AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XII, 21 March 1896, Page 322

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, March 16. As our American friends would say, matters social are beginning to * hum ’ a little with us. The ARRIVAL Ob' THE SQUADRON about half past eleven on Thursday morning brightened up the hartKMir. and very speedily the town also. Four men o’ war with their complement of officers and men have a wonderfully cheering effect on the ladies whose duties lead them to entertain much. I’he Countess of Glasgow has taken the initiative, and two dinners at Government House, one on Friday and one on Saturday night, head the list of gaieties. The dwee on Tuesday night, nominally AN ’ AT HOME ’ AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, takes place too late for me to describe this week. At the VICE-REG AL DINNER PARTY on Friday night there were present besides His Excellency the Governor, the Countess of Glasgow, her daughters, and the staff. His Excellency Admiral Bridge <H. M.S. ‘Orlando’), Captain Fisher (flag captain). Lieutenant Duff (flag lieutenant). Captains Meryon, Brown. Graham. Colonel and Mrs Goring. Mr and Mrs Bloomfield. Mesdames Mcnteath and Kilgour, and the Misses Firth, Chambers, and Griftiihs. At the Government House dinner-party on Saturday night the guests were His Excellency the Admiral, Lieutenant Duff Hon. Mr. Mrs, and Miss Devereux. Mr and Mrs Morrin, Dr. and Mrs Hope Lewis, Mrs Menteath, Mrs W. R. Bloomfield, Miss Shepherd. Miss Wilkins. Miss Plunkett. Commander Anson. Lieutenants Hibbert and Greatorex. The usual formal calls between Government House and the Flagship were exchanged with cordiality during the week. His Worship the Mayor had a sort of official picnic on Tuesday, this week, comprising their Excellencies the Governor and Admiral, with their staff officers, etc., etc. A large ladies’ picnic was given by the lady members of the Eden and Epsom lawn to the lady members of the various other clubs. It was a very big affair, and there must have been over fifty guests present. A most substantial luncheon was provided for the visitors in the large pavilion. Tea, cakes, fruit, etc., was handed round during the afternoon. Tennis matches were indulged in for trophies. A gentleman gave two pair of gloves for the winner of the ladies’ doubles. This was won by Miss Nicholson (Auckland) and Miss Russell (Devonport), their lat-t opponents being Misses Mowbray and Davy (Parnell), the finale being a very exciting and close game. The Eden and Epsom members presented the two last vanq nished opponents with two charming little basketsof grapes, which were much appreciated. The weather though threatening kept comfortably fine, and everything passed off without a hitch. The promoters of the tennis picnic deserve and obtained, much praise. Members from nearly every lawn in Auckland were assembled there, which showed the good feeling which exists amongst them. The h den and Epsom lawn is very large and roomy, and capable of holding many onlookers without encroaching on to the lawns which makes it the best lawn for entertaining on a large scale. Another point in its favour is its picturesque location, the pretty peeps from it adding to its attractiveness. Dark skirts and light blouses were very much worn, and really to see the lawn full of them at steady work, as it was often during the afternoon, you would have thought it was some regiment. Now for the gowns : the Misses Paton (two), dark gowns : Mrs Clarke, black ; Miss A. Clark, dark skirt, canary blouse; Miss Dudley, brown tweed tailor made gown ; Miss Dolly Dudley, black skirt, cardinal crepon blouse finished with black braid; Miss Davy, white; and her sister, white relieved with red; Miss Kenderdine, black; Miss Rich, dark skirt, light blouse with black shoulder ribbons; Miss Colebrook, white batiste muslin with black lines; Miss Mowbray, dark skirt, cream blouse with orange rosettes ; Miss Atkinson. dark