AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XXII, 28 May 1898, Page 679

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, May 23. Quite the event of the month, socially, was the .ST. GEORGE’S BAY ROWING CLUB’S BALL This is the tenth year in which the dance has been held, and last Wednesday night the Choral Hall—beautifully decorated and filled with a brilliant assemblage of smartly dressed women and sombre-coated men — afforded ample proof of the great popularity of these annual functions. This dance was, I think, the best yet given, and that is saying a good deal in its favour. The floor was in unusually good con-

dition, and Messrs Winks and Hall, who prepared it, received many compliments in acknowledgment of the pains their skilled workmen bestowed on it. Flags were a prominent and appropriate feature of the decorations of the hall, and their arrangement, from corner to corner, from the ceiling, crossing each other in the centre. The colours of the club (red and cream) were deftly intertwined on the side walls with crossed sculls and nikau ferns. The red cross of St. George, with the club colours and more sculls, was very artistically arranged below the gallery, supplemented by the Union Jack and the American flag. Tree ferns and other foliage, blended with red and white ribbons finished this handsome piece of decoration. The ante-room to the right was set apart as a promenade, and also light refreshments of tea, coffee, cakes, etc., were dispensed during the whole evening and the one to the left was devoted to the supper,, which, one of the committee informed me, was one of the best suppers ever provided by the St. George's Rowing Club. The catering had been in the able hands of Mr A. F. Stillwell, of Parnell, and here we found the choicest of edibles set before us. The table was festooned with drapery of red and cream, and the effect was very brilliant and smart. The stage was furnished with easy chairs and lounges for chaperones, etc., and tastefully around were arranged whole large fern trees, the effect being capital. Mr E. Burke’s string orchestra provided the very good music. We found by glancing at our programmes the barn-door dance was omitted — gone out of fashion, I suppose, and in its place the Wash. Post, which however, was turned into a valse when its turn came, which was rather a shame, as one does like to see a change from the everlasting valse. Great praise must 'be given the hon. secretary, Mr W. B. Colbeck, for the indefatigable manner in which he worked to promote the success of the ball. He was ably assisted by a

strong committee, namely, Messrs A. McHardy (club’s captain), M. A. Philips, E. A. Anderson, H. J. Whitley, R. Steggalt, Thois. Russell, J. W. Winks, C. Palmer, H. R. Bloomfield, H. G. Kissling, S. F. Carter, H. B. Gordon, J. P. Stevenson, A. D’Arcy, C. E. S. Gillies, W. Jagger, F. E. N. Crombie, F. Upfll, W. R. Holmes. Spectators were allowed a glimpse this year from the gallery, this vantage ground being crowded. I heard there were twenty to thirty debutantes, but only knew the following-: Misses White, Ethel Mahon, Innis, Lewis, Power, Clapcott, Towsey. The ladies and gentlemen were about equal in number, which was a wonderful fact for such a large Auckland dance. The gowns worn, speaking collectively, almost defied description, as every lady seemed to vie with her neighbour in regard to her dressing. With such a large assembly we found wehadadifficulttask set before us to describe them. Miss Atkinson looked very charming in eau de Nil shimmering silk, the decolletage was relieved with chiffon, white eoque feathers in coiffure; Miss Andrews, spring green, crepon, with sleeves and Empire sash of white silk; Miss Murray-Ainsley, very rich white brocaded silk with gold braiding on edge of small frill on skirt and bodice, crinkley silk draped the decollete, and sleeves of the same drooped off shoulders in Victorian style, with a strap of gold beading net-work across, pink roses on left shoulder; Miss Meta Aicken, looked sweet in pale blue silk, with Watteau back, the decollete was relieved with white lace ; Mrs R. Blair looked well in a canary silk finished prof u sely on corsage with white chiffon; Miss Allie Buddle, very smart, becoming bouton d’or corduroy silk with bands of violet velvet and single violets scattered round the bodiee, which was worn high at the neck, the sleeves were entirely of yellow rucked chiffon; Miss Ivy Buddle, white debutante silk; Miss Gertrude Buddle was looking her best in a white shimmering silk with bands of chinchilla

