AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 11, 12 March 1892, Page 255

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, March 1. To return to some Auckland amusements. We seem tohave lived in a whirl of gaiety this week. Dr. and Mrs Honeyman have gone to Sydney for two or three months, when they return here again before their trip to England. Before she left, Mrs Honeyman had an impromptu dance, and it was most enjoyable. The floor was very good, likewise the music. The supper table looked quite a picture, being draped with yellow silk and silk net, and sunflowers, so you can imagine what a pretty effect it gave. About thirty guests were present, the ladies all looking very nice. Our hostess wore a beautifully-fitting gown of apricot-yellow silk, shoes and gloves to match, and a bouquet of pale yellow roses pinned in the bodice ; Mrs Haines looked her best in a soft black dress ; her sister, Miss Isaacs, also in black ; Mrs Bloomfield wore white satin trimmed with net, and garlands of green poppies and white marguerites, white ostrich feather fan ; you know, Bee, how pretty she is ; Mrs Moss-Davis, in poppy red ; and her daughter, in blue-grey silk; Mrs (Dr.) Lindsay, in white; Mrs Walker, black; Miss Firth wore white trimmed with gold ; and her sister, salmon pink silk and black lace ; Miss Anderson, cream ; the Misses Hay, black lace dresses ; Miss C. Walker, pretty dress of mauve trimmed with violets. Amongst the gentlemen were Messrs Sharland, Clark, Kettlewell, Stewart, Pelley, etc. There were plenty of gentlemen, and a very delicious supper, so you can imagine every one enjoyed themselves. We went to see the tennis match between Mr Morrison and Mr Hooper, which the latter won rather easily. Amongst those on the lawn (there was a great crowd) I noticed Mesdames Ruck, Ware, Morrison, Carr, Bridgeman, Mr and Mrs Bull, Mr and Mrs Heather, besides hosts of girls. After the match, which was over at 4 30, we went on to polo, and had a cup of tea there. Poor Colonel Dawson had rather an accident. Somebody whirled his stick round very fiercely, and evidently mistook the Colonel’s head for the ball. The result was a nasty cut, which Dr. Forbes dressed as well as he could under the circumstances. The interest in polo, judging by the numbers present, doesn’t seem to be dying out. Amongst those on wheels I noticed Mrs Walker driving Mrs (Colonel) Dawson ; Miss Gordon driving her sister ; Mrs Craig, who is up from Christchurch for a short time; Mrs Bilborough and Mrs Buddle ; and Miss Firth in her phaeton. On horseback were Mr and Mrs Bloomfield, Misses Firth, Dixon, and Sellers, and several gentlemen. I noticed on the grandstand Mrs Dargaville, Misses Wilkins, Jervis, Fenton, Rees, Berry, etc. Mrs Allan Kerr-Taylor, Alberton, assisted by her son and daughters, gave a very successful impromptu young people’s dance. About fifty couples glided round their spacious ball room, the officers of H.M.S. Tauranga and the German ship Bussard making quite a brilliant scene with their gold lace amongst the many beautiful dresses worn by the ladies. The hostess wore black grenadine, while her two daughters wore pink sateen edged with net and silver flowers. Amongst those present were Miss Burchell, who looked extremely well in blue tarlatan and white rosebuds ; Miss Firth, cream ; Miss M. Firth, grey sateen ; Miss C. Firth, heliotrope ; Miss Devore wore a very stylish and becoming costume of white muslin trimmed with black velvet bows ; Miss Kilgour, a pretty dress of pink ; while her sister wore pale blue, both of them carrying large bouquets of flowers; Miss Rees, white ; Miss Stevenson (Ponsonby), black lace ; Miss Nashelski, a becoming white dress; Miss Upton, white; Miss Masefield, in a peculiar shade of pink ; Miss Evans, white ; Miss Beale looked very interesting in black tulle ; Miss Brigham, in a pretty cream Indian silk ; Miss Birch, in grey shot and blue satin ; Miss L. Baker, dark shade of pink ; Miss E. Baker, in white, Miss Bursill in blue ; Miss McDonald looked remarkably pretty in a handsome costume of cream and gold ; Miss Williamson, in white silk ; Miss Hesketb, in pale