skirt, light blouse; and her sister, heliotrope; Miss Snell, dark skirt, light blouse; Miss Sloman, dark skirt, white shower muslin blouse; Mrs Goodhue. black delaine with lilac ribbons; Miss Devereux, dark skirt, buttercup-coloured blouse; Miss Bull, dark skirt, blue blouse ; Mis* E. Bull, white piqu6 finished with black; Miss Hesketh, dark skirt, light blouse finished with emerald green ribbons; and her sister, dark skirt, white muslin blouse ; Miss Hardie, pretty white muslin trimmed with embroidery; Miss Hall, dark skirt, light blouse; Miss Gorrie. dark skirt, pink blouse; Mrs Chapman, dark skirt, pink blouse; Mrs Charles Baker, black gown, dainty green bonnet; Mrs Hudson, becoming pale pink shower muslin; Miss Shuttleworth. grey tailor-made gown; Miss Baber, pink cambric; Miss Mason North chore), pink ; Miss Ring, dark skirt, light blouse; Miss Bellairs, mauve cambric; Mrs Mahoney, black gown, black tulle hat; Miss Nicholson, dark skirt, light blouse ; Mrs Blair, pink gingham; Miss Chapman, dark skirt, light blouse; Mrs Bice, beige gown, black lace mantle, black bonnet; Miss Rice, dark skirt, light blouse; Mrs Heather (Jun.), dark skirt, light blouse; Miss Garland, dark skirt, light blouse; Miss McFarlane. green plaid skirt, nil green blouse; Miss Russell (Devon port), white muslin with yellow ribbons, black sailor hat with yellow ribbon band ; Miss Lizzie Stewart, dark skirt, pink blouse ; Miss Kempt home, dark skirt, light blcuse; Mrs Burton, dark skirt, blue blouse; Miss Spiers, white pique; Mrs Duncan Clerke, daik skirt, light blouse; Miss Frost; Miss BleazardBrown, lilac; and her sister, pink ; Miss Lain (Christchurch), cream serge finished with blue ribbons: Misses Philcox (two), biege skirts, pale blue blouses; Mrs Harrison, brown gown; Miss Courtayne. lilac: Mrs Laurie, very handsome nil green silk, black lace cape, black bonnet with nil green ribbons; Miss Laurie, grey tailor made tweed costume ; and her sister, navy tailor made serge, white vest; Mrs Clayforth, very handsome navy serge trimmed with ecru lace, bonnet en suite* Miss Eastham (Devonport), black ; and her sister, dark skirt, errey blouse ; Miss Herrold, grey gown ; and her sister, dark skirt, w’hite blouse; Miss Heywood, white batiste muslin ; Miss Jessie Savage, dark skirt, light, blouse; Miss Preece wore a black and white costume and pretty white hat: her sister, pink and white ; etc., etc.

Notwithstanding the departure of the representatives for Wanganui. there wat a large attendance on Saturday of visitors at polo, which was held as usual in Potter’s Paddock. In addition to the usual games between picked sides there was a match between City and Remuera. The City team consisted of Messrs C. Purchas. A Purchas. Clark, and Colegrove; the Remuera team Messrs Hanna, Tonks, Whewell, and Jackson. The Misses Percival (three) gave and charmingly presided over the afternoon tea. Miss Percival was wearing a dark skirt, blue blouse; Miss Edith Percival, white, their younger sister wore a pretty blue cambric; Miss Ryan, who assisted them in dispensing the tea wore a dark skirt and light blouse. Amongst the visitors I noticed several officers from the squadron; Mrs Col. Dawson, dark skirt, canary blouse: Mrs Worsp. white pique; Mrs Haines was looking extremely well in cream flowered silk, bonnet en suite; Miss Wilkins looked pretty in a canary gown veiled in white, white Leghorn hat with ostrich feathers; and her sister, dark skirt, heliotrope blouse; Mies Hay, dark skirt, chocolate blouse; and her sister, dark skirt, pink blouse; Dunnett, stylish fawn lustre; Miss Lily Ireland, elegant lilac costume finished w’ith white, parasol to match : Miss Thompson, white embroidery muslin, and her sister cream lustre : Mias Claire Smith, white shower muslin, and her sister blue cambric; Mrs Hope Lewis, black crepon; Mrs Markham. black tailor-made gown ; Mrs Greenway, white gown finished with green; Miss Firth, lilac; Miss Bush, blue; Miss Esine Elliot, pink zephyr: Miss Ainsley, black mourning costume; Mrs Lyons, beige Cheviot tweed flecked with green and trimmed with silk to match, and her little niece wore grey; Miss Kate Isaacs, brown gown; Miss Edith Isaacs, cream; Mrs Andrew Hanna, lilac muslin; Miss Jackson, lilac cambric; Miss (’hurton. dark skirt, pink blouse; Miss Meta Aicken, white muslin, white chiffon hat; Miss N. Churton. dark skirt, blue blouse;

