AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 2, 14 July 1909, Page 62

AUCKLAND.

July 12. Dinner Party and Dance at Government House. O / f DINNER party, followed by a / I small dance, was given by the J I Governor and Lady Plunket on .Saturday evening, in honour of the officers of H.M.S. Challenger and H.AI.S. Encounter. The residence was beautifully decorated throughout with hothouse flowers, potplants and rare ferns, thrown into striking relief by the rich erimson carpets and Genoa hangings on a background of pure white. With such a setting, the vari-coloured dresses of the ladies, combined with the gay uniforms of the naval gentlemen, made a brilliant scene. The Vice-Regal set of Lancers was made up as follows, after which Lord and Lady Plunket and suite occupied chairs at the top of the ballroom, where they could obtain a good view of the dancers:—His Excellency, Lord Plunket, and Airs Colomb; Capt. da Costa and Her Excellency, Lady Plunket; Col. Tuson and Airs A. Clark; Capt. Ccjomb and Miss Hill; Commander Luxmoore and Mrs O’Rorke; Commander Grant and Airs Studholme; Capt. Gathorne-Hardy and Airs George Bloomfield; Mrs A. Clark and Airs Parkes.

The proscenium was banked with potplants, and large ferns and palms, with pots of primula in Bloom and aspidistra, were arranged in groups at intervals round the ballroom, while the chandeliers were wreathed with lycopodium and greenery. In the corridors, which were utilised for sitting-out, dumps of Chinese bamboo were tastefully dispersed, and the drawing and reception rooms formed a study in camellias, these beautiful flowers being heaped on the mantlepieces and disposed in vases everywhere. One table was devoted to the blooms of the yellow narcissus, arranged in specimen glasses, giving a striking effect, and the whole scheme relieved with pots of begonia and fern. Running the full length of the supper table was a set of five large gilt candelabra, with heavy plated gold and silver pot bowls containing begonias, interspersed with pure white narcissus.

Capital music was furnished by Burke’s band, and, there being ample room and an excellent floor, dancing was a genuine pleasure, and was vigorously enjoyed by all. Lady Plunket received the guests on the dais. All that their Excellencies could do for the entertainment of the assemblage was accomplished in the most charming manner. The Government House suite were also indefatigable in looking after everyone. Supper was served in the dining-room, the tables being very prettily set forth and looking exceedingly well under the shaded lights of several silver candelabria intermingled with silver bowls of tall begonia and crystal vased narcissi.

Lady Plunket was gracefully attired in apricot satin channeuse, with tunie softly falling to the knees and over a small square train. On the corsage were deftly arranged pipings of black chiffon, gold tissue, and draperies of superb old Brussels lace. A diamond tiara, necklet, and ornaments were worn. Airs. Waterfield’s ivory Duchess s • ' was made in Princess effect, and ’

a filmy lace bolero, and the skirt inset with scrolls of the same beautiful lace.

Miss Hill wore a white soup]? satin Empire gown, the short bodice and sleeves strapped with tiny bands of gold floral ribbon, gold filet in coiffure: Mrs. Studholme, black silk toilette, draped with blaek chiffon, ivory Limerick laee decolletage; Mrs. Guv Williams’ Empire gown of flame pink satin ehnrmeuse, the short corsage embroidered with silk braid the same shade, was very effective; Airs. Parkes, effective pink nnd green floral brocade Empire gown, white chiffon and lace scarf deftly arranged on corsage; Mrs. Columb was handsomely gowned in white sequined chiffon embossed with pink roses over white satin;

Airs. A. Clark, mole grey chiffon oveg cameo pink satin; Mrs. O’Rorke, white Duchess satin, with gold girdle and gold appliuque decolletage; Airs. E. Horton, white satitj gown, the short corsage beautifully embroidered in silver; Mrs. George Bloomfield wore an effective ivory satin charmeuse Empire gown with bolero embroidered in gold thread; Miss Browning had on a white crepe de chine, with front and back panel of rich Cluny lace, reaching tie hem of the Empire ■train; her sister was pretty in: shell pink crystalline; Airs. Guinness wore a handsome white Irish lace toilette with crimson satin ceinture; Aliss Roie Nathan, oyster white satin Direetoire gown with decolletage of chiffon deftly draped, white drooping osprey in coiffure; Aliss Gwen Nathan was in a lettuce green Grion satin Empire gown, green ribbon threaded in her hair; Aliss Holland was attired in delicate pink chiffon glace silk; Miss Essie Holland had turquoise blue chiffon over blue satin, with white AleChlin lace berthe; Mrs. Gorrie, mole grey chiffon ever gold tissue underd'ress; Aliss Margaret Tole, white net over glace silk, bolero and deep flounce on skirt of white Cluny lace; Aliss B. Tole, white seuple satin with white chiffon tunic handsomely embroidered in silk; Aliss Towle, sea green crepe de ehine, made in Empire effect, cerise velvet threaded in coiffure; Aliss K. Devore, eream Oriental lace over silk, Empire girdle caught with pink roses; Aliss Ida Thompson, shell pink chiffon taffeta silk Princess robe with rainbow lace decolletage, and large bunch of natural violets; her sister wore Nile green ninon de soie with silver bands; Miss Afoss Davis, forget-me-not blue chiffon over satin, made in Princess effect, white lace bolero with bouquet of pink blush roses ; Aliss Prickett, white chiffon over rose pink silk: Aliss Nora Gorrie, buttercup chiffon over silk Empire frock; Miss Rachael Gorrie, white crepe de chine Princess robe with panels and insertions of white Cluny lace; Aliss Cole, white Oriental satiny Aliases Dyer also wore white satin; Aliss Jessie Reid, ivory Duchess satin, the Empire bodiee embroidered in pale green silk. At His Majesty’s.

