AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 8, 25 August 1909, Page 63

AUCKLAND.

August 23. Military Ball—A Gorgeous Function. TIY much-talked-of, eagerly-antici-I pated Garrison Officers’ Club A ball on the 19th was the most brilliant, spectacular, and successful event of the season. Speculation had been rife as to what form the idecoration of the promenade would take, last year’s success being the study of a winter garden. That effect was, however, eclipsed by the spring garden .yvhich this year burst on the view of its delighted beholders. From a centrepiece in the shape of a diamond flower (bed of real mould, thickly planted with growing golden narcissi and borders of .boxthorn and ivy, richly carpeted aisles led away among cabbage trees, nikaus, and shrubbery to budding trees, laden with trails of wistaria, almond, peach, and the apple blossom of spring. It •was indeed a triumph of decorative art which would bo hard to emulate, rivalling the pantomimic effects of the stage. 'A bower of nikau hung with Chinese lanterns led away to the ballroom, which (Was gay with the flags of many nations, While rose-coloured hanging lamps east a soft light on the dancers below. A fanfare of trumpets announced the arrival of bis Excellency the Governor and Lady Plunket, who advanced through a military guard of honour to the dais at the far end of the room, where they were received by Colonel and Mrs. Wolfe. ’This was flanked by two full-length canvases of Rangitoto and the Channel, and lit by three shaded lamps in the form of huge crimson poppies. The Walls, which were embowered in nikau and gleaming with mirrors, displayed interesting emblems of war and barrackroom life in the form of shields, trophies, arms, and targets. At the entrance to the supper room was erected a military tent with palisade of shells, guarded by a sentry at arms and field guns. The beautiful silver cups won by various Companies, together with the heavy silken and embroidered colours of the regiment, and the Auckland Mounted Rifles’ handsome bronze shield, graced the entrance way. The supper, which was heralded by a tattoo from within the tent, was a sumptuous repast such as the military connoisseur is an adept at devising. A special table was reserved for the Vice-regal party, and was a ischeme in golden satin ribbons, narcissus, and snowdrops, the other tables being carried out in a similar manner. The music, which was supplied by the Garrison Band, was of the same inspiriting military character which infectiously infused itself through all the arrangements carried out with such a lavish hand. The dressing was some of the most handsome ever seen in Auckland, and some lovely diamonds were worn. The gay uniforms of the officers, in their trappings of scarlet cloth and gold and silver braid, as they moved about among the diaphanous draperies of the ladies, made a kaleidoscope of colour Oriental in its brilliancy. The members of the committee who were mainly instrumental in promoting and executing this splendid decorative scheme were Captains Knyvett, Spinlev, Dawson, and Lieut. McGilp, land Mesdames Wolfe, Abbott, Reed, 'Bloomfield, Major, and the Misses Dawson and Shera. The Vice-regal set was made up as follows:—His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. 'Wolfe, Colonel Wolfe and Lady Plunket, Colonel Reed and Miss Hill, Colonel Holgate and Mrs. C. D. Grey, Colonel Patterson and Mrs. Holgate, Captain Gathorne-Hardy and Mrs. Major, Monsieur Boeufve and Mrs. Abbott, Colonel Abbott and Mrs. Reed. There were several debutantes, whose beautiful bouquets of flowers added sweetness to their dainty frocks. Lady Plunket was charminglv robed .in tangerine satin charmeuse, the skirt

