A LADY’S LETTER FROM AUCKLAND.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 604, 7 May 1891, Page 3

A LADY’S LETTER FROM AUCKLAND.

SOCIETY NOTES. Auckland, April 31. St. Gbobgb’s Day is always a nondescript kind o£ holiday. All the Banks, insurance, and lawyers’ offices observe it, but the shops are not closed, nor general business suspended. Last Thursday was no exception to the rule. The weather was perfect, and the industrious members of the community must have envied those who were taking their pleasure in the open air. The meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt Club attracted a large number of people in the direction of Otaliuhu; the “ Monument,” about thirteen miles from Auckland, being the rendezvous. When the hounds threw off, only a few riders had assembled. Later on a large party from

town came up with the hunt just as the first hare of the day was caught and despatched by the hounds before the whips arrived upon the spot. A great number of ladies were present, amongst whom were Miss Whitaker, the Miss Wilkins, Miss Kilgour, and Miss MacLaughlin. It was a very pretty sight, the country looking its best, and the host of riders and a number of carriages on the road lending animation to the scene. The hunt itself was not very exciting. There was only one good run throughout the day. Several hares were started, but most of them managed to escape. Comparatively few riders really followed the hounds. The majority exhibited a decided preference for roads, gates, slip-rails, and gaps in the hedges. When none of these were available they patiently waited until their more adventurous forerunners had broken down the fences, Sir Maurice O’Borke's son (commonly known as “ Eddy ”) has the reputation of riding as hard and straight as any huntsman here. Once when the chase crossed the main

road a stiff post and rail fence, with a broad ditch beyond, was negotiated in splendid style by the most adventurous spirits, to the admiration of their Iras experienced or more

cautious companions. The nature of the country was no' favorable to pace, as the ground is a mass of rooks. Those with real regard for their horses could nos take them at break-neck speed over euch uneven and stony soil. In jumping, riders had a pleasant conviction that their horses would probably land amongst a collection of jagged, heaped up boulders. Formerly there was very good hunting ground out past the Three Kings, but lately wire fences have driven out the merry Chase. The rame evening the Orchestral Union held the first of a series of concerts. Most of the members used to be regarded as the backbone of the Choral Society’s orchestra. Two years ago there was a great split, all the most efficient performers breaking away from the original Society, and forming a new ons. Under the leadership of Mr Paque (son of the famous violinist) the Union has reached a very high state of proficiency and is ab'e to interpret adequately the works of the greatest masters. There are twenty stringed and eleven wind instruments. The precision, execution and expression with which they play are wonderful. A most weird and wonderful *’ Norwegian Rbap Body” by Svendsen, the sweetest little 11 Graceful Dance” of Sullivan’s, and the brilliant and taking “ Hungarian Dance ” (No. 1) composed by Brahms were each charming in a totally different style. pn Tuesday night Mr and Mrs Worsp gave a very pleasant dance at their residence, “ Burrwood, ” Remuera, formerly the property of Mr Thomas Morrio. We set out in a steady downpour of rain and a bitter South wind which made the cheerful fireside we were leaving doubly attractive. We had, as is the custom of Aucklanders going to a bail at any distance, made up a large party, and chartered a glass coach (alias a “ homely 'bus ” as the footmen at Government House invariab’y describe it). We found that about eighty guests had braved the elements, and although about twenty more were expected their loss was onr gain as far as dancing room was concerned. Burrwood is an ideal house for a dance, even on a wpt night When wandering in the pretty grounds is out of the question and the lovely view of the harbor obscured by a grey mist, It abounds in sitting rooms, pas-ages, verandahs, balconies and unexpected nooks st every corner. The music—piano, violio, and Cornet—was excellent; the eupper, served by the leading Auckland coEfeotiorer, more than excellent. There were of course many pretty dresses worn. One of the most striking and effective was a maize coloured satin and tulle with long sprays of chrysanthemums (artificial) crossing the corsage from shoulder to waist and tailing from the waist to the hem of the skirt. Another handsome dress was an electric blue merveilleux, perfectly fitting and made with a long train. Bopes of

maiden blush rosea made a lovely contrast with'the delicate shade of the satin. Heliotrope was a good deal worn, and “chiffon” appears on nearly ail the evening dresses. It is 50 soft jnd so adaptable that I hope it will be more than a passing fashion. Bouquets are as large and carelessly arranged as ever, and tied with long ribbons [patching the dress. Many girls now arrange their flowers on a perfectly flat foundation—such as a light hand-screen—so that they have only 'one “show” side. These have the advantage of being lighter and less cumbersome than the round ones, while they look just as pretty. J suppose the Barn Dance, which is so popular here, Is also danced in Gisborne. It looks simple enough when two graceful dancers advance down the room, the gentleman holding his partner’s hand high in the air till the magic note of music tells them to waltz a couple of.bars. The oldfashioned air and “ courtly grace ” wi’h which some couples step for slide, or skip, or something between) makes us think of the day Of man’s splendour when he was a magn.fi. cent creature in his knee breeches, face ruffles, perukes and diamond buckles. Why cannot we reyive the minuet and it? associations’? ' I saw such a pretty tea-cosy the other day. It was made cf two palm leaf fane. Gold colored bengaline was drawn in round the edges of each, and formed a very full puff fog. Narrow ribbon exactly matching was tiedin long loops rouhd the fan handles which crossed at the top. It was lined with the same bengaline. Hearts are very fashionable just now, I do hot of course allude to the real article, as every one knows that they have never been recognised by society, and the more civilized we become the more strongly it is impressed upon us that to have any feelings is bad foim. The hearts upon which the taste of the day has'placed its mark of approval are those which can be worn as brooches, pins, sleevelinks or decorating a bangle or chatelaine. A sweet little brooch I saw lately had two peari - heads overlapping one another and enclosed in a gold wishing-bone. Besides jewellery many little nicknacks are made in the shape ci a heart—photograph frames, cushions, mirrors and a host of ornamental tnd usefur articles for the walls, table or drawing-room. A.T.