ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 33

ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

There has been no dearth of amusements -this week— race week. Indeed, there has been one continual round of excitement, very few hours out of the twenty-four being devoted to rest by those who have attended the several dances of the week. The private dances and those bread and butter dances, p-ot up on a short notice, where the floors were not overcrowded, and friend met friend, Slave been voted on all hands as most enjoyable. The dances given by Mrs Turton and Mrs Bachelor were both great successes, so also was that held in St. Matthews' schoolroom on Thursday evening. It was given by 24 young ladies, and all present enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The hall was tastefully decorated, the dresses pretty, and all the arrangements were carried out successfully. By Saturday most people were fagged, and complexions and tempers had both suffered. It is a pity so much enjoyment should be crowded into one week, for it is too much strain, and there is a collapse afterwards, and everything appears dull.

There was still another wedding at the Congregational Church on Tuesday at halfpast 1 o'clock, when Miss Bathgate was united to Mr Robinson, of Bristol. It was a quiet little wedding, but a pretty one nevertheless. The bride was married in her travelling dress of a remarkably light grey tweed, very soft and girlish in appearance. It was elegantly and simply made, trimmed with silver braid. The hat was a toque to match the dress. There were four bridesmaids dressed gin cream postumes, Miss Bathgate and Miss Turton being chief bridesmaids. Their dresses were very pretty, and so were those of the two little Misses Mclland and Woodhouse, two tiny mites not much bigger than the bouquets they carried. I noticed among the wedding guests Mrs Reynolds, in a handsome dress of dark salmon figured satin, beautifully trimmed with coffee laae, bonnet to match. Mrs J. Denniston: Elaborate black satin, with salmon satin front, and drap; white bonnet, trimmed with black velvet. Mrs Buchanan : Dark green silk, trimmed with coffee-coloured lace.

Mrs J. Reid : Slate silk dress with bonnet to match.

Mrs Law : Black satin, with very pretty heliotrope bonnet. Mrs Woodhousc : Ivory Liberty silk with navy blue velvet collar and cuffs ; white hat trimmed to match.

Mrs W. Maitland : Black silk ; white bonnet.

Miss M. Maitland : Maroon striped dress ; stvhsh maroon velvet, hat.

Mrs A. W. Morris : A black silk dress, with white bonnet.

There was quite a crowd present in the church, for interest in weddings never flags. While I am on the subject of weddings I must thank those brides who have sent me wedding cake, and assure them it is a pleasure as well as a duty to fairly represent what I see.

My account of the dresses at the races on Cup Day appeared in the sporting columns last week, it being too late for the part of the paper in which these notes appear. The second day was fine, but not very bright, and although a number of ladies were present and nicely dressed, there was nothiug brilliant about the appearance of the aband. I noticed

Miss Stephenson and Miss Tottie in very pretty white Liberty silks, elaborately trimmed with white lace.

Mrs Percy Jones in pale heliotrope satin, trimmed with white lace ; white hat with heliotrope flowers. Mrs Dr Martin : Maize silk dress, cardinal velvet cloak, bordered with grey fur ; white bonnet.

Mrs Hart : Rich costume of cardinal velvet.

Miss Ellis (Invercargill) wore a costume of grey velvet. Mrs" M'Kellar : A handsome costume of brown.

There were several other handsome costumes, but the names of the wearers were unknown to me. One of these was a grey and black striped silk, draped with black lace; another, a blue siik, trimmed with white lace insertion.

The race ball was an unqualified success. The Choral Hall was decorated with terra cotta and white, mirrors, and large fans. The usual supper room was used for ices, and the supper was served in Dagmar College. It was an excellent one, Mrs Sprent having had the management The band was stationed in the gallery. The stage was arranged as a drawing room. The dresses were very handsome, and there were a number of strangers present. Miss Alexander wore a pretty dress of blue silk aud tulle ballet; skirt.

Mrs Batchelor : Brown and pink satin ; aigrette'in hair ; painted palm fan.

Mrs Collins (Wellington) : Very handsome white satin and lace dress, trimmed with amber velvet.

Miss Richardson (Wellington) : Charming dress of primrose satin and tulle, trimmed with large flots of primrose and heliotrope ribbon ; bouquet of heliotrope and yellow flowers ; heliotrope feather fan. Miss Fosbery : Pale grey gauze dress with silk bodice, paniers of grey crystal beaded gauze; aigrette in hair; small grey Portia feather fan.

Mrs Maunsell : Very handsome plain black ball dress.

Mrs Ronalds (Lyttlefcon) : Violet brocadedsilk ; head-dress of yellow roses. Mrs Ireland: Trained dress of white brocade; silk and tulle petticoat trimmed with white flowers.

Miss Isaac : White satin and tulle with lovely white flowers across the front of skirt ; aigrette in hair, and large pale pink ostrich-feather fan.

