AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 10, 9 March 1910, Page 62

AUCKLAND.

March 5. Kitchener's Visit. THE official visit of Lord Kitchener is over —a thing of the past — but the man himself, how satisfactory he was. He came right up to one's expectations; he was simply grand. The fact of having the reputation of rarely smiling, has resulted in that every time the poor man parts his lips it is promptly labelled a smile. So there is a danger of the smileless one becoming the smiler. But may be this is only a gallant

attempt to please us. One very quaint incident happened at the review of the cadets, which might have been a tragedy. On either side of the saluting point were ranged the veterans; on the right those from the Veterans’ Home. They had a long form to sit on to relieve the strain of the long wait. Three times these poor old dears rose, formed into line, threw their chests out, and stood at attention, only for Lord Kitchener to inspect someone else. We who were on the other side of the ground prayed that by no evil chance they were to be overlooked, as each time they sadly turned and resumed their seats. Me could see the huge sign which spoke their ranks. But all in good time came the inspection, and the poor old shrunken figures seemed to grow larger before our eyes. So much has been said about the review that there seems nothing else to say. But it was very fine, and had only the weather been fine it would have

been even better. It was a most inspiring sight to see this mass of “youth” look so workmanlike. The King’s boys came in for no end of admiration; their marching was splendid, as also was that of the Public School Corps. The St. Ste-phen's College Cadets looked very fine, and I hear that Lord Kitchener remarked upon their fine physique and general appearance. The Grammar School boys were in great luck, having their colours presented by the great FieldMarshal. They ought indeed to be proud, and no doubt are.

Some very funny incidents happened on the following day. Colonel Tuson, who had undertaken to pilot Lord Kitchener, found that his knowledge of the country outside Auckland was not so extensive as he imagined, and, in trying to reach the desired point from which Lord Kitchener wished to view the manoeuvres, the whole party became “lost.” A stonewall barred their way, which Lord Kitchener promptly put his horse at and cleared, and pursued his unknown way across the seoria country alone and unattended, while his staff by various methods “took the wall.” The casualities were “one wounded,” as, unfortunately, Col. Tuson tore his fingers very badly with a bar bed-wire fence. In the end, Lord Kitchener was “found” by Mr. E. D. O'Rorke, and, under the guidance of that genial sportsman, his troubles were over. Tlve one chanee we “mere” women had of meeting Lord Kitchener was at the Veterans’ Home on Wednesday morning, when he dashed out and presented an organ to the dear old men. We all know that K. of K. is not a man who dwells on things, but when I tell you that the journey to and from the Northern

Club to the Home and the presentation only took half-an-hour. this is in itself a bit of - a record, and the few people wh ■» were present must have wondered if it was all a dream.

Among those present at the Veterans’ Home during Lord Kitchener's brief visit were: Mrs. Goodwin Archer, who wore a very handsome heliotrope silk robe: Mrs. Mitehelson, smart black canvas over glace silk, black hat: Mrs. Bedford, lovelywhite embroidered frock and robe, black jet hat; Mrs. Bosca wen. brown linen coat and skirt, old rose hat: Mrs. Duthie, very smart linen coat and skirt, blue hat; Mrs. Gilfillan. black and white muslin; Mrs. Rowe, brown frock: Mrs. Kidd, white embroidered frock, black picture hat; Mrs. W. Coleman, mole coat and skirt, mole hat: Mrs. Thomas, white linen coat and skirt, pale blue hat: Mrs. Stuart Reid, black and white muslin; Mrs. Bullock Webster, sage green Empire frock; Mrs. Borthwick, black coat and skirt; Mrs. Grey, black silk; Mrs. Harry Dawson, pretty white muslin; Mrs. Stanley Sellars, white muslin; Miss Morrow, dainty pale pink voile; Miss Coleman, smart white silk frock: Miss Simson, old rose silk voile, hat to correspond : Misses Murray, lovely white muslin frocks, large picture hats; Miss Gorrie, dainty white muslin; Miss Price, white linen dress, black hat; Miss Maris Clark, pale blue linen costume, burnt straw hat; Misses Oliphant, white muslin frocks; Misses Metcalfe, white frocks; Miss Mason, grey coat and skirt. Mrs. Nathan's Farewell. The list of parties given in honour of Mrs. Alfred Nathan and her daughters has been as long as one's arm, the two latest being a bridge for Mrs. Nathan and a tea for the Misses Nathan. Mrs. Charlie Nathan was the hostess for the bridge function. A delicious supper was served and the decorations of the supper table were a distinctive feature. The centre piece was a replica of the steamer “Mongolia,’’ in which the Nathan family travel from Sydney to England, done in greenery and flowers, with streamers from each end of the ship caught up to the gasoliens with the words “Bon Voyage,” and “Good Luck,” •printed on them; the whole effect was very quaint. Mrs. C. Nathan wore a lovely painted chiffon over soft silk with touches of pink: Mns. Alfred Nathan, a lovely robe of sequined net, with violet effects; Mrs. Arthur Nathan was in blaek; Mrs. Harry Bloomfield, a lovely black fitted robe, directoire; Mrs. Foster, black charmeuse, with a very effective arrangement of Limerick lace on the •bodice; Mrs. Duthie, palest pink charmeuse; Mrs. MeCosh Clark, black silk and lace; Mrs. Louis Myers wore a rich black robe; Mrs. W. Colbeck, a charming pale heliotrope frock of a soft clinging nature: Miss Williams looked well in a handsome black sequined robe with a touch of white on the bodice; Mrs. Lionel Benjamin; Mrs. Savage, blaek frock relieved with gold. Some of the men present were: Messrs. A. Nathan, Duthie, Benjamin, Colbeck, and Capt. Cornwall. Afternoon Tea. This party was given by Miss Pearl Gorrie, and the Misses Nathan were th* guests of honour. The hostess had (considering the weather) no guessing competitions or such like horrors, one’s brains seem so foggy this weather. Only talk and tea. Several of the girls had come on from the golf meeting, and there was a lot of golf talk. Miss Pearl Gorrie wore white muslin, and Miss E. Gorrie was also in white. Miss Roie Nathan

