AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 43, 24 October 1891, Page 513

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, October 13. The Juvenile Opera Company have at last arrived, and throughout the week delighted audiences have assembled nightly in the Opera House to witness their charming performance of ‘La Mascotte. ’ As you have already seen the little people I will not describe their clever performance, but will devote my space to a description of some of the gowns worn amongst the audience. Mrs S. Thorne George wore a black evening dress, and handsome ■crimson cloak ; a lady with her wore a handsome cream costume, and cream cloak; Mrs George’s two charming daughters wore pretty white gowns and blue sashes; Mrs and Mis» Lusk wore black costumes (mourning); Miss Moss-Davis, pretty pale blue silk gown, the low bodice finished with handsome lace, ruby plush opera cloak ; Miss Shirley Baker, becoming cardinal evening dress ; her two sisters wore pretty pale yellow gowns, the low bodices finished with chiffon ; Mrs Levisohn, black gown, and handsome plush jacket trimmed with sable ; Mrs Urquhart, black silk and lace evening ■dress, crimson wrap ; Miss Owen, pretty white muslin gown, pale blue sash; Miss Wright, cream evening dress, the corsage finished with crimson poppies; Miss Wilkins, pretty pale blue gown, cream opera clonk ; Mrs Henderson, handsome black silk gown ; Miss Hudson, black silk and lace gown, the corsage relieved with a cluster of natural azaleas, pretty plush mantle ; Miss Brophy, stylish pink evening dress ; Madame Schmitt, handsome green silk gown, cream lace cap ; Miss Brown, dark blue costume ; Mrs Wilson, stylish grey costume ; Mrs Macindoe, black, costume ; Miss Macindoe, black skirt, and pretty crushed strawberry silk blouse bodice ; Misses Eaton, dark coloured gowns ; Mrs D. B. Cruickshank, handsome black silk costume, the corsage relieved with a cluster of natural flowers ; Miss Gill, pretty cream evening dress. In the orchestra stalls I noticed Miss Johnstone (Parnell), Mrs Lewis, and the Misses Davis, Mrs Moss-Davis, Mrs H. Nicol, Mrs Falconei, and numerous others. At the matinee I saw Mrs J. M. Alexander, in a pretty greeny-grey costume trimmed with black velvet leaf embroidery, dainty bonnet of chiffon and greyish ribbon velvet, with gold spangles and butterfly ; her two little daughters wore drab frocks relieved with navy blue, large cream hats ; Mrs Rattray, grey gown trimmed with gold, black hat; Mrs Ross Watts had quite a large party with her —Misses Kensington, Spicer, Sheath (2), Tanner, etc., Mrs A. Buckland (Junr.), was in black, and had no less than seven little ones under her charge. The children bestowed several bouquets on the actorettes and actorines, as they are called. I hear that the wedding of Mr Bedlington, surveyor, to Miss Meldrum takes place shortly. Miss Scott’s annual ball to her pupils took place in the Choral Hall, and proved in every respect a brilliant success. The hall was most artistically and beautifully decorated for the occasion, and during the progress of the dances the scene presented to the onlookers was both animated and beautiful. The walls were hung with gaily-coloured flags, surrounded with a profusion of ferns, nikau palms, and evergreens of every description, amongst which were quantities of arum lilies and other flowers tastefully arranged, Above the gallery was the appropriate motto, ‘ On with the dance, let joy be unconfined,’ in white letters on a red ground. Beautiful garlands and wreathsofevergreensandflowershung from the roof, and the front of the orchestra seats was completely hidden with ferns, palms, and flowers prettily arranged. A large arch of greenery and lilies placed at the top of the hall was exceedingly pretty. On either side stood a young prince in handsome costume, who handed pretty programmes to the dancers as they passed under the arch in the Grand March at the opening of the ball. The orchestra seats and gallery were crowded to excess with spectators. Many others, lam told, were unable to gain admission. There were about ninety couples dancing, an equal number of whom were in fancy and plain dress. During the evening the gavotte and cotillion were gracefully danced by pupils attired in Court costumes. The young ladies who danced the gavotte were Miss P. Cossar, in a handsome costume of a lovely shade of coral pink cashmere, with Court train, and angel