AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XVI, 14 October 1899, Page 690

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, October 10. Mrs Angus Gordon gave a very large AFTERNOON TEA on Thursday last at her pretty residence in Epsoni, as a farewell to her sister-in-law, Miss Helen Gordon, of Campbell Terrace, Parnell, who, with her mother and youngest brother,

leave Auckland on Tuesday next to reside in Dunedin. Mr Gordon is studying to be a medical doctor, and at Dunedin he will have every advantage of gratifying his choice of profession, so his mother and sister have decided to make Dunedin their home. Mrs Angus Gordon and her cousin. Miss Whitney, did all in their power to promote the pleasure of the tmany guests. Our hostess’ eldest boy waited on the guests, and carried around the tray with charming alacrity, while the youngest baby boy toddled in and out amongst the guests, entertaining them with his pretty little manners. He was always in the centre of an admiring group. The tea tables were decorated with great taste, showing the hand of an artist, being draped with lilac art muslin and relieved with vases of may, large white love roses, violets, cowslips, lavender-honesty and a pretty creeper with small purple flow’er. These pretty decorations were surrounded with every variety of dainty cakes and sweets. The mantelpiece was smartly decorated with pink azaleas. Mrs Angus Gordon, fawn costume trimmed with brown velvet; Mrs Gordon, black silk, blaek bonnet relieved with violets; Miss Helen Gordon, beige lustre with silver design, with slashings of blue silk and lace, brown velvet toque with flowers; Miss Whitney, dark skirt, white cambric blouse, pink ribbon bow at neck; Miss Smith, green grey lustre edged with silk of same hue; Miss Salmon, royal blue corduroy serge tailor-made, azure blue mushroom straw hat with feathers and silk trimming; Miss Otway, navy serge; Miss Little, navy; Miss Thorpe, navy tailor-made gown, white sailor hat; Miss Kempthorne, buis tailor-made gown, white lace bow at neck, sailor hat; Miss Devereux, very handsome blue serge, stylishly braided in black, white lace vest, toque to correspond; Miss Binks, black costume relieved with white, black hat with yellow silk; Miss Al. Devereux, green trimmed with black braid, hat en suite; Miss Nichol, dark skirt, galois grey cashmere blouse striped with black velvet, large black hat with ostrich feathers; Miss White, dark green tailor-made gown, white sailor hat; Miss White (Parnell), pine green costume with gold buttons, blaek hat; Miss Peacocke, brown, and her sister wore a bluey grey costume; Miss Kissling, green, and her sister navy blue; Miss Flora McDonald, dark skirt, shot blouse, hat with yellow ribbons; Miss Cheeseman, black costume, grey jacket; Miss O’Neil, black cashmere, white vest veiled in black lace; Miss Ware, brown coat and skirt faced with red; Misses Kerr Taylor (2), dark skirts, royal blue blouses relieved with white braid; Miss Withers, dark skirt, grey check blouse, black hat; Miss Moss, dark skirt, shot silk blouse, and her sister wore a combination of fawn and brown corduroy velvet; Miss AfacAudrew, black lustrine, sailor hat, and her sister wore black cashmere trimmed with velvet, toque with violets; Miss Mulvaney, navy blue; Miss Prideaux, fawn tweed, felt deer stalkhat; Miss Shepherd, fawn costume, toque of violets; Mademoiselle Bouillon, dark grey tailor-made gown, sailor hat.

Mrs Bujl, whose beautiful residence at Mount Eden has been the scene of so many hospitable festivities, gave a large and enjoyable dance last Thursday in honour of the marriage of her daughter to Mr “Clem” Lawford, the wedding taking place on the following Saturday, morning. Needless to say the affair passed off with the greatest eclat. The advantages of possessing a special ball room, built and used for dancing alone, are always very obvious at Mrs Bull’s dances. Even at the very best managed functions at residences less fortunately equipped there must always be some evidence of the house being turned upside down for the occasion. Here, everything is precisely as orderly and comfortable as on every day occasions. The supper table was beautifully arranged, and the menu was of the most tempting description. The floor of course was excellent, and the music was by Burke's band. 1 cannot remember half those who were there, but the following are some of those present: — Mrs Bull, handsome black silk, with white chiffon and jet trimmings; Miss Bull, lovely ivory white brocade, very becomingly made; Mrs Noakes, brown velvet trained skirt, bodice of pink glace silk, relieved with lace; Miss Gorrie (debutante), very pretty white dress, trimmed with chiffon and soft lace;} Mrs Shipherd, very handsome white satin, with true lover’s knots in gathered chiffon on skirt nnd bod-

