AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 13, 27 March 1912, Page 63

AUCKLAND.

March 25. Government House Garden Party. THE garden party given on Thursday afternoon by His Excellency the Governor and Lady Islington was most enjoyable. The weather, though not bright, had a quiet softness about it that was very pleasant, despite its greyness. The vivid green of the lawns made a pretty setting for the frocks. The worst feature of our Government House being only a temporary residence for the vice-regal representative, is that the gardens are undeveloped. 1 could not help picturing to myself what could ‘be done to make them more distinctive. As it is they are distinctly commonplace. One side of the verandah was covered in with green canvas, with lots of chairs placed about. This made a pleasant spot to sit and chat to one’s- friends. Tea was served in the ballroom, which had a buffet down its entire length.

The playing of the band of the Third (Auckland) Mounted Rifles, under Conductor Whalley Stewart, was an enjoyable feature. 'The programme included (both classical and popular items. Suppe’s brilliant overture was given with good effect, the wood wind, especially the solo clarinet parts, being strikingly effective. The tubular bell effects in several of the items were pretty and distinctive. The large proportion of clarinets and other wood wind instruments, in addition to the brass, gives a delicacy and variety' in effects very pleasing to appreeiators of good music. In fact, the whole performance was agreeably reminiscent of the military bands heard at similar society gatherings in England. The drawing-rooms looked charming in their colour scheme of grey and pink, masses of pink lilies being used with good effect. Lady Islington looked -charming. Imagine the softest tone of vieux rose veiled with white silk muslin made short, with bands of lovely embroidery, the bodice was delightfully’ quaint made with a two-pointed fichu of the embroidery, ent up almost to the top of the arms, the bottom point reaching to the waist,.in front the fichu was caught with a lovely- big rose in a deep shade of vieux rose; with this was worn the sweetest hat. quite small, of vieux rose straw*, the top of the crown worked in coloured embroidery' and a big niching of tulle; Aliss Stapleton-Cotton wore a very becoming frock of grev charmeuse and > large black hat: Mrs. Guise'wore a

striped grey frock and a charming greyhat, with clusters of lovely tangerine roses at one side; Lady Fuller wore a beautiful toilette of amethyst and blue; the foundation was of amethyst satin charmeuse with lines of lovely embroideries and lace veiled with a tunic of saxe blue ninon, and a lovely hat massed with feathers in the colours of her frock; Airs. T. C. Williams wore a black charmeuse frock and a long coat of handsome string coloured lace, and a lovely cream bonnet embroidered in seed pearls; Mrs. J. Studholme wore a smart coat and skirt of grey and white striped cloth, with ruches of black satin with bead work on them, and a blue and white hat; Mrs. Lucas Bloomfield wore grey- crepe de chine, grey hat with dark nattier 'blue feathers; Miss Thelma llloomfield looked pretty- in a bright blue frock, with touches of black and a large black hat ; Mrs. H. Bloomfield wore pale grey- crepe de chine, small black velvet hat; Mrs. Grierson wore a frock in a dark shade of grey- with touches of coloured embroidery and a toque to match; Miss Shepperd wore a lovelyblack lace frock over white silk, black and white toque; Mrs. C. V. Houghton wore a very- smart frock, which was much admired, of black and white ninon and a small black hat massed with white tips; Mrs. Rose (Wellington) wore a lovely black and white toilette with handsome lace coat; Miss Rose looked smart in black charmeuse. with white lace bodice, draped with black and white scarf, black hat; Mrs. \V. Colbeck wore grey and a pretty hat; Miss Sybil Abraham wore a pretty frock of palest pink and blue ninon, with black sash, and a black hat with tulle bows; Mrs. F. L. Armitage, prune-coloured cloth coat and skirt, hat to match; Mrs. Stride wore a handsome black robe over white charmeuse, black hat; Mrs. Copeland Savage looked charming in black and white striped ninon, black hat. Airs. Ernest Bloomfield wore a lovelyfrock of emerald green charmeuse, veiled with black ninon, and a smart ospreycovered black hat; Mrs. Horton looked charming in her pretty frock of blue charmeuse, with tunic of white beaded ninon, and a pretty- shaded blue hat; Airs. AV. Ranger wore a pretty black and white frock with hat to match; Airs. Sweet looked well in a blue and white toilette; Airs. McGuire wore black and white; Airs. Boscawen, pale pink frock, long brown velvet coat, hat to match: Airs Bedford, cream lace frock, long black velvet coat, blaek hat. A much-admired frock was worn by Airs. Drummond Ferguson of fine wliite muslin and Irish crochet, with dainty' touches of deep pink, smart black hat of velvet, with touch of pink, and an ermine necklet: Airs. Sydney Nathan wore blue cloth and black charmeuse, black.hat; Miss Doro-

