LADIES' TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 11

LADIES' TOPICS.

[Edited by Erie.)

Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. We had a week of most undependable weather, when pessimists had a royal innings re harvest matters. But Saturday came out well for the races, and barring enough wind to raise some dust, it was ideal race weather. Quite early there was an air of flutter, and general best bib-and-tucker look in the streets, and carriages full of happy-looking folks, who, like John Gilpin’s family, “ were all agog to be on pleasure bound.”

There was a large gathering of “rank and fashion,” and numbers of pretty toilettes this year on the race course. The bright shades which are so much worn by ladies, made a most brilliant and picturesque effect upon the ground. Amongst those who were there were Mrs Arthur Pearce, wearing a very becoming and dressy blouse of crushed strawberrycoloured silk trimmed with cream lace, black skirt and black and white hat. Mrs Collins wore a black and white blouse which was very stylish, and a black skirt, a very pretty black and white hat; Mrs Teece (Melbourne) had a beautiful white pique coat and skirt, with, a green hat trimmed with red; Mrs H. Crawford wore a stylish costume of red and black with a pretty toque of the same colour ; Mrs C. Pearce was wearing a black coat and skirt, and a black and white hat ; Miss O’Connor had an extremely well made and pretty dress of Gobelin blue, beautifully braided. «It had a 16th century yoke of cream satin trimmed with soft ruchings of chiffon, a while picture hat trimmed with pink roses.

Mrs Martin Kennedy was wearing a handsome black dress trimmed prettily, and a jet bonnet with blue trimmings. Miss Kennedy wore a beautiful gown ci soft white muslin and a becoming wlme hat with yellow roses. Miss Eily O'Connor had a lovely white embroidered dress, and a-' pretty white hat trim.m d viri' yellow banksia Mrs Biss wore a very nice white gownland a most becoming black lace hat trimmed with pink rumbling roses. Mrs Macarthy had a ovely white muslin dress, and green corslet belt. A most becoming picture i.iii-fc trimmed with Nile green silk.

Mrs Paul Hunter was wearing a handsome gown of cornflower bine, and stylish black hat, Mrs Baldwin wore a a er.\ pretty white dress, and Mrs i.i.c. ae.u had an unusually new style of blur cl.-esi and a bonnet to match. Mrs Friedlande; (Ashburton) wore a striking and handsome dark green gown, with a full pink chiffon front embroidered with chenille. A round hat trimmed with rose silk veiled with black lace. Mrs H. D. Bell had r most stylish grey coat and skirt, and a very dressy white chiffon hat trimmed with pink. Miss Bell was very prettily dressed all in white. The Misses John - ston wore white muslin dresses and hats Miss Gore wore a very pretty costume of maize muslin contrasted with red which was most stylish and effective, and a red hat. Miss Dransfield wore a handsome white muslin dress over blue, and r pretty hat to match.

Miss Harcourt was becomingly gowned in white muslin and a stylish white hat Mrs T. Rose was wearing a steel grey gown and black lace cape, and a pretty black bonnet. Miss Evelyn Rose had V navy blue coat and skirt with cream satin and lace revers, pretty white hat. Miss A. Brandon wore a stylish black and white costume, and a pretty black and white hat. Mrs Tilly had a white costume, and a lovely hat trimmed with yellow. ffkgjrefl a beautiful

navy blue coat and skirt trimmed with silver, a front of turquoise blue chiffon, and a stylish hat of blue straw trimmed to match. Mrs Ed. Bunny wore a blue coat and skirt, and a pretty hat to correspond. The Misses Izard were costumed in pretty white pique dresses. Miss Fisher wore a most becoming brown dress with a stylish hat trimmed with yellow. Miss Hutchinson had a lovely cream silk dress with insertion over pink, and a pretty cream hat,

Altogether the races went off socially, very brightly and well, While no one, as far as we heard, won very much, yet no one was depressed and unhappy by their losses,

The members of the Lady Ranfurly Druids’ Lodge, and their friends, held a social in Thomas’ Hall on the evening of Anniversary Day. The room was very elaborately decorated with many flags and ferns, whidh had a pretty, ccol effect. In the centre of the proscenium was a design of a venerable Druid’s head in white, with the inscription, “Lady Ranfurly Lodge, U.A.0.D., United to assist.” This was very nicely executed upon a dark green background, and formed a handsome ornamentation. The officers and committee had taken much trouble with all the arrangements, and everything was done for the comfort of the guests, and to make the social go off well. The room was very full, and doubtlss the affair will prove a financial success. It was, however, too hot foi much energetic dancing, and people were tired after their day’s holiday.

