WELLINGTON TABLE TALK

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1533, 18 July 1901, Page 19

WELLINGTON TABLE TALK

(By ERIE.)

We should be very sorry if our City Fathers think we have forgotten them. jFar from it. So long as <sur streets and footpaths are in such a state of mud end' puddle, the women of Wellington hold them in perpetual remembrance. We of the town have got used to it* and don’t often break out into warm abuse when our boots and skirts are ruined, but our country sisters, who are accustomed to decently kept rural streets and roads, wax almost blasphemous anent these city pathways. -* * * it * It would be an economy of adjectives if we knew whom to vituperate. From his Worship down to the scavengers, all get a share in the mystery which keeps us in ignorance of the true culprit. It’s an expensive journey on a “soft” day for a decently dressed woman to go from the corner of Bowen street to Lindsay’s corner. Anyone who can navigate all the holes (full of water) in the broken concrete or asphalt without ruin to boots and skirts must have more skill and patience than falls to the lot of any ordinary Woman. Yet this bit is the highway that leads to everywhere. If there is any chivalry in these city potentates, our piteous plaint should stir them to take immediate action. * * * * * An American gentleman who was passing through our town, was filled with amazement. at the state of the streets. He remarked, f ‘our United States women are never obliged to endure such walking, but if they were, they would combine to make it so unpleasant for the men responsible for such discomfort, that they would be glad to alter it as quickly as possible.” It may be we shall have to take this hint? *-***«• If the Referendum is as dreary, difficult and dull in practice as it has been in debate, by all means don’t let us have it. The many clauses and sub-clauses seemed so 'many brain twisters which the lawyers ? inade pegs of to talk and talk in a very dreary, uninteresting manner. Some others have made them the excuse for rather rude sayings. So far as the ladies’ gallery is concerned we are quite willing to make Kruger a pre_ sent of the Bill, and let him worry with it. * * O w. The Nurses Registration Bill is hailed with delight. It will be such a protection against the many and various women who simply get into a uniform and announce that they are nurses. At present they are not obliged to produce credentials of training or education for the position. This registration law will change all that, and will be a very comfortable reform. ***** Miss Coates gave a very large At Horn® on Thursday afternoon at her residence, Hobson street, Miss Coates •received in a handsome gown of electric blue voile, with white silk em- • broidery. \ Miss Nelson, who is nieoa to Miss Coates, wore a pretty pink silk blouse and black satin skirt. Mrs Seddon wore handsome black dress and jet bonnet, with osprey. Lady Ward had a black braided panne gown and jet toque turned up at the side with plumes. Mrs A. de B Brandon wore a black gown with tucked bodice, and hat with feathers. * • > Mrs Duncan had a black gown and bonnet with heliotrope trimmings. Mrs H. D. Crawford wore a very becoming violet cloth costume with Paisley , panne vest and undersleeves, and fur c toque with violets. Mrs Hislop had a black tailor-made gown with cream vest, and black and white - bonnet. . Mrs Barron wore a myrtle green , cloth dress, and pretty bonnet. Mrs Herries (Bay of Plenty) wore a very stylish dress of brown biege trimmed with orange velvet and a toque to match. Mrs Buchanan had a bright blue cloth

