AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XX, 20 May 1899, Page 692

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, Auckland, May 16. Winter weather and winter festivities have come in together this week with a vengeance. I do not think I ever remember colder weather in Auckland than that we experienced on Friday last. The wind was quite Antarctic in its severity. The event of the week was of course the

ST. GEORGE’S ROWING CLUB BALL, which has long established itself as one of the most important functions of the year from a social point of view.

A sort of fate appears to follow the club in the matter of bad weather. Year after year the night chosen for the dance has been wet and stormy, and though it was brilliantly clear and fine on Thursday afternoon, the clouds banked up about sundown, and before eight rain was falling in torrents, and a fierce gale was raging. Luckily, however, the St. George’s Rowing Club ball has other traditions which are carried out with the same fidelity. And two of these are brilliance and success. The dance this year though less numerously attended than on some former occasions was full up to the usual high standard so far as enjoyment was concerned. The Choral Hall was most effectively decorated, rowing sculls and the colours of the club being of course prominently displayed. The floor was better than I ever remember it, and the music being in Burke’s hands was naturally perfect. The supper was supplied by Mr Stillwell, and met with generous appreciation, while the general arrangements of Mr F. E. N. Crombie, hon. secretary, were in every way admirable.

Dancing began at nine, and was continued into the ‘wee sma’ hours.’ The dresses were by no means up to the usual standard. Presumably people are saving their ‘best bib and tucker’ for the Government House dance.

Mrs Thorne George, handsome black satin gown, low corsage, finished with loose folds of sequin net; Miss Thorne George, black satin gown, Victoria bodice, caught with jet passementerie straps over shoulders, rouleaux of emerald velvet round edge of bodice, green velvet bow and aigrette in her hair; Mrs Rathbone, black gown, transparent long sleeves of black Spanish lace, white ostrich tip in her coiffure; Mrs W. R. Holmes, black satin, trimmed with steel passementerie, short sleeves, caught with steel buckles, and showing top part of arms; Mrs Blair wore an effective white satin bodice, veiled with accor-deon-pleated chiffon, long sleeves, composed of folds of satin, black satin skirt; Miss Hull: Mrs Upfil, peach blossom pink floral silk trained gown, white lace arranged on bodice, and lace elbow sleeves, emerald velvet bow in coiffure; Miss Lusk looked pretty in black and primrose bodice, veiled with black net, studded with gold sequins, long sleeves surmounted with primrose silk puffs; Mrs Tewsley looked exceedingly well in a handsome white satin gown, with pearl garnitures on front of skirt, low corsage. and frills on long lace sleeves, edged with tulle ruching; Mrs Preston Stevenson, rich black satin gown, with cluster of red flowers on square corsage and on her coiffure; Miss Percival, cream silk under white and gold striped gauze, pink silk rosettes and waistband; Miss Ethel Percival looked charming in white silk, with spray of pansies on corsage ; Miss Dineen was pretty in mandarine yellow satin en traine; Miss Wilson (debutante) wore a very dainty white

