LADIES COLUMN Girls Gossip,

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 09, 11 January 1908, Page 15

LADIES COLUMN Girls Gossip,

iJContributions to tliis column addressed "Priacilla" will bo welcomed. They should be concise, and must ba signed "with the writer's full name and address, not for publication, but aa a guarantee of authenticity.) oJr Deab Kezia— Though in body I am back in Wellington, lam still— in spirit — in Pelorus fcound. Sunset and sunrise are most fcommonplace and inconsequential profce«ses in a town. I used to do my hair under a tree in th& dawning, and was bble to watch all tho oxquisite coming bf day. My mirror hung from a nail in tho trunk, and I had to keep a Hratchful eye on my hairpins. These — towards the last— became very rare in the camp, and a. handsome and most acoepiabl© now year present to a girl who hnd been securing ineffectively her flowing tresses with side-combs -consisted of three neatly wrapped up. The last Hay of 1907 had a glorious ending. (Never had we seea such a magnificent eunset, gold and primrose, flame and scarlet against 1 a vergle-tinted sky. The i-ippled waters of the Sound blazed in Sympathy, and even the hills were veiled in a haze of rose and umber. That evening we had a fancy-dress ball at the Portage. Preparations had \ been going on for the event for some 'days, and as much secrecy as possible had been observed. Shops we had none, nor any stores of quaint or rare raiment, so we had to do the best we coulu with what we had, and be thankful. We pressed into the- service all Isorts of things, and every one- appeared \n borrowed clothing. Even the tur'fceys suffered in the cause, for they- lost some of their tail-fea,t>hers to furnish a plume— to be painted scarlet — for Robin flood, and a fan for the Mikado. Out of. a supplejack and an old silk petticost was contrived a most succeosf ul crinoline for oui Early 'Victorian "Lady, and Eob'in Hood's shapely tan legs were toross-gartered— like Malvolio's— but with strips, ot green flax._ Our Juliet bore clusters of New Zealand myrtle blossom on either side of her tiara^of silvorpapeved cardboard, and the Rajahess of Bhong was swathed in a long-length of mosquito-netting, and moved with Oriental difficulty and dignity to the jingle, of every watch-chain \n the camp. Wo had a 'dainty little Camille Clifford, 'coon costume of white linen, big jsnt, and red ribbons, antl a tall \fpy made a picturesque damsel in a white j gown, hat and* motor-veil, until an ominous crack declared that the- last hook and eye had parted company. The dressing in the tents was huge fun. The light was feeble, things could not j be found, and wails over lost property and requests for loans "were continuous and loud. Dancing was held ' in what wai termed — for the occasion— the iMoulin. Uouge — we had inconsiderately j spoken of it before as the P.ed Shed. It accommodated all sorts of articles, oven a camper who arrived lata on the scene, ftnd brought no tent with nini Now it was swept and garnished, decked with ferns ajid flags, and tho floor made slippery with' powdered candle. Our band/ was first a'phonogiaph, and later on— when the vibration threatened to injure 1 that— a jubilant concertina and a band, of kazoos and drum, with a largo proportion of the. •atter. But it was inspiriting in its way, and it gave added zest to a set of laiicers to propose the tune for the vest 6gure t and then find it absolutely unsuited. i It->.vras ~gnftat:fun, however, and though there was no room to reverse, and those who wanted to stop had to go outside, wo went through 51 bhprt programme. . There „waa an in- ' terval of wildest excitement when ayprehistoric creature— made out of -grey blankets, a- painted head, and t-vro. boys — burst into th,e dazzling throng, and tried to grab its separate ankles, Then came the great bonfire, the picnic sup-peiv-imagine, ya dyspeptics,, corned beef, Christmas cake, and cocoa to round