AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 51, 19 December 1891, Page 707

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bek. December 8. The principal musical event of the week was the delightful and successful concert given by the orchestra of the Choral Society. The conceit was held in the Choral Hall before a large and appreciative audience. Professor Carl Schmitt conducted, and Herr Louis Tutschka led the orchestra, which was fully represented. The orchestral selections were on the whole pleasingly rendeied, and in one or two instances encores weie insisted upon. The pieces performed included the overture to * Zampa ’ (Herold). ‘ Teufel’s March ’ (Von Suppe), Weber’s overture, ‘Preciosa,' and an arrangement by Rivieri from Meyerbeer's * Les Huguenots.’ Messrs S. Jackson and T. Wood were enthusiastically encored for a beautifully-rendered duet by Weber for clarionet and piano. Another delightful item was Bocherini’s charming minuet performed by Messrs Tutschka, Kent, Macfarlane, Beale and Brown, which was also deservedly encored. Miss Freda Marsden gave the violin solo, ‘ Scene de Ballet ’ (De Beriot), with orchestral accompaniment, with moderate success. The programme was pleasingly varied with vocal selections, the gems being contributed by Miss Murray, a Thames young lady, who made her debut before an Auckland audience, and who is the possessor of a sweet and very sympathetic voice. Her first song was ‘Old Robin Gray,’which she sang with the utmost sweetness, tenderness, and pathos. In response to the encore which followed ‘ John Anderson, My Jo ’ was given. In the second part Miss Murray gave ‘ Hallowe’en Eve,’ by Pinsuti, and as an encore ‘ Dolly’s Revenge.’ Messrs Worrell and Ferriday gave the duet ‘ Excelsior,’ and Mr J Ferriday ‘ Home of My Heart,’ from ‘ Lnrline.’ Mr W. Simms contributed ‘ When Night is Darkest,’ and Mr C. Hudson ‘The Village Blacksmith.’ The concert was the first of the season, and success both musically and financially may most surely be anticipated. Miss Murray looked well in a gown of cream brocade, slightly trained, long cream gloves, and carried a lovely bouquet of damask roses. Miss Reeve played her piano accompaniment, wearing a pretty sapphire blue evening dress. Miss Harding played most of the accompaniments during the evening, and looked well in a handsome black evening dress. Miss Marsden also wore a black evening dress. Amongst the audience evening and plain dress were about equally worn. It is a great pity that some definite arrangement about evening or morning dress cannot be come to. It is so very easy to wear a soft hat, or toque, and remove it, whilst the addition of a little lace or chiffon at the throat makes an afternoon frock quite dressy. Mrs Ware looked handsome in a lovely black gown, the low bodice richly trimmed with jet ; Miss Binney, pretty black evening dress; Miss F. Binney looked well in a gown of soft cream material, and pretty cream cape ; Miss M. Slator, dainty white eveningdress ; Miss Lusk, pretty black evening dress, and stylish three-quarter cape ; Mrs J. M. Dargaville, handsome black silk gown, the corsage relieved with a cluster of natural flowers ; Miss Murray, pretty bright pink gown, the neck finished with white lace, a young lady with her looked well in primrose yellow silk ; Mrs Ernest Queue, stylish flowered delaine gown, and pretty white hat trimmed with white ostrich tips and gold ; Miss Dunnet, stylish light grey gown ; Miss Colegrove, stylish plaid costume : Miss Grace Whitelaw, pretty grey gown with large spots; Mrs Murray, rich black silk gown; Miss Murray, cream lace dress with pale blue ribbons ; Miss Hall, black velvet gown with elbow sleeves of lace without lining ; Miss Macmaster, pretty white dress ; Miss J. Patterson looked nice in cream ; Miss N. Chew, dainty pale blue cashmere gown, large fawn hat with cardinal trimmings ; Miss E. Chew, pretty white dress, white gem hat ; Mrs D. Goldie, black costume, and stylish little bonnet ; her daughters wore heliotrope and grey, respectively, and large stylish hats; Miss Bleazard, pink silk gown; Miss Bleazard, handsome striped silk gown ; Mrs Macdonald, black silk gown, gold ornaments ; Miss Cotterall. white muslin costume. The ‘Roses, Patches, and Powder Ball,’ held in the Choral Hall in aid of the funds of the Auckland Ladies’ Benevolent Society, proved exceedingly enjoyable, and in every way a most decided success. Over one hundred couples were present, the majority of the ladies appearing in court costume, powdered hair and patches, while most of the gowns were gay with a profusion of beautiful roses : indeed, roses seemed to be everywhere in abundance. Amongst the gentlemen, plain evening dress was generally worn, a few only appearing in court dress. Several officers from the warship Ringa rooms were present by invitation. The hall was tastefully and gaily decorated, which added not a little to the beauty of the scene, the floor was in perfect order, while Adams' Band supplied the sweetest of dance music ; indeed, the only drawback to perfect enjoyment was the heat, which rendered dancing a rather uncomfortable pleasure. The ladies’ committee provided a delicious supper, with an unlimited supply of strawberries and cream, ices and cooling drinks, which it is needless to add were duly appreciated by the heated and tired dancers. Amongst those present were Mesdames L. D. Nathan, A. H. Nathan, Ware, Dargaville, Niccol, Kronfeldt, Collins, Hay, Burton, Mahoney, Buxton, Wilkie, Thiele, E. Buchanan. Carre, Devore, J. A. Tole, Cottle, Ireland, Aicken, Cheeseman, Napier, Thomas, Beale, Martin, Kingswell, Dawson, King, A. R. Hay, Sharland, Lawry, H. Laidlaw-Thompson, Lewis, Nashelski, Taylor, Windsor, Cattanach, J. Reid, Coates, Graham, Misses Firth, Wilkie, Devore, Jago, Murray, E. M’Cormick, Lewis, Wallnutt, Percival (2), Stuart, Macindoe, Baker (2), Buckland, M. Fenton, Hill (2), Slator, Fisher, Hoojrer (2), Gorrie (2), Atkinson (2), F. Binney, Upton, Gill (2), Bach, Anderson, Dunnett, N. Hill, Linnell, Birch, Burchell, Ireland (2), Keesing, Ruck. Mowbray, Niccol, Davis (2>, Wylde-Browne, Dickey, Ellis, Mackie, W he well. Wood, King (2>, Goodall, Elliott, O’Brien, Phillips, Battley, Chapman, Pittai, Ringwood, Nashelski, Macdonald, A. N. Williams, Kerr-Taylor (2), Spiers, Gorton, Keane, and Johnstone. Amongst the gentlemen were Dr. Austin, Lieutenant Buck, Dr. Dr. Orpen, Dr. Collins, Messrs Upton, Baume, L. D. Nathan, A. H. Nathan, Batt,

