AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XXIV, 13 June 1896, Page 700

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, June 8. Quite one of the most enjoyable dances of this very stay season was that given by Mrs H. Brett, of ‘Te Kiteroa,’ Takapuna, in the MASONIC HALL ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

It was intended for young people, and only a few young married ladies, intimate friends of Miss Brett, were present to as*ist Mrs Brett in her chaperone duties. The straight outlines of the hall were tastefully masked with flags and graceful branches of tree-fern, and the building was further decorated with lovely ropes of camellias. As the hall has not much sitting-out accommodation, a covered-in verandah was added on one side by means of the ever-useful canvas, and beautified amazingly by fem-, flags and Chinese lanterns. Seats and tempting little tables a deux were herein arranged, and were mucn appreciated. The decorations were very pretty and extensive, and as a whole I have never seen the Masonic Hall look so attractive. Mr Mrs. and Miss Brett received their guests at the entrance, and the Misses Brett introduced the visitors to one another in a charming manner, which made everyone feel at ease. These introductions are far too often omitted—a great mistake in a ballroom, where one cannot dance without a partner. In fact, everything that could conduce to the comfort and enjoyment of the numerous guests was studied in every way. and a most enjoyable evening was consequently spent. There were more of the sterner sex present than usual: indeed they preponderated, and could therefore indulge in a little restful wallflower inaction. The supper was a very sumptuous repast, the catering being in the hands of Mr Canning, and reflecting great credit on Mr Cassells, their energetic manager. The centre of the table was tastefully draped with canary-co oured silk, lovely, early white jonquils.* white camellias, cosmi and autumn leaves being the flowers used to finish it. White was rhe prevailing colour worn by the demoiselles, and the hair was dressed very much higher on the head than it used to be. and finished with aigrettes or flowers. Mrs Brett wore a very handsome black fancy brocade with a crepon velvet bodice figured in gold: the di collet age was cut square and finished with tulle : Miss Brett, very stylish dome blue satin finished at the neck and shoulders with peacock sequin net : Miss Emily Brett. Italie Liberty silk, the bodice being trimmed with cream lace and red flowers, red flower in her hair: Mrs Ansenne (Takapuna) wore a lovely white brocade with lilies of the valley and finished with satin ribbons; Mrs Ansenne (Penrose) looked very pretty in black velvet with jet pas-erne uteri e, pink decolletage Mrs Caselberg. old gold silk with yellow flowers, trimmed with black lace, yellow flower in hair: Miss Jackson (Remuera). maize crepon finished with blue forget-me-nots and ribbons: Miss Binney. rose corail silk surah with aigrette in hair . Miss Alice Binney. white mirror finished, with tulle, the gown suiting her admirably : Miss Brown, cream silk with artificial flowers: Miss Boyd f debutante looked very pretty.l think she wore white surah : Miss Laura Baker, pale coral pink bengaline with pink rose- and ribbons : Miss Beatrice Bull, white silk with wreaths of pink dog roses ; Miss Cotter, maize-coloured crepon finished with chiffon ; and her sister wore a cream crepon with sleeves and trimmings of maize coloured crepon : Miss Cameron, bright rose pink crinkley crepon : Miss Williamson, very stylish black velvet, blue satin sleeve' and trimmings : Miss Bates.blue gown with white trimmings : Miss Reeve, cream pink, the bodice finished with pink chiffon : Miss Braithwaite. crepon . .Miss F. George white crepon trimmed with satin and lace : Miss Clarke, c _ earo silk, pink sleeves and trimmings: Miss Kissling. white: Miss Caselberg. cream