AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 25, 21 December 1910, Page 66

AUCKLAND.

December 19. Grammar School Prize Night. THE Grammar School prize distribution was quite a brilliant function. The Choral Hall was simply packed, and quite a number of ladies had to stand. The organ gallery was filled with white robed girls, and on the platform were seated distinguished guests, among whom were: Dr. and Mrs. Findlay, Sir Maurice O’Rorke, Mrs. E. 1). O’Rorke; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Myers, Mr. and Mrs. Parr, Professor Brown, the Misses Brown, Mr. and Mrs. W. Coleman, the stall of the Girls’ Grammar School, Mr. Tibbs, headmaster, and many others. Sir Maurice O’Rorke opened the proceedings, and told us in his usual cheery manner that he was playing “second fiddle” to Dr. Findlay, but was acting as master of ceremonies, the duties of which office he performed delightfully. Sir Maurice O’Rorke called upon the acting-head-mistress of the Girl's Grammar School to read her report, which she did in a most interesting manner, and made feeling allusions to the loss of Miss Whitelaw, Miss Vernon Harcourt, Miss Griffen, and Miss Jacobsen, all of whom are in England, or who are going there. Mr. Tibbs then read his report, and if applause is any indication, of popularity, then Mr. Tibbs is la-loved by the' boys, for they simply nearly shook the hall down- We were all proud to hear that the Auckland Grammar School is tho largest and best in the Dominion. Mr. Tibbs, -while pleading for purity of speech, had the usual dig at the poor Australians’ awful twang, just as though we had not a unique one of our very own, which, unfortunately, is not confined to the schoolboy and girl and the lower orders as is generally the case in Australia. And it really needs courage to speak properly in the Colonies. Those who do are usually labelled "Sidey.” Dr. Findlay then spoke, and a great treat we had. Such a beautiful flow of simple, effective words. With lots of •* sly digs ” at the usual boy’s weak points and our great Auckland weakness: “J.eaving early to catch the tram or boat.” Dr. Findlay told us Sir Maurice O’Rorke had ■warned him that this might happen, but that he need not feel hurt. Needless to say that this sally caused a ripple of laughter. 1 could not help noticing how the boys looked at each other when Dr. Findlay had got well into his speech, and settled down in their scats, as much as to say: “Oh, I Say; this is going to be jolly good”-—and they were right. Dr. Findlay speaks with such a natural ease, ■very rarely heard. And though the speech was witty and bright, there was a lot of sound good advice, but it was sugar-coated, and so went down well. "What went to my heart was the encouraging remarks to those who had not won prizes, and the good, solid advice how to win them out in the wo,rld, the hardest school of all. Dr. Findlay then presented the prizes to the girls, who were heartily applauded by the boys as they’ (ante down for their prizes. Then the boys’ time canu}, and their applause was very discriminating—-any Maori boy who took a prize was applauded to the echo. Small prize winners, who took away piles ot prizes, were greeted with joy, but the best effort of all was when Whitney, “King’s,” who won the invitation race

at the school sports, came down the hall for the cup. “ Grammar ” really “ did themselves proud.” The three cheers given by the boys for Dr. Findlay, and for the “Head” were good to hear; but, w here, oh, where, were the cheers for the ladies? And after having their sports prizes so charmingly presented by Mrs. Findlay and Mrs. Parr! An Enjoyable Evening. A most enjoyable evening was spent on Thursday last by the pupils of Cheltenham College, Devonport, with their principal (Mrs. Dean), and parents and friends. The schoolroom, prettily deeorated for the occasion, presented a gay and animated scene, the various items given by the girls being thoroughly appreciated by their guests. Perhaps the item that must be singled out for special commendation, was the scene from Moliere’s “Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme” (the Lines being given in French) acted with much spirit by Misses Isabel Cardno, Enid Bean, Beryl Gudgeon, and Muriel MeKellar. The young ladies seemed perfectly at home in their respective parts, and really did admirably. In the Shakespefian Reading Muriel MeKellar, Olive Dean, A ida St. t'lair. Beryl Gudgeon, Pauliije St, Clair, Berta O’Neil, and Laurel Bailey took the characters, and their enunciation was generally clear and distinct. Pianoforte solos were well given by Misses Dean and Cardno. and Beryl Nettleton recited in a manner that showed she possesses good elocutionary power. Two little tots (Leila Jamieson and Basil Forsyth) greatly amused the audience with a humorous recitation. During the evening the year’s prizes were presented by Colonel Gudgeon. Amongst those present I noticed Mrs. Benjamin, Mrs. Gudgeon, Mrs. O’Neill, Mrs. Nettleton, Mrs. Moorhouse, Mrs. Forsyth, Mrs. St. Clair, Mrs. Beasant, Mrs. Young, Mm. Goldwater, Mrs. Townshend, Mrs. Brain, Mrs. Waller, Mrs. Jamieson, Mrs. MeKellar, Mrs. Marie, and the Misses Graham. Gudgeon, Cardno, Wildman, Woods, Brodie, St. Clair, O’Neill, Cottrell, Marks, and Wallep A Charming Tea. Mrs. Louis Myers (“The Mount”) gave a charming tea on Thursday; the 15th inst., which everyone enjoyed. The spacious hall and draw-ng-rooms gave ample room for people to move about and chat to their friends, and listen to the strains of music which floated in from the conservatory, .which. opens into the drawing-room. A profusion of pink and white sweet peas were everywhere. Tea was served in the dining and morn-ing-rooms. In the former the table looked dainty with shaded pink sweet peas in silver bowls and vases, and in the latter the table was arranged with yellow Howers. Delicious strawberries and cream and ices were much enjoyed, as the weather was very warm. The “froeking” was very smart. The present “cult of the veil” makes frocks very hard to- describe —they are so elusive. You look, and think what a pretty grey frock, but when you meet the frock you find it has all sorts of half-hidden beauties, which- one is so intent upon finding out that you forget to look at the wearer's hat —and there your troubles begin. Our hostess wore a beautiful black toilette, with slight touch of white; Mrs. W. Coleman looked especially nice in a lovely grey frock of charmouse and ninou, which veiled some

