AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XIX, 8 May 1897, Page 580

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, May 3. Amongst our gaieties we have, some of us, found time for matters serious, and have much enjoyed the addresses and lectuies of MRS J. K. BARNEY, OF RHODE ISLAND. She is the superintendent of the prison reform work of the World Women’s Christian Temperance Union. She speaks well, and gives most interesting accounts of her work, with now and then very piquante American touches. A pleasant * welcome afternoon ’ was given her on Monday in the church parlour of the Pittstreet Wesleyan Church, where a large number assembled to greet her. An excellent afternoon tea was kindly provided by the various ladies. Mrs Barney lectured or spoke twice a day, leaving Auckland for New Plymouth on Thursday morning. She is of middle height, light brown hair, and has an attractive face and manner. She is sure to do much good in a tactful but thoroughly earnest way. She was dressed in black silk and lace, black bonnet, light gloves; Mrs Schnackenberg, who presided, wore black, with a touch of white in her bonnet. Others present were Mrs Williams, Mrs Gittos, Mrs Hendre, Sister Francis, Mrs Daldy, Mrs Dewsbury, and many others. To tell the truth, I was too interested in Mrs Barney’s address to notice other people. I saw, though, many ministers, who also listened with great attention. Afterwards we formed a group and complained bitterly of the ridiculous measure of a servants’ compulsory half-holiday every week. All present advocated leaving the mistresses a free hand provided each servant girl got a holiday equal to that, say a whole day once a fortnight, to be back at a decent hour in the evening, or one half day per week, as most convenient. Mrs Archi*- Burton, of Mount Eden, gave a large informal Mmusical evening last week. Semi-evening costumes were worn by the guests, who numbered about forty. The evening was delightfully spent with cards and music, and both Mr and Mrs A. Burton were assiduous in their efforts to promote the happiness of the guests. Amongst those present were Mr and Mrs Earnest Burton, Miss Spiers, Mr and Mrs Lyons, Miss Aubrey, Mr and Mrs Gilmore, Mr and Mrs Mahoney, Mr Gilbert, etc. Mrs Mercer, of Remura, gave a most successful DOMINO DANCE on Wednesday evening. No expense or pains were spared by host or hostess to make the evening the success which it certainly was. I believe that it is the first time in Auckland a domino dance has been given, and the lady is to be congratulated on starting a novelty. Everything was done splendidly. It was a mask and dominno ball until 10.30, when on a gong sounding, everyone unmasked. It was a most laughable and funny sight, very few talking, as they were afraid of giving one another away. Dancing was kept up until 3.30. in the two front rooms. Burke’s band, playing with their usual brightness, were stationed in the hall. The supperroom was quite a sight, and the table literally groaned with good things. The decorations were yellow silk and yellow chrysanthemums, and looked lovely. Now for the dresses. Some of the dominoes were really very pretty, others more fetching than otherwise. Let me see if I can remember them. Mrs A. Clark, in yellow and black, looked very pretty ; Mademoiselle Bouillon looked sweet ; Miss Ware, very quaint and original in black and yellow ; the two Misses Devereux in very striking dominoes ; Mrs Mercer, a very pretty silk one ; Mr C. Purchas and Mr Cotterill caused great fun and laughter. The scene was quite changed when the gong sounded ; everyone threw off their disguise. Now let me set to work to describe the frocks. Our hostess looked very pretty in a lovely white corded silk ; Mrs Schiff (who is staying with her), in eau de Nil silk, very sweetly made ; Mrs James Russell, in lovely blue brocaded with pink, was much admired ; Mrs Devereux, black satin trimmed with net; Mrs A. Clark, black with white silk fichu ; Mrs Duthie looked very pretty in blue satin ; Mrs Lewis, white