AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 18, 3 November 1909, Page 63

AUCKLAND.

More Bad Weather. November 1. again proved unfavourable to the various outdoor J clubs who had arranged opening functions. A strong wind and clouds of dust prevailed during the first part of the afternoon, and at 4 o’clock rain fell, with the result that play had to be abandoned. Parnell Tennis Club.

There was a good muster of members and friends at the opening ceremony in connection with the above popular club on Saturday afternoon. Professor Seagar declared the season open, and in the course of his remarks stated that the club was in a prosperous condition, both financially and as regards membership. Owing to the exceptionally early start, the lawns were in a somewhat backward condition, but the warm Weather and plenty of watering would speedily rectify’ this. No expense had been spared on the croquet green, for Which 150 loads of soil had been requisitioned to bring it up to first-class condition, and the result was one of which they might feel proud. He then presented Mr. Scherff, on behalf of the club, with a gold watch guard as a token of estepm on his retiring from the arduous duties of the secretaryship —a post which he had carried out with marked success for many years. A group photograph was then taken by our photographer, which appears in this issue. A very dainty afternoon tea was partaken of, and though play was interfered with by the rain, it fortunately held off till after the ceremony was concluded.

Among those on the lawns I noticed: Mrs. W. ■R. Holmes, in a white linen gown and large burnt straw hat with sapphire blue velvet band; Mrs. Gollan Newton, a smart white worked linen costume with white crochet jacket, Tuscan hat wreathed with pink and heliotrope flowers; Mrs. W. R. Bloomfield, navy cloth coat and skirt, violet straw hat with loops of velvet; Miss Hilda Bloomfield, blue and white cambric frock, white French sailor hat; Mrs. J. R. Reed wore a stylish cinnamon brown linen tailormade gown and black picture hat; Mrs. Geo. Hill, navy blue costume, Tuscan hat wreathed with pink and heliotrope flowers; Mrs. Pavitt, dark blue cloth tailor-made gown, toque en suite; Mrs. DeYry wore an elegant fawn Directoire costume, handsomely’ braided in silk the same shade, pink and black toque; Mrs. C'olegrove, pretty French gow’n of finely Striped black and white cloth, hat en suite; Mrs. McCormick, pearl grey summer tweed gown and violet floral hat; Mrs. Geo. Kent, pale grey viyella coat and skirt, violet Dolly Varden hat; Miss May- Cameron, cream serge skirt and silk embroidered blouse, white lace hat threaded with blue ribbon; Miss Marion Metcalfe wore a dainty vieux rose and white striped cambric frock and white Tuscan hat sw’athed with pink; Miss Vera Duthie, white embroidered muslin frock, large art blue hat swathed with brown floral silk; Mrs. Chatfield, dainty’ white silk gown and violet hat; Mrs. Erson, mole grey tailor-made costume, grey hat swathed with violet; Mrs. Gregson, beautifully fitting navy serge costume, black plumed hat; Misses KerrTaylor wore green costumes, braided with silk, hats en suite; Mrs. Hunt, black cloth costume with white entredeux, black plumed hat; Mrs. Rathbone, black gown and stylish French coat of White crash inserted with Mechlin lace and faced with black silk, black toque; Miss Lusk, grey linen coat and skirt, black lace and jet beehive hat; Miss O. Lusk, grey and white striped linen frock, .Violet mushroom hat; Miss Preece, blue Md white striped linen, hat to match;

Miss Basley, cream serge gown with heliotrope pipings and buttons, large heliotrope hat; Miss Davey, navy -and white costume; Miss Payton, dark'green tweed frock, white straw hat swathed with black silk; Miss Katie Devore, cream striped summer tweed coat and skirt, large cream hat with brown velvet band; Mrs. (Dr.) Keith, white embroidered muslin, white Panama hat with black band; Mrs. Cooke, smart grey’ and black striped linen gown, floral hat; Mrs. A. P. Friend. French grey cloth coat and skirt., black crinoline hat with pink roses; Misses Oliphant wore white and blue linen frocks respectively. Shakespeare Club.

