AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XIII, 28 March 1896, Page 355

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, March 23. The Vice-Regal family attended Divine Service on Sunday morning at St. Paul’s Church, and in the evening at St. Mary’s pro cathedral. The Countess of Glasgow, who is always most energetic, was busy last week—amongst other things—in sending otf by the ’Frisco mail her report of the New Zealand Branch of the Mothers’ I nion, of which she is President. I told you last week briefly of some of the Squadron festivities which came oft’ too late for detailed description. His Worship the Mayor’s PICNIC TO NIHOTAPI’ was an excellent aflair. Two large breaks met a number of the invited guests at the wharf at nine o’clock, and proceeded to Government House, where the Vice regal and Admiralty people joined them. His Excellency the Governor. Admiral Cyprian A. Bridge and staffs, with as many of the otlicers from the men o war as could be spared from the onerous task of getting ready for departure on the morrow, proceeded to the Waikomiti ranges. The day was excessively hot, ana the dust rather trying, but a breeze kept the spirits of the party up, and once the falls were reached, the delicious air and lovely scenery fully repaid the toil of the journey, whilst excellent appetites were brought to bear on Mr Canning’s tempting luncheon. The party returned to town in time to dine and dress for Lady Glasgow's dance. THE CRICKET MATCH cleverly planned by Major Elliot was a most interesting affair, the Major’s team winning by seventeen runs and five wickets to spare, the scores being 137 and 120 respectively. A good many people witnessed the game, and nearly all the Government House party were present—His Excellency the Governor, the Countess of Glasgow, the Ladies Augusta. Alice, and Dorothy Boyle, Hon. Allan Boyle. His Excellency Rear-Admiral Bridge, the captains and various other officers of the warships. Delicious afternoon tea, etc., was provided by Lady Glasgow and served in the pavilion. Of course the delightful music rendered by the ‘Orlando’s’ band was greatly enjoyed. Lady Glasgow, who wore a seafoam green gown, with cream silk blouse veiled with exqui site point lace, fawn Leghorn hat with upstanding bows of coral pink ribbon, black wings and lace, looked exceedingly w’ell; Lady Augusta and Lady Alice Boyle wore becoming pale pink striped frocks, white hats with beefeater crowns trimmed with pink ribbon; Lady Dorothy Boyle, pink and white striped blouse, twine-coloured skirt, white c/n’chat. I also noticed Mrs Goring in.black and white check gown, black bonnet finished with point lace: Mrs Holland, black silk, black lace cape with vandykes of jet, bonnet trimmed with shot green ribbon bows ; Miss Holland, pink, square collar trimmed with white lace, large picture hat; Miss Essie Holland, electric frock, white hat; MrsHaines, stylish cream alpaca, cream satin square collar, coral pink ottoman silk blouse, brown hat with shaded roses; another young lady wore a fawn gown with brocaded sleeves, moss green velvet hat with bunches of shaded poppies ; Miss Devereux, pretty’ pale pink gown. Yankee hat; Miss M. Devereux, pale blue blouse navy skirt, brown hat; Mrs Cotter, smart navy and tangown, black hat; MrsG. Bloom field, stylish chine silk, large Leghorn hat trimmed with black ; Mrs Gutheridge. stone grey with full ruche round yoke of yellow veiled with black, black chip hat; Mrs Hope Lewis, lemon gown, bodice with black, becoming black velvet toque: Mrs T. Morrin, apricot alpaca, bodice trimmed with black chiffon edged with passementerie,black chiffon hat; Mrs Egerton, white, black hat; Mrs Lyons, shot tweed gown finished with moss-green ribbon, golden brown toque trimmed with shot green ribbon ; Miss Hesketh. cornflower blue, square collar of lace, large picture white chiffon hat; Miss Cotter looked pretty in lemon ; Miss — Cotter, in pale green frock ; Mrs Dacre. black, black and white bonnet; Miss Wilkins.white embroidered gown ; Mrs Ireland, mourning; Miss Ireland pearl grey, bodice veiled with point lace, hat cn. suite ; Miss Ettie Ireland, white spotted muslin, beefeater hat; Miss Percival, white ; etc., etc. A