TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 46

TABLE TALK.

On Monday evening, the 25th ult., Mr and Mrs George M'Lean enterta'ned a number of guests to dinner at their residence in Constitution stree*-.

On the same evening the Kahanga Club held its usual weekly meeting. On this occasion it was held at Mrs Sinclair-Thom-son's house, in Lees street, and beiDg the monthly " guest evening," the attendance was somewhat larger than usual. Mrs Sinclair-Thomson's house, having a large drawing room, is very well adapted for this purpose, and the hostess made an excellent chairwoman, contributing several items towards the entertainment of the evening herself. The first item was a piano duet performed by Mis Ogston and Mrs Lindo Ferguson. This was followed by an amusing reading given by Miss Cutten, then a song sweetly sung by Miss Mills, and the first half of the programme concluded with " a few remarks," in the shape of a short lecture on different subjects by the chairwoman, Mrs Sinclair-Thomson. "After the usual quart d'heure the second part of the programme opened with a song by Mrs Williams, then a reading by Mrs Melland, followed by a song from Mrs A. Ferguson, and a clever and amnsing little up-to-date sketch given by Mrs Sinclair-Thomson, Miss Cargill, Miss Rattray, and Miss Lily Roberts (which brought forth peals of laughter from all assembled) bringing an exceptionally good programme to a conclusion. Mrs Sinclair-Thomson wore a dark costume with a light vest ; Mrs H. Mackenzie, a stylish costume of golden brown silk trimmed with pink Bilk and cream lace; Mrs Williams, black, with bodica of red shot silk and jet; Mrs Boyd, yellow silk trimmed with wide flounces of black lace; Mrs Woodhouse, blaok and red; Mrs Monkman, cream crepon trimmed with chiffon; Mrsßowden, costume oE petunia colour trimmed with velvet, and pink silk vest ; Miss Backhouse, an exceedingly pretty though simply made dress of heliotrope silk and white chiffon ; Mrs Lindo Ferguson, a becoming dress of pale grey silk with vest of handsome yellow brocade; Mrs Ogston, blaok and white; Mrs Hosking, black trimmed with acoordion frills of shot Bilk; Miss G. Roberts, yellow silk trimmed with white lace. The number of ladies who wore dark skirts with blouses of different materials and colours, simple or elaborate, testify to tbe prevailing fashionable mode for demitoilet. Miss M. Williams wore a black silk bodice trimmed with gold embroidery ; Miss Stephenson, pink silk with narrow bands of black velvet ; Miss Mills, crimson, also trimmed with narrow bands of black velvet ; Mrs Melland, yellow silk bodice with trimmings of jet; Miss Greenwood (Christchurch), red and black blou3e ; Miss Bat chelor. green silk ; M. ; S9 L Roberts, pink ; Mrs H. MacNeil, bodice of heliotrope silk with bands of jet trimming. These bodicep, all more or less pretty and elaborate, were worn over dark skirts.

On. Monday, the 2nd July, the \jlub will meet at Mrs BatchelorV, George street, when Miss Stanford will be chairwoman ; and on M inday. the 9 oh, the evening will be spent at Mrs Rattray's house, Eglinton, when Miss A. Gargill will be chairwoman. On Tuesday Miss Murray gave a small

vet. Amongst others present were Mr Denniston, Mr Black, Dr Ogston, Mr Coates, Mr Tapley, Mr J. Cook, Mr Pasco, Mr Hendrie, Mr RichardsoD, &c.

Tbe Dunedin friends of Miss Ross, daughter of Mr John Ross, of Sargood's, will be interested to learn tbat prior to leaving Wellington on an extended visit to the Home country she was entertained at a ball in the empire city, a most pleasant evening being spent, and all present at the finish wishing tbe guest of tbe evening a real good time and a pleasant return.