The closing recital of the present season was given by the Ponsonby Shakespeare and Rhetoric Club on Thursday evening, w’hen the pleasant little lecture room of the Leys Institute was filled to overflowing. The programme was of a varied description, opening with the trial scene from ‘‘The Merchant of Venice.” Owing to a cold, Madame Wielaert was unable to read the part of Portia, but the vacancy was ably filled by Miss Bertha Jackson. The other parts were allotted as follows:—The Duke of Venice, Mr McCoy; Antonio, Mr J. Gregory; Bassanio, Mr H. Hemus; Gratiano, Mr Alison; Shylock, Mr E. T. Hart; Nerissa, Miss M. Stubbs; Salerio, Mr Kealy. The quarrel scene from “The School for Scandal” was admirably read by Miss Bertha Jackson and Mr H. Hemus. Miss A. Gillett and Miss Stubbs recited an amusing piece entitled “Chatterboxes.” Miss Alice Gillett gave a very humorous recitation, “Little Orphant Annie,” for which an encore was demanded. Another excellent item was the final scene from Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” which was cleverly read by Mrs F. Turner and Professor Maxwell Walker. Mr G. Bullen gave an effective reading entitled “Napoleon.” and two delightful musical items by the Bloy Quartet were given. Among the ladies in the hall were Mrs Leys, in brown silk with cream lace entredeux. Mrs Maxwell Walker, blue and white striped silk with white tucked net guimpe; Mrs Gardner, black satin gown; Mrs T. U. Wells, white ninon and lace; Mrs John Gregory, pink floral muslin with pipings of old rose velvet; Miss W. Leys, white embroidered muslin frock; Mrs Hodgson, reseda green Shantung relieved with cream lace; Mrs Ross, dark green charmeuse; Miss A. Gillett wore sea green ninon, piped with dark green velvet and cream lace: Miss Stubbs, shell pink chiffon taffeta and white lace, pink bandeau in coiffure; Miss Bertha Jackson, very pretty cameo pink crepe de chine, embroidered in pearls: Miss Nellie Hellaby, white embroidered muslin; Mrs Cooke, cream lace gown; Miss Rees, royal blue charmeuse: Mrs Turner was pretty in delicate pink mousseline with ruffles of white lace.

At Home at Devonport. Last Thursday between 70 and 80 people assembled at Bayshill, Devonport, when Dr. Bennett’s Glee Club were “At Home” to their friends. An excellent and varied programme was presented. Solos and a trio by various members were much appreciated, and the club was heard to great advantage in “The Sands of Dee” (Macfarren), “0, Lovely May” (German), “Moonlight” (Eaton Fanning), “The Long Day Closes” (Sullivan), etc., but singers and audteice alike will agree that “As Torrents in Summer” (Edgar), took the palm; it was beautifully sung. Three instrumental trios by Messrs. Beale, Palairet, and Armstrong added not a little to the enjoyment of the evening. After supper a pleasant ceremony took place in the dining-room, when the club presented their conductor. Dr. Bennett, with a case of silver-mounted pipes, as a token of gratitude for the time and trouble spent on their behalf. “God Save the King” brought a very pleasant evening to a close, and the visitors departed wishing themselves and everyone concerned. "Many happy returns of the day.”

Bridge. Last Saturday week, Mrs. W. J. Culpan, of Aahton-road, Mt. Eden, gave a delightful bridge evening, at which 10 tables were arranged in her spacious din-ing-room. The prize-winners were Miss F. Bock and Mr. E. Ashton. After supper, which was served in the drawingroom, there was some music, which was much enjoyed. The hostess was gowned in heliotrope chiffon taffetas trimmed with silver lace. Among the guests present were: Mesdames A. Taylor, Adkins, J. Culpan, F. Wilson Smith, Dacre, Howard, Cockroft, Ashton. Bock, Oidham, R. Sheath, C. Hermann. Misses Connelly (2), Harper, Bock, Hogwood, Ansenne (2), Alexander (2), Brett, Messrs. Frances, Murphy. Ashton. Alexander (2), Everard, Bennett, Adkins, Culpan. Wilson Smith, C. Germann, Cockloft, R. Sheath, Corbett, Dacre, J. Culpan, Harper.

Afternoon Tea. On Monday afternoon Mrs. F. Wilson Smith gave a most enjoyable afternoon tea at Buchanan’s tea rooms, Queenstreet, in honour of Miss Boek's visit to Auckland. The hostess was charmingly gowned in an amethyst Shantung tailormade coat and skirt, with pretty floral hat to match; Miss Bock wore a smart mauve linen costume with pretty heliotrope hat. Amongst those present were: Mrs. Bock, wearing smart black chiffon taffeta gown; Mrs R. Dacre, dainty black and white linen gown; Mrs. R. Sheath, cream coat and skirt; Mrs. Oldhanr, Mrs. Adkins, Misses Devore, Miss Frater, Miss Nicols, Miss Stevenson. Miss Commons, Miss Connelly (2), Mrs. Culpan, Miss Holland, etc. Personal. Mrs. F. Short, of Opotiki. is spending a few weeks in Auckland, and is stopping with her father, the Hon. Major Harris, M.L.C., Epsom. Mrs. Tuthill, of Ballarat, who has been staying for some months with her daughter, Mrs. Kissling. of Gladstoneroad, Parnell, is at present on a short

holiday to Rotorua

PHYLLIS BROUN.