TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 43

TABLE TALK.

Monday Evening. i Mrs Ulrich gave a delightful afternoon tea last Tuesday at her residence in Duke street. Amongst those present were Mrs Turton, Mrs Bathgate, Mrs G. M'Lean, ' Mrs W. a. Maitland, Mrs Sise. H» Bobin<

eon, Mrs Cuningham Smith, Mrs Sale, Mrs Lindo Ferguson, Mrs Postlettiwaite, Mrs 1 Battray, Mrs Fitchett, Mrs Jones, and Mrs Batchelor. Tea was served in the dining room, and the table decorations of pale blue and blush rose were extremely pretty, being carried out with great fcaite ; while the cakes were noticeable for their dainty excellence even in Danedin, where we so excel in this direction— at least strangers always say so.

The 'weather on Wednesday morning proved very disappointing, it being exceedingly cold and cloudy-looking. However, towards noon it cleared considerably, and the sun came out brightly for a few hours, but the attendance at Forbury for Cup Day was very small indeed. The ladies who had left town in the early part of the day in time for the first races mostly wore dark dresses suitable for the uncertain appearance of the .weather, although a few tried to believe it was a summer day, and made attempts at light dresses. A band played delightful music at intervals during the day, and a pleasant variation was made by expeditions to the tea room, where tea and coffee were served at little tables in the pavilion to the numerous little parties of customers. Between 1 and 2 o'clock luncheon parties were given by Mrs George M'Lean and Mrs James Mills ia the covered sheds in the padlock, whilst several other ladies had their hampers on the grass and lunched in their carriages. Mrs Hart wore a handsome dress of brown and green, the bodice profusely trimmed with jet, smart little bonnet of gold straw with flowers ; Miss Micbaeli3 (Melbourne), dress of grass lawn with embroidered coliar over heliotrope, the costume being completed by a long handsome saah composed of wide white ribbon with floral design, .white

hat trimmed' with chiffon ana ribbon; Mrs, Mllle, a handsome gown of black Btriped crepon, collar composed of rich lace, and trimmings of gresn on the bodice, bat of green velvet and black- Miss Mills, black brocaded Bilk dress, with pointed collar of cream lace over pink Bilk, Leghorn bat finished ' with a bunch of deep pink ostrich feathers ; Miss Florence Mills, black alpaca, the front of the bodice being composed of blue silk trimmed with blue passementerie trimming, hat of fancy ■ straw trimmed with blue shot ribbon's and pink flowers; Miss M'Lean, pink silk veiled in black Btiiped grenadine, the bodice trimmed with moss-green velvet and jet, fancy straw hat trimmed with pink ; her sister wore a dress of white spotted muslin, and white hat; Mrs Edmond, a stylish costnme of gobelin blue silk with collar and trimmings of rich cream lace over white satin, hat of fancy straw trimmed with green chiffon and pink flowers; Miss Gibson, a very smart tailor-made gown of purple cloth, the tight-fitting bodice being finished with large buttons and vest of white floral silk, black picture hat ; Miss P. Gibson, a white lustre skirt and bodice of cream and heliotrope silk trimmed with yellow ribbons, picture hat. of deep violet-coloured velvet and black feathers ; Miss Reynolds, handsome dress of black satin with sleeveless bodice of pink chiffon, black and pink hat; Miss R. Reynolds, a costume of electric blue cloth with zouave bodice trimmed with black opening' over a full white vest, and tnscan straw hat ; Miss Sise, a pretty dress of green oloth, the bodice trimmed with darker green velvet, and full front of accordeon-pleated pink chiffon, hat of burnt straw trimmed with green and pick ; Mies Maud Sise, dress of grey and pink, the front of the bodice and long sash ends being of pink silk, and white hat; Mrs Kettle, costume of black alpaca tailor-made with black silk sleeves, and the front of the bodice trimmed with fine black and white lace; Miss Ooughtrey, a dress of silver grey crepon trimmed with silk and ohiffonj Miss Buller (Wellington), i cinnamon brown skirt and jaoket with light walstcoati Mrs Lindo Fersnson, pale helio-

