AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 52, 26 December 1891, Page 731

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bek, December 15. The Auckland Amateur Rowing Association held their annual regatta for the first time at Pine Island, a beautifully sheltered spot in the Upper Waitemata, instead of at Lake Takapnna, as formerly. The ferry steamers Britannia and Eagle were crowded with passengers, who evinced considerable interest in the races. The pleasure, however, was somewhat marred by the showers which fell during the afternoon, and although the decks of the steamers, which were covered with awning, afforded ample shelter, still it would have been far pleasanter to have watched the races from the surrounding green and shady banks. A number of smaller steamers were also in the bay, in addition to numerous yachts and pleasure boats. The sun shone out brightly between the showers, when an opportunity was afforded of wandering up the hill and enjoying a panorama, the beauty of which words of mine could not possibly describe. Amongst the ladies present I noticed Miss Hill, white dress; Mrs Myers, stylish black costume, black bonnet with white tips ; Mrs P. A. Edmiston, blue flowered sateen skirt, white blouse and navy jacket, hat trimmed with feathers; Miss Suttie, navy and white striped costume with white chemisette, sailor hat; Miss Mulgan, navy serge gown, the jacket showing a flowered silk blouse, sailor hat; Mrs Clark, stylish navy blue costume, and pretty little hat to match ; Miss Dunnett, biscuit-coloured costume, gem hat banded with ribbon ; Miss Williamson, black dress and hat, fawn jacket; Mrs H. Niccol, stylish grey and black plaid costume with white vest, black and white hat; Miss M. Edwards, pretty pink cambric gown, white hat; the Misses Hesketh, white dresses prettily trimmed with embroidery, white hats; Mrs Macdonald, all black costume ; Misses Macdonald, grey skirts, white blouse bodices, black jackets, and black and white sailor hats; Miss Langsford, navy blue costume with white blouse, sailor hat; Miss L. Langsford, navy cambric gown spotted with white, sailor hat; Mrs Edger, grey tweed costume with white spotted blouse, black hat; Miss Ella Cameron, cream pongee silk gown, cream hat; Miss N. Owen, navy cambric costume, grey hat with ostrich tips ; Miss Campbell, white costume, gem hat; Mrs Arneil, white dress trimmed with embroidery, fawn hat; Miss Byliind, white flowered muslin gown trimmed with brown, fawn three-quarter cape, brown hat; Miss Chapman, grey tweed costume with vest of cream silk, gem hat; Mrs Kelly, white dress trimmed with embroidery, cream hat trimmed with feathers ; Miss Mackay, white embroidered costume, black hat trimmed with ostrich tips ; Miss Diddams, brown costume, black jacket, sailor hat; Mrs Lush, pretty fawn tweed costume, fawn hat with crimson trimmings ; Mrs Taylor, pretty blue cambric gown with white spotted blouse, white hat; Miss Gribben, white dress, gem hat; Miss Firth, black costume, the jacket opening over a white spotted shirt, sailor hat; her younger sister wore a blue striped print dress and sailor hat; Mrs Humphrey Haines was in her husband’s yacht, wearing a stylish navy blue yachting costume ; Miss Bakewell, blue skirt, white mnslin blouse, and large fawn hat; Miss Reeve, pretty blue flowered cambric gown, white hat; Miss Marsden, black skirt and jacket, white blonse and white sailor hat; Miss Kissling, black skirt and jacket, white blouse, andsailorhat; Miss Goodall, pink embroidered gown, fawn jacket, and sailor hat; Mrs Choyce, stylish fawn tweed gown with petunia-coloured spots, black and gold bonnet; Mrs Atkinson, black flowered costume, black and yellow bonnet. Amongst others I also noticed the Misses Gorrie (2), Hooper (2), Gittos(2), Henderson, Wilson, Swinnerton, Corbett, Edmiston, Goldie, Patterson, Carr, Stewart, Gordon, Fisher, etc., etc.

A delightfully enjoyable concert was given in the Devonport Hau by the North Shore Rowing Club for the purpose of raising funds towards defraying the cost of the new gig which the Club have recently had built, I think, in Melbourne. The hall was crowded to excess, so that the object in view was happily attained. The programme was a splendid one, and contaiped the names of a number of our best local talent. The gem of the evening was undoubtedly ‘ When the Flowing Tide Comes in,’ by Miss Rimmer, ana yet the encore, ‘ The Last Rose of Summer ’ which we most emphatically would have, was exquisitely sung. There is an indescribable charm about Miss Rimmer’s singing which never fails to win the hearts of the Auckland people. She looked particularly charming in a simple gown of eau-de-nil net or muslin, with olive green plush trimmings and pale pink roses. We were also completely won by another solo, * Sunshine and Rain,’ {encored), by the same lady. Miss Burgess sang * The