tinselled gauze over white silk, with several rows of gathered ribbon on the hem of skirt; Mrs Hewitt (nee Miss Hooper) was gowned in white satin, low corsage, finished with white feather trimming; Miss Hooper, coquelicot red crepe, spray of tea roses nestled in their own foliage on left shoulder; Mrs Goodwin, black; Miss Winnie Goodwin’s black velvet gown suited the fair wearer exceedingly well; Miss Aynesley, white Indian embroidered silk gown, white Maltese lace deftly arranged, and turquoise blue velvet folds on bodice; Miss Leece was much admired in a pale yellow figured silk; Mrs Maurice Purchas, black moire trained gown, low corsage, and sleeves trimmed with cream silk lace; Mrs Nicoll, cream corded silk; Miss Howard, cream silk; Mrs Lyons looked very graceful in an English gown of yellow broche, en traine; Miss Aubrey wore a combination of pink and Nil green, with posies of violets; Miss Andrews; Miss Churton, red silk skirt, with two black silk frills on hem, velvet bodice; Miss Mabel Churton looked pretty in accordeon-pleated chiffon Victorian bodice, with shoulder straps, black satin skirt, with long stoles of blue chiffon; Mrs R. Dargaville, heliotrope gown; Mrs Neill, black satin gown, Limerick lace berthe; Miss Laird, black satin, white vest under black tulle, clusters of Czar blue flowers on corsage; Miss Caldwell, white silk, handsome pearl garniture on bodice; Miss Muriel George, white satin bodice, veiled with chenille spotted tulle, sprays of yellow flowers; Mrs Roach, pink moire trained gown, front of skirt veiled with stripe mousseline de soie, edged with pink ostrich feather trimming; Miss Harrop; Miss E. Ireland was distinguee in white satin, pale green and white broad stripe bodice, spray of red roses on left shoulder and in her hair; Miss Cuff; Miss Kempthorne looked well in electric blue satin, trimmed with white lace; Miss Daws, handsome orange broche satin, trimmed with black velvet ribbon, with gold beads and black lace; Miss Steel (debutante) looked charming in white silk; Miss Holland, yellow figured silk, bodice adorned with white lace; Miss Wynyard; Miss Gorrie, yellow broche; Miss H. Brigham, blue broche, adorned with blue spotted net and steel passementerie; Miss Kennedy, pink lustre and pink chiffon; Mrs Waddy; Miss Rees George, primrose silk, bodice inserted with white chiffon puffings ; Miss Goldsbro’, yellow silk, shirred white chiffon revers; Mrs Sowerby, heliotrope accordeon - pleated chiffon over satin; Miss Whyte; Miss Jagger, white spotted net over white silk; Miss Choyce, white satin; Miss Walker (Thames) wore an effective mandarin yellow silk gown; Miss McConnel; Mrs Kronfeldt wore a combination of black and yellow; her friend wore white; Miss Ethel Atkinson, rich Nil green satin; Miss Preece, pink chine silk, trimmed with pink chiffon; Miss F. Preece, blue; Miss Young; Mrs McCallum, white broche, fold of pink tulle on low corsage; Mrs Williams, grey broche; Miss Pickmere, white; Miss Williams, white satin; Miss Gee; Miss Thomas, emerald green silk, trimmed with narrow white satin ribbon; Miss Dargaville, Nil green satin, white chiffon puffs round bodice, pink roses in her coiffure; Miss Gertrude Buddle wore a handsome black satin gown, elbow sleeves of black jet; Mrs Bleazard Brown, black silk; Miss Bleazard Brown, cream Indian silk, spray on corsage and wreath round hair of white marguerites; Miss Gilfillan, black, with touches of red ; Miss Morrow, white silk and blue chiffon; Miss Meta Aiken, white silk and lace; Miss Otway, soft white gauze; Miss Martin; Miss Caro looked very prettv in white silk, with tulle ruches; Mi ss Whitely, white figured silk; one lady, whom I did not know, wore black broche, with three rows of pink ribbon under black lace on skirt, and caught in front with roses, bodice finished with rose pink velvet bows and roses. Drs. Williams, Neill, Purchas. Messrs Thorne George, Holmes. Upfil, Rathbone, Carter, Thomson, Tewsley. Holland (2), Wilson-Smith, Crombie, C. Leys, Hewitt, Vaile, James, Peacock, J. Whitelaw, Johnston, Abbot, Williams, Purchas, Nicol, Cheeseman, Caldwell, Brigham, Wylde-Blood, Bagnall. McCallum, Choyce, Keesing, Roach. Lyons, Goldsbro'. Waddy, Foster, Jourdain, Craig, Ratjen. Davies, Grierson, Cuff. McNeill, Airey. Anderson, Atkinson, A.fnsley, Blanford, Brodie, Buchanan, Busby, Gordon.