thy Nathan wore a lovely, little white frock, black velvet hat. with long white feathers tipped with blue; Miss Roysie Gregg wore a dainty little blue frees, and pretty- hat; Miss Dorothy Nolan wore a sweet white lace and insertion frock, pretty white hat; Airs. J. R. Reed, grey crepe de chine, with touches of 'yetlow; Mrs. Alison, black velvet coat and lovely black hat; Aliss Jessie Reid, grey tailored suit, smart black seal hat : Alisi Afarjorie Towle wore white relieved with cerise; Airs. Braithwaite wore a white frock and a black hat; Mrs. Arthur Alyers, saxe blue shantung, with black charmeuse, blaek hat covered with cream feather tips; Airs. Coleman, black charmeuse coat and skirt, with touches of white, black hat; Airs. J. ,1. Craig wore blaek charmeuse, and blaek and white hat; Miss Craig wore a pretty grey frock, with white hat to match; Airs. AV. Scott, vieux rose cashmere de soie, blaek and white hat; Airs. Noakes wore a pretty cream bengaline coat and skirt and smart hat; Aliss Eva Firth looked graceful in a -pretty voile and lace frock, and a flower wreathed hat; Airs. E. Firth wore a pretty grey toilette; Airs. Ryan wore a pretty pals blue and white frock and hat: Aliss Dunlop wore blue, and a black hat: Alisa Alary- Foster wore a smart blue voile, high waisted coat and skirt and a pretty hat; Airs. Sydney George lo'oked lovely in palest pink cloth and a pretty hat; Airs. W. R. Lloyd wore a pretty toilette of palest grey, with touches of blue; Aliss Alarriner wore a pretty froek in a champagne tone, with hat to match; Mrs. AV. Oliphant, cream coat, and skirt, black hat; Aliss Alargaret Oliphant wore grey; Airs. Parkes wore a lovely toilette of pale green charmeuse velvet, veiled black ninon and a smart black hat: Airs. Philips, vieux rose and white satin foulard, with bands of eream lace, pretty flower-wreathed hat; Aliss AA’orsp wore vieux rose foulard; Aliss B. AA’orsp wore white crepe embroidered wit h vieux rose, beads, tagel bat with nattier blue plumes; Airs. Sydney- AA’orsp wore a pretty pink and white frock, with a dainty bunch of pink roses ou a black velvet band round her throat, and a pretty wing-covered hat; Airs. Edmunds, Royal blue ninon black hat; Airs. Woodward, white frock, long blaek coat, and a blue hat; Alisses de la Poor Beresford, Airs. Kemp, Airs. Rack, Airs. Grant. Airs. Archdale Taylcr, Airs. Savage, Alisses Savage, Airs. John Reid, Airs. Segner, Airs. Corbett-Smith. Aliss Aletealf, Miss Atkinson. Airs. AVolfe. Airs. Napier. Airs. Nelson, Aliss Nelson, Airs. Lawford. Airs. AlcLoughlin, Aliss Lloyd. Airs. Markham, Airs. E. Davis, Airs. Rayner. Airs. .1. Alexander. Aliss Bagnall, Airs. Stretton Izard, Aliss Afoss, Mrs. Goodhue. New Nurses' Home.

