AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XVIII, 6 May 1899, Page 615

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, May 1. The Pakuranga Hounds are having a few preliminary hunts before the opening day, which takes place on Saturday, May 13th, at the residence of our new Master, Mr H. Gorrie, of Onehunga, whose popularity in the hunting-field has long been known, and who for many years past has successfully undertaken the responsible position of hon. treasurer. Last Saturday the meet was at Mangere Pound, and punctually to a minute up trotted our huntsman, Mr Selby, on his compact chestnut Albion, accompanied by his son as whip, both dressed in their ample scarlet coats, black velvet caps, etc., and surrounded by the hounds, who seemed eager to commence operations. The huntsman has very little trouble in keeping the hounds in order. He knows his hounds and they know him, and at a word they obey him. The hounds were thrown off in Mr Hen wood’s property, ‘lhumata,’ three miles distant from the rendezvous. The day was rather too bright perhaps for the seent to lie well, but this was the better opportunity for seeing the hounds work, which they did most admirably without any assistance, and as most of the horses and

riders are not yet ip. fit condition to follow the hounds, the rjde.rs ’Were comforted by the assurance that a hare is sure to run in a ring. The first puss was chopped. The second, a stout hare, gave an opportunity of seeing and admiringthe qualitiesof the pack. There was very little jumping, pussie ran in a ring and then took a bee-line for some property where the Pakuranga Hounds were prohibited, so they had to be whipped off. The jumping mainly consisted of gorse hedges, which a few of the foremost riders on their heavy-weight horses levelled, to the satisfaction of the prudent and unplucky followers. There were about fifty mounted present, who came from every point of the compass, ambling, cantering, trotting, galloping on hacks and hunters. Amongst them I noticed. Mr Gorrie. our Master, on ‘Jimmy,’ accompanied by his two daughters; Miss Dunnett (whom we are glad to see again as a faithful follower of the hounds), was mounted on her new charger ‘Jim’; Mr P. Kinloch, our Secretary, on his cob, and his brother on ‘Farrier’; Miss Phoebie Buckland, ‘Popgun,’ and her sister on her cob; Miss Stribley, ‘Awatuna.’ Miss Tanner, ‘Ascot,’ Mr Bloomfield, ‘M’Liss.’ Mr Ivan Creagh, ‘Vic.’ Mr Caminer, ‘lngorangi,’ Mr Walker, ‘Butcher Boy,’ Misses Morrin. Miss Olive Buckland, Miss Martin, Messrs Gordon, S. Buckland, Isaac Creagh, C. Purchas, Bavenej', Markham, Moody, Thomas Morrin, Henwood, etc. Driving were Mrs and Miss Gorrie, Mr Ferguson and Miss Burns, etc. Misses Percival gave a large Progressive Euchre Party last Thursday evening at their residence. ‘Stibbington.’ Onehunga. The supper was a very recherche affair, chickens, ham. etc., and all sorts of good things, flanked with excellent wine. Mrs Robert Rose, of Remuera, Auckland, gives a large ‘At Home’ on Wednesday evening. 10th May. Mrs T. Peacock gave a large afternoon tea on Thursday, May 4th. at her residence, ‘Fairview,’ Ponsonby. My- Paeroa correspondent, Doris,

writes under date April 29: —Mrs McAndrew gave a delightful little dance at her residence last week in honour of Mr and Mrs Ruddock, of Tasmania. Mr and Mrs McAndrew are an ideal host and hostess, sparing no pains for the enjoyment of their guests. Both the balcony and verandah were closed in and lit with strings of Chinese lanterns. Two rooms were devoted to cards for those who did not come to dance. Dancing was kept up merrily until an early hour; the floor was good, and the supper most recherche. Mrs McAndrew wore a handsome black satin; Mrs Ruddock, rich black silk; Miss McAndrew, yellow silk; Miss E. McAndrew, white muslin; Mrs Forster, black cashmere; Mrs Coek, black; Miss Hackett, green; Miss Wick, pale pink blouse veiled with cream chiffon; Miss Nicks, pale green silk; Mrs Wick, black and white check silk blouse, yoke of cream satin veiled with cream guipure lace; Mrs Porritt, cream satin, green satin sleeves; Miss Orr, pink nun’s veiling; Mrs Brunskill, pink silk blouse, white satin skirt; Miss Shaw, black; Miss Forster, black velvet, white lace bertha; Miss Jeannie Forster, cream silk; Mrs Poland, black silk; Miss Alice Cock, white; Miss Moore (Waihi), lovely green satin; Mrs Bastings, black velvet bodice cut square, corded black silk skirt; Mrs Crosby, black brocade; Mrs Ik McAndrew, cream isilk. Amongst the gentlemen were: — Messrs McAndrew, Buddock, Crosby, Bastings, Brodie, Cock, Mueller, Mac-, kay. Wick, Carpenter. McArthur (2), Hubbard, MeVeagh, Davidson, Poland, Sommerville, Capt. Forster, etc., etc. The first of the series of ‘At Homes’ took place last Friday evening in the Criterion Theatre. It was a most successful affair, the floor, music (Booth’s band), supper, and management being excellent. Mrs Porritt wore pink broclie satin: her sister, Miss Patterson (Wellington), white; Miss Amy Walker (Thames), ecru satin; Miss Edie Walker, shot silk blouse, white pique skirt; Miss Loyd, crimson blouse, black skirt; Mrs Haszard. canary silk lustre; Mrs Forbes, pink

Indian silk relieved with black; Mrs Brunskill, white satin; Mrs Lawler, pink surah silk; Miss Wight, blue striped satin, handsome pearl trimming; Miss Gibbons, cream cashmere; Miss A. Gibbons, cream fancy material; Miss Anderson, black velvet; Miss Orr, rich yellow satin, the skirt being trimmed with true lovers’ knots; Miss Forster, white silk, the corsage being trimmed with white ostrich feathers; Miss Jeannie Forster, apple green nun’s veiling; Miss Elliot, white and blue; Miss McLoghrey, white muslin; Messrs Johnstone, Haszard (2), Wrigley, MeVeagh, Davidson, Anderson, Bush, Jackson, Pratt, Malfroy, Wooley, Connolly, Dr. Porter, etc., etc. Last Friday Miss Harding gave a delightful little concert for her pupils and their friends in St. Paul’s schoolroom. The room was tastefully decorated with flowers, and comfortable chairs were placed round little tables on which sweets had been placed to add to the enjoyment of the visitors. The programme was a somewhat lengthy one, but most of the pupils exhibited great skill in their performances. The best item, I think, was a violin solo, Wieniawski’s ‘Reverie,’ by Miss Annie Carrigan. Miss May Abbott, a promising young violinist, played Vieuxtemp’s ‘Yankee Doodle’ in splendid style, and ‘Alice, Where Art Thou,’ played by little Miss Ella Binsted was delightful. Other items on the programme worthy of mention were a song, ‘Fiona,’ sung by Miss MacKenzie, and an orchestral selection by the Misses and Messrs Carrigan. Amongst the audience were: — Mrs Harding, Mrs Beehan, Mrs Binsted, Miss M. Whitelaw, Canon Nelson, and others.

PHYLLIS BROUN.