ice; Mrs R. Johnston, white broche, long chiffon sleeves; Mrs Markham, lilac silk, covered with spotted net; Mrs Haines, torquoise blue moire antique skirt, bodice trimmed with lace and pink roses; Mrs George Bloomfield, lovely white satin, with flounces of lace, bodice and apron of spangled net, finished with bands of black velvet and paste buckles;Mrs R. Rose, handsome blaek satin bodice, draped with beautiful lace and finished with red roses; Mrs A. Clarke; Mrs Bleaz-ard-Brown, black silk; Miss BleazardBrown, pretty pink frock; Miss Maclauchlin, cream tucked chiffon over satin, trimmed with rows of yellow bebe ribbon; Miss Nathan, white; Miss E. Elliot, yellow satin, violets on corsage; Miss Daisy Stevenson, white, trimmed with black bebe ribbon; Miss Ina Stevenson looked pretty in pink; Miss Firth, yellow silk, with clusters of Parma violets on the bodice; Miss Brett, white surah, bodice trimmed with lace and small white birds; Miss McMillan, cream silk, with sprigs of pink heath on bodice and in her hair; her sister looked very nice in cerise silk, relieved with black velvet and paste buckles; Miss E. Pierce, cream surah, deep yellow roses on shoulder; Miss Daisy Worsp, cerise surah; Miss Blanche Worsp, white tucked muslin, with insertion and lace, over satin; Miss Noakes, white surah: Miss Ireland, black satin skirt, bodice of eau-de-nil chiffon; Miss Hesketh, cream silk; Mrs Rathbone wore a handsome white brocade; Miss Grace Hesketh, white satin, with blaek velvet and jet trimmings; Miss Minnett, cream silk, finished with black and paste buckles, cluster of natural cream roses; Miss Hardy, white silk, scarlet shoulder straps and dahlias on the bodice; Messrs Purchas, Noakes, Bull (3), Clarke, Rutherford, Heather, Hogg, Lawford, Gillies, Rice, Seavill, Maclauchlin, Brodie, Rathbone, Airey, Pickering, Turrell, Brodie, Nathan, Crombie. Mrs and Miss Osmond’s

PLAIN AND FANCY DRESS BALL took place on Tuesday, October 3rd, in the Ponsonby Hall, and proved as usual a great success. The hall was beautifully adorned with flags, art muslin, Japanese lanterns, umbrellas, fans, etc. The supper table was daintily laid out, decorated with daffodils, lilies, etc. The dancing this year was a special success, and Mrs and Miss Osmond were warmly congratulated on the perfect dancing of the children. Indeed, it was a pretty sjght to see the march led by a little court lady, Miss Hazel Rainey, all in white, assisted by Master Cecil Massey, whose black velvet court dress, with silver buttons, etc., was all that could be desired. They were followed by a dozen little court ladies i_nd gentlemen, ranging from five years old to twelve, beautifully dressed, and followed again by over ninety pupils, dressed in a number of beautiful fancy costumes. The children walked with such perfect grace, their little trains being managed without any trouble. They finished the march and formed quadrille sets the court set of little ones being a marked feature. During the evening several fancy dances were danced, the first being the minuet, all in court costume. It was exceedingly well danced, and the colouring of the dresses was lovely; you could have fancied yourself in a hall in King George’s time, so well was it carried out. The cachucha, and hornpipe in costume were also very well danced. Burke’s band supplied the music, which was perfect. Mrs Osmond wore a becoming dress of black lace, and satin bodice, trimmed with black tinselled gauze, diamond ornaments; Mrs Calder, black silk, with handsome point lace, and diamonds; Mrs Devore, handsome black satin, relieved with white satin and sequined net; Mrs Sholto Douglas, stylish black snt-'n merveilleux dress; Mrs Rainey, brown silk and lace dress; Mrs Johnson, a green broche silk dress, trimmed with black velvet: Mrs Littler, a black brocaded silk dress: Mrs Hanna, hapdsome black silk dress, and dainty evening cape; Mrs Aubin, blaek silk and jet dress; Mrs Duder, a handsome black satin dress, with satin ornaments; Mrs Connolly, black dress; Mrs Rake, becoming grey dress; Mrs Bedford. black lace evening dress; Mrs Boardman, black silk; Mrs Stichbury, black satin dress; Mrs Squirrel), black silk skirt, and flowered silk blouse; Mrs G. Carder, handsome black silk dress; Mrs Massey; Mrs Bell; Mrs Brown; Mrs Wingfield; etc. Miss Osmond wore a beautifully arranged fancy dress called “The Golden Penny " which suited the fair wearer admirably. Miss Hnzel Rainey, a lovely white broche silk and satin court dress; Miss Gay Carlow, a pretty yellow and blue flowered silk court