Miss Hesketh, white ; Miss Ada Dixon, stylish fawn tailor-made gown; Miss Eva Scherff, white muslin: Miss Whyte, very stylish beige lustre, white vest; Miss Eva Firth, heliotrope cambric ; Miss Dowell, dark skirt, blue blouse: Mi*s Hull, muslin gown ; and her sister wore grey cashmere ; Mrs Mulvaney, dark skirt, pretty mauve blouse; the Misses Bull. Ware. Dowell. Tanner. Griffiths. Torrance, Bleazard-Brown. Hesketh. Messrs Lyons. Aubrey, Dixon. Percival, and a great many others whose names I cannot recall at this present moment were on the ground. Mrs Scherff gave a most ENJOYABLE DANCE, the first of the season. I believe, at her pretty residence ‘Glenalvon,’ Symond-atreet. on Friday night. Major Elliot was present. The lovely outdoor walks could not bo enjoyed on account of the heavy mist which lay like a shroud all over Auckland during the night. The ballroom was capitally decorated with green ferns, ivy and bracken. The floor was in excellent order, being so slippy that we had to be careful how we treaded the lancers. Mr and Mrs Scherff. with the able assistance of t heir daughters and sons, made perfect hosts and hostesses. The Misses Scherff were untiring in their exertions for the welfare of their guests. The supper-table, which was weighed down with good cheer, was prettily decorated with canary-coloured crGpe paper, and finished with vases of small sunflowers. The music was all that could be desired, being supplied by those travelling Italians on their stringed instruments. Most of the gowns were very handsome and rich. Mrs StewartM on tea th came over after the Government House dinner: she was wearing a lovely cream brocaded satin finished with lace and at the corsage with red flowers and brooches with glittering red stones. Our hostess, Mrs Scherff. wore a handsome black silk with lilac trimmings : Miss Scherff. black velvet with white b6be sleeves and ropes of pearl beads finished the corsage ; Miss Eva Scherif looked well in pink relieved with white ; Miss Dolly Scherff. white debutante silk; Mrs A. Gilmore, white silk ; Miss Brabant, white trained silk finished with white tulle; Mrs Armitage, creamy white silk profusely trimmed round the neck, sleeves and waist with cocquelicot red tulle, and finished with glittering diamonds; Miss Hume, white cashmere trimmed with lace and ribbons: Miss Ella Baker, white merveilleux ; Miss Vaile, white silk ; Miss Seccombe, very handsome coral pink silk finished with white lace ; Miss Eva Rich, stylish cream silk ; Miss Bellairs, white silk with canary satin sleeves ; Misses Kerr-Taylor (two) wore white; Misses Chambers-Taylor (two), white striped cashmeres; Mis* Percival, pink crepon ; Miss Edith Percival, green or blue silk. I do not know which, as these colours are so deceiving at night: Miss Bursill, pink silk profusely trimmed round corsage and sleeves with fawn lace; Miss Ada Dixon, orange-coloured silk; Miss Nora Greenwood wore the most striking gown in the room -a pink crinkley silk en traine wreathed with pink roses; Miss Agatha Greenw’ood. cream silk flowered with pink rosebuds, made in Grecian style; Miss Devore, very handsome nil green silk ; Miss B. Devore, dark pink costume; Mi«s Hill wore a pretty pink. Amongst the gentlemen I noticed Messrs McKellar, Martin (two). Motion, Dixon, Shera, Coney, Vaile, Hill (two), Bursill, KerrTaylor. Harrison, Grierson. Dawson (two), Hume, Mr Batger, and Miss Batger looked remarkably well in a canary coloured bengaline. A great many others were present whose names I did not hear. Mr McKellar sang to the accompaniment of the