England, Thomas, J. Reid, Coates, Brown, Montague, Sharland, Slator, J. C. Hanna, Harrison, E. W. Burton, Bagnall. Holmes, Philips, Shera, Hill, lieland, F. Minnet, F. Battley, Lewis, Mclvor, J. Hooper, Mahoney, A. H. Barret, Busby, J. H. Noble, W. P. Goodhue, Kettlewell, Kenderdine, Hadley, E. A. Gledhill, Morton, C. Ballantyne, F. <’. Stubbs, H. Campbell, Ormond, Alexander, Beale, Rose, Tucker, Myers, J. P. Stevenson, Yates, Leatham, C. Sharland, Gibson, H A. Battley, Napier, E. W. Marriner, Palairet, Reeves, Laird, Haige, McCallum, H. F. Howard, Graves Aiken, Martin, Kronfeldt, Stubbing, Heywood, Colonel Carre, and others. The Bland Holt Company at the Opera House terminated a prosperous and successful season with the production of the ‘ Bells of Haslenrere ’ and ‘ The Golden Ladder.’ The former play 1 liked the beet of the season. The plot is less sensational than * Master and Man,' and the scenery and staging generally is both magnificent and realistic. Amongst the audience I noticed Mrs Thompson, wearing a handsome black silk costume ; Mrs Tewsley, stylish heliotrope gown, the bodice finished with ruffles of black laee ; a lady with her wore a rich black silk costume ; Mrs J. J. Craig, black silk gown, the corsage finished with a cluster of crimson flowers; Miss S. Campbell, pretty white dress ; Mrs Schappe, biscuit-coloured gown trimmed with brown silk ; Miss L. Montgomery, white dress; Miss Keane, pretty biscuit coloured gown ; Miss Queree, pretty greenishblue gown, plush mantle ; Miss < »xley, pretty grey gown ; Mrs Berry, black silk costume: Miss Berry, dark costume with white vest ; Miss Pearce, pretty grey gown, white vest ; Miss Dunnet, grey costume ; Miss Alice Lye, grev gown ; Miss Percival, wine-coloured cos tume ; Miss Johnstone, dark blue costume; Mrs Aitkin Carrick, black silk, the sleeves prettily puffed, with white silk inserted on the shoulders ; Mrs A. Aitkin, fawn costume ; Mrs J. M. Alexander, evening dress of rich black lace rel eved with lovely pelargoniums; Mrs Rattray, ruby plush, white vest ; Mrs Bodie and Mrs Roach, black. Quite a pleasing little ceremony took place the other evening in the showroom of the Auckland Direct Importing Company when Miss Robb, a young lady who has for some time acted as head of the millinery department, was made the happy recipient of a very handsome present from her fellow employees, prior to severing her connection with the firm in order to enter the holy bonds of matrimony. The presentation was made on behalf of the donors by Mr Morrison, manager of the firm, and took the form of an illuminated address beautifully painted on New Zealand wood, and a handsome morocco case containing a beautiful set of electro plated dessert knives and forks. The young lady was both surprised and gratified at the kindly feeling shown towards her and expressed her thanks in a few words. Amongst the pretty walking costumes I have noted lateiy I may mention Sirs Nichol (sen. I, black and flowered gown, stylish black lace mantle reaching to the foot of her skirt, and becoming little black and gold bonnet ; Miss Buddle (Remuera), pretty cream gown beautifully embroidered, pale green silk sash, and stylish fawn hat trimmed with crimson poppies ; Miss Alice Upton looked nice in a light biscuit coloured gown with white vest, and stylish hat trimmed with ostrich tips; Mrs Dargaville, stylish pale blue flowered cambric gown, small black bonnet relieved with yellow blossoms ; Mrs Alexander, flowered sateen gown with mauve velvet trimmings, pretty little bonnet; Mrs Levisohn, handsome cream silk gown richly trimmed with wide black ribbon, velvet bonnet to correspond ; Miss Lewis, dainty light biscuit-coloured gown, white hat encircled with ostrich feathers; Mrs J. Gwen, stylish greygown with spots, hat to correspond ; Mrs Waller, navy blue sateen costume, pretty little black hat : Miss Scott, pretty blue cambric gown, cream hat ; Miss Binney, navy blue skirt, white spotted blouse, gem hat. Professor Carrollos annual picnic to his pupils was held at Motatapu, and proved, I hear, a great success. Mrs Tebbs, wife of the late Rev. W. Tebbs, incumbent of St. Matthew’s Church, was presented with an address and purse of sovereigns by the parishioners of St. Matthew’s. Mrs Tebbs has been a most faithful and energetic clergyman’s wife. Her great musical talent has been frequently employed in playing the organ in St. Matthew’s Church when, from any cause, a paid organist has not been forthcoming. The whole family will be much missed. The eldest son, Mr Alison, is studying medicine at St. Bartholomew’s. He overworked himself, and an aunt of Mr J. T. Dixon’s kindly took him for change of air to Eastbourne. Mrs Tebbs leaves with her family immediately for England in order to join her eldest son and daughter. The presentation was made on behalf of the parishioners by Mrs J. C. Morrin.