The Civil Service annual social was held in the Ch ral Hall on Friday night, The attendance was not so larpe as was expected, probably owing to the inclement weather. The hall was nioely decorated with flags, and the muslo (piano and violin) was supplied by Messrs West and Haig. Songs were introduced in the first half of the programme. Two quartets—" I long for thee " and •• Rest thou "—were exceptionally well rendered by Messrs A. E. Martin, Hoddinott, Ward, and Dall. Mr Dall also sang "The Btorm Fiend" and "When knights of old," and in listening to him one could not help wishing tbat his name appeared more frequently on our publio concert programmes. Mr Morrison sang " The king's own," and Miss Mathe3on, whose voice is so well known and appreciated, sang "You ask me why I love." Mr A. E. Martin's expressive tenor voice was heard to advantage in " Only once more." Miss Matheson acted as accompanist. Tbe barn dance concluded the first part of the programme, in which Miss M'Kay and Mr Priest displayed very spirited and graceful dancing. The members of the committee — Messrs Chamberlain, W. Black, P. Doull, Harle, A. E Martir, ». J. Morrison, A. M'Laughlin (M.0.), and H. G. Hoddinotfc (hon. sec.) — were appropriately decorated with red taps rosettes. The supper table reflected great, credit upon Mr Lean, being tastefully arranged with green and pink draperies, flowers, large Japanese vases, and fairy lamps. The trifles, jellies, sweets, &c., were temptingly concocted. Miss Cook wore a very pretty dress of black trimmed with pink velvet, large pink velvet sleeves ; Miss I. L. Matheson, grey and pink ; Miss Ada Mathe-

afternooh tea at the Bank of New Zealand to some of her girl friends to meet Miss Payne, from Auckland, who is at present on a visit to Mrs Murray. A pleasant afternoon wa? spent, dnring which Miss Payne sang very sweetly, and several others played, all adding to the enjoyment of the guests. Miss Murray wore black serge with basque bodice trimmed with braid, and Miss Payne dark blue with gold trimming. There were present, amongst a few others, Miss Macassey, Miss G. Roberts, Miss Lily Roberts, Miss Scott, the Misses Reynolds, the Misses Mackerras, Miss Shand, Miss Ulrich, Miss E. Ulricb, &c, &c.

On Tuesday evening the Misses Gilkison, Manor terrace, gave a large euchre party. There must have been about 50 guests present, and games were kept up in a lively manner during the eveniDg at some 10 or 12 tables, the room being entirely filled with the little tables, chairs, and players. At the conclusion the winners of prizes were Miss Scott, Miss M. Reynolds, Mr Burnes, and Mr R. Dymock. A little music afterwards terminated a very enjoyable evening. Miss Gilkison wore a costume of crimson silk, and her sisters respectively wore dresses of pink and yellow crepon. Miss Morris wore heliotropa silk and white lace; Mrs A. Barnes also wore heliotrope silk and white lace trimmings ; Miss Reynolds, dark green silk trimmed with gold, and pink silk on tb c bodice ; Mrs W. Neill, black, the bodice trimmed with jet ; Mrs Ogston, white and black skirt, and black velvet bodice ; Miss Neill, a pretty dress of heliotrope brocade trimmed with white lilac; Miss K. Neill, yellow silk and striped gauze ; Miss G. Robert?, a handsome dress of green velvet, the revere of the low bodice being of cream lace ; Misa Gibson, pale pink acd green silk ; Miss Hodgkins, pink silk ; Miss Roberts, white ; Mis 3 Lulu Roberts, green ctepon with dark green vel-

son, light bluo trimmed with darker shade of velvet; Mrs 0. T. Patterson was very effectively dressed in yellow and black ; Miss Marsden looked very nice in cream Bilk, jellow flowers in hair; Miss R. Marsden, maize silk trimmed with black velvet and jet ; Mrs Spence, pale green and white lace ; Mrs X Begg, red satin and black lace ; Miss Hammond, pink and green; Miss Farnie wore a dress of pale green nun's veiling with gold trimmings; Mrs Morrison, a dress of pale yellow nun's veiling with silver trimmings'. A number of ladies wore black.