It is a subject of much regret that at these public socials it is the custom lor parents to let their daughters, who are quite children, go, and in every respect assume the ways and manners of grownup women. It must have a bad effect upon the character of the children, and is a source of discomfort to the adults. Several times we have had occasion to call attention to this subject, and we are sorry our remarks have hitherto been without any useful effect.

The following are a few of those present: —Mrs Lennox had a pretty cream gown; Miss Carmichael wore a soft white muslin gown; Mrs Dryden had a handsome yellow and black dress; Miss Benge was wearing a pretty white muslin ; Mrs Buck wore a handsome dress of terracotta silk; Mrs Fischer’s dress was a pretty white silk; Mrs Jollv wore a black dress trimmed with lace; Mrs Harlen was dressed in a handsome white silk ; Mrs Watson wore a beautiful gown of black satin and jet trimmings; Mrs Carmichael was wearing a handsome black brocaded silk dress ; Mrs E. Wilson wore a beautiful gown of pale blue satin trimmed with pink; Mrs Campbell had a maroon brocaded gown; Miss Campbell wore a very pretty white cachemere dress; Miss Player was prettily dressed in cream ; Mrs Clark wore a handsome black satin dress; Miss Riddick had a black velvet dress with red silk sleeves : Mrs Jacobs (Treasurer) had (ru pretty black dress; Mrs Geary (Sec.) wore cream muslin; Mrs Murray (A.D.) was wearing a lemon-coloured gown ; Miss E. Whale wore soft while muslin: Miss A Whale had a pretty white dress; Miss Jacobs was dressed in a pretty cream dress; Mrs Macarthy wore a Druidical robe of green silk; Miss A. Jacobs wore white gown; Mrs Short had a ha ml some dress of black brocaded silk; Miss Crawford had a pretty white dress; Mrs Quarrio also wore white. Brother Harlen (Pacific) had the management of the Social, and he and his assistants are to be congratulated upon the success with which it went off.

On Friday evening our neighbours at Island Bay were made very happy by having tlieir first organ recital and sacred concert in the church roor.i. It was most ably arranged and carried out by Mr Parker, who is taking a holiday and much needed rest at the Bey. Mr Spackman, Mr Pring’e. and M- .T-c’ s n took the trouble to g * out •• i did helped with the concert. The-- w • leal their trouble is rewarde ( by the measure and hearty appreciation their music gave. Mr Porker has a wonderful talent for getting all the music there is out of any instrument he has to play. The Dresden Company’s organ (sent out for the occasion) sounded well in the new church room. The little choir, much helped by friends, and kindly coached by Mr Parker, sang two anthems. The collection, in aid of the church building fund, was extremely good. The engagement of Mr Ashcroft junr., to Miss Maud Russell, of Christchurch, is announced. The friends of Mr Maxwell will be glad to hear he has returned from his trip to England, improved in health.

Cyclists really do go an for all the comforts and luxuries they can compass. A nicely knitted saddle .cover of double Berlin wool, of the same shades as the “Bike” is found to prevent the clothes from getting shiny. This “ cover ”is secured by a cord and tassels tied on underneath, and is found to be very nice and comfortable as well as useful.

When accounts reach us of the as tonishing, vagaries of some of the ad vanced faddy scientists, one is tempteto say as Festus did of old to St. Pai, “ Much learning hath made thee mad. The particular fad which has just struc. us all of a heap we will describe, an most of our friends will join us in hopin the followers of this craze will not wail to emigrate. If they do, it will he quit justifiable to ask the Government to pu them in the list of “ Undesirable Emi grants.” This society is formed in ai gravity and solemnity, and has a wondei ful name combining in each syllable th> various aims and meanings of their guile Last and by no means least, they ha\ a fund for carrying out their ideas am spreading them by means of lectures, &i This section of scientific men have, in tb course of their researches, found that : great deal of most excellent and nourish mg food which providence provides i wasted and ignored. In all good fait! they have / experimentalised in cookin many of these unjustly despised food. House snails are well to the fore in th. strange list of dishes. They are cooke: j as a “ most delicious soup,”* also frie in bread crumbs, “ when they ar superior to any oysters,” also made int a clear delicate jelly, which it is affirme. “ is easily digested and nourishing !”

