AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9, 3 March 1906, Page 44

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, February 27. I am afraid I can give you no adequate description of the appearance of the AUCKLAND BOWLING CLUB’S GREENS. last Wednesday night, when Mr. Arthur Myers, president of the club, and Airs. Alyers gave a very large and most thoroughly enjoyable “At Home” to the bowlers of Auckland and their friends. Our host and hostess were exceptionally lucky in the weather, and with nothing forgotten which could in any way add to the pleasure of the two thousand guests assembled, it was no wonder we all en joyed ourselves so much. The grounds were brilliantly lit with gas, and so good was the light that enthusiastic bowlers were able to indulge in their favourite pastime, and many keenly contested games were played during the evening. I even noticed several members of the fair sex playing croquet, and making some very good shots too. As for the decorations, I have never seen anything so pretty. The effect of space given by th,? numberless fairy lights hung all down the east and southern sides of the lawn was particularly good. The croquet lawn pavilion was lighted with gay coloured Chinese lanterns, and on the opposite side the main pavilion was gaily decorated with art muslin in the elub colours, red, white and blue, and lighted with gas. The letters A.P. B.A. arranged in fairy lights caught the eye on the terrace dividing the eastern green from tlie others, and nearer still ■was written in large letters, “A hearty welcome to all.” The finishing touch was given by an artistic arrangement of the flags of th? Empire. A large marquee was erected in one corner of the grounds, and hero light refreshments of the most dainty description were procurable. Selections by the First Auckland Battalion Band were much enjoyed, and a concert, at which Messrs. George, Wilfrid Manning, and Higgott sang, was tlioroughly appreciated, so much so indeed that the bystanders joined heartily in the choruses of several of Uic betler-

known songs. Our hostess looked charming in a beautiful gown of white crepe de chine with encrustations and insertions of wide white lace, and pretty Vshaped yoke of same, becoming pale blue hat swathed with tulle and finished with clusters of roses; Mrs Louis Myers was handsomely gowned in a blaek and white silk toilette with blaek golfered chiffon, silk peterinf? dainty black and white bonnet to match; Mrs Leo. Myers was charmingly gowned in white cloth, finished with lace, and wide glace silk ceinture, pretty white eoat of alpaca, smart white toque trimmed with clusters of shaded roses; Mrs Coleman wore a smart floral delaine gown with shaded ceinture, and a very pretty whit.? toque trimmed with shaded roses. As you may imagine with two thousand people gathercel into rather a limited space it was absolutely impossible to see frocks, and indeed it was hard enough to recognise even faces amongst so many. A few I noticed during the evening were: Mrs Isidor Alexander, Mr and Mrs Eliot Moss Davis, Mr and Mrs Thomas Peacocke, Mr and Mrs Edward Russell, Mr and Mrs Tewsley, Mr and Mrs D- W. Duthie, Mr and Mrs Derry. Mr Denniston, Mrs and the Misses Cotter. Miss Stevenson, Miss I.i?nnox. Mr and Mrs Wilson Smith, Misses Garland, Mr and Mrs C. Kingswell, the Misses Binney, Dr. and Mrs King, Judge and Mrs Edwards, Miss Edwards, Miss Ware, Mrs and Miss Dawson, Dr Dawson. Miss Nora Brown, Miss Cooper, Mr and Mrs Benjamin, Mrs Reed, Mrs and Miss Kitty Clark, Mr and Miss Possenuiskie, Miss Ehr.enfried, Mr Woodward, Mr Minett, Mr Buckleton, Mr and Mrs Keesing, Miss Isaacs, Monsieur and Madame Boeufve, Mrs Mackay, Mrs and. Miss Keogh, Mrs Gorrie, Mr and Mrs Henry Walker, Mr and Mrs W. Fratet, Mrs and the Misses Douglas, Miss Culpan. Mrs Fenton, Mrs Arthur Hooper, Mrs Jones, Miss Caro, Mr and Mrs Ranson, Miss De Camp, Mr Hainer, Rev. Mark Siilti n, Bishop Lenihan, Mr and Mrs Willie Churlon, Mrs Frank Jervois, Mrs Arnold, Mr and Mrs Edward Lewis, Mr and Mrs Abbott, Mr and Mrs McCallum, Mr and Mrs Raynes, the Misses Simpson, Mr and Mrs Walter Dufaur, Mrs Steele, Mrs Jones, and many others. ALL NATIONS’ FAIR AT PONSONBY. The grounds of “ Severn House,” Ponsonby, the residence of Dr. A. O. Knight, were last week the scene of a successful four days’ “ all nations” fair, organised to raise funds for the Y.W.C.A. Stalls were arranged round the spacious lawn, and as the attendance of the publie was large the spectacle, was quite a gay one. The cafe ehantant, the refreshments, etc., were under the supervision of Misses Knight, Crichton, Gilbert, Oliphant, Ilellaby, Rotiischild, Goldie, and Garlick, who were picturesquely attired in French peasant costumes in vari-colours, with high chimney-pot caps, aprons, and cuffs of white lawn, and patent leather shoes with large steel buckles. Mrs. R. Bedford was in charge of the ice-cream stall, and her assistants were Mrs. Rowe, Misses V. Tibbs, Bagnall, Beale, and Hazard. The young ladies wore pretty Swiss costumes. At the

Japanese tea kiosk Mrs. Gray Dixon had the assistance of Mrs. Wing. Misses C. and F. Murray, Warren, N. Warren, Rattray, and- A. Anderson. The lovely kimonos worn by these ladies were much admired. Mrs. G. A. Buttle, Mrs. S. Gilbert, and Mrs. W. Manning looked after the powder and patches refreshment kiosks, and were assisted by the Misses Hooton, Bell, L. Moir, S. Hudson, L. Butters, Manning, and Leyland, who wore white muslin frocks and black pic* lure hats. The " cherry ripe" stall,

where one purchased sweets, was looked after .by Misses D. Knight, O. Crichton, Doughty, Kirk and Cousins, and their costumes of cherry-coloured skirts and full paper hats and white muslin blouses were very effective. Misses Fountain (2), Miss Rendell, and Mr. R. Dearsley were in charge of the garden of flowers, as the fruit and flower stall was called. Mrs. Moir, Mrs. Reynolds, Misses Moir and Owen (2) presided at the kitchen stall. Mesdames W, S. Wilson and Major attended at the plain work stall. The art stall was looked after by Mrs. Edgar, Misses Peaoocke (2), and M. Edmiston. At the handkerchief stall the young ladies were the Misses Sloan, Cameron, Cooke, and others. Mrs. Duval and the Misses Hare and M eTier were in charge of the doll and toy stall. Mesdames C. A. Whitney, H. J. Brown, and Miss D. Hughes looked after the cushion and fancy work stall. A cooking competition was held under the supervision of Mrs. F. May, Misses Drake and Johns. COMING EVENTS. Two weddings of great interest in the social world of Auckland are to take place next week. Miss Ida George is to be married to Mr. Fred. Waller on tho Sth of March at St. Mary’s ProCathedral. Miss Pearl Clark’s marriage to Mr. Ross Bruntwood, Cambridge, is to be celebrated on the 7th.

PHYLLIS BROUN.