LADIES' COLUMN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 129, 1 June 1907, Page 15

LADIES' COLUMN.

Girls' Gossip, (Contributions to this column addressed "Piiscilla" Mill be welcomed. They tJmuld be concise, and must be signed with the writer's full a.) me and addiess, net for publication, but aa a guarantee of authenticity^ Mi Deau Kezia — How aio your poor feet in this mo&t distressing weather? As one siriveis anil sneezss, the memory of the hot days in summer, when we grumbled ai> vigorously as we are doing norr, comes to us reproachfully. Xext to sunshine, tho homo nrtsids — homo prefe;ably, because you may treat it with a fieedoia that is not allowed even in ths houses of relatives — ii 3 the best place, a dainty piece of needlewtnk may sandwich the hours between » the latest book, and a- game of bridge. Apropos of needlecraft, hava you seen the new blouse, decorated with medallions of lac©, insertion, centred vrith a bunch of flowers, on muslin, chiffon, or silk? These charming motifs, which I should be bordered with a frill of Valanciennes, are quite easy to make, and are I very pleasant little scraps of woik to fill np *o«i half-hours, or to carry along to j snm,? friend's house, and eew to the accompaniment of chat on men, women, and things. These same impromptu sewingbnes are the most delightful affairs when managed carefully. You have tbs proud satisfaction of" improving your mind, and those of your friomla, of getting on with your needlework, and of passing a pleasant afternoon- If you feel inclined to essay tho muslin and lac.? motifs, look about for a pretty material with tiny bunches of Jlowers. Sometimes a floral ribbon suits admirably, and one Btrewn ■with bunches of violets or forget-me-nots would bs exquisite Cut out each little cluster, with a margin to turn down, and tack it face down on a card, taking care the material is cut a perfect circle or oval. Tack round it your insertion, the ouusr edge drawn plain, and overscan* the inner .ad'ge ve^y neatly to the turnedin edge of the muslin. Repeat the insertion rings as you desire, and finish with a tiny frill of lace, when the motif is ready for the blouse. A lace yoke outlined •with medallions made in this style looks charming. iliss Ida Finch- gave a tea to a largo number of her girl friends last Friday. It was rather an unsympathetic afternoon in point of weather, but the chill damp watHout made tho bright warmtli, delicious refreshments, and gay chatter more enticing. The quaint rooms w*ro prettily decorated with flowers. Songs by Miss Olive Kirkcaldie and! Miss Elsie Bawson -were enjoyed by the guests. Tho young hostess woro a very pretty whito muslin frock. A most charming progressive bridge party was given by Mrs. v. A. Pike last Thursday evening. AU the arrangements were perfect, and the pretty rooms were artistically decorated with flowers, tho little supper-tables each bsing centred by a rustic gilded basket filled with white iris and autumn leaves, and set on bands of gold and white satin ribbon that crossed the damask. The contest was keen, and the prizes were won by Mrs. Morn6on, who- got, a lovely pevcter and enamel trinket-box, and Mr. Webster, who was presented with a Liberty pewter inkctand. The pair of boobies, who had the melancholy distinction of being last in the tally of points, received, the lady a dainty Liberty satchel, and 'the 'in^n it most "appropriate A.B.C- of Bridge. The hostess's beautiful gown of -black taffetas was trimmed with delicately-coloured floral medallions, the bertha being entfiely composed of the embroideries, with a cluster of autumn-tinted leaves on the left side: A wreath of tiny green leaves- was worn in her -hair. Miss Xasbitt, the daughter of -the Rev- W. Nc6bitt, of Dunedln, who has'teen staying"' with hsr aunt, Mrs. Pike, for tho last few weeks, •wore a charming pale blue silk, with many insertions and frills of fine Valenciennes. The golf competition for- the monthly msdal was held at Trentham on Saturday in most uncertain weather, a tremendous downpour happening soon after the players had started. Pluck and determination made them stick to Uielr guns, and later on th.2 sun came out again. Mrs. Tweed' •won the (senior, and Miss Avis Edwin the junior medal. Thos9 girls 'with pretty arms and dimpled elbows, which are not at all coercion nowadays, will mourn to hear that the short sleeve, even for evening wear, is to bo superseded by the long sleeve, tight, ruffled, and transparent, ■with hanging lace frills over the hands. These same sleeves are vastly becoming •when tho arm i 3 scraggy and scrawny, or has a tendency to blush — bat, alas, not unseen — in tho mazy whirl. 