WELLINGTON TABLE TALK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 24

WELLINGTON TABLE TALK.

(BY .‘‘ERIE.”)

Very quietly but very busily the preparations for tihe Coloured Lancers Ball aire going on. The fun of fancy dresses is keeping alive the interest in this function, otherwise it would die of inanition. They who wish to see the sets to advantage should secure their seats in the gallery quickly. As a rule, men dislike the fash of thinking out a fancy costume. They also make wry faces at the cost of it. Lastly, they don’t like wearing anything unusual and conspicuous. Such being the case, it is small wonder that, much feminine leverage has had to be brought to bear upon their unwillingness to masquerade.

The question is always cropping up as to whether those irresponsible “veterans” are worth so much trouble to keep them in ease and idleness? Whose fertile brain is to devise an expedient to raise funds another year? If the Home could be made in a measure self-sup-porting by basket or brush-making or some clean, easy employment, it would ease the public of an unwelcome incubus. _

An exceedingly pretty wedding took place on Wednesday afternoon at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, when Miss Maud Hennah, eldest daughter of Captain Hennah, was married to Mr Howard Reid, sou of Mr Nicholas Reid, of this city The service was performed by the Vicar, the Rev. T. E. Sprotfc. The church was very prettily decorated for the occasion, and Mr Rowley presided at the organ, playing a number of suitable selections very softly and pleasantly, till he broke into a brilliant rendering of Mtendelssohn’s Wedding March a® the bridal party left the church.

The bride’s gown was white satin made with , empire train and full puffed sleeve®, and lace yoke and was most picturesque and effectively pretty. Her beautiful lace veil was worn over a becoming coronet of orange blossoms, and she carried a beautiful shower bouquet of spring flowers and maidenhair fern tied with white silk streamers which ■was the gift of Mrs Seddon, who is the bride’s aunt. The bridegroom’s gift was a lovely diamond and pearl ornament. * * * Miss Elsie Hennah and Miss Rubi Seddkm and Miss Lulu Dyer were the bridesmaids. The two elder bridesmaids ■wore very pretty cream voile gowns with pale blue pointed belts and small sprays of blue 'floweirs and bows in their hair, and their pretty bouquets were of spring flowers. The deal' little bridesmaid looked very sweet in a pretty frock of white frilled! silk and a little coronet of flowers and ribbons, and carried a lovely bouquet of white excelsis lilies and smilax. The bridegroom’s gifts were to Miss Elsie Hennah, a small gold watch, to Misses Rubi Seddon and Lulu ■Dyer pretty gold bangles. * ■ * * Captain and Mrs Hennah held a very pleasant reception after the ceremony at their residence, Feath erst on street, for their relatives and a few intimate friends. The house was sweet and gay with quantities of spring flowers. The pretty and useful presents were arranged in the drawing-room. Amongst these was a handsome clock, the gift of the Right Hon. the Premier and Mrs Seddon. The dining-room was beautifully decorated with quantities of flowers, which were much admired in this season of flower-famine. The large table was laden with many dainties, amongst which towered the tall wedding cake. It was most unfortunate that the Right Hon. the Premier, who was present at the church, was called away to his place in Parliament,, and he consequently could not propose the toast of the bride and bridegroom. The Eon. T. K. Macdonald, however, was an excellent substitute, and made a very felicitous little speech, having known the bridegroom since his boyhood. The Rev. T. H. Sprott proposed the healths of the parents of the bride and bridegroom, which was responded to by Captain Hennah and Mr Reid. The toasts were drunk in champagne with musical honours. * * # The bride’s travelling dress was tailormiade blue cloth with white revers and a pretty burnt straw bat wreathed with shaded roses. The honeymoon trip is to Rotorua. Mrs Hennah wore a black satin gown with cream Maltese lace and jet. and a cream felt hat with two shades of heliotrope velvet, and clusters of Parma violets and bouquet of maidenhair and violets; Mrs Nicholas Redd wore a handsome black silk gown with white lace and silk front, and a Vio toriam hat with ostrich plumes and roses; v Mrs Steddon had a black and white, silk canvas gown with satin bodice with cream lace, and toque edged with sable fur and violets and lovely bouquet of violets; Mrs F. Dyer wore a stylish blue cloth costume with cream lace front with black medallions . and a becoming round blue hat with white osprey of oisseau de Paradise; Miss Seddon had. a very pretty pale blue canvus gown with cream lace find large black » Eat; Miss May SecTdon’s gown was an

Eton costume of light doth, and white Marabout stole and muff, and black hat, and bouquet of pink magnolias; Mrs T. K. Macdonald wore a lovely gown of white dudbesse satin brocaded with black palm leaves and sable cape and black hat; Miss Macdonald wore a pretty blue tailor-made gown with white facings and pale blue hat trimmed with forget-me-nots; Mrs Alio wore a grey voile gown >. with black velvetbands and pretty black and white hat; Mrs Hamer wore a white serge gown and white felt hat edged with otter fur and trimmed with green velvet; Mrs MeVilley wore a dark blue voile and round hat with shaded Leaves; Mrs Jones wore a pretty brown costume and white furs.

