Topics of the Week.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 31, 30 July 1892, Page 752

Topics of the Week.

SOCIETY’S SAYI*NGS AND DOINGS.

FOR the nonce New Zealand’s sober capital lias lost its head, and is engaged in a wild whirl of gaiety, the changes being quickly rung on public dances, piivate dances, dinners, luncheons, afternoon dances and afternoon teas. For the time it appears that woman was born for nootherobject than to look pretty, rest thioughout the day, and dance throughout the night. Not a noble existence truly, but to many a very enjoyable one ; although even in the ballroom there are sad faces to be seen, and hearts sometimes beat heavily beneath chiffon frills.

GOVERNMENT House has again been thrown open during the past week. A full account of the festivities will be found elsewhere. The Earl and Countess of Glasgow are keeping up their reputation of being the most sociably-in-clined of any previous Governor and consort, and great pleasure is afforded the citizensof Wellington and the session visitors by the pleasant dances and receptions held almost weekly

The Star Boating Club’s annual ball took place at Thomas’ Hall last Friday evening and was certainly one of the successes of the season. There must have been fully 400 guests present and great was the crush thereof. The floor was, however, in splendid order, and this helped matters considerably. There were unfortunately, rather too many ladies, but this is a fault which is almost unavoidable at a large affair like this, and it was perhaps not quite as noticeable as usual. It was necessary to dance with one’s head more than with one’s feet. During the evening the gentlemen ‘Learnt how good a thing it is To suffer and bo strong,’ some of them being malicious enough to give bump for bump, cannonade for cannonade. The members of the Club exerted themselves to the utmost to secure the comfort and enjoyment of their numerous guests. The hall was most beautifully decorated, especially the stage, which was embellished most effectively with a large, fan shaped design in oars, and furnished with lounges, and draped and decorated with palms, etc. Portraits of veteran members of the Club, winners and groups of winners of various trophies were hung round the room, mingled with crossed oars and nikau palms. The apartment adjoining the ball room was beautifully decorated, and furnished as a drawing room for the chaperones. An excellent supper was served in a large room opposite the ball-room, and the band occupied a stand in one corner, even this being beautified with greenery, etc. The long stairs were greatly improved, being carpeted ; in fact, everything that was possible was done to insure the enjoyment of everyone, and the members must have worked very hard tube rewarded with so complete a success. They made capital hosts, and everyone was delighted with the way they entertained.

The President, Mr A. de Bathe Brandon, and the captain, Mi Field, received at the entrance, and immediately on the arrival of the Vice-regal party a set of lancers was danced, Mr Field dancing with the Countess of Glasgow, and His Excellency dancing opposite with Mrs Brandon. The Countess wore a handsome gown of rich deep yellow brocade, trained and trimmed with yellow chiffon, suede gloves, bronze shoes and stockings, diamonds and feather fan completed an elegant toilette. Miss Hallowes accompanied Lady Glasgow, and also Miss Sutcliffe, the former wearing black net spotted with chenille and brightened with rose pink bows, and the latter black gauze with red flowers. Others belonging to the Vice regal party were the Hon. Edward Boyle, Capt. Clayton, Capt. Hunter-Blair, and Mr Gillington.

The Auckland dancing season of 1892 will chiefly be memorable for the Leap Year dance given in the Ponsonby Hall last Friday. Not only was the dance, as a dance, one of the most successful ever held in the hall, but the * leap year ’ arrangements were so complete, and the modes of procedure so strict, that the fun was fast and furious. The

Committee consistingof Misses Beale, Dixon, Devore, Evans, Upton, and Masefield, are to be most warmly congratulated. They proved most conclusively their powers of organisation and administration. To Miss Masefield especial credit is due. Her work as secretary must have been arduous, and most efficiently was it carried out. As hostesses the committee were indefatigable. No wallflowers were allowed to blush unseen or waste their sweetness on the smoke room. Some were coy—distinctly coy, but even the most timid and shy of men must have been put completely at their ease by the genial courtesy of the fair M.’s C.