sleeves of jewelled cream lace ; Miss Queree, lovely white satin costume, with jewelled and silver trimmings ; Miss Knight,cream Court dress, with rich silk trimmingsand gold embroidery ; Miss Annie Scott, delicate shade of heliotrope cashmere, with front of jewelled and embroidered cream satin, angel sleeves beautifully embroidered with silver. All these ladies wore high collars, powdered hair and patches, and in the quick movements of the gavotte they manipulated their long trains withelegant gracefulness. The gentlemen who took part in the dance were Messrs Davis, H. Cossar. Theo. Queree, and A. McLean in Court costumes also. The cotillion was also gracefully danced by four couples—the Misses Dickey (2), P. Cossar, and A. Scott, and Messrs H. Cossar, Cooper, McLean, and Scott. Miss Scott, than whom none looked fairer, wore a beautiful gown, made high to the throat and trained, of white veiling trimmed with lace ; the bodice was of white satin prettily trimmed with jewelled silver embroidery and

areophane lace, angel sleeves of white aieophane caught on the arm with silver armlets ; Mrs Rees wore a rich black silk costume ; Miss Rees, dainty white silk evening dress ; Mrs Young, black lace evening dress; Mrs Short, black silk gown ; Miss Short looked well as Dorothy ; Mrs Morgan, black silk costume ; Mrs Cossar, black silk evening dress ; Miss Brown, handsome cream silk gown ; Miss Brophy wore one of the loveliest dresses in the room, made of rich cream silk merveilleux trimmed with cream tulle ; Miss Warren, dainty cream evening dress; Miss Hackett, pretty white satin and tulle gown ; Miss Read looked pretty as a Postboy, and Miss Morgan made a charming Fiametta ; a lady in a Roman costume looked exceedingly well ; Miss Davies was a pretty Juanita, the Spanish dress suiting her well ; Miss Court, in a pale blue cashmere gown, represented Marguerite from ‘ Faust ;’ Miss Byliiud wore a charming gown of eau - de - nil Liberty silk ; Mrs Schappe wore a lovely evening dress of rich yellow merveilleux. Many other lovely gowns were worn. The supper table was beautifully laid, the flowers used in the decorations being simply lovely. The Misses Scott provided the supper which was really excellent. The supperroom was also gaily decorated, indeed, the decorations altogether reflected the utmost credit upon Messrs Davis, Le Quesne, H. Cossar and the other gentlemen who assisted. Adams’ band supplied excellent dance music, and the floor was in perfect order. The children’s ball takes place in the Choral Hall in a few weeks, and is expected to be a great success. A feature of the evening will be the fairy dance, in which pupils attired in fairy costumes, will take part. It is rumoured that our popular tenor, Mr T. M. Jackson, shortly leaves Auckland for Australia, where he purposes adopting the operatic stage as a profession. The football match played between Auckland and Wellington under the Association rules at Potter’s Paddock was only moderately attended by the public, .the aquatic sports on Lake Takapuna, no doubt, keeping many away. The contest was very interesting, although not nearly so exciting as the Rugby game, and resulted in a very easy win for Auckland, Wellington not even getting a chance to score. Amongst the ladies on the grand stand were Mrs R. C. Carr, who wore a neat navy blue gown, and white hat encircled with ostrich feathers ; Mrs Gould wore a stylish dark blue plaid tweed gown and small hat; Mrs Upfill also wore a stylish gown of navy blue, and becoming little hat ; Mrs Jervis, navy costume, white hat with feathers ; Miss Thomas (Remuera), stylish grey costume, large grey hat with grey feathers ; Miss Wilson, pretty black gown, and one of the new gem hats with black velvet band. I hear that owing to the extensive patronage bestowed upon the performances of the Amateur Opera Clubs throughout New Zealand, and the consequent loss to the professional companies who, from time to time, tour the colony, the performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas by amateur companies will in future be prohibited. I understand that owing to the decision the Auckland Amateur Opera Club contemplate for their next production the beautiful opera ‘ Carmen,’ the copyright of which can be easily acquired. A correspondent, ‘ Ida,’ very kindly writes as follows :—I think the New Zealand Graphic an extremely nice paper. I find many of the hints most valuable. Your