being made in tunic effect, the corsage was draped with beautiful old laee and a soupcon of black chiffon, and she wore a magnificent diamond necklace and tiara; Miss Hill wore a graceful ivory white souple satin Princess robe, with tiny straps on sleeves and corsage of crimson and gold galoon; Mrs. W. D. Holgate, black trained chiffon taffeta, with white Oriental lace sleeves, white ostrich stole; Mrs. G. R. Bloomfield, blush-pink souple satin with draped tunic and insertions of rich jewelled pink and cream lace; Mrs. C. D. Gray (mayoress) was gowned in blue satin, made en princesse; Miss Shera, white satin gown, wreathlet of white roses in coiffure; Miss Dawson, white embroidered crepe de chine; Mrs. G. C. B. Wolfe wore a handsome buttercup brocade, with gold Japanese applique on corsage; Mrs. J. R. Reed, black trained crepe de chine over black glace silk, decorations of jet, and crimson poppies; Mrs. F. E. Baume was attired in a becoming black satin Princess robe, with garniture of gold bugles; Mrs. Alfred Nathan wore a picture dress of pearl grey satin, with grey chiffon tunic, white osprey in coiffure; Miss Ida Thompson, palest pastel tinted pink Princess robe, decorated with silver buttons and white lace; Miss Gwen Nathan, mignonette green Oriental satin Empire frock, with embroideries of silver thread; Mrs. Savage was in an emerald green filet net posed upon green satin, peacock plumes in coiffure; Mrs. Parices, black Venetian lace striped with black velvet over white glace silk, clusters of crimson velvet poppies; Mrs. Lucas Bloomfield, rich cream satin with handsome panel effect of embroidery, and golden enamel buttons, the corsage encrusted with pearls and gold bugle bead's; Mrs. R. Isaacs was effectively gowned in black chiffon taffeta with appliques of Paris lace and a soupcon of turquoise velvet; Miss Isaacs, white Limerick lace gown with tunic of lace and sequin embroidered deeolletage; Mrs. Ernest Bloomfield was distingue in pastel blue satin veiled with silver sequined net, bolero of silver embroidery; Mrs. Harry Bloomfield was wearing a white crepe de chine Princess robe encrusted with white gold and blue roses; Miss Millicent Aickin, white satin veiled in white Oriental laee; Mrs. Duthie was in Nattier blue silk with tunic bordered with silver braid and fringe, white osprey in coiffure; Miss Vera Duthie was winsome in a simple white satin gown with silver scarf; Miss Towle, pastel blue satin Princess robe with applique of blue roses on corsage; Miss Marjorie Towle wore eau de nil silk; Mrs. F. W. Abbott, becoming evening toilette; Miss Haultain, shell pink silk Empire frock with pink goffered chiffon deeolletage; Miss Rook, rose pink soft satin, made in Princess style, with guipure applique in panel effect, tucked pink chiffon sleeves; Miss Endean, pink and white chine silk with silver embroideries; Mrs. Spinley, handsome black trained chiffon taffeta, the corsage embroidered in black silk; Mrs. Kronfeld, myrtle green silk with cream jewelled lace sleeves and deeolletage; Miss Duder, ivory surah silk; Mrs. Hazard, maize satin charmeuse Princess robe; Miss Smith, white Oriental lace over white silk; Miss Winnie Kent, turquoise blue satin, white lace cross over bodice; Mrs. Bartlett, opal green silk and white lace; Miss Bartlett, maize silk Empire frock; Miss Wood, heliotrope crepe de chine; Mrs. Kay, black velvet Princess robe, white Mechlin lace corsage with cluster of pink rosebuds; Mrs. Pilkington wore a shimmering blue satin Empire gown; Mrs. Major, white sequined lace over silk ; Mrs. Hardie Neil, black chiffon taffeta with white chiffon tucker and gold tassels; Mrs. Gaudin, handsome black embroidered chiffon over white silk; Miss Dawson, pale heliotrope ninon de soie with blue Swiss belt and frillings of white Valenciennes lace; Miss Muriel Dawson wore a charming pastel blue Oriental satin gown; Mrs. Gorrie, black satin and jet; Mrs. Duder, black silk evening toilette; Mrs. Edmund Mahoney,

lovely gown of pale amethyst brocade made in Empire effect with embroideries of Japanese applique; Miss Browning, graceful white crepe de chine with panels of beautiful white lace; her sister was in a moonlight blue chiffon over satin with sequined tulle tucker; Mrs. Markham was in ivory white filet net posed on white satin, pink ro*"' in coiffures Mrs. J. S. Purdy, peach blossom pink ninon de soie over silk foundation, with pipings of black velvet caught with gold tassels; Miss Una Saunders, (debutante), white satin charmeuse; Mrs. Eliot Davis, white souple satin. At Home.

On Friday afternoon Mrs. Rees-George gave a charming afternoon “At Home” at her residence, “Stoneleigh,” Epsom. The hostess, who wore soft black satin with Maltese laee, was assisted in receiving her guests by her daughters, Mrs. Gavey wearing a white silk Empire gown with lace-guimpe-and black velvet choux, and Miss Rees-George, who looked very handsome in a wine-coloured velvet gown with yoke of cream net and bolero effect of tissue embroidery. The drawing and dining rooms were daintily decorated with cyclamen and daffodils, and a bookguessing competition rendered it necessary to put on one’s “thinking cap.” Tire prizes—a pair of silver and enamel hatpins—fell to Miss Jordan; the second, a silver and cut glass salts bottle, to Mrs. Bunny; while Miss Waller received the consolation prize. An elaborate afternoon tea was served from the breakfast room, where the table was charmingly decorated with spring flowers in tall vases. Musical items were rendered during the afternoon. Among those present were: Misses Stuart, Barstow, Hesketh, Walker, Jordan, Waller, MoLean, Dawson, Mrs. Bunny (Dannevirke), Mrs. Earle, Misses Macindoe, Mathias, Patterson, Jessop, Gittos, Bongard, Wood, Phillips, Miller.

