WELLINGTON SOCIAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1200, 1 March 1895, Page 13

WELLINGTON SOCIAL GOSSIP.

Wellington, February 26. Much disappointmentwas felt on, Saturday afternoon when the wet weather came on and put a stop to so many sports. In spite of the rain, however, ihe Star Boating Club Swimming Sports were held, but there were very few spectators present compared with other occasions. Delicious tea and cakes were laid out in the large room upstairs, the table being prettily decorated, with Japanese lilies arranged in the various cups won by the members of the club. The most interesting race of the day was the 200 yards handicap, which, after a most exciting "finish between Mr H. Dacre and W. Home, was eventually won by the former by a few inches. ', i i

Among the ladies .present were Miss Pearce, who wore a cream . gown trimmed with lace, black and cream bonnet; Mrs H. D. Bell, neat dark tweed costume, small black bonnet with cream- lace bows and flowers; Mrs Field (wife v of the captain of the club), brown checked tweed jacket and skirt blouse, and white boat hat with black band; Mrs Blair, Miss Blair, blaek serge skirt and jacket light blouse and sailor hat; Miss Barnett, navy serge gown, white waistcoasfc black hat with feathers; Miss Johnston, brown tweed costume, sailor hat; Miss Gore, dark tweed costume small black hat with pink flowers; Mrs J. Fulton, theMisses Izard, Skerrett, Cooper, Hamerton, Dransfield, Friend, Fairchlld, Fox wood, Morrah, Williams, etc. '

"Mam'zelle Nitouche" was staged for the first time in Wellington on Saturday night last, and proved >a huge success in every way, especially the Rainbow Ballet, which was most beautifully danced by five performers at the conclusion of the play. Each dancer wore a full white accordion gown falling to the feet., I must sayl like the long skirts better than the short ones ; they look so much more graceful, and last night when the deep orange light was thrown on the dancers nothing could have been prettier. Miss Stewart's acting of the demure and devout little convent girl when in the presense of the Lady Superior, aud the very reverse when put of it, was very cleverly done, and gained much applause. Among the audience" I noticed Lady Buckley, in black; Mr and Mrs P. Parfitt, the latter wearing a cream silk gown trimmed with black velvet; Miss Medley, in a pretty blue silk gown; Mr 3 Friend, Miss Friend, black gown with pale blue silk sleeves; Tiv and Mrsßawson, the latter wearing claret silk and velvet ; Mr and Mrs W. G. Mantell, the latter wearing a black jetted gown ; Miss Ross" looked very well in cream silk and lace ; Mrs Hey wood", Miss D. Heywood, pretty seargreen gown trimmed with black lace..; Miss,Grace, blue silk ; Miss A. Grace, a pretty white silk with chiffon frills ; Miss Russell (Hawke's Bay),

fcream ; Mrs and Miss Izard, the latter wearing a pretty pink gown ; Mrs Travers wore a black and pale-blue gown ; Dr and Miss Grace; Miss Fairchild, black gown and pretty grey cloak; Miss N. Fairchild, cream, Mrs Gore," Miss Gore, black velvet and lace ; her sister, cream, with dark sleeves ; Mrs and Miss Joseph wore handsome brocade cloaks, trimmed with brown fur; the Misses Johnston wore white ; Mrs Baldwin, cream, long white cloak hsudsomely embroidered ; Miss Ling, deep purple silk and velvet gown; Miss Jolley, black silk and jet gown, etc. A very pleasant little r"ance was given by Mrs H. D. Bell last night. There were about fifty or sixty guests, chiefly young folk, as I believe it was given to celebrate one of the Miss Bell's birthday. The house was most artistically decorated with flowers and evergreens, and an awning covered in the verandah. Mrs Bell received in a handsome yellow silk gown ; the Misses Bell (2) wore pretty white embroidered frocks with coloured ■sashes. Among those present were Mrs <Dr) Collins, who looked very well in pink and green silk; the Misses Grace wore cream satin; Miss Williams, black trimmed with jet; the Misses Hislop wore pretty white frocks; Miss Izard, white silk and lace; Miss Cooper also wore white; Mrs P. Baldwin, cream satin and butter colour lace; the , Misses Gore, pink and green gowns; the Misses Johnston, Nunnerly, Atkinson, Williams, Hutchinson, Russell *(Hawke's Bay;, etc. Next week I hope to be able to give you a long account of the Amateur Athletic sports, which take place next Saturday on the Basin Reserve. The men who were sent to represent Wellington- at the championship meeting afc Napier the other day, do not seem to have done themselves justice. lam told the weather was dreadful and most of the events had to be run through pools of water, so it is no wonder that most of the •competitors were out of form, as they ssay; however it is to be hoped that our men will do better next Saturday and show us what they can do. "Violet.