Social Gossip.

By Christabel.

GOVERNMENT House has been very gay of late, two balls being given this week, one by the Bod. Kathleen Plumket, and the other by the aides-de-camp. The decorations were pretty, guelder roses and rhododendrons being in profusion. The Hon. Kathleen had <m a vivid green chiffon, over whate silk, the effect being beautiful. Her visitors. Misses xioyle and Kettle, were wearing white frocks of daunty description. Mrs. Buchanan wore pale blue satin; Mrs. C. Crawford, black tulle; _ Mrs Arthur Pearce, white striped silk. • • • Miss Mary Pearce was in pale blue tafletas. Miss Haroourt had on shell-punk silk. Mrs. Dymock wore white silk: Miss Grace Haroourt, in ciel blue, Mrs. A. Duncan, white frock with salver trimmings. Mass Cooper wore whate lace over silk fowndatLon ; Miss Duncan, pale pink ; Miss Tweed, turquoise blue ; Miss Una Williams, frock of pale blue satin : Miss Simpson, pure white. • • • The Shakespearian Club must be congratulated on the reading of "Julius Caesar." Many ladies were present, but many more who would have attended were absent through illness and other engagements. "Julius Caesar" was essentially a man's reading, but next time we hope the ladies will giye us a reading. One new member is a gifted pupil of the famous Mrs. G-. B. W. Lewis. It is delightful to listen to Shakespeare so worthily read. Many pupils from the various schools were present. • ♦ • The latest happenings to come are the gay sports and prize days n-f Miss Somerville's preparatory school, om the 20th, and the Girls' College annual sports on Friday. 29t»h.

Miss Fell gave Mrs. Buchanan a delightful faiewell tea at her pretty home va Hobson-street. • • • Mrs. Walter Johnston and Mrs. Baldwin left by the Maheno on Friday for Australia. Mr. and Mrs. ALgar Williams have armed in town. On the night of their arrival, Mrs. T. C. Williams gave a danoe in honour of thear hoine-ooim-mg. Arum lilies, roses, and sweetpeas formed the decorations. Mrs. Williams leceived her guests m a costume of dark purple silk, with exquisite old lace on the bodice. Miss Williams wore a frock of rose punk chiffon taffetas. Miss Una Williams was in white satin, and Miss Eda Williams had om ciel blue satin. Mirs. Algar Williams wore an exquisite frock of pale green chiffon, over white silk, with silver trimmings. • • • The Hon. Kathleen Plunket was f rocked in pale shell-pink. Th.c Misses Russell were both in white satin ; Miss Ward, in. pale pmk • Miss Kettle, handsome black frock, wntb sequins, Miss Boyle, pale pinik ; Miss Duncan, pale blue frock, drummed with silver, Mrs. Riddiford, pale heliotrope, Mrs. Buchanan, white satinMrs. Thorn e-George, black frock and white, Miss Barker, pale blue; Mrs. Dymock, floral silk; Miss Gore, pale yellow. Other guests were- Misses Tolhurst, McTavish, Hewitt. Harcourt and Bell. • • • Mrs. W. Shand has gone to Christchurch to stay with Mts. Cooper for two or three weeks. • • * Mrs. C A. Ewen has a pretty residence at Trentham now, and the family will rusticate there for the summer. Mrs. Stott, with her sweet little girls and bomnie Highland _ boy, are leaving for a six-weeks' holiday. • • • Mrs. Duncan gave a bright little morning tea last week to Mrs. Wallis and the other members of St. Mary's Guild. The ladies present were • The hostess, Mrs. Arthur Duncan, Lady Atkinson, Mesdames Coleridge, Campbell, Hansell, Didsbury, Hansell, Medley, Hudson, Sprott, Tanner, Warren, and Richmond. The ladies of the Guild presented Mrs. Wallis with a handsome travelling Tug, and wished her bon voyage, a happy trip, Eund a speedy return.