1 read »n amusing tale recently of a talkative French hairdresser. Combing the pretty tresses, of a eustom?r ho asked her how shs would like hsr hsir dressed. "In silesco," was the reply. There was i» brief, a too brief stillness, and than came tho read.y retort, " Madame shall have a now coif/Lie. I shall invent it. It shull bo made of the most discreet coils, nnd the most mysterious and secret twists and curls." Thd much-looked-forward-to Julius Knight season has commenced, and h-is with its opening piece " Robin Ilcod " charmed and interested large audiences. The. central figure — the chivalrous forester — was picturesque and romantic ennufth to s.-t;sfy_ the most critical of Julius Knight's critics — and theso are i aturally of_ the masculine gender. Miss Elbert Ofto'i is extremely handsome, \aud in her llosalind garb was particularly fascinating. Her court dress was it delightful harmony of gold tissue, pair <?rpfi). and softest tints of rose — one of the loveliest frocks ever seen on the Opera House stage. Miss Elboit Grton'& appearance in olhar parts will Ye eagerly looked for. The piquant peit waiting-maid, Adeia, was also a charm- !•!!? character, and great interest tantrcd round Scarlet and &tukely, filled ably 1 y two Dunedin -men, who have tiken to the stage. The music and songs wcro an enjoyable addition to the beautiful scenery, handsome dresses, and fine acting. Various theatre parties were iioticenbln on the opening night, Mrs. Pike and Miss Johnston boing two of the hostesses. A niw iaea — imported, liko so many ot ovt notions, from Xcv/ York — is " military curhra," played the other eveni'i^ at Dr. Uayner's house in Auckland. Each tr.blc? — there were ten tables, witli six players at each — and n flag of a nation marked each set of players. Curiously enough, Japan was victorious. The play was controlled by a "genital," witn full power to act in cmergercier, as shown by a broad libbon acioss his breast. Among tho guests wove ?-T>s. Stcitt and Miss .Sadie Nathan. The litter is .t Ruest of Mrs. h. D. N,-:tha;i. Oil Wednesday, the msrrisgo of Miss Spragg ?.nd Mr. T. S. Tlanur, of the Audit Department, lo>>li plare, th" ■weather clearing a little to let the pretty brad" have some siuiahuie on nor wed-ding-day. Th". l«o bridesmaids, Miss Gladys Da Cattro and Mies Winnio Henderson, woie dainty white n-iU'-.liup with lace fichus and qunint white hats with long ostrich feathns. 'j hey <ar nt'd lar opo 'p bouquets of ruUunin "Kivrs and red berrkb. Miss Spragg made a beautiful bride, wearing a while oatin •Iress with yoke of embroidered chiffon bordered with tiny chiffon frills. At the reception in Iho Bowen-otrco'., schorlroom, tho Hey. Mr. Glas&on proposed tho health of the bride and bridegroom, and other toasts were given by the lion. O. Fowlds and Mr Hamilton.

A girls' tea was given by Mrs. Malcolm Ross on Wednesday last, about fiftj guests being present. , A general knowledge competition occupied the afternoon, the questions varying from picture puzzles to tli3 present prico of a two-lb-!oaf, which ono distraught damsel declared was threepence halfpenny a-id fourpcuco for cash ! The flist prizo was won by Hiss Dorothy Q»nck, Miss M. Wilson securing the second. Mr. atnd Mrs. Stott and Miss Rilsy returned home on Friday. Miss Dorothy Nesbitt, who has bc?n staying with Mrs Pike, went back to Dunedin also on Friday. Miss Woods, sister oi Mrs. H.itfiehl, is staying with Mrs. Kawson at piesent. — I am. etc., PRISCILLA.