AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 22, 29 November 1911, Page 63

AUCKLAND.

November 28. The Show. THERE has been quite a social lull this week —a reaction after the recent gaiety. Tennis parties arranged for this week have had to be postponed, owing to the boisterous weather. The first day of the show was most disappointing, and the second little better. When we arrived at the entrance by Sir John Logan’s statue, and saw the acres of wet long grass and nmd we had to trudge before we reached the stand, our hearts nearly failed us, but having taken the precaution of wearing strong boots we at length arrived with inches of mud on them. What the deluded women felt like in dainty grey suede, and white shoes I can’t imagine. Arrived on the stand, the outlook was, to put it mildly, cheerless. However, we soon forgot our troubles when the jumping began. There was little doubt left in the most prejudiced mind that- the “ side saddle ” is e back-number. Tjie girls mounted astride, looked so much more trim and workmanlike, and seemed to have much more command over their horses. We all felt sorry for Miss Hinton, who, after clearing the double in good style, lost her balance, and tumbled off in to the very muddiest part of a muddy course, and was coated with mud from head to foot. Miss Myrtle Pickering and Miss Hattie Donovan gained the first and second

places for riders wliu had never titken a first prize at an Auckland show. Oh Saturday. People’s Oay, the weather was tine, the attendance huge, and everything Went without a hitch. Loads of straw were distributed in the very inudd’y places, so people could walk about in comparative comfort. The jumping was most interesting, and at times exciting, especially during th“ Red t russ race and the Maori jumping contest. Mias Myrtle Pickering carried oil championship honours, Miss E. Gill being secund, and Miss G. West third. In the dual jumping, Mr. F. Voaper ami Miss Kelly won, and were much applauded for their cheer jumping; Mr. I leu wood and Miss Harris were second, and Mr. Bent and Miss Gill third. Among the large crowd present I noticed: Lady lx»ekhart, the Misses Muir Douglas, Mrs. W. IL Bloomfield, Miss -Bloomfield, Mr. IL Tonka, Miss Vida Caldwell, Mrs. Mouthy Baker. Miss Lloyd, Mr. Waller, Miss Waller, Misses Gorrie (3), Mrs. James Taylor (Bardowie), Mrs. B. Taylor, Mrs. John Reed, Mrs. G. Dunnett, Miss Dunnett, Mrs. Markham, Mrs. Kernow, Miss M. Hesketh, Mrs. Wooler, Mrs. Runeie, Mrs. IL O. Nolan. Mrs. Me* Mrs. W. Lloyd, Mrs. Grant. Guild of Helpers.

A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at Mrs. H. M. Smeeton’s grounds by the Y.W.C.A. Guild of Helpers and their friends. The President (Mrs. A. J. Clampbell) gave a short ami very interesting talk on the aims of the. Guild, and about forty new members were enrolled, more than doubling the membership. Tennis proved a very pleasing feature of the afternoon, and afternoon tea was provided by Mrs. Smeeton and handed round by the Guild girls.

*Mrs. Gorrlnge’s Xecklaee.*’ <»n Saturday and Monday night* at St. Andrea'a Hall a benefit performance in aid of the Campbell Free Kindergarten was arranged by Mrs. A. M. Ferguson. The Kindergarten are indebted to the promoters of the entertainment for the substantial amount which must have be«’n taken, as the hall was well filled. The programme consisted of Herbert Henry Dai is’ clever comedy, “Mrs. Gorringe’s Necklace,” which was staged by Mr. A. M. Ferguson. There is only one scene, Colonel Jardine’s Library, and the events take place within a period of twenty hours—very crowded ones, I may say, and stirring — though the story ends In a tragedy, the only apparent solution of a desperate situation. Mr. Easter’ gave an artistic performance of a very difficult part as Lieutenant Cairn. Mr. A. M. Ferguson’s part as Captain Mowbray was a fine one, and he took full advantage of it. Colonel Jardine, a fussy, blustering old man, was a very good study by Mr. H. Bouillon. As Mrs. Jardine, Mrs. A. M. Ferguson was delicious, and acted most naturally; she simply brought down the house. Miss Blanche Bouillon, as Mrs. Gorringe, was awfully clever, and full of ebarm. Miss Mab Rice, as Isabel Kirk, bad a fine part, Which suited her. Miss Una Buddle, as Vickay Jardine, was bright and natural, and looked charming. As Miss Potts, Miss Ethna Pierce had only a small part. Mr. Louglas Hay, as a detective, was quiet and convincing; and Mr. F. V. Fisher made a most imposing footman. An overture and items between the acts, played by a ladies’ orchestra, were most enjoyable. Each of the ladies in the play was presented with a lovely bouquet. Among the audience I noticed: Mrs. Lucas Bloomfield, Miss Thelma Bloomfield. Miss Una Saunders, Mrs. IL O. Nolan, .Miss Dorothy Nolan, Mrs. and Miss Brook-Smith, Mrs. Sharpe, Mrs. Archdale Tayler, Misses Towle (2), Misses Brown, Mrs. Baume, Mrs. Sydney Nathan, Miss Dorothy Nathan, Mrs. Hope Lewis, Miss Fenton, Miss Gillies, Miss McLean, Miss Beresford, Mrs. W. Coleman, Miss Coleman, Mrs. Leo. Myers, Miss Gordon. Miss Gwen Beale, Mrs. Parkes, Mrs. C. Buddle, Mrs. Edmiston, Mrs. Rosenthal, Mrs. McCallum, Mrs. Oliphant, Miss Oliphant. Orchestral Concerts.

