ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 33

ALICE'S LETTER TO HER READERS.

I spent a very pleasant hour a few mornings since at the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Warehouse in High street. I hoped to see the goods which have gone to the Melbourne Exhibition, but the last shipment had left a few days before. I, however, saw the samples, and was astonished at the variety. There must be quite 100 different samples of dress goods alone, and quite as many of gentlemen's tweeds. It is surprising the rapid strides this industry has made in a few years. From the comparatively few and coarse materials of a short time back, materials are now made which will compare with the finest French tweeds. One of the leading dressmakers told me recently that she much prefers the Mosgiel tweeds to any other to make up, as they, being all wool, are so beautifully soft, and can be made to fit perfectly, clinging as they do to the figure, and wearing so well, and are in every way satisfactory. The colours, too, are most beautifully blended in the stripes and plaids alike. A ground, for instance, of dark brown with a reddish brown broad stripe, alongside of which runs narrower ones formed of fine specks of yellow and red ; another in blue ; another in green on the same principle ; dark black-blue with line red stripes; dark green, with red stripes ; greys of all shades, from the pepper and salt grey to the delicate light grey that looks so picturesque on a hot summer day. Then there are all shades of browns, greens, blues, &c, the stripes formed of different shades of the same colour. Others again have the stripes in silk, and these silk mixtures are remarkably pretty, the silk being woven in bright - coloured specks forming stripes. There are innumerable checks, too, from the lightest to the very darkest shades. The fawns are exceptionally pretty — those delicate shades that must be seen to be admired. There is a great variety of tennis flannels to choose from, both striped and checked, and a delicate fine grey flannel which is used largely in Sydney and Melbourne both for dresses and suits. Talking of suits, I do not think the gentlemen are half aware what a beautiful assortment of tweeds are to be obtained at the warehouse, nor of the fact that both ladies and gentlemen aie welcome at any time to look round and select a pattern to their liking. Of course the ord«r must me given through a business house, as the warehouse doe? not do a retail trade or quote prices ; but the tailor or dressmaker can give the order. The trouser tweeds are not to be surpassed ; and there are a number of those fancy cloths for vests that are becoming so fashionable again. The rugs have long since made a name for themselves, and so also have the beautiful blankets.

There is another feature of the industry newly introduced, and that is hosiery and the weaving of little boys' jersey suits with cap to match. The sample I saw was remarkably well shaped and strong knitted from soft strong wool, and would give mothers of active boys every satisfaction. I advise my readers when they are in town to visit the warehouse for themselves, as visitors are courteously received and made welcome, and see with their own eyes the numberless lovely pieces of tweed and other things down to the soft white flannel. Those who once patronise these goods will sing their praises ever after, like all the ladies do after having once worn a Mosgiel tweed dress. The company's court should make a very striking appearance in the Exhibition. Mr Morrison, the manager, left by the Rotornahana to look after it.- There was shown in Brown, Ewing and Co 's window for some time a ram beautifully washed and combed, which is to stand on the top of the show case, and there be samples of wool from its native state right on through all its grades of preparation to the perfect textures I have but given you the dimmest idea of.

The ordinary man is bj no means clever at describing a lady's dress, a fact amply demonstrated to me the other day. Some gentlemen friends were very anxious to give m e a description of a young lady's dress, a

young lady whose appearance had evidently greatly pleased them. Said the first, "It was a brown linsey-woolsey, trimmed with tulle."— Picture it !— " Never," I replied, "No woman would bemad enough to trim linseywoollsey with tulle." — " No," said the second gentleman, with an anxious expression of countenance, "it was cretonne, you know, cretonne ; it looked awfully well ! " " Cretonne ! " I answered ; " was it like that 1 " pointing to some curtains, " that is cretonne." — "No — o," he replied, doubtfully. The third laughed at the ignorance of the other two, and declared it was "a price of a large check pattern." After questioning and cross-questioning, bringing them tulle to look at, and various other colours to choose from, I came to the conclusion that the dress was a dark-plum coloured tweed, with stripes of a lighter shade forming a check; the " tulle " turned out to be the frilling at the neck and sleeves. They could tell me the lady was tall, and had a fine figure, had dark hair and eyes and good teeth, but that was all they knew about her dress. After that, ladies, what is the use of looking nice.