most successful dance was given by the Countess of Glasgow last Tuesday evening, the 17th of March, being called an ‘at home’ at government house, for which 150 invitations were issued. It was a brilliant affair. All the trees surrounding the house were hung with Chinese lanterns. Rather a singular contretemps took place as the guests began to arrive at the door. The house was in total darkness, and the carriages were ordered to stand still. The would-be visitors were very much afraid something dreadful had occurred, and there would be no anticipated dance, but soon were very much relieved to find that the gas had refused to burn, and the guests had only to wait until candles and lamps were furnished. Some of these were kindly lent by the manager of the Northern Club, which, of course, gave a much pleasanter and subdued light. The evening was excessively warm, so that to give as much cool air as possible the windows of the ballroom were taken out. There was a large number of officers of the fleet present, many of whom had attended the Mayor’s large picnic to Nihotipu Falls during the day. The dance music was supplied by Impey’s band. Light refreshments were laid out in one of the apartments adjoining the ball-room, where claret cup, tea, iced coffee (quite a novelty for Auckland) and cakes were served, but later on in the evening the dining-room was thrown open, and a substantial champagne supper was displayed, where all the delicacies of the season were arranged, and a very attractive menu presented for our favourable consideration. Lounges were provided in the corridors and side rooms and outside on the verandah. The search lights from the four men-o’war ships in harbour were thrown upon Government House, and you can well imagine the brilliancy of the scene. Many exclaimed, ‘ What a lovely moonlight night!’ The ballroom and the various sitting rooms were tastefully decorated with flags and greenery. The former was exceptionally beautifully decorated, a party of sailors from H.M. ‘Orlando’ having artistically adorned the walls with branches of fern, palm, and flags. Most prominent stood out from the walls two beautiful floral devices, on one side being a crown with V.R.. and on the other a large anchor in compliment to the officers of the fleet. These devices were presented and executed by Mrs Webster, fruiterer. Queen-street., and were magnificent specimens of the floral artists’ handiwork. The scene in the ballroom was very beautiful, as the numerous officers w’ere in uniform, and each lady had donned her very handsomest frock. Most of the gowns were new for the occasion. In the Vice regal set of Lancers I noticed His Excellency and Hon. Mrs Devereux : His Excellency the Admiral and Countess of Glasgow, Captain Graham and Mrs Alfred Nathan. Captain Broune and Mrs Goring. Hon. Mr Devereux and Mrs P. Dignan. Colonel Goring and Mrs Kilgonr, Lieutenant Hibbert and Mrs Morrin. Lieutenant Duff and Lady Augusta Boyle. There were three th butantes— Misses S. Baker, Devereux, and Holland. The floor was in excellent condition. Dancing was kept up with great spirit until an early hour in the morning, and everbody went away well pleased. The gentlemen and ladies were about equal in numbers, owing to the large number of naval men pre sent. the dresses. The Countess of Glasgow was very handsomely dressed in a rich brocaded grey silk with streamers of fine cream lace in front reaching to the foot of t he skirt, the edge of the bodice being profusely trimmed with the same intermingled with ribbons and fastened with handsome diamond ornaments, diamond tiarra in her hair; Lady Augusta Boyle (whose foot is not sufficiently well to allow her to indulge in round dances) was gowned like her sister. Lady Alice, and both looked very well in dome blue satin, folded bodices of cream lace, and sprays of pink roses on the left shoulder; Lady Dorothy looked exceedingly well in a dainty but simple white shower muslin frock trimmed with lace and ribbon; Mrs Stuart Menteath, stylish black silk dress relieved with white satin sleeves and black lace veiling: Miss Plunket. black skirt of silk, pink evening blouse; Mrs Goring, striking gown of navy silk with white floral design,

