AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 9, 29 February 1908, Page 61

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, February 25. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Last week we welcomed Mr. Herbert Flemming and his excellent New English Comedy Company, the initial production being “The Mummy and the Humming Bird.” Miss Beatrice Day wore some lovely evening frocks—too beautiful for me to with justice; but, then, who ever saw a Paquin gown that left anything to be desired. Her first frock was an exquisite dinner dress of cream chiffon taffeta, with a very wide dull gold tissue, transparent band inserted heading a deep hem, over which were applique sprays of pink roses and brown leaves, caught with blue lovers’ knots at intervals round the skirt, and giving a touch of colour to the dull gold tissue band. In the second act Miss Day was robed in a superb evening gown of oyster white satin Duchesse, resplendent with embroidered groups of giant fleur-de-lis in tones of shaded green round the hem of the skirt and on the front of the swathed corsage, and a handsome golden yellow chiffon velours evening coat further enhanced the toilette. Miss Guil-ford-Quin also had the opportunity of displaying some pretty frocks. In the first act she wore a dainty white and pink hand-painted chiffon frock, with a jewelled bolero, edged with vivid light green velvet. In the second act she wore a lovely white Liberty satin evening frock, with a full gored skirt with a Grecian key design in gold braid, and the hem edged with a tangerine velvet band, the seams of the gored skirt being defined with silver tinsel. Among the audience I noticed: Mrs. Lucas Bloomfield, who wore a black laee evening toilette; Miss Isaacs, white silk; Miss Edith Isaacs, white silk and lace frock; Miss Dargaville, golden brown taffeta evening frock, with white net fichu; Miss Miles (Wellington), pretty white chiffon taffeta, with net blouse and guipure lace bolero; Miss Gwendolen Nathan, white silk evening frock; Miss Stella Nathan, pink silk; Miss Browning, golden brown silk, with Irish lace on corsage; Miss Benjamin, white Liberty satin evening frock; Miss Pearl Gorrie, pretty white chiffon taffeta, with guipure bolero with tassels on tabs; Mrs. Edward Russell, black toilette, with touches of white; Miss Roie Nathan, white silk evening frock; Mrs. H. Bloomfield, black point d’esprit evening gown; Miss Cameron, pretty blue silk, veiled in white net, with blue silk Broderie Anglaise brettelles; Mrs. Cooper, heliotrope silk blouse and black silk skirt; Miss Denniston, dainty white chiffon taffeta, with guipure lace bolero over net blouse; Mrs. J. M. Mennie, black silk toilette; Mrs. J. L. Holland, black silk, with touches of white. DOMINION FAIR. Cardinal Moran’s reception in Auckland possessed many social attractions, not the least being the “Birth of the Empire” Fair and Bazaar, which was opened by His Eminence last Monday. The Royal Albert Hall looked very bright on the occasion. The various stalls, arranged in a hall upstairs, had each its own scheme of colour. The English stall had red, white and blue, with the words in front, “England expects every man to do his duty.” Ireland was very effectively decorated with a white and green trellis, with trails of pink and white roses intermingled with shamrocks. India was decked with yellow and white; while Australia and the Cardinal’s stall was artistically decorated with red and white art muslin in fan-shapes with wheatears and autumn grasses arranged round. The principal attraction each evening in the way of amusement was provided in the exhibition of marches, in which a large number of young people took part under the supervision of Signor Borzoni in the large central hall, all wearing fancy costumes to represent the different countries of the Empire. The youngladies who personated England wore