harp. His good voice was never heard to better advantage. Mrs G. Bloomfield gave a garden party last Thursday, the same day as the tennis picnic. Some of the younger members of the vice regal party were present. The Northern Club gave a dinner on Monday night to Their Excellences the Governor and Admiral Cyprian Bridge. The following is a list of some of the prettiest dresses worn at the HIBERNIAN SPORTS on Saturday, March 14th. Mrs Dignan, a pretty black dress, large black hat with trimmings of black ribbon : Mrs O’Brien, a handsome black silk dress, pretty jet bonnet with sprays of violets; Mrs J. Tole, a stylish costume of white pique, pretty black bonnet, pale green trimmings ; Mrs (Capt.) Blackmore, stylish costume of black and white check, pretty jet bonnet; Mrs McVeigh. a <7hc brown shot satin dress, brown hat. shot sunshade ; Mrs A. Seccombe (nrc Miss Buckland), a prettv dark fawn dress, brown hat with ribbon trimmings ; Mrs J Earle, a nice black crepon dress, large black straw hat with black trimmings; Miss Coffey, a very pretty pale pink dress, white gem hat; Miss — Coffey, a very neat costume of navy blue ; Miss Rita Tole, a very pretty whi:e muslin dress, white gem hat; Miss Winnie Goodwin, navy skirt, pretty white blouse, gem hat; Miss M. Williamson, black skirt, white blouse, pretty black hat; the Misses Atkinson wore pretty white dresses, white hats ; etc., etc. I noticed Mrs Thornton (nee Miss Hilda Worsp) in town last week. She was looking very fetching in a most becoming new toilette. A very LARGE GARDEN PARTY was given by Mrs Ireland last Wednesday at her pretty resi" dence, ‘Yarborough House,’ St. Stephen’s Road. Parnell. It was the intention of our hostess to set the afternoon’s refreshments beneath the cool trees, but the wind was so boisterous that she thought it wiser to hava them in the dining-room. The table was prettily draped with buttercup silk and finished with vases of flowers en suite. Mrs Ireland received her guests on the lawn with the able assistance of her daughter. Miss Gertrude Ireland, both making such excellent hostesses, as they were assiduous in their endeavours to promote the comfort of their guests. A band of stringed instruments provided us excellent music, which was very much appreciated. Some of the guests wandered round the garden, while others took possession of the numerous seats arranged for the visitors. A croquet lawn was laid out for players, but none were energetic enough to avail themselves of the privilege of using it. Mrs Ireland was dressed in black delaine with white spots, trimmed with white lace, black bonnet relieved with white ; Miss Ireland, pink cambric profusely trimmed with flounces edged with white lace, black hat trimmed with pink bows and flowers ; Mrs Hope Lewis, absinthe green lustre finished with cream lace ; Mrs Egerton. grey tweed with blue bodice veiled in ecru lace, toque en suite ; Mrs O’Rorke. brown tweed with silver thread, shot silk trimmings, becoming toque with flowers ; Mrs Robison, grey crinkley trimmed with royal blue, bonnet with large blue bow in front; Misses Kerr-Taylor looked well in pink and white, respectively; Mrs Street, black silk relieved with lace; Mrs Sydney Nathan, black silk with bodice of cherry colour veiled in black net; Mrs S. Kissling. navy blue Liberty silk ; Miss Kissling, blue spotted zephyr, and her sister wore pink ; Mrs Devereux. Gobelin blue seaweed crepon; Miss Muriel Devereux, blue muslin; Mrs Thorpe, black silk; Miss Thorpe, cream coloured piqu6 ; Mrs Bull, black : Miss Bull, lilac flowered muslin ; Mrs J. Mowbray, black skirt, chocolate silk blouse with blue spots; Mrs Heywood, black: Mi-s Heywood, white batiste muslin striped with grey : Mrs R. Bloomfield, black silk relieved with purple ; Mrs Duthie, black silk finished with celery green trimmings, bonnet to match; Mrs Pollin, dark green corduroy; Mrs Fairburn black silk with white satin sleeves veiled in black lace, bonnet to match : Mrs Goodhue, lilac