WELLINGTON TABLE TALK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 24

WELLINGTON TABLE TALK.

(BY “ERIE-”)

A wave of feminine joy is spreading sre r the community. The blackening of oui* nice new Town Hall is the cause of this quiet satisfaction. We have protested often, and • suffered sadly, over the misery of smutted curtains and laundry work worse than spoilt. Quite an unexpected ally has arisen on our behalf in the electrical works chimney, and in one week it has accomplished more than all our years of piteous appeals. His Worship and the City Council have been reached at last through the disfigurement of their newest and most cherished possession, the Town Hall. We know only too well what broken reeds these valiant "knights often prove when reforms are necessary, but we take heart of grace this time, since the Town Hall is to suffer if they dally too long. All our gratitude, however, will go to the nice chimney which will have been the chief factor in bringing about the reform, i.e., chimneys with smoke consuming apparatus affixed to them.

Though *Lord and Lady Plunket will be here in little over three weeks, we have heard nothing of any Mayoral welcome being given them. First impressions are often lasting, and some graceful hospitality from the City’s Chief Magnate would be very warming and pleasant in a mid-winter arrival. Citizens'of every degree would gladly rally round His Worship and help in every possible manner. It is an open secret that our present Governor and his family were not favourably impressed with Wellingtonians or their city’s climate. This is a strong reason why we should mend our inhospitable reputation and win the esteem of our new Governor and his family if we can. * * *

The wedding of Miss Marjorie Mills, daughter of H. Miles, Esq., of Havelock and neice of Hon. G. H. Mills, to Mr W. Huddlestone Seymour, of Crest Hill, Pelorus, third son of A. P. Seymour, of Picton, ’ was an event of great local interest, as both the bride and bridegroom belong to the oldest Marlborough families. The bride groom’s father was at one time Superintendent of the and afterwards member for the district, and at one time had a seat in the Legislative Council. As both these young people wore so well known and liked, the CJhcvcb of St. Peter’s (Havelock) was beautiS'sOly dressed with quantities of lovely towers, and the church -could scarcely seat the crowds of friends who were present tot witness the ceremony.

The Bride wore a beautiful gown of the Boftest shade of French grey Indian cloth, trimmed with, appliques of grey silk embroidery, and a lovely cream lace front. Her hat was a white felt tyrolese, with trimming of beautiful white ostrich plumes.

The bridesmaids were Miss Mills, who wqre a charming blue gown with glaco oar dings, and a velvet hat, with handsome shaded feathers and Miss Eileen Mills (neice of the bride) who had an extremely effective empire gown of cream silk and an early Victorian hat with voluminous chiffon strings. She carried a white crook adorned with choice white flowers. The service was fully choral, and Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” was played as the bridal party left the Church. Mr Fortesque Seymour (cousin of the bridegroom) was best man.

The bride’s mother entertained a large party of friends at her residence after tho ceremony. The Hon. C. H. Mills was present, and after a very kind avuncular speech, /(mentioned his regret at the Premier’s absence through ill-health.

Mr and Mrs Walter Seymour left during the afternoon in a launch for Ruakura, tii&ris future home, amidst the best wishes of a targe number of friends who assembled at tho wharf to see them off. The bride’s going away dress was a .nut brown beige trimmed with pipings of jrelvet several shades lighter, and a becoming felt hat to match. The bridegroom presented the bridesmaids with very charming brooches. The wedding gifts to this, widely esteemed couple were of great variety and value.

The engagement is announced of Mr [Montague E. Bannister, secretary to the “New Zealand Times” Co., Ltd., only son of Mr ft. E. Bannister, and Miss Annie Sime, daughter of Mr Thomas Sime, late of Dunedin, now of .Wellington. Miss Sime is popularly known as a clever elocutionist and vocalist, having sung and acted the part of Mad Margaret in ‘“■Ruddigore” when produced by the Welfifigtse? Amateur Operatic Society last year. -

The engagement is also announced of Mrs Stansford, daughter of Mr Mowof the Hutt. to Mr Balthorp. # * *

.Miss JJsewali, who is one of our cleverest and most skilful nurses, has gone to England in the Hi mu taka with Mrs Jjeicester, an invalid lady

Mr and Mrs Balcombe Brown have returned from their long trip to the southern lakes. They did much of their sightseeing by means of their bicycles.