Coming-of-Age Dance. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott invited their many friends to a dance at their residence “Manahau,” Epsom, on Friday evening in honour of their son Frank’s corning of age, and one and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Burke’s String Band supplied the music. The tree-ferns and palms in the garden were hung with coloured lights. The supper ■table in the red and white dining-room was beautifully arranged with red flowers and maiden-hair fern and festooned with red ribbons. Mrs. Abbott received in black chiffon taffeta relieved with white net and folds of black chiffon; Miss Flossie Abbott wore a dainty frock of white taffeta finished with white satin ■lace; Mrs. Ritchie, striking gown of cream Liberty satin with panel and berthe of guipure lace embossed with clusters of grapes. Among the guests I noticed: Mrs. Walker, in violet silk ; Mrs. Lossemore, black glace relieved with white vest; Mrs. Moritzson (Dunedin), lovely gown of prune silk with touches of cream; Mrs. Owen, black silk taffeta finished with tucked cream net; Mrs. Campion, black silk gown; Miss J. Yates (guest of Mrs. Abbott), debutante in Princess gown of white liberty satin with silver spangled lace, bouquet of white freesias; Miss L. Walker, maize silk with black passementerie trimming; her sister wore pale blue and silver; Miss Craig, primrose silk frock trimmed with gold and green spangled lace; Miss Hay, dainty white net finished with pink ribbon and sash; Miss E. Hopkins, pretty white taffeta; Miss A. Hawke, mauve frock, with ruffles of lace threaded with pale blue; Miss N. Walker wore a sweet frock of shell pink paillette with panel of Maltese lace; Miss W. ’Kent, pale blue with touches of white net and blue spangles; Miss S. Campion’s Princess robe of mauve liberty satin with silver bugle, lace panel and fringe of silver, was beautiful; her sister Kitty wore a dainty white dress 'with silver berthe; Miss R. Best looked dainty in pompadour chiffon of green and primrose; Miss M. Towle, blue paillette silk with applique trimming of blue on white vest; Miss Towle, pretty shell pink taffeta; Miss K. Devore, cream lace frock over liberty satin, with cerise sash and ribbons; Miss Isabella Devore, pale blue and white silk; s Miss Poppy Payne looked very dainty in salmon pink chiffon taffeta with berthe of white lace; Miss M. Culling wore a becoming frock of white satin, with white net and panels of satin; Miss Connie Craig, eau de nil chiffon taffetas with gold lace straps; Miss Phyllis Metcalfe wore her dainty debutante gown of white liberty satin with tunic of white chiffon, finished with silver

bugle lace; Miss A. Mackow, maize coloured paillette silk; Miss Moritzson (Dunodin) looked veiy aainty in white silk, with silver spangles and touches of emerald green; Miss G. Frater, pale pink with overskirt of grey chiffon, and grey spangled lace; Miss T. Vaile, nattier blue taffeta, with silver bugle lace and pink ribbons; Miss Hilary Vaile looked sweet in white chiffon voile, with pretty prune ribbons; Miss D. Metcalfe, Princess gown of nattier blue; Miss E. Potter, salmon pink chiffon; Miss Hellaby, pretty nattier blue frock, with touches of silver; Miss K. Heighway, pretty white silk relieved with green; Miss Johnston, heliotrope gown of liberty satin with ruffled ribbons and lace; Miss J. Frater, white chiffon taffeta with gold gauze trimming; Miss A. Barstow, white lace frock with opalescent spangles; Miss A Ralph, hand some white silk veiled in white spangled net. Among the gentlemen were: Messrs. Alexander, Buddle, Macky, Howarth, Frater (2), Price, Bedford, Gorrie, Yates, Simpson, Mills, Waller, Henins, Mahon, Robson, Kronfield, Hughes, Hellaby, Devore. Personal.

Miss Lukin, of Wellington, is a guest of her sister, Mrs. Caro, of Auckland. Mrs. Ngata is spending a holiday in Rotorua. Mrs. Percy Jones, of Shaftesbury, Te Aroha, is in Auckland, and is staying at the Royal Hotel. Mrs. Norman Burton, of Wellington, is on a six weeks’ visit to her mother in Auckland. Miss Rachel Richmond has arrived in Auckland from. Wellington, and is a guest of Mrs. Howard Richmond. The marriage between Mr. Albert N. Wallace, of the Telegraph Department, Auckland, and Miss Eugenie StA. Ahicr, eldest daughter of Mr. G. M. A. Ahier, of Te Awamutu, is to take place at Te Awamutu on Wednesday, September Bth.

PHYLLIS BROUN.