I do not think it is out of place for me to speak of the exceeding kindness and marked courtesy displayed by the drivers and guards on the Mornington tram line. A large number of ladies and children travel on the line— for there are many suburban residences in Mornington — and what with the residents going up and down and the ladies calling (on Monday afternoons the trams are generally crowded, as that is Mrs Reynolds, Mrs MacNeill, and several other ladies' clay at home), the guards have enough to do ; but their patience and readiness to oblige is appreciated by all, for it is unvarying. They take such care, too, of the little, girls going backwards and forwards to school that the children become quite fond of them.

Mrs A. W. Morris gave a most delightful dance at Marinoto on Thursday evening last. Unfortunately the night was exceptionally wet and dark ; and in the narrowest portion of the road over the Town Bait, where it is impossible for two vehicles to pass, a cab returning (fortunately) from depositing its occupants at the house overturned, the horses going over the embankment, the cab lying partly on the road blocking up the thoroughfare. The driver was much shaken, and one horse afterwards died, and the other had to be shot. The accident might have resulted in much more serious consequences. As it was, s,bout 30 carriages on the road to the house were blocked for about an hour, but with the exception of a scare and the annoyance of being delayed y> long the road on such a night, nothing of graver consequence ensued. The dance was a brilliant success, the supper more than excellent, and not one of the guests but would hare dared more than the rough night for such a delightful evening. An added feature of interest to the dance was the fact that Miss May Morris made her debut with four other young ladies — the debutantes' names being Miss Dymock, Miss Jessie Moody, Miss Lilly M'Laren, aDd Miss — Rattray. These young ladies looked exceedingly well, in white, of course. Miss Morris' gown was exceptionally handsome, being composed of a white satin skirt covered with tulle, with a pearl panel, the bodice of white corded silk cut with aY ; when not dancing she wore a white opera cloak trimmed with swansdown. Miss Rattray 's dress was of white satin covered with net, the bodice being of white satin. Miss M'Laren's was of white grenadine trimmed with satin bows, and Miss Moody's was of white net. Several of the prettiest dresses worn by the ladies who are better known in society's circles was a lovely gown of amber moire worn by Mrs Melland, the skirt made plain, with a thick ruche of gauze round the bottom ; a demi train of moire from the left shoulder caught with a large amber bird with -black wings ; he bodice .was made in the Empire style, with undervest of the gauze. Miss Stephenson looked very pretty in white net, trimmed with cardinal ribbons ; Miss F. Jones also looked charming in white ; and Miss E. Jones in black net. Miss Mabel Maitland looked exceedingly pretty in a white silk, trimmed with tulle, and an uncommon opera cloak of white and gold stamped velvet. Mrs Gibson wove a remarkably handsome dress of black satin, lace, and jet — indeed, the wkole gown seemed gleaming with jet. The ball on Thursday was followed up on Friday evening with a dance for young ladies not yet " out." It is needless to say how thoroughly they appreciated the kindness of their host and hostess, and" enjoyed themselves as only young folks can.

In spite of the pouring rain the Eink Carnival for children at the Palace was well patronised. It was a remarkably pretty sight — 200 children of all sizes in fancy costumes rinking with all the ease imaginable — some little tots of things about five or six years old. As they went through the various figures of the Grand March the gas was turned low and the lime lights put on, the colours shining over the children being nowblue, then green, then rose colour — having an effective appearance with the endless variietiesofcolonr of the costumes. They marched through evergreen arches of tasteful design, decorated with Chinese lanterns ; and altogether it was a pretty sight, especially when they danced the Maypole dance. Among the boys' costumes were a number of footballers — (of course 1 tor what so great and noble to the boyish mind as a footballer ?) cricketers, a swagger, negro, young Sir Walter Raleighs, sailors, &c. The dance was led by a pretty shepherd and shepherdess — the shepherd in black velvet knee breeches, pink and white striped shirt, broad brimmed drab felt hat, ornamented with blue ribbons ; the shepherdess in a blue skirt, pompadour polonaise, and large straw hat. There was a tiny columbine in white net, sparkling with silver stars ; a fairy in white muslin, with white wings ; and one dressed as a baby, in long clothes, with a red hood and bootees ; a grandmother, with black dress, white cap, blue and white striped apron and shawl ; a pretty costume representing flax, the dress of dark green, trimmed with flax, the broad brimmed green hat trimmed with flax blossoms and toi-tois. There was a flower girl in blue muslin, with a basket of flowers ; and Winter, in white muslin trimmed with ivy leaves. There were three little Red Riding Hoods— one withered dress, one with white embroidered frock, and the other with a drab silk dress — the hooded cloaks almost covering the dresses, of course. At the football match between Otago and

