WELLINGTON TABLE TALK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1685, 15 June 1904, Page 25

WELLINGTON TABLE TALK.

(by “Erie.”*

We only hope there is truth in the rumour that Lord Roberts and his family intend to come to New Zealand. He has relatives in the colony who doubtless will form a large share of the attractions which will bring him so far. The wife of the Hon. Col. B'aillie, M.L.C., is Lord Roberts’s cousin. This -lady’s daughter (Mrs Balcombe Brown of this city), when at Home on a tour a few years ago, was the guest of Lord and Lady Roberts in Dublin for some time, and tells very interesting anecdotes of this great hero’s simplicity and kindness.

Mrs D. Riddiford. when out with the Rangitikei hounds last week met with what may quite easily have been a serious accident. Her Horse stumbled and fell with her in a bog. Nearly all the men of the hunt were quickly engaged in holding the horse quiet by main force, while the test had to dig her out from underneath. It was an immense relief wheii Mrs Riddiford finally got clear with no injury beyond the effects of the shock. Captain Campbell, of General Babington’s staff, received a nasty kick in the face while helping to keep the horse still. He was. however, able to join a splendid gallop which took place later in the day. , ..

The concert in the Sydney street hall, given by Madame Cope-Dowsing and her pupils on Wednesdav evening, was a brilliant success. The hall was filled to overflowing, and the stage was brightly decorated with pretty scarlet draperies and pot plants, etc. A large lyre in scarlet and gold was the, centre ornament. The large bevy of lady pupils wore white dresses With pretty scarlet badges of chiffon and ribbon. The gentlemen had neat little red Ivrcs instead of buttonholes fastened on their coats. Madame wore a beautiful flounced bl£ck ciepe de chine gown handsomely jetted, with scarlet chou on t*he corsage. The pupils all showed they were under excellent tuition and acquitted themselves well. Miss Rouse lias a lovely voice even though it was heard to great disadvantage owing to a verey bad cold. There were a number of enthusiastic encores which were kindly responded to.

Mrs Wylie gave a very pleasant tea on Thursday afternoon at her residence, Boulcott street. In midwinter it is wonderful to see charming decorations ot lovely La France roses and groups of spring bulbs. All the rooms were sweet with the perfume of flowers. The tea was daintily laid in the dining room, and the decorations were an artistic colour scheme of yellow. Mrs Wylie received in a cream costume with blouse of cream velvet. There were some very delightful duets between Mrs GloverEaton and Mrs Wylie during the afternoon which were very much appreicated.

Mrs Louisson, sister of Mrs Harris (a bride from Melbourne, wearing a very chic dress of rough white tweed checked with blue, and large white silk beaver hat), gave a humourous recitation with inuoh archness and piquancy

Amongst the many guests were : Mrs Findlay, wearing a blue gown and handsome sealskin jacket. ' Miss Coates, wearing a black coat and skirt and white ostrich feather stole and black and white hat. Mrs Harris had a cream gown and pretty blue hat. Mrs Kendall wore a handsome caricule jacket and black gown and picture hat. Dr Isabelle Watson had a very pretty nut-brown costume. • Dr Platts-Mills had a smart fawn driving jacket and dark red gown and pretty toque.

Mrs T. Young had a dark blue Russian blouse costume. Mrs Schultz had a, pretty pastilo blue costume and stylish' hat. V Mrs Harrison wore a light green gown and round white hat. Mrs Holmwood had a smart black costume with violet facings and black hat with plumes. Mrs Watson wore a black cloth costume with cream d’esprit front and revers.

Mrs Bucholz wore a very smart French , grey costume with cream stoles and trimmings. • ’ Mrs Macarthy had a stylish costume of dark red cloth with velvet strappings and a picture hat. Mrs Easterfield wore a heavy blue gown and hat trimmed with blue and white. , Mrs Fulton had a pretty brown costume with create guipure motifs. •• Mrs' GilrUth wore a very smartly cut blue frock'and ermine boa. ■ Mrs Derry had a chic black costume with velvet bands. Mrs T. Ward had a black gown and lovely sable cape. , . . _ Mrs Ponsonby was wearing a handsome black gown and pretty lace bonnet with roses.

“ iMrs Stafford wore a stylish black costume with cream lace front. ••• *. A - ' was jreariiig; a stylish i blue costume .with, cream Front and bands of oriental galon.

Miss Stuart had a pretty resida cloth with white facings. , Mrs Eichaelbaum wore a pretty light brown costume with cream front.

Mrs Dr Logan had a very stylish blue and white cloth costume and hat to match.

Mrs Hales was wearing a stylish black costume. Miss Liddle had a cream frock and black .picture hat.. Mrs Tringham had a pretty cloth costume and very stylish white silk beaver hat with single white bird as trimming. Mrs Laing wore a stylish black costume and pretty grey hat.

Mrs E. Anderson wore a handsome black gown and brown hat trimmed with autumn leaves.

Mrs Wilberfoss, wearing black cloth gown and pretty black and white felt hat.