Amongst the quieter sort of afternoon gaieties I may mention a very enjoyable tennis party given by Mrs Whewell, of Remuera. Mrs Thomas, wife of the University Professor, had a delightful afternoon tea for girls in the bush.

I hear that Colonel and Mrs Cane intend to leave Auckland for England in February. We shall miss them very much.

I am glad to say that Mr C. V. Houghton, has recovered from his attack of influenza, and though very weak, is able to get about a little. Mr and Mrs Battley are expected early in January. Since writing to you last week I have heard of one death from influenza—that of Mr Allen, of Allendale. He was such a dear old gentleman, in his eighty-first year, and in perfect possession of his faculties. His son, Mr Thos. Allen, returned from San Francisco, where he had been as delegate for the Wesleyan Conference, just in time to see his father alive.

Another death has taken place which has caused almost universal regret throughout Auckland. Sir Frederick Whitaker, so well-known and so greatly respected, expired very suddenly. He was taken ill in his otlice, and conveyed to his house in Symond street, whilst a telephonic message was despatched to his daughters, Mrs Minnett and Miss Whitaker, at Lake Takapuna They airived too late, how ever, as their father had died very suddenly. Sir Frederick was in delicate health, ami was working when most men would have been resting. The funeral was a most imposing one, there being about one hundred and fifty Masons piesent. I think it was almost the largest ever seen in Auckland, the procession extending for fully three quarters of a mile, upwards of eighty carriages following the hearse. In the first carriage were Mr Alfred Whitaker, son of Sir Frederick, and his grandsons, Masters Fred and Walter Minnett, and Fred Whitaker. There were some very lovely wreaths. The little churchyard of St. Stephen's, where he was buried

