LADIES' COLUMN.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 134, 3 December 1904, Page 11

LADIES' COLUMN.

Girls 9 Gossip. [Contributions to this column addressed "Priscilla" will be welcomed. They should be concise, and must be signed with the writer's full name and address, not for publication, but as a guarantee of authenticity.] Mi Deab Kezia— A week of sunshine has brought summer perceptibly near**. If the bright day brings forth the a<Wer, so does it also bring forth smart frocks. There have been various functions of late, at which pretty gowns have been noticeably numerous; gowns, too, of delicate material and much decoration. Strangers are apt to adversely comment on the extravagance of Wellington women, but, to a certain extent, this is undeserved, for many oi the girls who wear the most fascinating frocks design and make them themselves, to their credit and their profit. The event of the week was undoubtedly the wedding of Mis-s Tkyra Beetham to Mr. Marmaduke Bethell; and the crowds that filled St. Paul's were rewarded by seeing what was probably the prettiest marriage for years. Sunshine shone down on new frocks and marvels of millinery, and the guests, four hundred of whom were invited, filled the entire centre of the church. The wedding group was .charming in delicate tones of ivory, rose, and turquoise. White satin, draped with a deep flounce and panels of exquisite lace, was worn by the pretty bride, whose bright auburn hair looked charming under the tulle . veil and the spray of real orange blossom — grown at Frimley. Real blossom, too, in a silver vase, formed the crowning ornament on the beautiful wad-ding-cake. 'lne bridesmaids — Miss Weva Beetham', Miss Bethell, sister of the bridegroom, Miss Fitzroy, and Miss Ida Russell, cousins, and Miss Katherine Fitzgerald and Miss Flora Brandon — wore white muslins with many flounces and frills of ecru esprit net, with tiny lace kiltings. Moat picturesque were tha transparent white hats, whose quaintly-curved brims were decorated with huge pink roses, pale blue* satin, ribbon forming the ties and the great, rosettes at the bacje. < The touch of blue .was. repeated in the high waistbelts, and the fascinating bouquets of white and pink 'flowers. Each lucky girl got a most artistic, ring — a forget-me-not in turquoise with a diamond centre — from Mr. B/ethell, the bride's gift from him being a handsome emerald and diamond ring. The best man was Mr. Ralph Bethell, who took the place of a friend, whom the exigencies of shearing — that takes precedence, to a sheepfarmer, .of all -weddings save his own — had prevented being present. Mrs. Bethell wore black silk, with lace frills and yoke, and a black and white bonnet. Mrs. Beetham's frock was of palest blue crepe de chine, delicately embroidered in white silk and narrow cord, with frills of the loveliest lace on sleeves and bodice. Her large picture hat was all .black, with feathers. Mrs. W,miam« wore black satin, duchesse, slashed to show white lace draperies over white satin, and her beautiful bonnet was of ivory tulle with wide strings. As for the guests' frocks, a bewildering panorama passed before one, in the great hall, >vhere the little afternoon tables, each adorned with artistically-arranged flow ers, were set out. Flowers, in masses, were everywhere, and the air was perfumed with them.' Even above the headf of tne throng were .suspended rustic baskets brimming over with blossoms. Now and again, a lovelier gown than its neighbours flitted across an opi'ii space, and then was lost to view. The memories of two pink muslins still linger, and a grey- ' green glace, with many gauginge, and tho quaintest little fringes of the same colour, js not to be easily forgotten.' A palebluo glace, in somewhat the same stylq, ./as another delightful gown, and a silk, in finest lines of black and white, was so sweetly old-fashioned as to be the very latest thing. An elderly lady, in a handsome black silk with embroideries on white silk, wore a most becoming bonnet of a Marie Stuart shape, the brim lineal with silver lace. A lovely ivory lace stole over a black lace dress was worn by another white-haired lady. Surely there could have been nothing . left for the bride to desire in the "way of presents. The