fur on edge of skirt and decollete beaded passementerie on bodice; MissBeatrice Bull, blue silk with violets; Miss Burns, terre silk veiled in black tulle; Miss Bartley, white crepon skirt, white silk evening bodice; Mrs Oberlin Brown, black silk relieved with electrique blue; Misses Oberlin Brown (two) were both attired in pretty white silks; Mrs Copse, Oriental silk of electrique shade relieved with soft blue chiffon; Mrs Chatfield, black silk with jet trimmings: Miss Chatfield, white cashmere with bows and sash of white satin; Mrs Clapcott, black silk relieved with red; Misses Clapcott (two), simply attired in white silks; Miss Coates, white silk; Mrs Coates, black silk: Miss Coates, handsome combination of brown and pink; Misses Choyce (two), white chine silk, profusely trimmed with chiffon; Mrs Denniston, mauve corduroy silk, which suited the wearer admirably, the basque of beaded trimming, the decollete was finished with beads and chiffon; Miss Devore, very pretty water cress green relieved with pink roses on left shoulder; Mrs Dufaur, pink silk with edgings of grey satin, old gold brocade eape; Miss Davy, Italie silk, with square cut corsage finished with billowy cream lace, and sleeves of three little frills; and her sister, a simple gown of ivy pink geranium silk, with ribbon bows and sash; Miss Dunnett, costly and elegant gown of mauve pink brocaded silk; Mrs Gorrie, stylish black silk profusely trimmed with jet; Miss Gorrie, pink silk veiled in green and silver gauze; Miss Mary Gorrie, black velvet; Mrs Goodwin, black silk with white chiffon on sleeves and corsage; Miss Winnie Goodwin, stylish gown of Louis black velvet, with sash and bows of black mirror silk, red flowers on shoulder and the same in hair, relieved this unique costume; Miss Gordon, white silk with bertha of lace; the neck, shoulders waist and hair were relieved with green tartan ribbons; Miss Goldsbro, ivory white lustre, relieved with red flowers on shoulder; Misses Gudgeon (two), were similarly at-

