WELLINGTON TABLE TALK

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1617, 25 February 1903, Page 26

WELLINGTON TABLE TALK

CBY “ERIE.”)

.Melba, nothing but Melba, is the theme in every house this week. It must be a very wonderful gift she is endowed with, for she can feel that none of the hundreds- who are on tiptoe of expectation can reasonably go away disappointed with her singing. Most cf her audience will enjoy her exquisite notes extremely and feel their guinea is well invested for Melba. We are exceedingly sorry to learn that it is a question if tho Opera. House can he got for Mdlle. Trebelli during her visit to our city. Everyone wi'l hope a few nights will he secured for her, as those of us who heard her have her delicious singing as a sweet remembrance, and crave for more. How many pleasant things wo are losing through the grievous' slowness of 'the completion of our urgently needed Town Hall. Why can’t his Worship whip up the contractors a bit, and insist upon their hurrying up? All feminine Wellington would be most grateful to him for so doing. Wo have just sadly realised that the coming winter’s festivities and gay functions will have to he cut. short for the want of a respectably-sized ball to have them? in. Hope is very long delayed in this case, and crar hearts are sad. * & x * x A wedding of much more than usual interest took placo at St. Paul’s proCathedral on Wednesday, when Mr "Walter J. Blundell was married to Miss Ivy Barraud. They hot-h belong to some of Qur oldest and most respected families. who settled lie.ro in the early days and have always been hold in high esteem. Miss Barraud is daughter of Mr Sydney Barraud, manager of tho Bank of New Zealand at the Lower Hath, whoso father, the late Mr C. D. Barraud, was so well known for his artistic talents. Mr Blundell is tho eldest son of Mr J. Blunekdl, senior partner in the fir m of Messrs Blundell Brothers, proprietors cf the “Evening Post.” and whoso father was the original founder of tho paper nearly half a century ago. The ceremony was performed by the Rev'. T, H. Sprott, vicar of St. Paul’s, assisted by the Rev. J. Jones, of the Hutt, and tho Rev. J. Stealcy, curate of St. Paul’s. There was a very large congregation of friends and relations present, making a gay scene in the handsome church, which the bride’s grandfather had done so much to beautify. The “Wedding March” was played by Mr Parker as the bridal party left the Chur eh.

The bride looked very pretty in a gown of ivory satin, trimmed with flounces of beautiful silk, Maltese lace and accordion chiffon. A veil of tulle was worn over a coronet of white flowers. The bridegroom's present a pearl and turquoise bracelet, was also worn. The bridesmaids were Misses Marion and Hazel Barraud (sisters of the bride) and Misses Kathleen and Ida Blundell (sisters of the bridegroom), and Miss Eileen Didsbury (cousin of the bride). Miss Barraud wore a very pretty dress of pale canary, with a . yoke of cream Belgian lace, and her sister had a very delicate tint of green. Id As K. Blundell wore a yellow silk dress, with yoke and berthe of lace, and elbow s 1 coves with frills of chiffon and lace. Miss Ida Blundell wore a very pro;tv shade of tea rose pink silk, with chiffon frills.

Miss Didsbury had a very pale blue dress, trimmed with cream lace. They all wore very becoming picture hats and carried bouquets of sweet peas and ferns. Their presents from the bridegroom were pearl and turquoise brooches, shaped like an ivy leaf. Mr H. W. Blundell was best man, and Mr F. Barraud and F. Blundell were groomsmen. A reception was held after the ceremony by Mr and Mrs Barraud at their residence, tho Terrace, where a large number of guests were present to wish tho bride and bridegroom health and happiness. Airs John Blundell (mother of tho bridegroom) had a very large theatre party in the evening, when “Tapu” was performed.