The opening meet of the Pakuranga Hunt Club took place on Saturday last at ‘Dunkerron,’ the residence of our new master, Mr H. Gorrie, Onehunga, who with the able assistance of his wife and daughters entertained the members of tlhe club and their friends. There was a very large attendance —about two hundred. The wide and lengthy verandah and dining room were arranged with tables, which were literally weighed down with substantial fhings, such as turkey, ham, etc., and flanked with the choicest of wines. Afternoon tea was provided for the ladies during the latter part of the day. The table decorations were very pretty, consisting of vases of scarlet flowers. Mrs Gorrie and her two daughters, Misses Blanche and Nora, received flheir numerous guests on the steps of the verandah (the last mentioned is prettily' covered in with clematis), making everybody welcome. Mrs Gorrie wore a very handsome black costume relieved with white; Misses Gorrie, neat fitting riding costumes. After luncheon was partaken of the guests assembled on the lawn at the side of t'he house to have a photograph taken. The group consisted of huntsmen, hounds, followers, and guests. Another photo was taken of huntsmen, hounds and followers in the neighbouring paddock, Mr Conolly’s, at the back of our master’s residence, and only those who negotiated t'he stone wall into this field were portrayed. They picturesquely took up their stand on a stony knoll. Amongst those present at the hunt T noted were: Mrs Worsp looked well in a violet costume; Miss Worsp, navy tailor made serge, sailor hat; Miss Daisy Worsp, green cloth made with Russian blouse, and heavily trimmed with black military braiding; Miss Blanche Worsp, grey and white check; Mrs Thomas Morrin, greycoat and skirt, striking royal blue hat with cornflowers; Mrs (Colonel) Dawson, navy serge, red tie. sailor hat; Mrs Thorne George, striking combination of black and white, bonnet to correspond; Miss Thorne George, green costume, violet velvet toque with fox fur band; Misses Churton (2), navy serges; Mrs Blair, black gown, striking- coquelicot red chip hat, with crinkley chiffon ruchings and trimmings; Mrs Duthie, navy; Miss Esine Elliot, violet serge, with black military braid, black hat with black ostrich feathers; Miss Wilkins, green tailor made gown; Mr and Mrs A. P. Wilson, Colonel Shepherd, Miss Shepherd, Mrs James Russell, Misses Russell (2), Mrs Robert Rose, Miss Williamson, Mrs Ranson, Mr and Mrs Aicken Carrick, Mrs (Dr.) Scott, Mrs H. Noakes, Miss Noakes, Mr and Mrs H. Nolan, Mr and Mrs H. Tonks, Mr and Mrs A, Hanna, Mrs Robert Browning. Mr and Mrs Alfred Buckland. Misses Buckland, Mrs Alfred Buckland (jun.), Mrs Arch. Denny, Mr and Mrs T. L. Murray, Mrs (Dr.) King, Miss Cooper, Miss Morrow, Mr and Mrs H. C. N. Tanner. Mrs and Miss Bull. Mr and Mrs Stribley, Mr Dibble. Mr Gilruflh, Mrs Charles Haines. Mr Roberts and Misses Roberts, Mrs Markham, Miss Firth. Mrs Ashton Bruce. Mr Bruce, Mrs Beatty, Mrs McGregor Hay, Miss Hay, Mr and Mrs Con Taylor, Miss Carter. Mr and Mrs Hutchison. Mr and Mrs Upton, Mr and Mrs William Gorrie, and Misses Gorrie, Mrs and Miss Townsend, Mr Noakes, Misses Dargaville (2), Miss Dorothy- Ware. Mr Drower, Mr W. McLaughlin, Misses Peaeoeke (2), Mrs Gillies. Mrs Kerr-Taylor, Mrs Walker (England). Mr and Mrs Cato. Miss Flora Thorpe. Miss Ethel Percival, Mr and Mrs Arch. Clark, Mrs E. W. Payton, Hon. G. McLean. Miss Percival, Mrs Horton. Mr Claud Purchas, Miss Mildred Purchas, Miss Percival. Misses Buckland. Mounted on steeds were Mr H. Gorrie (our Master) on Jimmy. Air Selby (our huntsman) on Defamer, Mrs Willie Bloomfield (Blue Peter), Miss Dunnett (Jim), Mi ss Morrin (Blutcher), her sister on a chestnut pony, Miss Gorrie a bay. and her sister on a- chestnut pony. Miss Burns on a bay. Miss Kerr-Taylor (Nimrod), Miss Stribley (Awa.tuna), Miss Edith Percival (Whitey), Miss Roberts (Molly Hawke. Miss Amy- Tavlor (Tim). Mr Kerr-Taylor (Woodbine). Miss Tanner was mounted on Kia Ora, but soon changed back to Ascot. Mr McLaughlin (Dad), Mr Gordon (Crusade). Mr R. P. Kinloch (cob), and brother on Farrier, Mr Walker (Butcher Boy), Mr Carminer (Tngorangi). Mr Harrison (Tnoni). Colonel Dawson (Tke). Mr Bloomfield (M’Liss), Messrs Mark-