charming white sailor frocks, with folded red, white and blue striped sashes round the hips, aud gold epaulettes on the shoulders, and white linen sailor caps. Those representing Ireland looked very bewitching in pale green loose dresses from square deeolletage, with gold tinsel shamrock tiaras in their hair. The Scottish lasses were very picturesque in their Highland dresses and plaids over their shoulders. India was brilliantly represented by young ladies in cream and gol den yellow loose froeks with folded turbans besprinkled with gold sequins. The Canadians costumes were very effective, being white and yellow with swansdown. Africa was gorgeously portrayed in a bright red, and Australia in red and navy. New Zeaalnd, last, but by no means least, was prettily represented by a bevy of young ladies in pink frocks, with large green ferns on their skirts, and large turned-up hats garnished with clematis. The land of the Stars and Stripes was also repersented, while a large number of children dressed as German dolls and negroes added effectively to the spectacle. All the marches were admirably executed, and the success of the fair unsurpassed. AFTERNOON TEA AT ELLERSLIE. Last Monday Mrs. F. W. Walker gave a most delightful farewell afternoon tea and guessing competition at the Vicarage, Ellerslie, for Mrs. S. McLaughlin, who is leaving for Wellington shortly. The guessing competition took the form of a coral reef, composed of coral and other curios from Fliut Island. The first prize, a silver sweet basket, was worn by Mrs. McLaughlin, while the second, a green leather card-ease, fell to Mrs. Lewis. Mrs. Walker received her guests in a handsome hlaek silk gown, daintily trimmed with white: Miss Kate Cottrell, white silk blouse, black silk skirt; Mrs. McLaughlin, soft white silk, mauve belt, black hat. During the afternoon songs were rendered by Mesdames McCallum and Somerfield. also Miss Mary Somerfield. Mrs. McCallum delighted her listeners by an amusing recitation. Miss Cottrell accompanied some of the singers on the violin, and also gave a very pleasing solo, which was much appreciated. Others present were: Mesdames Martin, Eliott. Cutten, Purehas, Low, Dawson, Somerfield, Nolan, Clayton, Clarke, Misses Walker (2), Nolan, Steadman, and Martin. SOME PURELY PERSONAL ITEMS. Sir Robert Price has taken up land in Wairoa, Gisborne. Mr. Bethune (Wellington) is spending a few days in Gisborne. Mr. Murphy, of Gisborne, has left ou a visit to England. Mr. F. J. Lysnar has returned to Gisborne from Auckland. Dr. Levinge has left Gisborne for the South. Mr. H. Kinross White (Napier) is spending a few days in Gisborne. Miss Willis, of Gisborne, has gone South to visit friends in Canterbury and Southland. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. D. Spieer have taken Selwyn Lodge. Selwyn-terrace, Parnell, the late Dr. Wright’s house. Mrs. Elhvorthy and her daughter. Miss Ellworthy (Christchurch) are at present staying with Mrs. Sydney Williamson, of Ngatapa Station (Gisborne). Among passengers to Fiji en route for Vancouver are Mr. W. B; Leyland and Mr. D. Winks, son of Mr. J. Winks, of Parnell. Mr. Dykes, chief officer of the Tutanekai, has arrived in Auckland to commence his new duties as examiner of masters and mates and surveyor of ships. The Chief Inspector of Fisheries (.Mr. L. F. Ayson) is now on a visit to Auckland, chiefly on business connected with the opening of the rock oyster season in May. Mr. Peter Grant, an inspector of machinery in Auckland, has been appointed Chief Government Inspector for the Southland district, and left for Invercargill on the 23rd inst. Mr. O. Gore Adams, late director of the Thames School of Mines, who was lately appointed Metallurgist to the Santa Isabel Gold Mines, Barrangrulla, has reached there after an interesting trip, anil commenced his new duties.

Dr. T. H. Valentine, Inspector General of Hospitals, has been in Gisborne on a brief visit in connection with Departmental affairs. Mrs. Valentine accompanied her husband. Pastor J. D. Mill, of the Hamilton Baptist Chureh. was entertained at a social ou the 19th instant, and was presented by Mr. J. W. Henderson, senior Deacon, on behalf of the congregation, with a gig, horse and harness. Miss Gudgeon, daughter of Colonel Gudgeon. C.M.G., British Resident at Raratonga, is visiting Auckland, and is the guest of her aunt, Mrs. Raymond, “Medina,” Brighton-road, Reiuuera. At Knox Parish Hall. Parnell, the Rev. •I. M. Simpson, the new minister of Knox Church, was heartily welcomed by the members and adherents. Addresses were delivered on the occasion by the Revs. G. B. Monro, Gray Dixon. I. Bertram, and Messrs. Laing and Poole. At the Sunday school welcome Mrs. Simpson was presented with a handsome basket of flowers. Mr. George George, director of technical education at Auckland, has left on a six months’ tour of America, Great Britain, and the Continent of Europe, via Fiji and Vancouver. It is his intention to study the latest developments in connection with technical education in eaxfli of the countries visited by him. The following have booked passages for England by the Corinthie, sailing on February 27: Bishop Williams, of Napier; Rev. R. F. Elder, of (hmm, and Captain Cameron (Marine Superintendent at Southampton for the White Star Line. < aptain Dorrien Smith, D. 5.0.. returns Home by the Arnwa, sailing on March 20. The Rev. .1. Wilkins, of Beresfordstreet Congregational Church, who is leaving for England, was entertained at a farewell conversazione on the evening of the 19th inst. and received various presentations made on behalf of the congregation, the Deaeons’ Board and the Devonport Congregational Chureh. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins, and family have taken passages Home by the s.s. Corinthie. His Exeeellency the Governor has gone to Chirstehureh, where he is to lay the foundation stone of a new wing at Christ College. The Governor’s party, consisting of Lady Plunket, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rhodes, Miss Creswell, and the Governor’s staff, will leave Lyttelton on Saturday, the 29th inst., in the Tutanekai for Akaroa, where they will spend Sunday, March Ist. A visit will then be paid to Stewart Island, and the West Coast Sounds. Cardinal Moran received an enthusiastic welcome from the Maoris at Ohinemutu, on Lake Rotorua. In addition to a reception in ancient native fashion, with “hake” ami "poi” dances, there was a representative gathering of Europeans and Maoris in Tama-te-Kapua meetinghouse, when his Eminence was presented with an address and two large framed pictures. Archbishop Redwood, of Wellington, Bishop O’Connor, of Armidale, N.S.W., and Bishop Gallagher,, of Goul burn, N.S.W., spoke on the occasion.

PHYLLIS BROUN.