silk, pink roses on shoulder; Mrs G. Bloomfield looked girlish and nice in yellow brocade ; her sister in yellow also ; Mrs (Major) George, striking costume of amber and black lace ; Mrs Kissling, black ; Mrs Charlie Buddle, white; Mrs W. Bloomfield, in white brocade looked very handsome ; Mrs H. Bloomfield, in white, looked very sweet; Mrs R. Browning, black ; Mrs Griffiths, white silk ; Miss Macfarlane in white also, pink roses ; Miss Ware looked very handsome, and was much admiredjin eau de Nil silk ; Mrs Ware, black and blue satin, steel trimming (a charming dress); Miss Chambers, black and white ; Miss Devereux looked striking (some say the belle) in a rich brocade satin trimmed profusely with red velvet; Miss Eliott looked petite in white ; her sister was distinguished also in

white; Miss Isaacs, sweet in eau-de-Nil satin, jet trimmings ; Mrs Robison, mauve] brocade ; Miss Kissling, black ; her sister, white; Maidemoiselle Bouillon, in maise Chinese silk ; Miss Churton, black and white ; Mrs Alfred Nathan, lovely lavender silk; her sister, Miss Clayton, black silk, red bows at shoulders ; Mrs T. Morrin, rich brocaded silk; Mrs Foster, silk brocade ; Miss Hay, pretty silk trimmed with red ; Mrs — Nathan, amber satin ; Mrs Beattie, black silk ; Miss B. Bull, yellow; Miss Rooke, pink ; Mrs Street, black ; Miss Gillies, white. There were many more there who looked charming, but I cannot remember their names. Among the gentlemen I noticed Messrs James Russell (two), Williamson, Purchas, Fenwick, Fenton, Murray, Cotterill, Anderson, Morrin, Bloomfield (three), Scherff, Devereux, Philson, Drs. Lewis and Sharman, Messrs Wilson, Robinson, some of the ‘ Royalist’ officers, Messrs Makgill, Major, Beattie, Gillies, Isaacs, Nathan (two), Major George, Messrs Duthie, Buddle, and a great number of visitors whose names I know not. On Friday evening last a SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHERS’ Conference was held in Epiphany Sunday-school where there was a large number of teachers, numbering about one hundred. Rev. W. Gillam ably read a paper on ‘ The Dicipline of Sunday-school,’ and Mr Kirkbright gave an excellent address on ‘ The Difficulties of Teaching in Country Sunday-schools.’ Afterwards a discussion was indulged by the clergymen and teachers on the above subjects. Amongst those present were Archdeacon Dudley, Misses Dudley, Rev. F. Larkins, Miss Larkins, Canon and Mrs Hazelden, Rev. W. and Mrs Johnston, Rev. W. and Mrs Calder, Mr Webbe, Rev. E. W. Lush, Miss Smith, Misses Cooke (3), McCallum, Paton, etc. A CAPITAL LITTLE CONCERT was arranged by Mrs and Miss Sellers in the Mount Albert Parish Hall last Thursday evening. The concert was very good, the supper excellent, and the dance which followed was much enjoyed. The following took part in the concert Misses F. Sellers, Baker, Harper, Messrs Kissling, Rathbone, Twiss, Gilfillan, and Mr C. Priestley recited. A few of the ladies’ dresses I recollect were:—Mrs Sellers, handsome black satin; Mrs Hudson Williamson, dahlia-coloured blouse, black skirt; Miss Sloman, white blouse, dark skirt, white opera cloak; Mrs May, black, black and white bonnet; Mrs Newell, black, bonnet with coloured flowers ; MissF. Sellers, whitesilk blouse, darkskirt; Miss Maud Sellers, shot blue-green silk blouse, dark skirt; Miss May, brown dress with passementerie trimming, brown hat with coloured ribbon and flowers ; Miss Miller, blue and white blouse, dark skirt ; Miss Newell, white ; Miss Maier, dark skirt, white blouse; Miss Ruby Newell, white ; Miss Tanner, black and white striped blouse, black skirt; Misses Wright, mourning dresses ; etc., etc. • AT HOME.’ One of those charming ‘ At Homes ’ for which ‘ Rara Maunga,’ the residence of Mr and Mrs Edmund Mahony, has become distinguished in the annals of Auckland Society, took place on Friday afternoon. Beautiful weather favoured the function, which possessed all the attractions of a garden party. Mrs Mahony, who is a perfect hostess, received her guests, and had amply arranged for their amusement. The programme of music was pleasantly diversified with croquet and promenades round the picturesque grounds of ‘ Rara Maunga.’ The drawing-room, where the musical party gathered, was separated from the dining-room by an arch-way screened with flowing art curtains. The teatable was arranged with exquisite taste. The floral decorations consisted of tall vases of miniature sunflowers, while yellow fairy lights and shades on gas globes gave a lovely glow to the table, which was abundantly furnished with a wealth of dainties arranged with really artistic taste. Theladieswhocontributed to the music were MrsPetrie, Mrs Keogh, Mrs E. Mahony, Misses Rita Tole, Tewesley, Woods, L. Wallnutt, and Mrs Archer Burton. Mrs Mahony wore a very pretty tone of orchid shade of pink silk ; Mrs Dignan, grey tweed ; Mrs Holland, rich black silk ; Miss Holland, shot pink lustre ; Mrs (Dr.) Bedford, dark costume ; Mrs Petrie, black ; Mrs Archer Burton, pretty blue figured silk ; Miss Aubery, tailormade gown ; Mrs Clayforth, dark costume; Miss Tole, black ; Miss Rita Tole, white muslin ; Mrs Beale, heliotrope silk ; Mrs Alf. White (nee Hamlin) looked chaFming in heliotrope; MissTowsey; Mrs Atkinson, black ; Miss Atkinson, pink ; Mrs Andrews ; Mrs E. W. Burton, black ;

Miss Spiers, blue velvet; Miss Kennedy, navy, cream vest; Miss Nora Greenwood, dark costume ; Mrs T. Mahony, crimson silk blouse, skirt to match ; Mrs Keogh, black ; Miss Keogh, blue blouse, dark skirt; Mrs (Captain) Beaumont, black ; Mrs Clayforth, dark gown ; Mrs Harrison, Mrs Yates; Mrs C. Griffith, grey tweed ; Miss Wallnutt, navy blue ; Miss C. Wallnutt, white piqud, etc., etc. The series of pleasant gatherings in connection with the Auckland Art Society’s Annual Exhibition was brought to a close on Wednesday last by a PROMENADE CONCERT. Between 200 and 300 visitors attended in the course of the evening for a final inspection of the pictures and to enjoy the music. The following musical programme was gone through, and met with a cordial appreciation : — Piano solo, Miss Heywood ; song, ‘ By the Waters,’ Mr A. Mewburn ; quartette (vocal) ; song, ‘At Sight of Thee,’ Miss Crowther ; piano solo, Miss Goldsbro’ ; song, ‘ Love in the Rain,’ Mr G. M. Reid ; song, ‘ Now, Was I Wrong ?’ Miss Crowther; quartette (vocal) ; song, ‘ Every Inch a Soldier,’ Mr W. George; pianoforte solo, Mr Alf. Bartley. The National Anthem brought to a close one of the most successful exhibitions ever held under the auspices of this popular Society. The public appreciation manifested during the continuance of the season should encourage the Society to redoubled exertions in the coming year. I hear that several sales were effected, but in this respect there is much room for improvement. Our artists labour under great disadvantages owing to the limited market for their pictures. One would think that the funds of the Mackelvie Trust might be employed with advantage in purchasing representative pictures of the Maori life which is fast passing away. It would be much more appreciated alike by residents and visitors than some of the imported works of art (?) which disfigure the walls of the Mackelvie Gallery. There were two or three pictures at least in the exhibition just closed which the Trustees ought to secure for the public. Mrs H. Bruce Morton gave a most ENTOYABLE AFTERNOON TEA on Saturday last at her charming residence, One Tree Hill, Epsom. The garden and grounds were looking lovely—quite a blaze ot colour with chrysanthemums, etc. Mrs Morton received her guests in the pretty square hall, which was beautifully decorated with flowers, gowned in soft black grenadine and silk, the bodice relieved with blue silk and jet passementerie. During the afternoon songs were sung by Miss Rimmer and Miss Best ; piano solos by Miss M. Heywood and Miss Hooper, after which the guests adjourned to the spacious dining-room for tea. The table was most artistically decorated with pale yellow satin and yellow chrysanthemums, and was laden with all sorts of dainties. Amongst the guests