AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XIX, 12 May 1894, Page 451

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, May 3. Thanks to the hospitality of His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, and of Mr and Mrs Alfred Nathan and Mrs J. Y. Stevenson we have had a most enjoyable week. MRS ALFRED NATHAN’S DANCE. One of the largest private dances that have been given for many seasons in Auckland was given by Mr and Mrs Alfred Nathan in ‘ Bella Vista.’ Waterloo Quadrant, the handsome residence of the late Mr David Nathan. The dance was given as a * send off* to Mr and Mrs L. D. Nathan, who leave Auckland shortly for a two years’ trip to the old country. Furnishing the house temporarily for the dance, Mr Alfred Nathan placed the order in the hands of the D.S. Company. The entrance from the street to the portico of the residence was enclosed and carpeted. The balcony at the back of the house was lighted with Chinese lanterns, while lounges and chairs were placed in every available spot. The ball-room, stairs, and landing were nicely decorated with large prize chrysanthemums presented to Mrs Alfred Nathan from the choice exhibits from the Cambridge Show, and lighted by subdued fairy lights, which indeed made a very fantastic scene. On the upper floor were a gentlemen’s card-room and three or four retiring and dressing-rooms for the ladies, which were all fitted out comfortably, and artistically hung with drapery. The supper was provided by Canning, and of course was all that could be desired. The supper table also was decorated with the large prize chrysanthemums. Champagne and wines of every variety were on the table. The night unfortunately was excessively hot, which made it rather unpleasant for dancing. One lady, Mrs Dennison, actually fainted. Mr and Mrs Alfred Nathan received their numerous guests in the ballroom, both host and hostess studying everyone s comfort, introducing their guests one to another in a manner which was much appreciated. The gentlemen exceeded the ladies in number. Of the Government House party present Lady Augusta Boyle wore white silk with flounces, and pink ribbons and sash en train e*, Mrs Stewart, white merveilleux with nil green waistband. Captain Clayton was there also. Major Elliot was unable to be present, as he had not returned fiom his shooting trip at the Kaipara. Sir Henry Ogle with three other officers from H.M.S. Rapid was among the guests, THE DRESSES. Our hostess looked exceeding well in a rich black velvet gown with a necklet of glittering gems. I was informed they were diamonds —a birthday present given by her husband—some of the same glittering stones were fastened in her hair, also in a brooch on her corsage, her 4 sister. Miss Clayton looked very pretty in nil green silk veiled with a gauzy material; Mrs L. D. Nathan wore a very handsome gown of rose pink moir6; Miss Rosy Nathan wore either|maize-coloured plaid net. or pink, but as these two colours at night are very confusing I cannot be certain, but I think the former colour is correct; Miss Bertie Davis, stylish pink nun’s veiling relieved with net; Mrs Arthur Nathan, stylish black silk; Mrs Hesketh, navy silk ; Miss Heskcth, blue or green bengaline (these colours again are confusing in the gas light, but I think the former is correct); Mrs Buckland (’Huzhwic ’), black silk relieved with white; Miss Maud Buckland, white silk; Miss Florrie Buckland looked pretty in white merveilleux ; Mrs Thompson (Green Lane), elegant black silk with white daisies; Miss Colbeck, very pretty pink bengaline; Miss Thorne-George, white ergpon with pink trimmings; Mrs Blair wore black silk with effective red velvet bow in her hair; Mrs Hague Smith, canary coloured silk veiled with black lace; Miss Hague-Smith, salmon pink tussore silk; Mrs T«ewis, very rich brocaded black silk; Mrs Shirley-Baker, brown silk en iraine edged with fur; Miss