One more item from this list of dainty dishes will he more novel than useful Small steaks of rat, grilled and serve: with “wood-lice” sauce, are very highh eulogised, and recommended ! It is : cry that is frequently wailed by th worried housekeeper, of wherewithal t vary tho monotonous dinner of beef an: mutton. We suggest that the aforesaii worried ones should turn enterprising and try some of this “ignored and waste: food.” Eh?

Lord Kitchener, the man of the time made his headquarters in Belgrav< square, at the house of his old friend M Pandelli Ralli, while he was in London The civilians in society are at a dstinc discount this season. Quite a well known growl is “ that every second ma: you meet is an Omdurman hero.” W are told that these returned heroes ai irritable at the frequent mispronouncin of the names Fashoda and Omdurmai The first syllable of these now famoi places is to bo strongly emphasised. B. common consent the British public too to putting the stress on the second sy’ iabie, and it is hard to get out of a habit Doubtless it will he speedily set righ now.

The Dean of Canterbury (Dr Farrar has been presiding at a meeting at wliic l Mrs Bramwell Booth spoke upon th work being done by the Salvation Army At tho end of the meeting the Dean (win has the courage of liis opinions) said “ The Army is trying to alleviate the con dition of the most wretched members o society. I wish they may prosper.”

“ Gentility ” is dying out, says an Eng lisli paper, and so much the better fo everyone. The effort to be genteel, was if you call a spade a spade, nothing les than a dishonest attempt to appear whsyou are not. Now that it is not infra di ; for girls to go into the kitchen and coo if necessary, or help to tidy the house they are happier, and the work is bette done.

A new industry has been invented b a Mrs Wilmering, one of the " orea ladies” of New York. It is called visiting manager and general provider o households.” If this functionary is en gaged, she will arrange luncheons, en gage servants, superintend sirring e’ean ings, ill fact run the house without an; trouble to the mistress. From tm humble house to the grandest establish mono this supervision is undertaken b; competent employees of the head office who are responsible for all their supervisors do. In eases of illness of the wift or death also, it would often be a boon tc a man with a family to be able to put hi: establishment into capable hands of thi. sort without any personal trouble.

When the Emperor of Germany was ir. Palestine lie seems to have ferreted out a lot of odd abuses and bans of variou: degrees, and with characteristic pertinacity worried everybody from the Snitai downwards till he got things rifihted For three hundred veers the use of belli had baen f. rVdder, to Christian Churchc. in the ll',tv Land. Alter much nalave on both skßs. the Fmpo -e- had the sate faction of hearing the bolls rung in th: new chu ch, and it <3 safely arrange:' with the Sultan that the authorities have full permission to ring them a much as they like ever after. Wilhelm deserves another pat 0:1 Li . back.

The new Viceroy has issued a thousand invitation cards at Simla for one party. Lord and Lady Curzon evidently are going to entertain very largely in India, and the Calcutta people are rejoicing.

Miss Fanny, daughter of Mr Joseph Barrett, of Woodville, was married to Mr C. J. Hodges, of Kaiwarra, on Wednesday.

A presentation has been made to Miss Ross, a valued soprano of St. Peter's Church Choir, by the other members, in honour oi her approaching marriage In making the presentation Dr Fyffe read a letter thanking Miss Ross for her services m the past, and wishing her every happiness in the future. Articles of table furniture in oak and silver form the present •A? JA t v£® Btin J: Personality has paid a visit to this office Viz., Mrs C. M. McGahey, of New Plymouth, who came in expressing a wish to see the linotype machines at work. Our visitor on being escorted over the office expressed delight with everything she saw. Her visit to W 1 - lmgton is a revelation to her, seeing that she has resided m New Plymouth for 57 years without ever leaving the place until her present excursion to Wellington.