AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XXIV, 10 December 1904, Page 48

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, December 6. We have a busy week before us. On Thursday light there is the Northern Club Ball in honour of Lord and Lady Plunket, and on Saturday the most important and most beautiful outdoor function of the year, TILE FLORAL FETE. The greatest preparations are in train for this, ami if it is not a most brilliant success it will not be for want of vigorous work on the part of the promoters. Time, thought, and an infinity of pains have been freely lavished on the making up of the programme, and the fixing of general arrangements. Personally, should the weather prove propitious, I am willing to stake my reputation as a prophet in foretelling a record attendance to witness what will unquestionably prove to be the most beautiful outdoor spectacle Auckland, has yet seen. The entries are good in all classes, and it will interest you to know that the Hon. Kathleen Plunket will drive her own smart little trap in the procession. Motor cars form a feature and the kaleidoscope dances by school children should prove to be “monstrous pretty.” as they would have said in Monsieur Beaticane’s day. But now I must tell you about the past week, which has been rather a dull one. OPENING OF POLO. The Auckland and Remuera Polo Clubs had a most successful opening last Wednesday afternoon, St. Andrew’s Day. The vice-regal party included His Excellency the Governor and Lady Planet, the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, Mrs. Wallis (wife of the Bishop of Wellington), her si, ter, Mrs. Williams, and Captain Braithwaite. A.D.C. Among others I noticed: Mr., Mrs., and Miss Morriu, Airs, and Miss MeOosh Clark, Mrs. Maitland, Mrs. and Misses Cotter, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Ware, the Misses Thompson (2), Macfarlane (2), Towle, Gorrie, Buckland, Mrs. Markham, Airs. Greenway and Miss Firth. Mrs. Southey Baker and Aliss Lloyd, Airs. Pritt and Air. J. L. Pritt, Cob, Mrs., and Aliss Baker, Airs. Cheeseman, Mrs. and Aiisses Kerr-Tay-lor, Airs. A. Hanna, Airs. A. Clark, Aiisses Browning (2), Thorne George (2), Buddle, Airs. Colbeck, Airs. Kekwick, Airs, and Aliss Hope Lewis, Airs. C. Buddle. Airs. Tonks, Aliss Horton, Airs. Whitney, Airs, and Aliss TVorsp, Airs. Rose. Airs. Seavill. Hunter’s Band discoursed sweet music during »he afternoon. DRESSES AT THE THEATRE. At the theatre on a couple of occasions last week I noticed the following frocks: — latdy Plunket was in a beautiful gown of silver-spangled net with fichu of cream overlaid with black spotted chiffon. caught in front of corsage with cluster of crimson roses; Hou. Kathleen Plunket wore a lovely oyster-grey crepe de chine finished with ruehed while eliiil'on and lace, and elaborately trimmed with herring-bone stitchery; Airs Sydney Nathan wore white trimmed with beautiful lace; Madame Boeufve was handsomely gowned in black and silver; Airs J. 11. Bloomfield wore pale yellow; Airs F. Ballin was in a very pretty shell pink silk inset with Paris lace mid black skirt; Airs Dr. Parkes, black skirt and very pretty white blouse, beautiful white broeadod silk opera coal with suit ray pleated chiffon capes; Mrs de ( live Lowe wore a black skirt and very pretty while blouse; and her sister, Miss Vera Bell, wore black, the decolletage outlined with white; Airs Afaefnrlnne, rich black silk gown: Alisa Innes, black, the bodice finished with deep wram lace Victorian yoke; Mrs Louis Alyers wore a handsome black