Mrs. Reginald Stowe is at present in town. Mis. A. Foster, from Blenheim, is staying for a little while at the Hotel Cecil. • • « Mrs. Donald Robertson (Talavera Terrace) has issued invitations for an "At Home" on Friday, 15th unsit. • • • The Basilica, at Hill-street, was visited by many non-Catholics as well as Catholics oin Sunday last. The church was fragrant wYbh delightful flowers, arum lilies playing an important pairt m the decorative effect. His Grace the Archbishop officiated at 9 o'clock service, aoid blessed the new pulpit, which was erected in memory oi the late Very Rev. Father Lewis, by his brother priests. The pulpit is stately and magnificent, and has been designed with great care and taste by Mir. John S. Swan and Messrs. Hickmott Bros., cf Christchurch. - • • Miss Martha Grace, the -Wairarapa heiress (daughter of the late chief, Tamahaoi Mahupuka), has recenUy become engaged to Mr. George McGregor, a half-caste gentleman, belonging to Wanganui. » « • A small, but very enjoyable kitcheai tea was givn by Mrs. Anderson P*ge, at her residence, Essex-street, on Wednesday, November 6th, for Miss Harrop, whose marriage with Mr. Tilvard takes place next momth. The bride-elect received many useful and ornamental presents, and a guessing competition caused' great amusement, and was won by Miss Harrop, Mrs. Hardwick carrying off the booby prize. Songs were given by Miss Tilbury, Miss Smith, Mis. Hardwick, aoid M>rs. Oi chard. • • • Afternoon tea was laid out in the dming-room, where the tables were very prettily decorated, white flowers being used throughout in honour of the bride-elect. Mrs. Page was wearing a cream serge dress • Mrs. Anderson, heliotrope silk muslin; Miss Harrop, a pretty maize silk dress. Among the guests were : Miss Smith, Mrs. Orchard, Mrs. Burt, Mrs. Coe. Miss Davis, and Messrs. W. Coe, Harrop, Bdland, and Hardwick. • » . The pupils of Miss Sonimeirville's preparatory school for small boys are hoMing tiheir sports at "The Lawn," Hobson-stTeet, on November 28tn. Many guests have been invited.

Mrs. Fowlds and Mrs. Baume have both returned to Auckland. On Wednesday of last week Mrs. A. do B. Brandon gave >a delightful afternoon tea to Mrs. Wallis and Mrs. Tamner, who leave for England soon. The drawing-room was a bower of roses, and the afternoon tea table was an enchanting variation of orange, yellow, lavender, and pink, the flowers being giant columbines. • • • Mrs. Brandon wore a beautiful frock of black taffetas and old Maltese lace. Mrs. Tanner had on black silk, with trimmings of oream lace. Mrs. Dean was in a shimmering black glace ; Mrs. Wallis, a green costume; Mrs. Pollen, sage greem cloth, and blouse of embroidered silk, and white hat with large black plumes; Lady Stout, grey and wihite striped silk, and heliotrope hat. • ■ • • Other guests were : Mesdames T. C. Williams, Adams, Moorhouse, J. Dunican. Pearce, Cooper, Herries, Sprott, Buchanan, Stott, Yon- Zedlitz, White, Field, and Stowe, and Misses Holmes, Williams, Harding, and Medley. • • « On November Sfch, Miss Flora McIntvre, youngest daughter of Mrs. C. Mclntvre. 64. Pirie-street, was married to Mr. John Windsor, at the Kent Terrace Church, the ceremony being performed by Rev. T. K. Elliot. The bride wore a very becoming frock of white silk, with veil and orange blossoms. The bridesmaids were : Micsec Mariorie Lett, Florrie Windsor, Jean McTntvre and Belle Cottle. Mr. R. McTntyre acted as best man., and the groomsmen, were Mr. H. Mclntyre and Mir. Kellv. The brother of the bride save heT away. The bride's gamig-awav dress was of nnvy blue, with white picture hat. The wedding trip is being spent at Mastertam. • • • Over one hundred presents were received!, including a purse of sovereigns from the bridegroom's fellow-employ-ees, and a cheque from the Firm. The bridesmaids' presents from the bridegroom were gold bird brooches for the two oldest, and bar brooches with their names on for the Kttie ones. It was a pint and blue wedding, the four attendants wearing those tints, amx3 carrying crooks and flowers of the same tint. • • • A reception was held at the New Century Hall, and there was a, delightful dance ira the evening. Mrs. Me-

