AUCKLAND

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 36, 12 September 1891, Page 371

AUCKLAND

Dear Bee, September 1. One of the most delightful dances of the season took place at Lower Glenside, Symond- street, when Mrs Young entertained herpupils, past and present, together with a number of friends. Mrs Young’s dances are long looked forward to, with anticipations of the utmost pleasure by her young friends, and I think the bright eyes, and unwearied happy faces of the girls up to the very close of the evening sufficiently proclaimed that every anticipation had been fully realised. There is no doubt that seeing young people dancing in the full enjoyment of health and strength before they have grown tired with a continual whirl of everyday excitement is beholding the very quintessence of pleasure. Mrs Young is such a charming hostess, and with the Misses Hall, Gill, and Bews to assist so ably as they did, everyone shared the same attention. The great success of the evening was also due to the young ladies of the school, for all worked with a will in decorating, etc. A special word of praise is due to the Misses A. Binney and O. Kelsey for the daintily-designed programmes prepared by them with pretty painted scenes and pen and ink stretches. Ishall keep mine as acharming memento of the evening. The large verandah was covered in with canvas, and lit with different coloured lights,and proved adehghtful promenade. The supper—well, it was perfect. The little ones left about ten. They all looked pretty, and danced most beautifully, thanks to the careful training bestowed upon them by their clever instructress, Miss Scott. To choose a belle from amongst the elder young ladies would be impossible, for all looked equally nice. Mrs Young wore a handsome black lace gown ; Miss Hall and Miss Gill both wore tasteful black evening gowns ; Miss Bews was in cream and Miss Bradley also wore cream ; Miss Power, mauve satin gown ; Miss Ching, pretty pale green gown ; Miss Ireland looked well in a tasteful blue gown ; Misses Hesketh (3), very pretty pink, cream, and maroon costumes ; Miss Alexander, a charming dress of crushed strawberry Liberty silk and cream sash ; Miss S. Alexander, pretty cream dress with old-gold sash ; the Misses Moss-Davis wore very pretty and simple delaine dresses; Miss Marley, lovely dress of white chiffon ; Miss Heise, pretty white silk gown : Miss Henton looked nice in heliotrope ; Miss C. Hull, a simple and dainty frock of white silk ; Miss R. Buckland, pretty blue and white frock ; Miss Percival, very pretty dress of white fish net; Miss Jagger, pretty pink dress ; Miss E. Brett also wore a very pretty pink dress. Indeed pink seemed the prevailing colour in its many different’ shades, but I cannot remember the names of all the wearers. Miss Gilfillan, very becoming white dress ; Miss Cameron, pretty cream dress ; Miss Jackson, sage green relieved with pink ; Miss Thompson, white dress; Miss Pearce also wore a pretty white dress ; Miss Brett, very pretty pink gown ; Miss Haliday looked pretty in white and large blue silk sash ; Miss Reeve wore a becoming pink gown ; Miss Neville, pretty combination of pink and cream ; the Misses George looked exceedingly pretty in white. A great many other equally handsome gowns were worn, but the names of some of the wearers I have forgotten, and others were unknown to me, therefore you must excuse me. Most of the young ladies carried lovely bouquets, many of them most artistically arranged. Gne I especially admired was of immense size, and composed entirely of violets. There were sixteen dances on the programme, and three extras played by the Misses Bews, Scott, and Mr Gill. The Choral Society Orchestra inaugurated their season of Orchestral Concerts in a most successful manner, their extra or exhibition concert being in every respect a pronounced success. Invitations were issued by the Committee of the Choral Society to the whole of the members, and in response the Choral Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity with a fashionable assemblage. The pleasurable anticipations with which the concert was looked forward to were fully realized, the evening being a most enjoyable one. The programme was a really splendid one, and included in addition to the orchestral pieces a number of excellent vocal selections. A full attendance of the members of the orchestra werepresentunderthe leadershipof HerrTutschka. Professor Carl Schmitt, as usual, conducted with power and ability. The orchestral selections included the overture ‘ Marta ’ (Flotow’s Potpourri); ‘Faust’ (Gounod), arranged by Herr Tutschka ; overture, ‘Merry Wives of Windsor’ (Nicolai), and Mozart’s ‘ March Turque.’ The whole of the selections were delightfully rendered, and most highly appreciated by the audience. One of the successes of the evening was Miss Ada Yates’ brilliant pianoforte selection, ‘ Concerstiick,’ with orchestral accompaniment. Miss Annie Stevenson charmed everyone with her violin solo ‘ Romance ’ (Vieuxtemps). Another delightful item was Mr F. Gribben’s trumpet solo with orchestral accompaniment, Sullivan’s ‘ Lost Chord ’ being most beautifully rendered. The gems of the vocal items were certainly contributed by Miss Rimmer, who was down upon the programme for two selections, both being most enthusiastically encored. The first was Gounod’s beautiful ‘ Ave Maria,’ with violin and organ obligato by Herr Tutschka and Mr Beale. In the second part the lady gave ‘ The Star of Bethlehem ’ (Adams), and in response to the encore, ‘ There’s No One Like Mother To Me.’ Miss Staunton gave the aria, ‘La Gazza Ladra’ (Rossini), very tastefully. Mr George Reid was also most successful with his solo, ‘ Good Night, Fair Maid ’ (Stark), the organ accompaniment by Mr Beale. The Orpheus Quartette —Messrs W. Martin, A. L. Edwards, Hamerton, and Charter—gave three quartettes most pleasingly. A quartette by the Misses Moran and Reeve, and Messrs Martin and Hamerton was moderately successful. Miss Harding acted as accompanist most successfully. Miss Harding, Miss Stevenson, and Miss Reeve wore black evening dresses, also Miss Marsden ; Miss Rimmer wore a cream gown, with bands of black velvet. Miss Moran was in white, also Miss Yates, Miss Staunton wore cream satin. Amongst the audience evening dress was not generally worn, the majority appearing in dark gowns. Mrs W. Coleman wore a stylish long crimson cloak, the yoke beautifully braided, and Medici collar lined with black feather trimming, Mrs Myers wore handsome black merveilleux gown, Mrs Cotter was in black, also Mrs Stevenson ; Mrs Johnstone, handsome black merveilleux gown ; Miss Johnstone wore a pretty pink evening dress, and plush opera cloak: Miss — Johnstone wore a black evening gown; Miss Gould looked nice in a black evening dress trimmed with jet; Miss Chapman wore a handsome cream gown ; Miss Devore, black evening dress, the low corsage finished with