brocaded satin: Miss Donald, pink Liberty silk with spangled trimmings: Miss Houchen. slate grey velvet trimmed with silk and chiffon to march : Miss Daisy Rice looked we I in white ; Miss Dargaville. white Liberty silk: Miss Dudley, striking blue crepon with satin and white tulle trimmings; Miss Dixon, pretty white Liberty silk finished with violets: Miss Devore, black lace costume with cape: Miss Bertha Devore, gobelin blue crepon with peacocx blue velvet bodice: Mrs Duthie, was very much admired in white brocaded silk en frainc ; Miss Gordon, very pretty pink surah finished with black lace; Miss Gorrie. bright royal blue Iri-h poplin with narrow black stripe relieved with white lace : Miss Mary Gjrrie, sky blue relieved with white: Mi*s Hesketh. white silk brocade : Miss Grace Hesketh looked cA»c in white with pink trimmings: Miss E-sie Holland looked well in white : Mrs Hart, white merveilleux en traine ; Miss Ireland, mauve silk with silver passementerie and rosette in hair en suite. and was very much admired ; Miss Jones, white silk with canary empire sash, and cloth of gold roses on shoulders : Miss Fanny Johnstone, grey crepon with buttercup decolletage; the sleeves were worn very much off the shoulders: Miss Ledingham. very smart gown of shimmering blue satin edged with white lace; Miss Langsford. white brocade (very becoming gowni; Miss McCormick. pret'y white surah : Miss Maggie MacDonald, white bengaline with artificial violets ; Miss Peacock, very handsome striped taffeta glace with silver passementerie ; Miss Philips, white Liberty silk : Miss Ida Pierce, black velvet with white lace; Miss Pierce, nil green crepon: Miss Rice, old gold silk; Misses Kerr Taylor, pink zephyr: Miss Thompson, attracted much attention in a charming pink gown ; Miss Williams. white silk with flowers: Miss Winks, black velvet with white siik trimmings ; Miss Upton was looking very well in a buttercup surah with tulle and crepon trimmings; Mr* Barr, lovely white co-tume (wedding gown). I noticed among the gentlemen pre-ent Messrs Anderson. Bloomfield (two*. Brett. Bell. Bruce. Cuff. Churton. Cameron. Cotterel. Collin*. Dargaville. Battley, Fergu-on. Holland. Har'. Johnston. Paton. Pardons. Kobertson, Kerr-Taylor. WheweU. Upton. Winks Webster. M acCormick itwoi. Myers (two). Philip*. McDonald. A. Williamson. Ansenne. (two*. Gordon (two*. T. Williamson, Smith. Wilson, C. Kiss ling. John-ton. Winks. Manton. Raimrer. Ley* Donald. Hay «two), Airey. Patterson. Dixon. Houchen. Clarke. Parson*. Neill. Heather. Roberton. Kissling. Duthie. Lennox. G. Williams. F. Clowes. Hatton. Newton. Dr. Barr. Dr. Sharman. Dr. Pabst, Dr. Owen, and others whose names I did not hear. The excellent music was rendered by E. Burke s band, and the extras were played by Miss Bertha Devore, Miss Reeve and Mr Belt

AFTERNOON TEA. Mrs Devore, of Ponsonby. Issued about a hundred invitations for two Afternoon Teas on Thursday and Friday last week, the occa-ion* being a farewell to Mi*s Devore, whose marriage takes place on June 17:h in All Saints’Church. Pon*onby. Everybody agreed these gathering* were among the most pleasant functions they had taken part iu this season. Unfortunately Miss

Devore, owing to a severe cold, was unable to be with her friends, which all regretted very much. In her absence Miss Brett and Miss Braithwaite assisted Mrs and Miss Bertha Devore to entertain. Songs and music were contributed by Mrs Cooper, Mrs Diudams. Mrs Coe. and the Mi.