dress; Miss Gerty Douglas, forget-me-not; Miss Bertha Haszard. a cachucha girl; Miss Ethel Massey, a dainty pink and pale green flowered silk court dress; Miss Ruby Reid, a beautiful yellow and eream satin court dress; Miss Jeannie Hunkin. a dear little eourt lady in cream flowered and blue silk court dress; Miss T. Rainey, a sailor girl; Miss I. Squirrel! looked nice as Federation; Miss A. Aubin, a tambourine girl; Miss E. Carder, Klondyke; Miss M. Oswald, a Spanish dancer; Miss L. Carder looked charming as Springtime in Japan; Miss L. Connolly, Carmen; Miss Wilmette wore a becoming Empire skirt dress; Miss G. Hemming looked sweet in mauve and cream flowered court dress; Miss Rainey, jockey; Miss B. Slator, a charming court lady; Miss A. Massey, a Spanish dancer; Miss E. Rhodes, Ivy; Miss I. Plummer looked well as a court lady; Miss V. Bell, a fairy; Miss G. Ussher looked nice as a shepherdess; Miss Angus wore a pretty pink and green court dress; Miss G. Massey, Nancy Lee; Miss R. Plummer, Neapolitan fishgirl; Miss Reid, a Spanish dancer; Miss Williams; Miss R. Carder, Lilac; Miss L. Bell, Vanity Fair; Miss J. Earle, Cachucha girl; Miss N. Francis, a stately court lady, in a cream and red flowered silk dress; Miss V. Reid, Music; Misses M. Mundy, G. Greenhoug’h, G. Carder, F. Buck, Spanish dancers; Miss A. Forking made a sweet little maiden; Miss V. Francis, Empire skirt dancer. Those in evening dress were—Miss Stichbury, pale cream and yellow silk; Miss Florrie Dixon, cream flowered silk; Miss Katie Devore, pretty pink silk; Miss Connolly, blue satin dress, trimmed with point lace; Miss Nora Hanna, dainty cream embroidered silk dress; Miss A. Gillett, mauve and white striped silk dress: Miss S. Campbell, charming blue frock; Miss M. Oswald, blue silk; Miss H. Johnson, cream flowered silk; Miss Squirrel], pink silk crepon; Miss I. Ussher, blue lustre dress; Miss M. Thompson, green and white silk; Miss McLeod, pretty white dress; Miss Simpson, cream and yellow; Miss Mackenzie, pink with black velvet; and many ofhers. Among the many gentlemen in fancy dress were —Master E. Massey, black velvet and pale blue broche silk court dress, and a little sailor; Master Willie Douglas, gold and crimson court dress, and a little sailor boy; Master G. Devore, red and gold court dress and a sailor; Master Fred Bach, dark and light blue court dress, and a sailor; Master R. Squirrel, handsome gold and satin court dress; Master W. M'-Clure, black velvet and pale yellow eourt dress; Mr D. Ross, Uncle Sam; Mr B. Angus, court gentleman; Mr Trevarthan, a Gondolier; Mr Ross, court gentleman; Air Wingfield, an admiral; Master W. Squirrel!, B. Francis, R. McClure, sailors; Mr Slator, court gentleman of King George’s time; Master Jasper Calder, 19th century evening dress; Master P. Johnson, Eton boy; Master E. Smith, sailor; Mr Rhodes, volunteer; Mr A. Francis, a graduate. Among the gentlemen were — Messrs Gallagher (2), A. Foster, A. Hanna. Connolly (2). H. Sands. B. Gittos, Rainey (21, H. Hemus. Brigham. AL Ferguson, C. Stokes, Ussher, and many ot'hers. PONSONBY “AT HOME." The Ponsonby “At Home” masquerade ball on Friday brought the twenty-sixth season to a successful termination, upholding the admitted reputation of these popular dances for being “well done." No trouble was spared to make this occasion a record; but owing to the heavy rain the attendance was scarcely equal to anticipation. The rain came down persistently, and with such force that it prevented the attendance of many who had been looking forward to the dance. However, those who were courageous enough to face the elements passed a very enjoyable evening. A fair number of ladies wore masks and dominos, and much fun and amusement was caused trying to find out who one’s partner was. Dancing began at eight, and in the middle of the fourth dance the music was stopped, and Mrllanna announced from the stage that everyone must unmask. when many amusing surprises followed the “disclosed situation.” The “At Homes" this rear have been carried out by the following committee: Mr nnd Mrs Devore, Mr ami Mrs J. R. Hanna. Mr nnd Mrs Dufnur. Mr and Mrs Littler, nnd Mr Norman linker (Hon. Secretary). The management are to be congratulated on the success which has attended their indefatigable efforts to promote the harmony of these popular fiances. Among those present were: Mrs Devore, who looked well in black satin, wilh long sleeves and yoke of black net dotted with jet, spray of unmounted red roses