The powder and patches which distinguished the members of the Committee were eminently becoming. Some one suggested, indeed, that the trouble and worry of management had turned these young ladies’ hair grey. If it were so they certainly had no reason to regret it. The hostesses were the admired of all beholders. Most of the men brought chaperones, and manifested great propriety of feeling at the end of each dance, asking in timid, tremulous tones to be taken backto their chaperones. A prominent footballer, whose chaperone disappeared mysteriously, was very much affected and had to be restored with smelling-salts—-we mean beer. The chaperone, however, returned with some mysterious excuse of ‘seeing a man about a dog.’ Fewwill be surprised to hear that the gentle officers from the Goldfinch were the most particular, being almost prudish. The married officer who chaperoned them was, too, a very dragon of respectability. Just at first there was some little shyness amongst some of the ladies in asking for dances but this soon wore off. By supper time the fun was at its height. The gentlemen were, of course, ‘ taken in ’ to supper by the ladies, sat on chairs round the room, and provided with oysters and cups of tea—glasses of beer, we should have said. One giddy young damsel left her partner with oysters and beer, but no fork, and then went off, after the manner of men at other dances, to feed and chatter with a group of her kind at the other end of the room. Returning at the end of the allotted time she found good progress had been made with the beer but none, of course, with the oysters. However, the poor young man was borne empty away. As a member of the ‘rep.’ team it was felt that forced abstinence would be good for him.

The supper provided by the ladies, was all that the heart of girl or man could desire, the ices being especially popular. The floor had been polished till its surface was like glass, and Mr Hanna, who was responsible for the decorations, is to be most warmly lauded. The hall looked lovely, being decked with quantities of ferns, evergreens, flowers, and flags, the latter being strung across the room from corner to corner with Chinese lanterns between. The gallery was also lighted with coloured lanterns, and draped with flags, and served as a quiet retreat for tired dancers, though several of the men objected that there were no chaperones to look after them up there. Adams’ band supplied music of the best, the extras being played by ladies. At the conclusion the gentlemen sang ‘ God Save the Queen,’and as a compliment to Miss Masefield, ‘ For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.

‘PoLUS’ parties have quite extinguished ‘ surprises ’ in Picton, and Polusian inundations are the latest freaks of society here. Mrs Allen, of Broadway Terrace, received an intimation that an invasion was intended on Friday evening last, and made such preparations as it was intended she should make for their reception. No stocking basket or other little domestic arrangements were ostentatiously displayed, to make believe that the little birds had given up their old - fashioned propensity for whispering secrets, and no countermines were dug to surprise the surpiisers. The hostess met the Polusians at the door, and made them as warmly welcome as they made themselves and each other. All the usual Polusian rites were sacredly carried out, and a most enjoyable evening was spent, the invaders promising another invasion at no distant date. Between twenty and thirty

young people and three married ladies comprised the party, and as has been usual of late in Picton, the ladies were in the minority. [IVe lament our editorial ignorance, but what in the name of all things wonderful is a Polus and what a Polusian ’—Ed. GbaphicJ.

On Sunday Professor and Mrs Bickerton with their wellknown hospitality, entertained the students visiting Christchurch with their friends, numbering about fifty, at their lovely residence, Wainona. The day was very mild for the middle of July, and afternoon tea was served in the grounds at one of the picturesque spots with which the place abounds, Tea proper, later on, was a merry meal, and some very good music closed a charming outing. Professor and Mrs Bickerton are untiring in their efforts to promote sociability among the resident students, and have recently started walking parties to various places of interest, which have been very successful.

The dance at Napier given in Mr Sanderson’s honour was a great success in every sense of the word. The floor was good, supper very dainty (oysters and champagne amongst other things), and everyone seemed determined to enjoy themselves. Mr Sanderson, who has left for England, is much missed. A number of the girls looked well, perhaps Mrs Arthur Fulton and Miss Lascelles bore off’ the honours. Mrs Logan, too, looked very well indeed, and Mrs Arthur Fulton was charming in a pretty white gown.

Mrs A. Taylor’s girls’ kettledrum was a great success, and everybody appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Miss Thompson (Parnell) sang ‘ Remember Me No More ’ very nicely, and Miss Tole rendered ‘ Called Back ’ sweetly Misses F. White, Forbes, and Bursil played some pretty pieces. The tea-table looked most effective. The room was darkened, and fairy lamps shed their soft rays of light on the tea-table, which was abundantly supplied with declicacies, tastefully decorated with vases of lovely flowers, and artistically draped with shimmering folds of glossy yellow silk.