natural (lowers ; Mrs Edmiston, handsome black silk gown, plush mantle ; Miss Owen, cream Liberty silk gown (very pretty); Miss Binney. handsome black evening dress, stylish crimson cloak ; Miss Fenton, black evening dress beautifully trimmed with jet; Mr« George, black silk gown ; Mrs Edger, handsome gown of wine-coloured watered silk, elbow tan kid cloves; Mrs J. Edmiston wore a dark gown, and pretty cap of chiffon ; Misses K. and N. Edmiston, very pretty cream and white gowns ; Miss M. Edmiston, dark silk costume; Madame Schmitt, handsome green silk gown, pretty pink cap with pearls ; Miss Horne, black silk gown ; Mrs Atkinson, black silk ; Miss Slator, handsome pale blue silk gown ; Miss M. Slator looked nice in a black evening dress, the shoulders and sleeves of lace ; Mrs Taylor, black silk gown, plush opera mantle: Miss Anderson (Parnell), evening dress of ruby velvet ; Misses Rees (Parnell), Mrs Ireland (Parnell), and her daughters, Mrs Bunby (North Shore), Mrs Gnbben, Mrs and Miss Wright, Mrs and Miss Thompson, Miss Peacock, Miss Evans, Mrs Bennett, Mrs Dickson, Mrs and Miss White, Mrs Williamson, Misses Russell, and hosts of others were attired in walking costumes. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Benevolent Society the following were elected the office-bearers for the ensuingyear:—President, Colonel Haultain; vice-presidents, Rev. C. M. Nelson and Dr. B. C. Beale ; treasurer, Mr C. C. McMillan : secretary, Mr F. G. Ewington ; gentlemen’s committee. Messrs Moss-Davis, Ralph Keesing, G. S. Kissling, C. C. McMillan, H. B. Alorton, T. Peacock, A. Thompson, W. Thorne. Ladies’ committee, with power to add to their number, Mesdames Nelson, Tebbs, Moss-Davis, Haines, Hamilton, Goodall, Collins, Rake, Cowie, Ashwell, Kitchener, Pritt, Lindsey, Stone, and the Misses Ashton, Brett, and Barstow.