Jmiyre wore a handsome black silk dress. Mis. Windsor had <m a smart silk gown, and carried a bouquet of choice flowers; Mrs. G. AndersoaL, cream taftetas, ajid spring hat, Mrs. H. McLityre, in golden, brown silk dress, and very pretty pink hat. Other guests weie. Mesdames Lawrence, Cussack, Redlstone, Oottle, Smith, F. E. Cooper, Dalby, Sexton, Palmer (Hutt), Morriss, McGirr, Green, Lane, and L. Jordan, and Misses Lawience, Geaiy (2), McKam (Hutt), and EJsa Anderson,. • • • Mrs. Dea.ns intends having a nice holiday at Rotorua. She has been staying with Mis Brandon for a little tune. • * • Others leaving foi Rotorua are: Miss M. Ligeitwood, of Ascot Vale, Melbourne, and Mrs. L. Moorby and Mrs. A. Y. Mclntyre, of Johannesburg. They all intend to do the beauties and sights thoroughly. • • * The populai Miss Rose Blaney (now Mrs. livine) is with us. Captain Irvine knew his wife would enjoy a \isit to these shoics again ami we are all hoping to hear her sing after her two years of finished study of singing abroad. • • • Miss Dons Roskiuge left foi Chmitehureh om Friday evemung • • • Up to this the 400 Club of New York were an awe and a heartburn to many, but now, in England we have the new "exclusive club" of only 6W. This club is to be emphatically overseas " meaning Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, South Africa, and the West Indies, and only fifty lady members are allowed from eacn place. The vice-presidents— the Iwgnt Hon. the Earl of Kintore, the Marchioness of Linlithgow, the Hon, Mrs. Algernon Hanbury Tracy, and the Hon. Victor Nelson Hood— will need all their tact in the selections. These privileged 300 will entertain largely the English speaking people visiting the Mother Country. The club is to be built in Oscar Wilde's and Gdbert and Sullivan's aesthetic PicoadaJßy, neai the Rite Hotel. Mr. Gordon Bennett, curator of the West Indian section of the Imperial Institute, is the founder. • • * Weddings aie in the air, and on Saturday the brides had sunshine, flowers, and everything congenial tor the happy day. One marriage being m town; and one out at the Hutt one would like to be m two places at the same time. The town wedding took place at the bride's parents' residence, "Kmnoul, ' ' Thompson-street, Mr. C. Fij ,eh, of the Bank of New South Wales at Christchurch, and son of Mr. Finch., Inspector of the Bank of .New South Wales in New Zealand, being married to Miss Olive Kirkcaldie, daughter ot Mr. John, Kirkcaldie, the well-known head of the firm of Kirkcakbe a,nd Stains. The Rev J. Paterson officiated. Miss Ida Finch (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Grace Kirkoaldie (sister of the bride) were the bridesmaids, _ and Messrs. Cecil McKellar and Keith Kirkcaldie acted as groomsmen. • • * The bride wore a handsome frock of white embroidered chiffon, over silk, ti ith shoulder capes and f lont of beautiful silk lace, and she earned a bouquet of white stephanotis, roses, and carnations. The bridesmaids were gowned in dainty frocks of white mushn over silk, and trimmed with lace and touches of pink on the bodices, and they carried bouquets of pink carnations and sweet pea The rooms were prettily decorated by Miss Murray, of Willis-street, who excelled herself m the various creations in iris, white roses and carnations. Mrs Kirkcaldie wore a brown taffetas and brown toque with plumes to match; Mrs. Finch, tramspaient black over white glace, and black hat. Mrs. S. Kirkcaldie wore white chilion, witn embossed rose leaves and black hat; Mirs Herbert Kirkcaldie, champagne embroidered silk, and hat to match with plumes of brown tint Mrs. Rattray, pale blue taretas, and hat to match; Miss Kate Kirkcaldie, champagne transparent striped dress, over silk, and hat with blue and brown roses. Among the guests were: Mr and Misses Fmch, Mrs. P T. Putnam, Dr. and Mrs. Gibb, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Gilmer, Dr. and Mrs. Gilmer Dr. and Mts. Herbert, Mr. and Mrs Tolhiirst, Dr. and Mrs. McGavin, Mr. and Mrs J M. Rirhardscn, Mr. McLeod, Mr. and Mrs Hanmay Many handsome presents were received. • • • The gaiety this week has been immense, seven different affairs being held on> Wedmesday afternoon — three almost public, and four marriages. The day was golden, eye-n to the last glint of sunset. The Rose and Carnation Show, in the Town. Hall, was a