A juvenile fancy dress ball is a pretty spectacle, and is remembered long after by the children fortunate enough to be asked to it. Mr and Mrs Ledger received a large number of young guests at a dance of this description at their beautiful residence near Nelson on Friday last, and a charming festival it was. The host and hostess received the youngsters on arrival, and afterwards took up a position in the drawing-room, where, headed by the smallest couple in the room, they watched the procession of their little guests as it filed past them. There was plenty of dancing, and a supper both recherehi and excellent, to which it is needless to say the young people did that justice which gratifies a truly kind and hospitable host and hostess.

The costumes without exception were happily chose:), many indeed being remarkably effective. Perhaps the most tastefully-attired of the little maidens who flitted about the different apartments was ‘ Summer ’ a character very prettily carried out by Joy Ledger. It would be quite impossible to do full justice to all the charming dresses which called forth the admiration of those who saw the gay- and varied spectale, but amongst other characters which the children assumed should be mentioned, 80-Peep, Grecian Girl, Indian Woman, Gipsy, Page, and an Irishman. The latter was taken by a little boy who played his part splendidly, his amusing sallies and attempts at the brogue, being the admiration of all who heard him.

The farce which was acted in Timaru some little time ago was, with a little addition and subtraction, made suitable for the ladies’ entertainment at Picton, Sir John Hall and Shakespeare being made responsible for most of the vagaries embodied in the farce. Those taking part in it weie the Misses Mary and Nora Allen, Kate and Isabel Seymour, Lilly Fuller, F. Rackley, Miriam Philpotts, and Messrs Crawford and Mclndoe, of the ship Waimate, and C. White. These donned the garments of servitude for the nonce, and demanded the franchise lor their down-trodden sex in speeches both forcible and eloquent. Shrieks of laughter greeted the fair (?) politicians when they appeared on the scene, dressed in all the colours of the rainbow piled on higgledy-piggledy, coalscuttle bonnets with whole gardens a top, and other exploded fashionable foibles. Miss Jemima Walker (Miss Allen) who looked like a veritable ancient cherry blossom with her hair covering her eais and twisted into a tight little‘bob’ behind, plentifully ornamented with side and back combs, and dressed in an ancientlooking, large-flowered, indigo blue dress with huge hang-

ing bell sleeves, white kerchief, and black mittens, read the circular calling a meeting for the purpose of forming a Woman’s Kights’ Association League. After that the meeting proceeded to business, and kept the audience in a gurgle of laughter till the end. The farce wound up with the Association, minus the two married women of the company, singing * Bother the Men,’ which they did right heartily, emphasising their utterances with ‘ gamps,’ black bags, and other appurtenances. A dance which followed the entertainment was very enjoyable, partly owing to the fact that dances have partaken of the nature of angels’ visits this winter, and partly because the wall-flowers on this occasion were of the wrong sex. The usual people who attend these functions in Picton were all there, but there were no new dresses to describe.

In rinking as in everything else the truth of the ancient dictum that in thinking of the sorrows of others we forget our own is amply substantiated. Now that even the tyros are beginning to stand on end for five consecutive minutes Parnell Club Kink is beginning to lose much of its charm both for the onlooker and for the confessed duller who cannot master the knack. There may be a certain amount of pleasure in kicking one’s legs violently and involuntarily into the air and sitting down on an adamantine floor with an emphasis more excessive than elegant, but it is one of those earthly joys which cloy. Still there was left the consolation of o’erwhelming others in one’s downfall, and seeing some half dozen others ‘ take-the floor ’ with an enthusiasm and. unanimity strangely at variance with the objuratory expression of feeling with which they would rub their bruises, and endeavour to rise again. To ask them why they sat down, if they didn't want to, never seemed to do any good—made them say rude things, in fact. But these delights are now past, writes my correspondent. The duffer falls, and with a twist of the ankle the skilful rinkist passes scornfully by on the other side. To be serious, the Parnell Riuk is doing excellently well. It is as select as the proudest Parnellite could wish, and all arrangements reflect the highest credit on the inaugurator and secretary, Mr Robison. Amongst the most enthusiastic rinkists are Messrs Firth, White, Laishley, Kilgour, Anderson, and Wilkins, and the gilded youth, masculine and feminine, of the city in general, and Parnell and Remuera in particular. Will Mr Gladstone accept a peerage ? Such is the question of the hour. A month ago he was as brisk and lively as ever, as our sketch, taken in London during the last week of the session, shows, but the strain of the election must have told severely on the old gentleman. The title of Lord Liverpool would be appropriate enough in some ways, as it was in Rodney-street of that city that he first saw

light, but on the other hand Liverpudlians are the Tories of the Tories, and Mr Gladstone doubtless treasures a bitter memory of the slight put upon him in connection with the refusal to giant the fieedom of the city.

