AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 17, 26 October 1910, Page 61

AUCKLAND.

October 24. The Free Kindergarten. THE official opening of the Free Kindergarten took place on Wednesday, the 19th. and was a most interesting function. The history of this movement is well known to everyone, how Sir Logan Campbell, with his usual generosity when asked to assist the Council, did so, by giving them the beautiful building which was opened on Wednesday. One of the most interesting features of tlie ceremony was the appearance of Sir Logan Campbell, looking such a dear old thing, but so frail. He was greeted with rounds of applause, and I am sure if he could have only seen the kindly loving looks everyone gave him, he would have felt what a grand privilege it is to be able to “give.” Dr. McDowell made a fine speech, and, in beautiful words, said what we all thought of Sir Logan Campbell’s munificence. Mr. Mulgan (Chief Inspector to the Auckland Education Board) spoke very well in nice, short crisp sentences, and told us many interesting things. But the speech which to me was the most interesting was that of Mrs. Leo Myers, a vice-president of the Kindergarten Association, and a very keen worker, who, having a complete grasp of her subject, spoke so well. Mrs. Leo Myers briefly gave a sketch of the aims and objects of the kindergarten work, and made ona very good point, when she said that the day of the three R's in education had had to give way to the three H’s—the Hand, ■the Head, and the Heart. Mr. Bagnall, who, in the dual capacity of Mayor of Auckland and President of the Kindergarten Association, gave an interesting history of the progress of the Institution. The Free Kindergarten has been in existence for three terms, ami started with about 30 children; now there is an attendance of about 50. In mentioning the assistance which had been given by various people, Mr. Bagnall made special mention of Air. Milnes, head of the Training College, who had given them the benefit of his knowledge and experience, Mrs. Leo Myers, Airs. Oliphant, and Air. Brooke-Smith. It is lovely to think of all these dear little kiddies, who for part of each day can be in healthy and pretty surroundings. Though anyone who has seen the horrors of slums in the Old Country knows that the most poor and neglected of the Auckland children are better off than the best there. At the end of the speeches Sir Logan Campbell rose, and in a few words responded to the speeches made in his honour, and, handing over the key of the building to Air. Bagnall, declared it open. A photograph of the Council, with Sir Logan Campbell in their midst, was taken as a memento of a very interesting occasion. There was a large attendance of representative people, who all seemed keenly interested. After the opening ceremony, a tour of the buildings was made by most folk, and we were all struck by the charming simplicity of the decorative scheme. Thoxigh the building has no garden around it, the back opens out on to the Park, so the children have a lovely green sward for a playground. Among those present I noticed: Mr. Leys and Aliss Leys, Dr. AfcDowell and Airs. McDowell, Dr. Aubin and Airs. Au-

bin, Dr. Drummond Ferguson and Airs. Ferguson, Air. Bagnall and Aliss Bagnall, Air. and Al rs. Leo Myers, M rs. L. Afyers, Airs. Roberton, Airs. W. Coleman, Mrs. Ferguson, Archdeacon Calder and Airs. Calder, (anon Mae Murray, Airs. Gillies, Airs. Colegrove, Airs. P. Lawrence, Air. and Airs. Brooke-Smith, Miss Gibson, Mr. and Miss Nelson, Mrs. Wrigley, Mrs. Dudley, Airs. L. Peake (Waikato), Mrs. L. D. Nathan, Airs. David Nathan and Airs. Charlie Nathan, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Stokes, Airs. Cole. Bridge Party. Captain Blunt ami some of the officers of the Pioneer gave a bridge party on board. Sailors always make delightful hosts, and one always counts upon having a real good time. This party was no exception. Devotees of the game of bridge spent a jolly time at well-arrang-ed tables (which is the secret of a jolly bridge party). Other guests who did not play had an equally good time, with music and chatter. Among the guests were: Mr and Airs Ernest Bloomfield, Airs Colomb and Airs Clutterbuek, Dr. and Mrs Parkes, Dr. and Mrs Hope Lewis, Mrs Browning and Miss Maud Browning, Miss Jessie Reid and Mr A. Reid, Miss W. Cotter, Air and Mrs II Tonks, Air Yiekerman. Kings College Sports. King's College annual athletic sports were held in the Domain on Thursday. The weather was simply beautiful. So tine that most people were tempted to wear