nestling in berthe; Mrs J. U. Hanua, was becomingly gowned in black satin, with a jewelled bolero, and epaulettes edged with pink chiffon ruchiug, pretty pink cape; Mr* Littler wore a black merveilleux, long sleeves of pleated black mousseline de sole, plastron embroidered with silver sequins; Mrs Crawshaw, green and black embossed velvet bodice, apple green glace silk sleeves trimmed with cream insertion, dark green silk skirt; Mrs Oxley, blaek gown, white cape edged with feather trimming; Mrs Parr looked charming in black satin, with slashings of pink silk introduced on corsage, white satin eape with rows of blaek lace insertion; Miss Hanna was pretty in a pink crepe frock, with ivory Plauen laee und red roses on decolletage; Miss Morrin was much admired in a pale yellow gown, a la Grecque; Miss Davy, white silk frock with transparent long sleeves of chiffon, sprays of pink roses on corsage; Miss Thomas was attired in a pretty white crepe de chine, a garniture defined the square decoiletage, long net sleeves; Miss Ethel Atkinson, sea foam blue satin frock, white moire sash; Miss Kennedy, pink silk, white lace fichu caught with red roses; Miss Rees George, daffodil yellow silk, tiny frills across front of corsage; Miss Aubin wore rich watermelon pink glace silk frock; Miss Butters, handsome white broche, with pearl garniture and chiffon on corsage; Miss Caldwell, white silk frock, brightened •with a ceinture of rose pink silk, and pink poppies; Miss Preeee was pretty in a pale yellow frock, with posies of violets on hem of skirt; Miss F. Preece, blue crepe softened with white lace; Miss Florrie Hart, pretty pink satin bodice, while silk skirt; Mrs Sowerby, heliotrope accordion pleated chiffon gown; Miss Cousins, cream striped frock with touches of yellow; Miss Haven, white, silk, with lace flounce on skirt, cluster of red roses on corsage; Miss Hemus, white silk, wreath of pale yellow button roses; Miss Metcalf, very handsome white satin frock with deep flounce with lace insertion; Miss Kaynes, fancy dress costume; Miss C. Bell, white muslin, with several rows of white satin ribbon on skirt; Miss Cook, white silk; Miss Campbell, blue broche, rainbow sequined insertion on square decoiletage; Messrs Hanna, Littler, Parr, Winks, Foster, N. Baker, Palmer. C. Leys. Hemus. Vaile, Ricster, Jourdain, Lunny, Dr. Aubin, etc. THE POINT TO POINT STEEPLECHASE. This steeplechase, which was in connection with the Pakuranga Hunt Club, took place last Saturday, nnd brought to a close a most successful hunting season in Auckland. There were twenty-five entries, and as only six of these were of the gentler sex, the idea of coupling had to be abandoned, which was a great mistake, as the light-weight gentlemen, on their trained light horses, made the pace and won easily without any handicap whatever, so that the majority who rode their heavy hunt horses, which were in hunting fettle, were forced to soak to the rear, or give It up. Only ten of that large field eame into the goal. Where were nil the Pakuranga Hunt Club Indies; were they lacking in pluck? The field of starters: Mrs Kelly on Gay Boy; Miss Stribley, Awatuna; Miss Gorrie, Jimmy; Miss Percival, Taenewaitra; Miss Kerr-Taylor, Nimrod; Miss Abbott, Eric; Mr Bloomfield; M’liss; Mr Moody, Oceola; Mr Kerr-Taylor, Woodbine; Mr IL Kinloch, Farrier; Mr T. V. Morrin, Bona; Mr R. Burns. Jack Squire: Mr L. Taylor. Tim; Mr B. Lewis, Success; Air Caminer, Tngorangi; Afr F.B. Burgess, Bullion: Afr C. Tutt, Ballyhooley; Mr H. C. Tonks, Nap; Afr D. AfcLeod, Kilkern: Mr Somers’ Charcoal, ridden by Afr J. Afartin; Mr Ralph’s Clonnel, ridden by Mr C. D. Walker; Mr Wood, ; Afr Rainger. ; Mr Gorrie, ; Afr —. Gorrie, riding a black pony.