The Ladies’ Savage Club, who have been unobtrusively enjoying themselves by weekly gathering® at each others’ houses during the winter, had a grandefinale at Mrs P'earce’s on Thursday evening. The invitations were ornamented with clever silhouettes of the lady savages, which were arranged in a group and photographed. The evening’s entertainment included an amusing little parody written by Muss Fraser. Mrs 'Pearce’s excellent lantern slides, and a fancy dance by Mrs EL. Duncan. The Hon. K. Plunket took a small part in a little play. It was a delightful melange, which was immensely enjoyed. After supper many of the guests finished this pleasant evening with a few dances. Lady Plunket wore an Empire frock of white satin, and lace with, touches of pale blue. His Excellency, attended by Mr Waterfield, was present, and a large number of the savages’ friends.

Lord Ranfurly has sent word to the Right Eon. the Premier of the engagement of his eldest daughter. Lady Constance Knox, to Oaptain Gaskell, at one time A.D.O. to Sir Arthur Havelock, Governor of Tasmania. Lady Constance was so lately amongst us, and so well known in New Zealand, that her early engagement will be of interest to a wide circle in this colony.

Another item re an ex-Governor’s family will be read with interest. Lord Glasgow’s son, Lord Kelburne, is appointed First Lieutenant of H.M.S. Renown, which will take the Prince and Princess of Wales to India, and he will accompany their Royal Highnesses in that capacity.

Mira Tolhurst has issued l invitations for a dance next week.

Mrs J. G. Wilson (Bulls) is the guest of Dr and Mrs Newman.

Mr Godfrey Pharazyn, who has been dangerously ill with pneumonia, is progressing favourably, * * *

Mr and Mens Holworthy (Hutt) have returned from their trip to Sydney, the latter much improved in health.

Mr Oeeil Wlray and Mrs Nicholas have gone to Auckland to recover from the terrible shock of Mrs Wray’s very sad and sudden death.

Miss Annie Brandon, who travelled to England in the Corinthie, is greatly enjoying the life and sights of London. The Hippodrome, where 17 Polar bears disported on real icebergs, and other wonders, were amongst her experiences.

The meet of the Four-in-hand Clubmust have been an exceedingly gay occasion, when lovely equipages and beautiful horses shared the admiration of the onlookers with the exquisite toilettes of the ladies. The expensiveness of this season’s dresses seem to strike all colonial visitors first, and their bright colouring in the second place, and thin, flimsy evanescent quality more than either. White silk parasols, with tulle frills and pearl handles cost from two to five guinea®, and they last about three- wears if the occasions are windy or dusty.

Mrs D’Arcy (Wanganui) is the guest of her sister, Mrs J. Gould. * •* *

A large number of people have gone to Christchurch for the races, including the Vice-Regal party, who are the guests of Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes.

Mr O’Connor and l hi® son have arrived at Vancouver, having had a delightful time in Hongkong, Shanghai, and Japan. They are both in excellent health and enjoying every inch of their trip. They hope to be in Ireland for the shooting season. «* * *

Mrs and Mis® George have reached America, where they intend to stay for a visit before returning to Eh gland.

Chiffon gloves are the newest wear for summer, and they must match the costume to a shade. Many of them reach to the elbow, having dainty embroidered frills from the wrist upwards. They are a necessity, with the very short elbow sleeves which are now worn in the street.

Jet ornaments are most fashionable, and the girls who can lay hands on old necklaces, brooches or bracelets can wear them proudly with their summer muslins.

Large flat steel shoe buckles also may be unearthed from their tissuepaper wrappings, as the shoes known as “brogues” are the most worn, and they require this ornament to make them pass muster. Velvet bands embroidered with seed beads have come back to be used to fill up the gap at the wrists, and should have a narrower band worked to match with a buckle for the neck. These touches of black velvet are most charming with the gay, filmy gowns that are worn. Very large buttons of cutsteel or enamelled porcelain are also greatly in evidence, though most of them are ugly and 1 inartistic in effect.

Mrs Walter Nathan has taken Mr® Stuart’s house on the- Terrace during her absence. She and some of her daughters are going to Colombo, where Miss Millie Stuart’s marriage- to Lieut. Hiscock will take place.

Mrs Leslie Reynolds lias been paying a short visit to Wellington. * * *

# Mr Edmund Mules (Nelson) has been for a short time in town.

Miss douston (Blenheim) is visiting her friends in Wellington.

There is a rumour that Lady Ward intends to give a ball for young people in the near future, when Miss Ward ancl Mr Cyril Ward will make their debut.

Mrs Holgaite gave a pleasant. “At heme” as an opening function for her nunsing home in Arlington street-, on Tuesday. The airy rooms were bright with spring flowers, and they looked ideal places to be ill in. A dainty tea was served before the guest® went for a tour of inspection over this wellappointed establishment-. Amongst those present were Lady Stout, Mrs Rhodes, Mns Fell, Mrs Kendall, Mrs H. Gilmer, Mrs Menzies, Mrs Sprott, Mrs Glasso-n, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Hoby, Mrs West, Mrs Warren, Mrs Ballinger, Mrs Robinson, Mns J. Luke. Mrs Evans, Mrs Rutherford, Misses Payne, Watson, Coates, Brandon, Dewes, Barron, Barber. Nees, Luke, etc.

The engagement is announced of Miss Maggie Douglas, second daughter of Sir Arthur Douglas, late Secretary of Defence for the colony, to Lieut. Popham, of H.M.S. Royal Arthur.

Mr and Mrs Boys have arrived from Dunedin. They are taking paid- in the fancy dress ball.

Mrs Harding is having a ladies’ tea at the Kelburne kiosk this afternoon.