WELLINGTON TABLE TALK

New Zealand Mail, 29 January 1902, Page 19

WELLINGTON TABLE TALK

(BY ERIE.)

There is no such thing as a ‘‘dull season” in our Empire City. The influx of visitors to the races and the numberless friends and relations of the contingent boys have filled all the hotels to i overflowing. *****

We had to bow to the inevitable as to weather the first two days of the races, but Saturday was a generous making up for the miserable days of che first part of the week. How all the

trains were filled to overflowing, and | how the prettiest of the lovely costumes I came forth from their wardrobes and I were displayed and enjoyed to the full! | Many of them are far beyond being | mere dresses; they are works of art, i a: ' ( l their softly falling draperies and p, exquisite colourings must even appeal p to the obtuse perceptions of the mascuIS line world.

Women don’t openly and rudely walk | round each other admiring and appreI mating each other’s pretty gowns; but [. tlle feminine talent of using the ‘cor- [ ners of their eyes” is exercised with much success, and we enjoy some of the deliciously beautiful dresses as | we should lovely pictures or carvings. This season, artistic knowledge and feeling are displayed in matters of toilette I more than ever they have been, and the P result is perfection. As to the races | ttieimelres, they were very ordinary—- | nothing sensational in any respect; nei- | ther w ' ere there any “tote divvys” of covetable proportions. The women’s | 7 e ™ct> ‘‘Just clearing one’s expenses,” | ! s ver - v tamc > unexciting and disappoint-

* * * « ■ S . Among some of the effective dresses 1 w - Johnston’s white foulard ! ", IUI black sprays, and a black hat with | J“™ es ’ aad Airs Bell’s grey foulard and I *Au “ ab with mauve trimmings. | ~ p Be “ a white silk lustre, I i_i Eton coat embroidered with silver, - flow sunburnb straw hat with many Mrs Seddon wore a black and white ?' k s , strapped with black, and a s® black hat and lace scarf. , , !Sa Seddon wore a black skirt, and Af A u t e sdk W° use an d white hat. , , rs "• Johnston had a lovely floral flowers de S ° ie gOWn ’ and hat with P ink , A1 ‘ C ° •Jolmston had a cream with n Sk \ rt an , d whito blouse, and hat i black and white feathers. canS Z °° J ? h , nston wore a cream S L S ° W u ’ Wlth P ink belt and bows, a 'id lace collar and floral hat. nimVfi ° ns Johnston had a white M^w S ’i> an / bat with pink roses, very ,3;, Bld wi ll (Wairarapa) had a ; toque. 1 tty W ute dress aud mauve dress' wfth’ Crav ' ford 1 had a pastel blue lovely embroidery. C<C ° Vered with *®Br a S r w Co l lin ® had a stylish white M and black picture hat. Pretty ' vore a black skirt and Haas * gown. ® cudy wore a dressy cream Oxford f' d^?a ed , h ? d a cor:ded dress of * Pretty Eton jSf WUeS ’ made with 1 Obstuine oorb °us:e wore a stylish grey timing I jS d h kad a b,ack dres s and be-

Miss Barnett had a dress of an exquisite shade of grey voile, with lace medallions threaded with black velvet. Miss Brandon wore a very pretty blue voile dress, with lace undersleeves ard trimmings, and a sunburnt hat with blue, silk choux and lace wings. Miss A. Brandon wore a stylish black costume, with tucked Eton coat and cream collar, and a pink and black hat. Miss Izard had a cream serge dress, and hat with black feathers. Miss F. Rattray (Dunedin) had a blue linen coat and skirt and black hat. Miss Skerrett wore a soft cream canvas gown trimmed with lace, and a hat with yellow flowers. Mrs H. D. Crawford had a pretty white costume, and liat trimmed with red roses. Miss Dransfield wore a white dress with heliotrope and lace trimmings, and : a floral hat. i Mrs Morison had a pale blue blouse i and black skirt, and large black hat. 1 Mrs (Dr) Rawson wore a navy blue , tucked dress and black hat with plumes. 1 Miss V. Rawson had a very pretty I white costume, and yellow hat turned j back with roses. Miss Gore wore a white, silk dress ! with lace insertions, and pretty hat. j Miss A. Fitzherbert wore a turquoise blue costume.

