AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue III, 18 January 1896, Page 69

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, January 13. His Excellency the Governor and party are bavin?, by all accounts, a very delightful cruise in the Hinemoa.* They visited Tauranaa and Coromandel, receiving in each place a most loyal and cordial welcome. The Ladies Augusta and Dorothy Boyle, properly equipped in oilskins, descended a mine, and enjoyed the little adventure. I do not know when they return to Auckland. A LARGE MOUNT ALBERT PARTY to Nihotapu Falls came off last week, numbering about fifty. There were two brakes packed with living freight, besides equestrians. The weather left nothing to be desired, the sun shone brightly but not fiercely, and a charmingly cool breeze blew gently throughout the day. The roads were in perfect condition. The party left Mount Albert about eight o’clock, and arrived at their destination at eleven oclock. Mrs McLeod’s cottage. a little farther up the ranges than the Nihotapu. whose hospitality is well known. Horses were tied in her yard. etc. On these premises now large sawmills are erected, which also prove attractive to visitors. Luncheon was partaken of under two large kauri trees, which afforded ample shade. The party then made their way to the Falls, a distance through the bush of out two miles. Such a glorious walk I The first fall is very pretty, but the second is grander, being of a greater height. To reach the bottom of these falls ropes were adjusted to trees to descend by for the track is perpendicular, and so many tourists have gone down here that most of the branches and shrubs have been worn away. The whole party did not attempt this. About half a dozen lazy ones remained and sat at the top watching the rest, who afforded them a great deal of amusement. After loitering about in the bush gathering ferns, etc., till time for tea. the party made a move for the rendezvous, and arrived about five o’clock, famished and ready to do full justice to the afternoon meal, then they wandered ad lib through the sawmills, workmen’s cottages, etc., while some were so adventuresome as to punt about on a log in the dam. At seven a start was made for Mount Albert. I shall not describe the gowns, though some of the girls were smartly frocked in their best, and as one or two of those while crossing the slippery stepping stones of the stream, which we have to cross two or three times in going to the Falls, slipped in to the water up to their waists, it will be kinder not to mention their names. Amongst those present were Mr and Mrs Wright, the Rev. F. Larkina. Miss Larkins. Misses Sellers (two). Mr and Miss Haszard, Mr Kensington. Mrs Chambers-Taylor and two daughters. Miss White. Misses (Cecil) Taylor (two). Mrs Kerr-Taylor and daughters, Mr and Mrs Budd. Mr V. Kerr-Taylor (who was the Jehu of one of the brakes). Messrs Dawson (two'. Miss Maier. Miss Bessie Jones, Mrs and Miss Tanner. Misses Wright. Dawson (two). Mrs Wilks and her three daughters. Mr F. Battiey. Mr O’Neil, Mrs Motion. Mr C. Motion. Messrs Willis. Wright, Colson, and Mr Sloman (who missed the brake and walked out the whole way from town, appearing on the scene tired and hot just as the party had finished their luncheon, and of course w*as made the hero of the day). The children of Mount Albert had their picnic this week at Titiranga Beach, a pretty place covered with Christmas trees in full bloom and a shelly beach. The day was not as pleasant as the senior s picnic, being rather cold and windy, but nevertheless the little ones managed to enjoy themselves with bat hing, fishing, etc. A large brake from town was hired to convey the youngsters with their chaperones, while others drove out their own carriages. THE YACHTING PICNIC this year was blessed with most satisfactory weather, and was a successful and enjoyable affair. About forty-five yachts made their way during Saturday afternoon to the rendezvous, Takapuna Beach, whither the ‘ Eagle' had already conveyed a large number of visitors. Tea was liberally provided by