brilliant success. It was a sight to see the brushing roses and the radiant tables. They absolutely breathed with artistic life. Indeed, the concept hall oould .not hold the eager crowd of flower worshippers. The committee of ladies can never be thanked enough for their energies towards the success. It was pleasant to see Mrs. Tuckey's smiles over the isuccess. • • • Afternoon tea was served at the e>nd of the hall, and the piesidemifc's chief guests occupied the platfoim This party contained Lady Plunket, who brightly opened the show), the Hon Kathleen Plunket, in. a dainty fiock of the new Leghorn a la Panama, a. boom of beauty on a hot day , Lady Stout, in a pretty white costume and smait hat, Lady Waid, in an eolienne, and cream silk lace effect, with large hat in picture style. • • # Also present Mesdames T. C. Williams, Rhodes, Hislop Wallis, Riddiford, and Ross. The kmdiy girl friends of the ouinmittee who dispensed tea were Misses Stout, Ward, O'Connor, Harding (2), Quick, Bean, and Stafford. • • • Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Kennedy gave a cliaa-ming, and almost impromptu, afternoon tea cm board the Union Company's new turbine steamer, Maori, on Wednesday. It was a compliment to Lady Ward), who, so to speak, is the god-mothei of the boat, and we all laughingly asked her if she was proud of her child. The Maori is oommodiO'iis to a degree, the aant tints in the cabins bemg refreshing even. 1 to those suffering from mal-de-mer. The state-rooms, music-rooms, aaid pilotrooms are all perfect. • • • Popular Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy stood at the head of the oompanionwav and welcomed) their guests. Mrs. Kennedy was wearing a pearl grey coat and skirt, and black hat. Some of the other guests were Lady Stout, m white , Lady Ward, who had just come on from the Carnation Show ; Lady Steward ; Mesdames Beauchamp, in a cream frock and beautiful summer hat, Thorne George, Pollen, Fisher, Jones, Christie. • • • Mrs. Anderson wore a new striped costume of black and white, with large hat; Mrs. Price, m goblin blue silk white lace bodice kimona style, and large black hat. Also present: Mesdames Stafford, Hal.es, Trask, Ewen, Loughnan, Hogg, Macarthy, Sidey, and Misses Ward, Watson, Jones, and Beauchamp. • • • Some of the gentlemen present w r ere • Sir Robert Stout, Sir William Steward, Dr. Pollen, ajid Messrs. Rutherford, Fisher, Beauchamp, Hogg, Poole, and the Hons. Loughnan, Trask, Fraser, and Sidey. A very interesting weddmg to Wellingtonians took place at the Hutt on Wednesday afternoon, at St. James's Church, when Mr. J. E. D. Spicer, chief clerk of the Auckland branch of the Agricultural Department, was married to Miss Ella Adams, only daughter iot Mr. C. W. Adams, formerly Commissioner of Lands and Chief Surveyor of Marlborough. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. Joshua Jones. Mr. R. R. Percival acted as best man, and Mr. F. C. Hjoirring as groomsman. The bridesmaids were Muss Lila Spicer and Miss Moore (Blenheim), and two little nieces of thebride. • • • The bride wore a delightful gown of white silk, trimmed with lace, and the bridesmaids were in pretty pale pink muslin f roclcs, and hats wreathed with feummei roses. The reception was held at the hospitable home of the bride's parents. The presents were very numerous and costly, including much old silver and rare china. Another wedding on Wednesday was that of Mr. Frederick Arthur Baker, third son of Mr. W. Baker, of Feildmg to Miss Mabel Louise^ Bennett, eldest daughter of Mr. A. B. Benaiett, of Woolcombe-street The marriage took place at the Wesley Clhurch, Taranaki-street. • • # The bride wore a handsome frock, and was attended by her sister, Miss Gladys Bennett, her cousin, Miss Irene Bennett, and Miss Edith Murphy, niece of the bridegroom Mr. Victor R. Bennett (brother of the bridegroom) was best man. A charming reception was held after the ceremony at the residence of the bride's parents. • • • The opening of the Kelburne Ladies' Bowling Club took place on. Wednesday, and the official day could not have been better. AH was verdant and beautiful. Games were played by the enthusiastic members, anid refreshing afternoon tea was served. There were over two hundred guests, many coming on from the Flower