off the old year — and then a hearty welcome to 1908, and greetings all round. Another delightful memoiy was a trip in 0 motor-launch to a, lovely arm of the wonderful Sound.' Our craft was not an ocean greyhound, but' it gave us all the more time' to admire tho .scenery — the Mils and little vooded. bays, the fine headlands fledged wsi great birches, the yellow beached £hat just wanted some merry children to jqmple&e* the picture, and 'the few honjesteads crouching at Lhe edge of the sound. Our stoppingplace was a Beautiful civrve of sapphire and emerald 'water, with a background oj> magnificent forest, wharff* huge treeferns were fledged from base to crown wiih mosses and ferns, immense fore3t trees made Cool shadows, and one's \vay lay ankle-deep in the rich green cf kidney ferns. Later we ran into a. neighbouring bay, and had excellent sport fishing. Two largo cod on one fine, constitutes considerable excitement for the ordinary city person, and whpn, in tbe dusk, we enjoyed them cooked on out camp Src, wo we're quite ready to endorse any certificate, however glowing, as -to the ot.tractioDs of the- Sounds. But, after all, or.c back in Wellington, and a very dull town it is, with so many familiar faces away, and go many hospitable houses shut up. Oh ■Dfew Year's Eve ftfrs. Kiddiford, who had a large house-part", including 'Cgptair; and Mrs. Lindsay and tho first, little grandchild, .William &tov,-art, gava ? party to welcome in 1903. The engagement of Mr. Eric Riddiford to Miss Phyllis BaTnicoat, of Wanganui, has been -announced, and thi young couplf- received diany congratulations. Mrs. Bidcliford's Christmas-tree party the same afternoon for heT -little grandson was one of the prettiest affairs imaginable. fifty mothers and babies were ■n'vited, and the young hero of the afteinoon helped to receive the gneots, Ehaking hands with every ope. baby games ,were played in the lovely gaulen, and Ixxei on the Christmas-tree was revealed to the children's hug© delight. Each little gueat got a present. Mrs. Eiddilord wore an exquisite, black and \ihito striped dress, and Mrs. Lindsay an olivegreen voile, and a beautiful fine Tuscan hat with shaded rpses. One tiny child looked perfectly sweet in a Kate Greenaway trock of %vhitft witin, with a pointlace Dutch bonnet on her fair curls. Captain ancf JJlrs. Lindsay have gone to Stay with ( Captain Lindsay's people, but intend to return for the races. Mrs. Jack Rose was another New Year hostess. Though it was informal, O'- perhaps because, it was, il was intensely enjoyable. Music, fortune-Lolling, and games made the dying hours pass quickly and morrily, and at eleven there was supppr The table was charmingly decorated 1 • with carnations and asparujnis fern Al midnight "Auld Lang Syno" war sung with much goodwill, and fireworks rounded oft" the evening. A quiet wedding took place at St. Mark's last Saturday, when Miss iird — who came out with Lady Plunket — v/as married to Mr. Richmond Dunn, of fiawera Mr. TJartlett officiated, Mr. Bannister, of the Wanganui College staff, was best map, and Miss Nellie Turner ivas bridesmaid. Miss Aird, who arrived ! by the Athenic on New Year's L'vc, was j given' away by Air. G Siierriff, of Wanganui. The wedding party adjourned after the ceremony to Miss Turner's house at , Kelbu'rne, where they were entertained Mt and Mrs Dunn probably return to Wellington to-day The bride wore a. gTKieful white host, a beautiful Limer-

