THE LADIES’ COLUMN.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3439, 21 May 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE LADIES’ COLUMN.

HERE,' THESE, AND EVERYWHERE. ] [By On Dit.] Miul 1 but pirfivy ot money, money enough nu Hi* ffp ire, The hou:« for »/.«, no doubt, were a in a city*, qiuvre; Oh 1 uucb a life. btvib u Ilf.*, as one I-.'uJb at the window thure ! Something to *ee, by Eacchu*, Hometldng to bent at leant There lije whole day long, one’* Ilf*' is a perfect feast. —Browning. Ac tho concert, at which Frauloin Fuchs delighted the Wellington people with her exquisite violin-playing, there was a full house and a most enthusiastic audience. Very simple and girlish the young artiste looked in her short white frock, showing pretty feet and ankles, aud her dark hair out square across her forehead and tied on the top of her head with white ribbons. The general opinion seems to be that she is a very wonderful performer, her playing of Faust in particular being charming. Her violin is a very old and valuable one. She was presented by the Liedertafel with a huge laurel wreath tied with red and white ribbons, with which she appeared extremely delighted. Miss Mongredien, as usual, got an enthusiastic reception, but the song she chose, though she sang it finely, did not appeal to her hearers as a simpler one would have done. Miss Mongredien is a perfect exponent of the ballad. Madame Carlton sang “ Spring," by Henschel, excellently, and gave as an encore a sweet little selection entirely new to a Wellington audience. It is always a treat to hear Mr Prouse, and certainly he excels in these passionate love-songs ho so often chooses. Altogether the concert was an exceptional success, aud the management ought to feel highly pleased with the result.

There were an unusual number of cloaks in tho dress circle, owing to the cold weather. One lady wore an amber gown, with amber crepe ond passementerie, while an elderly lady was dressed in white watered-eilk with bows of cherry velvet. A pretty blue silk blouse was veiled with tucked not, and had bunches of lace on the shoulders. I have heard frequent complaints as to the bad stagelighting at the Opera House. It is most difficult at a concert to discern the features of the singer. The feet and lower part ot tho skirt are the only portions Well lit, and a sombre shadow is over the face. Miss Mongredien had on a black satin skirt, with a ruche bordered with narrow orange ribbon round the foot, ond another laid on in apron fashion. The bodice was of yellow and black brocade, with a little black zouave. Madame Carlton wore white silk with silk gauze flounces.

There is a great dearth of entertainment this week, though there are many strangers in town. . The great coming excitement is the Birthday Ball at Government House, which promises to be a most brilliant affair. Six hundred invitations are said to havebeen issued, and the newlydecorated ball-room and supper-room will make fine settings for a well-dressed crowd. Dressmakers are very busy, and I hear rumours of most exquisite gowns being got ready to grace the event. This season, too, the materials for evening wear are lovelier than they have ever been, and it is quite an evibarras do richesse to choose a gown.

In the paper called The Lady there is a section entitled “ Private Advertisement Columns," set apart for the use of private persons who wish to buy, sell, or exchange articles. It is by no means uninteresting reading, and whole romances can be made up if one roads between the lines. Could onb but believe the columns, there are benevolent people in London anxious to dispose of their wearing-apparel for the very smallest of considerations. A nearly new chiffon and yellow silk balldress, with jewelled trimming, is offered for 80s, gray cashmere dress, quite new and ■ trimmed with jet, for 15s, and for a short riding - habit only 10s 6d is wanted. Either the goods must be well-worn, or the seller in desperate straits. Here is a vicar's wife offering, for the modest sum of 5s each, two dinner jackets to fit a medium-sized man. Probably her husband h*s given up dinner, and they confine themselves to luncheon and tea. A lady, who "desires frequent change," wishes to sell nearly new London blouses, &0., and one person is so exact as to state the time —thirty minutes only—a ballgown has been worn. It is impossible to avoid speculating as to what caused the ■“ pale green tulle" to be doffed so soon after it was put on, and never to be worn again; was it a bereavement, or a fit, or a mis-fit ?