the Yachting Club, and eatables were carried by the members and friends. Hunter’s band adc ed its music to the ripple of the waves, and a capital water tournament, fireworks, etc., aided greatly in passing a pleasant time. At nine o’clock a start was made for Auckland, ano shortly after ten o’clock the visitors arrived in town, tired, but content. Amongst the many present, I noticed Miss MacCormick. in a black costume; Mrs Windsor, white muslin blouse, dark skirt; Miss Isaacs, navy and white yachting costume; Mrs Haines, pink blouse, grey skirt, sailor hat ; Mrs Masefield, cardinal veiled with black lace, large black hat with feathers; Miss Dunnett. stylish brown costume, hat to match relieved with white: Miss H. Worsp, dark skirt, pink blouse, sailor hat; Miss Percival, white; Miss E. Percival, navy and white sailor costume; Mrs W. Bloomfield, stylish cream dress: Mrs Sharland. fawn tweed, black hat with pale green ribbon . Miss Otway, fawn skirt, pretty blue blouse; Miss A. WyldeBrown, white with heliotrope sash ; Miss V. Dacre looked pretty in navy skirt, pink blouse; Miss Bull, white pique, white hat with cerise bow; her sister wore a dark skirt, pink blouse; Mrs Hughes-Jones, white muslin blouse, black skirt, sailor hat; Miss Lena Owen, blue striped gown, gem hat: Miss Butters, dark skirt, blue blouse; Miss L. Butters, pretty pale blue blouse, dark gem hat; Miss Gordon, black, pink blouse; Miss E. Hughes, grey skirt, white blouse: Miss G. Whitelaw, black skirt, pink blouse; Miss May Sellers.holland costume: Mrs Hudson, heliotrope blouse dark skirt: Miss Dudley, cream blouse, red tie. sailor hat with red band: Miss Kennedy, spotted pongee: Miss F. Hart, striped muslin ; Miss Leighton, black skirt, becoming heliotrope blouse: Miss L. Leighton electric blue; Miss G. Bell, pink blouse, dark skirt, Yankee hat: Miss Wilson, grey cape and skirt, pink blouse, etc. A very interesting POLO MATCH was played at Potter's Paddock on Saturday between Remuera and the City. Messrs Hanna Whewell, Tonks. and Gordon represented Remuera. captained by Mr H. Tonks, and the City by Drs A. C. Purchas. Sharman, and Messrs Purchas and Colegrove, captained by Dr. Purchas. The weather was fine, and a large number of players, as ■well as spectators, wended their way to polo. The gentlemen being a great deal in the majority. Mrs O’Rorke provided the afternoon tea, which she gracefully presided over. The decoration of the table was chic, consisting of red geraniums and green ferns. Now for the gowns : Mrs O’Rorke in a recherche gown of brown seaweed crepon with silver thread, the bodice of which was pink and green shot silk finished with lace, brown sleeves also finished with lace, brown silk toque trimmed with shaded silk to match, green velvet bow ; Mrs (Col > Dawson looked well in a neat fitting nil green costume: Miss Elliot, dark skirt, striped pink blouse: and her friend, a pink striped gown; Mrs Makgill, terre skirt, bright pink blouse ; Mrs Colegrove, dark skirt, cream China blouse; Misses KerrTaylor were similarly gowned in white, hats to match ; Miss Smith, pretty white spotted muslin, cream hat with ribbons : and her little lister pale blue gingham; Miss Claire Smith, riding habit; Mrs H. Tonks. dark skirt, lilac blouse, sailor hat with polo colours: Mrs Hanna, dark skirt, spotted blouse: Miss Ruth Jackson, black crepon, cream sailor hat: and her sister, grey check, white hat with wings; Mrs Ware, grey tailor-made gown; Mi-s Ware, grey skirt, w*hite blouse; Mrs Harry Jackson, dark skirt, elcctrique blouse ; Mrs Rhodes (Christchurch), light brown tailor-made gown ; Mrs Worsp. black silk, black lace bonnet: Miss Wilkins, brown holland. pink vest; Mia* M. Wilkins, white pique, red necktie : Miss Courtayne. neat fitting mode grey, white hat; Miss Minitt, dark skirt, light blouse: Miss Churton. black crepon ekirt, pink blouse with black spots fashionable black sailor hat with pink flowers; Miss Brinks, navy; Miss Edith Banks, dark skirt. blue blouse trimmed w*ith black velvet; Miss Hesketh, black skirt, canary blouse, sailor hat : and her sister, pretty white pique with cape to match, white leghorn picture hat trimmed with white oatrich feathers and tulle; and another sister was on horseback ; Miss Dowd was also gowned in habit with pink blouse: Mrs Greenway, white pique with black hat. band, boots, and gloves: Mrs Markham, brown holland; Miss Thorpe, cream holland, black lace hat with flowers ;

