TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2215, 13 August 1896, Page 43

TABLE TALK .

MOJfDAT. Last Monday evening the Kabariga Club met at the residence of Mrs Hocken, in Moray place, when Mrs Joachim acted as chairwoman for the evening. There was a good attendance of ladies, and Mrs Hocken's Urge room 3 were Btrained to their utmost to find accommodation for all. A most enjoyable evening was spent. Hiss Hodgkins had painted the programme in her usual effective style. Miss Towsey gave the first item of the ; evening, which waa a pianoforte solo, and played with great taste. Mrs Sale then gave an excellent and instructive reading, and Miss Lily Sband brought the first part; of the programme to a conclusion by a vocal solo, which 6he tang moat sympathetically and jiweetly. During the interval delicious refreshments were served in the dining room, and after full justice bad been done to them, the pro-, gramme was continued. Mrs Shand gave a capital representation of 'an old Scotch woman who, dreased In her Hfghland bonnet and tartan shawl, was much puzzled by the antics of the new woman. Mra Shand did her part in a conversational style, whioh proved most entertaining. Miss Ethel Neill and Mra Monkman both rendered song 3in a most pleasing manner, the latter lady having to come back for an encore, when she delighted all by singing that sweet little melody "The song of. the nest." The evening was brought to a close by a clever little dialogue, which was given by Mlis S. Barfcleman and Miss Greenwood, both ot whom did their puts in * most realistw

Mrs Oacway on Thursday afternoon in her rooms at, Wain's Hotel. This afternoon was given in honour of Misa Moffat, from Invercargill, who is at present paying a visit to Mrs Perston. Between 20 and .30 ladies were present, and during the afternoon the guests streamed in and out from the tea-room to the drawing room, where some very pleaßlng songs were rendered by Mrs Israel, Mrs Dowling, Miss Moffat, and others. ■ Amongst thote present were ' Miss Moffat (Invercargill).JMra Perston.Mrs Michie, Miss Le.Cren, Mrs and tho Misses Stephenson, Miss E. Gilkison, Misa Macassey, Miss Scott, Misa Cook, and Mrs Bennet (Timaru). On Friday evening a danes was held in All Saints' schoolroom in aid of the funds of that church's young ladles' guild. Owing, however, to the, inclement stats of the weather, the number of guests was not so large as on former.occasions. Nevertheless those who were brave enough to face the elements enjoyed a very good time. No pains had been spared by the committee of ladies— all of whom are members of the guild— to make the evening a success. The floor . was excellent, the . hall looked bright and artistio, the music by Mr Hamann was all that could be desired, and the supper table looked most inviting, being loaded 'with tempting viands of all kinds and description— all the work of the clever hands of the committee. The humble oharge of half a crown was all that was asked for admittance for girls and men alike. Mrs Webster and Mrs Batohelor acted as chaperones. . • < - The committee, which, consisted of Miss Webster, Migfl'G. Webster, Miss MacLaren, MiBS Graham, Miss Susy Graham, Miss Maoausey, Misa R. Neill, Miss S.W ebster, Miss E. Uliicb, and Miss Batchelor, all wore powered hair and patohes, which proved exceedingly becoming to them all, and imparted a most picturesque effect to the ballroom. Miss S. Graham looked extremely well dressed in black velvet trimmed with real old lace and scarlet poppies ; Miss Macassey wore a very effective dress of pale grey silk, with sleeveless bodice of white silk veiled in white chiffon, and white feathers in her hair s lli&l NoiU -ore blaoksilk; Misa B&tohelor,