were Mrs Morton (sen.), in black satin with lovely old lace ; Mrs McMurray, biack grenadine, black and white bonnet; Mrs Heywood, black ; Mrs Beatty, grey and black dress; Mrs Pritt, mourning ; Mrs Browning (sen.), black and white silk, black chiffon cape, bonnet to match ; Mrs Williams, mourning ; Mrs Monroe, black ; Mrs A. V. Macdonald, gray tailor-made dress faced with black ; Mrs (Col.) Dawson, black skirt, pretty flowered silk blouse, stylish hat; Mrs Herrold, black trimmed with handsome old lace ; Mrs J. Russell, pretty dark heliotrope tailor-made skirt and jacket with moire waistcoat, bonnet to match ; Mrs A. P. Wilson looked charming in black flowered silk skirt with daintygreen silk blouse, pretty black hat with red and white roses ; Mrs Heather, handsome black silk, stylish bonnet with red roses ; Mrs Devereux, dark tweed skirt with flowered silk bodice ; Mrs Carr, tailor-made skirt and jacket of gray tweed, black and green hat; Mrs Thomas, green skirt and jacket; Mrs Jackson; pretty blue gray costume; Mrs Gamble, black ; Mrs Payton, brown silk ; Mrs Ashton Bruce, black, pretty large hat with feathers ; Miss Rimmer, black and white ; Miss Hooper, tailor-made costume ; Miss Burcher, navy blue serge ; Miss M. Heywood, navy blue, picture hat; Miss Herrold, pretty soft gray costume; Miss Ware, tailor-made skirt and jacket; Mrs Ware, pretty fawn cloth costume ; Mrs Cheeseman, black and white ; Miss Keesing, black and pink; Mrs Gillies, black silk, stylish bonnet with roses ; the Misses Russell, tweed skirts and jackets edged with fur; Miss Devereux, brown costume. There were a number of others whom I did not know. On Friday evening Mrs Hardie, of Remuera, gave a MOST DELIGHTFUL DANCE as a farewell to her daughter, Mrs Clayton, who has been

on a visit to her mother, and is leaving for Sydney this week. The grounds were lit up with coloured lamps, and presented a very pretty appearance. Mr and Mrs Hardie received their guests in the large drawing-room. Mrs Hardie wore a lovely black silk gown finished with lace and jet; Mrs Clayton looked very handsome in rich white silk trimmed with gold lace; Miss Hardie wore a lovely gown of yellow silk and chiffon, which was very becoming to her; Miss Isabel Hardie wore a dainty white silk frock. The dance was given for young people, but there were a few married ladies present, amongst whom I noticed Mrs Beatty, wearing black silk and lace ; Mrs Pritt, black ; Mrs Shera, black skirt, prettyyellow silk evening blouse, lovely jewelled pendant ; Mrs Gorrie, black ; Mrs Ashton Bruce, black skirt, white silk blouse ; Mrs Saunderson, white ; Mrs Nelson Gamble, white relieved with blue ; her sister, Miss Hepburn, white and gold ; Miss F. Thorpe looked very charming in pale blue silk with large bunches ot crimson roses on the shoulders, and gold bands in her hair ; Miss Clayton, pretty black blouse with crimson bows; Miss Macfarlaue, white silk ; Miss Upton, pale yellow silk ; Miss Lennox, yellow ; Miss Stevenson (Ponsonby), pink, the bodice finished with green ; Miss Stevenson, pink silk; her sister, white; Miss Hesketh, white ; Miss Herrold, black with pale blue on the bodice ; her sister, pretty heliotrope gown ; Miss Baber, black ; Miss M. Heywood, white and gold ; Miss Pickmere, very- stylish black grenadine; Miss Amphlett, black with white ; Miss M. Cotter, pretty- white silk and chiffon; Miss Whewell, brown silk; the Misses Whitson, white ; Miss Buddle, black skirt, coloured silk blouse ; the Misses Gorrie, white and pink. Amongst thegentlemen were the Rev. W. Beatty, Rev. H. Major, Messrs Purchas, Patou, Herrold, Macky, W. Bruce, A. Bruce, Major, Stevenson, Ching, Shera, Pritt, Lennox, Ruddock’ Sanderson, Hardie, Gould, Shuttleworth, Grierson, and a number of others. The supper-table presented quite a fairy-like appearance—silver lamps with crimson shades and a profusion of white chrysanthemums. As for the supper, it was simply perfect. It was one of the most successful dances that has been given in Auckland for a long time.

Phyllis Broune.