AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 6, 8 February 1911, Page 63

AUCKLAND.

February 6. THE past week began and ended with a breezy day. It seems as though sailing races have only to be arranged, when up comes no end of a breeze. We had a delightful trip on Saturday on board the Albatross as the guests of the commodore, flag officers, and members of the R.N.Z.Y.S. The boat was not at all crowded, no doubt the breezy day deterred many, who, if only they had been brave, would not have been ill, but would have had a very good time. Being a good sailor myself, I suppose I cannot understand the horrors of seasickness. The Bavarian Band was on board, and played special favourites. The race for Mr. E. C. Horton’s prize started about half-past two, and the boats got away well. By the time we got to the Devonport wharf, the yachts had to pass through a fleet of other craft, who were cruising about. The scene was beautiful, the sun was somewhat overclouded with smoke clouds, but now and again would break through, and make a pathway of sunlit water. Of course, there were the usual “sweeps” arranged, and things at times were very exciting, the race being full of interest until the very end. The everwelcome tea made a jolly break, and it was quite nice to get out of the wind for a short time, down into the saloon, where it was served. The Albatross reached the Wharf a little after five, and so ended a really jolly afternoon’s outing. The commodore (Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield) and the officers of the R.N.Z.Y.S. looked after their guests’ comfort in every way, who were provided with well-got-up programmes. They not only contained all the needful information, but a clever little map of three alternative courses, which even the weaker sex could understand. The Dresses. Mrs. Lucas Bloomfield wore an amethyst linen and a smart white hat covered with black spotted net and high bow of net; Mrs. Harry Bloomfield looked smart in a nattier blue cloth tailored suit with velvet toque to match with cream osprey at the side; Mrs. George Elliott, a dark tweed coat and skirt, and a black hat; Mrs. Nettleton, white frock with fawn dust coat, black hat swathed with white; Mrs. Edmunds, blue Shantung, pretty straw hat with royal blue velvet; Lady Dorothy Walpole (who at present is staying in Auckland) was present, wearing a very smart tailored suit of green cloth faced with black satin, a pretty straw hat banded with black satin and a pink rose under the brim; Miss Thelma Bloomfield looked pretty in a white linen coat and skirt and a large black hat; Miss Betty Grierson, in a blue frock and a black hat, looked charming; Miss N. Thorne-George wore a smart natural-coloured Shantung, a large blue hat trimmed with pleated frills of blue charmeuse; Miss Ida Thompson, dark blue cloth coat and skirt and a pretty amethyst hat and a largo blue veil; Miss Una -Saunders wore a white frock and a becoming black hat wreathed with roses; Miss Tom Thomas, white linen coat and skirt, black hat; Miss Allen (Allendale), natural-coloured Shantung coat and skirt, black hati

At the Theatre. “The Dollar Princess” nas ween greeteel with packed houses all the past week. The frocking is extremely goo I. Florence Young's blue 'toilette, which she wears in the first act, is a huge success. It is expressed in one of those lovely new shades of blue which is neither royal, Reckitt’s, nattier or nav-y blue, but. a delightful blending of them all. Charmeuse satin is its foundation, hanging hi graceful lines around her feet, a tunic of net and nion which veils some dull gold, and a smart small blue hat with lovely willow feather of white. An exquisite white frock is worn in the next act, then a cheeky little tennis frock of palest blues and pinks. And lastly a lovely palest blue frock with a “dream ” of a pink ninon coat. Olive Godwin wears most revealing frocks, and ah of 'them just reaching her ankles which, to say the least of it, is not graceful. The frocks lack the grace of the long ones, and the smartness of the really short ones. Lotti Seargent weans an adorable pink turn out, in which she dances most daintily. In fact one could fill pages about the frocks. The chorus at the end of the first act looked charming, all in long flowing Grecian robes, and white snoods round their hair. In another scene they all wore lovely up-to-date frocks, each one at least pretty, and some beautiful. The Regatta. Regatta Day in Auckland was a hug, success—at least, the papers said so—but really and truly I don’t believe it was all that could be desired. To begin with, there was far too much wind (from a woman’s point of view),'and the sky was overclouded. People started off on their day’s outing with a sort of—well, if we do get wet, 1 don’t care sort of an air—of course, they didn’t- 1 stood at the bottom of Queen-street waiting for a very unpunctual friend-— usually a most annoying thing—but I was not at all bored; indeed, it was great fun watching the holiday-makers lushing along. The picnickers, with their weird-shaped bundles and baskets, and the straggling children being hurried along; then would come a very “would-be-smart” group off to the races. Then the “lonely man,” whose only companion was a camera and a “slim" lunch bag. There was the “impatie’nt man,” waiting for the girl who is always late—rushing up to each car, only to be disappointed; finally ho rushes away, remembering it was at the “other corner” they had arranged to meet. I felt inclined to follow this man to see the meeting, but refrained, having a worry of my own. But even the most unpunctual woman arr : "~~ at last—which is the most unpunctual, to be ten minutes late or ten early? On Board the Iris. Captain and Mrs. Sharp invited quite a number of people on board the Iris to watch the Regatta. We started gaily off from the man-of-war steps shortly after two o’clock, and, after n somewhat bumpy passage, the Iris was reached, and all our troubles were over. As it was my first visit on board I prowled round—such a lovely boat, such neatness and order everywhere. We had quite a good view of the various events, but it is very' hard to work up any excitement over sailing events; it is all too far away and vague. So we just settled down and had a good time among ourselves; and when the welcome call came to afternoon ton wo proceeded to have a very good time indeed, and did very ample Justice to good things there. After tea there was a little music, Mr. Atkinson giving