A very pleasant affair indeed was the fancy dress ball held as a finale to the season of the Elwin Quadrille Assembly conducted by Mr and Mrs Bassett. St. George’s Hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion by some of the members of the class. From the ceiling were suspended lines of Hags of bright colours and varied designs, the walls were prettily ornamented by artistic groupings of Howers and foliage" over a background of bannerettes, and coloured devices contributed to the general effect. The hall was crowded with dancers in costumes of all kinds, some beautiful, others grotesque, and others again remarkably pictui - esque. The costumes contrasted pleasantly with the decorations, and harmonised admirably, and the tout ensemble was charming in the extreme. Indeed, the interior of the hall when the dances were proceeding was as pretty as a transformation scene. It is difficult to convey any adequate idea of the styles of dresses, or the characters, periods, or nationalities represented. Gipsies, sailors, courtiers, clowns, romps, school girls, court ladies, Grecian fishermen and Venetian boatmen, Chinamen, opera bouHe characters, brigands, Hower girls, cricketers, and a hundred and one other characters passed before the eye with all the changing novelty of kaleidoscopic views, and it was interesting to note the amount of originality that was shown in some of the costumes. Amongst the many pretty dresses, Miss Hargreaves as Maritana might be singled out as wearing the most striking and attractive costume amongst the ladies, while Miss Whittington as Carmer, Mrs Scott in a white satin costume, and Miss Callaghan as a Court Lady were also worthy of especial mention. Mr Pyke wore a novel polar costume, the material representing snow, and Mr Adams as a Maori Chief was decidedly well got up. Miss Spiers went as an Indian Princess. Other good costumes were Miss Redgate, as Innocence ; Mr Kelly, as a Brigand ; Miss Marsden, as a Gipsy Queen ; Mr T. Jones, a Clown : and Mr E. Jones, as a Chinaman. These two last caused no little merriment during the evening. The ball was in every respect a great success. Mr Bassett acted as M.C., the music was supplied by Messrs F. Reed and Davidson, and a capital snpper was provided by Mr Wright. During the evening Mr and Mrs Bassett were presented by Mr Woods, on behalf of the members, with a silver eggstand in recognition of their exertions in the instruction of the members and the management of the class. Mr F. Bassett expressed the acknowledgements of himself and his wife in suitable terms

The members of the M ikado Social Club held the fourth dance of their season in St. George’s Hall, and I am told the evening proved a most enjoyable one. The floor was i:i splendid order, while the dance music supplied by Messrs Burke and Davis was really delightful. About forty couples were present, many of the ladies wearing pretty gowns. Mrs Clayton wore a charming gown of black lace over old gold satin ; Mrs Morrison, pretty gown of pink brocade and pink spangle'd net ; Mrs Laurie, black lace, finished with crimson flowers ; Mrs G. Laurie, jnn., black net, gold ornaments ; Miss A. Quinn, black lace ; Miss Nogens, sea-green gown, red flowers; Miss Grey,electric blue gown trimmed with lace; Miss O’Dowd, pretty figured heliotrope gown; MissK. O’Dowd,blacklacecostume; Miss Pansie Coldicutt, poppy red veiling combined with plush, and prettily finished with wild clematis ; Miss Lulu Montgomery, crimson gauze with gold tinsel stripe running through ; Misses Alice and Mabel Mackie, pretty all white dresses; Miss Williamson, cream relieved with crimson poppies; Miss White, black and crimson ; Miss Jackson, black ; Miss F. Jackson, pink ; Miss Porter, poppy red cashmere: Miss J. Porter, pale blue veiling ; Miss Kilgour, pretty pink fisherman’s net; Miss Worthington, white with pale blue ; Miss Farrell, pretty trained gown of black lace, with Medici collar ; Miss Heron, pink muslin ; Miss Gertrude Brown, black lace, and crimson flowers ; Miss Nicholson, cream ami gold ; Miss Kelly, white lawn and crimson roses; Miss Aylett, pretty gown of black silk and fish net. Messrs S. Coldicutt and Lumsden acted as Masters of Ceremonies with the utmost satisfaction to all present. It is, I understand, proposed by the management to terminate the season of enjoyable dances with a fancy dress ball, which will take place next month, probably, in the Choral Hall. Multi El.. Dear Bee, September 1. You must not think the Auckland ladies are wholly frivolous. The number who attended the interesting capping ceremony in the lecture hall of the Auckland College testifies to the fact that the Higher Education of Women is a favourite subject for the eye, ear, and tongue of our fair dames. There had been a few remarks in the daily papers anent the * rowdy lot,’ as Tom calls them, who had disturbed previous presentations of diplomas in the Choral Hall. But whether the students had resolved to show they

