TABLE TALK. Monday, December 16.

Otago Witness, Issue 2181, 19 December 1895, Page 31

TABLE TALK. Monday, December 16.

During Ihs past week a cumber of both small and large afternoon teas have been given as farewells to Miss Moodie and Miss Ramsay, both of whom are to be married during the present week, and on Tuesday Mrs Jowitt gave a luncheon party at her residence, Caveraham, also in their honour. Only girls were invited, and they all tboroogbly erijoyod a delightful little partyAmongst tbe girls present were Miss Ramsay, Miss G. Rameay, Miss Moodie, Miss

Roberts, Miss M*ca<ssay, Miss Shand, Misa i Stephensoa, Mies E. UJricb, Misb Mackerras, On Monday afternoon Mrs Lu&k gave a small tea at her residence, Opoho, in honour of Miss Moodie. On Wednesday the Misse*6band invited a . few girl friends of Miss Ramsay and Mies Moodie to afternoon tea, to give them an opportunity of bidding adieu to thoce young ladies before tb.6y leave tbeir girl's estate. | There wera present the Misses Shand, Miss Ramsay, Miss C. Ramsay, Miss Moodie, Miss ! E. Ulricb, Miss Tolburet (Wellirgton), Mies Bart k roar, Miss Todd, the Misses Webster, Miss L. Mackerras, Miss Graham, Mies S. Graham, Mifit Gwendoline, Mies Roberts, the Mwsgs Raltray, Misa Dnnlop, &c. On Thursday afternoon Mrs Moodie gave a very large "At home " at her residence in Royal Terrace, as a farewell to her daughter. About 70 or 80 guests must have been present some time during j the afternoon, but there was ample ! room for all to move about. During the afternoon there was some exseedingly good music in the drawing room, while in a small roomMiss Moodle's lovely and numerous presents were displayed. Mrs Theomin sang several songs charmingly, and soDgs were also sung by Mrs Hislop, Mrs Dowling, Miss Roberts, and Miss E. Farquhar, whilst Mrs Hewitson played most exquisitely. Great interest was displayed by all In the lovely wedding presents, and the room was always filled with ladies eager and anxious to see. All Borts of useful articles were there displayed — in fact everything you could mention or think useful and necessary for a young couple starting house-keeping. t There was a handsome silver tea service, several cream and eugar dishes combined in china and silver, handsome case of table silver and cutlery, everything complete, chairs, tables, salad bowls, teaspoon?, dessertspoons, several pictures, large handsome dinner service, lamp*, table nepkin rings, butter and jam dishes in silver and crystal, dessert dishes in elegant china ware Bet In silver, several clocks, entree dishes, silver egg stand, handsome cases of fruit and fish knives and forks, fieh slice. <fee, &c, f 1 Xea and strawberries and cream Were served

in the dining room, where the table was very tastefully decorated with white silk and high standing glasses filled with pretty pink and yellow Iceland poppies ; a number of girl?, all weariDg smart light blouses, looking after the wants of every oae. ' Amongst the ladieß present were Mrs G. Moodie and tho Misses Moodio, Mrs Herdroan, Mrs Hlslop, Mrs and Misß Maokerras, Mrs and Miss Wilson, Mrs Dennisfon, Mrs Oantrell, Mrs Zicle, Miss Low, Mrs Theomin, Mrs and Miss Bartlemnn, Miss Eva Smith, Miss Todd (Oamarn), Miaa Shand, Mies Lily Shand, Mrs and Miss Ramsay, Miss Farqabar, Miss E. F^rquhar, Mrs Jowilr, Mrs O#ston, Mrs Ridirge', Misß Roberts, Mrs and the Misses Grabam, Mrs and Mies Stcpbersson, Mrs Dowling, Mrs and Miss Macassey, Ulricb, Mrs Brent, Mrs and Mips Law, Mrs and Miss Brown, Mre Lusk, Miss Hodgkine, Mrs Hewiison, Mrs and Miss M'Lear, Mre Fergus, &c, &c.

Mrs Moodie wore a handsome gown of black velr.et trimmed with jet, and Miss Moodie, black skirt with pretty bodice composed of pink eilk crepon grenadine, made with three large box pleats in front, finiehed with large jewel buttor*s ; Mrs G. Moodie, black trimmed with violet silk and jet, with bonnet to match ; her daughter wore a pink crepon blouse trimmed with black velvet over a black tk"rt; Mrs Jowitt, a stylish dress of pale grey with sleeveless bodico composed of slate grey figured satin,. and short cape lined with white silk, white bat trimmed with lace and flowers ; Miss Eva Smith, a stylish heliotrope muslin blouse over a black ekirt; Miss L. Mackerras, a blouse bodice of grey shot silk, and dark skirt ; Miss Tui SiephensoD, cornflower blue crepon costume trimmed with yellow silk and guipnre laoe, lace tcque hat trimmed with blue cornflowers ; Mrs Can trail, black crepon costume with bodice of black accordeon-

