THE SOCIAL WORLD

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 10 July 1913, Page 26

THE SOCIAL WORLD

One Who Will Be Missed

Another .link in the chain of xNew Zealand pioneers has been broken in the death of Mrs. Bloomfield, widow of the late Captain T. R. Bloomfield, who passed away at her residence, Parnell, on Sunday week. The late Mrs. Bloomfield, who was in her seventy-third year, came out to New Zealand in 1859 and settled at Matawhero, a few miles out of Gisborne. Mrs. Bloomfield could recount some thrilling experiences of the time ot the Te Kooti massacre in 1868, her husband dying just prior to that event. Her house was burned, but Mrs. Bloomfield and her family managed to escape, getting away through the bush, and reaching the next settlement on foot. It was shortly after that she decided to take up residence in Auckland, where she has lived for the past 45 years. Generous and kind hearted to a degree, the late Mrs. Bloomfield was beloved by a large circle of friends. She leaves a family of five sons, two of whom, Mr. H. R. Bloomfield and Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield, are on a visit to the Old Country.

Congratulations. An interesting marriage was solemnised quietly at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Parnell, last Monday, when Miss Alice Gillett was married to Mr. A. S. Bankhart. The bride, who was gracefully gowned in ivory charmeuse, was given away by her brother, and was attended by her sister. Mr. W. E. Woodward was best man. After the ceremony which was performed by Canon Mac Murray, the guests were entertained at a wedding breakfast at the Star Hotel, where the customary toasts were honoured. Mr. and Mrs. Bankhart left by the Maheno for Sydney, en route to Ceylon, where they will spend several months. The newly married couple were fare welled by a large number of friends. Prior to his wedding, Mr. Bankhart, who enjoys a wide popularity, was the guest of honour at several jolly little functions given by his club confreres. # ❖ Why Brides Wear Orange Blossoms. A discussion took place the other day as to the why and wherefore ot orange blossoms being part and parcel of a bride’s paraphernalia. The. writer has heard many reasons advanced, but the following one is as good and feasible as any. A Spanish gardener’s daughter, so the story goes, started the fashion. She was in despair of marrying a poor lover, because she had no dowry to bring

him. Nevertheless, she was coquettish • enough one day to deck her lovely hair with sprays of orange blossoms. Meeting her father’s employer, he was so struck with her beauty that he at once offered to supply the necessary dowry. Out of gratitude for the “luck” the blossoms had brought her, the bride wore a profusion of them at her wedding—and set the fashion, and so, no doubt, orange blossoms will hold sway for all time.

New Zealanders at Buckingham Palace. New Zealanders were well represented at Their Majesties’ Court at Buckingham Palace. They included the Countess of Cranbrook (who will be remembered in New Zealand as Lady Dorothy Boyle), the Countess of Hardwicke, Lady Plunket, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and Miss Ward, the Misses Helen and Mary Mackenzie (daughters of

the High Commissioner), and Miss Mabel Feldwick (Invercargill). Lady Ward’s gown was fashioned of powder-blue charmeuse, the gracefully draped skirt opening over an underskirt of Malines lace. The bodice of Malines lace had long winged sleeves ending in tassels. The decolletage was lined with diamante trimming, and there was a high swathed belt of charmeuse. The Court train was of white and gold brocaded ninon lined with gold chiffon and edged with mink.

Miss Eileen Ward wore pale mauve and silver brocade, made in modified Empire style, opening over a petticoat of chiffon and diamante. The decolletage was outlined with pearls, and winged draperies formed the sleeves. The train of white satin was bordered with mauve, finished in one corner with a large bow of mauve tulle and oink roses.

Bishop Crcssiey Resigns. A popular personality in Auckland will be missed in Bishop Crossley, who has resigned his office owing to ill-health. The Bishop has been suffering from a nervous breakdown, and some weeks ago went over to Sydney to see what a change would do. However, his health has not improved, and he decided to forward his resignation, intending to leave tor England next month. Both he and Mrs. Crossley leave a large number of friends and acquaintances of all denominations, their cheeriness, broad-mindedness and ready sympathy endearing them closely to everyone.

A Clever Pianiste.

Miss Evelyn Wyman, of Mangere, a pianiste of no small distinction, returned home last week after five years’ absence. After a course of study at the Royal Conservatorium in Leipzig, where she graduated with h aiours in 1911, Miss Wyman did a good deal oi’ concert playing in Germany and England. She was also pianoforte teacher at Doune House, Kent, Lord Plunket’s niece, Lady Doris Blackwood being amongst her pupils.

As Others See Us.

An Austrian woman journalist, Fraulein Shalck, who was through here a few weeks ago, has been giving some of her impressions thereof to a Melbourne interviewer. Australians, she noticed, saved in the coun-

try to live in the city, but the New Zealanders saved up in the city to live in the country. We could quite forgive that distinction, and could purr with pleasure when she calls us “ contented,” but when Fraulein announces that “in New Zealand, they are dull,” well, that is beyond the pale of forgiveness.

An Echo of Captain Scott.

An absorbing story is promised us in the thrilling experiences of the late Captain Scott and his men—told chiefly in his own words, and giving his unpublished diaries in full. The publisher of the Australasian magazine, “Life,” has paid a big sum for the exclusive rights for Australasia to publish this notable magazine feature. The tragic story—profusely illustrated with rare photographs—will' probably run through five issues

of “Life,” and give Captain Scott’s story, told by himself, from the time the expedition set out till the pencil dropped from Scott’s frozen fingers, just before his death.

Sir Walter Buchanan, M.P., returned to Auckland by the Niagara on Tuesday, after a six months’ visit to England and the Continent. He left for Masterton the same evening.

In a recent number of “The Gentlewoman” appeared an illustrated article entitled “Lady Ward at Home,” descriptive of the life of the Ward family in New Zealand.

The lightning flashed, the thunder roared, The rain came down like mad; The cold got into poor Bill’s bones — It made him very sad. But Mrs. Bill—she loved her spouse, This fact I know for sure, Else she would not have physicked him With Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.