flowered delaine, bonnet en suite : Mrs Fred Ireland, widow’s weeds ; Miss White wore a very striking maize-coloured gown profusely trimmed with chiffon to match, black lace hat with yellow filled daisies : Mrs Chambers, black ; Mrs Brigham, black silk skirt with absinthe green blouse; Miss Brigham looked exceedingly well in white : Mr and Mrs Thompson, the latter gowned in black ; Mrs Tisdale, black ; Miss Tisdale, pink cambric, white chiffon hat; Mrs Ridings (who is staying in Auckland for a short time), was looking exceedingly well in black ; Mrs Dargaville, flowered delaine finished with black lace; Vlrs Dargaville (Sydney), black mourning costume; Mrs Robison, black and white striped batiste muslin ; Miss Alexander, blue zephyr with red flowers, boatshaped hat; Mrs Beal*, white, pink and grey striped muslin; Mrs Ware, fawn cloth trimmed with canary silk, very becoming cream bonnet with cornflower trimmed in ear style ; Miss Stevenson, pink cambric with black spots, and relieved with black ribbons; Mrs Dewes. mourning costume ; Miss May Chambers dark grey ; Miss Eva Rich, a very handsome cream silk, hat to match : Mrs Rich, black silk, with dolman of lace; Miss Winnie Rich, dark frown, grev silk blouse; Miss Sheppard, dark skirt, white silk douse; Mrs Kilgour. nil green fancy lustre; Mrs Kenderdine, tabac brown lustre with brown silk vest brocaded in blue; Mrs Arnold, cream : Mrs Thomas Wood looked w’ell in a dark silk skirt, lilac silk blouse.becoming bonnet with lilac flower ear trimming; Mrs Walker, black silk gown and dolman, black bonnet with fawn ribbon trimmings ; Mrs Robert Walker, black skirt, cream blouse ; Mrs Macdonald (Ponsonby). black crepon. black lace dolman, black bonnet; Miss Flora Macdonald, boreal silk, fawn hat with white flowers; Miss Rorke, Gobelin blue seaweed crepon, stylish black hat trimmed with black ostrich feathers and carnations;

Mrs George Bloomfield, grey tailor-made gown; Mrs Lucas Bloomfield, slate grey crepon, with brown chip straw hat and grey velvet beefeater crown: Mrs Birstow. black; Miss Amy Barstow, blue check: Mrs Hugh Campbell, black skirt, lilac check spot blouse ; Mrs Salmon was very much admired in black silk, mauve sleeves veiled in black net, bonnet to match; Mrs Col beck, black silk, black bonnet with pink roses ; Miss Colbeck, black gown trimmed with bouton d'or, sailor hat one mass of violets; Miss Fleda Kissling, fawn tailor-made gown; Miss Winnie Kissling, grey trimmed with brown; Miss Mulvany, grey tailor-made gown : Misses Moes (two) were similiarly gowned in shot lilac and purple blouses ; Mrs Peacock, black; Mrs Tewsley, black silk with grey sleeves. The gentlemen were Messrs Eller, Ward. Rose, etc., etc. There was one ?ady who particularly attracted my attention ; she was very pretty, and wore a black velvet gown and corselet, lilac yoke, sleeves, and parasol, but I could not find out her name. THE BACHELORS gave the afternoon tea on the Eden and Epsom lawn last Saturday. which was of an excellent character. The cakes, too, were very tasty. Progressive tennis was played during the afternoon. There was a large number of the fair sex. The gentlemen carried the tea round with charming alacrity. Amongst the fair I noticed Miss Parsons in white: Mrs Hudson, electrique slate crinkley dress; Mrs Snell, white piqud ; Mrs Clayforth, Mrs Heather, Mrs McFarland, Misses Bull, Stewart, Clarke. Gorrie. and a great many others, whom I have already mentioned at the tennis picnic. Perhaps, dear Bee, you, like myself, may hear rumours of wondering surprise on the part of some of our society dames that they have not been invited to Government House. I 5* ill let you into a little secret which will throw light on that mystery. A ladywell up in matters of colonial Vice regal etiquette (!)