NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 5, 30 January 1892, Page 111

NAPIER.

Dear Bee, J anuary 9. I am so busy 1 did not mean to write to you this week, but I am afraid if I leave my new- until next week it will be altogether too stale when it reaches your readers, so I am straining a point to send you a few lines now. I told you about the two first days of the tournament in my last, so will go on now and tell you about the gowns worn on the third and bust day. First of all I must tell you the weather was truly delightful, neither too hot nor too cold, and at Farndon one has this advantage, you can either sit in the sun or in the shade. < >n one side of tbe courts there are lovely trees, and on the other side there are none, so everyone can sit just wherever he or she doth feel most comfortable. I think more people assembled on the ground on the third day than on either of the other two days. You know the last day is always considered the best, as the finals are played off then. I must say 1 was lucky and was there every- day. Amongst the ladies assembled on the ground 1 noticed Mrs Joe Williams (Hastings;, wearing a pretty soft grey gown with small bonnet trimmed with for-get-me-nots; her three little girls were with her in white ; Mrs Coleman also I saw in a very becoming gown of a most uncommon shade of claret, very dark yet rich-looking, veryhandsome black lace circular cloak, and black bonnet ; her three daughters accompanied her : Miss Watt wore a prettyblue grey frock, I think a delaine, ami stylish white hat : Miss G. Watt had on a frock like her sister’s ; Miss B. Watt wore a pretty cream frock with blight rose sash ; and I think there was yet another little girl in white with Mrs Coleman, whether her daughter or not I cannot say. Mrs Jardine looked well in a pale green delaine gown, large white hat : Mrs James McLean also looked so nice in navyfigured cambric, small bonnet (I admire her so much); I noticed Mrs Henry Mason in cream cashmere embroidered with pale pink and blue, boat-shaped hat ; Mrs Herbert Russell, cream embroidered cambric gown, cream hat with brown velvet: Miss Hughes, cornflower blue gown with white spots, white hat, cream feathers ; Mrs Tipping (Hastings), peacock blue figured gown, white Bond street hat with blue band (most becoming costume) : Miss Tipping wore a dainty white gown with white <7u'<- hat, red band ; Miss Tuke, grey gown, pink vest, white hat ; Miss Bogel (Petone), black skirt, white blouse, black hat ; Mrs HarrySmith (Petone) I admired very much in a white gown, grey Tudor cloak, white hat with heliotrope poppies ; Mrs Vickertnan (Hastings) looked as natty and neat as usual in her pretty heliotrope gingham (decidedly- her colour), small black flat bonnet ; Mrs Gordon looked extremely well in a white gown, cream hat with narrow yellow velvet strings ; Miss Nelson, navy skirt, white blouse with nat row black ribbon run through the embroidery, black hat; Miss Beamish, blue gingham, black hat ; Miss Fanny Beamish, grey gingham with white insertion, white hat: Miss Williams (Frimley), such a pretty gown of sage green with pale pink flowers, trimmed with rows of black velvet, a deep belt formed of several rows of black velvet half-way round to the back, high collar, stylish black hat with black wings : her sisters, Miss Gertrude and Miss Elsie Williams, wore white embroidered frocks with deep belts and braces of black velvet, white hats with white feathers ; Mrs J. N. Williams (Frimley) looked exceedingly well in a handsome black silk gown, exquisite pale green and pink full waistcoat, pale pink bonnet (most becoming). I know I ought to mention all the married ladies first, Bee, but I am just taking people as they come into my head, hence my excuse for putting girls before married women, for I haven’t time to-day to sort out my names as I generally do. Mrs Fitzroy's gown I liked. It was grey, with a long jacket, grey Bond-street hat ; her two little daughters wore grey silk frocks, hats to match (so quaint and pretty); Mrs Norman Beetliam looked exceed ingly well in a charming fawn costume with white silk full waistcoat, white hat with feathers ; her sister, Miss Wardell (Wairerapa), wore a light brown tweed, black hat ; Miss St. Hill looked well in a white gown, pale gieen sash draped artistically ; Miss Annie St. Hill also wore white with green sash ; white hats and white feathers were worn with these costumes; Miss Luckie looked well in a stylish white checked muslin skirt, white baby bodice with belt, white hat with purple pansies ; Mrs Potts, fawn gown, yellow silk bonnet ; Miss Raine, blue figured skirt, white blouse. Bond street hat ; Mrs Harry Donnolly, grey costume, small hilt : Miss Donnolly, fawn gown, blaek hat : Miss Shaw, brown skirt trimmed with gold, white shirt, fawn jacket, white hat ; Miss Maude Shaw, very handsome heliotrope gown with gold trimmings, Tom tug hat ; Mrs G. I’. Donnolly looked very nice in a black gown, large black hat ; Miss Lucy Williams iTe Ante) looked well in a white gown, very becoming black flat hat ; Mrs J. B. Braithwaite wore a black gown, blaek mantle, small black bonnet with yellow flowers : Miss Braithwaite, white gown trimmed with white embroidery, yellow -ash, white sailor hat : Mrs R. Brathwaite, fawn dust coat, stylish hat ; her little daughter wore a pale green Liberty silk frock, quaint little hat to match ; Miss Lascelles I always admite : she wore her pretty heliotrope delaine, and such a pretty rustic straw hat ; Sirs J. Wood (Nelson), fawn tweed gown, large hat with feathers : Mrs Richmond, pretty fawn gown, large white hat : Miss Cotterill, black gown, black hat; Miss Gertrude Cotterill, white gown, black hat ; Miss Maggie Cotterill, black gown, black hat with white band ; Miss Carrie Sutton, grey and pink plaid gown, white hat ; Miss Florrie Sutton, grey gown, black hat : Miss Heath, grey fiock, white hat; Miss Gleeson, pretty blue gown, black hat, Mrs Luckie, cream delaine gown, green bonnet pink flowers ; the Misses Hitching* wore the same gown- as on the preceding days ; Mrs Abraham wore a navy skirt, very pretty pale pink shirt, and a white hat. Miss Douslin (who won the final after a most exciting contest), wore a claret figured skirt, cream blouse, white sailor hat. After the matches were all finished Mrs Coleman presented tbe prizes to the lucky winners. 1 can tell you Bee, they weie one and all worth winning. The prize for the laities singles was a most exquisite silver chatelaine. We were all glad to see Messrs Logan and Fenwicke win the doubles. They played up much oetter on the last day. Altogether the season was a most successful one, and I only wish we could have the tournament here every year, a rather

