TOPICS OF THE WEEK

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 37, 16 September 1893, Page 194

TOPICS OF THE WEEK

SOCIETY’S SAYINGS AND DOINGS.

UNLESS, as is most unlikely, Lord Glasgow should refer the / Electoral Bill to Her Majesty, our womenkind will vote at the forth- ” coming general election. The question °* *'h e h° ur * s naturally, therefore, how will tl* e y use their power? The situa- ’ tion is admirably treated in our car-

toon, which shows the appeal for votes from every possible class of candidate. The intuitive power of women of knowing who are their friends will, it is to be hoped, stand them in good stead, for they will unquestionably be subjected to the most unblushing attempts of erstwhile enemies to pose as friends and supporters. I earnestly recommend a careful study of Hansard’s report of the proceedings. Not only should those who spoke against the franchise be held in remembrance with a blank mark against their names, but also those who neglected to speak on either side waiting to see which way the wind blew, and then voting in desperation to save their seats. To separate the wheat from the chall' will not be easy, but I have full confidence that the women will do it with a thoroughness that will disagreeably surprise some of their lukewarm or doubtful friends. The subject will be fully discussed next week when the question is finally settled. The Countess of Glasgow invited a few young people to Government House a few evenings ago from nine till eleven o’clock to have a little dancing after dinner, and amongst those present were the Ladies Boyle, Miss Wauchope, Miss Holroyd, Miss Studholme, Miss Cara Russell, Miss Maud Williams, Miss Ida Johnston, Miss Henry, and Messrs J. Mills, Rolleston, Anson, Cooper, Baldwin, etc. Light refreshments were served during the evening, and a very pleasant and informal time was spent. The annual concert in connection with the Caledonian Society took place most successfully in the Opera House, Wellington. Indeed, it was by far the most successful concert that has yet been given by the Society, nearly two thousand people having assembled by eight o’clock to hear it. The stage appointments were extremely novel and pretty, representing the exterior of Robert Burns’ cottage, in the open doorway of which stood an illuminated portrait of the poet. The idea of the poet’s garden was further carried out in ferns and flowers, and his favourite rustic seat and wicket appeared in the background with pretty effect. On the lawn in front were the members of the chorus —some fifty or sixty voices — the ladies all dressed alike in white gowns and tartan sashes crossed in front, and the gentlemen in ordinary evening dress. The large programmes were beautifully got up. His. Excellency the Governor with Lady Glasgow and party were welcomed on their entrance in true Highland fashion, and were played into the dress circle by Piper Campbell. Thj programme was a very interesting one, including some excellent step dancing, Highland flings, etc., which were cleverly danced by ladies and gentlemen in Highland costume to the strains of the pipes. Songs were given by the Misses Orr (who sang beautifully), Kandell, and Greig, and Messrs Cadzow and Mcßain, and Mr Patterson gave a recitation in splendid style. From Napier we learn that Mr Barnett’s last afternoon concert was most enjoyable, and a large audience assembled in rue Athenieura Hall to hear it. A few country people were present, Miss Green, of Hastings, amongst others. Mesdames Ormond, Kettle, Logan, Hoadley, Balfour, McLean, Baker, and numbers more were there. Mus Isaacs, ‘Buona Vista,’ Auckland, had a charming little musical evening on Saturday. She was ably assisted by her daughters—Misses Kate, Eva, and Edith Isaacs—and son, Mr Robert Isaacs. Amongst those who contributed music besides Misses Kate and Edith were, Mr J. Huhne (song), Pelley (comic songs), Mrs Haines and Mrs Goldstein (songs); Mr McClean, with his violin, was in great requisition ; he plays so beautifully. Mrs Butt accompanied. The supper decorations were very extensive and beautiful, a mirror being placed in the centre of the table surrounded with mange Liberty silk drapery, white Howers and greenery were placed in vases, and an open Chinese parasol hung from the chandelier, with decoration of orange ribbon descending to the edges of the table. Amongst those present were Dr. Banks and Mr Pellev (IL M.S. Tauratiga), Mrs L. D. Nathan, Mrs Bloomfield (Parnell), Miss Griffiths, etc.

