GOVERNMENT HOUSE, AUCKLAND

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 52, 24 December 1892, Page 1260

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, AUCKLAND

THE COUNTESS OF GLASGOW’S SECOND EVENING ‘ AT HOME.’ THE first dance at Government House this season was so enjoyed that invitations to the second were eagerly coveted. About two hundred and fifty guests were asked, and the ballroom was sufficiently filled to present a bright and kaleidoscopic appearance of moving figures without being too crowded. The floor was in perfect order, and rendered dancing easy and delightful. Impey’s band played the vatious items on the programme in such a manner as to satisfy the severest critic. Of the very chic arrangements of the ball- reception-rooms, and corridors it is difficult to speak too highly. The Auckland Government House is, iuteiiorly speaking, a very bare and unpromising-looking building A liberal display of artistic brie a-brac, bunting, botanical treasures of all kinds, especially brancblets of nikau and other ferns, softly blended shades of harmonious colouring, a suggestion of dim twilight in the well ventilated, yet not draughty, apartments and passages, brighter light and more vivid tones in the ball-room, made up a tout ensemble which charmed the eye and delighted the refined instincts of the guests. And over all presided the Countess of Glasgow, queenly, courteous, kind. Her three bright daughters, the Ladies Augusta, Alice, and Dorothy Boyle, danced beautifully themselves, and talked pleasantly to the guests. His Excellency the Governor was much missed, and many inquiries were made about his injured eye. Viscount Kelburue, the Hon. Edward Boyle and Colonel Pat Boyle were exceedingly attentive, and ably seconded Lady Glasgow’s wishes that wall-flowers should not flourish in that pleasant garden. The Hon. James Boyle, Captain Hunter Blair, Messrs Gillington and Clayton, and Prof. Carl Schmitt were very hard at work dancing and assisting the Countess to entertain. The night was exceedingly warm, and the large, cool, daik verandah, well provided with retired seats, was gratefully patronised by heated dancers who enjoyed ‘our waltz ’ in a dolce far niente style, the strains of the distant music being wafted as a dulcet accompaniment to their conversation. Between the dances every thoughtfully arranged dual seat in the many cosy nooks in obscure corners was filled, whilst the refreshment buffets—open all the evening and well supplied with delicious strawberries in whipped cream, ices, cakes of all descriptions, various kinds of sandwiches, claret, wines, soda-water, etc., etc., were largely patronised. The Countess of Glasgow was magnificently dressed in a sultan shade of terracotta satin, beautifully brocaded with toned white flowers and green leaves. The skirt was too rich in itself for trimming, and, quite plain in front, hung in graceful folds in a long train at the back. The bodice had short puffed sleeves trimmed with rare old lace. The same lace edged the low corsage, being secured in draped folds over the chest with diamond ornaments. The Countess wore an exquisite diamond necklace, and band with diamonds in her hair. The Ladies Augusta, Alice, and Dorothy Boyle were simply frocked in white Liberty silk made with Russian bodices, and trimmed with white ribbon, tan hose, shoes and gloves. The Misses Wauchope were attired one in rich black velvet and lace, the other in black and mauve ; Miss Hallowes wore black lace, the low bodice edged with black jet beading, a green sash tied round her waist ; Miss Holroyd was in Tuscan chiffon with corselet bodice of silk to match. Amongst so many guests, either revolving rapidly in the bewildering mazy dance, or blushing unseen in shaded nooks, it is difficult to give a fair description of the pretty costumes worn by the ladies. White was a favourite hue, and most of the dresses were made very plainly, slightly trained, generally with a ruche round the skirt, and a simple waist. Flowers were chiefly conspicuous by their absence from the ladies’ toilettes—perhaps because they are so plentiful just now, and artificial ones are not in favour. The chevelures displayed a tendency to a much lower arrangement than