Topics of the Week.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 2, 14 January 1893, Page 26

Topics of the Week.

SOCIETY’S SAYINGS AND DOINGS

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR and Lady Glasgow have been most delightedly welcomed

‘ home ’ by Wellingtonians, whose only regret is that the present stay of the Vice regal party will be so short owing to the trip round the sounds with the Duchess of Buckingham, Miss Wolf-Murray, Lady Kintore, and the rest of the distinguished party.

It is as yet nearly impossible for any Northerner to speak in moderate language of the weather which inaugurated the New Year. Anything more fiendish, more cruelly unseasonable, it would have been impossible to imagine. Inscrutable are the ways of Providence indeed, and especially as regards the weather, for so certainly as the bulk of humanity have an opportunity of enjoying a few hours in the open air, so surely does Heaven open the Hood-gates of its wrath, and the deluge descends alike on the just and on the unjust. Not very long ago an Auckland fanatic, with the crass narrow-mindedness and bigotry indicative of an ill educated and unevenly balanced mind, inserted an advertisement appealing to the Almighty that He should send rain and spoil the pleasure of thousands on a certain occasion, because there happened to be a race meeting on that day. He might have spared his blasphemous inch of print had he reflected that being a declared holiday there were ninety-nine chances in the hundred that the rain would descend on that day (as indeed it did) with unexampled fury. The predilection of Jupiter Pluvius for Bank holidays is a matter of notoriety in the old country, but here the rainy gcd is still further incommoded and overworked, for he has to produce violent holiday storms at least twice as often as in England where holidays are few and far between.

No doubt it is very shocking to grumble, for it is all in accordance with the great law of Nature. Yet those most liberally endowed with the virtue of resignation cannot but reflect that this great law, like other great laws, is not perfection from our point of view. It may be for our good that it should rain persistently at the only time in the year when many ovei worked men can get away for a fewdays. It may be for their ultimate welfare that people who have gone away should be kept indoors in stuffy hotels day after day when they had calculated on the recuperative powers ot sunshine and fresh air to fit them for another year's work, but it cannot be denied that it seems hard, and that there is some excuse for those wicked and benighted people who are shocking enough to wish that a few improvements might be made in the distribution of * weather,’ and whose faith that it is ‘ for their good’ is sorely tried.

Such a deluge as descended over Auckland, Rotorua, Te Aroha, Okoroire, Waiwera, the Waikato, and the holiday resorts of the north generally must be spoken of with respect. It was assuredly a record performance on the part of Edwin and the weather gods—a record which it is to be earnestly hoped will not be beaten for a year or two. The amount of disappointment, the loss of health and the aggravation resultant can scarcely be detailed. < Joe's sincerest sympathies extend to the children, whose trouble was undoubtedly the greatest. How many treats were spoiled, how many poor little souls bitterly disappointed, is a subject we do not care to think about. We elders may reflect that next time there may Ire some oversight which shall allow ns a fine holiday. The future is before us—and hope, we all know the ta'e she tells—but childhood knows no future. Its griefs and disappointments are in the present, and so are its enjoyments, so that both joy and sorrow are infinitely more acute than they are to us who ‘can think of the morrow.' When they are glad they have no shuddering forecast of coming gloom, when sad no hope and no consolatory thought that day must come, sooner or later, to illumine the night of their despair.

After a week of lowering skies, incessant rain and tearing winds, Saturday last dawned fair and bright in Auckland, and a day of serenest skies and most delightful beauty followed. The Inferno of a Nor’ easter was followed by the Paradise of New Zealand summer weather, albeit the breeze which blew all the afternoon bad a touch more of the frigid south than was altogether suitable to one of our hottest months. Humanity turned out en masse to enjoy the sunshine and blue skies after five days’ confinement to the house, and the perpetual lashing of rain against the roof and windows. The tenuis lawns were well patronised, and an immense concourse of people foregathered at the bowling green, of which, however, more anon.

At Parnell Lawn all the courts were kept busy during the whole afternoon. As usual there was a very appreciative audience who divided the delights of inspecting the game and an al fresco conversazione and Babel of society small talk. Mrs L. Bloomfield, just returned from her prolonged honeymoon and tour of the colony, was conspicuous among the non players, and had to go through quite an ordeal of hand shaking congratulation. Canon Mac Murray was vigorous amongst rhe players.

