TEA TABLE TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 15

TEA TABLE TOPICS.

Wellington, November 17

Of all nice, generous, sensible men, commend me to the Exhibition Commissioners. What sapient men of business to have fixed the price of ladies’ season tickets at 10s 6d. How lovely to be able to trickle in at any time, on any day, and to anything, even if only to have afternoon tea, and all for the price of the season ticket. Small wonder every woman one meets is possessing herself of one of the neat little scarlet cards. How we are already gloating over the lots of pleasure we are to get out of those tickets and of the generous excellence of them. The cantataof "Hinemoa" is a treat in store, for I hear the airs are so catching and musical that they haunt one’s memory. The chorus of Maori girls is simply Wonderful, andis such wonderfully witching melody, but soft and pretty that is all too soon over. The seats have all been greedily booked, and I fear a great crush, but the building will allow of a bit of the crowd to run over. Naturally, everyone will save their pennies to hear this wonderful music by a Wellington man, and the poem by a New Zealander. We shall li°ten with patriotic interest aud criticism to b jth.

Mr Trimnell’s composition of a sacred piece for the organ will bo a treat in store, and doubtloss will add another to his many highly-thought-of compositions. Mr Maughan Barnett is also getting ready one of his sweet harmonious pieces, which is being so well rehearsed that it will be well put before the expectant musical public.

Mr Parker also is to the fore with something of his own, and he is training the children to sing at the opening, and no one knows better how to do this excellently. Altogether we shall have a real red letter day on the opening of this nice, well-ordered Exhibition.

A little bird told mo of a very nice pleasant little episode which happened a week or two ago to an extremely popular member of the Premier’s family. Just before the members separated, the Government supporters sent Miss Seddon a purse of fifty guineas, together with a lovely illuminatedjaddrcss,’which runs as follows : —Dear Miss Seddon, —As members of the Parliament of 1894-90, we have great pleasure in tendering you our heartiest wishes for your happiness on the eve of your approaching marriage, and we hope you will accept the small present which accompanies these few lines. We beg to express the hope that you will value outgift more because it is from your father’s old friends than for its intrinsic worth. Wishing you every happiness in your future life, we have the pleasure to remain, your very sincere friends. Here follow the names of all the supporters of the Government.

The address is in book form, most beautifully bound in red morocco, and the illuminated address illustrated with pretty New Zealand landscapes.

jgjgAnother part of this pleasant story remains to be told, and further emphatically marks the nice feeling which all have for Miss Seddon who know anything of her. The members of the Opposition have given her an extremely handsome silver salver, together with a most courteous and kindiy address. While this last gift is such a pleasant tribute to the amiability and

goodness of the fair recipient, it also says much for the good feeling and generosity of those who are politically opposed to the Premier.

Everyone will be truly rejoiced to hear of the steady recovery which Lady Glasgow is making. Though still very weak and requiring every possible care, she is, we trust, fairly out of danger. Her serious illness has called forth regret and sympathy from all classes of our community,and I wish her ladyship could know how very much affectionate anxiety and solicitude there has been expressed by everyone during her illness. She has endeared herself so much by her ever ready arid helpful kindness and goodness that all feel relieved and thankful that she is spared.

Mrs Riddiford has issued invitations to the afternoon tea on the show ground on Thursday. Everyone who is going out to see the sheep and cattle will be extremely pleased to be the happy possessor of one of these cards, as it is one of the occasions when such hospitality is eagerly welcomed and enjoyed.

Mrs Seddon opened the bazaar of the Helping Hand Mission, and expressed her approval of the utility of the articles for sale, as being so suitable to the object in view. She also attended the Catholic concert, and was presented with a lovelybouquet.

Mrs Wilford has returned in improved health from the south, and intends to give a helpful hand with electioneering matters.

Mrs Beauchamp has gone the round trip in the Tongariro.

Mrs Cameron is gone to visit her friends in Dunedin.

s . The Bishop and Mrs Wallis are in the Rangitikei district, but Ilis Lordship will return to Wellington in time for the Exhibition.

The Horticultural Society’s Show was held in the Skating Rink on Tuesday. I declare I tried hard not to be disappointed, and to look respectfully at the over-full trays of very mixed blooms. But when one’s Ideal is no where to be seen or heard of, it’s only human nature to grumble and feel ill-used. The bouquets were some of them pretty, but only the professionals were represented in the prize list. There were some excellent pots of gloxinias which I should like to have been presented with, for I’ve a weakness gloxiniaward. Also some well grown palms and a most superior harts tongue fern would have been graciously received if they had been thrown in with those coveted gloxinias. The roses as a family “ sang small." The red ones looked apopletic in their purplishness, and the lovely shades of yellow and cream were not well represented by the specimens sent. Some good rhododendrons were there, especially the apricot coloured one and scented too. There was an excellent specimen of a double red geranium, also a few nice pellargoniums. The pansies showed no novelties, and nothing to boast of in the matter of sizes. Amongst the visitors I noticed Dr, Mrs and Miss Grace; Mrs Menzies ; Mrs O’Connor, in black gown with pretty striped vest, jet bonnet with mauve flowers; Mrs Tweed, in an extremely stylish dress of grey trimmed with white satin under black silk passementerie ; Miss Harding, in crepon skirt with pretty striped green glace blouso ; Mrs C. Wilson, in a pretty black gown trimmed with jet and stylish toque with crimson roses and jet ; Mrs Riddiford, in black tailor made summer serge coat and skirt, with light belt, picture hat of black lace with large aigrette of bright green ; Mrs Ilhind, in pretty grey costume with scarlet figured belt, bonnet with pink and red roses; Mrs C. Knight, in dark skirt and cream blouso and pretty cream hat; Mrs Davy, in handsome seal mantle and pretty black bonnet; Mrs Trimnell, in handsome black gown and small jet bonnet; Miss Tolhursfc, in pretty pale green muslin trimmed with a profusion of cream lace, light picture hat; Mrs biiz herbert (Wanganui), in a very handsome biscuit coloured broche dress trimmed with brown jewelled trimming, brown and cream bonnet ; Mrs 11. Lyon, in handsome dark gown and vest with pretty bonnet ; Mrs McTavish, in pretty brown costume, and bonnet lo match ; iu.iss Halse, in a dark green costume and dark hat ; Mrs Tregear,in a handsome black silk crepon, and small jet bonnet with white

osprey Miss Brandon, in handsome velvet cape and pretty bonnet; Miss Joseph, in black skirt, with very handsome blouse of apricot glace silk ; Lady Douglas, in black with pretty jet bonnet trimmed with mauve ; Mrs Humphries, in black with a pretty black and white bonnet ; Mrs and Miss Quick, the latter in pretty black gown with blue cuirass bodice ; Mrs Anson, in dark gown wit’ pretty bonnet almost entirely -composed if roses ; Mrs E. W. Mills, in handsome black gown and bonnet; Mrs Leckie, in black gowrn, pretty black lace mantle and black bonnet; Mrs E, Brown, in small velvet cape and picture hat ,• Mrs Stafford, in dark green dress and bonnet ; Miss Stafford, in light gown and becoming fawn hat ; Mrs Hales, in brown dress w'itli handsome sleeves of two shades of brown brocade ; Mrs Baldwin, in dark coat and skirt, with pretty hat with green velvet bows ; Mrs Samuel had an extremely effective gown of green shot with mauve, also a very stylish hat. There were too many others to particularise.

Tire ladles who had the tea stall did a very active business, and as their tea and cakes were both most excellent, they were largely patronised. 9 lone.