formerly, and the threatened fantastic eruption of puffs and extra hail has been delayed by the hot weather. The second handsomest dress in the room was worn by Mrs L. D. Nathan. It was a dream-like arrangement of cream silken gauze beautifully embroidered with daisies over a cream silk under skirt, crossed with sash of terracotta. Amongst the beautitul women were Mrs W. R. Bloomfield, in trained white silk embroidered with gold. Medici collar, gold-coloured sash ; Mrs Jackson <H. M.S. Katoomba), iu black lace with heliotrope finishings: Mrs Moss-Davis, in a pansy lilac silk trimmed with lace benhd and paniers : Miss Moss-Davis wore daffodil chiffon and silk ; Mrs Devereux, black with deep maize ruche round the skirt, and maize folds on the corsage : Miss Devereux, a tasteful white arrangement; Mrs Dennison, black: Mrs Morrin. a handsome ivory white dress; Miss Reeve, glove-tittingsalmon silk : Miss K. Isaacs, brocade and black velvet; Miss Carr, white with red fan and red ribbons: Mrs Dignan, white silk and yellow (a handsome combination i; Mrs Hope-Lewis, grey silk relieved with pink, while laeo falling over the corsage; Mrs Goodhue. black, the front underskirt of d»rk old-gold covered with black lace; Mrs W. Rattray, white poplin with Brussels net, fern green ribbons; the Misses Scln-rff. pretty pink dresses; Misses Bulls, one in pink surah silk, the other in wnite ; the Misses Chambers Taylor, in d ,int.y pink; Miss Ida Macdonald, white; Miss Green wore white; the Misses Hardie, white: Miss Berry, pre ty pale blue and white lace ; Miss Wilkins, grey trimmed with salmon pink ; her sister wore white : Miss Shirley-Baker, white ; Mrs R. Blair, euu-Ue-n.il silk prettily made, slight train; Miss Banks, black velvet trimmed with white lace : her sisters in white : the Misses Buckland, of Highwic. one in nymph green, the other in pale blue; Miss Davis, white; Miss B. Elliott, white: the Misses G irrie white; Miss Thorne George, white; Miss Jervis, white; Mrs H. Jackson, white, with brocaded front skirt; Miss M. Lyall, maize silk : Mrs Mahoney, white sa'in : Mrs A. 11. Nathan, handsome black silk and lace; Miss Owen, palest shade of lavender blue silk: the Misses Pierce, white Liberty silk: Miss Philips, black • Miss Hooke, very pretty cream satin ; Miss Rookes, in white silk and yellow, lovely shower bouquet of yellow flowers ; Mrs Walker, pink silk : Miss Batger. white; others were Miss Bursill. Miss Fairchild, Miss Johnslon. Mrs C. F. Morgan. Mrs Maxwell. Mrs Nicholl, Miss Niccol, the Misses Thoipo, one pale pink, the other soft, white with sash; Misses Winkleman. Miss Way Miss Seymour-George, white satin and tulle; Miss Jervis, pretty trained green silk ; Mrs Gordon. black : her daughter, white silk; Miss King, trained blue silk ; Miss Tilly, handsome cream satin; Miss Worsp, white satin, with pretty brocaded panel ; Mrs Storey, while silk. The officers of the ward-room, H.M.S Katoomba, were present, and Messrs C J. Bell, Bail me, Kilgour, Killing, C. Chambeis, P. E. Battley, R. Blair, H. A. Mariner,

Mahoney, L. D. Nathan, Berry, E. H. Reeve, W. Rattray, J. R. Sykes, Vincent Kerr-Taylor, Percy Holt, A. E. Gilmore, Dr. Schiedel, Messrs Montgomerie, Isaacs, Maxwell, Dignan, Chisholme, Rathbone, C. Richardson, R. C. M. Harrington, J. Philson, etc. THE COUNTESS OF GLASGOWS THIRD GARDEN-PARTY. For some reason the clerk of the weather has utterly refused to countenance Lady Glasgow’s hospitable efforts to entertain her guests at an ‘At Home ’ in the beautiful grounds of Government House. It has been noticed that each succeeding afternoon has been more moist than its predecessor, and last Friday it actually sbowered frequently. Notwithstanding this, many of the invited guests assembled in the reception-room, and ventured out into the grounds, which looked very pretty and green with the fresh summer foliage and grass as yet not embrowned by the sun. The music, under shelter of the thick oaks, was admirably rendered by Impey’s band, the programme being arranged by Herr Carl Schmitt. The refreshments, particularly the excellent iced coffee and the strawberries and cream, were much appreciated, for the afternoon was very warm. Lady Glasgow received her guests in a stylish soft white silk, made