Miss Seddon had a black dress with white satin tucked front. Miss May Seddon had a black tailormade costume with white tucked silk collar and vest, and large black hat. Mrs F. Dyer, black Eton coat and skirt with whit© front, and black hat with roses. Mrs Stott wore a black and cream oos_ tume and toque trimmed with pale blue velvet. Miss Douglas, black dress with white tucked silk yoke and collar and black hat. Miss Duncan had a pretty black Eton costume with white silk front. Mrs Moorhouse wore a handsome black costume with white revers, and pretty toque with feathers. Miss Williams (Dunedin) had a very stylish black costume with jeii trimming. Mrs Tolhurst wore a black silk dress and bonnet with white chou. Miss Higginson had a pretty brown dress, with panne trimmings. Miss E. Williams wore a stylish white serge gown. Miss N. Reid had a black coat and skirt, and bonnet trimmed with pink. Miss Reid, Eton coat and white tucked front, and bla'Ck toque. Mrs Kane wore a grey costume with cream lace revers and vest. Miss Harcourt, black costume with grey revers. Mrs Parfitt wore a brown dress with cream front. Mrs Embling had a handsome black dress and hat with plumes. Mrs Butler were a purple brocade skirt;, and velvet jacket, large green satin hat with choux of pale blue chiffon. Mrs Balcombe Brown had a black dress with jet trimmings. Mrs Wallis wore a stylish brown dress. Mrs T. Yeung had a navy blue costume and toque with cream roses. Mrs Wickham wore a black dress and hat trimmed with plumes. Miss Rose had a black coat and skirt, cream tucked front, and hat with feathers. Mrs Mantell, fawn jacket and black toque. ***«*' Tea -was very charmingly laid in the dining-room. The table was lighted by candles in liigl* silver candlesticks, with primrose shades. The decorations were pink camellias m silver bowls. ***** There was an excellent band stationed at the top of the stairs. A very amusing fortune teller had a mysterious looking alcove at th e foot of the stairs. Needless, to remark, he was kept extremely busy, as his predictions seemed to give great satisfaction. It is only in theory that we, in this superior age, are entirely above superstition. The less we say of our practice the better. * * * * * * Mrs Judge Williams has been staying as Miss Malcolm’s, and she wears a very smart grey tailor-made gown with black toque and chinchilla furs. * » * * * Miss Lambert leaves on Saturday for a trip to Sydney. ****** Mrs Gilruth has returned from her visit to Auckland. ***** Mrs Duncan has come back from li e r visit to Australia in very improved health. Miss Nelson (Auckland), *is on a visit to her aunt, Miss Coates. «*<►**» Mrs Farmer gave a very nice eat home on Thursday afternoon at her residence, Cranmore. Mrs Farmer wore a handsomely braided black dress with tucked silk and lace front. Miss Kissling (Auckland), wore a navy dress with pale blue trimmings. Miss Jeff coat (Dunedin), had a black costume and hat. Mrs Foster (Hutt), wore a black coat and skirt and bonnet with white plumes. Miss Foster had a pretty dark costume and hat. Miss Ross (Hutt), wore a navy and pale blue costume, pale blue velvet toque. Mrs R. Wood had a black dress with pink front with violets, and black bat. Mrs F. Dyer bad a pretty Eton costume with black satin and cream front and large hat with red roses. Miss Heywood had a brown dress with pale blue front, black hat. Mrs Tregear wore a black and white costume, and violet toque. Miss Tregear had a pretty dress piped with pale blue. Mrs McKerrow had a navy blue coat and skirt, and sables, toque with violets. Miss McKerrow wore a black dress and green hat trimmed with violets. Mrs W. Kennedy hacß a black and white costume. Mrs Ewen, navy blue tailor-made costume and large black hat trimmed with

Mrs Fitchett wor© a pretty ros® pimk dress with tucked silk front, and toque with cream trimmings.

The tea table was extremely .pretty with yellow mimosa and a great variety of delicious sweets.

On Friday Mrs Miles gave an afternoon tea which was very pleasant. Mrs Miles wore a black satin dress with tucked yoke of mauve silk. Th© tea table was decorated with yellow wattle, Amongst those present were Mesdames Brandon, Tweed, Handyside (Akiteo), Morrin, Cruickshank (Auckland), Nelson, Buchanan, Nathan, Martin, Kane, Butt, Findlay, Fittchefc Mil ward, W. Kennedy, Wal degrave, Simpson, N. Reid, Fulton, Stafford, McKerrow, Knight, Beauchamp, Dean, Ewen, Biss, Wickham, Tripe, Ross, Misses Handyside (2), Rose, Reid, Hislop, Coates, Williams (Dunedin), Kane, Simpson, Rowlands, Holmes, McKerrow, Rutherford and others. Mrs Handyside, who has a rich contralto voice, sang twice. Mrs Greenwood also sang, and Mrs M. Ross gave a recitation. * * * * *

Mrs Wallis gave her usual large at home during the sitting of the Synod. It was held in the Sydney street SchcoL room, which was very prettily decorated with wattle. Big, fcheerful fires blazed in the fire places, and it was a very cosy, warmdooking room to walk into on such a raw, cold afternoon. Th® stage was made colnfortable with seats, etc., and a band played at intervals. A very nice tea was served from one cf the side rooms.