satin with lovely Maltese lace collar; Airs Alyers was also in black; Miss Alyers was prettily gowned in white silk with pale grey opera coal; Mrs Edwin Horton, white silk, the bodice prettily draped with white lace caught with cluster of pink crush roses; Miss Horton also wore white; Mrs L. D. Nathan, rich black embroidered silk over white, lovely blaek and white opera coat; Aliss Isaacs, black skirt and pretty ficellecoloured blouse, threaded with turquoise blue ribbon; Airs AlcC'osh Clark, blaek and Miss Pearl Clark looked dainty in white; Airs Phillips was in white with pale blue bow in coiffure; Mrs Sanford, blaek silk gown; Airs Palmer wore a handsome black gown with tueked white chiffon vest; Miss Snell, wore black with deep ereant lace pelerine collar; Airs T. Hope Lewis, blaek satin with ecru insertion on bodice; Airs TV. R. Bloomfield wore a dainty white gown; Airs Kekewiek was in a charming pale grey silk; and her sister, Miss Buddle, wore white nun’s veiling prettily shirred and finished with lace; Airs Lundon, rose pink satin elaborately gauged and tucked, trimmed with Paris-tinted lace; Airs T. TV. Leys, dainty white tucked silk blouse, and blaek satin skirt; Miss Winnie Leys, was pretty in white silk inserted with lace; Miss Keesing, white silk veiled in fine blaek lace, with touches of pink, and a satin skirt; Mrs Cheeseman, black chiffon evening toilette: Airs Colson, ecru silk gown; Miss Mitclielson, looked very pretty in a lovely rose pink silk evening frock with Limerick lace berthe; Aliss Carr was charmingly frocked in white tueked silk and lace insertion; Airs Tempter, white tucked silk blouse, and blaek skirt; Airs MBoult, blaek silk toilette; Miss Boult was dainty in rose pink silk, and ecru lace transparent yoke; Aliss Lena Butters looked charming in a cream satin blouse trimmed with silk lace insertion, and black skirt; Airs Ernest Bloomfield wore a pretty light evening gown and handsome olive green opera cloak; Mrs Rose (Sydney) was in black; Airs Alontague, black satin trimmed with lace and Brussels net, cluster of crimson carnations in front of corsage. THE CONCERT IN AID OF THE VETERANS’ HOME

on Friday last did not meet with the support it deserved, either from the point of view of the programme, which was really excellent, or the object for which funds were to be raised. Afuch trouble had evidently been taken, and it was discouraging to find it meet with such scant recognition. A largo party from Government House was present, and it was hoped their public acceptation of an invitation to the concert would have resulted in a large gathering of those who in Lord Ranfurly’s time were industrious in proclaiming their interest in everything which concerned the Home. Presumably the axes of these folks are all ground, but, seeing that Lord and Lady Plunket take an equal interest in the Home as Lord and Lady Ranfurly did, the sudden cooling off of alleged enthusiasm in certain directions is assuredly in grievous bad taste, and is open to obvious and severe comment. Amongst those I noticed present were: Lady Plunket, who was attired in a handsome black peau de soie evening gown with a lace scarf loosely swathed round her shoulders and arms; Mrs Wallis wore a black evening toilette; Miss Williams was gowned in a soft white evening dress; Mrs Neligan wore a mourning gown; Airs Anson was in a becoming blue and white Empire gown, and white evening coat; Airs Bedford wore a white