ham, Lewis, Miss Martin, Miss Ware, Mr Moody (Oeeolo), Mrs Moody, Mr Isaacs, Mr J. Martin, Mr Elliot. Mr S. Buckland, Miss Olive Buckland, Mr Burns, Mr Ralph. Mr Wvnyard, Mr Johnson (H.M.S. Mildura),’ Mr Greenwood, Mr Ivan Creagh. Mr Taylor, Mr Hyde. Mr Crowe and daughter, Mr Rae and daughter, Mr Gilbert. The day was fine, but bitterly cold. IVhen a start at last was made, we drew through Mr Conolly’s scoria fields, -with two or three walls to negotiate, across the double in Three Kings road into the Mission property, around Three Kings, through Mr Ash’s property, but no find but stone-wall obstacles, which were levelled in a short time by this huge cavalcade of followers, which numbered, I believe, about a hundred, so that it was said that a vehicle with a pair of horses could have followed with ease. We continued to draw- across Mt. Roskill road into Mr H. Taylor’s property. Here we were rewarded, for several hares were on foot in the gorse, but owing to the great crowd were unable to break cover. One at length got away- and ran across the Mt. Albert and Onehunga road into Mr Moody’s farm, where puss doubled and returned across the road, and was lost in Mr Billington’s paddock. We then made a move to Mr Moody’s farm, the hounds being thrown off in the swamp, where they chopped a hare, and, as it was getting late and intensely cold, we turned for home. During the run M’Liss see-sawed on a wall, which amusement carried away the knee-cap of the rider’s snow-white immaculate corduroys, which misfortune the rider seemed rather proud of, for he went round displaying the vacuum to his lady friends. Another rider rode his steed into a vehicle, and. consequently, the horse’s stifle was put out. Mr Charlie Gordon was quite the cynosure of every eye, wearing a Lincoln green hunting suit with gold buttons, and quite the approved style of hunting tile. DANCE. An exceedingly enjoyable little dance was given on Tuesday evening of last week at ‘Australbion,’ Ponsonby, by Misses Sylvia and Maud Hudson. The house is one admirably adapted for entertaining, and the unpleasant state of the weather told very little against the success of the party, for the capacious verandahs on all sides of the house were so carefully closed in as to preclude a suggestion of the bleak showers outside penetrating to those enjoying themselves within. The efforts of the young hostesses for the amusement of their guests were ably seconded by Mrs and Misses Mabel and Fanny Hudson. Dancing was kept u>p with unflagging vigour till midnight, when everyone dispersed, after thoroughly enjoying themselves, and, it is to be presumed, in most cases with their store of pleasant recollections largely augmented. On the Wednesday night Miss Hermie Hudson celebrated her birthday by giving a children’s party, when the mirth and enjoyment of the previous evening were revived in a thoroughly lieary manner. I am obliged to the correspondent who sends me the following account of the annual sports in connection with the WAINGARO, WAIMAT, AND PEPEPE POLO CLUB. which took place on April 25th at Waingaro, and resulted in a most enjoyable day, the weather being very satisfaetory. Among the ladies whom I noticed present were:—Mrs Picken, who wore a white dress, and pink front; Mrs C. C. McMillan (Dunmore), dark green dress; the Misses McMillan, pretty light blouses and dark skirts; Mrs Godsell (Cashels), mourning costume; Mrs W. J. Hunter (Ohaupo) looked well in lavender colour lustre; Misses Stevenson, one in a blue blouse, the other in pink, and dark skirts; Miss Alice Eyre looked very neat in a beautiful navy blue riding habit; Misses Upton and Hardy looked very stylish in black riding habits; and most of the following ladies wore pretty light blouses and riding skirts:—Misses Allen, Boland. Carey. Cogswell, and Wilson. There were also numerous other ladies whose names T do not remember. They were mostly dressed in summer costumes. Great credit is due to the ladies who provided the luncheon and tea; both were much appreciated: no one could wish to see a prettier sight than when immediately the last race was over and it.

was growing dusk eighty or one hundred people on horse back, several buggies, and even a bicycle, returned home in the beautiful moonlight after spending a very cheerfid day. During the last seven or eight years there have been wonderful changes in the Raglan county. When the land was first thrown open Messrs Wilson. Vernon, and Donney were about the first settlers. Then came the late Mr John Godsell, formerly of the South Island, who was not satisfied with the land the Government had thrown open, and got a large extra area of land gazetted. It was then that the boom really commenced, and the country right through from Ngaruawahia to Tuakau was settled principally by moneyed people, some of whom had many losses and hardships at first. But notwithstanding that, they are nowadays all able to leave their homes to spend an enjoyable day such as that described.