AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue V, 29 January 1898, Page 132

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee. January 24. Everyone is from home, and there is absolutely no news. Very curious weather has been experienced in Auckland lately. On Saturday it was very close, and about six o’clock a thick fog suddenly appeared, so dense that in some places it was impossible to see the other side of the road. From the top of Upper Queen-street the city was invisible, being enveloped in an impenetrable cloud. The tops of Mounts Eden, Wellington and Albert were hidden in vapour. At eight it changed to rain. Sunday morning up to 11.30 was intensely warm ; then the wind changed and everyone was complaining of the cold. There is a grand sale of work at Lake Takapuna to-day. It is to be opened at three o’clock, and special boats will be run. OPERA HOUSE DRESSES.

Mrs Bland Holt looked very charming as Kitty Marshall in the ‘Cotton King’ at the Opera House last week. Her dresses, although gay, did not call for description, one being a vivid red. which was most becoming to the wearer, and another a modest Salvation lass's gown of dark blue. Miss Watson wore some pretty gowns, one a pink silk lustre, and her second a heliotrope silk costume with pouch bodice, pansy velvet belt and collar, white hat, with pansy velvet and flowers. In the third act she wore a lovely shade of turquoise blue, with revers outlined with cream laee, turned back from square-cut corsage. Miss Fitzmaurice Gill looked exceedingly well in a soft pink gown. Among the audience I noticed were :—Mrs Napier, wearing a pretty Nil green silk evening gown, with shell pink chiffon draped over shoulders ; Mrs Findlayson, terra-cotta silk gown: Miss Fenton, black silk skirt, carmine satin blouse; Mrs Isidor Alexander, handsome black silk, trimmed with steel passementerie; Mrs C. M. Nelson, black, cream laee bolero; Miss Nelson, grey silk, trimmed with white insertion; Miss Queenie Nelson, Nil velvet blouse, pink flowers, dark skirt; Mrs Masefield, stylish grey ehine lustre gown, flame coloured satin bodice, under black lace; Mrs John Reid looked nice in black; Miss Masefield, white costume, with blue sailor collar; Mrs Dufaur, black and white striped blouse, dark skirt; Mrs C. Owen, blue and white gown; Miss Ada Dixon, white muslin blouse, with touches of colour, dark skirt; Miss Philips, blue and white striped muslin; Mrs Goodwin, rich black silk, trimmed with black lace edged with white; Miss Goodwin, pretty white silk evening gown, low corsage, finished with white lace; Miss Thomas, white silk blouse, fawn skirt; Miss Wylde-Brown looked pretty in white muslin, lace fichu; Miss Dunnett, blue costume, trimmed with white braid; Miss Thomson, grey; Miss Percival, white muslin, trimmed with lace; Miss Campbell, pink floral muslin and white lace; Miss — Campbell, blue floral muslin, frilled sleeves, edged with lace; Miss Hunt (North Shore), white; Mrs Reynolds, white silk blouse, dark skirt. DRIVING AND SHOPPING. I have noticed Miss Gordon (Takapuna), pretty pink silk blouse, under ecru spotted muslin trimmed with lace insertion of the same colour, black crepon skirt, black hat with pink carnations; Mrs (Dr) Scott, cream tussore silk gown, cape sleeves surmounted the sleeves, black chip toque with pink roses; Miss Boyd (Takapuna), salmon pink cambric, frill edged with white lace, white sailor hat; Mrs (Dr.) Shannon, very stylish gown of royal blue with a zig-zig design of white, white yoke, pale blue rucked sleeves, large white hat trimmed with pale blue and pink roses resting on the hair; Mrs Matthews, white muslin costume, large

white hat trimmed with black wings and shaded flowers; Mrs Dunnett, white China silk embroidered gown, large white picture hat; Mrs Bland Molt, very pretty costume, long jacket, becoming toque with poppies under the brim; Miss Frances Boss, pink and white striped gown, blue straw hat trimmed with cornflowers; Mrs Laishley, black costume; Miss Ixiishley, pink and white striped frock, stylish hat of black velvet and plumes; Mrs Sellers, chic green and black figured costume, bonnet with peach trimming; Miss Holland, fawn skirt, with reefer jacket same material. straw hat.