The meeting called by the Mayor on Friday afternoon to form a working committee in Wellington to help the Guild of Women in South Africa who aro looking after the graves of the brave boys who lost their lives during the war, was attended by representative women, who intend to throw in their energies and their interest to the work. Airs Sod don was present, and the object of the guild was explained. All should feel grateful to those kind women who have undertaken this humane task. It is by no means an easy one, and it is a costly one. Frequently they have to get a cart and drive miles into the veldt, taking with them help and material to fence in the grave, and leave some means of marking tho name, so that tho relations of the soldier can always be sure of finding it. I am told that we New Zealanders have over two hundred graves in Africa, and a large number of them have marble crosses as well as fences. This must be a real comfort to bereaved parents whose means would not permit them to send out to have the graves of their brave boys so attended and marked. Naturally it takes money to keep these graves weeded and cared for, and it is in order to do our share that this guild has been formed. At the request of these benevolent and sympathetic women, officers have taken a great deal of trouble to write careful particulars of tho men whom they lost during the war, so that there can be no mistaken as to identities. Wo hope tho women who have undertaken to heflp their -Afr’.f an friends with money to carry on this most necessary work of benevolence will meet with the success the object deserves. Miss Coates is president, and the committee consists of Alcsdames F. Dyer, Findlay, Mills, Macdonald, Tuckoy and Tasker. * 1 * * * -X- X We have looked forward with greater interest than usual to the production of “Tapu,” because both the author and tho composer are Wellington men. The music is simply beautiful all through, especially the orchestral parts. Constantly tho car was charmed by bits that were gone far too soon, and ono wished they could be repented. All through the opera one felt how very delicate and pleasing the combinations were. Tho tuneful songs will quickly become household favourites. Mr Hill’s friends all realise that lie is a composer whose work will live and become famous. Tho play itself has not much to recommend it, for there is so much that is foolishly improbable and opposed to Ala or i nature and custom. The songs may have real poetry in them, but who can find it cut when one cannot distinguish half tho words? The dances wore very pretty, and must have taken a lot cf hard rehearsing a*d teaching; but why introduce skirt dancing steps of European origin into Aland girls’ utterly different evolutions? The scenery is beautiful, both the mountain in tho distance with tho pah in front, and the much-to-be-regrcttcd terraces in tho second scene. The limelights upon those, and the rc-rd steam rising in places from them, made an exquisite scene. “Tapu” drew excellent houses, and was specially interesting to a number of tourists, who were here en route for Rotorua. The hokn was a very striking novelty, which they greatly endowed.

Airs O’Connor gave another of her most pleasant “at homes” on Wednesday afternoon. The house, enclosed in its beautiful garden, looked lovely in the bright sunshine. Flowers were tastefully arranged in great profusion in every room. Tho conservatory, opening from the long drawingroom, furnished a vista of flowers and bright colouring. Tea was arranged exquisitely in the drawingroom. The table centre of pale green satin had coalport china vases filled with the deep amber perennial coreopsis placed on it. Everything that was delicious and dainty was there, and thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed by the guests.

Mrs O’Connor received in a handsome gown of Irish poplin and cream lace, and a very pretty bonnet with pink roses. Miss O’Connor wore a soft silk voile of a pale clove colour, trimmed with beautiful cream silk passementerie, and a yellow straw liat with shaded, pink roses. .Miss Grace, who is looking much stronger and better, had a delicate muslin with frills of Valenciennes lace, and a becoming hat draped with lace and with velvet bows. 3.1 iss Kennedy wore a very-pretty reseda figured voile dress with deep

