NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 39, 26 September 1891, Page 420

NAPIER.

Dear Bee, September 9. It has been so very warm lately I have seriously been thinking of donning a summer gown. However, it is just as well not to begin to change one’s clothes too soon, for it has come on quite wintry again, and to-day we are all glad of our furs. The last of the Cinderella dances will be coining oft’ shortly. I hear this one is to eclipse all the rest, so I hope to tell you all about it in a future letter. Mrs Cornford gave a large children’s dance. There must have been fully seventy little ones there, and they did seem to enjoy themselves, but who could help doing so with such a splendid hostess as Mrs Cornford ? The rooms looked lovely, the supper-room especially, and the children did full justice to all the good things provided for them. Amongst the older children were the Misses Balfour (2), Baker, Roy, and Heath. Miss Balfour looked so pretty in yellow; Miss Annie Cornford also looked charming. The dance broke up at a reasonable hour, and the children all agreed that there never had been such a jolly ball. Do you know, Bee, the way the children dance is wonderful. Some of we elder ones might well take a lesson from them ; their steps are so even, and they are so polite to one another. We are so glad to learn that Mrs Rhodes is better. She was so unwell at one time, it was thought advisable to send for Miss Rhodes, who was on a visit to Mrs J. Wood, at Nelson, but, fortunately, when she arrived home, Mrs Rhodes was much better, and has continued to improve until quite lately, when she has not seemed quite so well again. She is such a dear old lady, and is so much liked. W e shall be so glad when she is herself again. We had a splendid concert at the Athemeum Hall. Miss Large sang so sweetly, and, of course, was encored. It is such a treat to listen to her. Mrs Sheath was also in splendid voice, and sang some very pretty songs. Miss Hitchings played nearly all the accompaniments in her usual excellent style. She looked very nice in black. I must not forget to tell you that a gentleman named Mr Ferguson sang. I think he is a new-comer. His song took immensely, and you would have laughed if you had seen him pretending to be shy. I don’t believe he was really shy, and his singing was much admired. One of his songs was ‘The Bogie Man,’ the audience being convulsed with laughter. You know, Bee, I don’t think we girls should get all the praise. I think the men should sometimes be admired, especially when they deserve it. Amongst the audience we noticed Mesdames Balfour, Logan, Kettle, Weber, Parker, Frazer, and the Misses Fulton, Balfour, Hitchings (2), Rhodes (2), Gleeson, Roy, and several others. I expect I shall have a wedding to tell you about shortly. Miss Roy is to be married to Mr S. R. Kennedy, and I am afraid we are not as delighted as we ought to be about this wedding, for what we Napier people are going to do without Miss Roy I really do not know. She is a most accomplished pianist, and sings well, and is always ready to assist at any concert got up for a good object. Most of our little ones, and indeed, some of our big ones, too, owe their good dancing to her excellent tution. Her sister, Mrs Heath, will miss her terribly. I hear Miss Lascelles is to be one of the bridesmaids. There is to be a large Athemeum ball —a calico ball. It is to be held in the Garrison Hall, and I believe crowds are going to it. 1 noticed Miss Hitchings looking very charming in fawn skirt, red blouse, fawn jacket, stylish black hat lined with red ; also Miss Chapman in grey gown, stylish hat; and Miss Hamlin, fawn gown, large hat with feathers.

Gladys.