AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 1, 2 January 1892, Page 15

AUCKLAND.

Dbab Bek. December 22. A very large number of parents and friends assembled at the Opera House to witne&s the presentation of prizes to the pupils of the Auckland College and Grammar School. These rewards of application and diligence were placed prominently on a long table stretching across the platform. Seated on the platform were the masters in their official robes, several members of the Board of Governors, His Worship the Mayor (Mr Crowther), Mrs Crowther, and the ex-Mayor (Mr Upton) and Mrs Upton. The overture to ‘Cox and Box’ (Sir Arthur Sullivan) was powerfully rendered by the school orchestra, which owes its entire training and conductorship to Mr Trevithick. Master R. Walton holds the position of leader in the orchestra. Sir Maurice O’Rorke opened the meeting, dwelling in his remarks upon the system by which students could pass from the primary schools to higher branches of education. M r Bourne, the headmaster, delivered his annual report, referring in particular to the loss the school had sustained in the death of the late master, Mr J. P. Francis. During the course of the proceedings the orchestra delivered Scotson Clarke’s ‘ March aux Flambeaux ’ and the ‘ Brise des Nuits ’ waltz by Lamothe in faultless style. The young ladies and gentlemen were called upon in due order to receive their prizes from the hands of the Mayoress, Mrs Crowther, Mrs Upton presenting the sports prizes. The ceremony concluded with ‘ God Save the Queen ’ from the orchestra. Among those present upstairs were Mesdames Cotter, Carson, Hay, Slowman, Whitelaw, Johnstone. Mrs T. Peacock, in a handsome black costume, and black and gold bonnet; Misses Peacock, Misses Lewis, Mrs J. B. Russell, blue gown, handsome black lace mantle, and black and gold bonnet : Miss Russell, Mrs Atkinson in cream and cream hat; Mrs Ross, Mrs Choyce, beautiful black merveilleux gown, and dainty cream and gold bonnet; Mrs Graves Aicken, in a black and white costume, bonnet to correspond ; Miss Fisher, pretty crushed strawberry gown, black lace hat with flowers ; Miss Biss, navy blue gown, the jacket opening over a blouse of lighter blue, floral hat; Miss Grace Whitelaw, bluish grey gown with spots, gem hat; Mrs D. •Goldie, black merveilleux gown, black bonnet relieved with flowers ; Mrs Butt, black costume, and pretty black bonnet with cream flowers ; Mrs J. Dickey, black gown, silk mantle, and pretty black and gold bonnet; Miss S. Dickey, navy blue gown with tiny white spot, sailor hat ; Miss Upton, cream flowered dress, white sailor hat ; Miss •Crowther, pretty pale green gown, cream hat; Mrs H. Watkins, (nee Miss Plummer) also wore pale green and cream hat; Rev. Mr and Mrs Munro, Rev. J. and Mrs Campbell, and Messrs J. B. Russell, Graves Aicken, A. and J. P. Campbell, J. M. Butt, V. Rice, and numerous others. The amateur Swimming Club’s aquatic carnival in the Auckland Graving Dock was well attended, and the spectators were kept interested in the various events, which followed each other in quick succession. The Club provided ample seating accommodation for the large number of ladies present. Hunter’s Brass Band stationed on the ground enlivened the time with selections of popular music, and the fine weather helped in no small degree to contribute to the pleasure of the afternoon. Amongst the ladies were Mrs J. M. Brigham, in a handsome black gown and bonnet; and her little daughters, in pretty white frocks and hats ; Mrs Cossar, black gown, and pretty black and gold bonnet ; Misses Cossar wore stylish dark costumes ; Miss Bennett, pretty white dress and hat ; Mrs Rees, handsome gown in a peculiar shade of greenish grey, bonnet to correspond ; Miss Rees, white dress, and hat trimmed with flowers ; Miss Upton looked nice in cream ; Mrs Austin Smith, in white ; Miss Goldie, white dress, and black hat trimmed with feathers ; Miss Syms, pretty light dress and hat; Miss Gordon, cornflower blue skirt, white blouse, and sailor hat ; Mrs Dickey, dark dress and bonnet; her daughters wore stylish costumes ; Miss Taylor, grey gown, hat to correspond ; Miss Thompson, pretty white embroidered dress, white hat with ostrich plumes ; Miss Owen, pale blue skirt and cream silk blouse, sailor hat; Miss Henderson, all white costume ; Mrs Hutson, stylish bluish grey gown with spots, and becoming hat. The Auckland Academy of Art Exhibition in the Choral Hall was well patronised throughout the week, particularly in the evening. On one afternoon the lady members of the society and friends