Mbs T. C. Williams’ (Wellington) ‘At Home* took the form of a small dance, and was very pleasant. The decorations were beautiful—from the top of the balastrade of the staircase to the bottom was one mass of arum lilies, which just looked as though they were growing, and depending from the gallery and staircase were huge baskets of white clematis tied with white ribbons. The mantelpieces, etc., were also beautifully decorated, and in the billiard-room the table was covered with pot plants, ferns, Howers, and fairy lamps and Chinese lanterns were hung about with pretty effect. The band played from the little alcove at the bottom of the stair which was also decorated. Mr Robert Price, of Napier, has severed his connection with the Daily Telegraph after having been connected with that paper for about twenty years. Mr E. W. Knowles gave him a dinner at the Clarendon Hotel, and the Clarendon Club also feted him. He was presented with a gold watch. Mr Price is going to turn his attention to sheep-farming, and will reside not far from Waipukurau. Mrs Ware, Portland Road, Reinuera, must be congratutulated on the success of her evening, which consisted of tableaux viuants, varied with songs and finished up with a delightful little dance. ‘Stadacina’ is another Auckland house specially suited for entertaining. There is a charming large entrance hall, which was beautifully draped with dark curtains and brightened by arum lilies with their glossy leaves in abundance and cabbage trees. From the handsome chandeliers depended the graceful clematis, the lights being all deftly subdued with pink shades. Seats were placed in every available corner. The tableaux viuants were beautifully arranged and statuesque in effect. First came ‘ Blue Beard,’ then * A Game of Life,’ ‘ Dresden China,’ 1 Elaine,’ 1 Oberon and Titania,’ ‘ A Fan Song,’ etc. The most exquisite picture was that of Dresden China, the hostess’s pretty little daughter taking part. Amongst those who contributed songs were Misses Sharland, Kissling, Moss Davis, etc. The supper was all that could be desired—trifles, oysters, jellies, wines, etc. The decorations were very pretty. The centre piece was one mass of clematis surrounded with white azaleas. Mr Ware and his son ably assisted in entertaining theguests. Miss Wardrop was there, and also a great many of the officers of the H. M S. Tauranga, who are gladly welcomed back to Auckland after an absence of eighteen months. The verandah was]fenclosed with canvas and arranged comfortably with seats, and Chinese lanterns were suspended from the ceiling. The final meeting of the Christchurch Savage Club took place in the Oddfellows’ Hall. That these same savages have among their wahines, squaws, princesses, chieftainesses, gins and other feminine relations, some of the elite of Canterbury, was evident from the well-dressed and fashionable crowd—numbering about one hundred —who filled the hall on that memorable occasion. Song and story, some original, all acceptable, filled the programme. But there was one exception. This was a story dealing with advanced woman’s work, and pictured the duties of a female coroner. The possibility of this office being discharged by a woman is as far off as the extreme dress reform ideas indulged in by some Christchurch ladies. It was a disagreeable tale, as it was put, still there is no doubt that did it fall to the lot of a woman to perform any loathsome task whatsoever, she would acquit herself as well in the future as she has on any similar occasion in the past. Bcvenons a nos moutons. After the gruesome story was disposed of the company turned their attention with avidity to the tempting sweets scattered about on small tables throughout the room. * I wish,’ one fair dame was heard to say, ‘ that savages drank tea or coffee, but like the cow that kicked over the bucket of milk, 'twas their only fault, and maybe only thoughtlessness.’ (See New Zealand Farmer.) The Hall was very prettily decorated with Liberty curtains, and on each little table some flowers and ferns, while the stage bad some beautiful palms intermingled with warlike implements. At Mrs Hutchinson’s (Wellington) dance the decorations were also elaborate. The supper table especially was admired, the centre being occupied by a mirror, all round which were tall vases of yellow jonquils draped with green silk, and the shades of the lights were also green. The