ick lace scarf, and a white hat with plumes. Her lovely bouquet was of white andi Malinaison roses. The flower-show next Wednesday promises to be a pronounced success. Kntries are pouring in, and the big hall promises to tie -well filled -n-ith exhibits, Mr. Hamilton Gilmer has placed the contents of his greenhouse at the club's disposal for the day, and tho tea is under the control Of a committee whose names are guarantee of the success of that part of tho show,-— Lady Ward, Mrs. J. Blundell, Mrs. Dyer, Mrs. Hales, Mrs. Prouse, and M^s. W. Kennedy. Many Wellington people will be interested to hear of Mr. Arthur Adams's engagement to Miss Paton, of Sydney. Miss Elsie Watson is in Dunedin. staying with Mrs. Si&e, and Miss Mary Jones, after spending a few days at Sumner with Mrs. M'Kinsey, has goue on to Dunedin, to be with Mrs. W. Moore. Mrs. Fvfe, of Dunedin and her two feona, aro with Mrs. W. E. Fisher, Mrs. Fyfe's sister. By the Athenic arrived Captain and Mrs. Cameron, and Miss Hilary Cameron. They are staying •with Mrs. O'Connor. Mrs. Cdmerpn's sister. Miss Hilda Mari tin, Mrs. Cameron's niece, also cauie back to New Zealand in the Athenic Mrs. Herbert and Mrs. T. Young have been staying at Titahi Bay, and the Trenthain golf colonists have been entertaining large Eouse-paTties. The two Miss Molesworths and Miss Tolhurst are with Mrs. Tolhurst. Mr. and Mrs. M'Donald Robertson returned last week from a pleasant holiday spent in Picton, where Mr. and Mrs. Samuel, Mrs. Andrew Anderson and her boy, and tha two Brindleys have all been 'staying. Di\ and Mrs. Webster and their littlo daughter -' are back again in Wellington. Mrs. Munro has her sister, Miss Fanny Shand, and Miss Jean Lusk— both from Dunedin — staying with her. Miss Myers and Mi6s May Putnam are travelling to 'the West Coast, via the Otira Gorge. — I am, yours, PRISCTLLA. 1 On the 20th November,, 1907, a quiet J wedding was celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Gibb at the' residence of the bride's mother, 74 Ghuznee-street, Wellington. The contracting parties wero Alexander, fourth son of George Ledingham, Esq., of Awarnoa, Oamam, and Isabella (Bell), youngest daughter of tho la{p Mr. Alfred Bell Cook. The bride, who was given away by her brother Alfred, was in white silk, with bridal veil and orange blossoms. The bridesmaids were Miss M. Slines and Miss M. Blackett (niece 'of the bride). After the ceremony, tho newly-wedded pair left for Hastings. 1 At Sk Peter's Church, on Slst Dccemi ber, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Henry Robert Barrett, eldest son of Mr H- Barrett, of this city, loGraco Evelyn, eldest daughter of Mr. James Stevens, timber merchant, also of this city, the Rev Mr M'Laverty officiating. The bride, who wub given away by her father, was attired in chiffon talfetas, with pearl trimmings, and carried a beautiful shower bouquet. The bridesmaids were the Misses Eva Stevens (youngest sister of the bride) and Lydia Barrett (only sister of the bridegroom) They wore cream silk frocks, and liats to correspond, and. earned crooks with sweet peas. After tho ceremony, a reception was held at "Rawene," the residence of the bride's 'parents, after which the newly-married couple left for I a honeymoon in tho country prior to taking up their abode in their new ] home at Hokitikar. I On the 31st December, at Wobbstreet Primitive Methodist Church, the marriaga of Alexander Molberg, of Wellington, to Matilda (Tilly) White, eldest daughter of Mr J. Wnit&, Roseneatfi, was solemnised by tbe Rev. J. Da\rs,on. The ,br.ide, wore a dress of cream-figured .evepe de chine, trimmed with silk chiffon all-over lace, with veil and orange blossoms, and carried a shower laonquet made by her aunt, Mrs. J. Harris, Rinvu, West Coast,. She -was - attended by Misses Amelia, and Hilda White/(sisters), Miss Martha Stev/art (cousin)', and Mr. Herbert Weston cjroomesman/ Miss White wore cream silk muslin trimmed with Valenciennes lace ; Miss Stewart cream silk, trimmed with silk lace ; and both bore beautiful bouquets, also made by their aunt. Misses Hilda White and Jersie Kirklapd wore pinafore dresses with buttercup duchesse satin bodice, and carried prefcty baskets of white and cream flowers. After the ceremony the party was driven to Roseneath school, where a reception was held, attended by about forty relatives and friends, followed in the evening by a "social," 1 at which 360 guests were present.