the Maoris on Saturday there were, as usual, a great number of ladies, who took the keenest interest in the game and brightened the stand by their presence.

" Dreamer " writes : — No one in New Zealand, I think, travels more or sees more sights than myself, yet I never leave home, my travelling and sight-seeing being done in " dreamland." We are, or imagine we are, perfectly healthy. We do not say that we could jnmp a hurdle 20ft high, but we feel as if we could — not an unhealthy sigh, I should imagine; yet there must be some reason for this disturbed rest. Can you tell me what causes people to dream ?

I wish I knew, and had a " safe cure " ; I should devote the whole of my time and attention to getting it sold. One reads medical essays on the subject, and fancies one knows something about it and will be able to overcome the cause, goes to bed, and gets taken in in the same old way with the same delusive hopes and fantastic (for the time being) realities. Some people say, you know, that our soul leaves our body in these realistic dreams ; if so, it is cruel of it to leave it with our feet out of bed these cold nights or the pillow on the floor ; cruel to take one into fairyland, and come back again to grim reality just as we have begun to enjoy ourselves. But is there anything more delightful, after one has been plunged into some dim untangible, ghostly horror, which closes round ote thicker and deeper, to wake with a sudden start with beads of perspiration on our brow, and find it " all a dream " ? — that we are neither murdered nor have been guilty of murder, or that the dead body we were vainly trying .'to stand up for the last hour, and which would keep flopping down, first one side and then another, did not take to its heels like the coffin did (if coffins have heels) in the imagination of the son of the " resurection " man in Dickens' " Story of Two Cities " and chase one all down a dark street. How nice a cosy bed seems af tfer that 1 How grateful one is even of the ordinary blessings of daylight. These dreams leave one unrefreshed and faded in the morning ; but it seems to be as difficult to cure people of dreaming by night as it is of day dreaming.

I have to thank a correspondent for the following description of a concert at Waitahuna :—: —

A concert in aid of the Waitahuna Gully school was held in the Athenaeum on Friday evening, 20fch inst., and was a great success. The room was well filled, almost every family in the gully being present. The Waitahuna choir, consisting of Misses M'Kenzie (2), Auld Dale Yorke (treble), Bruce (2), alto, Messrs Patrick, Bruce (bass), and Yorke (tenor), gave some very choice selections during the evening. " Let the hills resound " was well rendered. John Grumly created a good deal of amusement. As there was no accompaniment the words were clearly distinguishable, and the singing, to my mind, more enjoyable. " Craigielee " was beautifully sung, as was also a bolo, " The Ferry," by Miss M'Kenzie. Mrs Molloy and Miss Oarr sang very nicely " Bright isle of the seas," and Miss Carr's song, " When shall we meet again," was rendered with much feeling ; also Mrs Molloy's " I'll deck my brow with roses." The rendering of that most difficult song, " The Silver Rhine," by Miss Jean M'Kenzie would have done credit to a more practised singer; but the gem of the evening was a song by Mr Hans Anderson, I cannot give you the name of it. as I am not versed in foreign languages Mr Anderson is a young Norwegian, so I presume it was one of his country's songs. Judging from his expression, it was of a serious, perhaps a sentimental nature, but the inexpressibly droll though aweet sound of the queer words fairly convulsed the young people, to say nothing of the old. Mr M'Farlane gave two comic readings, and both of Mr Yorke's songs suited the taste of his audience. The singing and behaviour of the school children reflected great credit on the teacher, Miss Robertson. Miss Robertson's solo, " Won't you buy my pretty flowers," was very nicely sung, Miss M'Farlane playing the accompaniment on the harmonium. Some selections were played on the violin by Mr Anderson and his pupils. After the concert a dance was held for a few hours, Mr M'Kenzie supplying the music. There were no evening dresses worn. Miss Robartson looked well in a black dress with vest of white silk, a knot of silk on each sleeve and silver ornaments; Miss Oudaille, black dress with frontof black brocaded velvet ; Mrs Molloy, black dress with bead trimming and gold ornaments ; Miss M'Kenzie wore a pretty sateen dress with maroon trimmings, and looked very well, as also did Miss Kirby in black velvet with white lace at throat and wrists ; Miss Bruce, black dress with white flowers; Miss M'Farlane was very nicely dressed in dark colours?, wearing flowers and a pretty, peculiar kind of necklet ; Miss Yorke, in brown, looked well ; and so did Miss Bella M'Kenzie, who wore simply a pink print dress very nicely made.