pleated silk; Mrs Robert?, black crepon J trimmed with yellow silk veiled in black laco ; Miss MAcassey, black crepon skirt and pink bodice with white lace collar and cuffs ; Miss Lily Shand, grey checked tailor - made costume, and brown hat with pretty piDk flowers ; Miss S. Graham, - grey checked dress with sleeveless bodice of: pink eilk crvered with cream-coloured lace, large black lace hat with pink flowere; Misa Roberts, black crepon costume trimmed with black satin ribbons ; Mrs Dowling, black crepon with yoke of white silk veiled in jet, black and white bonnet ; Mrs Theomin wore green cloth trimmed with mignonette green and -bands of cream-coloured lace, smart bonnet composed of lace and flowers. On Friday afternoon another parly was given as a farewell to Mibb Ramsay, this time by Miss Roberts, at her residence, Littlebourne. About 40 girls were present, ail of whom enjoyed the afternoon exceedingly, and songs were sung by Miss Roberts, Miss R. Reynolds, Miss L. Shand, Mies Robinson, acd Miss Milly Graham. Tea and strawberries and cream were served in the spaoious dining room, where the decorations looked most artistic, exquisite red and yellow poppies being arranged in a large centre bowl, and tall glasses filled with the same flowers adorning the tables. Amocgsfc those present were the Misses Roberts, the Misses Ramsay, Miss Macaseey, the Misses Ulrich, the Misses Webster, Miss M. Graham, Miss L. Maokerrae, Miss Tolhurst (Wellington), Miss Neill, the Misses Gilkisoc, the Misses Shand, Mies Bartleman, Miss M'Lean, Miss Mackenzie, Miss Robinson, the Misses Reynolds, Miss Hodgkins, Miss Danlop, the Misses Stephenson, fee. The long-poßtponed opening of the Otago tennis courts took place on Saturday afternoon. There was not at all a large gathering on this occasion, although a gcod many members were present ; but the number of visitors was considerably smaller than on former opening days. Perhaps this was I partly owing to counter attractions, as the Amateur Athletic Club held their annual sports meeting on the same day, and also because there had not been sufficient time to i announce the fact generally, and most people concluded the club was open, so did not

anticipate an " opening day " so late in the season. However, it proved most enjoyable for those who did put in an appearance, as the weather was all that coold be de»ired, and the grounds were looking particularly fresh and green. The band played delightful music all afternoon, and the ladles sat in groups on the lawn or in the pavilion listening to the strains and takiDg a very lively interest in come keenly - contested games which were going on. Mrs Finch, assisted by seme other ladies, presided over the tea table, and tea and cake were liberally dispensed to everyone. Most of the tenniß players wore light blouses or shirt 3 over dark skirts, a few wearing light cotton dresses 1 . Miss S. Grabam wore a pick and white shirt; Miss L. Mackerras, wbitc; Miss Mocassey, white muslin ; Miso Hcgg, light cambrio ; Miss B. Gilkiaon, pale yellow ; Miss If. M'Lean, buff coloured trimmed with white. All these were worn over da> k skirts. Mrs Ifincb wore a black costume with jacket and white bodice; Mis a Shand, white drill costume; Mrs Dowling, black crepon, tbe bodice trimmed with heliotrope satin and jet; Miss Farquhar, black serge, and her sister a grey dress; Mrs Martin, black Bilk trained gown trimmed with velvet and jet, floral bonnet; Mrs Stilling, grey tweed costume ; Mies Norah GKlkison, black crepon dress with silk bodice, trimmed with cream lace, and black bat; Mrs Jowitt, grey cloth trimmed with lace and shot green satin ; Mi?s Tui Stephecson, black crapon trimmed with white silk covered with gnipuro lace, toque hab of lace and fl swots '; Mies Reynolds, a black crepon costume, the bodice trimmed with blue silk veiled in jet, black hat with blue cornflowers ; Mrs H. Le Oren, black crepon dress, the bodice made with three wide box pleats finished with large buttons, collar and cuffs

of wbilo *i)k, thrse-coraered-fchaped hat of blEck straw ; Miss Oock, cornflour blue crepon trimmed with bands of white silk and lace, black and gold hat ; Miss Graham, black crepon dress trimmed with black satin ribbon, black and Ijlae hat ; Miss Neill, grey checked tweed, with floral hat; Mrs Allan Holmes, costume of slate grey cloth trimmed with black lace, black and yellow bonnet ; Miss Kathleen M'Lean, brown crepon dress trimmed with yellow, and hat to match ; Mrs Fergus, black silk dress with sleeve! es bodice of white silk covered with black lace and trimmed with jet," little black bonnet finished with white ribobes; Mrs Tov7nsend, grey and black ; &c. On Saturday evening Mrs James Allen gave a small bat successful dance at her residence, Clyde street, in honour of Miss Tolhur3t, a vißitor from Wellington, who is her guest at present. Being Saturday night, the hour had to be limited from 9 to 12, making rather a short evening, which, however, was none the less pleasant. About 30 guests were present, and dancing was kept up with great spirit and thoroughly enjoyed by all. An excellent supper was served in the dining room, whete the table was most beautifully decorated with choice flowers. Amongst those present were Miss Tolhurst (Wellington), Miss Roberts, Miss Grabam, Miss S. Graham, Miss Macaesey, the Misses Webster, the Misses Shand, Mies E. Ulrich, the Misses Rattray, Miss Baitleman, &c. Weigel's Journal for October contains some very pretty suggestions, though the fluted bottle-gourd sleeves in the principal illustration are enough to frighten any one. There is a pretty Eton coat with a sailor collar continuing into smart revers ; a charming sun bonnet, which I should advise ladies to provide themselves with before goicg to stay at the seaside. It would be delightful for preserving one from sun tan and the effect as a frame to a pretty face — bewitching, I am sure I Then there is a remarkably pretty pinafore with a pointed yoke of novel shape ; and a fichu suggestion for a dreas bodice which would be simply delightful for a muslin gown.

?— Of all serpents the Indian cobra is *Id to ba the mnsi insoestible to murnW.