The Wellington Hunt Club's annual ball took place on Monday at Thomas’ Hall, which was appropiiately decorated for the occasion with shining stirrups, bits, etc.,

arranged amidst a profusion of mirrors, palms, and drapery. The committee w-ere Drs. Cahill and Gillon, and Messrs Cunningham, Wylie, Skerrett, Mills, Lingard, Crawford, Cox, the secretary to the committee being Mr Arthur Cooper, Mr McKinnon being secretary to the Club. Mrs Cooper received for the members of the Club, and was handsomely dressed in black, trained, and trimmed with white lace. Immediately after the arrival of the Government House party a set of lancers was formed, His Excellency dancing with Mrs Cooper, Mr Arthur Cooper and the Countess being their vis Avis. Lady Glasgow was beautifully gowned in black merveilleux and lace, brightened with diamonds, and made with a long train. Miss Hallowes was in black with jet Swiss belt, and Miss Sutcliffe also wore black. Others of the party were the Hon. Edward Boyle, Captains Hunter-Blair and Clayton, and Mr Gillington.

A charming little dance was given in Blenheim to Mrs Kellas, who lias left the town. The affair went off extremely well, and the tasty and tasteful supper was most artistically arranged by some of Mrs Kellas’ lady triends. Down the centte of the table, pinky apricot Liberty silk was laid, and nestling in its folds were quantities of white camellias (from the garden of Mrs Miller), white heath, and white mimosa. Mr Shirley Hodson proved an indefatigable secretary.

Mrs Burns, of the Colonial Bank, Chiistchurch, has started a Club resembling the Girls’ Wahine Club, but this is for married ladies only. They are all bound to do something for the edification of the rest. The meetings are very informal and pleasant, enabling musical people to meet and practise together duets, trios, etc. At present among the members are Mrs Wilding, Mrs Westmacott, Mrs Leonard Harper, Mrs Haslam, the Hon. Mrs Parker, Mrs Pyne, Mrs Boyle, Mrs Julian Scott, Mrs Vernon, and Mrs Alan Scott. They meet at Mrs Burns, the Bank house, Hereford street, once a fortnight, and all are looking forward to many pleasant afternoons during the dull and rainy season. The ‘ Wahines ’ met at Mrs Cowlishaw’s on Wednesday last, and a goodly number put in an appearance, when the afternoon passed in the usual happy way.

The post of conductor to the Gesang-Verin, Dunedin, has changed hands, Signor Squarise taking the place of Mr W. E. Taylor, F.C.O. Signor Squarise has arranged to put Rossini’s ‘ Stabat Mater ' in rehearsal, and invites ladies and gentlemen instrumentalists as well as vocalists, to assist him in the production of the masterpiece.

The young ladies of Picton gave an entertainment, consisting of songs, an Indian club exhibition and a farce entitled ‘ Woman’s Rights,’ in aid of a firebell, which was much needed in the town. The audience was most enthusiastic and appreciative, and encored every item. Miss Mary Seymour sang ‘The Romany Lass,’ and ‘Carrier John;’ Miss Miriam Philpotts, • Maid of Athens ’ ; Miss F. Speed, ‘ Jem ;’ Miss Allen, ‘Jessie’s Dream,’ and ‘ My Face is my FortuneMr Stephens, of the ship Waimate, ‘The Pilot,’ and ‘ Shells of the Ocean Mr Rowe, who came from Blenheim to assist, sang ‘ The Frenchman ’ in character, and had to repeat the last verse to a determined eneore. Mr Frank Mclndoe's exhibition of Indian clubs was quite an innovation, and a real treat to a Picton audience.

The dancing community in Wellington are undoubtedly having a good time. Mrs Harding has issued a large number of invitations for a ball at the Masonic Hall on the 2nd August.

