TEA TABLE TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1315, 13 May 1897, Page 15

TEA TABLE TOPICS.

Wellington, May 11. No one ought to complain of Wellington weather during the autumn, it has been simply perfect lately, and cyclists as well as the rest of the world seem to have been taking full advantage of the beautiful sunny quiet days judging from the number one sees wheeling about in all directions at all times. A cyclist friend of mine was smiling somewhat wrathfully over the new regulations proposed by the City Fathers. It seems that in Wellington expresses and carts are nearly always on their wrong side, particularly when coming round corners, and the drivers have a strong objection to moving for cycle riders, masculine or feminine, and if cyclists must pass vehicles when meeting on the left they will be obliged to go in the gutter, or on the footpath. If the “ powers that be ” will insist on the express drivers keeping to the rules. .of the road, there will be fewer complaints. It seems a pity that a bad name should be given to cyclists by the callow youthful “ scorchers ” who have not sense to chose a suitable time and place for their trials of speed, and who startle and annoy other people with selfish heedlessness. Unfortunately there are so many of them that they make an appreciable difference in the comforts of the world in general.

I Mrs O’Connor gave a large and extremely pleasant afternoon tea last Wednesday at her residence, Fountain Hall, in Ghuznee street. Her table was tastefully decorated with tall glasses of white and yellow chrysanthemums, and there was a beautiful show of the same flowers in the garden. Mrs O’Connor received in a very handsome black brocaded gown, trimmed with jet and cream laces. Miss O’Connor wore a pretty pale blue silk blouse and black skirt; Mrs Biss, a fawn costume, anfl Miss Scully a black and white silk blouse with jet ornaments. Both these ladies were assisting Mrs O’Connor to entertain her guests. Mrs Tweed -looked well in a black and white striped silk gown ; Mrs Martin, a black gown and black and white hat Mrs Ewart, black serge and a becoming toque; MrsLongden, a stylish crimson and black costume and hat to match ; Mrs Gavin, a pretty nut-brown cloth gown and black and cream bonnet; Mrs Grace, stylish green and black gown and jetted bonnet to match; Mrs Rhodes, black brocade with bolero of tan guipure, bonnet finished with violets, jet and lace ; Mrs Worry, becoming velvet bonnet with touches of

pink and a white aigrette, dark brown costume and sealette cape ; Mrs Butts, black and white costume and bonnet; Mrs Barron, smart tweed costume and black bonnet; Mrs J. Gray, fawn tweed costume, black velvet picture hat; Mrs Macintosh, steel-grey costume and bonnet to match ; Mrs Trimnell wore a black costume and bonnet; Miss Trimnell, dark blue gown and becoming velvet picture hat; Miss Campbell, smart tailor gown and brown and fawn hat; Miss Coleridge, navy blue costume and pretty cream hat; Miss Butts, neat dark green cloth costume braided with black, velvet toqua ; Miss AVhitelaw (Auckland), navy blue costume, and stylish black and crimson hat ; Mrs Litchfield, pretty mauve and yellow costume with yellow chiffon ruffles, and a bonnet en suite ; Mr A. Brandon, light brown costume and hat; Miss Kebbel, navy blue costume and velvet toque with scarlet geranium; Mrs White, pretty brown dress and hat. Also, Mesdames

Symons Rawson, Higginson, Tuekey, Nathan, Reid, McTavish, &c., and Misses Barron, Brandon, Tuekey, Dransfield and many others. Another fortnightly assembly passed off very successfully last Wednesday. There I was a considerable majority of gentlemen * present, which no doubt added to the enjoyment of the ladies, though it is doubtful if the gentlemen appreciated it so much. Miss Gibson wore dark green velvet finished with cream lace ; Miss Whitelaw (Auckland), pretty white silk, with chiffon sleeves and lilies of the valley ; Miss Hoare (Christchurch), cream and pale blue brocede finished with lace ; Miss Cotter (Auckland), pink veiling and lace ; Miss Simpson, pretty cream satin gown ; Miss Stafford, crimson evening blouse and black skirt ; Miss Tuekey, cream silk and lace ; Miss Fancourt, pale green silk ; Miss M. Fancourt, mauve brocade : Miss Reeves, black silk finished with yellow; Miss Hesketh (Auckland), white muslin with scarlet ribbons ; also Misses Holmes, Cuff, Stuart, &c., and Messrs Tripe (2), Reid (2), Stubbs, Broad, Pasley, Lewis (2), Pearce, Holmes, Coney and many more.

Mrs Plales gave a nice euchre party last Friday in honour of some of the Auckland ladies who are staying here just now. Mrs Hales wore a stylish black brocaded dress with cream satin and black lace trimmings ; Miss Simpson looked well in pink velvet; Miss M. Whitelaw, (Auckland) pink striped silk finished with cream lace ; Misses Logan, pretty white gowns ; Miss Cotter, (Auckland) cream, with white lace; Miss Wilson, pink blouse and black velvet skirt ; Miss E. Davy, white muslin with frills of Valenciennes lace ; Miss Campbell, yellow silk blouse and velvet skirt; Misses Stuart, Bendall and others, also Messrs J. E. Smith Young, Hume, Blair, Howard, Galbraith, &c.

Mrs Medley gave a small, but very pleasant afternoon tea last week.

Mrs Waters (Karori) gave a nice afternoon tea last week. Among the guests were Mcsdamcs Dyer, F. Dyer, Beauchamp and others.

The engagement of Miss May Macdonald, niece of Mrs Kebbel, of Fitzherbert Terrace, to Mr Henshaw, of Bulls, is announced.

I hear that the presentations at the various “ drawing-rooms ” are to be limited just as far as it is possible to limit them this year. I suppose Her Majesty and the Princess of Wales will both have as much as they can do to receive those whom it is absolutely necessary to be presented. The Record Reign will bring such a large number of important people to London, and naturally as many as possible will take the opportunity of making their bow (or curtsey) at Court. No doubt some lovely and gorgeous costumes will be worn, and the shopkeeping and dressmaking world will rejoice over and above the rest of the world.

The latest definition of a lover I have heard is, “A man who will clean your bicycle 1 ” No doubt the Wellington lady cyclist would appreciate an attention of this sort as well as American or English girls, so there is a chance for colonial young men to express their devotion.

Miss Rose and her brother Mr J. Rose have returned from a long trip to Rotorua.

Miss N. Cotterill left for Napier last Thursday,

Miss Heskefh returned to Auckland last Thursday, after paying a long visit to Mrs D. T. Stewart.

Mrs Tripe has gone to Christchurch for a trip.

Miss Hoare (Christchurch) is staying with Mrs R. M. Simpson at present.

Miss Handyside is staying with Mrs Miles.

I hear rumours of a ball —a fancy dre.ss ball too. I do hope it is a truthful rumour. We want shaking up from on “ dull dead level” which we have arrived 1 ’ at very badly indeed, and a large ball would be tho very thing to set us going. I ONE.

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