The course, an excellent one of five miles, very stiff, but clean going, was laid by the huntsman, Mr Selby, who did all in his power to make the steeplechase a success. Small flags were adjusted to certain parts, so that the competitors would make no mistake in the course. A start was made in the paddocks at the back of Mr Gorrie’s residence, across the two adjacent paddocks, with wall jumping en galore, the doo’ Io across the Three Kings Road (hero Mr Bloomfield went n crasher), awav through Three Kings Afission property, soother double over a road into Afr Ash's propertv. then out bv the Aft. Roskill Road into the Mt. Albert nnd Onehunr'n Road: here a very stiff fence off this road into Mr Moody*-■: property, whe c ve of the competitors damaged his horse;

next came a dyke with the water beneath swollen with the recent rains, where Gay Boy and his plucky rider, Mrs Kelly, disappeared. J.appdy, the rider escaped with but a soaking, but Gay Boy bud to be hoisted out with ropes, though none the worse for his drenching. Next obstacle was a marshy swamp. Here Jack Squire went a somerset, drenching his rider. Away round Mt. Roskill, plenty of wire obstacles with saplings across, the course ran in a circle back again over the dyke, then across the double in Mr Moody’s avenue into Mr Dibble's property (here Mr Walker got a toss), then taking a semi-circle towards the lowlands, where the going was exceptionally heavy. At a stiff stone wall Mr Moody and Oceola went a somerset, which disabled him for the rest of the run by fracturing his collarbone. The course from here veered towards Mr Dibble’s residence, keeping the house to the left, with two or three good stiff fences to try the mettle of the horses. A very awkward fence on the hill near Mr Dibble’s house, with a bad take-off up a severe incline, and a worse landing, brought Mr L. Taylor, on Tim, an acrobatical circle; another competitor’s steed see-sawed this fence, till some of the onlookers went to his assistance with an axe pnd brought the rails down, which released the steed from its uncomfortable position. Away across the Onehunga Road, a double again to be negotiated, and another double across Three Kings Road, which brought the gallant competitors back again to the paddocks from where the start was made. The first five were: Ist, Mr Walker; 2nd, Mr Tonks; 3rd, Miss Gorrie; 4th, Miss Stribley; sth. Mr William Bloomfield. The rest who came in were Messrs Taylor (Mangere), 11. Kinloch, Tutt, Kerr-Taylor, and Miss Kerr-Taylor.

Miss Percival was thrown out of this steeplechase by an accident to her and her horse during the first part of the run. Never have so many disasters occurred in the records of the hunt.

