THE SOCIAL WORLD

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 24 July 1913, Page 26

THE SOCIAL WORLD

Madame Wieiaert. Charming singer and charming wo man is Madame Wieiaert, wife o: Herr Wieiaert of Auckland. Madame (whose portrait centres these pages) not only enjoys an Auckland reputation as a soprano of conspicuous merit, but has figured prominently in Wellington and Christchurch, where she has had special engagements by the Choral and other musical societies to take leading roles. Her grace of manner and distinctive charm, supplemented with her vocal gifts, make Madame Wieiaert a valued acquisition in musical and social circles. * * * * Advance, Woman! Who will say that the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board is not a chivalrous body? At their last meeting an animated discussion took place as to who should be appointed to the position of junior resident officer to the Auckland Hospital, and after weighing the pros and cons carefully, the balance was in favour of Dr. Eleanor Baker by seven votes to four. Dr. Eleanor Baker had a warm champion in Dr. Florence Keller. “I consider I am a New Zealander,” declared Dr. Keller, “as I am working for the good of the people here. I expect my bones to bleach here, unless I am hounded out by some of my medical friends. I predict that the only trouble, if Dr. Baker is appointed, will be that all the staff will fall in love with her.” * $ 9 An Interesting Betrothal. A Royal betrothal that has found great favour is announced between Prince Arthur of Connaught and the Duchess of Fife (Princtss Alexandra Victoria). The Court Circular announcing the betrothal mentions that His Majesty the King gladly gave his consent. Rumour has it that the Prince, who is over 30 years of age, swore to remain a bachelor unless he could marry Lady Marjorie Manners, with whom he was infatuated. It appears the Prince, while at Eton, fell in love with a photograph of Lady Marjorie, a beautiful and gifted girl, whose portrait has graced the pages of many society journals. The Duchess of Fife is 22 years of age, and is said to be one of the richest women in Great Britain. * * * *

Such is Fame! Occasionally one is faced with the fact that New Zealand is not the hub of the universe. The Mayor of Dunedin has just received a letter showing that the geographical loca-

tion of the Dominion is not made a compulsory subject. The addrest reads: —‘Governor of Dunedin, Stat? of Otago, New Zealand, Australia”; and the contents inform Mr. Stewart that her brother left Glasgow thirtysix years ago, for the city of Otago. “Since then,” she continues, “I have heard very little about him, except that he is now called Sir John Forrester.”

A Divorce in High Society. 3* An echo of the Cornwallis WestLady Randolph Churchill wedding is heard in cable news from London, to the effect that the lady has been granted a divorce on the grounds of

misconduct and desertion on the part of her husband. The marriage created something of a stir some years ago; the bride, who was the widow of Lord Randolph Churchill, being 20 years older than her husband, an 3 having a son who was the senior of his stepfather. Lady Randolph Churchill (which name she will resume) is the daughter of the late Mr. Leonard Jerome, of New York.

Owing to ill-health, Mr. Harold Gregson, of Auckland, has had to cancel his appointment as musical adjudicator at the Invercargill competitions.

Sir Joseph and Lady Ward are expected to arrive in Auckland next Sunday.

Mr. C. J. Parr, Mayor of Auckland, and Mrs. Parr are spending part of their ho l !day in Queensland. They intend staying a few days in Melbourne and Sydney before leaving for New Zealand. The trip is proving beneficial to them both, though Mrs. Parr’s health has not been of the best.

Mr. W. A. Prickitt, consul-general for the United States, leaves for a trip to America on August 1. Mrs. and Miss Prickitt will accompany him.

Miss Richmond, president of the Pioneer Club in Wellington, was the guest of honour at a largely-attended reception last week, on the occasion of her departure for England. Appreciative speeches were made expressive of the work Miss Richmond has done since the inception of the club, and a presentation was made of a travelling rug and a handbag.

A popular wedding was solemnised at St. Paul’s Pro-cathedral, Wellington on Tuesday, July 15, when Miss Dora Perkins, daughter of Dr. Perkins, was married to Mr. Lionel Hitchings, of Gisborne. The ceremony was performed by Archdeacon Harper and the Vicar of St. Paul’s.

The Public Are Lucky. “We left London for America,” said Miss Madge Titheradge, “Mile. Genee was appearing there, just a little while ago, it seems. Then we came out to Australia, so many thousand miles away, and find the worldfamed dancer and the Russian ballet in this city. And what a programmeLondoners would be amazed if they saw the length of it, and the variety and quality of the entertainment. It seems to me marvellous that a huge attraction like this can be brought such a distance to Australia, and play lengthy seasons at prices far and away below those charged in London and New York for the same artists but for a shorter programme. And there must be more expense attaching to sueh an attraction in Australia. Theatrical enterprise in this country is marvellous, I think, and the publis are very lucky-”