AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XV, 11 October 1902, Page 941

AUCKLAND.

Bear Bee, October 7. It is a long time since we have experienced anything- but this dull, dismal, hopeless weather, and on Saturday last therg was no exception to tbe rule, when the Pakuranga Hunt Club held their hunt sports at Alexandra Park. These sports were postponed on two prior occasions on account of the weather, Matters, viewed from a meteorological standpoint, on Saturday morning did not look at all promising-, and as the morning wore predictions were offered by same of the weather-wise folks that rain was imminent. The predictions were fulfilled in the afternoon, and. though at no time was there a heavy downfall, the showers that feli had the effect of throwing a damper on the scene. One cannot fail to be impressed with the - picturestpteness of Alexandra Park. The vivid green of the grass, the volcanic mounts rising like painted domes against the background of rain clouds, the wealth of foliage at the base of these old craters, goes to make a. prettier picture than one sees from most city sporting grounds. The races, of course, were interesting. as all horses were ridden by amateurs. and their exhibition of riding in many instances was very good. The jostling, bumping and crossing was very funny (this. I believe, would not hare been allowed amongst professionals); but. of course, on Saturday it.was not dqpe intentionally, but only showed the inexperience of our riders in racing matters. We admired very mueh the. gentlemen who had the pluck to ride their own horses, instead, as in many instances was the case, of allowing inferior riders to mount their hunters. Amongst the ladies present were Mrs O'Rorke, absinthe green costume with tuckings. dark green mackintosh, fawn straw hat with pink flowers and guipure lace: Mrs MeCosh Clark, black skirt with hands of blaek silk, sealskin jacket, black toque; Miss MeCosh Clark, navy skirt and bolero, faced with white, white vest, black hat with violets, white veil: her sister, blaek coat and skirt, cream lace vest and collarette, cream straw hat. trimmed with shaded pink flowers: Miss Torrance, steel grey earners hair cos-

tume, navy felt hat with navy velvet: Miss Pereival. navy natt? serge, fawn jacket, black hat with red flowers; Mrs Holgate, long fawn cloak, brown hat with ostrich feathers; Miss Simpson, nary skirt, fawn jacket, hat with

pink; her friend wore dark skirt, fawn jacket, sailor hat; Mrs Elliot, shade of navy coat and skirt, bound with cornflower blue ribbons; Mrs Cussens. black skirt, bright Coronation red jacket, black hat; Miss Deuaiston, brown tailor-made gnwn. white vest, cream hat with flowers; Miss Read, very handsome black gown, black toque with white aigrette; Mrs Louis Myers, black silk, ntauve velvet bonnet; Mrs Leo Myers, black cosiume, relieved with white, white hat with violets; Miss Myers, black costume, black hat; Miss Cotter. dark skirt, fawn jacket, black hat; Miss \V. Colter, black skirt, grey jacket, white hat, trimmed with black; Miss Stevenson, navy serge gown, navy hat; Miss D. Stevenson, block skirt, fawn iacket, black hat; Miss Ware, navy Irnlero and skirt, white vest, black hat: Miss Crowther, black skirt, fawn jacket, sailor hat: Miss N. Crowther, white serge with black braid, nsvy jacket, blaek flop hat; Miss McLaughlin, navy skirt, fawn jacket, black hat: Miss I’eacocke, navy skirt, fawn jacket, cornflower blue felt touue: Miss Aicken. navy gown, royal blue cloak, black hat; Mrs H. Thompson, rich blaek silk; Miss Thom:>son. periwinkle blue bolero and skirt, white vest, black hat; Miss Noakes, black skirt, fawn jacket, black hat; Miss Dunnett, dark green costume, trimmed with canary, cream toque with white flowers; Miss Selby, blaek: Miss Rae, navy gown, sailor hat; Mrs Moody, navy gown, sailor hat; Mrs Wynyard. violet skirt, fawn jacket, black hat with red flowers; Misses Kinloch (3), fawn cloaks; Mrs Crowe, blacK skirt, fawn jacket, bat with pink: Mrs Rawson, riding habit; Miss Baker, violet skirt, fawn jacket, felt hat with violet velvet; Miss Gray, navy serge, hat with red; her sister, black gown, green cape, sailor hat: Miss Gorrie. green cloak, sailor hart. Miss G. Gorrie, navy gown, sailor hat; Mrs Pittar, black skirt, fawn three-quarter length eoat. hat. with pink flowers; Scott, grey cloak, black bat; Miss Waylans. bluey-grev coat and skirt, white hat wit-h royal bine ribbons; Miss Harris. black gown, sailor bat: Miss Roberts, blaek skirt, fawn jacket, pink hat; Miss O. Buekland, blaek skirt, grey cheek blouse, sailor hat; Mrs Clayton, navy serge, black toque; Miss Marienne Tavlor, red cashmere with scalloped blaek velvet flounce on edge of skirt, sailor hat; Mrs. Mair, black skirt, fawn jacket, white bat; Mrs Hamley. brown skirt with tends of velvet, fawn jacket, brown tcqne with green; Mrs Bell, blaek skirt, fawn jacket, black toque.

My Hamilton correspondent writes: —Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Cox. of Shaftsbury, gave a most delightful dAnce on Thursday evening. The. house is an ideal one, and the decorations were perfect. The ballroom and hall were most artistic with nikau ferns, which made one fee! eool to look at. The floor and music were perfect, and last but not least, the sunner was all that eould oe desired. The dance was considered by those present to be the jolliest- of the. season. Among the costumes worfi 1 noticed our hostess looking very charming in black brocade w-it-h draping of Maltese lace and red roses on corsage; Mrs. Gage Brown, black and pink: Mrs. Pilling, pretty black net; Miss Walker (Thames), black lace and blue choti on shoulder; Miss Amy Walker, pink silk: Miss C. Wallnutt. white lustre, with satin bands on bodice, black birds on corsage; Miss Simson. handsome yellow chiffon gown with steel nassententcrie: Miss Willis (Cambridge), pretty blaek and pink gown. Among the gentlemen were Messrs. Cox. Thomson, Turnbull. H. Simson, Hemphill. Ynderson. Walker, and ethers. My Cambridge correspondent writes: There has teen very little going on to write about the last week or two, the weather has been so very stormy. The new- golf club seems to be flourishing, every week new members are joining, and the two or three lovely days at the beginning of the week wire made the most of by the golfers both mornings and afternoons, one party took their lunch and spent the day there. It is a very lovely spot they have chosen for the link®, close to the banks of the Waikato River. I hear the ladv hockcv plav -r- > •-

contemplating closing their season ■with a ball. About twenty of those interested in forming a dramatic club here met on Monday evening, and a very strong club was formed, so we shall look forward to having some good pieces staged. The Choral Society held their first practice on Monday evening of Cowen’s “Kose Maiden,” which went very well indeed, considering it was quite new to most of the performers. The opening of the polo took place to-day, and had the day been fine there would have been a very large gathering, but as it turned out such a wet afternoon the attendance was small. Mrs Taylor, the president’s wife, gave the afternoon tea. Mrs Cave and family leave here on Tuesday next for Papakura. They ■will be greatly missed, especially amongst musical circles, where they have always been most willing to give their help.

PHYLLIS BROUN.