WELLINGTON TABLE TALK

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1847, 31 July 1907, Page 22

WELLINGTON TABLE TALK

(By “Erie.”)

The topics of conversation at our teas are varied to suit all tastes.. The political woman is interested m the new tariff proposals; indeed, it is a subject which affects our housekeeping allowances so closely that we make it our business to be critical on conmissar at details. , Some women are glad there are races on, and many have come to town for the Trentham meeting. The weather has so far smiled benignly upon the races, * and the days at Trentham have been pleasant. The trees have begun to show and the lawn is greea and pretty. This is emphatically a fur season, and there was a splendid display of caps, and stoles, and muffs and tippets and jackets each day, looking so warm and comfortable, and showing off the many beautiful tweed and other tailor-made costumes to advantage. The bargain-hunting women have had a unique innings this season, for the "sales" have been bona fide, and all who know how to look lor what they need must have had satisfactory shoppings. i speak advisedly, for the woman who is casual in her business transactions at sale times is almost always a sadder if not a wiser woman. It so easy to acquire undesirable bargains under the glamour of "reductions," and' it requires Spartan resistance to temptation not to buy goods of questionable usefulness. .The ‘ private views" of the spring milinery reveal the softest and most becoming shades. Every shape under the sun is fashionabler—which is convenient, as no one need wear any kind of head gear that is "trying." Old and young, dark and fair, may all get exactly what suits them, and be blissfully happy in that they are in the fashion. The lighter shades of "esterhazy" blue are beautiful. The curious bronze browns of the fancy straws have a wide range of tones that are most fascinating with the pink flowers in abundance this season. Mrs Aurelius Stoiith gave a tea last week at her residence, Tinakori road. Tea was served in the dining room. The table had vases of yellow jonquils, with narrow yellow ribbons festooned round the edges, caught up by hunches of ribbons at the corners. A string band played, making a good "background' for conversation A tea-cup lady was largely inquired of as to the good things in store in the near future, and was able to satisfy her inquirers. Mrs Smith received her guests in a handsome gown of black chiffon taffetas with yoke of fine black lace and trimmings. Miss Smith wore a pretty gown of cream glace silk with folded bodice, finished with lace and a silver belt. Mrs Waldegrave wore a stylish black costume and hat. Mrs Atkinson had cream silk and lace costume. Miss Waldegrave (Palmerston North) had a pretty gown of muslin and lace, with floral ribbon bretelles and sash. Among the guests were: —Mrs Edwin, Mrs Butts, Mrs Banner (Auckland), Mrs Russell, Mrs and Miss Riley, Miss Eileen Ward, Mrs Coleridge, Mrs Palmer, Mrs B. Wilson, Mrs and Miss Stafford, Mrs and Miss Didsbury, Mrs J. Hoggard, Mrs M. Ross, Miss Allen (Dunedin). Mrs T. Ward, Mrs Ponsonby, Mrs Morris, Miss Ward, Miss P art ridge, Miss Seed, Miss Halse. On Tuesday Mrs (Dr) Hamilton Gilmer was at home to a large number of guests. Every room was thrown open and scented with masses of spring flowers everywhere. The drawing room had quantities of white flowers and early yellow mimosa. Mrs Gilmer wore a very pretty gown k of black taffeta with cream pointed yoke of point de Venice lace. Tea was laid in the dining room, and th« table was charmingly arranged with high silver vases of yellow jonquils and small specimen glasses full of large violets, which contrasted harmoniously. Mrs (Dr) Mackenzie. Mrs (Dr) Ewart, and a number of others were indefatigable in looking to the comfort of the guests. It was difficult to see half the friends who were there, but I noticed Mr® Herbert, Dr Elizabeth Green, Mrs Kendall, Mrs Alex. Yonng, Mrs and Miss Perkins, Miss K. McKenzie, Miss Skerrett, Miss Brindley, Mrs Eicliaelbaum. Mrs Tripe, Mrs Pollen, Mrs Dykes, Mrs and Miss Wylie, Mrs Harris. Mrs McDougall, Mrs and Miss K ember, Mrs Sidey.

A pleasant dance wais given on Thurs--3 ay evening in the Sydney street Hall bv Mr and Mrs Dean for the debut of their daughter, Miss Esme Dean. The hall was festooned with lycopodium, dotted with rose camelias. The stage was transformed" into a most comfortable drawing room, with palms and screens prettily arranged. Kings band played, and Mrs Bute and several other friends played the supper extras. The gymnasium made a commodious supper room, with quantities of bunting hung overhead and round the walls. There were over 200 guests. Mrs Dean received at the lower door, wearing a chic gown of silver grey chiffon velvet, Avith handsome bertha of cream lace sequined with silver. Miss Dean's very becoming goivn was of white silk net and lace over glace silk, with bretelles and sash of the same. The front of the corsage had a Avreath of freezias and maiden hair and a handsome pearl comb Avas the sole ornament in her hair. A bouquet of lilies, freezias, snow-drops, and Avhite roses with asparagus fern Avas tied Avith Avhite chiffon ribbons. Mrs Clennell Avore a handsome gown of black ninon de soie Avith lace yoke. , , The side room nad refreshments during the evening, and another room Avas used for cards. „ . Amongst the large throng of guests were:— Mrs Findlay. Eev. T. F. Mrs Sprott. Mrs Firth. Mr and Mrs. M .

Ward, Mr and Mrs Samuel, Mr and Mrs Russell, Mr and Mrs Barraud, Mr and Mrs Butt, Mr, Mrs and Miss t Cecil-. Jones, Mr and Mrs Frank Leckie, Mr and Mrs Litchfieid, Mr D. Tope, Dr Elizabeth. Green, Mr and Mrs n. iiaii, Mr and Mrs and the Misses W. Nathan, Mr, Mrs and Miss Fulton, Mr and Mrs David Nathan, Mrs and Misses Beauchamp, Dr and Mrs Young, Mr and Mies Grace Harcourt. Mi* and Mrs Prender-gast-Knight, Dr and Mrs N. McLean, Mrs Kendall, Mieses Partridge, Halse, McTavish, Tregear, Hoggard, Mr and Mrs Arthur Young, Mrs Bucholz, Mr and Mrs S. Harcourt. Mrs Finch has issued invitations for a tea next Thursday. Mrs T. W. Hislop is inviting her friends to meet Miss Spencer, the English secretary of the Y.W.C.A., at the concert room on Tuesday, 90th mst. Mrs Menzies, who has been spending the winter with her daughter in the South, has returned home. Mrs T. C. Williams gave a party for her two grandchildren, who are shortly returning to England with their parents. Captain and Mrs Ferguson. An array of mites in" fancy dresses sat in wonder and delight gazing at a very large Xmas tree in the centre of the hall, decorated and laden. A fairy queen blazing with glittering lovelineass descended from the balcony with two attendant fairies (by some invisible arrangement pf wires), and brought each happy child a present. Limelight added to the effects, and made a fairy spectacle. The older friends enjoyed the tableaux quite as much as the children. A snow storm came down upon them all as they were grouped round the tree, as a finale to this delightful entertainment, upon which no end of time and trouble must have been expended. Each little girl was presented with a fairy doll before leaving.