with tine effect “The Song of Devon.” As Several people thought they had to go home, off we started, most of us returning via Devonport. Captain and Mrs. Sharp and the ship’s officers entertained us charmingly, and we all enjoyed the outing. Mrs. Sharp wore a white frock and a •mart black hat; Mrs. Drummond Ferguson wore a very dainty little white frock with some exquisite lace inserted, a white ehip hat swathed with grey charlueuse; Mrs. C. V. Houghton, a smart natural-coloured Shantung coat and skirt braided with the same colour, and a •mall black and white hat; Mrs. Summers, white silk coat and skirt and a becoming black hat; Miss Fife (Wellington) looked pipe tty in her heliotrope coat and skirt of Shantung prettily braided, and a pretty hat; Mrs. Stride, blue linen coat and skirt, faced with white, and a black hat; Mrs. Greig, amethyst linen, hat and scarf to match; Miss Alexander (Wanganui) wore a very handsome mole-eoloured cloth coat and skirt, beautifully braided with silk braid of the same shade and finished with silk tassels, and lined with pale blue, a mole lace blouse with touch of blue, and a mole and blue hat; Mrs. Cooper looked nice in a smart amethyst coat and skirt with hat to match; Mrs. Edmunds, blue Ghantung, putty-coloured hat with blue; Mrs. Morgan, white inserted muslin and a blaek hat. Amongst the guests were also: Mrs. Alenxander and Mrs. Atkinson. Racing at Takapnna. The Takapuna races on Saturday made quite a jolly outing. The weather was just lovely, and the trip to and fro in tire, ferry was not the least enjoyable part. If one goes a little late and leaves early, there is no unpleasant crush at all. We managed to pick several winners, and tne one on which a large dividend was paid we were very proud of. We did not choose the horse, because we liked the jockey’s colours, but because there was a good rider up, and his name was Conquest, an excellent name for a winning jockey, surely? Some man or other got quite nasty. He fancied another horse and backed it on “form,” a most elusive reason, I told him, and suggested in future he followed our methods. He departed with a derisive snort. Among the Dresses. A small contingent came over from town, among whom were: Mrs Field Porter, wearing a pretty white muslin inserted! with lace, and a black hat; Miss Alice Walker, a dainty blue floral muslin, ami a tuscan hat; Mrs Markham, white linen suit, a burnt straw hat lined with blue, and wreathed with flowers; Sirs Harry Tonks, natural colour Shantung suit, blue straw hat; Miss Nora Gorrie, blue Shantung Russian suit, and a smart black hat; Mrs Owen, royal blue frock, with blaek scarf, and blaek hat; Mrs Reeee (Rotorua), brown linen, hat to match; Mrs W. Lloyd, blue linen coat and skirt piped with white, burnt straw hat with blue scarf; Miss Walker, amethyst frock, and hat to match; and Miss De Camp, smart tailored suit, and black hat. Among the local flock I noticed Mrs. Guinness, who wore a pretty shade of blue Shantung and burnt straw hat, swathed with blue; Mrs. Napier, white embroidered frock and a black toque and white feather boa; Mrs. St. Clair, white linen eoat and skirt, black hat; also, Miss St. Clair, white; Mrs. Newell, Mrs. Palairat; Mrs. Alison, cream Shantung coat ami skirt, black hat. Mrs. Ring (Waikato); Miss Ring wore a stone-grey frock and a smart •haded blue and green turban toque; Miss Duder. purple linen coat and skirt and flower-wreathed hat; Miss Flossie Duder. a pretty floral muslin ami a pretty hat lined with heliotrope ami wreathed with flowers; Miss Taylor looked niee in a floral muslin and a pretty hat. in tones of heliotrope and white; Mrs. Alexander wore a lovely Land embroidered Irish linen, and a smart hat massed with shaded roses; Mrs. Hume, white linen frock ami a black hat. with bright blue veil; Miss Mannisty. heliotrope striped cambric, a pretty amethyst straw hat. and a scarf to match. . ' Personal. Lady Dorothy Walpole, who. with her father, the Earl of Oxford, is touring New Zealand, is at present staving at the Grand Hotel. Madam Boeufve has gone down Routh, where she will remain for some time. Madam Boeufve, I believe, intends to reside in New Zealand during

the present year until her son passes his examinations. Mrs. R. Browning, Arney-road, Remuera, has let her house for some months to Mr. and Mrs. Burge, who are on a visit from England. Miss Allen (Allendale) is the guest of Mrs. Thompson, Remuera. Mr. Allan Thompson, our first Rhodes Scholar, has been asked by Dr. Mewson to join his Antarctic expedition as geologist. Mrs. E. A. Christie, daughter of Sir William Hall-Jones, will return to New Zealand with her children by the Rotorua, sailing in March. Mrs E. K. Mulgan and Mr Geoffrey Mulgan have arrived in Auckland from Christchurch, and are residing in West-bourne-road, Remuera.

PHYLLIS BROUN.