brocade and very handsome blaek evening coat with lace capette; Mrs Mitchelson looked exceedingly well in a white silk with blaek chiffon overdress, and lovely white ostrich feather boa; Mrs Parkes was in white brocade and a blue evening coat; Mrs (Professor) Thomas, ■white evening gown; Mrs Segar, white gown and handsome blaek evening cloak, trimmed with fur; Madame Wielaert wore white silk with a very effective ruehed net overdress and flowing sleeves; Miss Somerset was in a rich blaek velvet with white lace berthe. Air and Airs Davis gave A MOST ENJOYABLE EVENING on the ,30th ult. at “Westward-Ho” to celebrate the coming of age of their youngest son and the arrival from England of their eldest son. The earlv part of the evening was devoted to progressive euchre. Aliss Aloore-Jones and Air J. Sutherland carried off the first prizes, the booby prizes going to Air and Aliss V. Grey. Supper was served in the dining-room, the table decorations being exceedingly pretty. The latter part of the evening was devoted to song s and recitations, most of the guests contributing. Airs Davis received her guests in a handsome green silk. Aliss Davis wore cream silk and chiffon; Aliss Phyllis Davis, soft white silk; Mrs Afowbray-Hutton (Alelbourne), grey and pink silk; Airs Hamlin, white silk, pink chiffon yoke and sleeves. Among the guests were Aiisses AlooreJones, TV. Moore-J ones, Laird, Bartlett, Grey, V. Grey, Smales, Headdy, Wright, Foote, C. Pilkington, Daisy Pilkington, Afessrs Horace and C. AlooreJones, Smales, Sutherland, Pilkington, Laird, Hamlin, and many others. LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT. The Choral Hall was filled to its utmost capacity on Thursday evening last, when the. Auckland Liedertafel Society gave another highly successful concert, the fourth and closing one of the series. A programme of exceptional interest was presented, a special item being “The Miserere Scene” from “H Trovatore,” admirably rendered by Aladame Lilian Tree, Air Walter Whyte, and the choir. The items by the Liedertafel were of a high order of merit, and proved the efficiency of an able conduetorship. Air Herbert Bloy, the talented young violinist, delighted the audience -with two violin solos, and organ and flute obligatos by Messrs Horace Hunt and S. Poore respectively lent additional interest to the performance. Air Walter Whyte’s sweet tenor voice was heard to great advantage in the song, “Adelaide,” and with Mr J. TV. Ryan (basso) later in the evening sang “O’er Aly Head” (“Martha”); Aliss Aulsebrook also sang “The Lost Chord” with much success. Mr Sydney Harbutt, the society’s hon. secretary, with his usual energy, attended adequately to the details of the concert. Aladame Tree looked exceedingly well in a black spangled tulle evening toilette; Aliss Aulsebrook looked pretty in a white beribboned chiffon frock. Among the audience I noticed: Airs T. Peacock, in a black satin gown, with vest of cream satin; Aliss Peacock was in a pale blue surah silk, prettily trimmed with lace, and a dark skirt; Airs Houghton, white silk blouse, with transparent yoke, dark skirt, and lovely pale green cloak with bands of velvet of a darker shade; Aliss Hunt looked charming in a crimson chiffon blouse, with transparent yoke of Paris-tinted lace, black voile skirt; Mrs A. B. Donald, lovely pale grey pin-spotted voile gown, finished with white lace and jet; Airs (Dr.)