lovely silver-spotted net, and a smart touch of black, a large black and -white hat completing a beautiful toilette; Miss Ruby Coleman looked eharming in a lovely frock of ereamy white silk muslin, with insertions of lovely lace, underskirt banded with pale pink, and a large Leghorn hat with pink charmeuse and large shaded pink roses; Mrs. Arthur Myers wore a cornflower blue fullard with white spot, and a smart toque of the same shade; Miss Levey (London) was a graceful figure in an exquisite robe of white charmeuse satin and ninon, and a lovely white hat with feathers; Mrs. Leo. Myers wore a perfectly “matched” toilette from head to foot of grey, w-hich was much admired; Miss Riche (Sydney) wore a lovely little nattier blue crystalline and charmeuse, braided with the same colour, a smart hat with rosettes of nattier blue tulle; Mrs. Findlay (Wellington), a pretty frock of heliotrope crepe de chine, with small straw hat of the same shade; Mrs. Holgate, black and white; Mrs. E. Russell, a pretty white frock inserted with lace, and a rose trimmed hat; Mrs. Finlayson wore grey; Mrs. Nelson, black charmeuse and black toque; Mrs. Nolan, heliotrope frock with pretty hat to match; Mrs. Greig, black net over silk, and a smart biscuit-straw toque ■with black feathers; Mrs. Cooper, a beautiful frock of grey fullard silk with touches of pink, grey, hat with pink and grey ostrich feather boa; Mrs. Atkin Carrick, a very handsome grey frock with lovely grey Flosselle embroidery, a white hat with mauve, and a white ostrich feather boa; Mrs. Bamford was wearing a pretty purple frock; Mrs. Noel Bamford looked "chic’j, in pink; Airs. Seager, a black frock of pome clinging material, and a smart black hat with pink roses; Mrs. S. Douglas wore black; Mrs. T. Cotter, a lovely black and white toilette: Mrs. Pritt, purple; Mrs. Devore, terracotta charmeuse robe veiled with black Spanish lace and ninon, bodice of gold tissue over the terracotta and veiled with ninon, a bonnet of shaded terracotta with pink roses and white osprey completing a beautiful toilette; Mrs. Woolfe looked especially niee in brown'; Mrs. V. Houghton wore a lovely white frock .much inserted with lace, and a large white hat lined With blaek and massed with lovely roses;' Mrs. Clem Lawford, white eloth eoat and skirt, and a white hat with white feathers; Mrs. Donald wore pink; Airs. Jack Donald, blue with touches of pink; Madam Boeufve looked well in a lovely amethyst toilette; Burns, black satin, blaek crinoline straw toque with touch of white; Mrs. A. Fergusson, turquoise blue frock with pretty hat; Mrs. Napier, natural colour Shantung silk coat and skirt, and a smart black toque; Mrs. Foster, smart brown linen coat and skirt, cream net blouse with pleated frill, and a large black hat; Mrs. Dargayille wore a beautiful black frock and toque; Mrs. Pabst; Miss Peacock; Miss Lorna Towle looked dainty in a pretty pink and white frock and hat; Mrs. Gillies wore a lovely White inserted frock, and a very smart hat massed with lovely shaded blue feathers; Miss Seherffe looked pretty all in white; Miss AVorspp wore white; Miss Muriel Dargaville; Mrs. Ware and Miss Ware; Mrs. Cole; Mrs. Keesing; Miss Beryl Keesing; Miss D. Nolan, a dainty white frock, and white hat with feathers; Miss E. Isaacs, a dainty frock of white chiffon with stripe of blue, and a pretty hat to match; Mrs. Bob Isaacs looked awfully well in a lovely brown crepe de chine with large hat to match; Mrs. Richmond; Mrs. Leys; Mrs. Armatage; Mrs. G. Roberts; Mrs. Andrews; Mrs. Reid; Mrs. Bansen; Miss Nelson wore a pretty amethyst coat and skirt, large hat with white bows; Mrs. Sweet; Mrs. Leathern; .Mrs. and Miss Ralph; Miss Devore wore a lovely cream frock, large hat with touch of red; Mrs. Ireland; Miss Bagnall; Miss Outhwaite; Mrs. Savage; Miss Cooper; Miss Coleman; Miss Marks; Mrs. Archdale Taylor; Mrs. De Moulin. Pupils’ Recital. The annual concert given by Mr. J. F. Bennett’s pupils and others at His Majesty’s School of Music, Parnell, took place on Monday last week, just a day too late to be included in these columns. There was a large audience and a long programme, the scope of which will be seen from the details given below. The thirty items gave every opportunity to. the talents of Mr. Bennett’s pupils, the full programme being as follows:— “Buy Blas,” eight hands (Mendelssohn), Misses K. Curlit, M. Henderson, J. Gruar, and P.