champagne supper was an excellent one. The dance was very much enjoyed, and the young people are now looking forward to another to be given by the same kind host and hostess, invitations for which are already out. Very scrappy items of news have reached me from Onehunga, The last of the fortnightly socials came off on Saturday night, when, notwithstanding the threatening state of the weather, there was a fair attendance, and as customary everybody enjoyed themselves. The Tennis Club have issued invitations for a masquerade ball to be held in the Public Hall on Friday, 22nd, which promises to be a huge success, very few of these dances having been held lately. On Thursday next the local Musical Society will perform Handel’s ‘ Samson.’ The soloists will be Mrs Warren, Miss Robertson (soprano), Mrs Lyell (contralto), Messrs Meredith and Moselen (tenors), and Mr Pullan (bass). The performance should be very successful. On Friday night Mr and Mrs G. J. Browne entertained the members of St. Peter’s Church choir, when a very enjoyable musical evening was spent. Still ‘another, yet the same’ children’s party in Picton, Misses Grace and Belle Allen being the causes and occasions of the why and wherefore of all the noise and mirth and fun. Between thirty and forty young folks, amongst whom were the Misses Waddy, Greensill, Christopher, Linton, Seymour, Mclntosh, Western, Rutherford, White, Sealy, and Messrs Baillie, Scott, Fell, Waddy, and White enjoyed themselves immensely, dancing, playing games, and acting charades till 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The week in Dunedin has been an unusually quiet one, the Savage Club Ladies’ Evening and the Biand Holt Company being the chief attractions. The Choral Hall on the occasion ot the Ladies’ Savage Night presented quite a brilliant scene. The hall had been converted into a drawingroom. By eight o’clock it was filled, seats being arranged teteat&te, wq couches and lounges scattered all about. The floor was carpeted, and innumerable rugs added greatly to the comfort of the guests. The decorations were beautiful. On evety small table stood a large vase of daffodils, and immense jars of broom stood at the corners of the stage. Numbers of flags and a large Japanese umbrella suspended from the ceiling brightened the scene. Says my Christchurch correspondent: • The Girl’s Boating Club, the Liederkriinzchen, and sundry other girlish institutions lose one of its rank to-day in Miss (Totsie) Greenwood. Mr Wright, of Dunedin, has stolen her from us, and takes possession this afternoon at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Church. The successful • At Home ’ season in Ponsonby is, alas, drawing to a too hasty close. Friday, the 15th instant, will witness the fifth of a series of dances which, for genuine enjoyment and tout ensemble excellence, have perhaps surpassed any other of Auckland’s numerous suburban ‘ hops.’ Dancing commences at 8 p.m. Trams pass the door of the Ponsonby Hall. The last of Miss Seymour’s popular assembly dances was held in the Drillshed, Blenheim, and was a most unqualified success, a delightful evening being spent. Miss Ella Waddy (Picton), a debutante, was undoubtedly the belle, and was much admired. The music was as usual supplied by Mr Vannini, and could not have been better, while the flute obligato by Mr Snodgrass was much appreciated. The supper was delicious, and the table decorations most artistic, a large bunch of fine arums and their beautiful leaves rising out of a yellow crinkled paper cache-pot, being lovely, and around it were large bunches of white and yellow narcissi. The floor was very good, and so were the partners, and we are all sorry (writes my correspondent) these jolly little dances are over, and hope they will be continued next winter, for Miss Seymour has been throughout an admirable hostess, and Mr E. Pasley a capital secretary. This assembly was very largely attended, and a list of guests and their gowns will be found in the Blenheim society letter. Mbs Walter Johnston (Wellington) has issued a number of invitations for an afternoon * At Home ’ next Friday. It is pleasant for those Aucklanders who like well and economically cooked food to know that their wives and daughters are profiting largely by the clever lectures and practical teaching of Miss Ada Wardrop, whose cookery classes continue to be very well attended. This energetic young lady proposes to visit Napier and Wellington, where she is sure of a hearty reception, and numbers of capable pupils. Progressive euchre is still progressing in fashionable circles. At Mrs Preece’s residence, Grafton Road, a large party of friends assembled the other night for the express purpose ot euchring one another from the card-tables. The first prize, ladies', was won by Miss Bedlington ; gentlemen’s, Mr Jack Peyton. The booby prizes were bestowed upon Miss W. Rice, and MrT. Ball. Much laughter and merriment attended the delivering of the latter.