cream laco insertions, and stylish black hat with roses. Aliss A. Kennedy had a pretty floral muslin of soft pink ami green blended shades, and a floral hat. Aliss Scully wore a palo fawn voile with largo lace collar lined with blue silk. Airs Hunt (Alelbourne), had a fawn grass cloth with yoke of cream guipure lace, and a hat of large platted blue straw with glace trimming. Airs Newman had a handsome black and white costume. Airs Wroughtou (Timaru) wore a pale grey voile with floral silk appliques, and brown straw hat with tinted roses. Airs Gilruth had a gown of a lovely shade of blue, with insertions of cream laco and touches of black velvet, and becoming black hat. Aliss Izard wore a black satin dress with white spots, and largo picture hat. Airs IT. Crawford wore a beautiful dress of biscuit-coloured voile, tucked and trimmed with white chiffon, and hat with scarlet flowers. Airs Alar tin Kennedy wore a handsome black silk with front of Indian silk. Airs (Dr) Ilislop had a pale green linen dress and long jacket to match. Airs T. Young had a pretty cream costume and hat. Airs Riley wore a grey voile with crossway tucks on both skirt and bodice, which \vero most effective. Hon. Airs Butler had a green and amber brocaded silk with, pouched front of embroidered chiffon. Airs George had a handsome black striped moire dress with revers of white Irish lace, and hat with white ostrich plumes. Aliss George wore a pretty violet muslin with velvet hows, and hat with violets. Aliss A. Brandon had a pretty pink costume and chiffon ruffle, and hat trimmed with roses. Airs Gray wore a black costume and handsomely jetted mantle and cream ruffle, and black and white bonnet. Airs Alilward wore a, white muslin‘and laco dress, and large black hat. Aliss Edwin woro a pretry rose-col-oured floral muslin, and white hat. Aliss AI. AfcGregor had a pastel blue dress with cream laco and Venetian red velvet, and large black hat. Airs C. Cooper wore a lovely cream gown with insertions of laco, and hat trimmed with hydrangeas. Aliss Zoo Johnston had a very handsome grey dress and a lovely hat of grey and blue of the softest shades. Mrs Buchanan had a cream costume and white hat with blue and green trimmings. Aliss Coates woro a prune voile gown and a cream ruffle, and picture hat. The garden, which has now a most wonderful show of beautiful dahlias of all tho new varieties, was a source of great attraction and pleasure to the guests. Easy chairs were placed on the lawn, and those who were tired could sit and listen to the string band, which was at a convenient distance for being heard pleasantly. . i*. Airs Biss had an exceedingly pretty and pleasant “At Home” at her residence, Mulgrave street, on Thursday afternoon for her mother, Airs George, who is on a visit to New Zealand with her daughter. Tho tea was laid in the diningroom, and the table was very prettify decorated with pink sweet peas and gypsophila, which latter is an ideal flower for light and feathery arrangement. The drawingroom was also gay with beautifully managed colourings of flowers. William Allan Richardson roses, varied with vases cf palo blue delphiniums, were lovely contrasts. Airs Biss received in a very pretty pale blue sjcirt with chiffon frills, edged with satin ribbon upon a deep flounce of point d’esprit net, and a blue 1 silk blouse. Mrs George were a handsome satin dress with cream lace, and large black hat.

Mrs O’Connor wore a black and cream costume and a very pretty pink bonnet. Miss Holmes had a figured voile wuh - embroidered bolero, and black hat. Mrs Ha-con had a heliotrope freize strapped with silk. Mrs A. Crawford wore a pretty pmk muslin and white hat. Miss Hransfield wore a fawn grass lawn dress and white hat with rosis. Mrs H. Crawford had a white pique dress with embroidery, and a hat trimmed with red. Amongst others who were present were Miss Holmes, Mrs Gray, Mrs H. T Stuart. Mrs Hunt, Mrs Millward, Mrs Tweed, Miss Baron, and Mrs Pearce. * *- * « « Miss Sedtlom gave a very delightful girls’ tea on Friday afternoon at the Premier’s residence, Molesworth street. It was a perfect afternoon, and the beautiful garden, was very gay with bright flowers. Very nice deck chairs were placed about the lawn. They were enamelled a glistening white, with green linen seats, and were new and effective garden seats. A quoit pitch was a great attraction, and found many debutantes. This is now a very favourite pastime at home, and will doubtless quickly “catch on” here. A ping-pong table also was largely patronised. There was also some excellent music. Amoncrst those who sane: were