suggestion of a floral ball is very good. It was pretty nearly carried out at Mrs Colonel Dawson’s dance in September. • Arborfield ’ has beautiful gardens, and its wealth of flowers was lavishly used in the floral decorations. Large quantities of that lovely wild creeper, the New Zealand clematis, was used ; in tact, the hall and staircase was one mass of it, being most gracefully arranged by Miss Gypsey Walker. Camellias, arum lilies, and the white clematis were the flowers most used. The ladies’ bouquets were a feature. Our hostess, Mrs Col. Dawson, had an exquisite pink ivyleaved geranium, with a fern-like foliage geranium mixed with it; Mrs Bloomfield’s, scarlet heath and camellias ; Miss Kilgoui’s, white flag lilies; Miss Thomson's, white azaleas; Miss Walker’s, white clematis ; and numerous others equally beautiful. They were all large, and tied with streamers. Now for the dresses. The married ladies — Mesdames (Colonel) Carr<s, Bull, Dawson, Walker, Elliott, and others were in black ; Mrs Bloomfield, lovely white satin. The young ladies were mostly dressed in airy fabrics. Miss Walker, crimson and gold tulle dress ; Miss Heywood, white ; Miss Thomson, pale green ; these were among some of the pretty dresses which took my eye. There were between eighty and ninety guests, so it is difficult to remember all the dainty dresses. There were numbers of dancing men. I saw no wallflowers. The rooms are large, so we were not crowded. One side of the spacious verandah was enclosed, lined with flags, and lit with Japanese lanterns. This had many cosy seats, and was much used. The supper was laid in the library, the table being arranged by three of Mrs Dawson’s girl friends, and was most artistic. Mrs McMillan (Remuera) gave a very large afternoon tea, which was really a very successful affair. The rooms, four in number, were just crowded with guests. She resides about three miles and a-half from town—quite the other side of Remuera. The bouse is very unique and picturesque, it being painted red, and all the outbuildings ami gates to match. Against the green foliage this is most striking. The grounds are very pretty, every shrub and tree being clipped and kept in perfect order. What with the little grottoes, fountains, arbours, and ferns you would think you were in fairyland. To return to more commonplace items. Our hostess was frocked in a rich green plush, let down the front with pink silk. Amongst those who sang were Mrs Upton, her rich clear notes ringing through the rooms. Every word was distinctly heard. This was a

treat, as we so rarely hear the words of most of our singers. Mrs Chin;' sang ‘ Cherry Ripe ’ extremely well. She wore a black silk dress and grey bonnet. A lady in a stylish gress dress, who, I believe, was a Miss Campbel), from Nelson, sang very sweetly, and was accompanied by Mrs McMillan, dexterously manipulating the mandoline, whilst one daughter played the guitar, and the other the piano. It was, of course, the gem of the. afternoon. Mrs McMillan and her whole family are extremely musical. Mrs Moss Davis and her daughter sang a duet. We had also a solo by Mrs Kilgour, and another by Miss Burchell. Mrs (Col.) Cane looked charming in black silk, with a grey bonnet ; Mrs Bourne, stylish black silk ; Mrs D. Cruickshank, in grey and heliotrope ; Mrs A. Clark, dark grey; as also was Mrs A. Taylor (Parnell); Mrs Otway, stylish grey costume; Mrs Williams and Mrs Pritt, mourning ; Mrs Carr, navy ; Mrs McKechnie, black ; Miss Larkins, pretty brown plaid ; Miss Ireland, grey, and sailor hat en suite; Misses Von Stunner and I'pton both wore grey; Miss I. Worsp wore a becoming dress of brown and white ; Misses Baker, one wore a pretty grey, and the other black ; Miss Hardie, grey trimmed with olive velvet ; Misses Whewell and Bull both wore becoming grey dresses; Miss Stevenson (Ponsonby) navy ; Misses Binney, grey : Miss Kilgour, a pretty combination of grey and green ; Miss Suttie, navy velvet trimmed with grey check ; Miss Gorrie, grey, with charming white hat; Miss Coleman, grey satin : Miss McCrae, black ; Miss Anderson wore a very stylish costume of small check of black and white trimmed with white flannel and black braid. There were also Mesdames Ireland, Thomas Moirin, S. Morrin, Gamble, Ransom, Aitkin, Whitney, Bull, Thomson, Von Stunner, Stevenson, Brown, Dignan, Aitkin-Carrick, Burchell, Misses Stevenson (Remuera), Kerr-Taylor, Harrison, and others.