Metealfe; “Etude in C" (NoWc), Zoe Lee; “Novelette,” op. 19 (Gade)’, and “Et-ude in C minor (’Schmidt), Misa D. Webster; “A Birthday Song* (Cowen), Miss Mary Cooper; “Mennet* (Paderewski), Master W. Geddes; “Thq lowhanimer” (Lehmann), Master Bob Geddes; “Prelude in D” (Bach), Miss Gladys Peet; “Study in E” (Merkel)y Miss Gladys Court; “I Hear You Calling Me” (Marshall), Mrs. Charles Phillips;) “Petite Valse” (Juon), Miss Newton; “The Enchantress” (Hatton), Miss- Margaret Mackenzie; “Etude in G minor” (Loeschhorn), Miss Marion Henderson; "Der Nussbaum” (Schumann)/ Miss Mary Cooper; Symphony HI., eight hands (Beethoven), Misse-s N. Renshaw, D. Cardno, J. Gruar,'and K. Curtis;' "Th«j Wren,” “The Owl” (Schumann), Bob Geddes; (a) prelude—D Hat major (Chopin), (b) “Valse de Papillons” (Behr)', Miss Dorothy Nathan; “Danse Macabrae” (two pianos) (Saint Saens), Misses D. Cardno and N. Renshaw’; "Unmindful of the Roses” (Bath), Missi Cooper; “Allegro 6th Symphony” (Tschaikowsky), Miss Jessie and Mr. Sandy Geddes; “Erl Koni” (Schubert), Miss Cooper; “Valse in D flat” (Chopin), Willie and Bob Geddes; “Sonata,” op. 53. (Beethoven), Miss Nellie Renshaw; “Tff Music” (Schubert), Miss Cooper J "Sonata.” op. 57, "Allegro assai” (Beethoven), Miss Curtis; "Andante” (Beethoven), Mr. Cyril Toweey; "Allegro” (Beethoven). Miss D. Cardno'; “Orlibra mai fu” (Handel), Miss Mackenzie; "Humoresque, No. 7” (Dvorak), Mr; Sandy Geddes: "O, My Garden” (Clark), Miss Cooper; "Allegro” (three piano's)! ( Shearmann), Misses D. Cardno. N. Renshaw, and Mr. Basil Buddle. The accompanists were Mr. Cyril Towsey, Miss Nellie Renshaw, and Miss Dorothy Nathan. Remneva Girls’ College. The Remuera Girls’College was on fete on Wednesday last, the occasion being the yearly distribution of prizes, and in addition to this a small sale, of - work was held, the proceeds of which were to go towards making a winter tennis court. It was the first time 1 have been to the College, and it really is a most charming place, house and grounds. After being greeted by Mrs. Moore-Jones. I wandered some time about the house. .The entrance hall is of noble proportions, and all the rooms are' large, lofty ones-—here, was displayed the work of the pupils, beautiful needlework of every description, plain and fancy, paintings of a high order of merit, and some splendid wood-carving —a very interesting exhibition. Outside a band was playing, and I could withstand it no longer, so wandered out. and a beautiful scene met my eye. There is a beautiful outlook over the harboxir, and the garden, with its well-stocked and well-kept flower beds and sloping lawns, looked eharming. I think the girls are indeed to be envied who go to a school with such delightful surroundings. Seats were placed on the tennis lawns for the very large number of guests, and the prize-giving was most interesting. The Rev. W. Beatty gave a short sketch of the school’s progress during the year, and presented the prizes won. Meanwhile we were all keeping an anxious eye on the weather. , At the .end of the prizegiving, Mr. Beatty made a presentation to Mrs. Moore-Jones, on behalf of the scholars, of a beautiful silver tea-pot, as a token of the love and respect they all feel for her. Mrs. Moore-Jones, who seemed to be taken completely hy. surprise, made a feeling little speech of thanks, and sat down amid hearty- applause. Then the music started again, and we tried to ignore the rain, which, though very light, was still wet, Tea was

