DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 36, 12 September 1891, Page 369

DUNEDIN.

(Delayed in transmission.) Dear Bee, August 19. The weather here is beautiful just now, and all the rooms are growing sweet with spring Howers. The deeorations are looking lovely. I saw a table the other day that looked so pretty. A strip of Liberty silk ran down the centre the colour of a violet leaf, and all the Howers on the table were violets. Mrs Royse’s table, at a luncheon party she gave the other day, also looked remarkably well. The table was uncommonly unique, being decorated with moss, and small bunches of primroses and violets, tied with narrow white ribbon, placed here and there among the moss. Among the guests were Mesdames Driver, Webster, C. Turnbull, Gillies, Mackerras, Fotheringham, Gibson, Denniston, Cargill, Boyd, and Dymock. The last evening of the Ladies’ Savage or ‘ Kahanga Club ’ was held at Mrs Colquhon’s, Mrs Davidson being president for the evening. A capital programme was provided by the latter, the musical contributions including a piano solo, vocal trio, double quartette, and vocal solo, some of the ladies taking part in them being Mesdames R. Turnbull, Rose, Williams, De Zouche, Pim, Monkman, and the Misses M. Williams, Sievwright, and Dick. Other items on the programme were readings by Misses Dick and S. Webster, and Mrs Davidson ; recitations, Miss M. Cargill ; and a well-acted comedietta by Misses Hodgkins, Tubecki, and G. Rattray. There was a large gathering, among whom were Mesdames MacKenzie, Sinclair, Thompson, Rattray, Melland, Biidges, Ferguson, C. Turnbull, Bathgate, G. Denniston, and Misses Spence, Sise, and many other familiar names. The gentlemen Savages have promised us an evening before long, the fultilnient of which promise we are eagerly looking forward to, as they always treat us well. A little later on their season is to be closed with a supper, to which, I believe, we are all to be invited. This is generous, for generally the gentlemen reserve the suppers for themselves. The University Students gave a most enjoyable social, and although they met early, because being Saturday night, they had to break up early, the evening just flew away. Many enjoyable musical items were given, then the floor was cleared for dancing, which pleasant pastime was indulged in most heartily. I must not forget to tell you of a nice afternoon tea which Mrs Stanford gave lately. There we>e present Mesdames Williams, Buller, Batchelor, Pim, W. Cargill, and the Misses Reynolds. I have noticed among pretty street dresses Mrs Melland wearing a pretty grey costume, the black underskii t, collar, and cuffs of which are richly braided with gold. The Juvenile Opera Company have left us after a very successful season. As the nights passed the clever little folks grew in favour, and the last two nights when ‘ The Pirates ’ was produced the house was literally packed upstairs and down. The children looked so pretty in their pirate costumes. In the first act Major-general Stanley’s numerous family of girls all carried different coloured sunshades where down by the sea they paddle. Miss Lily Everett wore cream nun’s veiling edged with ruching, and a broad pink sash tied high up under the arms, and pocket all complete, reminding one of the picture ‘ Quite Ready,’ even to the bonnet. Miss Lily Stephenson, a delicate pink nun’s veiling with pale green sash, and red silk umbrella and large white hat. I thought they would look remarkably well at a fancy dress ball. In the circle Miss Hales looked nice in pink, and Mrs Hales in handsome black lace ; Mrs Rose also wore black ; Miss McNeil white. In my next letter I shall have the ladies’ evening of the Shakespeare Club to tell you of, a dance, and various other things. We are not wildly gay. There is just enough excitement to prevent us going to sleep, and no more. Several good concerts have intervened since my last letter, one given by the Catholic Literary Society in aid of their poor. This was held in the City Hall, which comes next in size to the Garrison, and which was crowded in every part. The sister of Miss Rose Blaney—Miss Kate Blaney—attracted a good deal of attention by her singing. Miss Morrison was also in splendid voice. The second concert was in aid of the Alhambra Football Club, and was also a success, and held, if I remember rightly, in the same hall. I was not present, as the opera proved the greater attraction, perhaps because one was certain of meeting one’s friends there. A chat between the acts is half the pleasure of an entertainment, as the chat behind the scenes is more than half the pleasure to the performers. Those who went to the concert say that it was an excellent one. Among the vocalists were Mr A. F. Joe), Miss Rose Blaney, Mrs Israel, whose sweet voice I so

