AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XX, 15 May 1897, Page 614

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee. May io. The dancing season has begun in earnest, and a pleasantly gay winter is foretold. We had a most enjoyable dance last Thursday evening at Mrs Alfred Nathan’s pretty residence, ‘Wickford,’ Princes street. Mr and Mrs Nathan received their guests at the entrance of the re-ception-room in a most cordial manner, the room being decorated with yellow chrysanthemums. The ball-room was lighted with Chinese lanterns, and the decoration of the mantelpiece was quite a work of art with its various colours and varieties of large prize chrysanthemums. The floor was of the best description — slippy, smooth, and springy, on which one could have danced the whole night without the slightest feeling of weariness, and the music was excellent. Coffee, claret cup, cakes, etc., were served in an ante-room off the dining-room during the early part of the evening. Supper, which was a champagne one, was decidedly substantial — pheasants, aspic jellies, and all possible delicacies. The decorations consisted of yellow Liberty silk drapery finished with specimen vases of large yellow chrysanthemums, and lighted with candles in silver candlebras shaded with green. Now I must tell you of the charming little nooks prepared for the dancers to cool themselves between the whirls of Terpsichore. The garden looking on Princes street was canvased in, and formed a splendid corridor, while going the opposite direction, to the back of the house, a large tennis lawn was discovered with rustic seats, and also a sweet little arbour lighted with Chinese lanterns. Another retreat was found by the explorers by ascending the staircase and going to either the front balcony or the back one. Each was lighted with Chinese lanterns and seats d deux prepared. Gentlemen were very much in the majority. Both host and hostess did all in their power to promote the enjoyment of their guests by introducing one to another and allowing no wall flowers to bloom alone. Our hostess’ pretty little girl was very much admired as she flitted in and' out amongst the guests in her little white robe. Miss Nathan, daughter of Mrs Arthur Nathan, made her debut and looked exceedingly pretty. Mrs Alfred Nathan, who decidedly was the belle ot the ball, wore a handsome indescribable shot pink, grey, and Nil green glimmering silk, white folded bertha of lace round the corsage, diamond necklet, bird in hair to match gown ; Miss Clayton (Sydney), blue silk, with wreath of pink roses on shoulder, silver ornament in hair ; Miss Nation looked distingute in a mignonette green silk relieved with white lace on corsage ; Mrs Arthur Nathan, marigold brocade, en traine, square decolletage relieved with white lace and silver passementerie ; Miss Nathan (the debutante of the evening) wore a white silk made simply with Empire band, square neck relieved with ribbons; Mrs James Russell, stylish blue silk fieured with pink roses, aigrette of white feathers in the side of the hair; Mrs (Dr.) Lewis, white striped moir6 with spray of pink roses on shoulder and in hair ; Mrs George Bloomfield, Tuscan brocaded silk, white lace on shoulders ; Mrs Harry Bloomfield (nee Miss Grierson) looked pretty in her white bridal silk with white pearl beads and tulle; Miss Griffiths, buttercup silk, flower in her hair; Mrs Mercer, very striking white corded silk with silver passementerie profusely trimming the corsage ; Miss Chambers, black silk relieved with white lace ; Miss Moss-Davis, white silk with ribbons; Miss Fenton, black grenadine with pink ribbons; Miss Hardie, becoming yellow chrysanthemum-coloured silk profusely covered with chiffon ; Mrs Robison, heliotrope silk ; Miss Phcebie Buckland, simple white Liberty silk ; Mrs Thomas Morrin, orange brocade with high puff sleeves, gold ornaments ; Mrs Sam Morrin, grey satin richly trimmed with silver passementerie ; Miss Kate Hay, rich taffeta silk figured and trimmed with red;

Miss Thompson, white silk with blue feathers on shoulder and in her hair; Miss Kerr-Taylor, pale blue crepon;_and her sister, a cowslip grenadine; Miss — Thompson, pink or yellow silk, as those colours are generally so deceiving at night I could not decide ; Mrs Keesing, white silk veiled in a black spotted net; Mrs Benjamin, black silk with pink silk round corsage ; Mrs Robert Browning, black silk ; Mrs Greenway Tuscan silk with ropes of pearl bead trimming; Miss Eva Firth, pink gown relieved with white lace ; Mrs Blair, white silk ; Miss Wilkins, black satin edged with spotted chiffon ; Miss Maud Wilkins, black silk, yellow Empire belt swathed the waist, and the decolletage was finished with black net spotted with yellow ; Miss Philips, azure blue silk, the decolletage finished with black bead trimming ; Miss Rees, pale pink with black lace round the decoUeiage : Mrs Dignan was resplendent in black satin with spray of red roses on shoulder ; Mrs Isidor Alexander, black silk relieved with white, diamond ornaments; Miss Hesketh, amber satin ; Miss Grace Hesketh, Mexique