The afternoon * At Homes ’ on the Parnell Lawn seem, by the way, to be left to one or two hostesses at most of the committee. Mrs Ruck and Miss Mowbray have entertained, but the rest seem better at accepting than extending hospitality. A good many of the estimable ladies who use the lawn and pavilion as a lounging resort and nursery might very well help those who have already so w-orthily upheld the name of the Club for entertainment. It is neither fair, fitting, nor creditable that the work should be left entirely to the President and her ally, the crack lady player. It has been mooted that one or two of the unmarried girls and juvenile lady members should give a tea —a most excellent idea—and why on earth shouldn’t the male members do something in the same way—the bachelors of the club I mean, of course. Their ‘ afternoon tea ’ would be something novel, and would most certainly command success. Sunshine, blue skies, youth, beauty, and charming surroundings made the Auckland Bowling Green beautiful indeed last Saturday. Verily, as Mr Main said, the smiles of Auckland after her tears were not, like those of any other beauty, to be despised. The smiles were of the sunniest, the huge crowd which surrounded the beautiful lawns on every side was of the gayest, and the whole scene was one of sparkling life and animation. Not only did the numerous smart toilettes worn by the ladies give richness and effect to the scene, but the men, emancipated for once from the sombre colours of usual attire, made groups positively picturesque by reason of the many coloured blazers ot the different clubs, the majority being, of course, in the Cambridge blue and white stripe of the Auckland Club. On every side of the green, which looked delightfully fresh and verdant after the terribly heavy rains, were the smartly-befrocked sweethearts and wives who were so gallantly toasted by the visitors later in the afternoon. There were a fair number of olive branches present, which seemed to show that good bowlers are also good colonists, and recognise their duty as such in the old Mosaic dictum •be fruitful and multiply. In a large tent Mr Buchanan and an efficient staff served refreshments—tea, cakes, and every imaginable sort of fruit—to all who would avail themselves of the Club’s hospitality. In the central pavilion gentlemen, and those who preferred something more sustaining, were provided with their own particular * poison ’ —all of the finest brews or vintages. In truth, the Auckland bowlers entertained out of doors in the same royal fashion as the Northern Club do within the four walls of their famous Club house.

Late in the afternoon Mr Gorrie sent down a message for Mr Hanna, who though he was just leaving for home packed his largest camera, and proceeding to the lawn succeeded in taking a group of the assembled players. This was not accomplished, however, without much chaff and laughter, and the photographer had a hard job to keep his sitters in order. Then came some brief and therefore pleasant speeches. Mr Raul, father of bowling in this part of the globe, thanked—and in the most graceful manner—the club for the kindness and hospitality shown to the visitors. He called for cheers for them and, before the echoes of these had subsided, for yet another for the Auckland wives and sweethearts. Mr Gorrie, the secretary, responded. His speech was replete with good humour and nice feeling, couched in neat and pretty language, and just of suitable duration. The press was most enthusiastically toasted, Mr Main, the veteran pressman of Auckland, coming in for well-deserved honours. In replying Mr Main made a witty and excellently-worded speech—undoubtedly the neatest of the afternoon. Altogether Saturday at the green was an unqualified success, and made up, in a great measure, for the disappointments of the week.

I AM informed that I wrongly credited Miss Wilkins last week with the main labour and trouble of the private subscription dance given to the Otago cricketers. An esteemed conespondent informs me that Mrs Hope Lewis and the sister of Miss Wilkins were, equally with the former lady, the prime movers in this successful affair. About sixty people were present. The hall was beautifully decorated with flags, but the floor was not all that could be wished, though later on, owing to the continuous exertion of the dancers, it improved somewhat. The supper was excellent, and the music perfect, so said the visitors. A delightful relief from the monotony of the usual men’s evening dress was afforded by the uniforms of the officers of the Katoomba. They and the invited cricketers were nearly all the male element present, as for some reason or other few of the local dancing men put in an appearance. Perhaps they were afraid of the attractive visitors.

‘For the rain it raineth every day,' was the general cry of pleasure seekers and others in Auckland last week. It certainly was annoying that the charming moonlight party proposed by Mrs T. Cottle, of Remuera, should be spoilt because heavy clouds obscured the queen of night, and a disagreeable, drizzling rain made any peregrination of the beautiful grounds quite impossible, except to ducks. Lord Onslow's moonlight parties were much liked, and there is no doubt that a similar appreciation of this one would have been shown had the fates been propitious. But they were not, and with delightful resource and energy Mrs Cottle changed the wanted moonlight for that afforded indoors by softy shaded lamps ; the natural decorations of shrubs and flowers in the garden were deftly transferred to the house, and an impromptu and most charming dance arranged and successfully carried out. The verandahs were carefully closed in, and all recollection of the inclemency of the weather safely shut out. The floor and music were good, and the supper perfect. Altogether Mrs Cottle must be warmly congratulated on the result of the trouble she kindly gave herself in altering all her arrangements at the last moment.