with a beautiful lace yoke and hip drapes of the lace. The Countess wore a white hat with floral wreath, and looked very well, despite her exertions of the previous evening. Hie Excellency the Governor was again unable to be present. Everyone was glad to leain that the injury to bis eye is not at all serious. Colonel Pat Boyle, Professor Carl Schmitt, Captain Hunter-Blair, Messrs Clayton and Gillington, were in attendance on Lady Glasgow, and cordially endeavoured to make up for the depressing weather. In their successful efforts they were much helped by Viscount Kelburne and his brothers, and the Ladies Augusta, Alice, and Dorothy Boyle, who looked bright and pretty in white inus in, silk belts, and white hats ; Miss Hallowes was very becomingly dressed in pink with pink embroidery, white and pink bat; and Miss Holroyd, in u chic fraise gown, with darker silk vest and sash. The Misses Wauchope were also of the house party, dressed, respectively, in black lace and shot silk blouse, and black and lilac. Among the guests were Mrs Peacock, in handsome black silk with jet trimmings, and a little white chiffon lace, black bonnet; Mrs Goring, a study in solt grey with white vest brai led with gold, grey bonnet just touched with salmon pink; Mrs R. Walker, black silk, lace mantle, black and yellow bonnet; Mrs C. V. Hought-.n, ruby silk veiled with black lace, black velvet bonnet with rubv flowers; Mrs T. Spence Lawry, in aiovely dress of navy silk with intervals of white bars, the bodice made corselet style with chemisette and gigot sleeves of white silk covered with embroidered net, large white straw ostrich-plumed hat; Mrs W. Culpan, mourning costume ; Mrs Braithwaite, handsome black satin; Miss King, blue with Swiss belt of drab guipure lace, sailor hat banded with white; Mrs Theodore Haultain. grey, sprigged with white, cream hat; Miss Haultain, grey skirt and jacket, white frilled vest, grey and white hat: Mrs Schwartz Kissling. black silk, black bonnet relieved with ciel blue ; Miss Hill, white with pale green designs, green and white hat: Mrs Tilly, black silk, black bonnet with yel ow touches ; Miss Tilly, a greeny grey shaded dress with ribbon to match, cream hat; Mrs McCullough, black brocade, black bonnet, brown shot silk sunshade: Miss Snell, drab with silk corselet bodice, hat to match ; Mrs Sneil, cornflower blue, dark bonnet; Mrs VV. R. Walker, figured blue dress, black and white hat ; Mrs King, cream delaine figured with lilac, trimmed with long loops of lilac ribboo. black bonnet with cream relief; Mrs C owther, black flowered with lilac, lace mantle, black bonnet; Miss Crowther, pretty flowered dress; Mrs Hudson, black, black and gold bonnet; Miss Batger. navy, navy jacket, white vest; Miss Carr, canary muslin with white lace round the bodice and yoke, black hat with feathers; Mrs Howard, black dress, black bonnet: the Misses Howard, pretty grey costumes, small hat with mauve ribbon : Mrs W. Rattray, grey and gold; Mrs T Hope-Lewis, grey, with a darker shade for the corselet, bodice and sleeves, black hat with lilac; Miss Firth, navy blue skirt and coat, on lest blue blouse, hat banded with red ; Mrs Brodie, black silk with lace over it, pale blue searr, black bonnet; Mrs Burton, brown tweed, trimmed with darker brown silk, bonnet of the darker shade with lighter trimmings; Mrs Hankhart, very handsome black silk, black bonnet with a relieving touch of pansy; Mrs Gould, grey flowered with white, white lace yoke, white hat; Miss Firth, black skirt, jacket, and white shirt, white hat banded with red; Mrs Tewsley, very stylish cream silk with worked floral design, moss-green velvet corselet and sleeves, white feathered hat. One of the handsomest dresses was Mrs Cunningham’s gown, made of a rich Japanese crape material—floral pattern on greyish ground—trimmed with ruchings of moss-green silk. There was a fair attendance of gentlemen. Being a week-day, a comparative few only were enabled to leave their professions. His Worship the Mayor, Colonel Burton, Colonel Haultain. Dr. King, the Ron. Wm. McCullough. Messrs Batger. Bankhart. Peacock, Paoue, Hudson, R. and W. R. Walker, Theodore Haultain. W. Rattray. W. G. Rathbone, R. C. Carr, Gilbert King, H. C. Tewsley, etc. etc.