blue satin with silver passementerie, aigrette in hair. Drs Lewis, Sharman, Parkes, Messrs Williamson (two), Fenton, Purchas, Anderson, Bloomfield (two), Morrin, Philson, Robison, Davaney, Gillies, Davis, Alexander, Duthie, Paton, Battley, Chisholm, Keesing, McLaughlin, Philips (two), Kerr-Taylor, Chambers, Greenway, Dignan, Fenwicke, Leckie, MossDavis, and several officers from the warships now in harbour were amongst the gentlemen. ST. GEORGE’S ROWING CLUB BALL. The ninth annual ball under the auspices of St. George's Rowing Club was held under favourable conditions in the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening. The presence in Auckland harbour of the ‘ Royalist,’ and the German warship ‘ Falke ’ contributed quite a sprinkling of naval uniforms to the array of colour which brightened the scene. The committee must have worked most industriously to produce such an effect as the hall presented. Across the full length from corner to corner were strung lines of bright bunting, while around the walls crossed sculls with flags intertwined, and a profusion of punga ferns and nikau palms furnished a brilliant and picturesque decoration. In front of the orchestra there was an effective fanlike design composed of crossed sculls and the Club’s colours (red and white). The club was indebted to the captains of H.M.S. ‘Royalist,’ and of the barques ‘Asterion’ ad ‘ Lurthrathen for a stock of flags. On some previous occasions the ladies in anticipation of a crush at this popular annual dance have not been disposed to go in for elaborate ball costumes, but the beauty and variety of the dresses on this occasion furnished the subject of general comment. The catering was entrusted to Mr Charles Canning, of St. Mungo Cafe. The supper was spread in the corridor on the left-hand side, while the corridor on the other side, gaily decorated, furnished a capital promenade. The leading features in the table decorations were festoons of red and white along the border of the snow-white linen cloth with bunches of autumn flowers down the centre of the table. Burke’s Band discoursed an excellent selection of dance music, leading off with the initial waltz at nine o’clock. The floor was in excellent condition, having been specially prepared by Messrs Winks and Hall. Members of the Club’s Committee, flitting about with distinguishing miniature flags in their button holes, did all that was possible to minister to the pleasure of their guests, and Mr W. R. Holmes, the hon. secretary, was especially energetic. Their efforts were crowned with complete success, for although dancing was prolonged till 3 a.m., the time seemed all too short. As usual, the St. George Rowing Club ball of 1897 will form in the lives of several young ladies that red-letter day which marks the crossing of the boundary line between girlhood and maturity, familiarly known as ‘ coming out.’ Among the many charming dresses the following were especially noticeable:— Mrs Colbeck looked graceful in wisteria-coloured ottoman silk, cream silk Maltese lace deftly arranged on the corsage and caught with a spray of violets ; Miss Thorne George wore a recherche black satin toilette, bodice trimmed with iridescent sequins; Mrs W. R. Holmes was charming in a handsome white satin gown, bodice of brocade with a garniture of pearls and crystals ; Mrs Preston Stevenson, white stripe silk, full sleeves of satin ; Mrs J. M. Brigham wore a satin gown en traine, which was a harmony of mauve and pale yellow cleverly combined ; Miss Brigham was much admired in a trained gown of white silk with small chenille spots, the tight long net sleeves and Princess Maud bodice were trimmed with silver spangles; Miss — Glassford (Melbourne) wore a very rich white brocade, corsage veiled with filmy folds of white chiffon ; Mrs H. R. Bloomfield, handsome white satin; Mrs Rathbone wore an elegant Nil green brocaded satin, the sleeves surmounted with square epaulettes of jewelled passementerie ; Miss Lusk, white silk, roses nestling in filmy folds of chiffon on corsage ; Miss Elsie Lusk, rose pink Indian muslin with white lace arranged on bodice ; Miss Graves Aickin (debutante), white pongee silk relieved with frills of yellow silk ; Miss Kissling, handsome black satin gown, black chiffon on square corsage ; Mrs Upfil, white silk with pearls; Mrs Arthur Nathan, white Indian silk, deep flounce with bars of insertion lace, Victorian sleeves finished with lace ; Mrs Alfred Nathan, an elegant white satin brocade with an opal green shade though it, pearl epaulettes and festoons on corsage; Miss Wilkins looked exceedingly well in a black striped silk semi trained gown with three ruchings of black tulle at intervals on the skirt, swathed belt of yellow satin ; Miss Chatfield (debutante), white silk with soft feather trimming on low bodice ; Miss Thomas, black satin, bright yellow satin sleevesand sash ; Mrs Holland, black silk, bodice finished with jewelled trimming; Miss Holland looked charming in white chenille spotted tulle over white satin, spray of heliotrope heath, sleeves surmounted with frills; Mrs Devore wore an effective black gown with white satin sleeves and jabot veiled with spangled net; Miss Devore, white figured lustre, yellow silk sleeves and spray of flowers; Mrs Blair, rich black satin, cream silk Maltese lace arranged on low bodice : Mrs Jervis, white silk and lace; Miss Devereux looked