About a hundred guests were there, quite a number of the prettiest girls in Auckland gracing the dance by their presence. The large reception-rooms were hung with mirrors and prettily festooned ferns and flowers —in fact, the hall and entire honse seemed literally massed with them. The supper-table, laden with its choice dainties looked lovely, artistically draped with pale pink and green Liberty silk ; small vases of pink flowers and green foliage formed a delightful match. Pink shades from the gas threw a soft light over the whole table, from the centre of which drooping gracefully, were ferns and honeysuckle arranged in tall glass epergnes.

Alas '. the visit of the famous Southern bowlers, and the tournament which was to have been held in Auckland, has ended in smoke. That is to say, the continuous rain entirely prevented any out-door games whatsoever, and the bowling representatives had only the excellent smoke concert held in the Choral Hall at which to make the acquaintance of the Auckland bowlers and their friends, who had intended to turn up in large numbers to watch the tournament. This was to have come off on the Auckland Bowling Club’s Green in Grafton Road, but, after repeated postponements, had to be abandoned, though on Saturday afternoon some excellent matches were played.

About three hundred guests, including local citizens, were present at the concert. Wives anl daughters with, perhaps, a sprinkling of cousins, were allowed to watch and listen from the gallery. The President of the Northern Bowling Association, Mr James Pau), was Chairman. At the other tables the two Vice-presidents, Messrs J. Lawson and J. Hardie, occupied the chief places. Various toasts were proposed and duly honoured, and some capital musical items were rendered by Mr A. Towsey, Messrs S. Jackson, Zimmerman, McGlashan, a recitation by Mr W. Hodgson, and songs by Messrs Thomas Morrison, A. Tait, A. L. Edwards, G. M. Reid, Woodhead (Taranaki), and L. Moritzson. The song and chorus, * Funiculi, Funicula,’ by Mr Edwards and the guests, was much applauded.

The inmates of the Costley Home in Auckland have not been defrauded of their annual tea by the inclemency of the weather. Through the energy and careful arrangement of Mrs Pritt, the old people in the Home enjoyed an excellent and seasonable meal on the last day of the old year. Though originated by Mrs Pritt much useful assistance was rendered by a large number of other ladies whose names appear elsewhere. Through the kindness of Mrs Johnston and Mrs Thomas, those who were unable to leave their rooms were supplied with strawberries, which, with the addition of cream, were much enjoyed. After the tables were cleared songs were sung by Miss Campbell, Miss Guinness, Miss Winnie Dudley, Mrs Ching, Mrs Pritt ; the Misses Pickmere sang two duets ; Mrs Taite, pianoforte solo ; Mrs Cochrane and her daughter, pianoforte duet. The music was greatly appreciated by the inmates, judging from the hearty applause which each performer received.

Society in Auckland is recovering its usual brisk gaiety. The first tine evening last week was the one fortunately chosen by Mrs Buckland, ‘ Highwic,' for a small danee. In consequence it was much enjoyed, everyone being in better spirits for the peep of sunshine during the day. The music, floor, and supper were all good, and the quiet little affair passed off very successfully.

A charming afternoon tea was given by Mrs Nelson George at her residence, ‘ Waipiti,’ Epsom (Auckland). These little teas are very popular amongst Mrs George’s friends. They have, generally, some raison d'etre. In this case, the reason was the visit of Mrs Colbeck (Kaipara) and her very fascinating and well-behaved baby, aged seven months. A good deal of infant worship was indulged in, but by no means to the neglect of the excellent tea, coffee, cakes, etc., which were handed round to the numerous guests during the afternoon. Still, as someone remarked, the baby was the cynosure of every eye.

Mr and Mrs E. J. Riddieord gave a most enjoyable juvenile fancy dress ball at Petone a few evenings ago. They had arranged to give it in the Oddfellows' Hall at the Lower Hutt, which is quite close to their residence, but a few nights before it was to take place the Oddfellows’

Hall was burnt down, therefore the dance took place at the Petone Halt The first part of the evening was devoted to nursery rhymes in the form of private theatricals, Master Barnett creating a great deal oi amusement as Humpty Dumpty. Mias Elsie Riddiford was Little 80-Peep and her brother Little Boy Blue. A few of those present were the Misses Cooper, Barnett (Walter), Johnston, Williams, Wilford, Jones, Parker, Humphrey, Hector, Bodmin, and Fitzherbert. Mr and Mrs Riddiford gave a very pleasant picnic party to Lowry Bay a few days before the dance.

