Wellington Gossip.
The last fortnight has been principally spent in holiday making, the weather on the whole being fairly good, although on New Year’s Day the rain came down in torrents just when everyone had started for their day’s outing. Pelorns Sound was more popular than ever this year, a party going from the Star’s shed and camping out for some vre.-ks. The Oroti was engaged by a party of ladies and gentlemen to visit the different sounds and go through the French Pass, but the latter part of the programme had to be omitted for want of tine, which seemed to fly on wings, the four days appearing only about half that time. The party consisted of Messrs W. R. Symons, Field, Vogel, W. and C. Pearco, Todd, Woolridge, Fleming, Seed, G. Johnston, Izard, Cooper, Mackay, Biss, Turner, and the Misses Holmes, George, Izard, Hodgkins, Chesfil, Fairchild and Williams. Mr Symons, who was the photographer of the
party, took several successful pictures ; the Misses Holmes and Hodgkins occupied themselves in sketching, and Mr Todd as pianist, Miss George as violinist, Mr C. Pearce as banjoist, and Mr Symons as chief vocalist made the evenings pas 3in melodious sound. Sometimes the steamer was left and luncheon taken on shore, and another time different parties would go for a pull in one of the boats—in fact, each had an opportunity to follow their own particular whim They left Wellington on Uhiistmaa Eve* and returned early on Tuesday morning. The trip was so much on joyfed that it is possible a similar one may be arranged at Easter. On B;>xing Day a large picnic was given at Wainui-o-mata by Mr Pearson, of the Public Works Department. The party leit town in a large four-in-hand drag, and picnicked on the shady banks of the reservoir, which looked like a lovely pellucid lake, its edge fringed with ferns, and the lofty rata clad hills rising precipitously at one side. The liitle reservoir boat was iu great demand, and some delightful hours were spend upon the water. Mr Hardy took a charming photo of the party, with a background of bush, and the luncheon cloth spread in the foreground. Amongst the guests were Mrs Barron, the Misses Campbell, Brandon, Hardy, Barron, Pyke, Johnson, Kennedy, and Messrs Pearson (not the host), Barron, Hardy, Hadfield and Watkins.
A large camping-party had their tents erected at Wainui, and close to the stream a bathing*tent was to be seen. Four days were spent in this delightful open air life. The party consisted of Dr and Mrs Whitehead (of Petone), Dr and Mrs Mackenzie, the Misses Wilford, Lakeman, Dransfield, Hector, Jackson, and others, and the Messrs Jackson, Atkinson, Culbeck, Hector, and several other gentlemen. At Lowry Bay and Porirua camping parties are spending the holidays, and the general verdict is that it is one of the pleasantest ways of seeing the Old Year out and the New Year in.
At present we are all very interested in Mr Stanley, who has just concluded his course of lectures, which should bo designated instructive, but not amusing, as many people appear to have gone expecting to derive much the same enjoyment from them as they would from one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas, and because there was seldom anything which caused laughter they professed themselves disappointed. Mr Stanley has a somewhat thickset figure of about middle height, and his head is covered thickly with abort white hair, his moustache being also almost white. Amongst those who went to hear him I have seen Mr Hugh Beetham ; Mrs Williams, in a white evening wrap ; Mr 3 Arthur Russell in black, with faint terracotta plush cloak trimmed with white fur ; Miss Williams in black velvet, with similar cloak. Miss H. Williams in cream plush, „and fur cloak ; Mr and Mrs E. Richardson, the latter in crimson plush cloak ; Mr and Mrs A. W. Brown, the latter in black satin ; Mr and Mrs Lichfield, the lady wearing terracotta silk of two shades, small black and gold bonnet ; Dr and Mrs Adams, the latter in black brocade trimmed with gold-jewelled trimming ; Hon Dr and Mrs Grace ; Miss Grace in black, with coffee lace trimming ; Miss M. Grace in pale blue, and her younger sister in pink, with