*ses Rita Tole. Dacre. Clark, and Harrison. Mrs Devore, wore a lovely pale grey bengaline trimmed with passementrie: Mrs Crammond. black crepon. -Trilby’ velvet sleeves: Miss Bertha Devore, dark skirt, pale pink blouse: Miss Braithwaite, black trimmed with black velvet; Mrs Brett, handsome black silk trimmed with jet, jet bonnet Mrs A. Porter, sty’ish light costume; Miss Brett, black crepon. terra-cotta bodice veiled with black lace: Miss Emily Brett, dark skirt, neutral tinted velvet blouse: Mrs J. R. Hanna, elegant shot satin, bonnet en suite: Mrs Boardman. black silk; Mrs F. Kenderdine, brown costume; Mrs Sharland looked well in black crepon: Mrs Crawshaw also wore black: Mrs (Dr.) Barr, becoming costume; Mrs Douglas handsome corded silk, jet trimmings; Mesdames Jos. Ansenne. Cooper. Dufaur, Bak-r. Smales. Jones. E. Buchanan. Kelly. T. Mahoney. Diddam*. Littler. Coe. Mi*ses WyldeBrowne, Dunnett, Vaile (two), Dixon, Butters (two). Wallnutt, Gordon. Tye. Savage, Masefield. Bach. Kennedy. Rita Tole. Phillips. Smale*. Laird. Eva Hughes. Lena Owen. Clark. Berry. Frances George. Leighton. Williamson. Violet Dacre. Morrin. Brigham. Carter, Langsford. Hughes, Bell, Peacock. Stewart, Colley, Williams. Hickson, Dodson. Rose, Harrison, etc., etc. Mrs Greenway and Mrs Firth gave an AFTERNOON TEA last Friday at their pretty residence. ‘Clifton.’ Mount Eden. Mrs Firth wore a handsome black crepon trimmed with blue spotted material, white lace cap with blue bows: Mrs Greenway, stylish black creponette with absinthe green silk collarette, cuffs, etc.: Miss Eva Firth, brown amazon cloth skirt, white blouse. Amongst the guests I noticed Mrs Dargaville. Mrs Browning. Mrs Tonks. Mrs Gamble. Mrs Ranson. Miss Shepherd. Mrs and Miss Moss-Davis, Mrs Buckland, Mrs (Prof.) Eger ton. Miss KerrTaylor. etc. The first day of the Auckland Racing Club s WINTER RACES

took place on Saturday. The day for the meeting was a most en joyable one as regaid* the weather, and a tremendous crowd as sembled on the race course—quite the largest I have ever seen at a winter meeting. Amongst the smartest gowns I noticed parading on the velvety lawn were Mrs Charlton Dawson, black lustre, white vest: Miss Brodie, black lustre, black bat with striking bows : Miss Beatrice Bull, grey tweed, green toque with magenta flowers; Mrs W. R. Bicom field, stylish fawn tailor-made gown, cream vest, brown hat with velvet beefeater crown; Mrs Lucas Bloomfield, slate grey meriro trimmed with black lace and ribbons: Mrs George Bloomfield, very handsome black alpaca with yoke, cuffs, etc., of white satin veiled in black net. black beefeater with black bow* and white aigrette: Mrs E. W. Burton, electrique blue crepon. velvet blouse and toque to match; Mrs Archie Burton, grey crepon with check sleeve*: Miss Shirley Baker, brown velvet gown, cape to match: Miss Ella Baker, and her younger sister were similarly gowned in navy: Miss Boyd, navy; Mrs Beale, dark green with velvet trimming: Mrs W. H. Churton. brown tweed, canary vest, canary in hat: Miss Chambers, fawn tailor-made gown, tricorne straw hat en suite : Mrs Creagh. black lustre : Miss Creagh. navy serge ; Mrs Duncan Clerk, very striking periwinkle blue fancy cloth with black p’aid, toque with b’.ue bows to match ; Mrs Archie Clark, shot grey silk check with brown velvet blouse : Mrs Cheeseman. black and white check skirt; Miss Devereux, navy ; Miss Muriel Devereux, brown, and her younger sister fawn; Mrs Duthie looked chic in a navy serge, white vest: Miss Davy, neat fitting grey Mosgiel tweed : and her sister.fawn : Miss Dixon, buff tailor made gown; Miss D innett, navy serge, white vest, navy felt hat; Miss Esme Elliott, navy ; Miss Eva Firth, black merino ; Mrs Foster, bright claret cashmere: Miss Gordon, lilac crinkley gown : Mrs Greenway, black tailor-made gown : Mrs W. P. Goodhue. black ca*hraere trimmed with Gobelin blue; Mrs Greenwood, black silk, bonnet with pink roses ; Miss Agatha Greenwood. royal blue velvet, Tam-o-Shanter to match : Mrs Goodall, b a k si k, bonnet with magenta: Miss Griffiths, navy tailor made sown. white vest: Mrs R. Gocdson, absinthe green fancy kyrle cloth with green velvet epaulettes, uonuet to match; Mrs Hay. black silk ; Miss Mabel Hay. brown tailor-made gown ; Miss E. Ireland, black cashmere skirt, celery green velvet blouse, black velvet hat with black p umes : Mi*s Jackson, fawn tweed ; Mrs