Among the audience at His Afajesty’s Theatre on Friday evening 1 noticed his Excellency the Governor, Lord Plunket, and Lady Plunket wearing a white Duchess satin Empire gown caught with gold butterfly ornaments on corsage, diamond jewellery; Aliss Hill was in a blaek silk and lace toilette, with Venetian lace berthe, and corsage bouquet of damask roses; Airs. Waterfield wore white charmeuse satin with Mechlin lace decolletage; Mrs. W. J. Napier was in blaek laee with ecru lace blousette strapped with velvet, violets on corsage; Mrs. Firth, white silk gown, champagne coloured Oriental satin opera coat; Airs. Ireland, black silk toilette with black and white figured silk entiedeux; Aliss Ireland also wore black, with a pastel blue cloth coat; Miss Ida Thompson, dainty cream' silk with rose velvet contrasted with cameo pink decolletage; her sister was in delicate blue Japanese silk with lace berthe; Aliss Sc'herff, white sun-ray pleated chiffon with cluster of natural violets; Mrs. Gore Gillon, black silk toilette; Mrs. Frater, black silk gown relieved with white silk and lace; Mrs. John Frater, white silk; Miss Gordon, cream silk and laee; Aliss Mabel Leys, white silk frock with blue ribbons; Mrs. Sharman wore a smart blaek silk evening gown; Mrs. Niecol, blaek silk gown with white net tuclker and transparent sleeves; Mrs. James Frater. pastel bine mousselinO with Afechlin laee berthe, Royal blue opera cloak; Mrs. Budi, mole grey chiffon voile with cream lace insertions. At Home.

There was a brilliant gathering of young people last Thursday evening at “Omana,” Mountain-road, Epsom, the picturesque residence of Mr. and Mrs. J J. Craig, when about 70 young people enjoyed the hospitality of the host end hostess at a delightful dance. A most effective display of lycopodi-

Oin and graceful palms lent a pleasing ail to the spacious rooms, -also the closed-in verendahs, appropriated for sitting out after the dances. The place looked like Fairyland, as the guests wended their way up the path to the l.ouse, all the grounds being lit with Chinese lanterns. The supper, perfect in all its appointments, was served in the large dining-room, the table decorationa being a study in pale pink and white. 'Burke provided excellent music, and nothing was left undone that eould in any way add to the enjoyment of the guests. The hostess wore a lovely gown of cameo pink and white brocade, made in Princess style, with a berthe of white Honiton lace; Miss Hazel Craig was very winsome in a white satin Empire frock with bands of blue and gold galloon; Miss C. Craig, an amethyst crepe de chine Empire frock; Mrs. A. Brabant, white Duchess satin with silver spangled decolletage; Mrs. Laurie wore black silk with white lace and pink roses; Miss Biss was much admired' in •white chiffon glace silk, with a wreathlet of white rose buds in coiffure; Miss Kirker, white charmeuse silk Empire gown with filet lace bolero and sleeves, pink roses in her hair; Mrs. J. M. Brigham, champagne coloured embroidered silk gown, with turquoise blue velvet and lace decolletage; Mrs. Kenny, black satin gown softened with lace; Mrs. Hellaby, black Tambour lace over •white sik, white lace scarf; Mrs. Elliott, black glace silk, white lace entredeux; Mrs. H. Craig, white glace silk; Miss Nellie Douglas was in turquoise blue veiled in white Oriental lace; Miss Oliphant, pastel blue silk ninon de soie softened with white lace; Miss Margaret Oliphant, white charmeuse silk, with gold girdle and tassels; Miss Lindsay, white glace silk with Limerick lace, Empire bodice, silver cord and tassels in coiffure; Miss Winifred Leys wore an effective brown chiffon frock with corsage bouquet of pink rosebuds, gold braid in her hair; Miss Nellie Upton was in a lovely white net embroidered with silk flowers; Miss Basley, pale Paris tinted Oriental lace over blue glace silk; Miss Nesta Thomas, ivory white taffeta Directoire gown effectively embroidered with gold; Miss Jessie Frater, white lace over cameo, pink silk; Miss Tibbs, pink broderie 'Anglaise over pink glace silk; Miss K. Devore was becomingly gowned in white Tambour lace over rose pink glace silk, made in Empire style; Miss Towle, lettuce green silk; Miss Brigham, white silk Empire frock, blue ribbon threaded in coiffure; Miss Bertha ‘Butler wore a dainty white muslin gown with cameo pink Directoire sash; Miss Commons, shell pink glace silk; Miss Ethel Bagnall, turquoise blue mousseline de soie; Mies Nellie Hellaby, white Oriental lace over silk; Miss Farrell, pastel blue silk and lace; Miss Virtue wore a pretty forget-me-not blue satin gown with bands of silver embroidery ; Miss Bleazard Brown, white Duchess satin Empire gown with silver sequined bodice; Miss Muriel Campbell, dainty Paris United point d’esprit frock; Miss G. Newell, Mai maison pink Silk; Miss Kent, pastel blue satin; Mrs. Leslie Berry, white Limerick lace over glace silk; Miss Milla Shayle George, white mousseline de soie, pale blue chiffon berthe caught with pink blush roses; Miss Rita Moritzson, dainty white charmeuse silk, heliotrope ribbons; Mrs. Moritzson, black silk gown, cream Cluny lace and emerald green Velvet on coreage. Personal.

Mrs. Alison (of Takapuna), who, with her daughter, has been visiting the Hon. Mr. Millar and Miss Millar, returned to Auckland last week. Her daughter remains in Wellington for a time.

PHYLLIS BROUN.