Hellish wish, I expect, but it is so nice to see so manj- welldressed people all together, and to meet so many friends we don't see every day. Amongst the gentlemen assembled on the ground and playing during the season I noticed Messrs E. H. Williams, Robison, Erank Ormond, John Davis Ormond, Loughnan, W. Anderson, J. Ealkner. E rank Cordon, Charlie Gordon, E. Tanner, D. Tanner, Bruce, Jameson, Beamish, A’Deane, Logan, C. Kennedy, Arthur Kennedy. Von Stunner, Gore, M . Ross, Hoadley, Jardine, Carlile, McLean, Coleman, Thornton, St. Hill, H. B. Williams. Arnold Williams, Lean, F. Nelson, Harold Nelson, Minden, Fenwicke, Pollock, Dasent, and a host of others. In my next letter I hope to tell you about the cricket matches and other interesting items. Gladys. Dear Bee, Jam ary 11. The Tenuis Tournament is over, and as you have hail it all telegraphed, it is needless to go over all again. Gn the last day I saw the Misses Lowry and Hewson in very pretty French muslin dresses of pale blue and cream, with hats to match : Miss Bee Lascelles, rustic straw hat, pretty delaine dress (white with lilac sprays). Mrs Dickson ami Lady Whitmore were in town last week, the former wearing a handsome black silk dress and hat, the latter black dress, handsome bonnet. Mr Sydney Hoben, our talented musician, who recentlyreturned from Leipsic, Germany, has gone to the Hot Lakes for two months to try the baths. His arms, which the German doctors said must have a long sea voyage and rest to regain their power, at first after his arrival were much better, but lately have been troubling him. We hope he will return quite cured. His brother, Mr E, D. Hoben, well known in the football world, has gone to Wellington for a few months. There was a good cricket match, Country against Napier, on New Year's Day. Miss Ida Nelson looked well on horseback. Mrs J. N. Williams and daughters were present, and many others. Mrs Wilson and family are at Danevirke for a few weeks. Mrs (Dr.) Moore has just returned from there. Young Mr Crerar has gone south for cooler weather He has not been so well lately. Mi's Balfour has gone with her children to the country. Mr Neil Heath has had a bad attack of la grippe since his return, and is only just getting about. Dr. Menzies has been on a visit to his father, Dr. Menzies of the Hospital, and returned to Auckland last week. The weather here has been most uncertain lately. I do hope we get some settled weather soon. The Wellington Concert Company played two nights, and were most successful, ami had good houses. One Sunday evening they gave a sacred concert, which was a great treat. I will give you the programme of concerts. Miss Fisher and Miss McLean were warmly applauded for their items, also Mr Prouse and Mr Williams, both of whom are favourites here. Mr McDufl Boyd and Mr Parker were good. Mr Parker is a capital player. One evening the programme was a>followsTrio. *Naviganti’i ‘TheMariners ’), (Randegger), Miss McLean, Mr It. B. Williams, and Mr J. Prouse : song, ‘ Three Fishers Went Sailing ’ (Hullah), Miss Fisher ; song. ' Thou'rt Passing Hence’ (Sullivan), Mr J. Prouse : Rhapsodie for violin (Mackenzie), Mr McDuff Boyd : song, ‘ Margarita' (Lohr), Mr It. B. Williams ; air, ‘ Caro Mio Ben' (Giordani), Miss McLean: duet, ‘The Moon Hath liaised Her Lamp Above' > Benedict), Mr It. B. Williams and Mr J. Prouse; fantasie (violin) on ‘I Lombardi’ (Vieu.xtemps), Mr McDufl Boyd; song, ‘She Wore a Wreath of Roses ’ (Knight), Miss Fisher ; song, ‘ Nazareth ’ (I tonnod), Mr J. Prouse ; song, ‘ The < 'ld and Young Marie ’ (Cowen), Miss McLean; song, ‘An Evening Song' (Blumenthal), Mr R. B. Williams; duet, ‘ln the Dusk of the Twilight ’ (Ottenbach), Miss McLean and Miss Fisher : quartette, ‘Good night, Beloved' (Pinsuti), Misses McLean and Fisher, and Messrs Williams and Prouse. Mr Parker played theorgan and Mr H. G. Spackmanpiano for ‘ Nazareth.’ Another evening the programme was as follows: — Duet, ‘The Reaperand the Flowers ’ (Pinsuti), Miss McLean and Mr -L Prouse: song, ‘The Message ’(Blumenthal), Mr R. B. Williams : song, ‘ The Worker ’ (Gounod), Miss Fisher : violin solo, ‘Barcarolle in G’ (Spohr', Mr McDutf Boyd : song. ‘ Honour and Arms’ (Handel), Mr J. Prouse ; song, ‘ Bid Your Faithful Ariel Fly ’ (Linley). Miss McLean : ti io, ‘ t ', Memory ’ (Leslie), Miss McLean, Miss Fishei, and Mr It. B. Williams ; song, ‘ Bedouin s Love Song ' (Pinsuti), Mr J. 1 ’rouse ; violin solo, * Fantasia on Scotch Airs ’ (Sainton), Mr McDuil Boyd; song, ‘Smile and Bid Me Live ’ (Pinsuti), Mr K. B. Williams ; song, ‘ When the Tide Comes in ’ (Barnby), Miss Fisher ; serenade, with violin obligato, ‘ Quand tu Chantes* (Gounod), Miss McLean; quartette, ‘Sleep, Gentle Lady' (Bishop) Misses McLean and Fisher. Messis Williams and Prouse. Sunday evening : quartet, ‘To Thee Great Lord* (Rossini), Misses McLean and Fisher, and Messrs Williams and Prouse ; recit. and air, ‘lt With all Your Hearts ’ (‘Elijah’) (Mendelssohn), Mr IL B. Williams ; violin solo, ‘ Benedictus’ ’Mackenzie), Mr McDuil Boyd: air, ‘From Mighty Kings’ (‘Judas’) (Handel). Miss McLean : song, ‘The Last Man ’ (Callcott), Mr J. Prouse; duet, ‘Love Divine all Love Excelling’ ‘ Daughter of Jairus ’) Stainer , Miss McLean and Mr IL P». Williams; cavatina, violin, (Rafi’ Mr McDutf Boyd ; iecit. and air, ‘ The Soft Southern Breeze’ (‘Rebekah’) Barn by), Mr R. P». Williams ; pianofolte solo, Impromptu in A flat (Schubert): Mr IL Parker; song, ‘ There is a Green Hill Far Away ’ iGounod), Mis> McLean ; air, ‘Pro Peccatis * (‘ Stabat Mater’ (Rossini), Mr <L Prouse: quartet, • Got is a Spirit ’ i‘ Woman of Samaria*) (Sterndale Bennett). Mr H .G. Spackman played theorgan and Miss Hitchings the piano. This closed their concert season, which was most enjoyable. I must not forget tomention Mis«es McLean and Fisher’s dresses tor the sake of the ladies. The tirst evening Miss McLean wore a handsome white silk with train ; Miss Fisher, chartreuse green silk and train. The second evening Miss McLean looked most stately in black velvet with long train ami white vest ; Miss Fisher was charming in cream silk ami train, which suited her to perfection. A most fashionable audience was present each evening. This week we are to have the Auckland Concert Company* tirst, and then the great explorer, H. M. Stanley, which you will hear al»out next time. I noticed several strangers in town during the week. The Taranaki cricketers have l»een here all the week, and with

them came friends to watch the game. Napier won both matches. Two more matches come off next week. Mrs A. S. Tonks came over with her husband, who is one of the players, and a very good one too. She was one of the Auckland girls, and they will remember her well as Miss Cnslila Nolan, of Remuera, who was most popular. She is as jolly as ever. By the way, Mr Tonks is an old Auckland boy, being one of the Tonks', of Remuera. Mrs Riddiford, Mrs Willis, and Mrs Parsons are also amongst the number from Taranaki. I met Mrs Tonks in a very pretty black dress and jacket, white vest, and black hat : also Mrs Riddiford, in handsome black silk dress, and bonnet. Mrs Freeman-.lackson, of Wanganui, is also here. Mrs A. P. Sheath and Mrs St. Clair (the popular organist of the Roman Catliolic’Church) have both gone south for a few week.-. Both are much missed from the church. Our bowlers are steadily practising in view of the tournament to be held here at Easter. Tne < "aledonian sports promise to be a great success.

Jack.