AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 3, 18 January 1908, Page 53

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee,. January 14. We are really having delightful weather, but most people find it too warm for any exertion, so that entertaining for the past week has been at a standstill. I have heard of a few unfortunate croquet players and several launch picnics, but unfortunately for me, or you (I don’t quite know which), there has been nothing to describe to you in which you would take any interest. Madame Clara Butt and Mr. Kennerley Rumford were accorded a most enthusiastic reception on Monday evening on their first appearance in Auckland. His Majesty’s was absolutely packed in every part of the house, despite the—what most people consider —prohibitive prices. I was rather astonished that more people were not in evening dress. I went feeling a wee bit old-fashioned myself, expecting to see everyone in their very best bib and tucker, and was disappointed to find nearly everyone wearing high-necked blouses. For one thing, evening dress is so much cooler and more comfortable, quite apart from the fact that it is a compliment which all artists, such as Madame Clara Butt has every right to expect. Before I go any further 1 must tell you, very briefly, as you will see a criticism of the concert in another part of this paper, what a musical treat Aucklanders were afforded. Madame Clara Butt is absolutely magnificent, and her rendering of “Abide With Me”— well, I can’t tell you what I feel about it, only if you have the faintest possible chance of hearing and don’t you deserve extermination. Mr. Kennerley Rumford was accorded quite as warm a reception as his gifted wife, and deservedly so, and you will scarcely credit it when I tell

you that the usually cold, self-contained Auckland public actually stood up and cheered at the conclusion of the conceit. I wonder if 1 can describe the wonderful gown worn by Madame Clara Butt. It was of gold tissue, made a la Princesse, without any trimmings or flullings of any sort, and simply moulded to the figure, the necessary fulness at the hem of the skirt was given by several full flounces of gold lace, forming the underskirt. Madame wore several decorations, and her toilette was completed by a large spray of shaded crush roses worn in the centre of the square-cut bodice, and a most exquisite shower bouquet of crimson and white sweet peas. Amongst the audience I noticed: — Mr s Arthur Myers wearing a dainty toilette of white chiffon with touches of pale blue; Mrs Brown, black chiffon taffeta with white chiffon tucker; Mrs Archdale-Tayler, pretty blue and pink floral mousseline; Miss Roic Nathan, heliotrope chiffon taffeta; Mrs Gorrie, black silk and Spanish lace; Miss Pearl Gorrie, soft white silk with white applique lace; Mrs Ballin, black over white; Miss Ballin, ivory-spotted net, white chiffon taffeta; Mrs Gordon, black chiffon over white glace; Mrs Aubin, blue and white toilette; Mrs Anderson, black relieved with white; Mrs Jackson, white Shantung silk; Mrs Pierce black silk; Miss Pierce, black skirt and white blouse, and Miss Ethna Pierce was in white; Mrs Rathbone, eau de nil chiffon taffeta with lace bretelles; Miss Lusk, white silk; Mrs Percy Dufaur, black chifion taffeta toned with white; Mrs Upton, handsome black silk; Miss Nellie Uuton, white; Mrs Hamilton Hodges, effective white and black toilette; Miss Dunnett wore white with touches of black; Mrs Roberton, ivory eoliefine with silk bands and French knots; Mrs Arthur Roberton, grey and black toilette; Mrs Kekewick wore black and her sister, Miss G. Buddle, was wearing white. Amongst others present I noticed: Mrs Savage and her sister, Mrs Percy Lewis (Wanganui), Miss Gilfillan, Mrs Gibson. Miss McDonald (Whakapirau), Miss Beale, the Misses Nelson, Miss Brooke-Smith, Mrs Mahoney, Mrs Burns, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Holland, the Misses Gorrie, Mrs Pollen, Mrs Greig, Mrs Kissling, Mrs Herby Kissling and the Misses Kissling, Mrs Walker, Miss Florence Walker and many others.