A CAMPING-OL'T party organised by Mr and Mrs Maude, of Christchurch, have gone to Akaroa for the week, w here, if the sun only shines, a delightful time can be spent in boating, fishing, ferning and sundry other amusements. Mrs Loughnan had a boating picnic on the river, and the Hon. E. W. and Mrs Parker also had a pleasant little picnic last week.

Monday, kept as New Year’s Day, was the day Lyttelton claims as its own. That little town would feel aggrieved now if any counter attraction was set up in city or suburb within 20 miles. For the Regatta, the day was perfect, and by afternoon it is said fully 20,000 people had assembled in and aroand Lyttelton. The amusements were various to suit all tastes. The flag-ship, Star of Austria, was decked from water’s edge to water's edge, and certainly carried off the palm for decorations, but the whole place was made gay with bunting. Captain and Mrs Willis were hospitality personified, and the numerous guests who thronged the good ship that day will look back with plea-

sure to Regatta Day, 1893. The greatest and most interesting side-show was the marine explosion, which took place at 4 p.m. near the reef. An old bulk had been towed there during the morning, and all appliances fixed under the direction and supervision of Lieutenant-Commander Floyd, H.M.S. Goldfinch, and Sir Arthur Douglas. Much credit is dne to Mr Lainsbury, gunner, H.M.S. Goldfinch, and petty officer Boyle of the torpedo crew, for the successful carrying out of a novel and interesting sight.

A Bazaar was opened in aid of a fund for providing a Seamen’s Rest in Lyttelton. One of the railway goods sheds was lent for the bazaar and was nicely decorated. This, with the numerous pretty things about, was a pleasant resort by way of a change from the marine attractions, even if one or other of the fascinating stall-holders beguiled a few shillings out of one’s pocket. In the evening, there was the additional inducement of vocal and instrumental music. The regatta was brought to a close by a brilliant display of fireworks on the water conducted by the members of the Lyttelton Fire Brigade. A procession of boats towed by the steamer, John Anderson, round the inner harbour was a pretty sight with their various illuminations. R->ckets, coloured fires, Roman candles, etc., were to be seen in all directions, and the Goldfinch exhibited her search lights. The water being very smooth, the spectacle was seen to advantage.

The Captain and officers of H.M.S. Goldfinch entertained a number of Christchurch friends on board their fine ship the other night at a Christy Minstrel peformance. A very merry evening indeed was spent, and thoroughly enjoyed by those fortunate enough to be present. All the officers were included in the performers, and their comicalities provoked roars of laughter, the jokes of the corner men being intensely fanny. Among the guests were Sir Arthur and Lady Douglas, Hon. E. W. and Mrs Parker, Mr and Mrs A. Boyle, Mr, Mrs, ami Miss Russell, Misses Stopford, and others.

The Canterbury Women s Institute may be said to be fairly started. At a recent public meeting it was decided gentlemen should be admitted as honorary members on payment of a subscription or fee of five shillings a year, and were eligible for election on Committee of Advice in connection with the various departments. Lady Douglas, President of the Institute, gave an address, in the course of which she said she hoped she would be permitted to look back at the expiration of her term of office with pleasure on work that had benefited many of her sex. Mrs Wilson (secretary) read a paper on the education of girls, and the changes that had taken place in that direction in the last few years. Mrs Garsia (superintendent of the domestic science department), Mrs May (of the health department), Mrs Sheppard (of economics), each read a paper treating of the work to be done ; and a scheme prepared by Mrs Grossman, of the literary department, was read by Miss Veel. Each announced when the first lectures and classes would be started. Mrs W. P. Reeves spoke in favour of sending even larger petitions to both Houses of Parliament next session to get the Franchise for women as soon as possible. About fifty ladies attended the meeting and a few gentlemen.

Some tall climbing has been accomplished during the holidays by Mr and Mrs Fairbanks and Mr T. C. Fyfe, accompanied by Mr J. Adamson as guide. The party left the Hermitage, Mount Cook, at 9.30 am. on a Monday morning, travelling up the Tasman Glacier to the Ball hut, which was reached at sp. m. Starting next morning at 4.30, they crossed over the Mount Cook Range, reaching the summit of the Ball Pass (7,540 ft. high) at noon. The descent to the Hooker Glacier was made in two and a-half hours, the Hermitage being reached at a little before 7 p.m. Mrs Fairbanks is the first lady to cross the Ball Pass, and some of the climbing was very severe work, the snow being soft. It must have felt quite like a Christmas or New Year’s tramp in the Old Country to pass through actual snow at that period.