After this exciting event, Mr Gorrie (the Master) and Mrs Gorrie, with their usual hospitality, entertained the members of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, with their numerous friends, at their pretty residence, which is now a perfect picture, the verandah being covered in with one mass of trailing clematis in full bloom. The tea table decorations were very unique, having tv mirror for centre-piece representing * \ake, and finished with white azaleas ar >1 double white stock.

\mongst the guests I noted: Mr end Mrs J. Ansenne, Miss Burns, Mr B. Burns, Mrs Arthur Bull, Mr and Mrs W. R. Bloomfield, Mrs Geo. Bloomfield Mr and Mrs T. J. Brassey, Mrs Alfred Buckland (sen.), Misses Buckland, Misses Banks (Waikato), Mrs Alfred Buckland (jun.), Mr S. Buckland, Miss Olive Buckland, Mrs McCaw, Miss A. Buddle, Miss Bailey, Miami Mrs Craig, Mrs and Miss Creagh, Mr Ivan Creagh, Miss F. Churton, Mr Iredale, Rev. Mi- Beatty and Mrs Beattv. Mr and Mrs R. A. Carr, Miss Carr, Mr Maitland, Mr and Mrs P. L. Dignan, Miss Davy, Mr and Miss Dunnett, Mrs D. W. Duthie, Miss Maggie McDonald, Mrs J. M. Dargaville, Misses Dargaville, Mr and Mrs Markham, Mrs Ching. Mrs and Miss Thorne George, Mr and Mrs Angus Gordon, Mr and Mrs Garlick. Mr B. Gordon, Mrs Charles Haines. Mr and Mrs Hutchison, Mrsßlack, Mrs Andrew Hanna, Mr and Mrs Chalice, Miss Horton, Mrs Horton, Miss Hull, Miss Aicken, Misses Hay. Mr Hume, Misses Hume .(2), Miss Otway, Mr —. Hume. Mr R.E. Isaacs, Misses Isaacs. Miss Ilbert, Mr Lockhart, Misses Lennox, Mr Wills McLaughlin. Mr and Miss McLaughlin. Mr and Mrs Thomas McLaughlin, Mr Murray, Mr Marshall, Mrs Thomas Morrin, Misses Morrin, Mrs S. Morrin, Mrs and Miss Tilly, Miss Jackson. Mrs Proude, Mr and Mrs B. Noakes, Mr and Miss Nelson, Misses Hesketh (.3), Mr Pickering, Mr C. Purchas, Misses Percival (3), Mrs Fitzro'y Peacocke. Misses Peacocke, Miss Smith. Miss Morton, Mr ami Mrs R. Rose. Mr and Mrs James Russell. Misses Russell. Mrs Bodie. Mr and Mrs 11. Nolan, Mr and Mrs 11. Tonks. Mrs D. Tonks, Mr Drower, Mr and Airs Kelly, Mrs K. N. Russell. Miss Stevenson (Ponsonby), Mr and Mrs Upton, Mr Upton. Mr and Mrs E. C. Smith. Mr and Mrs Alfred Seccoinbe, Miss Tanner. Mrs Tewsley. Mrs KerrTavlor, Misses Kerr-Taylor. Captain and Mrs Worsp, Misses Worsp. Miss Whitaker. Miss Thorpe. Miss Wynynrd. Miss Wallace. Mr W. E. Woodward. Mr Pentland Norton, Mrs R. Browning, Dr. nnd Mrs Bews. Mr Udy, Misses T’dv. Dr. nnd Mrs Erson. Mr Cnminer, Mr C. Bell, Mr T. Beale, Miss

Bush (Thames), Colonel and Mrs Dawson. Mr C. Dawson, Mr Elliot, Miss Shepherd, Mr Aitken-Carrick, Miss Cuff, Miss Roberts, Mr and Miss Suttie, Miss White, Mr and Mrs and Miss Ware, Mrs and Miss Gorrie, Mr Dawson, Messrs Alexander, Mr and Mrs Moody, Mr Woodroffe, Mr J. Willis, Mr A. Willis, Mr Sadgrove, Mr Rhodes, Mr and Mrs Ralph, etc., etc.