch, who has been staying with Mrs George for some months. She has returned to Palmerston South much the better for her visit to our lovely city. Her sister, Mrs Sutton, was to have come up last month, but she has not yet appeared. Amongst those present I noticed Misses Buck (2), Kilgour, Russell, Colbeck, Gordon, Kerr-Taylor (2), Mair, Anderson, Suttie, Banks, Kaddell, etc.

I hope to give you a full description next week of a capital entertainment at St. Sepulchre’s Hall in connection with the Auckland Lawn Tennis Club, they having very politely sent me an invitation. A very successful dance was given in the Remueia Hall to farewell Mr Tracy A. Moresby, who is leaving for Wel-

lington, having been transferred thither by a beneficent Government. It was a most enjoyable affair, and Mr Moresby must have felt a considerable amount of pride to see the number of friends who came to do him honour. He has made himself exceedingly popular in Auckland since his arrival from England some six or seven years ago, and will be considerably missed. The dance itself was all that tie heart of girls or men could desire. The floor was good, the music excellent, and the supper all that could be desired. There were about an equal number of frocks and swallow tails, so that the dancing was always spirited. Nearly all the Remuera clique were present, and large contingents from Ponsonby, Epsom, Parnell, and, of course, the men from town.

Muriel.