NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 23, 3 June 1908, Page 61

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, May 29. Last Wednesday evening Miss Winnie Alexander gave a most ENJOYABLE LITTLE DANCE to her school chums, at her beautiful home in Vivian-street, the garden being an ideal one to wander round in between the dances, so with a lovely night you can imagine the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Those who assisted the little hostess were: Misses Evans (3), Warren, and Bedford (2). Mrs. Alexander was wearing rich black silk, decolletage finished with accordion-pleat-ed frills of white and black chiffon; Miss Winnie Alexander, white embroidered muslin, pale heliotrope bows in hair; Miss Phil Alexander, dainty white embroidered muslin, finished with frills of embroidery; Miss Mabel Evans, pretty pale heliotrope silk blouse, black velvet skirt, heliotrope satin bows in hair. Amongst the others were: Miss Gwen Bewley, Miss Bertha Mathews, Miss Dorothy Gibbons, Miss Mildred Mathews, Misses L. and — Fitzherbert. Miss Edith Atkinson, Misses Doris and Kathleen Mills, etc. The annual MILITARY BALL in connection with the Taranaki Rifles took place at the Drill Hall last Monday evening, and, despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a large attendance. The music was provided by Mrs. Arnold George’s orchestra, and Major Malone, Captain-Ad jutant Weston, and Lieut. A. Humphries officiated as masters of ceremonies. Amongst the other officers present were: Lieut.-Colonel Okey (officer commanding 4th Wellington Battalion), Captain and Quartermaster F. Okey, Captain Cock, C'aptain Mills, Captain Bellringer, Lieu t. Lever. The supper was arranged in the orderly room by the ladies’ committee, which consisted of Mesdames Doekrill (president), F. T. Bellringer, A. Standish, J. Ellis, E. N. Okey, W. G. Malone-, F. W. Okey, C. H. Weston, S. McKellar, G. Tiseh, E. M. Smith, Richards, Sandford, Joseph. Simmons, R. Jury, Bach, O’Driscoll, F. E. Clarke, Bacon, Bishop, and Misses Crean and Hoskin, and the supper tables were beautifully decorated by Mrs. O’Driscoll. The ball committee consisted of Captain Bell- ' ringer, Lieuts. Lever and A. Humphries, Sergt. Joseph (secretary), Bugler-Sergt. Hopkins, Lance-Corporal Ward, Privates Nesbit, Smith, and Bacon. OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE POST OFFICE. Although it has been carrying on business for more than twelve months, the New Plymenth Post Office was not officially opened until last Wednesday afternoon, when Sir Joseph Ward performed the ceremony. A temporary platform had been erected in front of the building, and from this the speeches were delivered.. The Premier was accompanied by Miss Ward, Mr. H. Okey. M.P., and Mrs. Okey, Hon. O. Samuels, M.L.C., the Mayor and Mrs. Tiaeh, Mrs. E. M. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Dockrill and others. Just as the proceedings commenced, unfortunately for should I say fortunately) heavy tain get in, which shortened the speeches considerably. The Premier then, with silver key presented to him by Mr. DOekrill, ex-HMkyov, unlocked the doora, and formally declared the budding to be efficially opened. - • «

There was a large attendance in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday afternoon, when Mrs. Dockrili was the recipient of a PRESENTATION. from the townspeople in recognition of her valuable services during the years she had held the position of Mayoress of the borough. The Premier and Miss Ward were among the guests. The Mayor (Mr. Tisch), after a short and suitable speech, handed to Mrs. Dockrill a beautiful solid silver fruit and sweet epergne, which bears the inscription: “Presented to MrsE. Dockrill, by the eitizens of New Plymouth as a token of respect and esteem, and in recognition of her valuable services to the town as Mayoress, May 27 th, 1908.” Mrs. Dockrill personally thanked those present for their handsome present, and her remarks were supplemented by Mr. Dockrill. After Sir Joseph Ward's speech afternoon tea was served by the Ladies’ Committee. Amongst those present were: Miss Ward, light grey flecked tweed coat and skirt, large black hat trimmed with red and pink roses, white furs; Mrs Dockrill, black voile, with narrow frills on bodice, finished with a black sequined yoke, black feathered hat; Mrs. Sykes, white tucked silk blouse, dark skirt, pretty black feathered hat; Mrs. Leatham, dark green coat and skirt, pretty green hat trimmed with brown feathers, white furs; Mrs. Bewley, dark navy blue costume, black hat, brown furs; Mrs. O’Driscoll, cream costume, cream and black toque; Mrs. Chaney, navy blue costume, hat to correspond; Mrs. Evans, black costume, seal-skin coat and toque; Misses Evans (2) ; Miss Bedford, navy coat and skirt, white felt hat with feathers; Mrs. Tisch; Mrs. Mae Diarmid, fawny grey coat and skirt, toque en suite; Miss Douglas, navy blue costume, brown hat trimmed with rosettes of ribbon; Miss Devenish, pale grey costume, black feathered hat; Mrs. Bacon, black; Miss Nichol, pretty vieux rose costume, shoulder-straps bound with black silk; Mrs. —. Tisch, pretty pale grey costume, cream silk vest, skirt finished with cream lace motif, grey hat to correspond, etc. PUPILS’ DANCE. The Misses Humphries’ pupils gave a "long night” in the Freemason’s Hall last Wednesday evening, and was thoroughly enjoyed by those present. Miss Humphries received her guests in black satin relieved with white; Miss H. Humphries, black satin, cream lace berthe, lovely opera coat appliqued with silk flowers; Miss Hanna, turquoise blue, with tucker of eream lace finished with silver passementerie; Miss H. Hanna, cream voile, with rose pink silk Empire sash; Miss Colson, turquoise blue silk relieved with cream lace; Miss Bayley, black crepe de chine, with rich eream lace berthe; Miss O’Brien pale pink silk wtih berthe of cream lace; Miss A. O’Brien, pale heliotrope silk, trimmed with cream lace, silver filigree belt; Mrs. Webster, rose pink silk, inset with ecru coloured lace, decolletage finished with same; Miss L. Webster, white tucked muslin, pale blue silk Empfre belt; Miss Capel, black silk, berthe of white net and laee: Miss N. Capel, black satin, decolletage relieved with pale pink rose; Miss L. Ellis, white muslin and lace frills; Miss Healy, pretty cream tucked silk finished with lace; Miss F. O’Brien, pretty white silk; Miss Dempsey, cream voile relieved with scarlet roses; Miss E. Dempsey, white silk with rose pink floral silk sash; Miss Brewster, shell pink muslin, tuckea, decolletage finished with Valenciennes laee; Miss Clarke, tueked yellow silk with laee berthe: Miss B. Clarke, rose pink tucked silk, with bebe ribbon trimmings; Miss Knott, soft white muslin; Miss R. Knott, rose pink silk; Miss G. Kebbell, turquoise blue voile with silk and biace blouse; Mrs, H. Stocker, pale blue frilled silk, cream lace berthe; Miss Preston, pretty white book-muslin, finished with lends of white satin. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mrs. R. Charter, of Wellington, is visiting her sister, Mrs H. Davy, New Plymouth. Miss M. Mathews,who lias been visiting her friends in Dunedin, has returned to her home in New Plymouth. Miss Madge Salmon (South Africa), who has been visiting her relatives in Nelson, is now the guest of Mrs. Bedford, New Plymouth. Miss L. Skinner, Who has been visiting her relatives in Dunedin and Nelson, is now in New Plymouth, staying with her grandmother, Mrs. Deverish.

NANCY LEE.