dispensed * afternoon tea,’ while other friends gave excellent selections of vocal and instrumental music at intervals. There was a very large attendance of visitors, the majority of whom were ladies, and the afternoon was passed most pleasantly. Amongst those who contributed musical selections were Mesdames Isidore Alexander and Snell, Misses Brown, Chew, Lusk, McKay, Reeve, Mr Milligan Hogg, and others. The Art Union was drawn in the evening, and was presided over by Dr Davy, and Messrs A. L. Edwards and J. Kenderdine, Misses Sellers and Chew drawing the tickets from the ballot box. The result was as follows :—Mrs Wright, £8 ; Mr J. J. Stuart, £7 ; Mr G. W. Binney, £5; Mr H. Nashelski, £5; Dr. Lindsay, £5 ; Mr H. P. Kavanagh, £5; Mr K. Campbell, £3 ; Mr C. Murdoch, £2. Amongst the ladies at the afternoon tea were Miss Hilda Ruck, wearing a handsomely embroidered biscuit-coloured Indian silk gown, and pretty little hat trimmed with crimson poppies ; Miss Moss-Davis, navy blue skirt, white shirt with blue spots, sailor hat with navy blue ribbon ; Miss Nashelski, pretty white dress and hat; Miss Freda Marsden, grey gown with spots, black hat ; Miss Richmond, pretty grey gown, and hat to correspond ; Miss Kilgonr, grey gown, and stylish white hat trimmed with ostrich feathers ; Miss Harrison, stylish white embroidered dress, large white hat; Mrs Bell, black silk gown, lace mantle,and black and gold bonnet; Mrs Bartlett, cream gown and hat; Mrs I. Alexander, cream skirt prettily braided with white, bluespotted blouse and navy jacket, hat tiimmed with pale yellow daisies ; Mrs Levissohn, cream silk gown with black velvet trimmings, hat to correspond ; Miss Brown, pretty dark blue gown with trimmings of white applique embroidery, bonnet to correspond ; Mrs Hay, cream flowered delaine gown trimmed with dark brown plush, brown bonnet relieved with pale pink roses ; Miss Sellers, crushed strawberry flowered print dress, stylish fawn hat with cardinal trimming ; Miss Lusk, dainty white Indian muslin dress, gem hat, Miss Macdonald, grey skirt, cream silk blouse, black and cream hat ; her sister wore all cream ; Miss N. Chew, cream striped with blue gown, fawn hat; Miss Essie Chew, pretty white spotted muslin gown, gem hat ; Mrs D. Goldie, handsome black

lace gown, black bonnet with crimson flowers; Mrs Oliphant, black silk gown, black lace hat; Miss Goodall was helping with the tea in a pretty pale pink embroidered dress and gem hat ; Mrs (Dr.) Hooper, dark blue flowered gown, cream bonnet ; Miss Hesketh, pretty green gown, and white hat encircled with ostrich feathers ; Miss Binney, grey gown with white vest, sailor nat ; Mrs Cbeeseman, blue cambric gown, the jacket faced with white, hat to correspond ; Miss Vaile, pretty grey dress, and large white hat; Miss Battley, white dress, the skirt beautifully embroidered, pale green Liberty silk sash, and white hat trimmed with feathers ; Miss Blandford, stylish dark blue gown, with trimmings of fawn lace, sailor hat; Mrs Swinnerton, blue sateen gown, handsome black lace mantle and bonnet ; Mrs Skardon, grey skirt, white blouse, and white hat trimmed with black ; Miss Buddle (Remuera, cream dress, and pretty light grey hat and jacket ; Miss Hayles, pink gown, cream hat; Miss N. Buddle, crushed strawberry gown, gem hat. The first wedding in the recently-formed Union Free Church was solemnized the other day by the Rev. William Birch, pastor of the church, and in accordance with the usual custom the newly-wedded couple were presented with a handsome Bible from the deacons. The happy couple were Miss Lowe, daughter of Mr W. Lowe, of Ponsonby, and Mr R. G. Hunkin, son of Captain Hunkin, of Truro, Cornwall. The employes of Messrs Macky, Logan, Steen and Co.’s wholesale warehousemen and their wives were invited to a picnic at Waitakerei by Mr and Mrs Caldwell, the managing partner of the Wellington branch of the firm, and his bride, who are spending a short time in Auckland before resuming their honeymoon tour to England. The guests were conveyed to their destination in large brakes, where a most enjoyable day was spent. The weather, fortunately, was all that could be desired, while the catering, which was in the hands of one of our leading confectioners, was both abundant and excellent. Indeed, no expense was spared by the host and hostess in providing for the pleasure and comfort of their guests. The warehouse was, of course, closed for the day in honour of the event. A very pretty wedding took place in St. Matthew’s Church, when Mr H. Dryland’s eldest daughter (Annie) was united to Mr Arthur