Bummer things, though I fancy spine of them felt rather chilly as the afternoon wore on, but it certainly made the scene a bright and charming one. "The behoof’ character of these sports is almost lost, so large have they become, really much like a publie sports gathering. There seemed to me such a lack of enthusiasm, a predominent feature in most school or college functions. I hoped great things of the Invitation Race; but 1 suppose because a Grammar School boy won, F. B. Carolan, it was hardly to be expected, though the King’s boys gave him a hearty clap. The most exciting episode during the afternoon was the One .Mile Open Handicap, which was won by a sturdy little fair boy, who, with a start of 90 yards, ran in tine style; his name was Adams. The Old Boy’s Race was rather funny. Most of the starters toed the mark just as they arrived from ofliee, many not even taking off their hats, much less their coats. J. Walker won in great style. Several school records were broken during the day. J. C. Whitney lowered the 220 yards record, from 24 3-ss. to 22 3-55., an excellent school boy performance. He also created a new long jump record, 20ft. lOAiu. G. Larner made a new high jump record, sft. 4in. The Sack Race was great fun, and the winner Murray, certainly has acquired the “art” of sack running, for while all the others were tumbling about, he kept on his course, and with tiny steps, romped in a winner. The tug-of-war, Boarders v. Day Boys, proved tire latter the stronger. The Boarders wanted more “Ireef.” Tea ■was brought round the stand by a number of the College boys, and was most welcome; such nice mannered little chaps they were, waiting upon everyone so nicely. The Bavarian Band played pretty music, which gave a finishing touch to a delightful afternoon. A few I noticed among the crowd were: Lady Lockhart, blue Shantung, flower wreathed hat; Dr. and Mrs Me; Dowell, the latter in a fawn cloth coat, skirt and hat, with shaded pink roses; Mr and Mrs J. R. Reed, who was wearing a smart reseda green Ottoman silk coat and skirt and a becoming black toque; Mr. and Mrs. Rainger, the latter in a reseda green linen eoat and skirt, and a pretty floral toque; Mrs. H. Brett, dark amethyst cloth eoat and skirt, braided in black, amethyst hat to match; Mrs. Colbeck, a pretty saxe blue coat, and skirt, burnt straw hat lined and swathed with black yharnieuse; Mrs,- John Reed, a grey coat and skirt and a becoming black toque with touch of Royal blue; Mr. and Mrs. J. Tole, the latter in a smart blaek cloth coat and skirt, and black hat; Misses Tole (2) ; Mrs. M. McLean wore black and a handsome hat; Miss McLean had a beautifully-cut cream doth coat and skirt and black hat; Miss —. McLean, amethyst cloth coat and skirt and shaded brown hat; Mrs. Louisson; Mrs. Carrick; Mrs. E. Anderson, in cream, with red tie and hat swathed with same colour; Mrs. Leo Myers, dark coat and skirt and a modish blue hat; Mrs. L. Myers; Mrs. <W. Coleman, reseda green Shantung and large blaek hat; Mrs. Alexander; Mrs. L. D. Nathan; Mrs. David Nathan was a smart figure in cream cloth, Tuscan hat .with pink roses and grasses, ami a blaek and white scarf; Mrs. Larner, blue cloth eoat and skirt and black hat; Mrs. Napier looked especially nice in a tan linen coat and skirt, faced with blue linen, a burnt straw hat with grasses and black velvet; Mrs. Macky; Mrs. Egerton; Mrs. Cheeseman; Mrs. Friend and Miss Friend; Mrs. Cumming, dark cloth eoat and skirt and smart hat; Mrs. Davis; Mrs. Sharman; Mrs. Derry; Mrs. E. Russell wore a smart serge coat and a bronze green turban toque; Mrs. Noel Bamford looked smart in a pretty cloth Russian suit with large black hat; the Misses Douglas, in grey cloth and large blaek hats; Miss A. Carr looked charming in a smart black and white checked eoat and skirt, and a large blaek hat-. Miss 11. Bloomfield, blue cloth coat and skirt and a becoming putty-coloured straw hat with blue velvet band; Miss D. Nathan wore a smart cream coat and skirt, a tagel straw- hat trimmed with cherries; Miss R. Greig looked a dainty girl in smart blue little frock and a large blue hat; Miss Mavis Reed wore cream and a Tuscan hat draped with Paisley scarf; Miss Enid looked sweet in white muslin: Miss Rachel Gorrie. dark coat ami skirt and a becoming large black hat; Miss Jenny Nicholl wore a pretty blue frock with bands of white insertion; Miss R. Horrocks, white linen and a flower-wreathed hat; Miss N. St. Clair looked pretty in a cream serge coat and ek irt, faced with black, and a pretty hat; Miss Matis Cooke looked pretty in pink With black hat wreathed with pink rosesi