Also Mrs (Justice) Cooper, Mrs Van Slyke, Mrs Field, Mrs Hoggard. Miss Beauchardt, Miss-Newall. Mrs Hall. Mrs Kane, Mrs 0. Richardson, Miss Pearson, Mrs Wright, Mrs and Miss Gilmer. Mrs Bridge, Mrs Blundell, Mrs Clayton, Mrs Robertson and many others. * * #

- Mrs D. T. 'Stuart and; Miss Millie Stuart have gone on from Capetown to England, consequently it will be some time before they return to New Zealand. Miss Stuart left here to take up a position on the staff of the Kimberley hospital, but found she required to be more acclimatised for such duties. She writes that Kimberley is a beautiful town where she made many land friends, and she enjoyed her time in Africa very much.

The dance of the Victoria Collegians took place on Friday evening. The greatest care had been taken witli the decorations. A iargefi V.G., made of gorse blooni3, was the centre of lightlymade wreaths of lycapodium. Every bit of ornamentation was beautifully balanced and harmonised with the most satisfactory effects. Hie supper tables were (prettily decorated with autumn leaves, and the supper itself was all that could he desired.

Lady Stout wore a cream and black brocade with lace drapings.

Mrs Watson wore black satin and lace. Mrs Brown had a- white broche frock with pale blue touches.. Miss Haybittle wore cream silk. Miss Ward wore a pretty black gown. Miss Coyla Brown, white glace silk draped with Paris lace. Miss Prouse had light rose silk with cream appliques. Miss Riley, embroidered muslin frock with blue belt. Miss Ewan wore a handsome white satin gown. Miss Butt had a lovely turquoise satin gown with quantities of chiffon frills, etc.(,

The invitation concert given by the Wellington Piano Company on Thursday evening was a delightful occasion. Needless to say, the Sydney street hall was over-full, but the excellent programme was a very strong attraction. Added to the capital, rendering of .the various items, the wonderful sweetness and power of the lovely Bluthner grand piano was an ever-present pleasure.- Miss Janet Ross. L.A.B. Miss Harte, L.A.8., and last, but far from being least, Miss Barber, all skilfully brought out the tones and possibilities of this beautiful instrument, and the large audience fully Appreciated its power and tone. All the items were very choice and particularly well rendered.

The Concerto in G Minor by the orchestra was wonderfully enjoyable, and Miss Barber’s piano accompaniment, exacting as it was, had all the points of taste and precision which anly an accomplished pianist could achieve. Mr Parker conducted the orchestra through this concerto. Most of the musical world were represented in the audience, and we heard many most eulogistic remarks anent this beautiful piano, and the genei’al opinion was that the “Bluthners” were destined to become great favourites.

It gives one rather an eerie sensation to be present at an asylum ball, as one is never quite sure who are patients and who are visitors. There is a weight of anxiety as to any uncomfortable vagaries that may seize any of the company, and a strict guard is kept upon remarks that may be personal. Yet, in spite of these little drawbacks, the ball at Mount View on Friday evening was a very cheerful and pleasant one. There were a great many visitors who, with the attendants, formed a safety phalanx, and all ran most merrily. There were pretty decorations, and a good floor, and Fischer’s Band. The instant locking of the doors behind the departing guests recalled to them the unutterable sadness and worse than death of the afflicted inmates.

The Paparoa brought out Mr H. O. Waterfield, private . secretary to Lord Plunket. He went at onoe to Government House, where the servants and belongings had already arrived. Mr Waterfield dined at the Wellington Club on Saturday evening with Lord Raufurly. He is a tall, clean-shaven, plea-sant-iooking young man. who expects to enjoy his stay in New Zealand. Lord Pluhket V first A.D.O. is Capt. Braith-

waite, of the sth Fusiliers. Another A.D.C. will most likely arrive later on.

Mrs .Richmond (Nelson) is in town; also Mrs Kissling, of Wanganui.

Mrs Lance, of Horsley Downs, Canterbury, has been visiting in Wellington.

Mrs Wardrop, late of Wellington, but now of Christchurch, is going to spend a long holiday with friends in Sydney.

Mrs Chatfield returned on Saturday by the Mokoia from a visit to friends in Christchurch.

A fancy dress dinner party was given a short time since and pronounced to he a most amusing novelty. Some folks will, in reading tiie signs of the times, predict that a number of fancy .dress entertainments will be given during this season, in which we are only following the suit of the fashionable world of London last year.

The Misses Mills gave a most delightful girls’ tea at the Ministerial residence, Tinakori road, on Friday afternoon. i

There is much excitement and speculation over the advent of linking again. It remains to be proved if it will catch on here as it lias in Christchurch.

Miss Partridge has issued invitations for a euchre party on Tuesday evening.

* * * Mrs and Miss Waldegrave have returned from a very pleasant trip to Sydney and its surrounding beauties.

The opening of Parliament should be an unusually brilliant occasion. Our new Governor and Lady Plunket will give an additional interest to it. If both the meu-of-war remain here over the 23th there will be a great array of naval uniforms to give brilliancy to the ceremonial. Our wonder is, when vHI the distribution of tickets end. . Eacli year about double the number is issued than there are seats for, and the result is chaos and confusion and disappointment.

The marriage arranged between Mr Stephen Walter, younger son of Mr Walter, of Bear Wood’ Wokingham, England, one of the proprietors of the London f ‘Times,” and Miss Beatrice May, only daughter of Mr J. H. Coleman of Waititirau. Napier, is announced to take place in London during the third week in Julv.