AUCKLAND

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 42, 17 October 1891, Page 491

AUCKLAND

Dear Bee, October 6. The sports at Potter's Paddock, held under the auspices of the Amateur Athletic and ’Cycle Club and Rugby L T nion, were well attended, particularly by the masculine sex, a good number of ladies also being present. The sports were held for the purpose of raising funds towards sending an athletic team to England to compete at the championship meeting. The programme included handicap races, football tournaments, bicycle handicap race, steeplechase, and other events, all of which were well contested and most interesting. The afternoon was rather dull, and in consequence not many new spring gowns were worn. Amongst the ladies present I noticed Miss Hesketh, wearing a handsome gown of light blue summer tweed with large spots, and a dainty fawn hat with blue ribbons introduced amongst the trimming ; her younger sister looked well in a biscuit-coloured costume, and hat to match; a young lady with them looked pretty in a silver-grey costume, and hat to correspond ; Mrs H. Gould looked well in a stylish hat and gown in a reddish-brown shade ; Mrs Upfill wore a dark brown costume, and small brown hat; and Mrs Hunter a stylish black costume ; Miss White, pretty green costume, and hat to correspond ; Miss Atkinson, stylish grey and white speckled gown, white hat with a cluster of ostrich feathers ; Miss Wright, all black costume : Mrs Neil McLean looked pretty in a myrtle green gown, hat to match, and seal plush jacket; Mrs J. Arneil wore a light green costume, and a pretty fawn hat; Miss Williamson, stylish navy costume, and pretty little Bond street hat ; Mrs Hackett, black silk gown trimmed with velvet, silk mantle, and dark green bonnet; Miss Owen, pretty crimson gown, fawn hat, and seal plush jacket ; Miss Patterson, seal brown costume, hat to correspond ; Miss Cossar, black gown, plush jacket, and small black hat; Miss Warren, pretty black costume, and fawn hat trimmed with feathers; Miss McMaster, black costume, and black hat trimmed with cornflowers ; Miss Cotterell wore all black ; Miss Hay, grey tweed gown, hat to match ; Miss Russell, navy blue gown, hat to correspond, and plush j acket. The Payne Family gave one of their enjoyable entertainments in the Opera House for the benefit of the Helping Hand Mission, a crowded attendance being present. The Family have appeared at various centres throughout the week, and have everywhere been received by crowded and enthusiastic audiences. The drapery establishments are now resplendent with new springgoods and novelties of everydescription, whilst in town I have met several ladies wearing handsome spring costumes. Mrs Barton (Whangarei) looked exceedingly pretty in a stylish gown in the lightest shade of fawn summer tweed, with large spots ; the bodice was made in the popular Newmarket style, with vest of cream silk embroidered with gold, dainty Leghorn hat trimmed with white ostrich tips and ribbon ; Miss Buddle (Remuera) wore a stylish gown in a shade between a light grey and a biscuit, large white hat with ostrich feathers; Miss Masefield looked well in a well-fitting fawn gown with light brown trimmings, hat to correspond ; Mrs W. J. Napier, silvergrey tweed costume with large spots in a darker shade, and one of the new flat sailor hats ; Miss A. Scott also wore a pretty grey tweed gown with spots, and light grey hat; Miss Harrison, stylish electric blue costume, white sailor hat; Mrs Taylor, pretty fawn tweed gown fawn hat with brown trimmings ; Miss Devore, stylish olive green costume, and one of the new three quarter capes to match lined with cardinal silk, hat to correspond : Mrs Walker, black, and her daughter, navy blue ; Miss Worsp looked charming in deep red cashmere trimmed with black braid ; hat with feathers ; Mrs Haines, black ; Mrs Dignan, dark green coat; Mrs L. Nathan, grey trimmed with red velvet; Miss Davis (City Road), pretty green dress ; Mrs Cotter, black ; Mrs Pollen, black; Miss Stevenson (Ponsonby), brown; Miss Garlic, grey, black hat with white feathers. The Pakuranga hounds met at Mrs A. K. Taylor’s residence, Mount Albert, where a substantial luncheon was given, but the hostess was, unfortunately, too ill to receive her guests, so the honours had to be done by her daughters and sons. Amongst those riding I noticed Mesdames Thiele, Laurie, Bloomfield, Misses Masefield, Williamson, Evans, Devore, Firth, Bull, Dixon, Durant, Kerr-Taylor, Dunnett, Buckland (2), Percival, Banks, McLaughlin, Yonge, Martin, Sellers (2) ; driving, Mrs Ireland, and family; Mr and Mrs Cottle, Misses Von Sturmer (2), and Burchell in a waggonette and pair ; Mr and Mrs Taylor (Parnell), in a dog cart; Mrs Mahoney, with a friend in a dog cart; Mrs (Col ) Dawson, in a buggy. The gentlemen I noticed riding were Messrs Percival, Stubbins, Beale, Dunnet, Ballantyne, Lockhart, Stewart, Kettelwell, Chalice, Gilmore, Shera (2), and others. Mr Garrett was conspicuous by his absence, being a president of the Athletic sports. It was a splendid afternoon for the sport and over a hundred assembled. The firstdrag was laid by Mr V. Kerr-Taylor. It took a northerly direction towards Morningside, through level paddocks and scoria land, then turning westerly towards Avondale, then circling round the mountain, finishing up on the Onehunga road. The jumps were principally stone walls of a fair average height. Amongst those who were the leaders were Messrs D. Tonks, Stewart, Martin, Motion, Miss Kerr-Taylor, and our gallant Colonel. Two other ladies —Misses Dunnett and Backland —started, but returned by the road, finding the country too rough. The seconddrag was laid off by Messrs J. and W. Martin, Kerr-Taylor, and R. Sandall, which started from Messrs Kerr-Taylor’s property to Three Kings, and thence through Epsom to Potter's Paddock, and the stiff jumps in this drag thinned out the field considerably. The only lady whom I saw following was Miss M. Buckland. Those whom I saw at the finish were Messrs Bloomfield, Stewart, Tonks (2), Percival and our gallant Colonel. Mr F. Shera caused agieat deal of amusement again. He was riding a big bay, which stood in the middle of the road bucking and stopping all the traffic for some time. They have decided if possible, to hold another hunt, which will take place at the North Shore. Mrs Ransom, of • Chauntry,’ Remuera, gave a large afternoon tea last week. She was stylishlv frocked in heliotrope and grey plaid, and her sister, Mrs Gamble, wore a pretty gown of soft grey. Amongst the guests I noticed Mrs T. Morrin, brown : Mrs L. D. Nathan, red silk dress, fawn stripe; Mrs R. Browning, black ; Mrs Hesketh. a stylish green plaid skirt, brown plush dolman ; Mrs Bloomfield, striking grey dress and grey toque; Mrs Ching, grey,