The Pakuranga Hounds met at North Shore. It seemed rather a strange thing to do, was it not “ to go across such a large extent of water for a hunt. After a little trouble we led all our horses on board. Amongst those present were Miss Percival, on Prestissimo; Miss Kerr-Taylor, Premier ; Miss Dunnet, Sir Roger ; Miss Evans, Billybilly ; Misses Devore, Masefield, Wilkins, Puckie ; Mr Percival on Jim ; Mr Gordon, Tommy ; Mr Tonks, Odd Trick ; Col. Dawson, Ike ; Mr Lockhart, Eros ; Mr Shera, Bradlaugh ; Mr V. Kerr-Taylor, The Count ; Mr Bloomfield, Bachelor ; Mr Gilmore, Tomato ; Messrs Stewart, Martin (2), Motion, Ware, England, etc. About fifty horsemen and horsewomen went across. The first mishap occurred as we were nearing Devonport. The steamer gave a lurch, and one of the passengers to save himself from a fall, caught the wire of the fog-horn, which, of course, resounded very loudly and the result was really very terrible, for every horse started and drew back, and there was quite a confusion on board, everybody trying to keep their horses still. Cries of ‘ Stop that !’ ‘Whoa!’ ‘ Keep still !’ ‘ You idiot, what are you doing’’ echoed on all sides, but the individual, quite unconscious of the harm he was doing, still continued to hold on, wondering, no doubt, why the horn was not stopped, until somebody kindly went to the rescue, and showed him who was doing the mischief; but, of course, many by this time were well bruised trying to steady their steeds amongst such a crowd. There was no other mishap until we started, the first jump being a low wall and a high gate beside it. One gentleman, who seems to have a very adventuresome spirit, thinking, no doubt, that he held the Odd Trick in his hand, went for this gate, though many advised him not, saying it was a foolhardy thing. The result justified the remonstrances. He and his charger lay sprawling on the other side. I heard many a murmur, ‘Serve you right.’ The country was not exactly stiff which we had to pass over. Some jumps were made for us by putting rails across the wire. Most of the jumps were large ditches with a very high embankment on one side, but what was most difficult was a ditch on each side of the embankment, and those not expecting it, would land into the ditch on the other side. I saw Mr Gordon disappear, horse and all, into a ditch. Mr Fred Shera cut his horse’s knees very badly, and his brother had a nasty fall over one of the fences. We arrived safely at Lake Takapuna Hotel, where we all refreshed ourselves well, with tea, of course, especially the gentlemen, then went down to watch the sports on the lake. About four we remounted and returned by the same route we had come, but there was not much jumping needed, as all the fences and everything of that description was knocked flat. Miss Percival was the only one who came to grief on our return. Her horse swerved at a jump and unseated its rider, whom I saw reclining gracefully on the ground. We returned back to Auckland on a smaller boat, so those who were not first had to wait patiently for the next one. We were rather overcrowded, and the boat pitched dreadfully, so it was with great difficulty we steadied our horses.

There are such lovely photographs of some of the amateurs who took part in ‘ Princess Ida ’ now being exhibited in Mr Hanna’s studio. Of course they are in costume, and are executed in the new opaline style. Mr and Mrs T. Morrin entertained Monsignor McDonald and his excellent drum and fife band at Prospect House. They played very prettily on the lawn to a delighted audience.

Muriel.