TEA TABLE TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1217, 28 June 1895, Page 13

TEA TABLE TOPICS.

Wellington, June 25.

As Thursday was such a line day a very large number of people assembled to see Parliament opened. I was surprised to see such a large number of ladies and young girls, and wondered what possible interest they could have in going to see this ceremony year after year, as I gathered from their conversation that they had done. I do not wonder at strangers, in the town or members' relatives liking to be "there, but it seems to me a pity that old Wellington residents should go and take several youog daughters with them, and fill up so much of the very small amount of room allowed to ladies.

The procession up the Council Chamber was more imposing than usual, as His Excellency the Governor was not only followed by his aide-de-camps in their brilliant uniforms, but by a number of man-of-war officers, the display of gold braid and buttons being most effective. It seems a pity that men do not wear gayer coloured clothes as a rule, as they certainly look very nice in them. The Governor read his speech very distinctly, and was listened to with great attention, except that there was a general rustle of surprise and people all looked at each other when he spoke of a new Minister being added to the Cabinet, the ladies, at least, not being prepared for such an announcement. No doubt, though, we shall hear of the matter later on.

Lady Glasgow wore a beautiful gown of dark blue satin brocaded, with tin-blue flowers, a black mantle, and bonnet to match her dress, and she carried a bouquet of white flowers. Lady Buckley looked well in black silk and small black bonnet trimmed with yellow, and beautiful white and yellow bouquet. Mrs Seddon wore a dark "tweed gown, with a pretty black and yellow bonnet and bouquet of flowers. Mrs Goring wore a handsome silk gown with a violet velvet mantle and. bonnet to match ; Mrs Castendyk, black dress and mantle and jet bonnet with crimsori and gold trimming; Miss Seddon looked well in a pale grey costume and brown bear boa, black picture hat; MissEugg, stylish fawn tailor gown, hat to match; Mrs Janisch, fawn coat and skirt and becoming small bonnet; Miss Quick, striking gown of violet velvet, Rimmed with black ; Miss Menzies, pretty tweed gown, and brown cloak trimmed with fur, black velvet toque with Mercury wings; Mrs E. Richardson, black silk gown and mantle, and black bonnet with pink osprey ; Mrs C. Richardson, stylish brown costume, and very pretty brown felt hat *vitu Mercury wings and dark blue bows ; Mrs Hales, black gown trimmed with green, toque to match; Mrs H. D. Crawford, pretty brown and yellow costume, cloak to match.

I saw a great many other pretty new session costumes, but it was so cold I could not stop to make even mental notes of them. Mrs Tolhurst gave a large and very successful afternoon tea after Parliament was open, and nearly everyone wended their way up to Grant road, feeling very glad of the prospect of nice warm rooms and a good hot cup of tea.

So the Kaka Minstrels are coming forward again with one of their very jolly concert and dance entertainments on the 10th July, at Thomas's Hall. I hope this one will be as pleasant and successful as last year's affair, and I have no doubt that it wiil be quite as nice.

Last Saturday evening Mrs Eotheram gave a very enjoyable euchre party, and the ever popular game excited the usual interest, and the competition for the prizes was very keen. The successful ones were, for the first prizes, Miss Rowlands and Mr S. Stafford, and for the "others" Miss E. Stafford and Mr H. Tuckey. If one may judge by the dresses worn at Mrs Botheram's, pink or blue silk blouses and black velvet skirts are to be the fashion this winter for euchre parties. Among those present were Misses Thompson (Auckland), Griffiths (2), Simpson (2), Stuart, Chappell, MacGregor, Wilson, Ro3S, Stafford, etc. Everyone will be glad to hear that the Star Boating Club have fixed their delightful annual ball for the 26th July. I hear that it is to be at Thomas's Hall, and that the invitations are to be limited so as to prevent overcrowding. This will be very nice for those who are fortunate enough to obtain, invitations, but I am

very sorry for the poor left-out ones! Last year the Drillshed (or should I the Garrison Hall ?) was not overcrowded, but the floor, in spite of lots of: time and trouble being spent on it, was; hopelessly heavy and tiring, and was the only drawback to a beautifully arranged ball.

I see that the adjourned meeting of lady-cyclists is to take place this week. Unfortunately I shall not be able to b© present, so I hope some one will send me an account of the meeting, as no doubt ib will be interesting to many people. Can anyone tell me —after reading "Scrutator's" remarks—if he is in, favour-of ladies cycling or not ? I should like to know, as I have much respect for hia opinion.

I hear that Mr and-Mrs W. P. Reevesare staying with Mrs Loughnan for the present, at " Mohtifeau," .Botanical road. Miss R. Rolleston is staying with Mrs Richmond, and Miss Russell with Mrs Fox. Mr and Mrs Henry Hadfield are with Mrs Tuckeyj Wesley road. I see numbers of new faces about, and have no doubt that we shall see the usual number of " session girls" at the dances soon. Judging from what I hear of ball-rooms in other parts of the colony they must think Wellington a very superior place, as. far as dancing goes. I only hope that theweather will not be too disgraceful this--year—perhaps when the men-of-war go we shall have a better time.

There was a large number at the fortnightly assembly in spite of the big ball the night before, and everyone seemed to dance as" energetically as if they had not been capering a few hours previously. Miss Stuart wore a pretty mauve gown, and Miss Trimnell looked nice in green ; Mrs C. Richardson and Miss Pownall both looked very well in black and yellow; Miss Trolove (Nelson), who is the guest of Mrs Firth, wore a pretty scarlet dress, veiled with black lace ; Mrs Goulter (Nelson), white silk trimmed with black velvet;- Miss Fancourt, pretty mauve silk gown with sleeves and trimmings of a darker shade of velvet; Miss Moore (Nelson),cream silk; Miss Thompson (Auckland), very pretty cream silk gown trimmed with chiffon and white flowers; Miss Simpson, pale blue silk and cream lace ; Miss Holt, cream veiling and lace ; Miss Dyer, stylish black dress ; Miss Gibson, black bodice embroidered with mauve flowers, black skirt; Miss Edwards, cream and red ; Miss J. Richardson, pretty cream dress with pink bows; Miss I. Lee, soft white silk and embroidered chiffon. ." lone.