trimming of coffee lace; Mrs Rhodes in black evening dress ; Mrs Loughnan in black evening dress, with Mr Loughnan ; Mrs Rous Marten in black, with white wrap ; Miss Quick in pink, trimmed with black lace ; Miss M. Quick in a blue flowered dress. Hon Mr and Mrs Buckley, the latter in black, Miss Fairchild in pink, Mr and Mrs J. P. Maxwell, Mrs Maxwell wearing a black evening dress. I see at several weddings lately bengaline has been worn in place of silk or brocade. This new material has all the appearance of a very rich ottoman cord, with none of its objectionable stiffness and great warmth. Id drapes beautifully, falling in soft folds almost like a cashmere. Black bengaline is becoming very popular with elderly ladies, who never look better than when dressed in a rich silk with old lace. Whilst writing of weddings, I see Lady Sarah Churchill, who has just been married to Mr Wilson received no less than 60 smelling bottles as wedding presents. This must have been very embarrassiug, a 3 she must have begun to think her friends have begun to think her friends had noticed something defective in her breathing. On Saturday afternoon the Hon Mr and Mrs Buckley entertained a large garden party at their charming residence at the Lower Hutt. The ground, looking fresh and green after the refreshing rain we have had, with a small stream meandering through the ground, bordered on either aide with ferns and rustling bamboos presented a very pretty sight. Mrs Buckley received her guests on the lawn, dressed in black grenadine with larp’e flat hat to match. All who know Mrs Buck ey also know what a charming hostess she is. Soon the tennis lawns were occupied with ardent players,' but unfortunately during the afternoon a slight shower dispersed the lady players to the shelter of the marquee and sheltering trees, but the gentlemen still kept manfully on, their zeal for the game in no way damped by the shower. Throughout the afternoon a band played popular airs at intervals. It was soon known among the guests that Mr and Mrs Stanley were expected, and as each
carriage arrived at the front of the house, every eye was turned thereon, in many instances to be disappointed ; but at last the guests of the day arrived, Mr and Mrs Buckley receiving them as they alighted. After various introductions, Mr Buckiey conducted Mr 3 Stanley down to the lawn and marquee, where light refreshments and fruit were provided. The Hon Dr Grace taking Mr 3 Tenneat (mother of Mrs Stanley). Mrs Stanley is a tall, slight and most graceful woman. Her manner very bright, and animated in conversation, dark brown hair, large bright eyes, indeed she charmed all who wore fortunate enough to be introduced to her ; her costume was black grenadine, with short train ; the dress sprigged with small bouquets of coloured flowers arranged in baskets, and worn over a pinkish silk under skirt, also profusely trimed with black lace, large flat hat to correspond. Mrs Tennent a black merveilleux trained dress, with long browh cloak and bonnet to correspond. Hon. Mr and Mrs Richardson, the latter in black, with green trimming and bound to correspond. Mrs Napier Bell in black and gold. Mr and Mrs Tolhurst, the latter in black satin and lace. The Premier and Mrs Ballance, the latter in brown corded Bilk and brown bonnet, Sir James and Lady Hector. The Misses Tolhurst in white, and amongst others Mr W; Johnston and Mis 3 Johns’on, Mr and Mrs Loughnan, Mr and Mrs Rous Martin, Mrs Leckie, Miss Holmes, the Hon W. P. Reeves and the Misses Reeves, Mrs Mason, Mr and Mrs and the Misses Dransfield, Mr Mrs and Miss Jackson, Mr and Mrs Fitzherbert., Mr Henry Fitzherbert, Dr Cahill, Dr Robertson, Mr Pearce, Mr and Mrs Vermeil, Mr and Mrs Kirk, Mr and Mrs Stafford, The Rev J. and Mrs Jones, Mr and Mrs Parfitt, Mr and Mrs Tanner, Mr and Mrs Treadwell, Mr Colbeck, Miss Fairchild, Mr Richmond, Miss Lartman, Mr and Mrs W. R. E. Brown and many others. Ignota.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Mail, Issue 1037, 15 January 1892, Page 4
Word Count
1,401Wellington Gossip. New Zealand Mail, Issue 1037, 15 January 1892, Page 4
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