AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XXII, 29 November 1902, Page 1388

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, November 25. Was there ever such a triumph in ball giving is that given by Mr and Mrs Paul M. Hansen on Monday, 17th November, to celebrate the inauguration of the Auckland electric tramways at their lovely residence, “Rocklands,” Mount Eden? Echo answers, never. The garden was brilliantly lighted with electric light, which seemed to dim the moon’s soft- beams by its brilliancy. Hunter’s Band was stationed on the lawn and played a welcome to the guests as they arrived, and also played during the intervals of the dances, while a string band took up their position in the ballroom and played the dance music. Mr and Mrs Hansen received their many guests in one of the reception rooms, opening on to the large ballroom. They were, ably' assisted to entertain their numerous guests by .Mrs Segar and the Misses Scherff, who were ali indefatigable in their efforts to promote the pleasure of the guests. The decorations, which were on a lavish scale, were done solely by Miss Scherff, whose skill in this business is well known, and it is hardly’ necessary to say that they presented an elegance of form and a harmony of colour which would havq delighted the eye of an artist; rare flowers, delicate perfumes and subtly’ blended tints were there. Large mirrors round the ball-room, placed at different angles, gave many reflections of this brilliant scene. Light refreshments were served in an anteroom at the end of the corridor. Supper was served in a large marquee having access from the dwelling, the tables were arranged in the form of a star, and were decorated with laburnum and greenery, where everything proved in keeping with the general arrangements, and a most sumptuous supper was laid out, flanked with champagne. The floor of the marquee was carpeted with Coronation red, helping to make it a dream of beauty, for the electric lights lighted up the marquee and converted the garden into a fairyland. An electric lighting plant had been installed for the occasion, and any of the guests who were interested in this matter were allowed to examine it. If the guests had not walked on the gravel paths the floor would have been perfection, but they could not resist wandering in that fairyland. This function in ■ every sense was a social of great brilliance, admirably carried out and immensely enjoyed, and Mr and Mrs Hansen came in for many’ congratulations on the success of the closing function of the season. The palm of the belle of the evening was undoubtedly givel* to Mrs Segar. Mrs. Paul M. Hansen, very handsome white brocaded costume, the skirt was plain but for three shaped’ flounces round the hem. the bodice was draped with jewelled net, and the sleeves were of the same, the’decolletage was outlined with a bertha of lace, she carried a pink and white rose bouquet, with greenery; Mrs. Scherff, rich black silk, with lace and sequins; Mrs. (Professor) Segar, beautiful ivory satin, veiled in cream accordionpleated chiffon and' spangled net, white flower in coiffure; Miss Scherff, I’Jack satin skirt, black silk bodice, with black chenille veiling, blaek velvet bow in coiffure; Miss Dolly Scherff, lovely white mousseline de soie, made with flounced skirt, and finished with white bands of bebe ribbon; Mrs. Dillingham, striking dress of white silk, with broad bands of blue and grey’ figured silk, pink flowers on shoulder and in coiffure; Mrs. Henry W. Wilson, black trained satin, draped lace bodice, with lilac in coiffure and shoulder; Mrs. Isaacs, black silk, with lace and bends; Miss Edith Isaacs, cream silk dress, the bodice

had a handsome collarette of guipure lace, similar lace being arranged on skirt, which was edged with a ruche of silk; Mrs. Myers, handsome black brocade, with lace and jet trimming en traine; Mrs. W. Coleman, elegant and striking costume of black satin, with elaborately embroidered jewelled silk design of flowers; Misses Myers (2) were studies in white silk, chiffon and flowers; Miss King looked pretty in white silk, with flowers and iace; Miss Dunnett, stylish costume of white silk, the decolletage W’as relieved with canary velvet bands; Mrs. Nelson, black silk trained gown, black laee softened the deeolletage, which was relieved with pink roses; Miss Nelson, black chiffon over voile, with red flowers on corsage and in coiffure; Mrs. Thomas Morrin, elegant white silk, veiled in blaek lace, applegreen silk chou on corsage, ivy leaves in coiffure; Miss Morrin, rose pink glace, the skirt was all tucked but for the chi chi flounces at hem, on shoulder were braces of flowers, the same in coiffure; Miss —. Morrin wore a white silk, draped with layers of silk gauze, and relieved with flowers; Mrs. Seegner, a combination of old gold and mignonette green silk, the front of skirt was richly embroidered, the bodice was made in Louis XV. coat, which opened over a gold vest, elbow sleeves and collar were trimmed with mignonette green silk; Mrs. (Dr.) de Clive Lowe’s costume was peculiarly effective, the black silk foundation was covered with black tulle, thickly sprinkled with sparkling sequins; Miss Williams, rich white satin, plainly’ made, and relieved with red flowers in coiffure and on corsage; Mrs. Alison, heliotrope striped silk, with purple silk trimmings, relieved with black lace; Miss Alison, lovely gown of white silk muslin, hand