Miss Jones: Pale heliotrope gauze, spangled with steel. Miss F. Jones : Pale pink tulle, trimmings of same colour; aigrette and fan to match.

Miss Ruck (Auckland): White silk and tulle skirt, studded with marguerites ; same in hair.

Hon. Mrs Parker (Christchurch) : Black lace dress, and very handsome diamonds.

Miss Murphy (Melbourne) : White satin and tulle, with a most beautiful pearl beaded front to skirt ; white aigrette in hair.

Mrs W. G. Neill : All crimson ; tulle skirt, plush bodice. Miss Perry (Timaru) : A white chennille ; spotted tulle ballet skirt, satin bodice, both trimmed with a profusion of really beautiful white flowers ; flowers to match in hair ; fan and gloves white. Mrs Lindo Ferguson: Grey gauze, with ribbons to match, studded with crystal drops.

Miss Holmes : Very handsome terra cotta plush gown, cut square and made with train.

Miss G. Russell : Very pale pink silk, tulle fan, gloves ; aigrette to match. Miss Johnson : Black tulle, trimmed with jet and large flots of lavender ribbon ; same on bodice and in hair.

Mrs Sprent: Black velvet, with jet petticoat and most becoming white lace cap.

Mrs Pym : Black satin, trimmed with jet. Miss Stephenson : Charming dress of white tulle, panel striped, with two shades of lettuce green ribbon.

Miss T. Stephenson : White chennille ; spotted tulle and silk, trimmed with, white ribbon ; ostrich feather fan to match.

Miss Reynolds : Pale pink net and bodice, and sash of pale pink watered silk.

Mrs Henry Mackenzie : Pink spangled net and silk.

Miss J. Gilkinson : Pretty dress of white net and silk, with yellow ribbons.

Mrs Finch : Wedding dress of white corded silk, with long train, handsomely trimmed with lace.

Miss MacNeil: Yellow satin and gauze, beaded with yellow; bronze shoes and gloves. Mrs W. Isaac : Heliotrope gauze and silk, made with very handsome train; glores, feather fan, and aigrette to match.

Miss Farquhar : A charming dress of white lace and soft white silk, made a la Grecian ; white fan and gloves.

MrsJ. T. Wright: Black silk bodice and train, trimmed with jet ; petticoat of stripes of lace and jet over pale heliotrope.

Miss Wright : Yellow satin and tulle, with the most beautiful trimmings of autumntinted leaves.

Mrs Henry Rose; Eau de Nil net and satin, trimmed with pale yellow and brown birds ; front of petticoat drawn satin ; gloves to match.

Mrs F. Chapman : Black tulle and yellow ribbons.

Mrs Spence : Sapphire blue plush and satin.

Mrs Stephenson : Black velvet with brocaded panel of pale pink, with brown leaves.

Mrs J. R. Jones : Black velvet and very pretty white cap. Miss Larnach: Electric blue net with plush bodice. Miss Driver: Very pretty dress of net over shot silk— colour, London smoke.

Miss Webster : White net, with white satin bodice and ribbons.

Miss Fraser : White silk and nun's veiling, with golden brown ribbons.

Mrs Donald Larnach: Black lace and Moire bodice, trimmed with flots of scarlet velvet; very handsome steel ornaments on dress, also in the hair ; dog collar of steel, and band of velvet worn round the neck.

Mrs Stead (Ohristchurch) : White corded silk and blue ribbon bows on dress and in the hair.

There was, I understand, some dissatisfaction among some ladies whose names did not appear in the Cup Day report. Ladies must bear in mind that they are not all known to me, and that it is impossible for me to describe their costumes if I do not know them, The best way to get over the difficulty is, for any lady who is desirous of having her costume noticed, to send the description in to me, thua ensuring its appearance.

Last, but not least, I must notice Pain'a fireworks, which have been held at the Caledonian grounds every alternate evening during the week. The grounds were crowded, between three and four thousand people being present on the opening night. The stand was lit up with hundreds of Chinese lanterns, and presented the appearance of a fairy scene. We have had nothing before to compare with the display, as the loud applause testified. The children shouted with delight when a monkey of different colours, swinging on a pole, proved to be one of the items, or an elephant of brilliant light walked along. I think the monkey was more appreciated than a representation of her Majesty ; but the bombardment of Alexandria was the grand feature of the evening. To see the warships sailing along, and hear the discharge of the mimic guns was alone well worthy a visit, and wherever they go Pain's fireworks are sure to draw crowds.

Avoid the harsh, irritating, griping compounds bo often sold as purgative 'medicine, and correct the irregularities of ' the bowels by the me of Ayer' 8 Cathartic Pills. They are invaluable 88 a family medicine,