knew how to behave as gentlemen, or whether the University air of the buildings over-awed them, I know not ; at all events they allowed the proceedings this time to be conducted without interference. Wasn’t it sweet of them ’ On the platform I noticed the Misses Coleman and Edger, who have already taken their degrees. The Grammar School furnished one M.A., Mr F. J. Carter, who with Messrs George Lippiat (Master of Arts, with honours, chemistry), F. E. Baume (Bachelor of Laws), D. Jackson (Bachelor of Arts), R. C. Maclaurin (Senior Scholarship in Mathematics, Bachelor of Arts), all received diplomas. Two young ladies Miss Isabella Ecclesfield and Miss Jessie Knapp (Nelson), were not present to receive their diplomas. Miss S. E. Gifford, a daughter of the artist, Mr Edward Gifford, has taken the degree of Master of Arts. Mr T. J. Nott, another 51. A., was not present. Professor Pond complimented the New Zealand University on the high standard set for its degrees. This, of course, makes our educational honours worth winning. Refreshments were kindly provided in the lower hall, and were much appreciated. The absorbing question now is, will they give us our right—the Franchise ? We were very hopeful. But ‘ men were deceivers ever,’ and, dear Bee, how can we trust them ? They are so good in promising, but Miss Brigham, of * Marino,’ Parnell, gave a large afternoon tea to all her girl friends. Their house is beautifully situated, overlooking St. George’s Bay, and the view is really enchanting. The Pakuranga hounds met at Mr E. McLean's residence, Bleak House, Howick, where a sumptuous luncheon was provided, Miss Bailey making a charming hostess. She was prettily frocked in black (mourning). It was really a glorious day — when we started. Everybody you met greeted you with, ‘Spring has come.’ We reached our destination, had our horses nicely housed, and were seated comfortably at luncheon, and down came the rain in torrents. But of course none of us should have been surprised, as the name of the house ought to have been quite sufficient. The name is not appropriate as far as the appearance of the house goes. It stands on top of a hill surrounded with trees, and really it looks very snug. Those whom I saw present riding were Mesdames Bews, Browning, Bloomfield, Misses Buckland (3), Hesketh (2), Dunnett, Hardie, Percival, McLaughlin, Garrett (2), Bull, Wilkins, Firth, Herald, Ireland, and Messrs McLaughlin, England, Garrett, Yonge, Kettlewell, Lockhart, Johnson, Shera, Halstead, Percival, Dunnet, Tonks, Gorrie, Bloomfield, Ware, Haultain, Colonel Dawson, and his two sons, and others. I saw Miss Ireland with her mother steering her dogcart cleverly through the crowd. Mr Stewart was also driving, and so were Mr and Mrs Ching. As for costumes, I have only a few street dresses for you. Mrs Ching, handsome brown dress and bonnet to match ; Mrs Bloomfield (Parnell), stylish black dolman, and black bonnet ; Mrs (Dr.) Haines, striking black coat, and gem hat ; Miss H. Ruck, brown plaid dress, and hat en .suite ; Miss E. Scherff, a pretty dark green dress, becoming bat trimmed with red flowers ; Mrs Bloomfield (The Pines, Epsom), navy dress and grey jacket ; Miss Mary Firth, all black ; Mrs F. D. Fenton (Kaipara), stylish mourning, a very pretty long cloak ; her daughter, Mrs Lewis, was also in black.