embroidered flowers worked on skirt, a deep pleated flounce edged the skirt, and bunches of ribbons and red flowers formed the trimmings, red flower in coiffure; Mrs. (Colonel) Dawson, elegant black silk, veiled in lace and beads, relieved with cherry red silk; Mrs. Shipherd, white satin, with lace bertha, salmon pink roses In coiffure and on bodice; Miss Muriel lli sketh, white, with chiffon and flowers; Mrs. Steuart, white trained silk, the low bodice was swathed with white lace and black velvet, the decolletage was outlined with pearl garniture; Mrs. Rogerson, rose pink silken voile, flowered skirt and berthe draping the low bodice; Mrs. Tewsley was distinguee in black satin, embroidered with sequins, the decolIctage was outlined with green velvet; Mrs. Upton, black brocade, with laee and bead trimming; Mrs Hunt, black crepe de chine; Mrs .Smith, black voile, with overdress of lace; and her daughter wore white silk, with pink sash and pink flowers; Miss Tilly, white satin, with red flowers; Mrs A. P. Wilson, black silk gown, with violets on deeolletage and wreath of violets in coiffure; Misses Moss-Davis (2), dainty white silk frocks, white silk boleros, relieved with blue; Miss Percival, white silk, with chiffon, the skirt was finished with flounces; Misses Thorpe (2), pretty white silks, with tucks and pink flowers; Mrs Towle, black corded silk, with jet trimming; Miss Towle, white silk, with scarlet flowers in coiffure and on shoulder; Mrs Egerton, blue silk, veiled in black lace; Mrs Cotter, black satin, with trained skirt, and jewelled embroidered decolletage; Miss Cotter, black silk, with overdress of jewelled net; Mrs S. Hesketh, black silk; Mrs McCosh Clark, black silk; Misses McCosh Clark (2) were studies in white silks, with bebe ribbon; Miss Violet James, black silk, veiled in net, blue chon in coiffui e and on shoulder; Miss Dawson, pale mode grey glace, with bands of lace and chiffon; Miss M. Dawson, black sjjk, with blue choux on corsage, blue flowers in coiffure; Misses Kerr Taylor (2), green gowns with gold; Miss Waller, white silk, veiled in spangled net; Mrs (Dr.) lioberton, white silk, veiled in black lace.; Miss Heather, white silk, with lace; Miss Berry, white silk, with red flowers; Mrs W. 11, Bloomfield, white silk, with chiffon; Miss Ireland, blue silk; and her sister wore a canary flowered silk, the pleated skirt had a narrow insertion of lace, and finished with two flounces; Miss Lennox, black glace; Mrs Challinor Purchas, black satin, finished with lace; Mrs Keogh, rich black satin, with lace; Miss Keogh, white glace, with overdress of spotted net, red flowers on corsage and in coiffure; Miss Brown, white silk, with chiffon, and relieved with blue chou in coiffure; Mrs Vaile, black satin, relieved with scarlet flowers.; Miss Vaile, white silk, finished with blue silk; Mrs De Montalk, black velvet, entraine costume, relieved with yin’k flowers; Mrs Gillies wore white peau-de-soie, relieved with red blossoms; Miss Rees-George, white silk, with red flowers; Mrs Gillies (I’arnell), black silk, with guipure lace on corsage; Miss Gillies, white satin, ■with tuckings and chiffon drapings; Mrs H. Tonks, black gown: Miss Maud Buckland, white with lace; Mrs Horton, white, silk, with lace bertha and pink roses; Mrs Cochrane, black silk; Mrs O’Halloran, black silk, with pink flowers; Mrs E. W. G. Rathbone, black silk, veiled in chiffon, eu traine; Mrs Lonsdale Pritt, black silk; Mrs Stuart Heid, blue silk; Miss Denniston, white silk, with flounces; Miss Dean, pretty blue silk frock; Miss Lusk, white brocaded trained skirt, chiffon blouse, outlined with jewellery; Miss O. Lusk wore a canary silk, with flounced skirt, bodice! was trimmed with jewelled embroidery; Mrs Markham, white costume, with coloured roses: Miss Firth, pink silk; Misses ThorneGeorge, lovely white silks (English costumes), wreaths of green ivy in coiffure; Mrs Napier, black voile, with overdress of black lace; Mrs Pitt, coral pink satin, w'ith gold ornaments; Miss Stewart, black silk; and her sister wore fawn; Miss Thompson, pale blue tucked silk, with pink roses; Miss Ida Thompson, pale pink tucked silk, with lace and chiffon; Mrs Hart, white silk, with tulle, re-