trimmed with black ; Mrs Buddle, grey and black ; Miss M. Anderson, black ; Mrs Thomson (He: Gillies, lately down from Sydney), black ; Mrs A. Carrick, Mrs James Bussell, Mrs S. Morrin, Mrs Moss Davis, Mrs Kerr-Taylor, Misses Bees and Webb, and others I cannot remember.

The members of the Ponsonby Social I'nion brought their very successful season to a close with a ball, which proved delightfully enjoyable. The interior of the Oddfellows’ Hall was completely transformed with gaily-coloured Hags, ferns, and Howers, while at the top of the room a large mirror was place I tastefully surrounded with prettilydraped fligs and greenery. The Hoor was in capital order, and the music supplied by a band of four musicians all that could be wished. Mr Buchanan supplied a splendid supper, which was supplemented by dainty trifles, custards, etc., kindly made by Mesdames Rees, Morrin, and GentlesThe ladies had no reason to complain of lack of partners, for the masculine sex were iu the majorityIndeed, in every respect the ball was a pronounced success, and the management are to be congratulated upon a very delightful termination to a sociable and enjoyable season. Many handsome new gowns were donned for the occasion, amongst the number being Mrs Reeves, handsome silk gown in the palest shade of blue, trimmed with olive green plush; Miss Rees, pretty flowered blue net gown finished with pink roses ; Mrs Campbell, rich cream silk gown ; Mrs Gentles, pretty pale blue veiling gown ; Mrs Morrin, rich black satin and lace gown ; Miss Morrin dainty gown of cream Indian muslin finished with bows of cream ribbon; Miss Wright, crimson brocade gown relieved with white lace ; Mrs Drummond, pretty gown of pale blue gauze striped with silver, and made over blue cashmere ; Miss Watkins, pink silk and net gown, finished with clusters of crimson poppies ; Miss Owen, cream satin and net gown with gold trimmings ; Miss McMillan, cream cashmere gown prettily embroidered with gold, the low bodice finished with gold gauze; Miss Billington, handsome gown of ambercoloured silver tinselled gauze made over amber; Miss Clara Billington also wore a pretty gown of white embroidered tulle over white; Miss Mary Edwards, pretty heliotrope veiling gown, the low bodice finished with a frill of white chiffon; Miss Ria EI wards, dainty gown of primrose-coloured veiling tastefully trimmed with ribbon the same shade ; Miss Dickey, stylish pale pink veiling gown : Miss M. Dickey looked nice in a cream veiling gown ; Miss t’hilcox (North Shore), cream gown prettily trimmed with pale blue ribbons ; Mrs W. BoaK, becoming white Brussels net gown, withshoulderknotsof pale blue ribbon, and large blue silk sash ; Mrs A. Littler, handsome trained gown of white moire silk ; Mrs W. J. Gaddis, cream brocaded silk, the front of the skirt tastefully draped with gold spangled gauze ; Miss Bastard, black silk and lace gown finished with cardinal poppies, and cardinal silk sash ; her sister looked nice in a pink evening diess ; Mrs J. M. Laxon, white evening dress relieved with pink ; Miss Geddis, black silk gown, with pink shoulder knots; Miss Knight, cardinal cashmere evening dress finished with aigrettes of black feathers ; Miss Laxon, white evening dress with cardinal sash; Miss Tapper also wore white ; Mrs Bartlett, cream net finished with ruby plush ; Miss Hayles, cream flowered gown with pale blue ribbons ; Miss M >r»an, pretty pink net gown finished with ribbons ; Miss Kells, black gown.

The following from a recent society paper will, I am sure, be read by you with interest: —‘ The latest way for ladies to kill time is to play at work. Spinning is coming into fashion as a drawing-room pastime. The spinning-wheel brings to mind many a pretty picture of the olden time, and doubtless ladies are taking to spinning principally to realize souii of these pictures in a sort of tableaux vivants fashion. A pretty girl at a spinning-wheel may be expected to inspire the nineteenth-century masher with some of the ceremonious chivalry of the times when ladies really were industrious. The picture, indeed, will not be complete unless there is a swain in the background, or seated perhaps nearer the spinner, and whispering soft nothings. A spinning-wheel would give a decidedly picturesque touch to a proposal, and young ladies expecting their lovers to “ come to the scratch ” should certainly get a wheel. There are wheels within wheels. This paragraph is a decided hint to the young men who, as I happen to know, let their eyes wander over these columns. If they see their lady love spinning they will certainly take it that the psychological moment has come to fall on their knees. This will turn the spinning wheel to some account.’

Muriel.