A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 20 October 1894, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Oct. 18th, 1894. Thomas' Hall had a very-gay and festive air about it last Friday night on the occasion of the reunion of ex-Otago residents. It was a large and representative gathering, and one which passed off most successfully. The Scotch element was prominent, and a great many of the items contributed were, naturally, Scotch. In one side room refreshments were bountifully supplied, and in another a number of old photographs, etc., of Otago, made an interesting collection. Mr Pinkerton, M.H.R., took the chair and made the opening speech, Sir Robert Stout and the lion. G. F. Richardson also delivering addresses later on. The programme included songs by Mrs W. H. Reynolds, of Dunedin, Mrs (Dr.) Findlay, Mrs Carman, Mr and Mrs Milne, and Mr Hugh Wright, the accompaniments to which were played by Mrs (Dr.) Fitchett and Mr P. Levi. Mr Thomas Bracken also contributed some verses which he had written for the occasion, and when the programme was concluded, the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up until the " wee sma' hours " of the following morning. The decorations were very pretty, and displayed great taste, greenery, mirrors, drapery, etc., being artisti* cally employed to gain th« desired effect. Among those present were the | Hon. R. and Mrs Oliver, the latter wearing a cream satin trained gown, with lace, the Hon. W. H. and Mrs Reynolds, the latter in black, Dr and Mrs Fitchett, of Dunedin, the latter in pale blue and black, Mr and Mrs H. D. Bell, the latter in blaok and scarlet, Dr. and Mrs Findlay, the latter in black satin and laoe, Mrs Stafford, in black, the Hon. John and Mrs McKenzie, the latter wearing black silk and lace, the Misses Gillon, Judge Dennis ton, Judge Williams, besides many others. I believe the re-union— owing to the great success of this, the first ever held— will now become an annual affair.

On Saturday night the dpera House was filled with a large and fashionable audience, who had assembled to witness the performance given by the Amateur Dramatic Stufrentß in aid of the Harmonic Society and the Garrison Band. The pieces bhoseh Were "In honour bound " ftttd •« The Snowball/ the principal aefct'BßSß& being Mi'B Fell, Miss NewMiss Watson, and Miss Parsons. «• and the principal actors, Messrs ft ioholls, Newton and Baillie. On the whole I think the performance may be termed a success, although many people thought it a mistake td make such ambitious attempts, tt is a fault, certainly, and one that amateurs so often make. fln the audience I saw the Earl and Countess of Glasgow, the latter Wearing £ handsome black brocaded gdWti) tfiitinled with deep white, iai^e and an electric blue cloak, embroidered with gold. They were accompanied by Lord Kelburne, Major Elliot, and Captain Clarke-Preston. I also noticed the Hon. R. and Mrs Pharaiyn, Miss Whistler, Miss Jervois, Wearing A deep green and pink brocade gown* Mrs Richmond in black, Miss Richmond id deep brown velvet and lace; Dr and Mrs Purdy, the latter in grey, Mrs W. Johnston, Hiss Johnston ; the Hon. R. and lift Oliver, the 1 latter in dark red velvet and lace, Mrs Grace, Miss Grace, in black and pale blue, Miss A. Grace, in cream, with a gold em broidered yoke, Miss Levin In black, with grey sleeves, Mrs T. Wilford pale green silk trimmed with lace, Miss Butler, in black and white satin, Mrs Acland in black, Miss Acland in crimson, with a full bodice of pink sil'c and chiffon, Mrs C. Izard in grey rnervellienx, trimmed with black bands* Miss Hilda Moorhouse wearing cream, Dr. and Mrs Adams, the latter wearing black, and Mrs Menzies in black. The stage was extremely well appointed, but this is generally a point wherein amateurs rise above their professional brethren. The shop windows are beginning to look most attractive to the feminine eye, and the weather has been so mild and warm lately that we have been able to indulge in fancy summer millinery to almost any extent. There are some delicious combinations of colour and, of course, some very much (the reverse. Just imagine yourself in a coarse cream lace drawn on thick cream silk wire, and decorated with an upstanding aigrette of black roses, and with either black lace or chiffon strings that are long and wide enough to tie in a huge bow beneath your chin. That is the height of fashion, and if you will have the courage to wear it you may as well add the rest — a cream crepon gown with the bodice part— not the sleeves, which must be -cream— entirely of black satin, and the skirt decorated with either bands or rosettes of black satin. Black violets and bright green roses are "* also among the latest freaks of fashion, and are quite as ugly as they are unbecoming. The big lace bows and shoulder capes are extremely pretty, and if daintily arranged, will make quite a shabby frock look quite stylish and dressy. Those of silk with deep flounces and insertions of butter ooloured lace, are also useful and becoming, and later on I believe those of chiffon, with embroidered •nds will be " the thing." ' Everyone who values comfort and economy, will rejoice to hear that blouses are still very fashionable, and are even being worn at balls at Home, made, of course, in the richest of silks and satins, and much trimmed with lace. Signa.