LADIES' COLUMN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 66, 15 September 1906, Page 15

LADIES' COLUMN.

Girls' Gossip (Contributions to this column addressed "Priscilla" will ba •welcomed. They ohould be concise, and must be signed trith the writer's full name and address. cot for publication, but as a guurautes of authenticity .j Hi Deab Kkzu— jWe have had an interesting week, ■what with one thing and another. The. very prettiest of the entertainments was Mrs. Joseph's charming party for children in the Sydney-street Hall. No decorations could be more effective than the ever-changing groups of boys and girls in their dainty dresses. There was no shadow of doubt about tho guests' enjoyment, for the juveniles were audibly happy, and when the contents of the bran-tubs tvere distributed, the strains of many alleged musical instruments added to the merry chatter of the young voices and the absolutely delightful music. The stage was picturesque with palms and draperies, and the supper-table, bountifully spread, y?as decorated with spring blossoms. Especially proud and important were tht? children with their dainty profr&mntes and pencils, which the tinies filled up with cabalistic characters only decipherable to themselves. The vdry youngest guests, who all enjoyed to the full everything provided, were Jean Webster, in white and blue ribbons ; Betty Bankine Brown, in white muslin ; Dinah Burns, in white and forget-me-not blue sash ; and Nell Nathan, in white lace and blue ribbons. They made the most fascinating of quartettes. TBe little hostesses, Mary and Edith Joseph, wore dainty whito muslins, the first with a blue, and the second witb a pink sash. Mrs. Joseph wore a very handsome cornflower-blue silk with ecru lace, and Mrs. Walter Nathan a charming pale grey taffetas with lace chemisette and ruffles and narrow black velvet. Mrs. David Nathan's raspberrypink voile blouse was exquisitely made with a little lace vest and deep borders of gold tissue. Miss •Sibyl Nathan wore pale pink silk, Miss Gladys blue taffetas, and Miss Zaidee an effective emerald-greeii silk frock. After the children's dance was over a most welcome little supper was served for the "grown-ups," and any one who has had anything to do with juvenile entertainment will understand how acceptable it was to those who had assisted. Mrs. Joseph gave a luncheon-party, followed by bridge, this week. Mrs. Moorhouse gave a small tea in her newly-decorated rooms last week. Many beautiful spring bulbs were used in decoration, and the tea-table -was charmingly arranged. Tbo Miss.es Turner assisted the hostess, who wore a handsome velvet gown of a soft art shade of blue. The last of the trio of dances given 1 by the Hutt la'djes took place on Thursday- These have been so much enjoyed that general regret is expressed that they are only now among our pleasant memories. Daffodils ia great masses were used in decorating the stage and the supper-tables. The lattei were particularly beautiful. ■ Tail violet irises stood in tall vases down the centre, and from these narrow buttercup ribbons were festooned to lower vases filled with jonquils, while hero and there were set low bowls filled with such violets aa the Hutt is deservedly famed for. Miss Adams, ex the Hutt, -entertained a number of her friends at tea, a por-ieaik-^uesains: competition, "Won t>Y StlSb .Lee, causing much interest and amusement. Miss Wyinks, of Invercargill, arrived on Saturday to stay with Mrs. Adams, her aunt. * The Victoria College students' dancis on Friday was a decided success ajad went with a triumphant swing from first to last. The concert-hall waa prettily draped in crimson and wnite, and the corridors converted into luxurious retreats for couples and into a comfortable supper-room. Tho music was excellent. Among those present were Mrs. Wallis, most effectively gowned in black velvet with clusters of red rosea ; Lady , Stout, who wore a most becoming blue brocade; Mrs. Atkinson, in black taffetas and lace ; Mrs. L. H. B. Wilson, wearing a black silk With lace ruffles; Mrs. Rankino Brown in a graceful blae chiffon frock ; Mrs Cohen, •in handsome grey • silk with violet velvet appliques ; and Mrs. Firth, whose charming frock was cf Parma violet, velvet, the little ruffled bolero opening over white lace. A most effective red chiffon velvet paled all softer tints it came in contact with, and a very pale pink silk, the frills edged with narrow black velvet, wasanother notable frock. Very pretty was a soft white silk, the skirt made with deep tucks and the sleeves accordconpleated frills, and a pink net, elaborately embroidered with ribbon-work, was extremely dainty. A girl, with her dark hair dressed very high, looked handsome in a soft black net with crimson roses on her corsage. The Hutt flower show was a huge success, and the beauty of the stage trellised and decorated by Mr. Chapman, ■who met with an ill-deserved wound in bis artistic labours, was remarkable. There nne could eit under a young willow tr> , enjoying tea. to the strains of delicic music, and look down on the shifting groups of people, and the masses of bloom. Mi. Chapman's cinerarias were absolutely superb sheets of vivid colour, and his Variety show, finely arranged, was most interesting, the ,un-usually-tinted calla lilies and accordeonpleated cyclamens attracting much admiring notice. The daffodils were exquisite, one — Lucifer — snown among Dr. Perry's magnificent collection, being a splendid new variety. It waa altogether a least of colour and perfume. The prize-table was very charmingly arranged bj Mrs. Pearce, and was decorated with golden-brown and ivory abutilons and dedicate maidenhair, set on a square of moot artistic Indian embroidery, repeating the tones of the flowers, with an extra note of blue. The bouquet, arranged by Misa Cooper, and handed to Lady Ward by little Miss Chapman — the daintiest of golden-haired fairies in white — was a perfectly lovely combination of peachbloom and single camellias, tied with soft old rose ribbon, and it made a charming splash of colour on Lady Ward's pretty grey gown, and white furs, with which •she wore a smart white tulle hat. With her were Miss Ward and Mrs. Fitchett; and a numbei of other Wellington people were at the show including Mrs. Grace, Mrs. and the Miss O'Connors, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Rutherford, Mrs. Fowlds, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blundell, Mr. and Mrs. Macartby, and Mrs. Burnes. Mrs. ' Chapman wore a most effective frock, of pa&tel blue cloth, made with a littlft-frilled coatee, and worn with a beautjful blue hat, trimmed with a long Bhadejl blue and grey featber. Mrs. Hughes had on a delicate crown and pink muslin with ' brown silk kiltings and a brown toque with mauve and pink hyacinths. Mrs. Treadwell was in a brown tweed, laced with pale green and faint blue appliques; Mrs. Perry in a brown frock, brown furs, and a greber toque. The day was perfect, ihe Hutt looked ita v«ry lovpJieit, and altogether tho afternoon delightful, and one would imagine, very profitable to the society. Ntiw that ther* i« so much talk' about Exhibitior attractions, here is an idea that I feel would ceitainly prove an immense draw, especially to bachelor*. A bevy, of American beauties is on ifs way,' conducted by "the Man from Cook's," to