dainty in white silk, white feather on low corsage ; Miss Thorpe, white silk, sprays of crimson roses gave harmonious touches of colour ; Miss Florrie Thorpe, cream satin ; Mrs E. Beale, Nil green brocade, rose pink silk sleeves; Miss Dixon looked pretty in black figured silk, bodice trimmed with cream Maltese lace; Miss Phillips, black, deep frill of cream chiffon on low corsage ; Miss Isaacs was much admired in white satin veiled with lace and relieved with rose pink velvet ; Mrs Denniston, dark green silk with apple green silk V on bodice and sleeves ; Miss Hay looked pretty in cream silk with a design of pink floral crescents, bodice brightened with fold of crimson velvet: Mrs Foster, pink silk; Miss Otway, white satin, clusters of lily-of the-valley with their own foliage set in tulle on corsage ; Miss Hesketh looked graceful in white ottoman silk ; Miss Alice Hesketh wore a very effective amber satin trimmed with pearls; Miss E. Mahony wore a striking gown of pink areophane over silk, corselet was adorned with black ribbon velvet, trellis style: Miss Whitson, cream satin, roses on shoulders; Miss Torrance, ruby velvet, cream silk lace on bodice ; Miss Dunnett, handsome peach blossom brocade; Miss Percival, white moird, yellow silk sleeves; Mrs J. R. Hanna, rich black satin, spray of violets on bodice ; Miss Bull, white silk, sleeves strapped with sprays of red roses ; Miss — Bull, white satin with lilies of the valley clustering here and there ; Miss Bush, rose pink silk ; Mrs Lyons, white silk under white net embroidered with iridescent spangles, _blue sash; Miss Aubrey, black, heliotrope drapery on bodice, and trails of roses over shoulders ; Mrs Oxley, grey and white ; Mrs Alfred White, handsome white brocade; MissWitchell(<Ze6utante), white, lovely shower bouquet of choice white flowers ; Miss Hull, white silk ; Miss Olive Noakes (debutante) wore oyster white; Miss Kilgour, white silk, folded violet velvet straps on square-cut corsage, spray of violets ; Miss Dolly Davis, shot gold glace silk ; Miss Atkinson, effective yellow silk gown adorned with pearls ; Miss Kennedy, pale pink lustre trimmed with pearl and sequin passementerie ; Miss Hooper, white, sequined tulle over sleeves ; Miss Churton, black with touches of pink ; Mrs Gorrie, black satin, sleeves and yoke of yellow satin veiled with black chiffon ; Miss Gorrie, blue silk and white lace; Miss M. Gorrie, heliotrope ottoman silk, cream lace bolero ; Miss Mabelle Annesley’s white Indian silk gown was much admired; the front of the skirt was richly embroidered in white silk ; Miss Brodie, cream silk, niching of chiffon on square-cut corsage ; Miss Agatha Greenwood, striking gown of apple-green silk under skirt of white silk mousseline de soie, girdle of pearls ; Miss Nora Greenwood, gold satin and white ; Miss Peacocke looked pretty in white silk ; Miss F. Peacocke (debutante), white ; Mrs Goodwin, black and heliotrope ; Miss Goodwin, white silk ; Miss Winnie Goodwin, yellow silk with white ruffles ; Miss Donald, pink silk ; Miss Lily Gould, pretty pink silk ; Miss Laird looked charming in yellow Harcourt silk trimmed with net and pearls; Miss Rees, pink silk with ruching of black chiffon and pink roses on square corsage ; Miss WyldeBrowne, white silk and chiffon, bodice finished with silver trimming ; Miss Preece, vieux rose arranged with cream lace ; Miss F. Preece, heliotrope and white lace ; Miss — Preece, pink ; Miss Burns, apple green satin ; Miss Wood, heliotrope silk gown ; Miss Lewis, pink chine silk ; Miss Lillian Lewis (debutante), white lustre with frilled sleeves ; Mrs Sowerby, black velvet, jet trimmings ; Miss Murray, heliotrope silk ; etc., etc. I am so sorry that last week I was not able to go to Mrs Archer-Burton’s PLEASANT musical party at Park Road East, but I had a bad cold, and trusted to one of the guests. She, it seems, got very much mixed, and gave me incorrect information, which I now put right. Our hostess wore a pretty blue dress relieved with white. Amongst the guests were Mrs E. H. Lyons, in cream satin blouse, dark skirt ; Mrs A. E. Gilmore, old gold silk and roses ; Mrs Keogh, black brocade; Mrs T. Mahoney, electric blue ; Miss Wallnutt, pink muslin; Miss Aubrey, white silk ; Miss Rita Tole, flowered blue muslin ; Miss Smales, shot silk blouse, skirt to match ; Miss Griffiths (Wellington), canarycoloured satin ; Miss Mulvaney, pale green velvet ; and her sister wore a pale blue gown ; Miss Percival, cream silk lustre ; Miss Atkinson, cream muslin ; Miss Newett, pink silk blouse, dark skirt; Miss Lindon, eau de Nil green. Amongst the gentlemen were Messrs Lyons, Gilmore, Outhwaite. Mahoney, Percival, Carr, Kallender, Smales, Connell, Gordon, Gilbert, Francis, Palmer, R. Archer-Burton (Sydney), and Dr. Pabst.

Phyllis Broune.