However, as Lady GUaegow was interested in the play a great number of tickets was sold for the first nigh I", and the ballroom, which was fitted np with seats for the audience, was crowded to excess. The drawing room was fitted np as the stage. Unfortunately the second njght was- very wet* and as hardly, any tickets had been sold, the Beats were thrown open to all who cared to come. The play on the whole -was wellmcted and staged. Amongst those talcing parts in it were Dr and Mrs Purdy, the Hon. Mr Butter, Miss L Wilford, Misß Alice Grace, Miss K. Wilford, Mr Hac field, and Mr H. Rolleston. Jndge and Mrs Denniston gave a large juvenile dance in the Art Gallery, to enter- . tain our High School boys who went north 1 to play football with Christ's College. Lady Glasgow gave a delightful "At home" la6t Friday evening. About 150 guests were present. Lady Auguata and Lady Alice Boyle both wore stylishly-made i yellow Bilk frocks. Miss Edwards (a debutante) wore a lovely white silk dress ; Miss Napier Bsll (also a debutante) looked very well in a cream-coloured bengaline frock, the whole being trimmed with bnncheo of creamcoloured flowera ; Mrs Jack Demean wore a I handsome dress of black velvet trimmed with ' real lace; Miss Izard, a pretty white silk gown. The Otago Indies' Golf Club is going to be well represented at the New Zaaland Ladies' Golf Championship Tournament, which is I beiDg held at Wellington this year. Play ' begins on August 31, and continues till September 5,, About 16 members of the Odago Ladies' Golf Club leave Danedin early ' next week, staying at Timara and Christchurch, where they are >to be the guests of friends and relatives. A large proportion , I will go on to Wellington. Needless to say, | there will be plenty of golf for them in .' Timam and Ohristohurch as well as in Wel- . lington. ________ , The usual monthly medal competition . took place on the 4th inst , and although I the weather was delightful the attendance , was rather disappointing, Mrs Ogston

importing silks of varying qualities and prices. The favourite combination of colours at Home, as m&j be expected dining the Court mourning for Prince Henry of Battenburg, in black and white. In accordance with this, I note a paragraph which will be comforting to some one whose black and white check dress will not wear out. " Black and white, shepherd's plaid for preference, which is BO'muoh worn,andisalwaysneatandemart. This, with black revere faoed with white, white vest and large braid buttons, seemed just what I wanted."- One word more before we leave the fascinating subject of dress. I must tell you of an innovation in wedding costumes, and that is the floral muff. These pretty substitutes for the now overdone, enormous shower bouquet are likely to become extremely fashionable. Some are described as being composed entirely of autumnal foliage and chrysanthemums. Wouldn't they be lovely ?

What funny suggestions you do see in the journals sometimes. The following took my fancy immensely. I fancied the coal bill — a noble item in this weather— becoming small by degrees and beautifully less. Just listen : " Gather all your odd pieces of paper together and soak in water until well saturated, then squeeze it in little lumps. Put on the fire, and you will find this lasts longer than coals, as well as gWing a strong heat." Do you think it is worth tryiDg ? To me it has a very damp, depressing sound. I wonder if any of you have fully fathomed the uses and merits of borax*? A lady friend preached a gospel compounded entirely of borax to me the other day, and I have tried in your interests to remember a few of the items she rattled off, for she is one of those stirring women who are always preaching a new gospel anent some matter, household, political, or religious, only, it must be new— to her. Well, concerning the borax, she says she always uses borax (or has it üßed, which ?) for washing the fine laces and muslins. Now I have read of its being used in Belgium and Holland for the ordinary washing day of the household and at the public laundries. The saving of Boap effected by its use is laid to be marvellous, and the proportion recommended i» r largo bM&alagjoirdorecl boras