lieved with pink flowers on corsage and in coiffure; Miss Gore-Gillon, grey skirt, white blouse; Mrs Bamford, black silk, with sequined net, red roses on corsage; Miss Hill, cream silk, with lace and pink flowers; and her sister a white satin with lace; Miss Buller, white silk, with blue waistband and blue on shoulder. Professors Egerton, Segar, Brown, Tubbs, Drs. Gore-Gillon, lioberton, Stuart. Reid, Challinor Purchas, Gilbert, Messrs Dillingham, Cotter, Morrin, Wilson, Alison, Meredith, Purchas, Worsp, Hayman, Myers, Crombie, Bruce, Dargaville, Vaile (3), Buckland, Kerr Taylor, McCormick, Leckey, G. Hesketh, Horton, Isaacs, Ridings, Gillies (3). Dawson, Thompson, Cochrane, O’Halloran, Shipherd, Sealey, Stewart, Upton (2), Rogerson, Tonks, Smith, Pollock, Upfl., Hunt, Purchas, Tewsley, De Montalk, Bloomfield, Hunt, Pritt, Napier, Scherff, Pitt, Upfil, Thorne-George, Brodie, Irwin. Towle, Bamford, Hill (3), Ridings, Nathan, Hart, Steuart, Bell. There were. a great many others present who were perfect strangers to me. The Spring Carnival of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and ’Cycle Club took place on Saturday last on the Domain Cricket Ground. The weather was fine. The track was in fast order, but the attendance was very small. The Bavarian Band enlivened the proceedings with a concourse of sweet sounds, but as it so seldom plays our “National Anthem” at our Athletic functions (Saturday being no exception to the rule), I expect they cannot play it. Amongst, the ladies present, Mrs Simpson, oyster grey coat and skirt, toque with pink; Misses Halliwell (2), light summer costumes; Miss Simpson, brown holland coat and skirt, ci earn hat with blue, and her friend wore black skirt, yellow blouse, cream hat with brown flowers; Mrs Jervis, grey check skirt, black silk blouse, Panama hat, and her sister wore black skirt, with white braid, crushed strawberry blouse, black hat with yellow flowers; Mrs Sylvester Brigham, cream striped skirt, fawn lace let in at neck, black hat with black silk and white bird; Mrs Shalto Douglas, electrique grey frieze coat and skirt, white vest and revers, black hat with white tulle and red berries; Miss Dawson, pink silk veiled in w'hite book muslin, cream hat with red flowers and choux; Mrs Murdoch McLean, blaek voile with bands of black silk, cream blouse, black hat with pink flowers; Miss McLean, grey check gown; sailor hat; Miss Scherff, brown holland skirt, white pique jacket, cream hat swathed with pink; Miss Dickey, black flounced skirt, cream silk tucked blouse, black tulle hat with white tulle rosettes, her friend wore a cream tussore silk, lace bolero, cream hat with blue choux; Miss Vera Alexander, royal blue skirt, white blouse, cream hat with white tulle, and her sister wore a black skirt, grey blouse, cream hat with pink; Mrs Napier, white flounced pique skirt, red blouse veiled in fawn lace, black and white toque; Miss Speight, black skirt, crushed strawberry blouse, sailor hat; Miss Hill, brown holland skirt, cream blouse with blue flowers, cream hat swathed with violets, and her sister wore cornflower blue spotted gown with bands of white silk, laee collar, cream hat with heliotrope tulle rosettes; Miss Thomas, blaek skirt, white blouse, cream hat with grey check silk, and her friend wore navy skirt, white blouse, blaek hat with white tulle. There was again a large attendance at polo at Hunter and Nolan’s paddock on Saturday last. Amongst the members of both clubs were Messrs Tonks, Purchas, Meredith, Seccombe, M’Cosh Clark, Burns, Elliot, Morrin, Brodie, Crowther, Hanna, Lennox, Lloydd, Elliott and Dr. Maitland. All the polo players with their practice lately are now getting into good form. Afternoon tea was served and provided by some of the energetic ladies. Amongst the ladies present were, Mrs Hanna, Mrs Tonks, Mrs Cussins, Mrs Anson. Mrs Lloydd, Misses Jackson, Smith, etc. The formal opening day of polo fakes place next Saturday at Alexandra Park. I wonder if the Auckland Club players will be as punc-