There was much joy in Picton when the news was brought in by the Torea that the whalers of Queen Charlotte Sound bad captured two very large • right ’ whales, and much excitement when the bellman went round inviting everyliody to join in an expedition to Te Awaite, to view the mighty monsters of the deep, or, as he facetiously recited his instructions, •To see the whale that Jonah swallowed.’ A goodly number of residents left their homes, their work, and some even left their dinner and embarked on board the Torea, where Captain Fisk discoursed on the capture of the two whales, and great was the excitement on board the yacht, which steamed ont to assist in towing the creatures —some fifty feet long—in to the station. The men were busy cutting up the blubber with long-handled choppers, and the ladies of the party at least were glad to get away from the cologne-like perfumes pervading the atmosphere, which the gentlemen professed ‘ rather to like,’ but then they were perfuming the air around themselves with ‘Cavendish’ and ‘Mountain Dew,’and the ladies had no such resources. The ladies at the station were ‘not at home’ till the visiting party were safely on board again, then they gathered in a group on the beach and waved adieux and salutations, which were returned from the Torea. Then the crowd of men and children took up the chorus and cheered the visitors, one and all—and, oh ! for the pencil of an artist to depict the scene ; handkerchiefs waving on board the Torea and on the shore, coats, hats, handkerchiefs, oars, men, women, children, and dogs, gyrating in wild confusion and cheering lustily till the Torea was out ot sight. The two whales are estimated to yield oil and whalebone to the value of £250. Te Awaite, the whaling station, is just inside the entrance to Tory Channel, and eighteen miles from Picton. The weather was perfect, and the Sound like a lake. A SPECIAL general meeting of the Christchurch Women’s Institute was called by requisition to consider the proceedings of the Health and Dress Department, and if necessary take some action in the matter. There were between forty and fifty ladies present, Mrs Garsia presiding. Mrs Wilson (the Hon. See.) introduced the business of the meeting, and Mrs Cunnington then proposed, ‘ That this meeting, while recognising the desirability of moderate and rational dress reform for women, is not in sympathy with the extreme views and practices of a section of the Hygiene Department, and hereby records its objection to the name of the Institute being used in connection therewith.’ Mrs Burns, being thoroughly convinced in her own mind she is on the right road, and having the courage of her convictions, spoke strongly on the need of dress reform, but failed to grasp the meaning of the words, ‘ extreme dress reform,* which was afterwards neatly explained to her by the presiding genius as the adoption of ‘masculine apparel.’ Miss Walker and Miss Taylor also expressed their views. The motion was then put and carried, only four dissenting. A few other resolutions in connection with their work were carried, one concerning the revision of rules so as to bring the departments more under the control of the General Committee. The Brough and Boucicault tour has commenced with a signal success in Adelaide, where the theatre has been quite unable to accommodate audiences. If the venture is a success the famous combination intend to make the tour an annual affair. Hitherto they have simply alternated between Melbourne and Sydney. Mr Lohr, who is ‘in advance,’ writes in great spirits concerning the New Zealand tour, which he hopes will be triumphal. It will, indeed, almost assuredly be so. The reputation enjoyed by the big B.'s. is immense, and has wonderfully increased in New Zealand since the cheap trips to Sydney last year, when thousands of our colonists went, saw, and were conquered. A party at ‘ The Lindens,’ Mount Pleasant, Picton, the residence of Mrs Western, was very successfully carried out on Monday evening. Several of the party had been down the Sound to see the great whales, but their sea trip, though it made them fashionable arrivals, did not prevent them walking three miles afterwards to the party at ‘ the Lindens,’ where great preparations had been made to receive them. There was dancing of course, songs, and games, and a meny send-off in the early hours, Mrs Western, and her daughters and two sons making everybody feel delightfully at home. Amongst the guests were the Misses Philpotts (three), Hassall, Linton, Allen (two). White, Greensill, Baillie (Para), Seymour (three), and Mrs Allen, etc. A CAPITAL idea has been started lately in the shape of an autograph cookery album, in which, instead of poetry or what not, a good recipe for some useful or ornamental dish is given. Most of us have suffered a good deal of boredom over albums of inane autograph verses, sketches, etc., presented with the best possible motives for our interest and entertainment; but to the unemancipated—and fortunately there are still many such women who are interested in matters domestic—a cookery autograph album would always be worth looking at to get a good • wrinkle ’ from, as each recipe would have been practically tried by the writer and signee.