Romany Land,' and Miss Harper, ‘ Ye Sweet Wild Birds,’ charmingly. The Misses Harper contributed the duet, ‘How Sad it is to Say Farewell.’ The duet, ‘ Estudiantina,’ by Messrs Jackson and Reid, was sung in their usual pleasing manner. Messrs Jackson, Dufaur, and Reid gave the pretty trio from ‘ Princess Ida,’ and also the trio • Masaniello.’ Mr H. L. Brett was encored for his song ‘ The Soldier’s Good-bye.’ Mr Percy Dufaur gave the Serenade from ‘ Dorothy,’ and Mr T. M. Jackson Tosti’s pretty song, ‘Beauty’s Eyes,’ most successfully ; another enjoyable item was the clarionet solo by Mr S. Jackson ; Mr Montague was encored for his reading, ‘ Napoleon the Great,’ Mr J. Paterson gave a comic recitation, which obtained an encore, entitled the ‘ Chinaman's Protest,’ but I cannot say I enjoyed it. Although splendidly delivered, it appeared to me decidedly vulgar. Amongst the audience were Mrs Swinnerton, Mrs and Miss Brett, Mrs and Miss Bylunds, Miss Edson, Mrs Buddle, Miss Browne, Mrs and Misses Harvey, Miss McCorquodale, Mrs E. Queree, Miss Scott, Miss Grattan, and numerous others. Mr Alt Bartley was the accompanist, and played in his usual finished style. At a most enjoyable conversazione held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, the certificates won at the recent musical and literary competition were presented by the president, Mr J. L. Wilson. The successful competitors were Miss E. H. McKerras, Messrs R. W. A. Potter, D. S. Hutchinson, C. J. Parr, F. M. Hay, L. Kekwick, M. Aldis, S. C. Johnstone, W. H. Carter, W. Masker, D. E. Walton, A. T. Twentyman, A. G. Jarret, and the St James’ and Tabernacle Literary Associations. There was a large attendance of the public, for whose amusement and entertainment the committee had made ample provision. In the lecture hall an excellent short concert was held, while in the reading room the tables were covered with beautiful photographs, albums of views, a microscope, stethescope, etc., kindly lent by friends. In the gymnasium Professor Carrollo and two of his pupils (Messrs W. Russell and W. Lonergan) gave an athletic exhibition, and in the social hall the ladies’ committee provided excellent tea, coffee, and light refreshments free for all who felt inclined. The concert programme comprised songs by Misses Burgess and G. Buddle and Mr W. Musker ; recitations by Messrs D. Hutchinson and Potter; selections by the Ponsonby young ladies’ orchestra; and a violin solo by Miss Edith Whitelaw, a little lady of only ten summers. The latter item was certainly the gem of the evening, and at the close the youthful performer was most enthusiastically encored, and showered with beautiful bouquets. Ordinary walking costumes were worn. Mrs S. Adams looked well in black; Miss Nellie Edmiston acted as leader of the orchestra, and wore a fawn and cream striped skirt, and cream silk blouse ; little Miss Whitelaw wore a pretty blue cashmere frock finished with blue ribbon ; Mrs A. Knight wore a stylish grey'gown, and large grey hat with grey ostrich tips ; Miss Kenderdine, pretty black and white check silk gown with black merveilleux sleeves, black hat; Miss Sommerville, stylish fawn plaid costume trimmed with brown plush, brown hat with brown feathers, fawn jacket ; Miss McGlashan, pretty crushed strawberry gown, white gem hat; Mrs S. C. Johnstone, grey tweed gown with large spots, black bonnet; Miss McLaurin, white dress, and pretty white hat; Mrs J. L. Wilson, navy flowered costume, and stylish black and gold bonnet; Miss Main, pretty heliotrope gown, white hat; Mrs Whitelaw, all black costume ; Miss Whitelaw, grey gown ; Miss Barbara Whitelaw, who has just returned from a visit to Scotland, wore a stylish black dress, and black hat with crimson flowers; Mrs Morpeth wore all black, also Miss Macpherson, who is in mourning; Miss Buddle (Remuera) looked well in a pretty light grey gown and stylish cream hat; Miss Burgess also wore a grey gown, white hat; Miss Buddle (North Shore), black gown, fawn hat trimmed with cornflowers and grass ; Miss Short, white dress and hat. The Choral Society are engaged at their weekly practice in the study of the ‘ Messiah ’ for their next concert. The solos have been allotted as follows Miss Murray and Miss F. Harding (sopranos); Mrs Coates (alto); Mr W. Martin (tenor), and Mr Percy Dufaur (bass). The concert takes place on Tuesday, the 22nd inst., and the annual Sunday performance open to the public on the 27th inst. After that the Society go into recess until the first Tuesday in February, 1892, when Mendelssohn’s ‘ St. Paul ’ will be the subject for rehearsal. The marriage of Miss Plummer, eldest daughter of Mr Charles Plummer, and Mr Howard W. Watkins, eldest son of the Rev. W. J. Watkins, of Wellington, was very quietly solemnized at the residence of the bride’s parents by the Rev. W. Gittos. The bride wore a pretty gown of soft white material, finished with bows of white ribbon and sprays of orange blossoms, wreath of orange blossoms and handsome tulle veil, and carried a lovely bouquet. The bridesmaids four in number, were Miss Crowther (first), Miss May Plummer, and two little Miss Crowthers. The first couple wore becoming gowns of sea-green open-work material and gold girdles, and the younger maids pretty salmon pink frocks. Mr Arthur Mackie, cousin of the bridegroom, attended in the capacity of best man. At the conclusion of the ceremony the wedding guests, who comprised only the immediate relatives, were hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Plummer. The wedding presents were both numerous and handsome, and included a number from Mr Watkins’ fellow employees in the Auckland Savings Bank. Mrs L. D. Nathan, Karangahape Road, gave a delightful tennis party. The weather was glorious, and a great many officers of the warships made quite a novelty, besides other gentlemen who could get away from their business engagements. It was really very enjoyable to wander round their garden, which is a picture of neatness. Our hostess wore an extremely handsome gown of cream striped China silk trimmed with gold braid, a pretty hat with cream feathers ; Miss Nathan, a pale blue cashmere trimmed with gold braid, and her young sister, red and white delaine ; Miss Isaacs, black skirt, white vest, grey jacket, black hat : Mrs Haines, black spotted delaine; Mrs Bloomfield (Parnell), black ; Mrs R. Wood, black ; Miss Rookes looked charming in white; Mrs S. George, black : her daughter grey ; Mrs Thomas Morrin, handsome grey trimmed with braid ; Mrs McLaughlan, bluey-grey silk trimmed with black lace; Mrs (Col.) Carre, handsome grey silk white bonnet; Mrs (Dr.) Lewis, grey; Mrs Gabriel Lewis, black satin; Mrs A. Nathan, black satin ; Mrs C. McMillan, Mrs Stevenson and her daughters (Ponsonby); Mrs Pay ton, cream; Mrs S. Morrin, Mrs A. Clark, Mrs Walker, Mrs Johnson, Mrs Ruck and daughter, Mrs Blare, Mrs Dennison, Mrs Thomson, Mrs Moss-Davis and daughter, Mrs Bull and daughter, Mrs Carrick, Mrs Richmond, Mrs