handed round, and'everyone looked very happy. There were three stalls, which all seemed to do a brisk trade, but as I had to leave early I do not know what the result was. Mrs. Moore-Jones was wear- . ing a black toilette, and carried a bouquet of sweet peas; Miss Moore-Jones wore a pretty white silk embroidered frock a cream hat wreathed with mauve flowers; Mrs. W. Faith wore white lawn and a smart hat with roses; Lady Lockhart, white frock inserted with Irish crochet and a flower-wreathed hat; Mrs. T. Cotter, blue silk trimmed with pale blue embroidery, with blue toque to match; Mrs. C. J. Parr looked nice in pale pink linen, with touches of black, a white hat trimmed with pink roses; Mrs. Whitney, a beautiful frock of embroidered ninon of silk and a black hat; Mrs. Noel Bamford wore a smart biscuitcoloured Russian suit with smart touches Of black, cream straw hat with high black feathers; Mrs. Alison wore a smart mole frock, braided silk voile, and a black hat; Mrs. Hallawell, a mole voile braided in the same colour, black hat; Mrs. Payton, black and white. There must have been fully a hundred and fifty people present. Students' Recitals. Mr. S. Adams’ students’ orchestral and chamber concert, held in the Choral Hall on Friday, Kith, was most interesting. Mr. Adams is fortunate in having such good material to work upon. There was no sameness in the programme. All orchestral pieces were good, especially the Tannhauser inarch. Quite a feature of the evening’s enjoyment was the number of boy performers. Each item by the students’ septet was good and all of them were small boys—Masters H. Reynolds, J. Ha wes, C. Edwards. LL Edwards, N. Cooper, C. Adams, anti R. Adams. Master Roy Edwards also played well. The two violin solos by Mr. A. Ross were most enjoyable. The instrumental quartet by Miss Hilda Johnson (violoncello); violin, Mr. Ross; organ, Mr. J. H. Wells; piano, Mr. S. Adams, was quite charming. But the most interesting jetims on the programme were the violin solos played Iby Master Henri Lissack, a tiny fellow of seven years; such a dear he looked in his white suit. Mr. Adams told us that he felt sure the boy had a great future before him. He had only been learning the violin six months. Miss Muriel Payton, with Mr. Adams, played a duet, and later on rendered Liszt’s Rliapsodie No. 2 in a finished manner. During the interval Mr. and Mrs. Adams entertained the pupils, past and present. The delicious strawberries and cream were much enjoyed. The three small children, Gladys, Norman, and Algie Garlick, created a lot of interest, and the whole concert was a great success. Miss M. HaySvard’s students recital took place on Thursday, and all the pupils showed evidence of very careful tuition. The two “star” performers being undoubtedly Miss Betty Grierson and Miss Dorothy Nicol who played ’beautifully. Polo. 'Polo on Saturday afternoon was interesting, and some good games were played. The afternoon was very close, and must have been very' trying for players and ponies. Mrs. Hellaby gave afternoon tea, and was assisted by Misses Hellaby (2), Miss Mary Towle, and Miss Craig. Personal. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin Reed and their family leave for Warwera on the 28th. Mr. and Mrs. Larner and family left on Tuesday for a month’s visit to Rotorua. Mr. and Mrs. Napier and their family' are ofl to Rotorua for some time. , Mrs. Carr and Miss Carr are at present in Rotorua, where they will remain for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are in Auckland, staying with Mrs. Browning, for the Christmas festivities. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Alexander have given up house-keeping, having sold their home in Lower Symonds-street to Mr. G. (Roberts, and are living at “Arundel,” Waterloo Quadrant. Miss Coates, Wellington, is up on a visit to Auckland, and is the guest of Canon and Mrs. Nelson. Mr. Molesworth-Tolhurst, Opotiki, is in town on a holiday visit. Mr. Alfred Nathan returned to Auckland in the Mooltan. The rest of the family are in Egypt. Mr. Nathan will be in Auckland about two months. Mr. Cecil Leys returned from Sydney »n the Maheno which arrived on Sunday ■ight.

Mr. Tibbs, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, accompanied by Miss Tibbs has gone Mr. and Mrs. Upton and Miss Vpton returned home on the Mooltan.

PHYLLIS BROUN.