LADIES' COLUMN.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 79, 30 September 1905, Page 15

LADIES' COLUMN.

Girls' Gossip. [Contributions to this column addressed "Priscilla" will be velcoinecL They should be concise, and must be signed with the writer's full mime and address, not tut publication, but us a guarantee 6T authenticity. j Mr Dear Kkzu— Much has been happening in the way of small entertainments, and there is still more to look forward to, what with Jessie M'Lachlan's concerts, Nance O'Neil, a fancy-dress ball, and a wedding. In the meantime, the weather has not been sympathetic to new hats and spring gowns, aud most women are still clinging fondly to their winter frocks. A pleasant little dance was given by Lady Ward last Saturday. The rooms of Awa-rua Bouse a^- ideal for entertaining purposes, and the floor of tho drawing-room is specially made for dancing on. Lady Ward's charming frock was of a black lace over pink .silk, and Miss Ward wore a. dainty white dress. Music-lovers of Wellington— and thai they are many the great audiences testify — had a. veritable treat in Watkin .Mills's concerts. The quartette of singers made a very comely group, the two ladiss foraiing v piquant contrast — the soprano^ slim, fair, and. as dainty as her singing, and the contralto, stately, sumptuous and dusky-haired. Mini Kirkwo6d's graceful gowii of white chitfqn was. thickly embroidered with silver and crystal, that gleamed with every movement, and Miss Lonsdule wore n rich ivory brocade, with deep vandykes of guipure from waist to knee. A delightful; impromptu on tho programme I was the game -of hide and seek played j by the gentleman with tha buuquecs ; and the artistes for whom they were ' intended. One quite expected him to I say "Feek-a-Bo" as. ' he. got round the screen. Lady, Plunket, accompanied by Miss Boyle, Miss Eva Fell, and Captain Bingham, was in the audience, and appeared to appreciate the music thoroughly. By- the way, a dismal tale of sufferings caused by love of music is abroad. They were Hutt folk, and though the last train was advertised to wait till the concert was over, it leit before their tram arrived. Expostulations produced an offer of a possible train from a Petone social at half-past three ! No cabs were to be had, and the hotels had no spare rooms. Three dauntless spirits „ trudged .off towards midnight to Crofton, where they knew friends who might have pity on their homeless condition. The others woks up a restaurant-keeper, carried off victuals, cold fish, tea, and cups and saucers, leaving a substantial deposit, and had a ghastly midnight picnic in the waiting-room of the station. At last a coach was got from Petone to take them home, where they arrived about the same* time as the milk. A most enjoyable tea was given on Tuesday by Mrs. Buchanan. The pretty house was fragrant and beautiful with quantities of spring blossoms. The hostess wore a graceful blue voile with ivory guipure. Among the guests wei-e Mrs. Stratton Izard, who is staying at present with Mrs. Elgar, and Mrs. Piddiford, from Palmerston North. Tho latter, who has bsen visiting Wellington for some weeks, returned home this morning. Mrs. Ernest Iztu'd is a guest, of Mrs. C. H. Izard at present. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnston and Mr. and Mrs. Willie Twrnbull returned from Sydney last' Wednesday) j'lmd by the same boat Mrs. Lukin, who has been spending some months in Sydney, came back to Wellington.. Mis. Rutherford, the wife of tha msmber for Hurunui, left for Christchurch last night. Mrs. Lethbridge has come to town to see Dr. and Mrs. Sorley off by the Turakina. Another viiitor to Wellington is Mrs. Napier, from Auckland. Thero has been a remarkable, and in some people's opinions, an agreeable dearth of competition teas this season. Next week, however, a tea is to be given to which each guest is to bring a baby portrait of herself, and she who guesses the greatest number of the photographs to win the competition. Lately our brains are having a rest. Indeed^ at two of the recent afternoon teas there was not even music, only chat, and the change was most successful. Such an entertainment was Mrs. Arthur Pearco's tea on Thursday, to which a large number of guests were invited. ■The beautiful rooms were charming with inasse'3 of spring flowers. The hostess wore a cream gown, with lace and dainty touches of green velvet on it. Mrs. Harry Crawford, in a purple frock, assisted Mrs. Pearce. Among the guests were Mrs. Harold Johnston and Mrs. Willie Turnbull, receiving many greetings and congratulations on their delightful and triumphant trip to Australia. Mrs. Charles Johnston gives a garden party this afternoon in her beautiful grounds at Karori, and cards havo been issued for an At Home at Government House on Friday afternoon. Sirs. Macpherson gives a tea next Tuesday. Some of the new skirts are delightful. One in cashmcic — undeniably a material which in the wrong hands is uninteresting and dowdy — had fan-pleated quillings arranged in circles along tho foot. The colour was 'champagne, a most becoming tint to a rosy brunette, and one that com- . bines admirably with palo blue or soft green. Tho smartest linen skirts aro many of j,hem made with strapped seams and a deep hem, above which a broad band of embroidery is set between two tucks. Coloured_ linen embroideries aro charmingly effective, and a brown linen skirt, combined with a cream lawn blouse decorated with brown and whito . embroideries, is extremely dainty. Very artistic blouses can be made out of piece ! lace, whoso pattern may bo Enhanced by outlines of chenilles or bebe ribbons. Wo are waiting for Summer and sunshine to bring out the coloured linen or embroidery hats which are to bo the novelty of the season. Like tho tiny children, we shall then be able to put our Summer hats in the tubs, from which they will emerge with renewed freshness. The perfectly plain linen "flops" are being worn with a long lace scarf twisted round 'the crown and left to bang behind. Smarter bats ore mado of black and white muslin with black Valenciennes frills. A very simple and dainty hat wa«s merely a round shape of embroidered muslin, the straight brim edged by two lines of Tuscan straw, and the crown outlined with a ruche of white tulle, through which was set a tiny twist of sapphiro-blue velvet. A charming notion for floral decoration of an elaborate character was carried out at a recent London clinnei -parly. A series of arches of flowcio and foliage spanned the table, so us not to interrupt Hid view of guests across the table, while the host [ and hoetp^s' could* look through the dainty j vista. Pink ivy geraniums and emilax are exquisite for these arches, and, if possible, pink-shaded electric lights should be hanging from each aich. The centre arch should be taller than the others, which should diminish in size towurds the ends of tho table. ' Hy the bye, the very newest posies must look as if just picked and put together with careless art, and instead of hiding tho stalks with long streamers' of ribbon, they aro much in evidence, the ribbon being tied in a larae bow with, short onda at the

back of tho flowers, making an effective background, fojr tho delicate tones of colour. — I api, yours, | ' rmsciLLA.