tired in ehie costumes of blue brocade finished with white lace and pink roses; Mrs Gillies, smoke grey satin, edged with white laee and pink Howers; Miss Gillies wore a sweet eostume of white silk with filmy laee: Mrs W. It. Holmes wore a very rieh looking white satin, profusely trimmed with, ropes of pearl beads; Mrs Holland, black silk handsomely trimmed with jet passementerie; Miss Holland, very stylish canary silk; Miss Essie Holland. lovely chrysanthemum pink silk, made, with Russian blouse, jewelled belt; Miss Hay, very becoming cream poplin bayadere; Miss Hooper, cardinal silk, the decolletage was outlined with red tulle, demi traine: and her sister wore a white bengaline with frills of laee and lilies of valley on shoulder and in hair; Miss Ettye Ireland, raven black silk veiled in chiffon. her coiffure a la Pompadour, with black rosette work at one side; Mrs Innis, rieh looking black velvet, with Elizabethan collar and revers, lined with white satin and smartly trimmed with beads, aigrette of lily leaf green ostrich tips on shoulder ami in hair; a very girlish and sweetly pretty frock was that worn by Miss t'issie Innes, another debutante. It was of ivory merveilleux, the loosely hanging blouse being confined at the waist by a soft silken sash, the long ends of which were edged with knots of bebe ribbon; Miss Jagger, black silk finished with black laee, the sombreness was relieved by pink roses on shoulders; Mrs Johnstone (nee .Miss Emily Hesketh) looked exquisite in her white bridal silk, with lengthy train. Many suggested she was the belle, but of course at such a iarge affair, the opinions were divided; Miss Kissling, lovely white satin, with flounce on skirt in vandykes; and her sister, a similar gown with touches of pink; Mrs Barrington Keesing looked well in a white mousseline de soie, with flounce on edge of skirt; Miss Lewis, terre silk trimmed strikingly with bands of orange satin; and her sister looked well as a debutante in a white soft and supple silk poplin; Miss Little, pink in one of the newest tints of nun’s veiling which was loosely woven with horizontal puckered stripes of satin; Miss Lusk, black lustre, the bodice was a very chic little affair of velvet with gauze trimming, bouton d’or bebe sleeves' and empire sash; Mrs Lattey, lovely white bridal silk; Miss Ledingham, white debutante foulard silk, with aigrette in hair; Mrs Mahoney, very billowy gauze eostume. with silvery serpentine sleeves and trimmed with silver passementerie, pink roses in hair: Mrs Masefield, specially richlooking combination of cream and black: Miss Mulvany. canary /silk with soft trimmings; Miss McLachlan, cream silk veiled in black lace, the decollete was profusely trimmed with yellow tulle: Mrs Moritzon. pale lilac silk, trimmed with velvet of a darker hue; Mrs Napier, ivory satin richly trimmed with beads, which suited her to perfection; Mrs Noakes, very handsome black silk with silver passementerie and cream lace; Miss Noakes, charming white silk with an oyster-grey tint, canary bebe sleeves and Empire sash, the decolletage was drooped with buttercups in a becoming dainty manner, buttercup in coiffure; Miss Otway, white bengaline with red flowers on shoulder and in hair; Miss Partridge, black silk underskirt with black net figured with silver crescent designs, pink silk bodice veiled in chiffon; Miss Peacock, fairy-like, white, gauzy mouseline with bead trimmings ; and her sister wore a gown, the most fairy-like garment, it is possible to imagine, composed of the. softest, filmiest gauzy material in a tender shade of pink; Miss Power (a debutante) looked very fascinating in a snow-white glace silk, made plainly, the. sleeves were small and tucked, the deeolletage was of folded silk and pearl embroidery, one shoulder was deftly and charmingly arranged with an artistic upstanding bow, which gave the appearance of a bird; Mrs Quer.ee, magnificent eostume of buttercup silk en traine, which was lined with ruchings of pink, the decolletage was trimmed with ‘penny a bunch' bouquets of violets which- drooped most artistically: Miss E. Kevitt. pink bengaline, finished at neck with white lace; Mrs J. Roach, rich stylish royal blue velvet, trimmed with silver passementerie; Miss Von Der Hyde, blue silk; Mrs Sowerby, handsome black velvet with silver passementerie; Miss Pittar, white soft cashmere with canary Empire sash: Miss (Capt.) Thomas, jr legant white brocaded silk, silver ornaments in coiffure; Miss Kathleen

