LADIES' COLUMN.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 47, 23 August 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN.

Girls' Gossip,

Dear K«zia, — I have just returned from helping Audrey to choose her new spriug hat, «.nd feel quite worn out— as you who know my cousin* amiable vacillation can understand. On the principle that the early bird .secures tie fattest worm, Audrey was first in the field, and has, after infinite trouble, made her selection, Since which she has rung me up three times to say she is uncertain of its suittag her, and sho is fast acquiring a ■worried look. But, truly, the hat i« charming. It is low and flat, with a droop over the hair ab the back — essentials, Kezia, in the summer chapoau ; but it has. -not a single icrap of black velvet about it, nor has it a solitary caboohon, which also seem trade-marks of the new hats. Its crown is of leaves, its double brim of green straw, tipped up coqpettishly one side where many tiny white roses nestle amid gieen leaves. A scarf of green ohLffon is softly twisted between the brims, and the inevitable tails are composed of trailing roses and foliage. Audrey has a pale gre«n-and-white French muslin which she intends to crown with thi» hat, and if the tout ememble does not create a charming impression on society she will bo sadly ditappointed. Ruddy-brown hair does harmonise beautifully with green, and my cousin is dressing it in a -, quaint •tyle just now, low on her neck and demurely parted in front, that suits her admirably. Our Wellington girls are quite noticeable for their pretty tresses -and their dainty coiffures. An envious vititoi 1 from other countries declared it mutt be the sea-air and the high winds. The model of the statue of the Queen is on view just now. It is very dignified and queenly, but the sculptor appears to have taken an artistic license, and made his model much taller than she was. It certainly improves the statue, which will be a splendid decoration to our town. If the powers that be could be persuaded to eject the B«llance statue and instal that of the Queen there would be muoh rejoicing among artistic folk. Apropos of art, I hear Miss Hodgkins, Mrs. Field* slater, who has been studying in Paris and sketching on the Continent, has sent to Wellington a large number of sketohes that are being framed and will be exhibited shortly. Those who have had a private peep at them •ay they aid full of sunshine and exquisite colour. Mr. Robert Parker'* Glee and Madrigal Society gave a delightful invitation concert last Monday. Eren Uncle, who grumbles dreadfully as a rule at having to leave his fireside aud his pipe to listen to munc, found it quite short and tweet. The Irish ballad was especially charming, and the lingers gave the varying expression* with great taste.' Indeed, we all followed the fortunes of Phaivdrig with the tnoib complimentary attention, and, except for the sake of the concluding melody, thought it hard^that v he didn't live happy ever after with his Kdthlsen O'Brien instead- of dying in th« wars. ' Th« flute duet was a treat, though one expect* 'a grassy knoll, some •beep, and an earapt Phyllis — in a roae--wreathed hat and a chintz gown — when )ne hear* that instrument. Miss Ethel Parson*'* "Love has Eye*" wa* *ung vary taintily and sweetly, aud the young finger looked pretty in her white frock with tin bunoh of pink roses on the bodice. Mrs. Wilson, whose fine roice could be heard in- all the glees, and who thing well in the trio "The Mariners," wore black with transparent sleeves and lace. Miss Joan Parker was -on excellent accompanist, and Mr. Parker swayed bis subject*— pro tern.—with a skilful and autocratic baton. The hall was crowded, and hte-comer* liad to *eek for teats. A number of smart clo&kt and coats were to be seen in the audience. Two white brocaded ones were very dainty. A grey oovered with white silk embroidery, and a pole green tatin with fur, were noticeable. Very » picturesque was a darkIxaired girl in a vivid rose silk blouse, a line of bl*ck velvet botdering the ■quarft bodice, and a black velvet band acros* the hair. A grey-haired lady looked very handtome m black with * real lace berth*. Mr*. Robert LougHtton gave a > vwy pleasant tea laat week. The table, laden with dainty refreshment*, was decorated with daffodils in tall vases and loops of pale green ribbon. Among the guests were Lady Ward and Miss Fraser, the latter of whom played .und sang delightfully The Estimates, have been passed and the House is Settling down again to incomprehensible Bills. However, the House Assistants Bill in still to the fore, and we May look forward to an instructive debate on- the tubject. We might amend the proverb and «ay "men rush in where women fear to tread" in connection with thus Bill. Mr. Barclay may expect, if sufficient notice i» given, an interesNjd and crowded Ladies' Gallery. The Speaker's Gallery has been fairly full during the discussion on the Estimates, and wjw enlivened by a Very charming blue hat the other evening towards which various weary members turned admiring' eyes in the intervals of wrestling wifh the colony's finances. Hebe, who has just spent all her monthly allowance ou duty levied on her summer gown*, declared that the Customs debate would be much, more lively if there were a few women among the members. Audrey, too. ' who had her Paris hats ruined by the Health Department when •he liist cum'e from Sydney, has' some very ttrong* ide«» she lottgs to convey to the House. I believe they squirted disinfectants with a hose all over the tucked ohiffon and flowers,, with the result! that Audrey hurl violeut hysterics and 'has cherished an intense hatred for the Health Department over since. There were all the coniititutentß of a "low" the other evening — an angry member, fluent and uncomplimentary, a croi* Minister, and an hour when folk, to keep even temper* and culm nerves, ought to be tucked in their little beds. But the ActingPremier interposed, ahd with tact and a fevr judicious compliments saved the situation. The Wellington Tenni* Dance wa» very enjoyable. A contribution supper, good floor, and excellent partners. Among the many pr«tty frock* were twrf of white, one of satin, witti many rows of paristinted insertion, the other of whit* chiffon, elaborately tucked to the waist. By tho way, I hear that light tints of colour are to be much worn in summertime, especially a misty greyish-blue, reseda, heliotrope, and grey. We are to wear pelerine* and lace mitten*, like our gra-ndnriotliers — v, hap^py mode for those with sloping shoulder* and prttly baud*. Indeed, ' all the new neck-gear is flatflatness is the ordeT of the day in fashions '— ,mcl the fussy Mils we wore last fcuminer are, out of data, however becoming they ure. Red alpaca is to be a favourite mureriult pipfed,, for preference, with black , satin, and with iwlettings" of Irish crotchet. Short ikifts. of corduroy velvet, tjio-vn for Choice, are being much worn >i florae for cycling or golfing, and com■viVifd with a crenm flannel blouse with gold billions arid a smart silk tie, looks eminently suitable. You may not be able to keep your ball out of^ bunkers, and you niny excavate holes in the turf by energetic and futile driving, but you will have the consolation that you are distinctly decorative. A Frenchman says '.'a smart gown gives more courage than tho best moral principles." There are quite a number of function* coming off shortly which I shall you about. Iv *" " meantime,— l am, yours, PRISOILLA.