blue; Miss Buckland in white ; Miss Rookes, pretty white muslin ; Miss Percival, pink ; and her sister, cream ; Miss Keesing, elegant pale yellow silk ; Miss N. Scherff looked very pretty in white; Miss E. Scherff, white muslin, handsome red cloak ; Miss Jervus, red tulle; Miss Gordon, black lace; Miss Sellers, pink ; Miss Dixon looked very well in black with white sash ; Miss Larkins, blue with gold ; Miss O’Brian, in white cashmere; Miss G. Walker, red cashmere; Miss Elliot, pink ; Miss Kempthorne, dark shade of yellow. I cannot remember any other young ladies at present, nor can I decide who looked the best, as they all looked so remarkably well. Miss McDonald (Parnell) had a charming afternoon tea at St. Helier’s Bay. Some of the otlicers of the Tauranga were present, A large number of spectators of both sexes were present at the Auckland Swimming Club's Summer Carnival in the Graving Dock, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent in watching the various events, which were, on the whole, closely contested. The weather was beautifully fine, a pleasant breeze tempering the heat of the sun. The Club had provided ample seating accommodation, so that we could sit in comfort and watch the races, while the Artillery

Band on the ground enlivened the time with selections of music at short intervals. I noticed a number of very pretty dresses. Amongst those whom 1 remember were Mrs D. B. Cruickshank, wearing a dainty and stylish white muslin gown embroidered with pale grey, pretty hat trimmed with white ribbon, and wreath of tiny white tloweis, white silk parasol; her little daughter also wore a pretty white frock and hat; Miss Grey, pretty pale pink gown, black lace hat with pink flowers; Mrs Cossar, black gown, black and gold bonnet; one daughter looked well in black, with tan-coloured vest and hat to correspond, and the other in fawn tweed with brown crossbars, and pretty little hat to match ; Miss Porter looked uncommonly well in a cornflower blue gown, large hat trimmed with scarlet poppies and scarf of white chiffon ; Miss Dickey wore a stylish white dress trimmed with einbroidery, white hat; her sisters wore fawn and grey, respectively, and pretty white hats trimmed with ostrich tips and ribbon ; Miss Nellie Edmiston, stylish and very becoming cornflower blue dress trimmed with ribbon velvet, openwork straw hat trimmed with cornflowers and ribbon ; Mrs Upton, dark blue flowered sateen gown, black lace bonnet with wreath of cream roses ; Miss Upton also wore a dark blue gown and fawn hat; Miss Maggie Stevenson, pretty white dress and hat; Miss Owen, grey skirt, white blouse bodice, and pretty little gold and cream hat ; her sister wore a pretty cream dress, and hat trimmed with feathers; MissDunnett, stylish grey gown,and pretty black and gold hat; Miss Oldham also wore grey, and black lace hat; Mrs Myers, handsome black gown, black bonnet with white tips : Mrs Goldie, fawn gown, black and yellow bonnet; Miss Lewis, light biscuit coloured dress, white hat trimmed with ostrich feathers; Mrs Baume, handsome black costume, bonnet trimmed with old gold feathers ; Miss Stewart, blue cambric gown, sailor hat banded with blue ribbon ; Mrs Coutts, dark gown, silk and lace mantle, and bonnet trimmed with flowers ; Mrs Burns, black silk dress, and mantle richly trimmed with jet, black bonnet; Mrs Fountain, pretty white flowered muslin dress, cream hat. The Auckland Society of Arts hold their annual exhibition this week in the Choral Hall. A large number of pictures have been received for exhibition, and the Hanging Committee have been kept busily engaged during the last few days preparing for the opening conversazione and private view of members and friends. The members of the Auckland Choral Society are engaged at their weekly practise in the rehearsal of Mendelssohn’s ‘ St. Paul ’ for the next concert, which takes place about the end of the present month. The soloists are Miss Harper (soprano), Mrs Burgess (alto), Mr Ferriday (tenor), and Mr Percy Dufaur (bass). The North Shore Lawn Tennis Club entertained the Auckland Lawn Tennis Club on their ground upon the holiday afternoon. The lawns