King, rich mauve satin blouse, and black silk «kirt; Mrs (Dr.) Hooper, black silk gown; with ecm laee motifs on bodice; Miss Hooper, white voile, prettily gauged and trimmed with ecru lace and touches of emerald green velvet; Mrs Hitchcock, black and white floral silk blouse, with blaek lace collar, black skirt, blue butterfly bow in coiffure; Mrs. Gresham, blaek silk gown, with decorations of cream lace; Miss Langsford wore a lovely blush rose silk blouse, interlaced with pink chenille, and a blaek skirt; Miss M. Sloane, dainty white tucked voile and lace blouse, brightened ■with blue, and black skirt; Miss Margaret Sloane, becoming turquoise blue silk, trimmed with cream face; Mrs. J. M. Brigham, blaek silk and laee gown; Miss Brigham was dainty in a white satin blouse ami silk skirt, with blue ribbons; Miss Ella Brigham, white silk frock and pale blue ceinture; Mrs. H. Cooke, white tucked silk blouse and blaek voile skirt; Miss Gordon, very pretty white and emerald green spotted canvas voile, with lace jacket and crimson velvet chou, blaek skirt; Mrs. Kissling, blaek velvet evening toilette; Mrs. Pilkington (Devonport) wore white Indian muslin; Mrs. Lambonrne, blaek tueked merveilleux; Miss Dewar, white shirred silk and lace; Mrs. Warren Blythe wore a black and yellow gown; Mrs. Plummer, azure blue gown; Miss •Bell, pale blue silk blouse, with white lace yoke, and dark skirt; Mrs. Bickering, black and ecru lace gown; Miss Pickering wore a very pretty white gauged silk blouse, contrasted with tangerine silk, dark skirt; her two younger sisters wore white and yellow silk respectively; Miss Baker, lemon coloured muslin gown, with white lace pelerine; Mrs. Mogenie, pretty light blouse, black skirt, and long theatre cloak; Miss Holland was daintily gowned in white and pink rose-bud muslin, trimmed with pink silk, red opera cloak; Miss Essie Holland, forget-me-not blue silk blouse and pelerine of rich cream laee, black skirt; Mrs. Mackay, smart blaek evening toilette, with transparent yoke and jet incrustations; Mrs Walrond, heliotrope chiffon blouse with white chiffon fichu, black skirt; Miss McKenzie, pale grey silk blouse and darker skirt; Mrs Williamson, black silk gown trimmed .with cream lace; Miss Flossie Williamson, becoming white silk blouse with an ecru lace pelerine, black skirt; Mrs (Dr.) Walker, black silk gown with decorations of cream lace; Mrs W. Buchanan, emerald green silk blouse with yoke of Paris-tinted lace, blaek skirt; Mrs Alf Jones, black evening gown and white opera cloak trimmed with white fur; Miss Hickson, pretty white gauged silk gown, her sister wore a maize silk and Paris tinted laee frock; Mrs S. Jackson* lemon coloured silk blouse inserted with ecru laee and black skirt ; Mrs J. W. Stewart, black and white pinspotted silk gown; Miss F. Hudson was gowned in white hailstone muslin with blaek velvet bow in coiffure; Miss Maude, white silk and ecru lace. A COUNTRY DANCE. A correspondent writes: A fancy dress ball was held at the residence of Mr. C. J. Lindberg, Onewhero, recently, when the large number of 30 couples were present. The evening proved a most enjoyable one, dancing being kept up till the early hours of the morning, and all were unanimous in pronouncing it the best dance ever held in the district. A bounteous feast was prepared by Mrs. and Miss Lindberg, of which all heartily partook. Songs were interspersed during the evening by J. Poland,. Drake, Ashwin, Stevens, Brooks, and all were well received. The dance music was kindly supplied by J. Liddle (piano) and J. Box (violin). During an interval 8. ('rawford, on behalf of the residents, took the occasion to thank Mr. Lindberg for his kind hospitality. The costumes for a country dance were exceptionally fine. Those worthy of special mention were: Miss MeCullagh, as Russian bride; Miss A. Geraghty, yachting; Miss A. Andrews, Starlight; Sfiss Underwood, Pirouette; Miss 3*3. Lindberg, Swedish peasant girl; Mr. F. Btown, Maori warrior Mr. J. Poland, Hussar; Miss C. Sheldon, bootblack; Mr, A. Drake, sailor; Mr. P. Geraghty, Father Christmas; Mr. J. I’olloek, Sundowner. Among the others were: Sliss R. Poland, Maori girl; Miss IL Poland, milkmaid; Miss Murray, ivy; Miss Pollock, poppies; Mrs. Lindberg. Night; (Miss Geraghty. Star of Peace; Miss lAI- - Fems; Miss R. Crawford, Hope; Mrs. Sheldon. Night; Miss I. Andrew’s, Baliy; Miss Hawke, New Zealand; Mr. V,

Lindberg, Gentleman; Mr. P. Geraghty, Harp of Erin; Mr. D. Fulton, Returned Trooper; Mr. T. Hector, Policeman; Mr. S. Crawford, Gentleman; Mr. Stevens, Gentleman; Mr. J. Poland, Highlander; Mr. J. Liddle, Oarsman; Sir. W. MeFlinn, Jockey; Mr. T. McGuire, Stockman; Sir. C. Lewis, King of Hearts; Mr. L. McGuire. Bass’ Pale Ale; Sir. H. Hawke, laird Kitchener; Sir. J. Crawford, New Woman; Sir. T. Pollock, Hard Times; Mr. Murray, gentleman; and several others whom 1 did not know.

PHYLLIS BROUN.