AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue VI, 6 February 1897, Page 166

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bek, February 2. Alas, for my intention of giving you a good budget this week ! The terrible gale frustrated all our plans, and those of us who are not thronging the shops in search of bargains at the sales, are busy making jam, trying to save something at least out of the fearful wreck of our orchards. The hurricane about two o'clock on Saturday will long be remembered by fruitgrowers. On Friday, the 29th of January Anniversary Day, we have always enjoyed a day’s outing on the Flagship watching the regatta and chatting to our friends, and finishing with a sail down the harbour as far as the Lighthouse, but the weather this year dispersed all thoughts of our attempting to go on board the s.s. ‘Te Anau.’ It also presented Miss Tanner, of Onehunga, from holding her large picnic at Flat Bush, at which, I hear, a hundred were expected. On Saturday again we were dreadfully disappointed, as we do enjoy a day AT POLO, but the weather was just as unpropitious as on the former day, so we had to give up all idea of wending our way to Messrs Hunter and Nolan’s Paddock, Green Lane, where the Polo players intended to practise this Saturday. A most enjoyable FANCY DRESS BALL was given by Mrs Ruth, of Ruth’s Island, Waiheke, early in January. The room, which is 20ft by 40ft, was most tastefully decorated with flags and ferns, and the floor was in perfect order. The supper-table was artistically arranged in crimson and white, by Miss Ireland, and the viands were sumptuous and rare. The costumes worn by the ladies were as follows: —Mrs Ruth, handsome black silk heavily trimmed with jet; Miss Ruth looked well as Grace Darling ; Mrs Ireland, handsome black silk evening gown relieved with white; Mrs A. Saunders, as Red-cross Nurse, which became her splendidly ; Mrs Watkins, stylish black costume ; Mrs Chatfield, black; Miss Watkins, Gleaner; Miss Dudley, fisher girl ; Miss Linda Ruth, Japanese lady ; Miss Ireland, sweet sixteen ; Miss B. Bull, powder and patches; Miss Lennox looked very sweet in green evening blouse and black skirt ; Miss Flossie Hay looked handsome as harvest (this costume was greatly admired); Miss J. Ireland, fisher girl ; Miss Leece, Shepherdess ; Miss Una Saunders looked a perfect pet as Good-night, in a frilled robe de nuit, carrying a silver candlestick ; Miss Gibson, romp ; Miss K. Lennox, white ; Mrs Taylor and Mrs Giles, evening dress ; Miss Ettie Ireland and Mr HarrySaunders as Babette and Pierrot, were universally admired ; Mr A. G. Saunders made a charming girl in a pink silk blouse and black skirt, and a becoming white felt hat tied with white ribbons; Mr S. Thompson, cook ; Mr Goodhue, evening dress. From the yacht ‘ Yvonne ’ Mr J. Fraser, Nigger, (a splendid get up). Messrs Wise, man, Partridge, and Howard, yachtsmen. Amongst other guests present were the crews from the ‘ Rangitira,’ ‘ Ida,’ ‘ Rita,’ ‘ Viking,’ ‘ Aorere ’ and ‘ Kestrel,’ all in yachting costumes. Several ladies and gentlemen belonging to the house partv in evening dress.

Phyllis Broune.