looked charming in a dainty white frock and a large picture hat. Miss Marjorie Towle wore a charming toilet of ivory white silk muslin, much inserted with /hite lace, a black picture hat with vreath of small pink roses. Miss N. Jorrie, a rose pink linen coatee and skirt, braided with blaek, large black hat; Mi-s <l. Gorrie. a smart, natural colour Shantung with large picture hat of heliotrope straw; Miss Cotter, a pretty nattier blue voile, relieved with Paris lace and net, black hat wreathed with blue feathers; Miss Winnie Cotter, eream muslin insertion frock, a pretty heliotrope chip hat dressed with lovely heliotrope feathers; Miss Mary Geddes, white silk muslin over silk, large hat with flowers;-Misses Ross (Sydney). Miss Hazel Buckland, Misses Thorpe (2), Misses Nathan (2), Miss Miles, pink frock, large black hat; Misses Browning (2), Miss Jessie Read, Miss Vera Duthie. Miss D. Dennison, Miss A. Stubbs, Miss N. Upton. “ 'Week End ' at Waiwera. Another delightful “Week End” party to Waiwera was arranged by Mr. \V. Carrick, chaperoned by Mesdames Archie Clark. Duthie, and Lucas Bloomfield. As the weather was so very rough, and so many were afraid to brave the elements, it was decided to go by drag, and so the party left on Saturday afternoon, arriving after tea at Waiwera. Some of those who were asked to join were: Miss M. Dargaville. Miss Marjorie Towle, Miss Hilda Bloomfield. Miss Pearl Gorrie. Miss Isobel Clark. Miss Jessie Reed, Miss Eunice Saunders, Miss Vera Duthie, Miss Syble Payton, Messrs. A. Dennison. E. Dargaville. W. Carrick. N. Duthie, Sinclair Rted. D. Kettle. Captain Cornwall and Mr. Sydney Thorne George. Personal.

By the time this is in print Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Nathan and their family will be on their way to Sydney, en route for England, where they intend living for two years. It goes without saying that thev will be very much missed.

Miss Miles (Wellington), who has been on an extended visit to Mrs. Alfred Nathan, leaves for her home this week.

Mr. and Mrs. Nolan and Miss Dorothy Nolan, also leave on Monday for Sydney, en route for the Old Country.

Lieut, and Mrs. Snagge, of the Powerful, have been at “Cargen” for the past week, and will be there this coming week. Miss Billing (England), sister of Mr. Billing, of tennis fame, is also staying at “Cargen,” also Mr. and Mrs. McCoy (Sydney). Mrs. Leys and family have returned to their home, Herne Bay. after a pleasant month’s stay at Waiheke.

Professor and Mrs. Dettmann returned to Auckland last week after a three months’ visit to Sydney.

PHYLLIS BROUN