Miss .Hunter Hagiiltog , wore a .pretty frock of palest green crepe de chine, with hat to mateh; Miss Binney, long cream coat and skirt with hat trimmed with shaded feathers; Mrs. Towle, mole cloth coat and skirt and blaek hat; Miss Mary Towle, Shantung eoat and skirt of mole, pretty white hat wreathed with shaded heliotrope flowers; Mrs. Hector Pierce looked eharming in palest mauve cloth, beautifully braided in a dark shade, an amethyst hat with violets and pink roses; Mrs. Thomas, mole cloth frock and a smart hat; Miss Biss looked pretty in a tweed coat and skirt and a most becoming hat. One noticeable feature of the King’s College sports gathering was ‘the large number of old boys present, showing that their interest in their alma-mater was still as keen as ever. The King’s College Old Boys’ Association is a very live institution, and they have many pleasant reunions. A Kitchen Tea. Mrs. Luckie (Mt. Eden) gave a kitchen tea in honour of Miss Ethel Hay, who is to be married shortly. The afternoon was a great success. Some clever competitions had been arranged, which the guests entered into with great zest. The house was beautifully decorated with flowers, and a delicious afternoon tea was served. There was a most varied collection of kitehen utensils, which should prove most useful. Mrs. Luckie was wearing a pretty rose-eolour-ed silk voile with blouse to match; Miss Ethel Hay wore a smart black and white frock and black hat. Among the guests were:—Mrs. J. Reid, Mrs. Kidd, Mrs. Bob Isaacs, Mrs. Thornes, Mrs. Niel, Misses Myra Reid, and E. Commins. Skating Carnival. The Black and White Skating Carnival, held on Tuesday night at Prince’s, was a great success. There were all sorts of attractions. The race wae most exciting, and great fun. The exhibitions of graceful skating were pretty. Th* prizes which had been won at the last sports evening were presented to the lucky winners, who were greeted with rounds of applause. Now that the season at Prince's is drawing to a close, everyone is talking of the new rink in Khyber Pass, which, we hear, is to.be a very fine one, much ; larger than .Prince’s, and ; with a lovely smooth and noiseless , floor. The people who are starting this new- rink, have wisely secured the services of Mr. Gonard, the popular manager of Prince’s. A Dance. A dance given by Mrs. Udy at her residence, “Eden Grove,” Mt. Eden, on Wednesday- evening last proved most enjoyable. A lovely moonlight night, good music and floor,, left nothing to be desired. The verandahs were gay with flags and palms, and the decorations of the supper table, served in the dining-room, were anemones and fine grasses. Mrs. Udy received her guests in a blaek silk; Miss Udy, blue taffeta voile, Maltese lace, black marguerites; Miss Daisy Udy, blaek crepe do chine, relieved with white ninon; Mrs. Barmard, reseda green gown; Mrs. Cooper, black and white; Mrs. Nicholson, black; Mrs. S. Milne, blaek silk evening gown; Miss Etta Cooper, white silk taffeta voile; Miss Dawson, pink channelise; Mrs Walker, white satin gown; Miss Beatrice Dawson, green satin charmeuse, overdress of black chiffon; Miss Petrie, white gown’; Miss True Walker, embroidered net over white chiffon; Miss Oxley, pink satin gown; Miss Tibbs, white frock; Miss B. Price, white chiffon, embroidered in blue; Miss Bertha Oxley, pale pink satin charmeuse; Miss Crowther, white gown, pink roses in coiffure; Miss Ethel Martin, white satin charmeuse; Miss Muriel Blades, white; Miss Wilson, pale blue evening gown; Miss Milne, white embroidered gown; Miss Metcalfe, green satin charmeuse, overdress of black net; Miss Stevenson, red crepe de chine, overdress of chiffon. Among the gentlemen were the following: ‘Messrs? Brown, Phillipson, Crowther, Trevithick, Dr. Tibbs. Oxley, Browne, Roberts. Amlrae, Connolly. Milne, Cooper (2), Nicholson. Kidd, Billing, Stubbs, Nolan, Walker, Reid. On the Links. On Saturday afternoon those playing in the mixed foursomes, at One-tree Hill, which event marked the closing of the Maungakiekie Golf Club’s season, spent a very jolly afternoon. The onlookers, of whom there was a goodly number, were loud in 'their admiration of the beautiful park, which is looking at its best just now. Towards the close Of the afternoon Mr. Parker Upton, cap-