Kilgour. handsome Gobelin blue; Mrs Ledingham. brown tweed : Miss Ledingham. black Amazon cloth: and her sister, fawn tailor-made gown ; Miss Laird, black with violet trimmings : Miss Rose Laird, black with blue ribbons ; Mrs Minitt. black gown ; Miss Minitt, grey New Zealand tweed gown ; Mrs Masfen. autumn tinted amazon cloth: Miss Courtayne. brown tweed Mrs Thomas Morrin, very striking black kyrle cloth with grey check sleeves and trimmings, black velvet hat with o*trich plumes; Miss McLaughlin, grey tweed with black velvet trimmings. very becoming picture hat profusely trimmed with ostrich feathers; Mrs Niccol. emerald green Amazon cloth: Mrs H. Nolan, black with Gobelin blue: Mrs Peacock,peacock blue kyrle cloth; Miss Peacock, brown melton cloth : Miss Philips was much admired in black with a dash of white: Miss Percival, myrtle green cloth with fox fur edgings: Miss Edith Percival, black crepon skirt, black silk blouse. and her youngest sister, navy amazon serge, brown jacket: Miss Smith, navy: and her siater. fawn gown trimmed with velvet: Mrs Edward Ru*sell, navy serge gown, black velvet toque with violets: Mrs James Russell, marvellous combination of navy and old gold stripe, black velvet hat with ostrich feathers: her two daughters wore navy ; Miss Bailey, black skirt, fawn jacket: Miss Snelling, navy; Miss Grey, brown: Miss Spiers, black creponette with pink ribbons; M rs Hope Lewis, brown skirt, oriental mirror brocade blouse ; Mrs Sharland, brown ; Mrs — Sharland. fawn tailor-made gown, black lace bonnet: Mrs Scott, black gown, yellow flowers in hat; Miss Shepherd, black gown, black hat with orange trimmings; Mrs Selby, black cashmere relieved with red: Miss Wylde-Brown, reseda blue cashmere: Miss Sellers, brown: Miss Eva navy serge relieved with red ; Misses Kerr-Taylor, striking gowns of navy and white ; Mrs Ching, dark claret Mosgiel tweed bonnet with velvet to match, and her daughter wore dark srreen: Mrs Herbert Thompson, black silk gown, black bonnet with red; Miss Thompson, navy; Miss Maier, brown; Mi*s Fanny Johnstone, black; Mrs A. H. Taylor, black merino witn maize - coloured trimmings; Miss Mason (Sydney), black trimmed with spuice: Misses Goodwin, navy serges; Mrs (Dr.) Bews. black skirt, absinthe green velvet blouse: Mrs Ridings, black: Mrs A. Buckland (jun.), brown; Mi-s Banks, navy ; Mr? E. Buchanan, navy serge with passementerie ; Mias Otway, navy with grey fur. effective black hat with red bows; Miss Thorpe, brown skirt, velvet blouse, hat with red trimmings: Miss F. Thorpe, periwinkle blue crepon skirt, siik blouse, bonnet with brown flowers: Mrs Bodie, violet serge finished with black ; Mrs Ran«on (jun.), black merino, black hat with gold trimmings ; Mr* P. SVilson. navy tailor made gown ; Miss Nicholson, black ; Mrs (Major) Banks, black gown trimmed with coloured brocade: Mrs Weymouth, black merino with magenta trimmings: Mrs Zimmerman, navy serge, white silk vest; Mrs Ware, brown tweed shot with red ; Mrs Ware, serpent green : Miss G. Walker, black skirt, shot spuice blouse: Miss Walker (Parnell), fawn costume ; Mr* Worsp. fawn tailor made gown ; Miss Worsp, navy serge: Mi*s Whyte looked pretty in a black crepon skirt with Gobelin blue bodice, large becoming hat trimmed en suite: Mrs McDonal-i.

black ailk: Miss Maggie McDonald, shot blue gown; Mias Kirkwood. black gown, bat with red: and her sister, black with orange trimmings: Mrs Lea)hem. brown; Mrs Ansenne. black skirt, green velvet blouse: MissU. Wilkins, black with absinthe green velvet, black velvet toque: .Mrs Seccombe. black; Mra Harry Tonks, black Mt rino; Mrs Tanner looked sweet in a black silk with a cardinal spot, and becoming bonnet with green spray; Mas Tannner wore a riding habit; Miss Bursill was much admired in a crushed strawberry creponeue trimmed with darker velvet; Mrs Andrew Hanna, fawn tweed; and many others whose names I cannot recall at this present moment. PHYLLIS BROUNB.