At Christchurch the fourth of Mr F. M. Wallace’s concerts of chamber music came off in the Provincial Council Chamber on Thursday evening, and was equal to any of its predecessors. Mr F. Barkas was the solo vocalist. He was in excellent voice, and chose songs suiting him admirably. Mr Wallace completely astonished the audience by his clever playing of Bach’s * Chaconne ' for violin alone. The wonderful execution and tone produced were greatly admired. Mr H. M. Lund played Beethoven’s Sonata * Appassionata * in F. Minor in his well-known style, and took part in a trio with Mr Wallace (violin), and Mr H. H. Lougbnan (’cello). A quartette of Mendelssohn’s for two violins, viola, and ’cello (Mr Wallace, Miss Beatb, Miss Gordon Rich, and Mr H. H. Loughnan) closed a thoroughly charming concert. The fifth and last takes place next week. The Picton spinsters are resolved to cover themselves with glory, and have another ball which is to eclipse all former efforts of theirs, and that is saying a great deal. The minuet will be danced, and all the arrangements carried out to perfection. The 6th of October is the date fixed for the event of the year to come off. Miss Mellish is bon. secretary, and invitations ad. libitum are to be issued. • Cinderella,’ H. J. Byron’s edition, was performed by the Devonport school children on Thursday and Friday last, the show arousing the enthusiasm of friends and relations, and the commendation of the general public, who bestowed their patronage freely. The musical arrangements were, as usual, excellently carried out by Mr Alf. Bartley. The overture was concluded and the curtain raised punctually at eight o’clock, disclosing an enchanting forest scene, the fairies lying upon the ground apparently in peaceful slumber. They were suddenly aroused by the Fairy Queen, and a dance took place. Considerable credit is due to Miss H. Burgess for the way in which she taught the young fays to perform their mystic evolutions. As Queen of the Fairies Miss Peacocke was excellent. With long fair hair, pale face, and large solemn eyes, she looked the character to perfection, whilst her rendering of the part was exceedingly good. The character of Prince Poppetti was gracefully pourtrayed by Miss Minnie Goldie. Next in order of merit was Miss Estelle Aubin, who impersonated Cinderella. Both her appearance and her acting left little to be desired, and she decidedly carried off the palm with her singing, ‘ I Dreamt that I Dwelt in Marble Halls,’ which brought down the house. Miss Jessie Inglis, as the valet, Buttoni, gained hearty applause from the audience. Mr Fred Bower as Baron Balderdash was acceptable, as was also Miss Macarthy as Clorinda. The latter’s get-up was very good, and her acting on the first night was perhaps better than on the second. Miss Lily Baker as Thisbee, and the Alidoro by Mr S. Burningbam were satisfactory, as was the acting of Miss Dora Morrison in the part of Dandini. During the ball scene in the palace the Misses Goldie, Aubin and Macarthy and Mr Burning ham danceda minuet, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all, the graceful positions being made more effective by the different coloured lights. The entire management of the affair was in the hands of Mr Benge, headmaster of the school, who has received applications to re produce it in Auckland as he did ‘ Aladdin.’ The affair was in short a success. Such functions usually are, since everyone is predisposed to be friendly and admiring where amateur performances by children are concerned. Of course there was some of the usual clap trap about the performance being better than many professional productions. This sort of thing is not merely silly, but mischievous. It is very apt to make the performing children believe that they are clever above their fellows, which they assuredly are not. As children and amateurs they are allowed freedom from severe criticism, and praise is bestowed on the slightest possible provocation ; but any score of average children with the advantage of Mr Benge’s really admirable tuition and stage management would do every wbit as well, earn just as much applause, and draw just as good houses.