Partly on account of the bad weather, and partly because the Tournament was not completed in time, the garden party, which was to have been held at the Otago Courts, was changed into a dance at St. Paul's schoolroom, in the evening. Miss Macassey and Miss Spence in a very short time had all things in readiness, and the floor, music, and supper were as excellent as though there had been weeks of preparation. There was a perfect deluge of rain, of course, and this may have prevented some familiar faces being present, and others were away. The dance was

a jolly one, chiefly composed of young people, with a few chaperones and married ladies to give dignity to the affair. St. Paul’s schoolroom is a favourite place for dancing on account of the floor. Apart from that, it is rather cold and bare and needs a lot of decorating. As much of this had been done as the hurried nature of the dance would allow. There seemed to be no wallflowers — all the men were dancing, and the strangers received a good deal of attention. A few of the ladies wore their hair powdered, the Misses Mackerras being of the number.

New Year’s Night passed off very quietly in Dunedin. The streets were thronged until a late hour, when most of the people went home, or to ‘ first foot ’it with their friends. A number of the chorus of the opera serenaded the principals who were staying at the Grand Hotel, and after paying one or two visits called at the Club, where they weie well received. The opera was, of course, packed on New Year’s Eve, ‘ Pepita ’ being the attraction. Indeed, every night there has been a crowded house, especially downstairs, which cannot accommodate all who require seats.

Mrs T. Whitson, Dunedin, gave a musical evening in honour of Mr and Mrs James Grant from Sydney. The rooms and hall were most tastefully decorated with [Hippies, marguerites, and cornflowers; these flowers being special favourites with the hostess. A remarkably pleasant even-

ing was spent, the entertainment not confining itself to music, a charade being played that caused great fun. The title of this was ‘ School,’ and one of the gentlemen, who acted the ‘ naughty boy ’ to perfection, kept the room in roars of laughter. The hostess sang ‘Blue Eyes’ very sweetly, and a number of other songs were sung. Mrs Malcolm Ross contiibuted a recitation entitled ‘ The Major,’ which she rendered much to the pleasure of her bearers. After supper there was an impromptu dance, which added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening.

Sunday (New Year’s Day) was, of course, kept with all a Scot’s due respect for the Sabbath in Dunedin. It would perhaps be cruel to say that it was, after the previous evening, highly appreciated as a day of rest. The stieets were singularly empty, but soon after daybreak on Monday morning people were up and astir, and at an early hour were starting by boat or train on the many excursions planned for the day, or nearer home were, in large picnic parties, seeking some favourite resort. The sun was brightly shining, and the scene east or west, north or south, on land or on the bay, was one of animation, for careful as the Scotchman may be all the year round, he will spend money at the New Year.

From Blenheim comes news of certain festivities eelebiatiug the close of the year. I will, however, let my correspondent tell the news. She says -—‘ On New Year's Eve Mr and Mrs Snodgrass kindly allowed us to surprise them at the Bank of New Zealand, and we had a most delightful evening. Mrs Griffiths got up the party, and, as usual, was rewarded for her trouble by the success which followed her efforts. Dancing was the order of the evening, the music, which was chiefly supplied by Mesdames Snodgrass, Hanna, Lucas, Park, Hiley, Misses Seymour, Ferguson, Worthington, and Messrs Snodgrass, Lucas, and G. Robinson, l>eing remarkably good. For the benefit of those who objected to this party because it was on Saturday night, I must state that we did not dance the Old Year out and the New Year in, but we stopped dancing before midnight, and all joined hands and sang ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ Mr Young singing the solo.

Miss Muriel Sinclair, Blenheim, gave a large and most successful birthday party to her juvenile friends. A handsome pink and white cake adorned the tea-table and was greatly appreciated. Nice prizes were generously provided by Mrs Sinclair, and the races were most exciting. The little ones left early but the older ones stayed on and dancing and games were much enjoyed.

Universal sympathy is expressed in Blenheim for Dr. Nairn, who has just lost bis wife after a short but severe illness. Mrs Nairn has left four little girls motherless, and she will be missed by many friends. Her unobtrusive charity and help in the hour of need has endeared her to those around her, who have lost a true friend. Her unostentatious piety and goodness were undoubted. Mrs Ryan, of the Criterion Hotel, Blenheim, also lost her six-months-old baby very suddenly, so even at this joyous season there are some desolate homes in onr midst, and the gaiety ami bustle of the outside world must seem to make their grief harder to bear.