to lOgal of boiling water. Tho Belgian laundresseß have l^ world-wide reputation, you know, can a portion of their success bo . due to the use of borax 1 Ho we ver, to return to my voluble friend, from washing she flew to tea, and assured me that borax i> a useful and. economical adjunct to the daily tea* making, and she advises that it be used thus : " A small teaspoonfnl of borax powdei added to an ordinary-iizad kettle of water just before the water comes to the boil." Now I confess this sketchy mdde of dealing with quantities does not please roe. I am perhaps old maidish iv my liking for accuracy in detail. There are at least two ordinary sizes of kettle; but when I attempted to pin my friend to a more exact description she rebelled, as genius does against detail, And reminded me of yet another use for borax— medioinally this time ,and in tkis wise : For cuts and scratches apply powdered borax on a olean soft rag and let it remain undisturbed until the bleeding is quite staunched ; then wash lightly, and keep dressed with fresh borax till the wound heals. « Yet another friend has supplied me with an excellent idea lately, and one that I shall . pass on to you. I often wondered how it is that sho is always ready for birthdays, bazaars, soles of. work, &0., for the is hot one of those happy people who can spend at their pleasure. This is how she does It, explained in her own words : ," Whenever I see a good notion for pretty or useful presents I just make one or two before I forget about it. Then I put them away in a carefally-Iccked box, daintily lined within, and protected by a cake of camphor. Wh«n a birthday which I had forgotten is suddenly remembered, or my dearest friend comes along to take toll of ' just some little thing for my stall, dear,' l am 'ready -aye, ready.' It i» wonderful how little I spend on presents in a year, and yet I think I am rarely unprepared with lame thing tor those I love." Now this idea is a good one in a double sense, I think : First, its preparedness, and, second, its combination of economy and grace. You know my views on presents, for ' we discussed them long ago ; and as the true value of a present lies in the feeling that prompted its bestowal, a dainty trifle made by one we love must be far more precious than a bought gift, whioh sometimes overwhelms . with the sanse of obligation. And here I must just tell you of something I noticed in a journal the other day. The manialor ostentation in weddiDg presents has become co strong among a certain class of pretentious persons at Home that it has led to a system of bogus presents. TJhu», a near relative — father, uncle, or perhaps a rich godfather of the bride— presents a cheque, say, for £1000, which 1b duly chronicled in the list of presents .sent to the papers. After the festivities are over, however, the oheque If , returned to the donor, who simply lent it on this understanding. Bank notes for large amounts are some times employed in a simtiM! manner instead of cheques. , In opposition to.snon flagrant aham apian is suggested which I confess seems to me just a little too practical. Itirthiit Thebride has printed lists of gifts which would > be acceptable, the choice and cost being sufficiently varied to suit the purses of all her friends. Each friend who desires to make a present write* for a list, and intimates what article he or she would like to give. Now tbie is very admirable, and would quite prevent the duplication' of* present! which is sometimes so embarrassing, but the idea docs not take my fancy; it 1s so unUushingly businesslike t ' Are any of you getting up a costume for a fancy- 3re«s ball ? Here is one of the newest ideas. The costume is to represent those wonderful Eontgen rays that are bringing to light secrets of all kinds. " Close-fitting costume of white watered silk, principal bones painted on it in black, and veiled with a fluffy cloud of pale-grey lulls." Striking, is It not) And, by the way, how do you like the new suggestion that we should designate all women who have reached maturity ac "Mrs" instead of " Mies 1 " I thick it both ugly and absurd. Who should fix the actual limit of immaturity? Theoretically a woman has certainly reached maturity at 21. Is every sweet and charming girl who remains unmarried at 21 to be known henceforth as "If rs " without! the consolation of a trousseau or the balm of J wedding presents 7 Am I to become " Mrs JfimmeUne " 1 It. is too absurd a eugges- : tion to discuss. Let me help you on with your wraps— sol— Adieu, sweet friends; . - - Emmellne; P.S.— I must not forget to tell you of quite the prettie&t waltz I have beard for an age—/ 11 The Wonderland," by F. 0. Ellißton, and do notice how quaintly pretty aTe those intervals in the first number. And are yon "Trilby" mad? Then fiend for the pretty setting of that Bweet old song " Ben Bolt," whioh " Trilby " has rendered famous. The arrangement is by Mr Jesse Timson, and i» enriched with a charming violin obligate.