The feature of the very pleasant little dance, yclept an ‘At Home,’give by Dr. and Mrs Adams, Wellington, on the night of the races, was a cotillon which was most successfully carried out.

As was observed last week, it is not our custom to blow our own trumpet, but so many complaints have reached us during the last week from people unable to procure copies of the Graphic that we must point out that the fault was not ours in reality. Every week we have been obliged to increase the edition and some hundreds of extra copies of our last issue were printed, but were quite inadequate to meet the demand, which was well nigh unprecedented. Verilatis simplex oratio est. The language of truth is simple, and tins plain reason is the only excuse we can give for the disappointed ‘ casuals ' who tried to get copies last week. The remedy is obvious—subscribe.

A DELIGHTFUL surprise party was got up by Mrs Chas. Cook, Mrs Dr. Townend, and Mrs Appleby, when about twenty friends spent a thoroughly en joyable time. A drag left Christchurch about 2 p. m ,on Thursday, and amongst th party were Mr and Mrs Appleby, Mrs Townend, Mrs Cook, the Misses Wood (two), Miss Stratton, the Misses Berkeley (two), Messrs England, D. Matson, R. Garrick, Mr Evetts

(Chicago), and several others. After a lovely drive of two hours Mrs Murray, Greenpark, was ‘surprised' and was most kind and hospitable. Full justice was done by all to a really sumptuous tea, and the evening was spent in mus e and dancing, and the delightful sociability of a country house, a few other friends having joined the party by this time. A start for home was made at midnight, the return journey being a charming moonlight one.

So Labby of Truth is to have a seat in the Cabinet which Mr Gladstone may be expected to form. Certainly the member for Northampton has served his party well, both in the House, and through the columns of his paper, which is, curiously enough, almost as popular amongst high Tories as amongst the advanced Radica paity.

Mr Laboucliere is, as most people are aware, never happier than when standing warming his coat tails in front of the House of Commons smoking-room fire. In this position the artist who kindly sent us the sketch last mail has caught him. ‘ Labby ’ as he is invariably called, is one of the most popular men in the house and an admirable raconteur.

Lord Salisbury is doubtless a very astute man, and is perhaps right in his determination to wait for an adverse vote before vacating the position of Premier. There are certainly ominous indications of a want of unanimity of thought on the part of the great Liberal party. It must be remembered, however, that these will in all probability be quickly smothered over, and should this be the case, Lord Salisbury’s action or inaction will much resemble the position of a man who has been shown the door, but who prefers awaiting the actual kick out.

It is some time since we have seen the Nciv Zealand Methodist. A copy of that weekly for July 16th now lies before us, and we must congratulate the Editor and Company upon its improved appearance. It contains twelve pages of interesting reading matter, and lias been reduced in price, we notice, to one penny. The ‘Current Notes' are crisply written, and the ‘Circuit News,’ ‘ Brevities,’ and newsy notes from the centres should keep the reader in touch with all questions and facts of Methodistie import, New Zealand over. The leading article on the Totalisator is well worth reading and the interview with Dr. Stphensou, President of the British Conference, on * Celibacy ’ proves interesting. But what took our fancy, however, weie the notes under the heading ‘ My Study,’ by ‘Country Parson,’ who thusly writes on the evolution of a Government official : —

‘ Books are scarce in this part of the world, that is in the immediate location of my study. I am almost forgetting the sensations of overhauling a batch of new arrivals, ami when, in the order of our itinerancy, I move out of my present solitude, I shall have a tremendous amount of leeway to make up. Meanwhile lam gradually developing a taste for the study of mankind. lam watching just now, with no small interest, the evolution of a young Government official. It is most fascinating. I remember the day, a few weeks ago, when in all his fiesh sweetness he first saw the light of public life. It was a pleasure to go to the office for a few stamps or an odd post card, he was so modestly respectful and obliging, and so very careful not to mike mistakes. It took him about a fortnight to gain confidence enough to look people straight in the face ami ask them what they wanted. Since then lie has been striving manfully to put on the “ side " which is an essential part of the equipment of a Government servant. It is to be hoped he will succed, for a Civil servant, who is not exceedingly uncivil Ims little hope of preferment. The acme of peifection is gained when he can truthfully feel, “ I am Sir Oracle,” and can dare t > snub a parson. It will come, ami with a measure of mild excitement, I am waiting for the coming of it.'