tual at their practice matches on their ground, as the Remuera Club have been on theirs. I-ast year their unpunetuality was very noticeable, they rarely started play till four o’clock. An attractive garden fete under the auspices of the Sisters of Mercy of the Convent of St. Mary, Ponsouby. was given in the beautiful Convent grounds last Saturday afternoon. A large number of ladies ami gentlemen were present, including His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. Kidd) and several of the clergy. Among the amusements were grand marches by the Convent pupils, who wore butterfly hats and carried floral bowers which were very effective. The Sacred Heart School children also took part. A committee of ladies and gentlemen worked hard to ensure the success of the fete. Hunter’s Band played a number of excellent musical selections during the afternoon, which gave great, pleasure. In a secluded nook a palmist plied her art to the entertainment of those who visited her. Afternoon tea was served in a large marquee. Among the ladies present I noticed Mrs W. Ralph, in a brown cloth skirt and coat witli white revers and collar of chine silk and French coloured guipure, black and blue satin toque with feathers; Mrs W. J. Napier, scarlet and grey floral blouse and white pique skirt, black chip hat swathed with cream lace; Mrs C. Suggate, black trained voile made in the Empire style, with ecru lace bolero and sleeves, large black picture hat with touches of pink velvet; Miss Mulvaney, blue and white foulard trimmed with ecru lace, black hat. with cream banksia roses; her sister wore pink; Mrs Darby, white and green grenadine over green silk, white hat with black plumes and white wings: Miss Ralph, beaver coloured cloth tailor-made gown; Mrs Climo Smith, stylish black and white check skirt and white tucked muslin blouse, white Panama hat; Mrs Lonergan. Royal blue silk blouse trimmed with cream lace insertion,

and black trained brocaded skirt, black hat draped with cream lace und pink geraniums under brim; Mrs D. G. Macdonnell, handsome grey silk with trimmings of white silk, toque en suite; Miss Wallnutt, pale grey voile with white tucked silk collar, blaek hat with pink roses; Mrs .Cowan, electric blue gown with cream point lace cape, white crinoline plateau hat with clusters of pink banksia roses; Miss Brassey, white crepe with red spots, black skirt, und fawn straw hat brightened with red; Mrs Me-C-abe, black silk voile gown with black and gold toque; Mrs Robt. Lundon, white silk blouse and black skirt, hat ensuite; Mrs Haven, black figured voile, blaek bonnet with clusters of yellow roses; Mrs Ansenne, claret coloured silk gown with deep flounce of blaek Spanish lace, black laee cape and bonnet; Miss Moir, white blouse over blue, blue silk sash and black skirt, white hat; Miss Haven, white tucked silk blouse and black skirt, black hat with cream lace and pink wild roses; Miss Clare Haven, violet and white figured frock, white hat swathed with violet silk; Miss Edwards, white tucked silk blouse with cream lace collar, navy skirt and black chip hat swathed with cream lace; Miss M. Edwards, azure blue, silk blouse with cream net collar edged with lace, black skirt, and white and blue hat; her sister wore a fawn grenadine with touches of blue, large hat wreathed with green leaves and pink roses; Miss Moore, white merveilleux silk blouse with ecru lace collar, burnt straw hat swathed with white and black silk, navy blue skirt; Miss Cooke, pale green and .pink delaine with rich cream lace collar, blaek skirt, black and green hat veiled in cream laee; Mrs Babe, grey costume and large black picture hat; Miss Mahony, wedgwood blue silk poplin, black hat with pink roses. A very pleasant evening was spent, at “Granville House,” Ponsonbyroad, on Tuesday, the 18th inst., when Mr and Mrs J. Pollard Mouzer enter-

talned * large party of relatione and friends on the occasion of their giv-ng np housekeeping for a time. The guests found that a programme of a very high artistie standard bad been prepared for them. The drawingroom had been converted into 3 miniature theatre, and the first portion of the evening’s amusement was a dramatie performance —one which proved exceedingly creditable to the amateur artists taking part. The piece chosen was the pretty little comedy, “The Marble Areh,” and the characters were assumed by Mrs Mouzer, Miss Henderson, Mr Keenan and Mr Herbert. The four performers all showed themselves possessed of great dramatic ability, and displayed a fine appreciation of the smart dialogue with which the play abounded. Everyone was charmed with the drama and its four characters, and particularly with this rather novel departure from the orthodox “musical evening” programme. When the curtain fell the audience joined in the heartiest of applause, and in the verdict that the play “wasn’t half long enough.” Some excellent music followed. Madame Chambers delighted everybody with her beautiful singing of “Softly Sighs,” from “De Freiechutz,” Mrs Ernest Queree playing the difficult pianoforte accompaniment with great taste. Mrs Queree also played some fine piano selections, (a) “Abende” (Sinding), (b) "Prelude” (Chaminade). Mrs Hopkins sang Tosti’s “Good-bye” with great success, and Mr and Madame Chambers sang Chaminade’s exquisite “Bacarolle.” Mr Ernest Queree sang “The Mighty Deep” (Jude), and Miss Abbott gave a very good rendering of Picezonka’s pianoforte solo, “Polonaise Heroique.” Mr Keenan recited “Laska” with fine dramatic force. After the concert the guests were entertained at an excellent supper, and then thoroughly enjoyed themselves at an informal dance. Some beautiful dresses were worn by the’lady guests and performers.

PHYLLIS BROUN.