SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 237, 30 June 1908, Page 5

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

The "Afc Homo"-given .yesterday afternoon by, Mr. and Mrs; J. Prouso in honour of Heir Jan Kubelik and Madame JCubclik was attended by. a great many people, all of whom wero delighted to have this opportunity of meeting tho great musician and his. wife. Mrs. l'rouso's pretty rooms were deem'ated with masses of spring flowers, wattle, ji't rnica, and spring bulbs, all of which had been sent, over from Nelson,' and the lea-table looked charming with its* many -.mscs filled with yellow jonquils, white frisias, li'.d violets., A string band stationed by the stairs played during tho afternoon. Mrs , 1 rouse received her guests in a frock of broivn chiffon taffetas with cream lace. Miss I:ouse woro a pretty blouse of pale blue incssaline with black silk skirt; Madame Kubelik's lc-ng graceful coat was of dark peacock blue chiffon velvet; she wore a black plumed picture hat, and a cluster of exquisite roses. Lady Ward was in a blue costume, with hat of tho same shade, and white furs. Among others present were Mrs. Findlay, Mrs. Hislop, Miss Eileen <AVard, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Izard, Sirs, and tho Misses Beauchamp, Mrs. and Miss Perkins, Mrs. and Miss Dnan, Mrs. Fitchott, Mrs. Firth, Mrs. and Miss Cecil Jones, Mrs. Christie, Mrs.' Itankine-Brown, Miss R. Seddon, Misses Putnam (3), Misses Turner (2), Mrs. T. Ward, Mrs. Chatfield, Mrs. Tuckey, Miss H. Miles, Miss Banchop, Mrs.'Kennedy Macdonald, and Mrs. Macarthy, Sir Joseph Ward, the Hons. Dr. Findlay, R. A. Loughnan, T. -I\. Macdonald, Mr. Fisher, Colonel Bauchop, Mr. Robert Parker, Dr. Perkins, Eerr Hoppe, and Mr. T. Seddon. ■ . The official opening of Parliament has never, at tho best of times, been an imposing affair, and in/spito of the preliminary proceedings, the presence of the uniformed ranks, the ride of the mounts I escort, and the Governor's brave array, the ciush which followed in tho Legislative Council, and the 1 herding 'into* a small-space of tho members of the Lower House, robbed tho occasion of any pretensions tp dignity. But still it was distinctly a social function, and many pretty frocks are to be seen on these opening days. Yesterday's ceremony, was attended by few ladies, as. no invitations had been sent out since the accommodation for ladies was small. Lady Ward was there in a very becoming blue costume; Miss Eileen Ward, in a frock of striped'black and whitij'Mrs. Findlay, Mrs. C. Izard, Mrs. F. M. B. Fisher, Mrs. Hall-Jones, and her two daughters. . ! ! ■ "What are you doing about tho bread?" was the question that every, woman asked her neighbour, yesterday, and in most cases tho answer was cheery. " My. cook bakes delicious scones," said ono proudly, not having tried what living on scones is like, and another rejoiced because her baker's men did not belong to tho Union. Most of them had not como. to tho end of their • broad supply, and seemed to bo looking forward hopefully to the morrow, expecting something to turn up, though in what. direction help was to come was not'obvious. : Some families had already been reduced to biscuits -and cake, and it is probable that there will bo a big run'on biscuits during tho next few days, if the striko lasts. Ono .woman whom

"Dominica'.' passed in the street was.hugging a big parcel, and her husband had evidently asked her what on earth she was carrying, for she answered'with a tone of great satisfaction, as who should boast that she had gold and silver, "My dear, it is a loaf." ' It is early days for such straits, but wo may live to-see processions of matrons and maids each clasping a loaf uf bread as her dearest treasure:

Mrs. Sclanders, of - ' Nelson, and Miss Sclande'rs, who have been paying a two months' visit to the Wairarapa, aro at present in Wellington. They return to Nelson shortly'.