butter coloured silk let in panel? at the side: Mrs Alfred Nathan w *- , » resplendent in tau d( nit silk finished with lace, and glittering diamond necklet: Mrs Devereux, black satin trimmed with beads and lace: *<iss Devereux, t use an silk with black lace trimming: Miss Muriel Lievereux. cream silk with bouton dor bal loon sleeves ; and her younger sister, an eleg*nt white China silk (a debutante} : Mrs Ilignan looked dintinyutt in pale grey flowered siik relieved with pink (very rerherrh« costume) : Mrs Thomas Morrin. very stylish cream silk flowered with brown, profusely trimmed at neck with white lace and fastened with diamonds ; Mrs Allan Kerr Taylor, black lace; Misses Kerr-Taylor were similarly gowned in pink striped silks: Mrs Lyons, lovely gown of spuice satin en trains finished at the corsage with white lace ; Mrs Harry Jackson (Wellington), black silk: Miss Worsp. white silk finished at the corsage with black lace and ropes of black beads : Miss Ella Baker was very much admired in a pink Liberty silk with roses, and latest style of sleeves ; and her youngest sister (a debutante) wore a lovely white silk trimmed with lilies of the valley and white ribbons, and a lily of the valley in hair, dainty white shoes: Mrs George Bloomfield, stylish Italie brocaded ’’lk : Miss Griffiths, white brocaded silk skirt, white ribbed silk bodice; Mrs Kilgour. pale pink silk with a brown stripe finished with tulle; Miss Kilgour wore a white silk with balloon sleeves : Mrs Goodson (Hawera), who has just returned from England <a year’s honeymoon), looked very lovely in white silken frame. her hair done in the latest style parted over the ears, diamond ornaments; Miss Bull, buttercup silk ; Miss B. Bull, white silk gown, pink flower in hair : Mrs Haines, fawn silk trimmed with white lace and pink roses ; Miss Kate Isaacs, cream silk, the skirt being handsomely hung with large cream roses ; Miss Edith Isaacs, nil green silk trimmed with emerald green velvet : Mrs Markham, a new white silk with the fashionable sleeves which fall otT the shoulders : Mi** can&ry-coloured silk : Miss Mildred Purchas. orange silk : Miss Esme Elliot looked distinguee in a canary silk : Mrs Greenway, grey brocaded silk : Mrs Hope Lewis was much admired in white silk with roses : Miss Firth, azure blue bengaline ; Miss Eva Firth, pink silk (was looking her best); Miss D *rgaville. grass green silk trimmed with a silk of a darker hue. green beads to match intertwined in her hair; Miss Philips, pale pink silk: Miss Carlisle wore pink of a deeper shade: Miss Wilkins looked simplicity personified in white finished with tulle: Miss Maud ilkins. striking pink silk veiled in pink net. crown of pink daisies in her hair; Miss Thompson, white silk; and her sister, pink silk trimmed with black velvet: the Misses Cave • North Shore) were similarly gowned in ceil blue satins, the bodice* veiled in pink net and finished with pink roses : Miss Holland, pink bengaline, and her sister (a debutante). a handsome white silk ; and a married sister wore a black silk : Miss Ireland, absinthe green finished with tulle; and her sister wore white satin: Misses Horne (two), trained black silks: Mrs Robison. lilac shimmering silk entraine ; Mrs Moss-Davis, brown silk ; Miss S. Moss-Davis, cream silk trimmed with lace, hair done in the latest style parted over the ears: Miss Lusk looked very pretty in a white silk with old gold Empire sash ; Miss Hull, green : and there were several others present whose names I did not hear. I think they must have been strangers to our little town. Among the civilians, though there were not many present, I noticed Messrs Anderson. Fenwick. Lyons. Gordon. Kerr-Taylor, Morrin Isaacs. Dargaville (two), Thorne-George. Moss-Davis, Devereux. Philips, Morrin. Nathan, Markham. George Bloomfield. Elliot, Goodhue. Greenway, Disman, Drs. Bull. Purchas, Lewis. Haines, and Colonel Goring, etc. There were numerous