much admire, Mr Jago, Mr W. F. Young, Mr Charles Umbers, Mr W. J. MacLaughlin, Mr Marsden, and Mrs Williams. Mr A. C. Hanlon recited very acceptably, ‘ The Progress of Madness,' and Mr T. Chapman’s cornet solo was much admired. Mr A. Vallis acted as accompanist throughout the evening. At the Princess Theatre * Macbeth ’ was produced by the Amateur company that performed it before. It was a benefit to Mr W. G. Carey and Miss Carey, members of the Standard Dramatic Company, which have been so unfortunate in their venture. The 7 imcs, you may remember criticized this performance very unfavourably upon the first production by the amateurs, and although much praise was in this instance given to Mr Carey who played Macbeth, and to Miss Carey, who played Lady Macbeth, the others did not get much praise. However, their object was a worthy one, and deserves commendation in itself. The football match between Wellington and Otago resulted, as you know, in a victory for Otago. In the afternoon, which had been declared a half-holiday in honour of the occasion, the streets were lined soon after two by a stream of people wending their way to the Caledonian Grounds, which before the commencement of the game presented a most animated appearance. The stand, too, was crowded with ladies, and the utmost interest was manifested in the game. I hope the hearty welcome accorded to our visitors consoled them somewhat for the loss of the game. Maude.

Dear Bee, August 25. We have had a glorious rain. For several days it poured in torrents, and now from every tree the birds are singing, and in the gardens the spring flowers are sweet. I have been viewing the fashions, and find that the checks, which have so long been all the rage, are no longer to hold their place : in fact, they have almost died from the summer materials, being only plainly outlined where they exist at all. Fine stripes will be worn, and upon exquisitely tinted beiges, in fawns and greys, or pale sage greens, flowers of chenille, or in fine braid, are worn. The self ■ coloured materials, too, will be very much in vogue, and in all materials the colours are of the most delicate tints. Unless big efforts are made against innovation we shall lose our comfortable plain skirts. Already the bottom is fiilled, and the fashion plates leveal the new skirts a little draped, and in some instances caught up on one side with a cluster of ribbons. The last meeting of the Ladies’ Savage Club was held at Mrs Henry Mackenzie's. Every third evening is a guest’s evening, when a more than usually attractive programme is prepared, ami as this was an invitation night, the evening was charmingly arranged and carried through. At one end of the room a small stage was erected, and beautifully decorated with greenery, among which gleamed Chinese lamps. Upon this twelve ladies represented the twelve different months and the four seasons of the year. They were appropriately attired, and made quite effective pictures, each reciting verses suitable to their part. The following ladies took part:—Mrs Mackenzie, Misses Cargill, Williams, Spence, Sievwright, Rattray (2), McLaren (3), Roberts, and Gaulter. Mrs Petre played appropriate music throughout. Another item quite a contrast, and one which caused a good deal of amusement, was a Toy Symphony, performed by a choir in uniform. Mrs De Zouche sang very nicely, and Mrs Sise showed how to make a delicious fruit salad. I was almost forgetting to tell you of the pretty scenery that was painted by Mrs Davidson, and the exquisitely-painted programmes by Miss Hodgkins. The Club journal contains advertisements recommending charwomen, sewing women, governesses, etc., useful recipes, and so on, as well as short articles, all of which are sent in unsigned. About seventy guests were present, among whom were Mesdames Boyd, Batchelor, Webster, Rattray, Belcher, Ferguson, Hosking. Colquhon, Galaway, Misses Dick, Stanford, Reynolds, Fulton, Hodgkins, Stephenson, and many others. Mrs Mackenzie, the following day, gave a small and delightful evening to the young ladies who had taken part. Mrs Perston gave a large afternoon tea, to which were invited Mrs Rhind (Christchurch), as the entertained guest, and Mesdames Dymock, E. C. Reynolds, France (Wellington), Fenwick, Garratt, Smith, Stephenson, and Menlove. This was quite a gala day, for as it happened, there were upon that evening, two dances, and the Ladies' evening of the Shakespeare Club, ft does not often happen so, as sometimes we are weeks together without anything so nice. I must tell yon aliout Mrs MacNeil’s dance first, which she gave at her residence at Mornington, the rooms of which were beautifully decorated with flowers. The hostess received her guests in a rich green merveilleux gown ; Miss Roberts wore a pretty old rose silk with white chiffon frills : Miss Garratt, very pretty dress of salmon pink muslin ; Miss Livingston, cream surah silk ; Miss Farquhar, cream merveilleux, with sprays of cream roses, Miss L. Mackerras, white net over white silk ; Miss Butterworth, a pretty soft pink silk trimmed with lace ; Miss Reynolds, crushed strawberry brocade ; Miss B. Scott, black silk grenadine; Miss Stephenson looked nice in white satin veiled in lace, and ornamented with white lilac ; Miss Tui Stephenson in black fisherman’s net; Miss Menlove (Oamaru), lovely dress of white silk gauze, with white heath. Mrs Moore and Mrs Pinch, both daughters of the house looked very nice. Mrs Moore wore yellow silk covered with embroidered lisse; Mrs Finch, rich white silk, with Medici collar, and long train ; Miss Mac Neil, a lovely dress of black merveilleux with cream roses; Miss L. McLaren, in white figured llama; Mies Ethel MacLaren, white Liberty silk with white roses round the skirt; Miss G. Rattray, cream satin covered

