A LADY'S LETTER FROM WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9064, 26 May 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

A LADY'S LETTER FROM WELLINGTON.

[from our owx correspondent. ] May 21. BOWLING. Although the Bowling Green is supposed to bo closed, there was a match arranged to be played on Saturday between the members of the Club and some of the members of Parliament. However, it was so very web that it did not come off, but it will most probably be played on the Queen's Birthday, if the weather is suitable. BALLS. The bachelors have, with some daring, decided to give a dance before the Government ball; so they will be the ones to give the first ball of the season, at which a number of girls are going to "come out," although most of them have decided to wait for the birthday ball, which will be an immense crush 1 expect, and not an entertainment at which one cares to air one's new gowns. The bachelor's dance is to be held this evening, in the Masonic Hall, Boulcottstreet. THE WEATHER. The weather during the last week has been simply horrible; a spiritless drizzle going on from day to day, rendering the streets almost impassable. We feel it all the more just now, as there are so many people to call upon, although in comparison with other sessions there arc very few. LADIES AND POLITICS. Wellington ladies, as you may imagine, are as a rule politicians, so we take a great deal of interest in the question of who is to be loader of the Opposition. Mr. Ballance, Sir George Grey, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Lance are mentioned as some of the possible ones, and it is thought that very possibly the latter will be the chosen one. SICK NOTABILITIES. A number of well-known gentlemen here have been ill recently. Amongst them are Mr. Vincent Pyke, one of the Southern members ; Judge Richmond, and Messrs. Fitzgerald and Jellicoe, the two latter of whom are solicitors. All, however, are on the fair road to recover} , . MR. BANNATYNE. The not unexpected news of Mr. W. M. Bannutyne's death, in London, arrived last week. Mr. Bannatyne was one of the oldest settlers in Wellington, and originally came here to represent a Sydney firm. About eight years ago Mr. Bannatyne, with his wife, left for England, leaving behind them, three of Mrs. Bannatyne's children, one of whom is Mrs. Kinross, of Napier. Mr. Bannatyne was one of the Council elected by Sir George Grey before there was a Parliament. He died from a general breaking up of the system at the age of seventy-one. THE EARTHQUAKE. There is a great deal attention paid to the .tasteful arrangement of flowers upon dinner-tables, and many people have several slips of different colours to put down the centre of the tables, so that there shall be perfect harmony between the flowers and their background. At a recent dinner at Government House the table was most exquisitely dressed with chrysanthemums of two shades ; and at a luncheon party last week golden-brown chrysanthemums looked particularly well on a crimson plush slip. These dainty little affairs form a very pretty wedding present for a girl who caunot afford very much, although they can be made to cost a considerable sum when handsomely lined and finished. FLOWERS ON DINNER TABLES.

This morning we experienced one of the severest earthquakes that have been felt here for many years; the houses creaked and groaned in a most uncomfortable manner during the shake, which lasted for a considerable time, preceded by a prolonged rumbling.

MR. VALENTINE'S MARRIAGE. On Monday a large crowd gathered at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church to witness the marriage of Mr. Valentine, the member for Wakaia, to Miss W. Magraf Linck, daughter of the late Captain Linck, of the German Imperial yacht, who arrived by the Tongariro on Saturday. The bride's costume was a somewhat peculiar one, being cream satin, trimmed with grey tulle, the sleeves being opened and laced over this material. It was also embroidered with gold and silver, and trimmed with a quantity of orange blossoms. The long tulle veil was fastened with a diamond spray, und she also wore a necklace of the same precious stones. Miss Reid—Mrs. Fergus' sister —was the only bridesmaid, and was attired in blue brocaded silk, with a tulle bonnet to match. She wore a pearl und diamond brooch, a gift of the bridegroom. Sir Maurice O'Rorke gave the bride away, and Mr. Loughrey, member for Linwood, acted as best man. A great number of the members were present, and Sir Harry Atkinson shook hands with and congratulated the bride. The lovely bouquets of the bride and 'bridesmaid were inserted in silver holders, the gift of the bridegroom. Mrs. Fergus, wife of one of the Ministers, wore a handsome crimson silk dress, and Mrs. Fisher was dressed in a black striped merveilleux. After the ceremony the wedding party drove to the residence of the Hon. Mr. Fergus (who is living in the house formerly occupied by Mr. E. Richardson), where the breakfast was laid, after which the newly-married pair left fyy the Masterton train en route for Napier, from whence they proceed to Waiwera, where their honeymoon is to be spent.

THE LOAN BILL. I hear that an article in the Evening Press of Saturday last, commenting rather unfavourably on things in general connected with the New Zealand Loan Bill has created quite a little flutter of excitement in commercial circles. RINKOMAMIA. At the Columbia Skating Rink to-night a grand fancy dress carnival is to be held, when there will be a procession of costumed skaters upon whom the limelight will play as they perform their diverse evolutions. The charges for admission are extremely high, some seats being five shillings and others three. During the day the rink has been closed in order to re-decorate the hall. DRESSES.

I think there will be some especially pretty dresses worn this session. One which I was shown the other day I thought was simply charming. It was a white spotted net with a thick ruche around the foot. At one side there was a merveilleux panel, brocaded in silver and gold cord by the owner herself before it was given to the dressmakers, and the broad sash ends were ornamented in a similar manner. Boas have become most decidedly common, and are to be seen in all colours and lengths, ranging in price from five shillings to five guineas, and even higher than that. MRS. MARTIN. It was with much regret thab I learhfc of the serious illness and dearth of Mrs. John Martin, of Marbinborough. The deceased lady was the daughter of Mr. Arthur Collins, of Wakapuata, Nelson, who was ab one time a member of the House, Immediately upon Dr Martin's arrival in Wellington, from Home, he hastened to the bedside of his sister-in-law, bub she was then almost past all human aid. Dorothy,