An Alexandra South correspondent sends me the following description of a leap year ball held in that town on the 13th : —

The 13th of July 1888 will long be remembered by the young people of Alexandra on account of the grand leap year ball, which passed off very successfully. Many words of praise are due to the young ladies of our little township for the highly creditable manner in which £hey carried out all the arrangements. The beautiful supper, which wan prepared by Mrs Tohill, was everything that could be desired. Miss M'Ginnis and Miss Bertha yield ably acted as M.O.'s. The Town Hall wa^ beautifully decorated with ivy and roses, al^o some pr^tfey mottus, the whnle being the work of the younjr ladies — " May Alexandra ever be proud of the smiling faces of its youug lassies." The following is a description of some of the dresses worn: — Mrs F. Williams was beautifully dressed in black lace and amber brocaded satin ; Mrs Shawman, nicely gowned in pale grey with cardinal satin front: Miss Nellie Thomson, pale blue dress covered with nice cream lace, and looped up with pearls; Miss Todd (Cromwell)' wore a very pretty dress of seagreen and biege lace ; Miss Maggie Ryan, blaok lace, satin, and jet costume,' pink aigrette in hair; Miss Colgan, pink nun's veiling dress with front of cream lace, and looped with cardinal poppies; Miss White, white muslin costume trimmed with black bows ; Miss Lucy Ryan, black lace, satin and jet dress with pink aigrette in hair; Miss Bowden, black costume prettily trimmed with silyer tinsel ; Mrs Magnus, black dress with amber plush ; Mrs Simmonds, black costume, white flowers; Miss' Paget, white dress with white lace ; Mrs Kennedy, blaok dress ; Miss Mary Roy, ' white dress, trimmed with pale blue ribbon ; Miss Fraser, blaok dress ; Miss Spain, blue sateen dress ; Miss Mulroy, white dress with pink ; Miss Cameron, grey dress trimmed with blaok; Miss Condon, cream drees draped with cardinal sash ; Miss Annie Spain, pretty pink and cream dress; Miss Fabey, or earn, dress with pale blue "[trimmings ; Miss Neiper, f&wn cashmere with front pf cardinal; Miss Harriett

Theyere, a pretty white 'dress trimmed with pink ; Miss A. Terry, navy bine dress trimmed with ivy leaves, and Miss Annie Terry, pala pink and blue costume ; Miss Alice Ryan, a dress of grey, silk with cardinal front; Miss J. Cameron, black dress; Miss Charlotte Fisher, golden brown dress; Miss M'Ginnis, cream skirt trimmed with lace and flowers, black velvet bodice ; Miss Bertha Field, white satin dress trimmed with spangled net; Miss Mary Watson, in cream, with striped skirt"; Miss Emma Wilkinson (Bald Hill Flat), pretty pink dress with cream lace and ribbon ; Miss Brown, cardinal ; and Miss E. Morris, dark green.