Miss M. Purchas. white skirt, heliotrope blouse ; Mrs C. Purchas. silver grey cashmere; Miss Morse, dark skirt, cream silk blouse, hat with canary-colon red trimmings : Miss Whistler, dirk skirt, white olouse profusely trimmed with canary ribbons; Miss Hilda Bloomfield, cream Liberty silk marked with red and blue crescents, white bebe hat; and a few others whose names 1 did not know*. Tennis tournaments are raging like an epidemic just now. almost every lawn being spout for ordinary' and steady play by these exciting contests. They are far too numerous to mention, especially as the scores appear so quickly in the daily papers. A very pleasant little tennis party was held on Saturday afternoon at Mr Brett s pretty residence. Takapuna. The grass was in excellent order, bur the attention of the players was somewhat diverted by a capital game of golf which was going on at the same time just above the tennis court, and at imminent risk to the windows of the house. WEST END ROWING CLUB’S ‘AT HOME.’ There was a large gathering on the grounds of Mr Holmes, Ring Terrace. Ponsonby, on Saturday last, when the trophies presented by Mr T. Peacock, patron of the Club, were presented. The grounds were prettily decorated with festoons of flags. Afternoon tea was served in a large marquee, the members of the Club and their lady friends being most assiduous in their attend ance upon the guests. The various rowing races were watched with interest. Impey’s band played a number of musical selections during the afternoon. Among those present were: — Mrs 8. Hanna, in a dark skirt, electric blue blouse, gem hat; Mrs 8. Hughes, light grey gown, bonnet en suite-, Mrs Holmes, fawn crepon. frill of salmon pink silk over the huge sleeves: Mrs D. Tole. cream creponelte with silk stripe blouse, dark skirt, sailor hat; Miss Rita Tole looked well in white pique; Mrs (Dr.) Knight, black crepon costume with heliotrope blouse, black chip picture hat with full frill of black chiffon to form rim, pale pink roses: and her two little daughters in cream Indian silk frocks trimmed with torchon lace, large Leghorn hats: Miss Peacock, black serge skirt, white blouse, Yankee hat: Miss M. Peacock, cream, black lace hat and pink poppies; Mrs Rees, electric pique, white vest, becoming little black bonnet with pale pink wild roses : Mrs Self. fawn, stylish white hat with white feathers ; Miss Harrison, black : her niece. Miss M. Raynes. pale pink with black velvet yoke; Mrs Clark-Johnson, holland costume : Miss Oldham, lemon coloured blouse, dark skirt, golden brown hat with feathers to match : Miss Blades, pale pink blouse, holland skirt, white hat; Mrs K. Mahony looked dainty in black surah, white chit- hat; Mrs Robertson, black; Miss Bach, pure white muslin, shot straw toque trimmed with white; Miss E. Oxley, becoming stripe muslin, white Panama hit; Miss N. Edmiston, electric; her sister in green: Miss B. Gittos. tabac brown, burnt straw hat trimmed with brown; Mrs Coe. black crepon. black picture hat trimmed with chiffon and roses; Mrs Cowan, white and black spotted blouse, black skirt. chic hat; Mrs Dratfin. stylish check costume, white blouse, black velvet toque : Miss Edmiston, white, white toque with silver grey poppies; Miss Clara Edmiston, o d rose shot with old rose shot silk bodice, large fawn chip hat trimmed with apricot ribbon and aigrette; Miss Upton, light blouse, dark skirt; Miss Graham, becoming silver grey snowflake rough material, white hat with large bows of black ribbon : Miss B. Graham, white hailstone muslin, white hat; Mrs Watt, flowered muslin, white chip hat with chiffon ; Mrs If werson. green; Mrs Mouzer. green with cream lace ; Mrs Jones, black, heliotrope bodice, etc.

Phyllis Broune