The Bishop and Mrs Wallis received at the door near the entrance. Mrs Wallis wore a very pretty steel grey silk dress with white collar and front, and carried a lovely shower bouquet of yellow flowers tied with heliotrope ribbons, which was presented to her by the members of the Synod. • * » * *

The room soon became very full, and it was a very pleasant and animated scene. Old parishoners, who had not met for years, her© encountered each other, and the greetings were very friendly and warm. Amongst thos® present, besides the clergy of the Diocese, were: Mrs and Miss Seddon, Captain Russell, Archdeacons Fancourt, Twogood and McLean, Mr and Mrs Anderson, Mr and Mrs Henry Blundell, Mr and Mrs Kyell, Mr and Mrs P. Webb, Mrs and Misses J. E. Smith, Mrs and Misses Blackett, Miss Kreeft, Mrs Redward, Mr and Mrs F. Barraud, Mr and Mrs Bothamley, Mrs (Col.) Collins, Captain and Mrs Henderson, Mr and Miss Wyett, Mrs and Misses Richmond, Mrs and Miss Powles, Mr and Mrs M. Rich- - mond, Mrs Morrison, Mrs and Miss Sprott, Mr and Mrs Stowe, Miss Greenwood, Mr, Mrs and Miss Mason, Mrs and Miss Williams, Mrs Rhodes, Mrs Bean, Mr and Mrs Beauchamp, Mrs and Miss Johnston, Mr and Miss Elliot, Lady and Miss Hector, Mr and Mrs Mihvard, Professor and Mrs Easterfield, Professor and Mrs Brown, Mr Booker (America), Mrs Dove, Mrs Anson, Mr and Mrs Roscoe, Mr and Mrs Lowe, Mrs Miles, Mr and Mrs F. Dyer, Mrs Dyer, Miss Holmes, Hon. Mr and Mrs Butler, Mrs and Miss Hislop, Mr and Mrs Dean, Mr and Mrs E. Anderson, Mr and Mrs Wilberfoss, Mrs and Misses Butts, Hon. Mr and Mrs Arkwright, Mr and Mrs Birch, Misses Douglas (2), Miss Foster, Misses Brandon, Mrs and Misses Higginson, Mrs Kebbell, Mr and Miss Ashcroft, Mr and MrsD. Nathan, Mr and Miss Harcourt, and others too numerous to remember.

The Wellington Tennis Club had their annual dance on Friday evening in the Sydney street room. Amongst the chaperons were Mrs (Dr) Faulke, Mrs Blundell and Mrs Zohrab. Miss Vera McDonald and Miss Mabel Mee were debutants, and had extremely pretty dresses of white silk. The supper table looked very nice, with simple green and white decorations, and abundance of choice delicacies. Amongst those present were Misses Blundell, McGregor, Barron, Pownall, Morsehead, Barber, Koch, Pearson, ®Bendall, Holmwood, Messrs Bethuen, Robertson, Bendall, Somerville, McDonald, Reid, and others. Miss Chrissie Smith played an excellent extra. Minifie’s Band was capital as to time and spirit. * * * *

Some lucky people wlio got on board the Ophir when she was here, saw many things which were new and beautiful. The cover spread on the Duchess’s bed was ajreal “thing of beauty.” It was of the palest green satin, of very generous proportions, and covered all over with a veil of fine white honiton lace. It had the Duchess’s monogram in the centre, and a lovely rose pattern all over it, with magnificent border of sprays -of roses. To most women even a sight of such a perfect dream in lace is refreshing. # * * *

At the Golf Tournament, last week the two prizese won bv Misses Higginson and Fitzherbert were sweet little clocks, which were so dainty and pretty that the winners were greatly envied their possessions. Miss Isabel Fitzherbert won the putting prize of 12 golf balls. *-# * * >

The new drawing-room game of “bags” is great fun and players get very enthusiastic over it. It is necessary to have a * board about two feet square, with a round hole in one corner and a square one in the other. Have eight bags of brown hclland or ticking

These bag® should vary in weight from half to three-quarters of a pound. Th® skill comes in in throwing them either into one hole on the other, at a distance of about twelve feet, and they count at different values. It is a game that comes in so usefully these winter evenings that I have given the description at length. I shall be happy to explain the counting if any of our readers wish it.

Mr and Mrs Caccia Birch (Erewhon) are in town for a visit and are staying at Searl’s Hotel.. « •

t e Miss Jean Wilson (Bulls) is also at Searl’s Hotel.

* ft . ® ft , ft Great preparations ar© being mad© for the Licensed Victualler’s Ball, to b© held on the 24th inst.

The engagement is announced of Mr Charles Hioms, manager of the “New Zealand Times” Co., to Miss Millv Knowles, only daughter of Mr E. W. Knowles, editor and proprietor of th® ‘Telegraph,” Napier.

Mrs T. Ward has issued invitations for an At Home on Friday 19th at her residence, “Wyndecliffe.”

The Newtown Bowling Club’s annual social is announced to take place on the 24th inst.