with brown tulle ; Miss Alexander, white satin and silver girdle; Miss Williams, pale blue satin covered with blue fisherman's net; Miss Gilkerson, red velvet and poppies ; Miss Sise, white figured satin ; and Miss Spence, white Liberty silk. The members of the * Jahn Club ’ gave another of their delightful dances, which was held the same evening in St. Paul’s Schoolroom. In spite of the number who were elsewhere, there was quite a large assembly, and as gentlemen were not in the minority, the ladies bail a good time of it. Conspicuous by their unifoim were some ot the midshipmen from the ships Waipa and Jessie Read man now in poiU The Committee of the Club are to be congratulated, for they showed untiling zeal in their efforts to make the dance what it was—an unqualified success. Among those present were Mesdames Scott and Turner, and Misses Fodor, Pollon, Hardy, Wise, Muir, Nixon, Mitchell, Grant, Holland, and Inglis. Miss Fodor looked very pretty in pale green with pink roses ; Miss Gregg wore black net, with velvet bodice finished with net; Miss Wilson wore a very pretty dress of soft white silk trimmed with a shade of terra-cotta ; Miss M. Longford, a pretty terra-cotta Liberty silk ; Miss Eliott, white Indian muslin.

Also the ladies* evening of the Shakespeare Club came off. It proved to be as enjoyable as usual, the Choral Hall being well filled. The proceedings opened by the president, Mr A. Wilson, M.A., giving one of his most interesting addresses, through which little gems of Shakespearian know - ledge are always to be gleaned. The readings of the club were from ‘ Richard 11.,’ and • Much Ado About Nothing,’ and as a whole they were very successful, manifesting many evidences of careful study. Mr Joel gave a very nice reading of Richard 11. ; Mr Calvert gave a spirited rendering of the part of Bolingbroke; Mr Hanlon was dramatic as John of Gaunt; the Rev. W. Yorke gave a careful reading of the parts of York and Salisbury ; while the minor characters were well represented by Messrs Sedger, Borrows, Stephens, and Adame. Miss de Carle was most successful as the Queen, dignity and grief being well depicted. In the selection from * Much Ado About Nothing,’ the members proved they could appreciate humour. The reading went with spirit and dash, and provoked frequent bursts of applause. Mr Whitson was in his element as Benedick. Not a point was missed. Mr Stephens’ Claudio was a clever piece of character-reading ; Mr Pasco made a capital Don Pedro ; Mr Fulton gave an excellent reading of the part of Leonato, as did Mr Adams of the Messenger ; Miss White made a spirited Beatrice, and the little Miss de Carle had to do as Hero she did well ; Miss Gordon in the small part of Ursula read with good expression. The musical items were much enjoyed, Miss West and Herr Wincklemann both contributing.

Maude.