TEA TABLE TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 15

TEA TABLE TOPICS.

Wellington, April 28.

Fortunately the Chrysanthemum Show came oil' before this week’s rain, or I am afraid the show would have been considerably less good than it was. I was a little disappointed in it this year, as f did not think it altogether so good as the one held last season, and one naturally expects to see an advance in the variety and beauty of the flowers, as well as in the number. I suppose there were no prizes offered except for children’s bouquets, as there were very few, and strictly childish in arrangement and quality, and thero were no table decorations at all, wh'ch was a pity, as chrysanthemums lend themselves to that stylo of decoration so very well, and are most effective. At most other places where f have seen flower shows I have noticed special little tables most beautifully decorated in dinner” or “ afternoon tea ” styles, but wo do net seem to have advanced far enough for this in Wellington. Thero were a largo number of people present on the opening afternoon, among whom were Mrs Butler in a pretty pale grey gown embroidered and trimmed with yellow silk, and a yellow fancy straw hat with a wreath of flowers; Mrs O’Connor, a handsome black figured erepon gown trimmed with satin and jet; Miss O’Connor, pretty brown cloth costume, with a deep capo to match, trimmed with shot blue silk; brown fancy straw hat, with brown ribbon and pink and blue shaded convolvulus; Mrs Orace, dark green brocaded gown trimmed with black, bonnets to match; Miss A. Grace, black serge coat and skirt, sailor hat with a red band; Mrs Edgar (Featberston), brown cloth coat and skirt, pretty brown hat with pale blue brocaded velvet and flowers; Mrs "Worry, brown costumo and bonnet with cream guipure lace; Mrs Iligginson, black erepon costume trimmed with satin; Mrs Whitcail, grey cloth dress and black hat and ostrich tips ; Mrs K. Macdonald, brown brocaded gown and dark green bonnet; Mrs Henry, grey costume and pretty bonnet with pinkroses; Mrs C. Wilson, grey cloth gown trimmed with a deeper shade of silk,pretty black hat trimmed to match; Mrs Izard, black silk gown and lace mantle, black and gold bonnet; Mrs J. 0. Martin, stylish costume of black, trimmed with rovers and bands of white satin veiled with black lace, small black toque with white crepe rosettes and quills; Mrs W. S. Reid, black silk gown and black and cream bonnet; Mrs Barraud, black silk dress; Miss Gore,black erepon costume with green silk collar and trimming, black bat with wide crown and ostrich tips ; Miss A. Gore, pretty fawn figured silk blouao and fawn skirt, hat to match; Miss E. Rose, green brocade bodice, blackskirt and hat; Miss L. Tolhurst, stylish red bodice trimmed with black satin ribbon, black skirt and red and black toque; Miss Tuckey, grey costume trimmed with yellow silk, black and yellow hat; Miss E. liaise, royal blue erepon gown with jet yoke and trimming, black hat trimmed to match; also Mesdames Loughnan, Tweed, James, Tringham, Wills, Knight, Radclil'l’o, Anderson, W. Ward, Mcßae, IJales, Anderson, W. 11. Milhvard, Grey and many others. Mrs L. lieid, Mrs Morison and several other ladies had an afternxm tea stall, which must have been a success, judging from the busy trade which went on there during all the afternoon.

I am sorry to hear that Captain Rose lias lost his only brother, who was resident in Oxford, England. Captain and Airs lioso intend going to England by Hie Kaikoura, which leaves hero in about ton days.

Thero were a large number present at the fortnightly Assembly last Wednesday, and a very jolly evening was spent, and as there were t.uo many gentlemen the ladies bad a good time. Among those present were Mrs .Simpson, Mrs Stafford; airs Filchett in a stylish gown trimmed will, yellow silk and lace; Miss Simpson, pretty

white gown with scarlet silk belt and ribbons; Alias B. Gibson, crimson velvet bodice and black skirt; Miss Kennedy, white brocade gown trimmed with lace; M’iss Koch, becoming blue satin gown trimmod with deep cream lace; Aliss L. Koch, cream and red; Alias Ecclosfield, black brocade gown with cream lace and rod flowers; Aliss Seed, black satin gown trimmed with lace; Aliss AL Seed, pink silk; Aliss Stafford, deep yellow liberty silk gown with dark green bows and bands; Aliss L. Brandon, white silk and lace; Aliss Hickson palo blue veiling; Aliss Stuart, black and cream ; Alisses Griffiths, Holt, Blundell, MacKellar and many others.

I am very glad to hear the Liederkranz has started again, and with a good number

and I hope wo shall have ono or more of their nice concerts this winter.

Mrs Hales gave a very nice afternoon tea. last Thursday as a farewell to Aliss Laura Baker, who has been her guest for some months.

Airs Hales received in a handsome brown satin gown brocaded with fawn, and a brown skirt; Aliss Baker looked nice in a black satin gmvn with a yoke of yellow satin and trimmed with black lace. Among the guests wore Afrs and Miss B. Sodden, the latter in a black gown and pretty black hat with pink roses, and a brown fur boa; Airs All lls ; Airs Napier, black gown and very pretty bonnet of Parsma violets; Airs Logan, Airs Ronayuo, Airs J. floss; Airs Jackson, dark green costume and pretty bonnet to match; Airs Stafford, Airs Fitehott, Aliss Fairchild, Airs Bendall, Airs Tringham, Airs Hudson and others. Aliss L. Sudden, Airs Ronayne and Aliss Fitchett sang, and Aliss Baker played, and their music was much appreciated by the guests, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent.

’l'he Rarukori dance is to be on the loth of Alay, at Thomas’ Hall.

Airs Stafford is giving a euchre party on Wednesday next.

The engagement of Aliss Florence Willis, of Johnsonville, and Air Kenneth Alowat, of l’icton, is announced. Aliss L. Baker returned to Auckland last Friday. Ah's Napier has also left Wellington after a long visit to her parents, Air and Airs E. W Mills.

The “ Gomischter Abend” of the Liedertafol was a very great success, a large number being present, and the concert most enjoyable. 'Die “ Image of the Rose,” with the solo by Air Alurrell was delightful. As also were Air R. B. Williams’ two songs, “The Children’s Home,” and “ Maiden Aline ;” indeed the whole concert was unusually excellent, and that is saying a good deal.

Fancy the composer of that beautiful old hish song “Kathleen Alavourneon ” being still alive, hale and hearty, although he has arrived at the advanced ago of seventy-seven years. Professor F. Nicholas Crouch lives at Baltimore, and though his hair is as white as snow, tho music in his soul has not departed from him, as ho spends his days in both writing and composing. Tone.