DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 38, 19 September 1891, Page 394

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, September 1. The ladies' evening of the gentlemen’s Savage Club quite came up to the anticipations entertained for it. The City Hall was chosen as the seat of festivity, and very pretty it looked draped with flags, and the stage got up in the usual drawing-room style, while throughout the body of the hall chairs and small tables were arranged fete a-tete fashion. There were many elegant and graceful costumes worn, and the arrangements of the seats allowed these to show to every advantage, for unless a lady is crossing a room her dress never looks nicer than when she is reposing gracefully in an easy chair. First I will tell you of some of the dresses. Those chosen were not prettier than those unmentioned, but were taken because best seen, and in a crowded room where all are seated, it is impossible even to catch a glimpse of many. Miss Gibson wore pink satin, with a pale green opera cloak ; Mrs E. C. Reynolds, an exceedingly handsome black velvet and jet, made with high Medici collar; Mrs Israel was also in a handsome black costume ; also Mrs Hales, whose dress was relieved with a cardinal plush opera cloaK ; Mrs Lindo Ferguson looked exceedingly nice in a handsome black fisherman's net, and a lovely white opera cloak ; Miss Hales, a pretty pale blue dress, with white opera cloak : another very handsome gown was worn by Miss Wilson, of terracotta brocade, with a handsome bertha of cream lace ; Mis Belcher

was much admired in yellow ; the skirt of the gown was draped in fine white lisse, and edged with a flounce of white lace ; the long train was brocaded, and the bodice also trimmed with white lace ; Mias Belcher wore an old rose silk, with vest and epaulets of white satin and silver ; in her hair, which was dressed in the Grecian style, a bunch of violets put a dainty finishing touch to the whole costume ; little Miss Muriel Maitland looked very nice in a pretty seaSreen nun’s veiling, made with blouse bodice and puffed leeves, and finished with a white sash ; Mrs Petre, black lace, with low neck and short sleeves; Mrs A. Finch also wore a lovely low-necked and elbow-sleeved dress of lace; Mrs Melland, a becoming dress of yellow silk, with draperies depending from one shoulder; Miss Edith Macniell, black lace, the short sleeves fastened with bunches of pale yellow roses; Mrs (Dr.) Martin, red plush; Miss Kenyon, very pretty French grey, with opera cloak to match the high Medici collar of which was embroidered with silver ; Mrs (Dr.) Davies, a handsome gown of black, richly embroidered with gold ; Mrs Moore, a rich white brocade, made with long train and Medici collar ; Mrs (Jgston also looked very nice in white ; Mrs Henry Mackenzie wore a handsome combination of black and dull'gold ; Miss D. Boss also wore a handsome dress of black and yellow; and MrsW. Maitland, black satin and lace ; Miss Stephenson wore black also, with a lovely white brocaded opera cloak ; Miss Tui Stephenson, in white, with stylish cream brocade opera cloak ; Miss -Grant, a pretty heliotrope fisherman’s net, finished with narrow ribbon velvet; Miss Reynolds, pink striped gauze ; Miss Williams, a combination of pink and green ; Mrs Stilling, pretty yellow Liberty silk, trimmed with silver; Mrs Joachim, very handsome green silk ; Miss Rich, pale pink dress, and cardinal plush opera cloak. The programme was a very interesting one, consisting of instrumental pieces by the Savage orchestra, songs by the Savage brothers, recitations, and finally a farce. Mr R. S. Gibson, a visiting Savage from -Christchurch, sang ‘ Jessamine Town ’ very nicely, and a funny * Tale of Fifty-eight ’ was told by Mr A. Thompson. Brother Savages Coombs (2), Catchpole, and A. Finch played a string quartette exquisitely. A parody on Longfellow’s ‘ Excelsior,’ called ‘ Vp’ards,’ was recited by Mr J. R. Macdonald, then Mr F. L. Jones followed with ‘Marguerite.’ ‘Ninety-one,’ by Dr. Belcher, was a series of illustrated fashions of that date, which caused much fun. Not a trace of the female form was visible; waists, as Dr. Belcher remarked, were not in. Savages J. Blenkinsopp, A. H. Crawford, A. Hunter, and W. Manson sang a quartette (a), ‘ Evening Song,’ (b), ‘ Three Glasses,’ and then came the interval for refreshments, which were greatly enjoyed. The second half of the evening was devoted to the farce, * 8.8.,’ which was exceedingly well played. Mr Young was cast as Bob Battles, the retired prize-fighter, and was not only got up perfectly, but played perfectly, too. Peals of laughter and hearty applause testified to this fact. Mr Mike Belcher was also very funny as Mrs Puncheon. Squire Greenfield was taken by Mr F. J. Stilling, Joe, the boots, by Mr G. Sievwright, and Mr Benjamin Bobbin was well played by Mr D. Cargill. A dinner will close the gentlemen’s season, and a gentlemen’s evening is to close the ladies’ season. The First Church gave an evening with Handel, a large number being present. Mr Jesse Timson, in his capacity of organist, not only presided, but gave several lovely organ selections during the evening. Miss Rich played two beautiful violin solos, and Miss Molleson and Miss Adams both sang. Mrs Henry Mackenzie bail a small but enjoyable dance at her charming residence a few evenings ago. lam sorry I cannot give you any of the dresses, but it was not a large affair. The favoured few enjoyed themselves immensely, as guests of the ‘ Chalet ’ always do. Mrs Hodgkins gave a very nice afternoon tea. Among the guests Mrs Davidson looked very nice in a handsome cloak of red cloth, trimmed with brown fur ; Mrs George McLean, a black costume; Miss McLean, a very stylish navy blue -dress, and hat to match ; Miss A. Mackerras was also there, Mrs (Dr.) Scott, Miss Scott, Miss Ashcroft, Miss L. McLaren, Mrs G. Denniston, Miss Reynolds, and Mrs Rbind (Christchurch), who wore black, with a long sealskin jacket, and black feather bonnet; Miss McLaren, green tartan dress ; Mrs A. M. Morris and Miss Morris, both in black ; Miss Kenyon, navy blue serge; Miss Hodgkins looked very nice in a chocolate-coloured dress trimmed with ■brown velvet. A fancy dress ball is to take place shortly, given by the Carisbrook Cricket Club and the Hunt Club combined. We have not had a fancy dress ball since that given by Lady Onslow, which was a most brilliant one. Although, of course, this will not be on so magnificent a scale, yet it is expected to be a very enjoyable affair. Everybody will be very glad when a few more festivities break the monotony, for now that the winter entertainments are over there is very little going on socially. The weather continues fine—almost too fine to please the market gardeners and the farmers, but of course the season is not yet far advanced enough for new costumes to be abroad. As they appear I will tell you about them. I expect, judging from the materials and styles now to be seen in the shops, that some very pretty ones will be worn. _ A very interesting ceremony took place at the North East Valley ; that was the laying of the foundation stone of the new Roman Catholic Church. The Cathedral, large as it is, has long proved too small for the large congregation, so for the convenience of those who reside at the other end of the town this new chnrch is to be built. It was quite an imposing sight, with all the school boys wearing their red and blue badges, and the gorgeous robes of the Bishop and priests, and the banners and sashes of the Hibernian and other friendly societies quite lit up the scene. Two hundred pounds were put upon the stone afterwards

Maude.