. Mrs Perry had a pale green foulard silk, with bands and velvet. Mrs Pearson had a stylish coat and skirt and feather boa.

Mrs Wilford wore a white costume and black hat.

Mrs lan Duncan had a pretty blue linen dress and black hat.

Lady Clifford (Christchurch) had a striking gown of deep rose freize, trimmed with lace and velvet, and black hat.

Mrs Benjamin wore a pretty brown voile dress, with lace and velvet. Miss Howitz (Mrs Benjamin’s niece) had a blue voile gown which was exceedingly pretty, and a hat with pink roses.

Mrs Turnbull had a stylish gown of black and white striped silk, with white liat with blue bows. Mrs Baldwin wore a black skirt and white silk blouse, and large black hat. Mrs C. Pearce wore a very stylish dress of blue linen.

Miss Fraser had a pretty pale blue muslin dress and large liat.

Miss Harcourt wore a cream dress and black hat.

Some very pretty toilettes were worn by members of the Pollards, who were present at the races, also some of Dix’s artistes. • 3 * • *

Sir George Clifford, Mr Stead, Mr Pollard, and many visitors from the south came up for the races. The Premier was a visitor on Saturday. * * * * •

A splendid luncheon was given on board the troopship Surrey on Friday, to which a large number of prominent men were invited. The table had lovely floral decorations, including a clever-ly-arranged Union Jack. Mr Owen Cox, the representative of the Federal Steam Navigation Company, to whom the Surrey belongs, presided, and after the excellent lunch had been enjoyed, some very interesting speeches were made.

Mr Owen Cox also entertained a large number of ladies and gentlemen on Saturday afternoon to tea. The vessel was beautifully covered in and decorated with red, white and blue draperies and flags. A good band played on deck, and a beautifully arranged tea was laid in “the men’s quarters.” Every delicacy was awaiting the guests, who very pluckily descended those steep, questionable companion stairs. Strawberries and cream and iced claret cup were in great request, for the atmosphere down there was indeed sultry. Lovely bouquets and wreaths of flowers made the tables look cool and gay amidst the array of dainty cakes and creams and sandwiches and tea and coffee and bon-bons. There were a good many khaki officers, taking much interest in the arrangements for their men, and last, but not least, for their horses. There were some mothers who went to see the ship that was to take away their boys, and one felt indeed sorry for them; it made them fully realise that the final separation was near. *■ * * * *

Mrs Frank Dyer helped Mr Owen Cox to receive the guests. She wore a handsome black voile gown with tucked Eton coat and cream lace revers, and a black picture hat with plumes and yellow roses.

( Mrs Nathan wore a stylish dress with cream lace front, and jet bonnet, j .Miss Nathan wore a very smartly cub I blue voile dress, trimmed with white and black hat with pink flowers.

Mrs Beauchamp had a very pretty blue and white foulard silk, and black toque. Mrs Rhodes wore a handsome black costume and bonnet.

Lady Douglas had a stylish coat and skirt, with cream front, and large black hat.

Mrs Fitcliett had a pretty grey dress and white ruffle and large white hat. Miss Coates had a smart tailor-made dress and large black hat. Miss May Seddon wore a black skirt and white tucked silk and lace blouse, and round liat.

Mrs MeEwen wore a lovely pale green muslin de soie with beautiful lace yoke. Mrs Mills had a black coat and skirt, with violet front, and bonnet trimmed with masses of violets.

Mi’s Hales had a smart black costume and toque with cream lace and feathers. Mrs Holmden (Bulls) wore a black and heliotrope brocaded silk, and lace toque. Mrs P. Webb wore a black brocade and mauve chiffon toque. Mrs A. Young had a pink voile dress and chip liat with roses. Miss Partridge had a black satin dress and large black hat. Mrs Parfitt (Hutt) wore a stylish tailor-made costume with cream collar and front, and toque with turquoise velvet.

Mrs Chatfield had a heliotrope linen dress with Eton coat with lace revers and front, and large lace hat with pink flowers. . Mrs Butts .had a black cloth costume strapped with satin, and black and white bonnet.