Here is a delicately pathetic touch. A widow’s bonnet, nearly new, is to be exchanged for a dress-basket. The words “new condition " are not needed at all. One can see the gay young thing setting off for her honeymoon with her dreasfaosket which she exchanged for her widow’s bonnet, safe in the van.

The middle-aged governess, in reduced

circumstances, would bo thankful for serviceable dresses, cloak, or underolothj ing, but she, poor thing, says nothing J about money. But a “ stout old lady" wants a cloth jacket and it most be cheap. Simple directness is the main feature of this advveriisement. Some people might have chosen a devious mode of expression and alluded to themselves as “ elderly ladies with a slight tendency to embonpoint."

This column chows, too, how many people ore anxious to exchange the luxuries of life for the absolute necessaries. A poor lady wishes coats and shirts instead of the plaques and panels nfae paints, and another wants a Brussels carpet or a fashionable dress for “ splendid rose or fruit-trees." A third offers two laf.ee fronts and a tail of golden hair lor a -pecuniary consideration, and yet another want* a well-bred pug in exchange lor a ring or bracelet.

The Christchurch Frets is very severe jon the idea—put forward by a correspondent—that the National Council of Women was as representative a body as the New Zealand House of representatives,. It says;—“ Wo can hardly imagine such an idea being put forward in sober earnest. The House of Eepresentatives, with all its faulty is at least elected by the people at large. Every adult, man and woman, can take part in the selection of the members if they choose. But how many of the women of Christchurch took part in the selection of the local' delegates at the Women's National .Connell ? We venture to say that not one in £fty of them knew, before the delegates; were appointed, that such a Council was - going to take place, and not one in 500 1 had any part or lot in their election The so-called “ National Council,” we repeat, is not a representative body at all, and it has given conclusive proof that it ns not in any sense a leliberative body. It is a common complaint of men, frequently unjust, that “ it’s no use arguing with a woman.” The “ National Council” goes further, and deliberately declares that argument will net be allowed. It does not desire to hear both sides of the question. The truth is that the “ National Council of Women ” is a ludicrous farce, and the sooner it is ended, or entirely remodelled, the bettor. We treated its first efforts very tenderly, hopiag that the members would gain wisdom hy experience and improve. It is now that the Council has usurped a •’title to which it has no right, and by its txidiculoua proceedings it is bringing the ■sensible women of New Zealand into icontempt and scorn."

A new ladies’ paper has just been issued.

It is called The Ladies' Field, and rejoices in a brilliant rose-coloured wrapper with a watteau damsel disporting herself thereon. Inside it is strewn with titles. Countesses and Duchesses are as thick as autumn loaves in Vallombrosa, and some of tho writers, with unhandled names themselves, exhibit an astounding familiarity with tho upper ten thousand. But one page entitled “ Fashions for other Bands ” is distinctly a good idea, if the hints given are at all practicable. The writer speaks ot “ our Colonial cousin, who is, unless her purse be well filled, and she can order from the home country, quite at tho mercy of tho storekeeper who buys up from tho shipper cheaply tho ‘ lota ’ loft over in the wholesale houses. Indeed, tho circumstances ot the seasons gives thorn the most tempting opportunities, on which they ‘ grow fat and flourish,’ To the wealthy woman who needs but guidance in tho locating of her commands with the houses here, we oiler that timely direction, assuring her of a speedy response to all queries, aud making note for her benefit of those who most successfully cater for her peculiar needs. To the more moderately endowed with this world’s goods wo would offer real help in the “ up-to-date “ manamvring of her costumes and headgear, reconciling the spirit and forms of the moment to her differing conditions. Especially would we prove ourselves of service to those clover l women and girls in “ other lands ’ who are their own dressmaker and milliner;- who do not just sit down saying, <! It is no use expecting to dress well living in the colonies," but “ buckle to ” and fashion their garments themselves. Tho feats of some colonial mothers would surprise many a woman over here. Not only can they concoct blouses and dance frocks, but boys’ suits, jacket and knickerbockers complete, and most presentable.”

I am not sure that wo are so stranded—at any rate in Wellington—as “ Hum-tning-birn,” as she calls herself, makes out. But such a column to more isolated women with yearnings after the last new fashion, may prove of great service.