Blackman, of Hamilton. The bride looked very pretty in a plain white cashmere dress with long train, with the usual veil and orange blossoms, and lovely bouquet. Four bridesmaids attended her, three being her sisters, her little cousin, three years old, making the fourth. The two first bridesmaids looked very nice in light pea green dresses with sprays of orange blossoms in the hair, and the two younger ones wore pale pink. The bride’s mother wore a handsome fawn dress and black and gold bonnet. About thirty guests sat down to the wedding breakfast, and in the evening the bride’s parents entertained about sixty in the Masonic Hall, Newton, where dancing was kept up till an early hour, music being provided by Mr Charlie Dryland and Mr Philpott. You know, Bee, what a pretty place ‘ Rocklands,' the residence of the late Judge Gillies, is. Well, it has now become the property of Mrs S. Thomson, who delighted all her friends by a large garden party in the beautiful grounds. The weather was simply perfect for an atfair of that kind, and the many trees afforded a welcome shelter from the too ardent gaze of old Sol. We were cordially welcomed by Mrs Thomson and her daughters in a spacious room (a recent addition to the house), which was handsomely upholstered in grey satin, a dado of the same having a remarkably good effect. Mrs Thomson’s gown was an elegant heliotrope flowered satin or sateen —I could not satisfy myself on this point—while her daughters wore extremely pretty dresses of flowered muslin, that of the eldest being of .a deep crimson azalea tint trimmed with silk, whilst the other’s was navy, with navy ribbons. After some very suitable and choice refreshments we wandered through the lovely grounds, listening to the music of those delightful Italians. The rare and exquisite orchids in the conservatory called forth many expressions of admiration. I do so dote on orchids. Thence we strolled through tempting little lovers’ walks, and peeped into or rested in the numerous arbours, gradually making our way to the fruit garden. The water-lilies, in full bloom in the fountain basin, looked entrancingly cool. Some stone steps led from the orchard to a pine forest, but as I wanted to observe the visitors, I returned at once to civilization. < >n my way I met Mrs Moss-Davis clothed in grey cashmere, pretty capote ; Mrs Arthur Nathan looked well in a stylish white dress trimmed with black velvet ; Miss M. Anderson, pretty striped dress ; Miss Worsp was charming in white, with large hat with feathers ; Mrs Jackson also wore white ; Mrs Bloomfield, blue, black hat with white poppies ; Mrs L. D. Nathan, mignonette green silk ; Miss Moss-Davis, white ; Miss Hay, white dress, and a pretty white hat ; Miss Firth, navy; Miss M. Firth, grey ; Miss Banks, brown striped ; and her sister, grey cashmere and white front; Miss Owen, flowered delaine; Mrs C. McMillan, Mrs Firth, Mrs Haines, Mrs Hesketh and daughters, Mrs Kerr-Taylor and daughter, Mrs J. B. Russell and daughters, Mrs Thomas, Misses Bull, Mrs Richmond, Mrs Aitken Carrick, Mrs Sandy Aitken, and a great many more, who all agreed that it had been a very pleasant afternoon. The opening of Polo took place in Potter s Paddock. I will mention those who played Messrs O’Rorke (Captain), Lockhart, Gilmore, England, Colgrave, Wynyard, Wansborough. The captain, of course, eclipsed everybody with his brilliant play. Amongst those present I noticed driving Miss Firth with Mr H. Jackson; Mrs Worsp and daughter ; Dr. and Mrs and Miss Wilkins ; Misses Kilgour and Mr Noble ; Colonel and Mrs Dawson ; Mr and Mrs Mahoney ; Misses Firth and Worsp were riding, ami many others I cannot remember. The play was not very brilliant as the ground at present is very uneven. Mrs J. T. Stevenson and her eldest daughter, * Glenholm,’ Remuera, are going to England, and intend their trip to be of ten months’ duration. They will be greatly missed by the Remuera people. Mrs Stevenson, I regret to hear, is going to consult an oculist about her eyes. Misses Banks, Onehunga, gave a large tennis party to all their girl friends, which was a very successful affair. Mrs Cheeseman, Remuera, gave a large garden party, but the day was not very pleasant, as it rained so incessantly in the morning. It kept many away that intended to come who lived at a distance. There were about sixty present. Mrs (Dr.) C. Haines is going away to the Sounds for the summer months. Mrs Clarke's juvenile party the other afternoon was a great treat to the invited guests, many of the mothers drop-