I very much enjoyed the sacred concert and tableaux given in the schoolroom of All Saints’, Ponsonby, which witnessed another triumph of the energy and skill of that indefatigible community. The building, brightly lit and decorated with evergreens, was crowdeu to the doors, seats having to be placed along the aisles to accommodate the increasing influx of visitors. Shortly after eight the performance opened with an overture, ‘ The Golden Gates,’ excellently rendered under the able conductorship of Mr Philpot, Mr A. Bartley accompanying. Then followed tableau and invisible chorus, ‘ Angelus.’ The curtain was raised, disclosing the limelight effect on a group so faultlessly arranged as not to offend the most artistic eye. It elicited warm demonstrations of appreciation from the audience, whose behaviour throughout was characterised by perfect orderliness and rapt attention. A solo, * If With All Your Hearts,’ by Mr A. Edwards, the popular tenor, and an aria, ‘Angels Ever Bright and Fair,’ by Mrs Kilgonr, were rendered with the usual finish of these favourite vocalists. The following tableaux were exhibited intermittently throughout the evening:— ‘ The Little Pilgrim,’ ‘ David Singing Before Saul ’ in two scenes, ‘ Rebecca at the Well,’ ‘ Simply to Thy Cross I Cling,’ and ‘ Listening Angels. ’ The angelic expression on the ‘ Little Pilgrim’s ’ face reminded one of the cherub productions of a Rubens or a Titian. The difficult postures in the two following were marvellously sustained. ‘ Simply to Thy Cross I Cling,’ represented by a woman clinging to the cross, produced a subdued hush, in which a pin might have been heard to drop. The last, * Listening Angels,’ was the gem of the evening. It comprised a statuesque group as nearly resembling the heavenly’ host as we poor mortals can conceive of. Poised seemingly in mid air, the sacred light played and flickered on the flowing robes, wings and faces of the young aspirants in a manner that as the curtain fell drew forth deep sighs of delight and a ringing murmur of applause. All Saints’ is, indeed, to be congratulated on the nerve and power of these amateur performers. All the tableaux were twice repeated, ensuring everyone a good view. The musical portion of the programme was further contributed to by Miss E. Chew, a 'cello solo, ‘Ave Maria’ (Gounod); baritone solo • When Night is Darkest,' Mr F. Whittaker ; another overture, * March Pontifical,’ by the orchestra; contralto solo, ‘ Calvary,’ by Mrs Coates ; solo, with violin obligato, ‘ The Angel's Call,’Miss Warren; baritone solo, ‘The Prodigal Son,’ Mr P. Dufaur ; duet, ‘Side by Side to the Better Land,’ Mrs Coates anil Mrs Kilgour ; and a tenor song, ‘ Consider the Lilies,’ Mr McGregor. One of the most enjoyable private dances of the season was given by the Misses Hill and Miss Howard at the Victoria Hall. There were about eighty young people present, the gentlemen and ladies being equally divided, and everybody entered into the dance with zest. The floor was in excellent condition, whilst the music, which was played by the guests, was all that could be desired. The supper was something to dream about. The ladies were very becomingly dressed. Among the most noticeable were Miss Hill, wearing white and cardinal, Miss E. Hill, handsome rose satin and black net ; Miss Howard, lovely dress of white surah silk ; Miss Ethel Hill, black silk and lace ; Miss K. Hill, pretty dress of pink veiling and ruby plush ; Miss 51. Hill, pale green silk net (very becoming); Mrs Howard, handsome black silk; Mrs

Pittar, black silk ; Mrs Bell, lovely blue silk ; and her sister, Mrs N. Pierce, very pretty mauve silk ; Miss Pittar, pretty white muslin ; Miss Bullen, white satin ; Miss Ryan, very pretty maize muslin ; Miss Buchanan looked well in white silk ; Miss Berry, black ; Miss C. Berry, a lovely dress of white cashmere braided with silver; Miss Kempthorne, black lace ; Miss M. Fenton, green satin and black net; Miss Atkinson, cream ; Miss M. Atkinson, a most becoming dress of pink surah silk ; Miss Wylde-Brown, pale £reen ; her sister, pink ; Miss Williamson, pink; Miss usk and Miss Blades, pink ; Miss A. Clarke, pale green (very becoming); Miss Bingwood, pale blue. Dancing was kept up until an early hour in the morning.

Hinkmoa.