Show, etc. I noticed among many : Mrs. Hislop (president), Mesdaxnes Devme, Dinme, and Watkuns (vicepresidents), Mrs. McVilly (secretary), and Mesdames Campbell, Christie, Kn.ox Gilmer, Munxo, Donaue, Pulton. Hameitooi, Gilmer, Price, Anderson, and Macdonald; also, Misses Marks, Devine, and Seddon. • • * The ladies in future a-re gajig to have one rink reserved for them in. the evening, and they will be able to revel in a cool twilight game from sunset to dark, the men using all tht, other rinks. The green.' is so large and beautiful, it must be life to tired souls to play on it. • • • The engagement is announced of Di Beedie. of Kimbolfcon, to Miss Dons Mcßeth, daughter of Mr. Robert McBeth, of Kimboltom, and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. G Y. Shannon, of Clifton Terrace, Wellington. • • - On Saturday afternoon the mamage ot Miss Olive Cicely Mildred Heaton, fourth daughter of the late Mr. A. M. Heaton, CJE., to Mr. Henry Ernest Carey, secretary of the Wellington Publishing Company, was solemnised at St. James's Church, Hutt, by the Rev. Joshua Jones, in the presence of a large gathering of friends. .The bride wore a charming dress of white chiffon taffetas draped with real Irish ilace, and the usual orange blossom wreath, with a veil of beautiful old lace. She was given away by her brother, Mr. J. D. S. Heaton, anid was attended by four bridesmaids Miss F. Heaton, Miss Nina Smith, Miss Flora Scales, and Miss M. Heaton, who were dressed alike in white French muslm, with trimmings of pale blue silk, and hats of white crinoline straw, trimmed with pale blue silk and large pink roses. The bride carried a lovely bouquet of cream and white roses, and the bridesmaids' bouquets were of pink roses. • • • The bridegroom was accompanied by Mr. R. H. Lee as best man. and Messrs. E. D. H. Heaton, R. Kuigdon, and E. F. Richardson as groomsmen. The church was beautifully decorated with white lilies a.nd native greenery, and the service was fully choral. * Miss Harte presided at the organ. After the ceremony, Mrs

Heaton, received her friends at "Bidge* side/ a large marquee having been pitched in tJie lawn, where refreshmeßbs were dispensed. Ml. Gilruth proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom an a very cordial speech, and other toasts were honoured. The Hutt Brass Band played some excellent music during the afternobik • • • ~-j Ast half-past four the newly-married pair left by tram for the North, where tine honeymoon is being spent. The bride's going-away dress was a tailormadie cream serge, with which was worn a lace scarf and a hat of cream crinoline straw with roses to match. In the evening a dance was given at "Kidgeside." The guests danced on the lawn, the Hutt BanJcf~~againi supplying the music. The scene was a very picturesque one, and the entertainment was greatly enjoyed by all present. Over a hundred presents were received, some of them being very valuable.

It us the talk of the town! Whxtt Why ISAACS great concession: One dozen beaut if ullly-noushed Cabinet Photographs and an Enlargement for Seventeen and Six. Don't forget the only address— J. N. Itaaos, Mannenstr«et. — Adrt.