Baker, cream flowered delaine: Miss Laura Baker, lovely gown of white tulle; Miss Ella Baker, very striking gown of shimmering pale blue satin; Miss Henderson, black silk; Mrs Ralph Keesing, white Liberty silk: Mrs Markham, wore a canary gown with velvet; Miss Mary Firth, maize-coloured gown with bands of purple velvet: Miss Firth, blue bengaline ; Mrs Moss-Davis was costumed in a yellow gown veiled with black; Miss Moss-Davis, petunia gown with Eink trimmings; Miss Mowbray, fawn lace gown; Mrs ucas Bloomfield, white silk with yellow trimmings; Mrs J. Bloomfield (Wonona), black silk; Miss Wreay, lizard green veiled with black lace ; Mrs Nashelski, rich black silk ; and her daughter was much admired in white Liberty silk ; Mrs Hardie, black; Miss Claudia Hardie, white merveilleux with bands of peacock green ; Mrs Thomas Morrin was wearing a neat fitting white silk; Mrs Atkin-Carrick wore a striking bouton d’or silk ; Mrs Richmond was simply attired in black ; Mrs Kerr-Taylor, red satin ; Miss Kerr Taylor wore white cr6pon, and her sister, pink nun's veiling ; Miss Cora Alexander, w'hite debutante gown of bengaline; Miss Phillips, white Liberty silk ; Miss Rennie Rookcs, black lace costume en traine with bead trimmings; Mrs Gorrie, black silk; Miss Gorrie, lovely white silk; Miss Mary Gorrie, pale heliotrope silk ; Mrs McLaughlin looked distinguee in black ; Miss Hay, black, and her sister, white; Miss Mary Anderson, blue grey cashmere with daisy trimming; Mrs J. M. Shera, canary coloured silk with black lace ; Mrs Dignan looked distinguee in canary coloured brocaded silk with edgings of black lace; Mrs Goodhue, maize coloured silk veiled with black lace; Miss Johnstone, apricot gown with overall of black net: Mrs Hanmer, black silk; Miss Whewell. white striped silk; Miss May Chambers, bouton d’or silk vei ed with black lace; Mrs Leatham looked extremely well in white; Mrs Pay ton was looking very well in white brocaded silk: Mrs Arch. Clarke looked pretty in white silk; Mrs Isidore Alexander, white silk with black velvet bodice and trimmings ; Mrs Robert Browning, elegant gown of black silk relieved with heliotrope: Mrs Goldstein wore fawn silk with lace ; Mrs Sam Morrin, black silk relieved with pink: Miss Outhwaite. pink and white striped Liberty silk ; Mrs James Russell, tartan silk veiled with black net; Mrs Reid wore a handsome gown of black bengaline trimmed with gold braid; Mrs Reade, elegant gown of black and white stripe; Mrs Ranson, white crepon with green velvet trimmings: Miss Amy Taylor, simple white silk; Miss Flossy Whyte looked piquante in white cashmere; Miss Sereta McLaughlin was very much admired in white silk ; Mrs Butt looked extremely juvenile in white surah ; Mrs Dennison was wearing black relieved with terracotta; Miss Stevenson (‘ Glenholm ’), striking maize coloured Liberty silk with heliotrope trimmings; and her sister, a blue brocaded satin: Messrs Goodhue, Stevenson, W. Bruce, Crombie, C. Chambers, Holmes, Hanna, Eller, Thorne-George, A. N. Gibeons. Ware (two), Horton, Johnston, Keesing, Lawford, Philips, J. Philson, Robison, Murray, H. Bloomfle d, and Dr. Forbes, etc. Mrs J. Y. Stevenson gave a most successful YOUNG PEOPLE’S DANCE at her charming residence ‘Glenholm.’ Remuera. The night was delightfully cold, in fact, just the night for a dance. Mrs Stevenson assisted by her two daughters and sons were assiduous in their endeavours to attend to everyone’s comfort. There were plenty of men, consequently there were few, if any, wallflowers. The dancing took place in a large room, which was prettily decorated with fernery, the floor was in capital order (literally like glass), and the music perfect. Under such circumstances enjoyment was certain. The seats on the wide verandah, which extends round three sides of the house were in much request during the interval of dancing, especially those very cosy little seats arranged