Mr and Mrs Heaton Rhodes had taken Sir Robert Stout’s house for the session, but owing to Lady Stout’s indisposition the arrangement has been cancelled. Aft affection of the knee will, we regret to say, oblige Lady Stout to lie up for some time.

Invitations are issued by the committee of the St. Mary’s Convent Ex-pupils Association for their sixth annual dance in the Sydney street room on Thursday, June 2nd. As this is one of the most admirably-managed and well-got-up balls of the season, it is always extremely popular and well attended.

No one will grudge Miss Clara Palmer, of the Davis street private hospital, her rest and change. She left last week for a trip to America to see her sister, who lives in San Francisco, and on to England to have a look at all the most up-to--date 'hospitals, with their methods and appointments. Mrs Palmer will take the management of the hospital during her daughter’s absence, and it could not be in more capable hands.

Mrs Richmond and her daughters have returned to their own house in Brougham street, lately occupied by -General and Mrs Babington.

“Chain letter” is the name given to a very diabolical arrangement for raising money. Just now there is a network of these unpleasant missives flying about. Few people object to giving the seven penny stamps which each such chain letter demands. The very disagreeable part of the contract is that you must make three copies of rather a long rigmarole letter and victimize three of your friends with one each. They in their turn are expected to do likewise. These letters (many of them emanating from Dunedin) have got so numerous that one Wellington lady has had no fewer than five in one month. Few of us have fifteen long-suffering friends who will tamely be worried with such demands. Our interest in the Veterans’ Home has already been tested financially, and we are many of us averse to this manner of being forced to continue contributing.

The Premier’s daughter, Mrs Morice, returned to Greymouth on Saturday by the Wainui.

Mr Wragge is absolutely the most colloquial lecturer we have ever had. His utter absence of professional <f side” is very unexpected and surprising, also his short, quaint sentences, which are almost in a confidential and friendly tone. As to the “heavenly” matter of these simply given lectures, it was mystifying, and far above the range of the ordinary domestic woman. Fairly up-to-date astronomers would have revelled in all he had to say. Most of us sat wondering what it all meant. We came to realise that the unlettered comprehension wants a heap of educating before it can digest the difference between thousands and billions, be they miles or seconds.

Miss M. McGregor, who has been visiting friends in the south for several months, has returned home.

Miss G. Brown (Dunedin) is the guest of Mrs Fitchettj Woolcombe street.

Miss Ethel Carey, who has been spending a holiday in Wellington, leaves for Blenheim this week.

We were all very sorry when the Williamson Opera Company finished its season here. The lovely dresses, pretty scenery, and excellent singing and acting went to make up as perfect an evening’s entertainment as mere mortal could desire.

Miss Marchant, the lady principal of the Dunedin Girls’ High School, is spending her holidays with her parents in Wellington.

The lingerie of a recent trousseau utterly capsized all our firmly rooted belief that we could never tolerate anything but all whiteness. Wait till you see the delicate colourings of the dainty muslin frillings—whit6, with the sweetest wreathings of tiny roses, or, prettier still, conventional hypaticas, quaintly bobbing their pretty blue heads above the lace ruchings. There delicate flowers look so quaint that one would expect a colonial “washing lady” to wash them off at a single opportunity, but they are absolutely “fast colours,” and will live to ornament the garment' as long ,as it lasts. These floral frills have largely taken the place of* the bows and ribbons which were decidedly troublesome to poor philgarlicks who cannot always have a maid to take them out and put them in.

* * * / The ombre veils this season are made of chiffon, and are shaded from light at one edge to dark at the other. They are the most fashionable style worn, but the best dressed women have not yet adopted them. There is a question as to their being quite becoming. * * *

The peacock design appears on many of this season’s silks and ribbons, and is most effective*,

A glint of gold is seen in almost all trimmings and laces for winter wear, and is a bit of brightness that is most acceptable in dull weather and dark days. # # *

Purses and bags of soft leather of the new bleue torpilie may be counted amongst the fashionable fads of the moment. They can only be worn with costumes which contrast well with this difficult shade.