—has told me that the proper and correct thing is to go up to Government House as soon as ever His Excellency the Governor and tha Countess of Glasgow arrive there, and, as a mark of respect to the Queen’s representative, write their names in the book at the door. They need not ask if Lady Glasgow is at home. As a matter of fact her ladyship only receives such visitors as she sends for, and is not called upon like our own society friends and acquaintances. And you see, and I am sure will kindly let your friends sec also, that unless the names are written in the visitors’ book each time the aide-de camp has no one to invite to dances, etc. This is a pure matter of etiquette, but is as binding as are our ordinary social laws, such as bowing to acquaintances, and raising one’s hat, etc. One more hint, as I am writing on these topics, but lam nearly sure you all know this. In answering an invitation to Government House you should say ‘ Mr and Mrs So-and-So have the honour of accepting the polite invitation of the Countess of Glasgow,’ etc. I know one or two people who object to ‘ polite ’; under pressure I have always to put ‘ kind,’ though it is not so correct. JOTTINGS. I regret to tell you that the Hon. W. Jennings. M.L.C., met with a serious accident last week at Waitekauri. He was flung from his horse, and is suffering from a fracture of two ribs, a cut finger, and a sore shoulder and arm. Dr. Forbes is attending to his injuries, which, it is to be hoped, will soon prove amenable to treatment.

The squadron leave for Sydney on the 18th. Mr and Mrs O’Rorke left this week for Wanganui, where the polo players have adjourned to take part in the tournament. Mrs O’Rorke will then lengthen her tour by visiting Christchurch. The Parnell Lawn presented a gay scene on Wednesday on the occasion of Mrs Sealy’s afternoon tea, and again on Saturday, when Misses Rich and Bellairs provided the afternoon tea. Possibly you may remember Captain B. W. and Mrs Chadbourne. who made us several visits in the ‘ Elinor Vernon ’ from New York. Captain Chadbourne’s vessel, the ‘Fred P. Litchfield,’ put in for cargo last year at Port Chalmers and Nelson. This barque arrived on January 20th at Barbadoes carrying the dead body of its captain, whilst Mrs Chad bourne died the next day. The cause of death has not been telegraphed. Mr Humphrey Haines left Auckland for Sydney en route to England on the 18th of this month. The Avondale concert on the 20th promises well, the programme containing the names of favourite Auckland and local singers. The garden f£te at Mount Albert on the 26th is being highly spoken of. The Rev. J. Bates, Vicar of Holy Trinity Church. Devonport, was presented with a purse containing 150 sovereigns, prior to his departure for England, the change being necessitated by illhealth. The school-house was prettily decorated by Mr Queree, and was crowded with people all anxious to wish their muchesteemed pastor God speed. Mr Cameron, who made the presentation, said that it was the spontaneous gift of the parishioners, who were not personally canvassed for the money. The Rev W. M. Edwards takes charge of the parish during Mr Batts’ absence. Some capital music was given during the evening, and the refreshments, presided over by Mrs Goring, were much appreciated. Black-garmented and white-tied gentlemen have been numerous in the town lately, owing to the Wesleyan Conference which has been held here. A CONFERENCE PICNIC combining Wesleyans and Free Methodists took place on Wednesday afternoon at that pretty spot. Lake Takapuna. I should think nearly six hundred people were present. Messrs Alison Bros, kindly offered their famous picnic grounds, and the committee of management—the Rev. W. Sinclair, Messrs F. A. White, T. Buddle, and W. Gunson—must be congratulated on the success of their arrangements. An amusing cricket match— Ministers v. Laymen—was played at Mr W. Thorne’s, the former winning by 31 to 30 and 8 wickets to spare. In the evening a large number of the picnic party helped to fill the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church to hear the Rev. W. Ready’s interesting lecture. Phyllis Brounk.