were looking both fresh and green after the recent rains, and presented a gay and bright appearance with the many light and dainty costumes worn by the ladies, and the light tennis suits of their masculine friends. With members, visitors, and friends there must have been quite one hundred and fifty present, and the afternoon was most enjoyably spent in watching the games and conversing with friends. Some really excellent games were played during the afternoon, the contests at times between the rival clubs being most exciting. The North Shore ladies provided a splendid tea, and I can assure you we all enjoyed the delicious cakes, fruit, etc., which were present in such abundance. The members of the Club, both ladies and gentlemen, were indefatigible in looking after and attending to the wants and comfort of their visitors. Amongst the North Shore ladies were Mrs Frater, who looked well in a pretty cream costume ; Miss Hill looked exceedingly nice in pale blue skirt, white blouse, and large white hat; Mrs Niccol wore an all white dress, and pale green hat trimmed with red ; Miss Patterson, navy blue skirt and small sailor hat ; Miss Annie Scott, pretty pale blue and white costume, white hat; Misses Harvey looked nice in all white costumes; Miss Sibben,stylish mourning; Miss N. Buddle also wore a pretty mourning costume; Miss Russell, dainty cream tennis dress; Mrs Keals, all white; Mrs Allport, Mrs Scardon, Miss Murchie, Miss Mason, and numerous others. Amongst the visitors from the Auckland Club were Mrs Chapman, Misses Atkinson (3), Misses Gorrie (2), Miss Pierce, Miss Woolier, Misses Greatbach (2), Misses Nicholson (2), Miss E. Scherff. The majority of the ladies wore their club colours (red and gold), Miss Gorrie’s costume being perhaps the most admired. It was composed of soft cream material, with belt, collar, and cuff's of red and gold, and small cream hat. Amongst the lady visitors were Mrs Logan, Mrs Philcox, Mrs E. Queree, Miss Buddle, Miss Bates, Misses Cameron, Miss Cook, Miss Chapman, Mrs Duder, Miss Cave, and many others whose names I did not know. The marriage of Miss Ada Hills, daughter of Councillor Hills, of Onehunga, to Mr W. T. Court, eldest son of Mr F. W. Court, was solemnized at St. Peter’s Church, Onehunga, by the Rev. W. Mulgan. Although the wedding took place at the early hour of 8 a.m., the sacred building was well filled with the many friends of the young couple, who are both well known in the district. The church looked very pretty, the harvest festival having taken place the day previous, and the decorations had not been removed. The bride was given away by her father, and wore a trained gown of white cashmere prettily trimmed with lace, ribbon, and sprays of orange blossoms, wreath of orange blossoms and long tulle veil, and carried a lovely bouquet of white blossoms and maiden hair ferns. The bridesmaids were the Misses Flora Hills and Court (cousin of the bridegroom). Their dresses were exceedingly pretty—of shrimp pink cashmere, the skirts finished with a ruche (shell pattern), the same trimming also finishing the bodice and sleeves. Their hair was tied with shrimp pink ribbon, and each carried a pretty bouquet to correspond with their gowns. Mr Butler Hills acted as best man. A large number of guests were entertained at a splendid wedding breakfast by the parents of the bride. The newly-wedded couple left by the morning train for Rotorua and Okoroire, where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride’s travelling dress was of French grey cashmere trimmed with white silk, and white hat with ostrich tips. The bride’s mother wore a black silk gown veiled with black silk lace ; Mrs F. W. Court wore a rich black silk gown trimmed with jet; Mrs Mulgan, also wore a handsome gown of black silk ; Mrs Chappell, black satin gown trimmed with jet ; Mrs Gilmour, fawn silk costume ; Mrs Stych, black satin costume ; Mrs W. Hills, crushed strawberry gown trimmed with brocade; Mrs Hutchinson, black silk costume. Amongst the wedding pre-

sents, which were numerous and handsome, was a beauti-fully-bound Bible, presented to the bride by the Rev W. Mulgan.

Muriel.