WELLINGTON SOCIAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1130, 27 October 1893, Page 16

WELLINGTON SOCIAL GOSSIP.

Wellington, October 24

Socially, there is very little going on just now, but we hope to begin playing tennis on the grass again next week, and a little later on the boating season for up to the present it has been too cold and damp for boating parties and moonlight picnics, but if weather continues fine, we shall very soon be able to enjoy all these outdoor amusements again.

The Thorndon Lawn Tennis Club opens next Saturday, when the members are going to provide afternoon tea, etc., for their visitors.

We have had a good deal of tennis in one way and another during the winter, on asphalte and concrete courts —at the Government House Court, and also at Mr Frank Kebbell's, Miss Johnston's, Mrs Baker's, Mrs Gore's and Mrs O'Connor's. There have frequently been very enjoyable little tennis parties, and the Parliamentary Courts and the Wellington Club Court, have been made the mo3t of by members and their friends.

The third Chamber Concert was largely patronised by lovers of music, the Bowen Street Schoolroom being crowded last Thursday evening. Mr Tallis Trimnell contributed a large share to the programme, being at the piano almost every item. His piano solos were exquisite and called forth great enthusiasm. In Beethoven's quartette in E flat, Miss Medley undertook the piano part and gave <\ masterly interpretation of this beautiful work, in conjunction with Messrs Edger (cello), Spackman (viola), and Kennedy (violin).

Reissiger's trio in E Major was one of the gems, being performed by Messrs Trimnell, Spackman and Edger. The only vosalist was Mrs Greddi?, who sang The Asra in the first part and Schumann's Bride's Song, and Mendelssohn's Song of the Savoyard in the second.

Some of those present were Mrs Ed. Richardson, wearing a handsome black gown; Miss M. Richardson, in cream, and a long gobelin cloak ; Mrs Richmond, in black ; Miss Lysaght, of Patea, who is staying with Mrs Richmond, wore a Bofl: cream gown and cloak ; Miss Izard wore black velvet trimmed with wide white lace ; Mrs Wardrop, black lace ; Miss Wardrop, tomato silk ; Mrs Trimnell, black ; Mrs T. C. Williams, black ; tlie„ Misses Williams, pretty white gowns ; Miss Brandon,palemauvesilk,andhersister, red trimmed with white lace ; the Mis3es Fairchild, white trimmed with lace ; Mrs Duncan, black silk and jet. and long cloak ; Miss Pynsent', petunia silk and lace ; Miss Cooper, pink silk ; the Misses (Walter) Johns to*, black velvet and pretty white fur cloaks ; Mrs Douglas, black ; Miss Douglass, a white cloak bound with fur ; Miss A. Grace, black and mauve ; Mrs Whittall, black satin and jet;/ Mrs Rose, a long red brocaded cloak bound with white fur ; Mrs Edward Reid, black ; Mrs Geddis, mervellieux and lace; Miss Medley, Mack silk and lace ; Miss Graham ; Miss Swainson ; etc.

Colonel Boyle was also present and has, I believe, arranged for the next concert of the series to take place before he leaves for Christen urch.

I also noticed with pleasure the presence of Mrs Mantell senr., who has evidently recovered from her long illness ; she was accompanied by Mrs W. Mantell.

Hvliss Ada Wardrop, who is a sister of Mr T. Y. Wardrop, has commenced her,, series of cookery classes with great sjyacess. Her opening lecture was given last Saturday in Thomas' Hall and attracted a large audience, chiefly, as you may imagine, consisting of the fair sex. Mr W. T. L. Travers presided and Miss Wardrop cooked a whole dinner before the attentive audience and was assisted by Mrs Wardrop and the Misses Tuckey. I. noticed a number of cooks and servants were in the hall and many of them took notes and receipts throughout the lecture.

The idea is a capital one and I have no doubt the classes will be largely attended.

The dinner, which of course was a small one, was cooked in fifty minutes, which, considering it included soup, fish, entrees, joints and sweets, seems a marvellously short time. 1 am afraid no amount of teaching would ever be sufficient to make our cooks accomplish a feat of this kind.

Mrs Godfrey Knight, who lived for many years in Wellington, but is now permanently residing in Australia, is paying a visit to her aunt, Lady Prendergast. I saw her a few days ago wearing a very handsome gown of pale tabac brown mervellieux brocaded with a large design of black, the bodice being of black velvet and jet, and a tiny black jet and branze beaded bonnet was worn with it.

I notice that quite a number of the newest gowns are made with velvet or jet bodices, the sleeve 3 and rest of the gowns being of the material. The very latest ideals to have the bodice of black satin, and the sleeves and skirt of some of the new du ; l shades of apple green, petunia, or the fashionable mauvish brown tint,

The bodice ought to have a folded front front and plain back, and Bhould be cut round and short, and edged with jet, which trimming is also introduced in two bands about half way up the skirt.

The bonnet to wear with this might be one of the very latest—;hose with high pointed crowns of cub jet, and brims of coarse straw to match the gown, with, as trimming, a high feather or jet aigrette, and rather broad black strings.

Mrs Stratton Izard and Mrs Elgar, of the Wairarapa, have been staying in town this week. Mrs Elgar was visiting one day in a tabac brown gown with wide lapels of silk of a darker shade and a a brown hat with yellow flowers and strings.

Mrs Izard wore a fawn costume, her large brown hat trimmed with goffered lace and flowers. Mrs Werry is wearing a pretty visiting dress of a dull mauve shade, of striped cloth, braided with a darker colour, and a short jacket of the same, and a small black bonnet trimmed with jet. '

Mrs Pynsent wears a becoming black and white striped silk, with revers <f black moire and small black jet and voivet bonnet with high white ospreys ; Mrs Higghnjon, a tailor made gswn of grey cloth, with jacket to match, and a large black hat with feathers ; and Mias Turnbull a dull purple cloth, trimmed with blacd fancy braid and purple shot silk, and a large ' burnt straw ' hat, trimmed with high black feather tvigrette and goffered chiffon. ~ Violet.