Miss F. Butts had a very pretty white muslin gown and white hat. Mrs J. D. Gray had a handsome black tucked voile dress with lace yoke over orange silk, and a large black hat with plumes. Mrs (Colonel) Collins wore a black voile dress with black lace and white satin front, and black and silver toque.

Miss Collins wore a black tailor-made costume and black hat.

Mrs (Colonel) Somerville (Wanganui) had a black dress with Limerick lace scarf, and white and black hat. Miss Newall wore black and cream costume and a pretty liat to match. Miss Newall wore a charming grey dress and pretty white hat.

Mrs Tregear had a grey coat and skirt, and bonnet trimmed with pink. Miss Halse liad a pale green muslin dress and large black hat.. Miss E. Halse wore a white costume and white hat.

Mrs B. Wilson had a blue costume and large straw hat with pink cliou of, glace silk. Miss Tregear wore a pastel blue muslin dress and hat trimmed with pale blue silk.

Mrs Moreton had a dark dress and pink liat trimmed with roses.

Miss E. Johnson wore a pretty heliotrope costume with Valenciennes insertion, and mauve liat.

Miss F. Johnson had a pretty coat and skirt with tucked cream satin collar and revers, and hat trimmed with black velvet. •

Mrs R. Loughnan wore a pretty, cool, white pique and large hat. Mrs Roberston had a handsome black silk dress, a black and white boa and jet bonnet.

Miss M. Douglas wore a black skirt and pretty white blouse. Lady Berkley (Fiji) was wearing a handsome black costume.

Miss Berkley had a pretty muslin dress and lace Eton.

Later in the afternoon some of the khaki boys induced some of the girls to dance some lancers to the excellent music of the band, and they were very merry about it and enjoyed themselves immensely, as indeed did all the guests at this very interesting and pleasant tea. * * * • »

Everyone was full of praise of this roomy and clean troopship, and the universal opinion of visitors was that the boys would have a very good time during the voyage, whatever befel them afterwards. Quite-three hundred guests were on board, yet they seemed quite a few on this spacious vessel, and it gave us an idea of liow free from any crowding the troops would be when there was such ample space. The nice white walls and electric lights made the men’s quarters look quite home-like and pleasant. Dancing was kept up till nearly half past G o’clock, and guests were almost unwilling to go even then.

Mr H. Trinder, son of one of the owners of the “Surrey” is travelling in her, also Major Carey, chairman of the directors of the Sydney “Daily Telegraph,’’ and Mr Owen Cox, who represents the Federal Navigation Company. ****■#•

Mrs Neave, daughter of Mr J. Iv. Logan, has come back with her children from Port Elizabeth (Africa), where her husband is a banker, to spend a long holiday with her parents in Wellington, to recruit her health.

* « * e rn • Mrs Menzies and her son are about to pay a visit to some relations they have in America. * * * * a

Miss F. Rattary is the guest of Miss Izard, Hobson Street. * * *.*«".*

Mrs Armstrong (Palmerston), is visit-

ing her parents, Captain and Mrs Barclay, Aurora Terrace.

Mr W. Bidwill, Wairarapa, was the guest of Mr and Mrs Moorehouse during the race week.

Mrs and Miss Hohenden (Bulls) are staying with Mrs Hales, Oriental Bay. . All's (Dr.) Kilgour, Auckland, is visiting friends in Wellington. * * * * *

Everyone is looking forward with great pleasure to the Brough’s season. Descriptions have been received of some of the expuisite costumes which will be worn in some of the pieces. The cloaks are in themselves a feature in “The Second in Command/’ A 3rd Dragoon Guards officer saw’ the piece staged in Africa, and much of his pleasure was taken away by some trifling inaccuracies in the uniforms. It is one of the things Mr Brough excels in—attention to details. If that officer were here this week lie would find every button was exactly according to the (King’s regulations.” “The Liars” Is a very dressy play, and is always an immense success. In every piece the dresses are part of the pleasure of Mrs Brough’s representations. * * • • ■

The Rev. Mr Compton, who has be ! locum tenens at St. Thomas’s for somw months, has been appointed chaplain to the Bth contingent. The contingent is most fortunate in having such an earnest yet cheerful and tactful parson with them. Mr Compton is an excellent musician and can play as well as lead the singing excellently. The St. Thomas’s people are very sorry indeed to say goodbye to him.