on St. Patrick's Day in Auckland. Mrs McLaughlin, of Papatoitoi, had a large one on the Papakura racecourse. picnics have become quite annual functions. A brake was hired by the young people to go out, while others took advantage of the train, and besides the picnic, of course the races themselves are an attraction to many. Some of the voung ladies of these various picnic parties were energetic enough to attend Lady Glasgow s dance in the evening. 1 also heard of a Mount Albert picnic party to Waitakerei Cascade, a beautiful spot, and well worth the visit of any artistic mind in a sound body. Though the distance from Auckland is twenty miles the roads are in excellent condition. Mr Hume and Mr Battley between them held the ribbons of the four steeds in the brake. Driving with them were the Misses Schertf, Wilks, Dixon. Wright, Hume Sellars (two). Mr and Mrs Tanner. Messrs Budd. Hume. Dixon, etc. Mounted on horses were the Misses Tanner. Kerr-Taylon and Sellars, Messrs Colson. Dawson. Kerr-Taylor, etc.

Another picnic I hear is thought of by Mr F. Battley in the shape of a fishing excursion down the harbour next Saturday.

Polo was played in Potter's Paddock last Saturday as usual. The attendance was very fair, considering the counter-attraction of athletic sports in the Domain, etc. Amongst the plavers I noticed Dr. C. Purchas. Messrs H. Tonks (Captain). Jackson Wynyard. Hanna, Makgill, Marshall. Whewell. etc. Mrs Makgill. who was gowned in a stylish grey lustre shot with black, beefeater hat, gave the afternoon tea and dainty cakes, the table being exceptionally beautifully draped with the colours of the Club—bronze moyen green and red. The centre of the table was draped artistically with green silk, and finished with vases of autumn red leaves and flowers, and relieved with ears of oats. Amongst the guests I noticed Mrs Hanna, in white muslin ; Mrs Black, dark skirt, light blouse black hat: Miss Dowell, riding habit skirt, light blouse, and her sister pale pink zephyr; Misses Buckland (three). Gorrie. Ware. Bull, and Bush were mounted on horses: Mrs Harry Tonks pale heliotrope; Mrs Cotter, butter-coloured lustre veiled in lace, black lace hat with yellow flowers: Mrs Jackson (Wellington). black crepon skirt, lilac blouse, sailor hat; Miss Dudley, white muslin with blue ribbon sash and trimmings; Miss Claire Smith, white muslin; Misses Kerr-Taylor, white; Mrs Bamford, dark skirt, grey striped silk blouse : Miss Thorpe,’ canary pique; Miss M. Wilkins, pretty pink crepon with white ribbons; Mrs Markham, white: Mrs Greenway, black lace; Miss Firth, heliotrope: Mrs Gilmore, fawn skirt, pink shirt: Miss Ada Dixon, fawn gown; Mrs Nichol, black gown with beads: Miss Jackson, grey; Miss Cotter, nil green flowered gown: Miss Snelling, white pique finished with navy; Miss Nichol, white frock with yellow sash; Miss Churton, dark skirt, white blouse and hat: Miss Thompson, white flowered gown; Miss Hesketh. dark skirt, white blouse relieved at the neck with orange trimmings ; and her sister was much admired in white pique, large white felt hat with feathers: Miss Worsp, (awn tailor-made gown . Miss Mildred Puchas, white muslin with yellow ribbons ; Mrs Ware, grey check tailor-made gown, white vest: Messrs Anderson, Ware, Fenwicke. etc.

The procession of children in fancy dress with and without pets is attracting much attention to the afternoon and evening garden fete at Mount Albert on Thursday. Young folks from Remuera. Epsom, and other suburbs intend to take part. A good work stall of useful and pretty garments will be on the grounds. An exceptionally good

was given in Avondale on Friday night, the performers being all well known Auckland people. The whole affair was got up by Mrs Clarke, and great praise is due her, not only for her exceedingly well arranged programme, but also for the very tastefullydecorated stage and delicious little supper. Contributions for the latter were kindly given by ladies in the district. Miss Waters (North Shore) played a pianoforte solo, and accompanied almost all the singers. She wore a shrimp pink silk blouse, dark skirt; Mrs Mouzer. whose sweet voice was much liked, wore a pale pink dress with white lace on the bodice, white silk sash. and. I think, panel of the same, but one of those intolerable nuisances at a concert—a huge straw hat stuck upright at rhe back of the head—prevented my seeing well ; Miss Buddle was (rocked in sage-green of a pale tint, with epaulettes of dark green velvet; Miss Mennie, whose song ’Daddy.’ was liked, wore fluffy white, held in place by bands of white silk : Miss Boulton, pink dress of a deeper shade than Mrs Mouzer's. with a falling white lace collar. The other -ingers were Messrs Howard Chambers. Theo. Queree. Leslie Dix (humourist actor and singer), and J. Jackson, who played the oboe. I must confess the audience treated the gentlemen to louder applause than the ladies. The Rev. F. Larkins was in the chair, and proposed the usual votes of thanks to the singers and Mrs Clarke. Amongst the large audience were Miss Larkins. Mrs Bukin and family. Mr Bollard and family. Miss Matthews. Mr and MrsCaughey. Mr and Mrs Farley. Mr and Mrs Rattray. Mr C. Priestley and his <ster. Miss Garlick. Mrs and Miss Tanner, and very many others whom I did not know*.

HITHKK AND THITHER. Major Elliott has gone to Palmerston North for polo. Misses Amy and Blanche Banks are staying down at the Thames. Mrs Worsp and one of her younger daughters have gone to Rotorua. Mrs Harry Jackson returns to Wellington this Monday. Mr J. M. Dargaville has gone to England for a short trip. Mrs O'Rorke. Mrs Willie Bloomfield, and Miss Chambers have gone to Palmerston North to witness the polo tournament. Miss Flo Thorpe has gone down South. Mr and Mrs Humphrey Haines were passengers to Sydney by the * Waihora ’ last Wednesday en route for England. Mr and mrs Thomas Morrin leave by the * Monowai ’ for a trip to Sydney Mrs F. J. Moss arrived in Auckland last week from Rarotonga. Mr Claud Purchas went down to Palmerston North with the Auckland polo players. Miss Esme Elliot has gone to Palmerston North to spend a fortnight's holiday. Among the passengers by the* Ruapehu ’ for New Zealand is Lady Ellen Boyle, sister of Lord Glasgow, who is coming to the colony to stay with His Excellency. Phyllis Broune.