AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 12, 21 March 1908, Page 61

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, March 17. I am afraid I have very little news for you this week, and I must apologise for having no letter at all for you last week, but there really has been nothing to talk about, except tho weather, and that is too hackneyed and uninteresting a subject for modern letter-writers, though I notice that awkward gaps- in both letters and conversation are very frequently filled with long and discursive accounts of it. Last Thursday the AUCKLAND CROQUET ASSOCIATION commenced their championship matches on the Mt. Eden • lawn. After the heavy rain of the early part of the week, it was doubtful whether the lawns would be in a fit state for play on Thursday, and this uncertainty, doubtless,- accounts for the very small number of spectators present. Some interesting matches were played, Mrs. Thomas beating Mrs. George Hill. Mrs. Browft defeated Mrs. Kidd, and Mrs. Watkins defeated Mrs. Morton. Mr. Heather gave every satisfaction as umpire. Visitors to the lawn were provided with tea by the Mt. Eden Club—a thoughtful act of hospitality much appreciated by everyone. Amongst others present last Thursday I noticed Mrs. J. L. R. Bloomfield, Mrs. Frater, Mrs. Overton Smith, Mrs. Whitney, Mrs. Rathbone, Mrs. Hesketh, Mrs. Horace Walker, Mrs. Bob Walker, Mrs. Payton, Mrs. Uphill, Mrs. Seagar, Miss Alison, Mrs. Willie Kenderdine, Mrs. H. Fenton, Mrs. Burgo Heather, Mrs. Harold Heather, Mrs. Mogtnie, Mrs. Mackay, Mrs. Udy, Miss Gill, Mrs. Smith, etc. THE “ONEHUNGA MOREPORKS” are still in existence, and on Wednesday evening surprised Miss Suttie at “Taiwa,” Symonds-street. The evening was spent in playing progressive euchre, and the fortunate prize-winners were Mrs. Seigrin and Mrs. Martin, and Messrs. E. Bourke and McKinney. Amongst those present I noticed Mrs. Martin wearing a handsome black silk toilette; Mrs. Selgin, black velvet gown with beautiful cream Maltese lace berthe; Mrs. F. Yonn,g pretty blue merveilleux silk blouse toned with cream lace, black skirt; Mrs. Monty Wynyard wore black silk, the bodice veiled in black lace; Mrs. McKinney, black eolienne toilette; Mrs. Jack Gray, blue silk blouse and black skirt; Mrs. L. Noakes, dainty gown of white silk: Mrs. E. Clarke, white silk blouse trimmed with Maltese lace, blaek skirt; Miss Suttie, graceful green silk toilette; Miss Devereux was gowned in pale pink silk; Miss Seigrin, dainty white muslin; Miss Bassett wore black; Miss Farquhar, very pretty pink chiffon taffeta: Miss Reynolds, blaek velvet; Miss Violet Gray was wearing a pretty white silk toilette: Miss Dunlop, soft pink muslin; Miss I. Dunlop, white inserted muslin; Miss Eva Gray was charming in white silk; Miss A. Woolley, becoming green blouse and blaek skirt; Miss Martin, white muslin; Miss Brookfield was gowned in blaek silk toned with lace; Miss Gledstanes, pretty white silk frock; Miss Yonge, pale blue silk blouse, and blaek skirt, pale blue bow in her hair. PRESENTATION TO MR. C. HOUCHEN. On Wednesday, March 11th, a social was given at the Parish Hall, Lake Takapuna, to say farewell to Mr. C. Houeheu, who is leaving the district to act as curate to the Rev. G. Radcliffe, of Hamilton. Mr. Houehen has for a long time taken an active part in church work, having been superintendent of the Sunday-school, lay-reader, and churchwarden, and has been universally esteemed in the parish. There was a good programme of vocal and instrumental music, amongst the performers being Miss Mac Tier, Miss Ivy Alison, Miss Edna Gillingham, Mr. Houehen, and Mrs. Moren. The Rev. W. Q. Monckton, curate of St. Peter's, in a •hort speech, referred to the great assistance Mr. Houehen had always rendered of the work of the church in Takapuna, ami ta the regret felt at hie departure.

Mr. Esdaile, the people's churchwarden, then presented Mr, Houehen, on behalf of the parishioners, with a travelling bag, a pocket communion service, a set of church books, and a silver inkstand. In making the presentation, he spoke specially of Mr. Houcben’s work in the Sun-day-school, and his readiness to help any. body who was in need or trouble. Miss Tressa Tompkins, on behalf of the Sum-day-school children, presented Mr. Houehen with a silver font for use in private baptisms. Mr. Houehen, having suitably responded, a very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne’’ and the National Anthem. Croquet tournaments always seem rather a sure and easy way of raising money for a desirable object, a lid no doubt the Cathedral Organ Fund will reap a substantial benefit from the tournament organised by a strong committee of Parnell ladies, which commences on the Parnell lawns on March 24 Practically the same committee arranged one last year, and the affair was a pronounced succes, both from the players and spectators point of view. The prizes are to be equally good this year, and some interesting games are expected. SOME PURELY PERSONAL ITEMS Among the few events of the week connected with social circles is the Mayoress’s "At Home” to-day, given at “Cintra,” Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Myers’ beautiful home. There is expected to be present a large number of guests to enjoy the hospitalities of our popular Mayor and his charming wife. Mr. and Mrs. A. Shalders and Miss Vera Shalders left Auckland last week for England, via Sydney. Mr. and Mrs. George Leighton returned to Wellington from Auckland last week. They were accompanied by Miss Mabel Leighton, who will be their guest far some time. A quiet wedding takes place at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Ponsonby, this morning (Wednesday), at half-paSt IB o’clock, when the nuptials of Auriol Gittos and Mr. Percy Earle, of the Laud's Office, will be celebrated. Mrs. Fred. Taylor, accompanied by her mother, left by the Mokoia for Sydney, en route to England. Miss May Sloane, of Marine Parade, Auckland, is at present on a visit to Wellington. At a meeting of the Mothers’ Union last week an address was given by Mrs. Haliday, a delegate from the Mother's’ Union in England. On the suggestion of Mrs. Nelson, those present decided to hold a mass meeting of women in the Choral Hall, in April, for the purpose of hearing a second address from the English visitor. Miss Gussir Baffin is to be married to Mr. James Wilson, Russell, on the 24th of this month. The wedding is to be a very quiet one. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Plunket arrived in Auckland from South this week, and were accompanied by Captain Gathorne-Hardy, A.D.C., and Mr. H. v. Waterfield, private secretary. Miss Sutton and Miss Selgren, Onehunga, are leaving Auckland by the Manuka on the 30th of this month on a visit to Sydney. Mrs. Ireland and the Misses Ireland, “Huhne Court,” Parnell, left Auckland for Rotorua last Monday. They intend spending several months in the thermal district, and during their absence have let their bouse to Mrs. Hemery. Mrs. Holmes, St. Stephen's Avenue, Parnell, left Auckland last Tuesday on a short visit to Wellington and Master* ton. Mrs. J. R. Reid, Park-road, Auckland, was a passenger to Napier by the s.s. Manuka last Tuesday. Miss Jessie Reid and Mr. Sinclair Reid left Auckland on Monday by the Mokoia for Sydney, where they join the Moldavia for the Old Country. They expect to be away about a year. Major Carey and Miss Carey, of Sydney, and Miss Dargavillc, of Auckland, are on a visit to the Hot x-akes district.

Mrs. Hain, who has been on a visit to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Cotter, left Auckland on Monday for Sydney. She was accompanied by Miss Winnie Cotter, who will stay for some time ia New South Wales.