TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2130, 20 December 1894, Page 47

TABLE TALK.

On Monday evening (the lOtb) Mr and Mrs Henry Mackenzie entertained a number of friends to dinner at their residence the " Chalet." The party was given as a farewell to Mr J. B. Reid, who is leaving Dunedin to take up his residence in Ohristchurch.

On Friday afternoon Mrs Rattray invited a few friends to meet Mrs Noel Buchanan, who is at present on a visit to Dunedin. About 20 ladies were present, and tea and coffee weie served in the dining room, where the flowers looked lovely. Besides Mrs and the Misses llattray there were present : Mrs Noel Buchanan, Mrs Turton, Mn Batchelor, Mrs A. Bathqate, Mrs Reynolds, Mra Woodhouse, Mrs W. Maitland, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Sinclair-Thomson, Mrs Scobie Mackenzie, Mrs A. W. Morris, &c.

The same afternoon Mrs Lintott gave a most delightful "At home" at her residence near St. Clair. About 50 or GO ladies were present Borne time during the afternoon, and the day was lovely, the disturbing gusts of wind which were felt in town being quite unknown in the sheltered retreat of Mre Lintott's garden. Everything looked so pretty, fresh, and green, and a great abundance of lovely flowers jurew every where* The jrrounda were

delightful to walk about in, and on a baplr, in a shady nook beside a softly-playing fountain, rugs and cushions hud been arranged for seats ; whilst under the trees clt se by a table was temptingly laid out with dishes of delicious strawberries and cream, which were much appreciated by all. The guests could then adjourn to the house, whoro, in the long dining room, tea and coffee were served. The table looked lovely, being decorated with about 20 high glasses filled with white, yellow, and deep orangecoloured single poppies and long, wavy granses, which looked most effective, and it was simply covered with dainty cakes of every colour and description Mrs Lintott wore a black costume, with zouave over a bodice of gold silk veiled in black lace, and trimmed with jet, black and gold bonnet. Several young ladies assisted Mrs Lintott with the tea table, and in looking after her gue&ta — Miss Webster, who wore dark green with Filk sleeves trimmed with tan-coloured chiffon ; Miss S. Webster, a holland costume and white floral hat ; her younger sister in black and pink; Miss Ulrica, a stylish bodice of grass green merveilleux over a black skirt, and black hat with feathers and trimming of the same shade of green ; and Miss FotherJngham, a black costume, the jacket opening over a pale pink silk blouse, and black and pink hat. These ladies were unfailing in their efforts to assist Mrs Lintott in her dutieß as hostess. Mrs Batchelor wore a costume of cinnamoncoloured cloth trimmed wirh narrow bands of gold ani iridescent beads, and a vest of yellow bilk ombroidercd with gold, and little floral bonnet ; Mra Spring, a black and tan coloured costume and tan gloves; Miss Diiver, black, the jacket opening ovor a pale blue silk blouse ; Mra Reynolds, a handsome black silk gown with lace mantle, and Hack ilorai bonnet ; M'ss R. Reynolds, brown and pink velvet trimmed wit.h silk j Mrs Fotheiingham, a black and white costurua with white waistcoat and black bonnet; Mrs Stronach, brown trimmed wiUi eilk and gold passementerie, white feather hat.; Mra Sinclair-Thomson, tailormade costume of cinnamon-coloured cloth, wide revers on tho j< cket of cream mirror silk, and brown hat trimmed with cream ribbons; Mrs Watson, l'ght brown trimmed with wide bands of black satin, and black bonnet ; Miss Roberts, a stylish black costume, the bodice having revers of purple silk, and little white vest and collar ; Miss Lulu Roberts, a tailor-made costume of black and white cloth trimmed with braid, the bodice opening over a white shirt and collar, little floral bonnet ; Mies Stephenson, a grey tailor-made gown with jacket' showing a t-mart waißtcoat, hat of gold straw trimmed with blue ; Miss Tui Stophenson also wore a grey tailor-mkde dress, and white hafc trimmed with pale blue velvet; Mrs J. M'Lean, black trimmed with cream lace and black moire, floral bonnet; Mrs Webb, pale grey trimmed with silk, aud bonnet to match; Miss Lily Roberts, a black costume trimmed with pink silk and black lace ; Mrs Oargill, brown with heliotrope, and hat to match ; Mies Batbgate, pink cotton trimmed with narrow bands of black satin ; Miss Graham, a black costume, with black hat trimmed \iith white ostrich feathers.

On Saturday afternoon Mrs Cutten invited a few frieuda to tennis at her residence, Andercon'e Bay. Mrs and Miss Williams have commenced their Thursday " At homes " for the summer season, when both the tennis and croquet lawns arc brought into use. The Misses Gibson have also commenced their Saturday tennis parties at " Birchwood," Anderson'a Bay, and no doubt these places will form very pleasant resorts to many during the summer season on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.

A word too much sometimes makes a material difference. In presenting to Miss M'Kean the handsome present given to her by the High School girls, Mr Wilson unfortunately described it as a " silver-plated teapot." The much-loved recipient of the gift no doubt immediately discovered that, far from being silver plated, it was silver, but the girls have boen much exercised in the matter. Naturally, as the error crept into print, they desire to set the world right, and to let it be known that they did not so meanly express their love and regard for one who has been their helpful, sympathising; unselfish teacher for bo long. " I just long to tell that we'd never dream of giving her ft plated thing indeed I "