The opening of the new Nurses’ Home on Wednesday- afternoon by Lady Islington was most successful. Lady Islington made one of the best of the manygood speeches she has made in Auckland. Air P. Al. Alackay, chairman of the Board, in his speech of welcome expressed the general appreciation of Lady Islington’s kindly interest in the hospital, and asked her to accept from the Board the key with which she opened the door, as a souvenir of the occasion. After -this ceremony had been performed, there was an adjournment to the social hall, where gold medals and certificates were presented to successful sisters and nurses. There were three nurses who had obtained great distinction whilst undergoing ■their training—Nurse Al (teller and Nurse Hawkins were bracketed. and Nurse Cumming, who took first place at the

State examination for the whole of New Zealand. Other nurse* wtio were successful were Nurses Aletge, Scott, Nutsey, Mitchell, Hopkin. Martin. Cook. Edgerly, Adame. Boyd, Begbie, and Borthams. After an inspection of the home, afternoon tea was provided in a marquee on the lawn. Lady Islington, who was accompanied by Lady Fuller and Aliss Stapleton-Cotton, was very much admired in a lovely frock in a tone of deep cream, beautifully embroidered in self colour; r. aat lined with black completed a charming toilette. Newspaper Picnic.

A newspaper conference has been lield in Auckland during the past week. Some thirty- representative provincial pressmen from Australia and other parts have spent a few busy days in Auckland. What with business and pleasure their time has been fully- occupied. The Alayor of Auckland (Air. C. J. Parr) gave them a civic welcome, and later on Air. and Mrs. Parr entertained them at tea in the Mayoral Chambers. A tour of inspection was made of the building, and the visitors were given an opportunity of hearing the organ played. On Wednesday the proprietors of the “NewZealand Herald*’ and •’Star*’ arranged a water picnic for the visitors, who are accompanied by- five ladies. The fine steamer Wakatere was chartered for the outing, and is an ideal boat for picnics of this sort, having lots of deck space. There was a short delay in starting, as three motor cars which had taken some of the visitors out for a spin were delayed. but soon they arrived with their cargoes of happy-looking sightseers, who, judging by their bouquets and buttonholes had been visiting some rose gar dens. The Wakatere slowly steamed up the harbour as far as Chelsea, enabling the visitors to see the City waterfront and the residential parts of Ponsonby. Herne Bay. and the North Shore. Then we steamed down to Waiheke. and for a shore time there was rather more movement on board than many cared for, but the captain most thought fully steered for a sheltered loy, where we were in smooth water. Here we had lunelieou. The saloons were beautifully decorated, the tables done with light Michaelmas daisy and yellow flowers. Even the most doubtful sailor felt bright and peaceful after our sumptuous lunch, which was a very jolly meal. There were quite a number of speeches.auj toasts. In a short time the scene was changed, and the ship's sides were lined with fishers. Soon the fish, were lieipg hauled in on every side, To Air. Tem perly, doyen of the visitors, .(ell the honour of making the biggest bag. Ave had Burke's Band on board, so you can imagine we had some lovely music. After tea had been enjoyed, a start was made for home, which was reached shortly after six. As we came up to the wharf we all joined in singing “Auld Lang Syne” and other things, and I think all enjoyed themselves very much, and the visitors seemed delighted with our beau tiful island-studded harbour, even though the sky had been grey. Air. and Airs. Henry Horton and Air. T. AV. Leys re eeived the guests, and with Air. E. Hor, ton and Messrs. Arthur and Harry Brett helped to give all the guests a delightful time. (Among those ou board were; Airs. Overend, Airs. McMillan, Airs. Briggs, Airs. Asher, and Airs. Nicol (all from Australia), Airs. Arthur Brett. ■Airs. Harry Brett, Mrs. »Sholto Douglas. Airs. Rollett, Airs. Alasfen, Airs. Doige, Airs. Alonckton, Airs. AA’. Rainger, Alls. Elliott, Aliss Courtayne, Airs. Edmunds. Aliss AVood, Aliss Carpenter. Aliss Hall.

Maungakiekie Golf Club.

The opening of the above club’s season baa been postponed till April 15th owing to the abnormal growth of the grass, through the continued wet weather. The club’s new professional eoach will arrive in Auckland shortly, and members who so desire can arrange for lessons through the hon. secretary. At a general meeting of ladies, held in the clubhouse, the following were elected officers for the coming season: —- Captain, Mrs; Balt; secretary, Mrs. Ridings; ladies’ general committee, Mrs. A. Ferguson, Mrs. Ridings, Mrs. Kingswell. Misses Mary Frater, Souter, Murray, Scott.