The Orchestral Society concerts were 'held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. 'l’he Chora! Hall was crowded, and those present spent, a most enjoyable time listening to the fine programme. Among the audience I noticed: Mrs. Ware, Miss Shuttleworth, Miss Draper, Miss Beale. Mrs. Hutchison, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Raym r. Dr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Felix Kelly, Miss C. Smith, Mrs. Erson. Miss Erson, Miss Bennett, Misses Caro, Mrs. and Miss Scott-Smith, Mrs. and Miss Cole, Miss Hamilton, Mrs. Kinnear. Mrs. Jones, .Mrs. and Miss Dobbie, Miss Larkin, and many others. Visit to Te Kiteroa.” About fifty members of the Horticultural Society journeyed over to Takapuna. on Saturday afternoon to visit Mr. IT. Brett's beautiful gardens. The day was one of the few fine ones we had during last week, so the trip over by boat and tram was most enjoyable. Mr. Brett took his guests on a tour of inspection. First the carnation beds were visited. As one followed the winding path and about half-way turned and looked back the effect was simply beautiful. A long high bank running the full length of a tennis court is just one mass of pink ivy geranium. 1 have never seen anything so beautiful of its kind. A lovely bed of delphiniums in every shade of blue, with a dark green hedge as a background, made a glorious patch of colour, and was much admired. Then we wandered round the garden and found our way into what was the greatest attraction to most of the guests— the sweet pea garden. Here we wandered up and down between high rows of these lovely flowers, the keen growers discussing their favourite kinds and admiring several new varieties. Mr. Brett was kept busy cutting flowers, and I think every guest left the garden with a bunch of sweet peas. Then we strolled over to the tea kiosk, where Mr. and Mrs. Brett entertained everyone at tea, which brought a delightful outing to a close. Xhiat. la there anything that spoils clothes as dust does? I was very much struck with a paragraph I read in a Wellington paper giving an account at an interview

with a Mrs. McVey, a lady from Youngstown, Ohio (U.S.), who has just toured New Zealand from Auckland to the Bluff. She says: “There is one thing that is unfortunate about all New Zealand towns —and that is the dirt. It blows everywhere—in the houses, in the shops and in the tram-cars. When you meet a gust of wind you have to elose your eyes to go through it. I think the ladies’ clubs in New Zealand should take this up and insist on their menfolk keeping the streets clean. Women’s clubs in America have gone a long way in that direction, and are very hard workers in the line of civic improvements. They take a great interest in eivie affairs so far as they affect the health of their families, and the beauty and cleanliness of their towns.” Of course, I can quite see that it is much more thrilling to attack greater evils, but what I would like to read of is some woman getting up at a meeting and asking, “How much longer is she to put up with having her best frock and hat ruined —not to speak of her temper—by the dust evil?” Let her war-cry be, “Down with the dust.” Personal. Mr. and Mrs. C. Buddle and Miss Una Buddle, who have been to Sydney on a visit, returned by the Vancouver boat on Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Leo Myers have returned home from Rotorua. Mr. Myers has quite recovered from his attack of influenza. Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Mackay, who have been the guests of Mrs. David Craig, Gillies-avenue, for a few weeks, have returned to their home at Kaiapoi. Mrs. Bercy Dufaur, who has been on an extended visit to England, has returned to the Dominion. Mrs. and Miss Murray (Gisborne) are at present in Auckland, and are staying at Cargen. Miss Louy Courtayne, who has been for the past six months the guest of her sister, Mrs. Hilton, at Naseby, has returned to Takapuna. Miss May White, Burrows-avenue, Parnell, returned to the Dominion by the Moldavia last week, after a stay of some three years in the Straits .Settlements and England. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Edwards, Nelson, have been staying at the Grand Hotel during the past week.

Mrs. W. McLaren and Miss McLaren, of Dunedin, are in Auckland just now, attending the competitions, and are staying at Cargen. Mr. and Mrs. F. B. and family have returned home after a lengthy absence in Europe. They are staying at Cargen.

Mrs. Roy Cumming gave a pleasant little afternoon for the Dreadnought Tennis Club last week. A competition was held, Mrs. Pyeroft winning first prize, Miss Lindesay second’, and Miss Lettie Wilson carrying off the booby.

PHYLLIS BROUN.