Hesketh and daughters, Mrs Farelie, Mrs Kerr-Taylor and daughters, Mrs Devore and daughter, Mrs Ipton and daughter, Mrs Russell and daughters, Mrs (Piofeesor) Thomas, Misses Firth, White (Parnell), O'Brien, Jervus, Anderson, Larkins, Davis (2), and others. There were four young ladies who brought their racquets to play tennis, evidently meaning business—Misses Rookes, Bull, I pton, and Kerr-Taylor. The two former play extremely well, wielding their batons with great effect. I expect they will be the coming champions of Parnell and Mount Eden lawns, respectively. Two of the young ladies getting tired, their places were filled by Messrs Goodhue and Cotrol. The three Italians gave us some very delightful music during the afternoon. They are becoming quite a popular institution now, and are much appreciated. Dr. Challinor Purchas gave a dinner to the members of the Tandem Club down at St. Helier’s Bay. Some of the members of the Polo Club met at Potter's Paddock for practice. I must tell you of one or two pretty street dresses. Mrs Lawry looked extremely well in a stylish pale blue delaine with a red striped border, panel and trimmings, toque ; Miss M. Firth, grey skirt, white blouse ; Miss Isaacs, black; Miss McLaughlin, (Papatoitoi), grey cashmere, trimmings of black braid, large sailor hat; Mrs Banks, black ; Miss Banks, navy serge with pink shirt, sailor hat; Miss Hesketh, white muslin, large white hat with feathers ; Miss Dickey (Onehunga), navy blue costume, black lace toque ; Mrs Otway, black cashmere edged with black lace, black bonnet.

Of course we went to the Academy of Arts Conversazione. My dear, the pictures, most of them, are lovely. Mr Steele’s painting of • Starlight’s Last Stand,’ is, I think, nearly perfection. I like it even better than the ‘ Story of a Saddle.’ Was it not a shame no end of people came in day dresses and bonnets. The same thing, you will remember, happened when Lord and Lady Onslow opened the Society of Art Exhibition. Lady Onslow, who had come in full evening dress, was so annoyed that she went home almost immediately. It was a slight on the President and his colleague, who were both, of course, in evening dress. Somebody with a mouth full of artistic phrasing is almost certain to tell you about the pictures themselves, but I must just remark that some of your Southern artists send very good pictures. A band played delightful music, and the decorations were truly artistic, the baskets of ferns banging from the ceiling being simply perfect. The weather has been very hot indeed, but relieved by welcome thunder showe -s. Warm as our climate is, it is cool compared to that of Melbourne. I heard a lady say she had just received a letter from that city in which the writer stated he had left a sound candle on a shelf in the morning, and on returning at night, could not find it in the dark. He struck a match and discovered that the terrible heat of the day had melted it into a puddle of grease, which had trickled down on to the floor. That same night it rained, soaked them all, and at 4.30 in the morning the writer and friends were sitting shivering over a huge fire.

Muriel.