by the side of his wife, looked so pretty, nestling amongst the trees on the slope of a hill, with the lieautiful Waitemata Harbour almost touching its base. Turning fora moment from these sad thoughts, I must tell you of the very artistic exhibition of china painting held in Mrs Burchell's house, the work of her pupils. Some of the bits of New Zealand scenery and flowers are lovely. A dessert service copied from one belonging to Sir G. Grey is exquisite. Amongst the visitors were Dr. and Mrs Haines, Mr and Mrs Herrick, Mr and Mrs Shera. Mrs Burcher is well known as an enthusiast in the province of art and as one of the promoters of the first art-society in Auckland. For several yeais Mrs Burcher has been trying to fix upon china ornamental designs in colours, but the question of the firing of the pottery presented difficulties with which no other person in New Zealand made any attempt to grapple, and which for a long while eluded the perseverance of Mrs Burcher. Recently, however, profiting by failure and the advice of experts in the pottery districts at home, Mrs Burcher succeeded in getting a kiln into thorough working order with the result shown at her exhibition. The exhibits consisted of all kinds of table-objects in china fruit-dishes, milk jugs, plates, cups, and vases covered with most tasteful designs, some in the flora of New Zealand, and all executed by the pupils of Mrs Burcher. The firing of the china was perfect, the surface of the glaze being flawless and the colouring clear, vivid, and life-like. Altogether the exhibition was most successful from every point of view, and was instrumental in attracting several hundreds of visitors An excellent private concert was given by Miss Harding in the Choral Hall, when the following programme was well rendered:—Selection, ‘II Trovatore ’ (Verdi), (very good) orchestia : song, ‘ My (jueen ’ (Blumenthal, MrT. M. Jackson : trio, • The Hawthorn in the Glade ’ (Bennett), Miss F. S. Harding, Messrs Reid and Hudson ; march, ‘ The Pensioners ’ (St. orchestra ; song (one of the best items), ‘Guy Mannering ’ (Bishop), Mrs Burgess; song, ‘The Garonne’ (S. Adams), Mr A. L. Ed wards ; waltz, ‘ Journalisten ’ (Strauss), orchestra; selection, ‘La Fille du Regiment’ (Donizetti), orchestra; song, ‘Margherita’ (Lohr), Mr G. M. Reid; song, ‘Treue Liebe ’ (op. 16), (Diiriner), Miss Whitaker ; ’cello obligato, Mr Beale ; clarionet solo, ‘ Ernani ’ (Verdi), Mr S.[Jackson, encored : quartette (very well sung), ‘ The Spinning Wheel ’ (Flotovv), Miss F. S. Harding, Mrs Burgess, Messrs Brook and Charter : song, ‘ The Young Brigade’ (Jude), Mr Hudson ; march from ‘ Eli ’ (Costa), orchestra. Accompanist, Miss Harding. Instrumentalists :—Violinists : Misses Maude Harding (leader), W. Goodwin, C. Hipkins, Rice, Law, A. Law, K. Lennox, S. Rice, L. < 'ameron, A. Garrett, M. Hesketh, S. Marshall, K. McMillan, F. Pierce, Masters T. Hosking, G. Doveton, E. Young, F. Hosking, F. Warren, F. Finlayson. Viola: Miss F. S. Harding. Cello: Miss M. Law. Contra bass : Miss W. Rice. Flute : Master C. T. Harding. Oboe : Master J. Jackson. Clarionets : Miss E. Harding, Masters P. McGill, J. Dixon, V. Heather. Pianist: Miss E. Cotter. Drums: Miss F.Garlick. Triangle : Miss F. Hosking. Conductor : Miss Harding. Miss Maude Harding, dressed in white cashmere, was very successful. I suppose she is the best juvenile violin player here since Miss Otie Chew’s departure. Miss Harding was received with applause, and was presented with a beautiful bouquet the colours of the orchestra —crimson and old gold. All the young ladies were in white, wearing their badges of crimson and gold. During the interval Miss Harding was again presented with a floral initial E. H. of white daisies and pelargoniums. An invitation was thoughtfully sent to the blind, of which a large number availed themselves. Some of the officers from the Ringarooma were present. Messrs Jackson Palmer, M.H.R., Alfred White, and Ashton acted as ushers. You will, of course, want to hear something about the dresses. Miss F. S. Harding was in lovely white satin ; Mrs Burgess, black silk ; Mrs Kilgour, pink silk : Mrs Cotter, black satin, bonnet to match : Miss Harding, white cashmere, gold braid ; Miss Pilcher, white watered silk ; Mrs Abel wore white, white hat and feathers ; Miss Garlick, her sister, white, pretty grey feathered hat ; Miss Johnson, pale pink, brown hat with feathers ; Miss Emma Thomson, black,.white feather toque, relieved with heliotrope pompons

Muriel.