England. These are chosen by popular vote, and ara thirty-two in number. Why not persuade the management to bring them over to New Zealand? There is much feminine curiosity about American beauties, owing to the many stories published centreiug around these Transatlantic heroines, and there would bo a rush to compare tho real with ideal. By the way, a delightful New York woman — who had the pleasure, in the Philippines, of being hostess to Miss Roosevelt — was choosing a book last week in a Wellington Stationer's. Curiosity prompted her to ask what literature was moit in favour here, and tho shopkeeper said : "I am sorry to siy, madam, American books are most read." A most inartistic day marked the opening of the. picture exhibition, and the costumes of those present did not at all draw away attention from the paintings. However, a tall stranger in pale mauve cloth, with a quaint bowler hat that was most becoming to her, stood kit in grateful relief from the more so™ibrc raiiiyday gowns. The exhibition is most interesting, full of little delightful pictures that one comes across unexpectedly, though, perhaps there is no exhibit that is marked by marvellous merit. Over the picture that gained Mr. Duthie's prize there was some head-shaking, and those who know and love Wellington felt sure the examples sent were not worthily typical of our city. " What does any embryo housekeeper think of possessing a. hundred cups and saucers? The other day a populrr Christchurch bride-elect i whose future home is in Palmerston, was overwhelmed with no less than the above number, the result of a cup and saucer tea ! There is a certain embaras dcs richesses in tke situation. Experienced housewives will gloomily reflect that the exigencies of packing and the vagaries of inexperienced maids may §oon lessen the responsibility. Mrs. Handysides came to Wellington for a few days last week, and left again on Monday. Mrs, Miss, and Mr. Oliver Prouse leave on Thursday for Rotorua. Mrs. Izett, from Wanganui, is in Wellington just now. — I am. yours, FRISCILLA. A pretty wedding was celebrated at the- Serbampore Baptist Church on Saturday, &th mst., the Rev. Keith Ewen officiating. The, contracting parties were Mr. Henry Warren Lovatt, late of Auckland, and Miss May Noman, of Berhampore. The- bride, who wore a. cream silk dress trimmed with silk lace and insertion, with bridal veil and orangeblossoms, carried a beautiful shower bouquet of white flowers. The bridesmaid?, 'Misses Sophia and Ada Noman (sisters of the bride), wore cream dresses and black hats, and carried pretty bouquets of pink camellias. The bride was given away by Mr. H. Exton, and .Mr. E. F. Willoughby acted as. best man. Miss H. Walsh, of Petone, played tho Marriage Hymn as the bride entered the church, and the Wedding March, as the party retired. A reception, attended by numerous friends, was held at Mrs. Mason's Hall, Ghuznee-street, after which the newly-married pair left for the South by tho Pateena on their weddingtrip.