ping in on their return from ' Roeklands ’ to take their little ones home. Mrs (Colonel) Carre and Mrs D. B. Cruickshank have each given very pleasant afternoon teas ; indeed, there has been so much going on this last week I cannot possibly tell it all to you in detail. Mr Neil Heath, who has resigned the Morningside School, greatly to the regret of all interested in their children’s education, was presented with a very handsome walkingstick by his pupils. The top is inlaid with lovely New Zealand woods, and round the stick is a gold band bearing his initials. Breaking-up parties connected with the various schools have been numerous, and exultant prize-winners have borne their trophies home. Mrs Williams, of Winyard-street, had a very pretty presentation of prizes. A capital entertainment was that given by Mrs Ross Watts in the Mount Albert Hall, prior to her own departure from the district. Mrs Watts has been such an addition to intellectual society, and has proved herself, wfth her assistant teacher, Miss Spicer, sucli a power in the land for good influence, refined manners, and wonderful faculty for developing children’s abilities, that both these ladies will be terribly missed. The school is to be kept on by Mrs Cecil Taylor and her daughters. The hall was filled, by invitation only, with a large and interested audience. The first item of the programme was a duet, ‘ Diabelli,* Nos. 1 and 2, by Misses Ethel and Florrie Dixon, and was very nicely played. Then came Nos. 8, 16, 23, ami 26 of the same, prettily played as duets on two pianos by Misses Ethel Dixon, Rita Kensington, Muriel Dawson, and Kathleen Alexander. Master Jack Dixon accompanied very skilfully with his clarionet. A quartette from * Figaro ’ by Misses May Dawson, Edith Tanner, Mary Wright, and Alice Sheath was much appie dated also. The trial scene from the ‘ Merchant of Venice ’ was wonderfully well given. The young people must have learnt their parts well. The different characters were represented by Master Tom Alexander, Matthew Orr, Hubert Kensington, Cyril Watts, Robert Carneghan, Jack Alexander, and Misses Alice Sheath (who delivered her long speeches as Portia extremely well), Mary Wright, and Minnie Chambers Taylor. The ‘ Magic Flute’ was nicely performed by Misses Vera Alexander, Mary Wright, Katie Taylor, and Louie Kensington. Then followed the musical gem of the evening, the duet * Norma,’ for two pianos, by Mrs Ross Watts and her clever pupil, Miss Vera Alexander. The latter, who is only a little girl, kept splendid time, and the piece was loudly applauded. During its performance the stage cnrtain was lowered, and various small boys’ faces appeared, from time to time, in a rapt survey of the audience. And how those long-trousered, bare footed, white and-blue-clothed little sailors rZtrZ enjoy their performance of ‘ Pinafore ’! ■ Master Jack Alexander, in a magnificent admiral’s uniform, resplendent with gold facings, was Sir Joseph Porter; the Captain was Master Cyril Watts; whilst the boatswain was well taken by Master Bob Carneghan. The sisters, aunts, and cousins of very various ages were numerous, and looked very pretty in their gay costumes, led by Miss Alice Sheath. There were two sweet little Buttercups—Misses Winnie Taylor and Mary Wright. This was, to all the school, the most important item of the evening, as every pupil took part in it in some shape or another. It was excellent, and Mrs Ross Watts was loudly complimented on the deserved success which crowned her very hard work. Misses Wright and Spicer were also included in the applause. The pretty * Wedding March ’ given by two brothers and two sisters—Tom and Vera Alexander, and Bertie and Violet James—was rather lost in the moving of the seats for the dance, which was kept up with great spirit, refreshments being liberally provided. Amongst the audience were Mrs J. M. Alexander, soft bluey-grey gown ; Mrs Mounier and Mrs Alexander, black ; Mrs Bell, black silk ; Miss Eva Scherff, grey, and fawn hat; Mrs H. Haszard, pink, pink and white frilled cape ; Miss Haszard, white and blue ; Mrs James, black, gold and black bonnet ; Mrs Kerr-Taylor, black grenadine ; her daughters in blue and brown plain and check gowns; Miss Wright, tussore and crimson velvet ; Mrs Ross Watts, blacK silk, pretty cap; Mrs C. V. Houghton, black, blue hat, long white feathers ; Miss Battley, lilac and white; Miss Larkins, rust coloured cashmere and silk ; her two little nieces from Waitara were with her, dressed in grey, buff hats; Mrs Chas. Taylor; Mrs Motion, black lace; Misses Chambers-Taylor ; Miss Ada Dixon, the .Misses Cecil Taylor, in white, etc.

Muriel.