Thompson, black and white striped bayard, bodice of white silk with frills edged with bands of black narrow velvet ribbon round the square-cut decolletage, the sleeves were of the same frills; Miss Thomas, lovely white mirror silk en traine; Miss Rita Tole, blaek Louis velvet brightened with dome blue ostrich feathers on shoulder and hair; Mrs Thorpe, blaek silk; Miss Flora Thorpe, lily white silk with triple frill at edge, the corsage was finished with a shower bouquet of marguerites; Miss Bond, white satin, profusely trimmed with beads; Miss Towsey, soft white poplin silk, the skirt was plain to within about half a yard of hem, thence fell a flounce of its own material, the sleeves were in reality merely a drapery of white lace, and she carried a feather fan and shower bouquet of the choicest flowers of the season: Miss Wylde-Brown, a striking eostume of white silk with rows of pink velvet ribboji bands round skirt and decolletage; Miss White (Parnell), smart costume of pink bengaline with soft tulle edgings, pink flowers in coiffure; Miss White (a debutante), white foulard silk, the skirt, be it noted, was trimmed to a depth of three or four inches, the deeolletage was outlined by a ruching of white chiffon and a tiny tuek of the same material did something towards softening its rather extreme square cut. ostrich plumes on left shoulder and in coiffure; Miss Percival, airy eostume of white silk veiled with silver threaded net. shamrock green ribbon arrayed from shoulder to waist diagonally, the deeolletage was relieved with sprays of flowers; Miss Ethel Percival, very striking and becoming emerald green silk, square cut deeolletage of folded rose pink silk; Miss Whitson looked pretty in a cream brocaded silk with bead trimming: Miss Watson, white. Miss Winks, the dress was modelled in eau de nil silk edged with a ruching of black chiffon, the bodice was a draped one and fastened on the left shoulder with a fluffy plume of very short black feathers; Mrs Williams, oyster grey brocaded merveilleux; Miss Williams, very lovely canary foulard silk, richly and profusely trimmed with pearl bead trimming from bodice to hem of skirt; Miss Morrow, pretty silk figured with pink rosebuds; Miss Moore, canary nun’s veiling with bouton d’or ribbons; Miss Roberts, black velvet, with bebe sleeves and decollete of white chine silk; Mrs Younghusband, cream taffeta silk with pink rosebud design, canary Empire sash; Miss Yonge, white mirror silk; Miss Ethel Mahon (a debutante), sweet eostume of white silk with lilies of the valley; Misses Pickering, white mouseline de soie: etc., ete. Amongst the gentlemen were Messrs L. Andrews. E. B. Bloomfield, Norman Baker, F. E. Baume, Bertie Burns. Wilfred Colbe.ck. Cave, Denniston, George Dunnett. Gordon, Thorne George. W. R. Holmes, Dufaur. Holland. W. Heather, Hooper, A. Ferguson, J. Hardie, W. Johnstone, C. Kissling, B. Keesing, S. Keesing. Lennox, Lewis, Masefield, Vaile (2), Preston Stevenson, Neill, Otway, Partridge. J. Philips, M. Philips, Peacock, Russell, Sutton, Howard, Towsey, Whiton, Daveney, Withers, Younghusband, Lattey, Choyce, Anderson, Sheggalt, C. E. S. Gillies, W. Jagger, Hodgeson, Robert Leckie, Wylde-Brown, Wright, Roth, Brigham, Gilbert, etc. The opening meet of the PAKURANGA HOUNDS took place last Saturday at Ellerslie. The weather was by' no means a pleasure, for just as we reached the trysting place down came the rain in torrents. Only the most enthusiastic of hunters were present, and many of these I knoiw would gallop to covert careless of hail or rain, mire or slush, mist or cold, so long as it was a fine scenting wind. It was quite an ideal hunting day. Mr Selby, our huntsman, with a pack of twenty couples, was waiting at the rendezvous ready for the fray, all looking perfectly fit. A start was made across the Great South Road into Campbell's property, drawing for pussy through these fields, when suddenly she is disturbed from her lair, and with u ‘View-Halloo, she's off.’ the hounds have picked up the scent and are steaming away at n. speed which renders the chance of anyone overriding them remarkably small. The field thunders in rear, for there is no wall visible, and in consequence everyone has ‘laid on’ with the hounds. But here a big obstacle looms ahead, which soon thins out the field, leaving