Miss J. Skerrett, Aliss Alagiunity, Alisa Alills and Aliss Webbe. One young lady proved herself a very clever for-tune-teller, and caused much interest and amusement. Airs Seddon wore a lovely grey gown with large white collar and front, which had straps of velvet across, and a most becoming toque cf black chiffon with cream lace drapings and largo chou of glace. Unfortunately, Airs Soddou and Airs F. Dyer, greatly to their regret, were obliged to leave to attend the meeting of the Soldiers’ Graves Guild. Aliss Seddon received in a lovely gown of white voile, with flounces with'bebe ribbon and lace yoke and elbow sleeves. Miss Seddon. also wore somo lovely diamonds. A large carved sixteenth century tortoiseshell comb was a very quaint and pretty hair ornament. Aliss Alay Seddon wore a very charming pale blue vcilo dress with point d’esprit frills. A most elaborate and dainty tea wis prettily laid in tho diningroom. A lovely silver rose bowl with a tali pahu was in the centre, and silver vases with pink sweet peas and maidenhair were dotted about. Cakes of every description, and sweets and sandwiches and fruit and grapes and ices, besides delicious tea and claret-cup, provided a plentiful choice for every guest. Amongst tho guests were: —Aliss Gilmer, Aliss F. Gilmer, Aliss McClathio (Christchurch), Misses Louisson (Christchurch), Aliss Alandl (Hokitika), Aliss Henna! i, Aliss Baker, Misses Hey wood (2), Aiisses Bendail (2), Misses Aiaginnity (2), Aiisses Aiiils (2), Aiisses Alee® (2), Aliss Webb, Aliss AlcDonald, Aiisses Brandon (2), Aliss Beck, Miss Ivlareliant, Aiisses Prouse (2), Aiisses Page (2), Aiisses Skerrett (2), Aliss McGregor, Aliss Willis, Aliss Ida Blundell, Aliss Lydia Blundell, Aliss Blundell, Aiisses Iviyers (2), Aliss Hyaras, Miss Macintosh, Aliss ltuucie, Aliss Curtis, Aliss Kennedy, Aliss McParhmd, Aliss Tolliurst, Aliss Chatfield, Aiisses Kane (2), Aliss Staples, Aliss Waldegrave, Aliss Aides, Aliss Nelson, Aliases Shannon, Aliss Edwards, Aliss Wilson, Aliss O’Connor, Misses Stafford, Aliss Simson, Aiisses Nathan, Aliss Spragg, Aliss Collins, Aliss Ronayne, Aliss Alatiiers, Misses Ross (2). -x * X XXX Mrs Niven (Alasterfcon) is on a short visit to her mother. Airs Fancourt.

« * * _ * # * Air George Bothime and Air v. cl ward Fitzgerald have left for a trip to Japan, China and England. They will be away less than' a year. 1 X * * X X X Air and Airs Elgar and their little daughter arc shortly going to England to visit Mr Charles Pharazyn, Airs Elgar’s father. 4* ** * «■ Air and Airs Buchanan are staying with Miss Malcolm, the Terrace, since their return. V . * Some very charming Norwegian tourists who are staying at the Royal Oak are perfectly enchanted with New Zealand and with its climate. * .» Miss Lundon (Napier) is visiting friends in Wellington. * * * « « Air and Airs Noel Barraud (Palm- - erston) and their two little girls left in tho YvTiakatano for a long visit to England. • » S « f>> Other suburbs are envying the enterprising Wadestown neighbours, who have vigorously determined to have a motor car service for their convenience. It is a pity the gospel of determination is not more generally acted upon. We shall be very pleased to see a motor shortly puffing up tho Wadestown liill. * 1c He IC* * * Air and Airs Tilly (Blenheim) have gone to England for a visit. x # x x x x Airs Fancourt has returned from her change to Wanganui in improved health. 2k & & 4? A very handsome bit of finery for our Mayor has arrived from England in tho shape of the gold chain and beautiful pendant which was sent for some time ago. It was Airs Rhodes’s suggestion in the first place, and the pendant is lier gift. It is the City Arms frosted in gold, and has a large ruby and square emerald in it. The links of the chain are oblong medallions with filagree edges, and the lozenger in the centre Is blue enamel with the monogram of each Mayor in gold upon it. The connecting links consist of an ornamental W. I believe there are about ten links now, consequently a royal bluo ribbon is added to fill up the rest of the necessary length and to tie it. As time goes on and succeeding Aiayors add their links as souvenirs of their Alayoralty it will grow so as to need less and less ribbon, and will be a very interesting and beautiful addition to the robes of office. It is a pity it con Id not have been got in time to air it when we bad Royal guests to receive. It is better late than never and wo have to learn the cult of patience in all matters municipal. # This chain adds to our already largo debt of gratitude to Airs Rhodes for henefactions to our rather baio city. We wish there was a microbe of public benevolence that could be secretly administered to our wealthy citizens—what an epidemic of beautifying would break out. The new tea-room at Kirkcaldie’s has

been a favourite rendezvous this veek. Everybody 'wanted to see it and compare it with others we have. It is a plain roomy place where you can get an exceedingly nice cup of tea and fresh, dainty cakes, and the arrangements generally are excellent.