billiard-room looked, at first glance, like a jeweller's shop, until one noticed that, among the silver and jewellery, there were many other desirable things. Some beautiful books and china were given, a fishing-rod, and a riding whip. Clocks were there by the half-dozen, silver frames by the dozen, and toilet silver enough for three or four tables. Among the jewellery were four necklaces, one pearl one giveu by Mr. Buchanan, M.H.R., and the other pearl necklet, worn 'by her on her wedding-day, the gift of her father. Some handsome rings were also among the presents, and a charming set of silver buttons. The beautiful gifts were evidence of the popularity of the bright young bride and the bridegroom. Mr. Beard proposed the bride's health in an amusing speech, and Mr. Bethell rettponded, the guests singing lustily "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows," after the toasts had been drunk in champagne. The bride's travelling dress- was of green, with a Victorian yoke of lace, her pretty hat, its wide brim tilted on one side 'and dipping in i front, having its high crown swathed and rosefcted with pale blue and pale green, and further decorated, extempore, by the showers of rose-leaves the guest* threw as their parting benediction. It was altogether a charming wedding — sunshine, and most perfect arrangements and surroundings, leaving nothing to be desired. Even the wind calmed down — to the great relief of the wearers of widebrimmed hate. Croquet is now in full swing, and enthusiasts are to be" seen any fine afternoon making their way, mallet in hand, to some lawn. Before Mis. Lloyd, Dr. Newman's cousin, left Kew Zealand, she gave a cup to be competed for — to be won by the best lady player in Wellington and trie Hutt. Mrs. Purdy is desirous of getting in entries for Ijbis competition, and of playing the matches off before the end of the year. Names of intending competitors are to be sent in to her as soon as possible. Ah visual, the Liedertafel concert was a pronounced success, and the "Song of the Little Baltung" will not be easily forgotten by those who heard it. Miss Lenore Pul&ford has a lovely contralto voice, which she manages with much skill. In "Home, Love, is Where the Heart Is," she threw intense feeling and sweetness. While on music, a pianoforte prodigy has been growing up among vs — to many unawares. Little Master Arthur Isaacs, whose parents live in Dunedin, is a College boy, and a pupil of Mr Maughan Burnett, who predicts a great future for him. He is only thirteen, and already composes, while his 'memory and execution/ are marvellous. At Mrs. Findlay's the other afternoon, the little chap, who is modest and boyish in spite of his great talent, played, without music, Beethoven with wonderful expression and skill. He gave a most enjoyable recital last Saturday. The same afternoon the Amateur Athletic sports were given, at which young Goodbehero added fresh laurels to his crown. The sports were held in absolutely perfect weather. So were the Girls' .High School sports on the previous day, and proved most enjoyable, both to guests and competitors. Tea was served in the large school-room. Mies Maclean, the Principal, wore a most be-

coming frock of white voile and a large black picture hat. After the school closes she purposes going to Melbourne and Sydney and the Blue Mountains. I hear that Captain and Mrs. Robinson, who have been paying a visit South, have taken Mrs. Rankin Brown's former house in Hobson-crescent, and that Mia. MacPherson will shortly move into Mr. Maxwell's house. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, who have been here some time, went South on Wednesday. Mr. Gibson ia to relieve Mr. Wardrop at Christchurch, while the latter goes on a motor holiday to the Southern Lakes. A very pleasant little tea was given by Mrs. Stafford on Monday in honour of Mrs. Bower, who was Miss Mary Newall, and who leaves with her husband shortly for her new home in Paraguay, where Mr. Bower, with two brothers, owns a cattle ranch. Among Mrs. Stafford's guests were Lady Stout and Miss Ostler, who is staying with her just now, and Mrs. Canipljell, who has Mrs. Peacock, from Auckland, visiting her. Miss Winifred Whitson is a guest of Mrs. La Trobe at present. I am, yours, PRISCILLA.