a deux. Many oi the guests found the garden walks more enchanting for a promenade. A tasty supper was laid out in the dining-room, which really looked most tempting peepingout from among the flowers. I have not written a list ot dresses as most of the young people’s dresses were worn the next night at Mrs Alfred Nathan’s. THE ATHLETIC SPORTS in aid of the Garrett Fund took place last Saturday. The weather was showery and extremely cold. The attendance was not as large as is usually the case on these occasions. Most of the ladies were clad in dark winter costumes. Amongst the most striking I noticed Mrs Tewsley in an autumn brown with green trimmings, fox fur boa, becoming princess bonnet: Miss Hay wore a stylish grey costume braided with black wavy braid ; Miss M. Hesketh was much admired in a light navy trimmed with bands of velvet of a darker shade; Miss G. Walker, slate grey; Miss Atkinson, navy gown with long black jacket; Mrs Mason looked distinguee in a black gown; her black hat was relieved by two

white wings; Mrs O’Neill, fawn costume, brown fur boa. brown hat with fawn ostrich tips: Miss Bush, black cashmere, brown jacket, black sailor hat. and her sister black merino; Miss Devore, black tailor-made costume, becoming black hat relieved with pink velvet; her sister, a fawn tweed costume: Mrs Grahame, red gown; Mrs Cruickshank looked eharming in a becoming black mourning costume ; Miss Wilkins, navy serge, white vest: Mias Minnitt, black cashmere ; Miss Cashel, mode grey, neat Utting costume ; Miss Percival, navy skirt, white blouse; Miss Churton. black skirt, red blouse; Miss F. Sellers, fawn with brown velvet zouave; Miss Garlick, brown plaid with bands of fox fur; Miss Har Jing, simple navy costume, brown felt hat. On Saturday evening a conversazione was given by the students of the Auckland University College in the University Buildings. Its object was to welcome Professors Eger ton, Segar. and Tubbs, who have lately been appointed to the Auckland branch of the New Zealand University. The concert was held in the classical lecture room, but the rest of the building—ball, library, staircases, and mathematical lecture room were open to the visitors, who wandered where they pleased, enjoying the music interspersed with coffee and conversation. The rooms, tastefully decorated by the lady students with evergreen ferns, bamboo, pot plants, and flowers, presented a very picturesque appearance. Conspicuous amongst the guests were the Mayor and his daughters. Sir M. O’Rorke. Archdeacon, Mrs, and the Misses Dudley, Canon and Mrs Nelson, and Revs. Davis, Fitzgerald, and Mr J. W. Tibbs (Auckland College and Grammar School). The proceedings closed with the students singing 'Gaudeamus.' A very pleasant musical evening was spent at Mrs Moss-Davis’ house on Wednesday. I understand the entertainment was given to Mr and Mrs L. D. Nathan. I arrived just after the first number, but was in time to hear Mrs Moss-Davis and her daughter sing a very pretty duet. It would be difficult to imagine anything more perfect than the programme and the arrangements. There was a wise departureffrom theordicary musical evening by having several recitations, to which Miss Moss-Davis and a gentleman whose name I did not catch contributed. Lady Augusta Boyle played a pretty solo on the violin, accompanied by Mrs Stewart, the latter lady also playing a piece on the piano afterwards. Mrs Kilgour, Mrs Moss-Davis. Mrs Alexander, and Miss Moss-Davis sang solos, as also did Mr Towsey, and a great treat was tendered to the guests by Mr Winklemann’s zither playing. Among the guests I noticed Mr and Mrs Tom Moirin, Mr and Mrs Arthur Nathan, Mr and Mrs Bloomfield, Mr and Mrs Alfred Nathan, Miss Eastward, Mrs Stewart, Lady Augusta Boyle. Dr. and Mrs Haines. Mrs Alexander, Captain Clayton (A.D.U-). Captain Sir Henry Ogle, and officers of H.M.S. Rapid, and several others.

Phyllis Broune.