three ladies—Misses McLaughlin, M. Buckland and Kerr-Taylor—and half a dozen gentlemen in the train, who valiantly follow from start to finish. Away pussie rattled through fields and over walls, across the double into Mr Austin's, running in a ring back again to where she started, then taking a bee line parallel to the Great South Road. Here at the junction of Green Lane Road and the Great South Road a stiff wall is to be negotiated. Away up the Great South Road for the length of two paddocks, into Messrs Ambury and English's property. across the fields, railway line anti into a plantation, returning again to the Great South Road, and running Opposite in a semi-circle in Mr Dilworth's field, and back to the railway line. But the day’s chase is not destined to lie a very long one, though it was exceptionally smart. Just across the railway line pussie threw up the sponge. The hounds then made a dainty and tasty meal. Now we all depart for our homes well saturated and perfectly satisfied that we've had excellent sport. Amongst those present were Mr McLaughlin (our master, mounted on Dad), Miss McLaughlin (on her plucky little grey. Cattian, who during the day never turned his head at any obstacle), Miss M. Buckland (on her well-known hunter Villiers), Mrs W. Bloomfield (looking as well groomed as ever on her perfect charger Blue Peter),Miss Blanche Gorrie (on her beautiful bay, Jimmy), Miss Nora Gorrie (on her hurdler Forella). Miss Burns, Miss Beatrice Bull (Kingfisher), Miss Ware (on her upstanding black charger), Messrs E. P. Kinloch. Burns, W. McLaughlin, T. Morrin, O’Dowd, Ireland, etc. Driving were Mrs Gorrie and party, Mr Ansenne, etc. ‘EUCHRE AT HOMEY Auckland’s Western suburb promises to be. unusually gay this winter if one may judge from the many social functions announced already. The first of a series of ‘EUCHRE AT HOMES,’ which have been arranged by a number of Ponsonby ladies to take place fortnightly' during the winter months was held at Mrs G. W. Owen’s, ‘Westwood.’ Shelly Beach Road, on Thursday' evening last. These fortnightly' house parties will assemble in turn at each lady’s house with a room large enough to lend itself to eight or ten tables. At a preliminary’ meeting it was unanimously agreed that, except in the ease of the hostess for the evening, who can invite as many as she pleases, only’ three from each family shall be invited, and that the four prizes (Ist and 2nd) are not to exceed five shillings in value, and the supper is to be confined to bread and butter, sandwiches, and coffee. These ‘Euchre At Homes’ promise to be very successful as they afford a pleasant opportunity of meeting one’s friends often and passing an enjoyable evening. At the ballot Mrs Owen’s hospitable house was drawn, and in turn Mesdames J. R. Hanna, Wilson-Smith, (Dr.) Bedford, G. H. Baker, Aubin, E. T. Hart, Miss Leighton, Mrs Devore, Mrs G. Crawshaw, and the last night as the Committee may’ direct. Play’ is to commence at eight o’clock and to finish at eleven, after which supper will be served. Mrs (Dr.) Bedford won first ladies’ prize, Miss Vera Colley’ second, and Dr. Parkes won first gentlemen’s prize and Mr Hanna second.

Mrs G. W. Owen wore a black silk gown, with a full vest of petunia silk; Mrs H. Baker, dainty’ cream dress, epaulettes of buttercup silk; Mrs Hughes-Jones, black and heliotrope figured blouse, black skirt; Mrs Devore, handsome grey silk, mulberrycoloured velvet zduave and Medici collar; Mrs J. R. Hanna, black skirt, pretty terra-cotta and black figured silk blouse; Mrs H. Wilson-Smith, dainty pale grey silk blouse, trimmed with white lace, grey’ skirt; Mrs (Dr.) Bedford, soft white China silk blouse, blaek skirt; Mrs E. T. Hart, Tussore silk gown, with clusters of pale pink roses; Mrs Crawshaw, black skirt, yellow silk crepon blouse; Mrs Gus. Collins looked graceful in a handsome black velvet evening gown: Miss Aubin, wine-coloured gown, with yoke and trimmings of cream; Miss Oldham, pretty pale pink silk evening blouse, white fiehu of soft laee. dark skirt; Miss Frances George, ivory silk blouse, trimmed with posies of violets, dark skirt; Miss Lena Owen looked very winsome in a dainty white satin evening blouse, with rucked sleeves, dark skirt; Miss Parkes (Wan-

ganui), dark skirt, cream blouse; Miss Leighton, green silk, covered with striped grass lawn, ribbons to match; Miss Eva Leighton, effective crimson silk blouse, trimmed with cream lace, dark skirt; Miss May Whitelaw, Nil green silk blouse, with lace, dark skirt; Miss Colley, black velvet gown; Afiss Ward looked charming in blue silk blouse, with white lace, dark skirt; Miss Margaret Peacock wore a lovely silk crepon evening blouse of a pale pink tone, dark skirt: Miss Kennedy, white China silk gown; Messrs H. Baker, Owen, Leighton, Hart, Peacock, Hood, H. Wilson-Smith, N, George. J.R. Hanna, Meara, G. Collins, Allen, Aitken, Jackson Palmer, James, LeQuesne, Masefield, Edwards, Dr. Aubin, Dr. Parkes, ete. We are looking forward to the first Ponsonby 'At Home,’ which takes place on Friday. The opening of the ‘GLENSIDE CLUB,’ held at Mrs Young's residence, Lower Symond-street, last Friday evening, was a very pleasant affair. Dancing was the form of amusement indulged in on this occasion, and the rooms were well filled with members and friends.

PHYLLIS BROUN.