tain of the club, presented the prizes, which' had been won during' the season, to 'the following players:—Miss Eva Cummings, Miss E. Martin, Miss Pierce, Mass G. Gorrie (2), Miss Souter, and Miss' Rase by, Messrs. D. Hay, Ridings, Cooke, and D. Kirkeri There were some good cards in, the best being Miss Gordon and Mr. J. A. Peacock, who won with an excellent card of 37 net for 10 holes; Mies N. Macklow and Binney were second with 40; Miss Sellars and A. J. Cooke, 43, third. Among the onlookers and players I noticed: Mrs. R. A. Carr, Miss Gillies, Mrs. Wynyard and Miss Wynyard, Mrs. W. R. Bloomfield, Mrs. Edmiston, Misses Martin (2), Hull, Coutts, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Wade-Garey-, Miss Cameron, Miss Baeley, Miss Kirker, Miss Murray-, Miss Ruth Buckland, Miss Jean Richmond, Miss A. Carr, Miss Peacock, Miss Mary Frater, Miss Crowther, Miss E. Barstow. Personal. Mr. and Mrs. E. Russell, accompanied by Mrs. R. A. Carr, left for a short trip to Rotorua on Monday last. Dr. H. E. Jeffreys and Mrs. Jeffreys, of Wellington, are on a visit to Auckland, and are staying at 'the Central Hotel. Mr. Cecil Leys has returned to Auckland after a prolonged tour of the East and Europe. Mr. and Mrs. Devore and _ the Misses Devore, who have been on a trip to the Islands and Australia, returned from Sydney by the Maheno on Sunday-. Mrs. W. H. Derry-, of Remuera, is leaving on a visit to America, and has booked her passage by the Zealandia, leaving Suva on 31st instant for Vancouver. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Stout, of Invercargill, are at present in Auckland, and are staying at “Cargen.” Mr. and Mrs. W. Thornton, of Cambridge, are in Auckland on a visit, and are putting up at “Cargen.”

PHYLLIS BROUN.