trope crepon with sleeveless bodice of figured silk trimmed with white laoe, smart toque bonnet composed of shot ribbons and flowers; Mrs Theomin, cornflower blue cloth costume of skirt and jacket with vest of blue and green, bonnet trimmed with blue and green ; Miss Berry (Melbourne), dress of yellow chine silk with floral design in pink trimmed with ohiffon, and large hat of chiffon and pink flowers; Mrs Martin, costume of fawncoloured oloth trimmed with black satin and jet, floral bonnet} Miss Oargill, brown tailor-made dresa trimmed with velvet; Miss Williams, black tailor-made drees with vest of black silk, with white lace insertion ; Miss M. Williams, a smart costume of electric blue cloth with sleeveless bodice veilefl ifi white chiffon, and white hat; Mrs Butterwortb, tailor-made costume of blue oloth ; Miss K. Stephenson, grey oloth skirt and jacket with white vest, floral toque hat; Miss Greenwood, black and white costume with sleeveless bodice and sash of black silk ; Miss Webster, black skirt with blouse bodice of striped silk ; Mrs Finker, costume of brown and green oloth, the bodice richly trimmed with passementerie, black hat trimmed with green chiffon ; Miss Grosse (Melbourne),, cornflower blue skirt and jacket with- white vest, and black and green hat ; Miss B. Ulrich, black skirt with blouse of blue silk.

One of the brightest days that has been experienced this spring was Saturday, the 28th ult. Consequently a large number of ladies. flocked out to the Forbury Racecourse, where the Jockey Club held the last day of the Summer meeting. The day was perfect. A soft breeze tempered the sun's heat, yet there was no dust, so it was delightful to walk on the lawn, the bright verdure of which seemed to show off the ladies' gowns and

bonnets and bright-coloured parasols to great advantage. As on former occasions, the pt.v lion was converted into a tea-room, and little tableßWlth snowy white oloths were dotted about, delicious tea and cakes being served, which were much appreciated by all. Several ladies had taken '.picnic baskets, &c., in. their carriages, and invited some of their friends to luncheon, and Mr J. B. Reid gave a luncheon party in the abedß in the paddock, to which he invited a large number of ladies. Mrs Mills wpre a very stylish costume of black alpaca with sleeveless bodice composed of the new tartan silk trimmed with broad bands of guipure lace and heliotrope chiffon, dainty little Mary Queen of Scots bonnet ; Mrs W. G. Neill, a very stylish costume composed of striped black silk grenadine, the sleeves trimmed with black chiffon frills and the bodice with lace and jet; Miss Mills, pink muslin trimmed with lace and ribbons, chip straw hat ; Miss F. Mills, blue hailstone muslin drees, large straw bat trimmed with green chiffon and pink flow era ; Mrs Fergus, grey costume trimmed with insertion and ribbon ; Mrs L. Maclean, tailor-made fawn costume ; Miss E. Maclean, white silk dress trimmed with white chiffon and silver trimming, white hat; Mrs Fox, black ekirt, with black and white striped silk bodice; Mrs Turnbull (Linburn), a very pretty dress of brown cloth, with yoke of green velvet outlined with passementerie, and smart floral toque hat; Mrs Charles Turnbull, smart tailor-made costume of bright blue cloth; Mrs W. F. Edmond, a lovely floral grey silk, fancy straw hat trimmed with chiffon and pink flowers; Mrs Stephenson, 1 handsome black brocade gown trimmed with jet ; Miss Williams, black costume, with bodice composed of cream insertion and black moire, black feather hat j Miss Reynolds, silver grey lustre costume and striped blue silk blouse bodice trimmed with bands of insertion j Miss V. Reynolds, blue gingham frock trimmed with Valenciennes leca; Miss Gibson, a smart gown of m»jenta silk orepe with fichu of white lace, and dainty toque hat ; Mies P, Gibson, stylish dress of grey and pale blue oloth, wJ* trimmings of bine silk } MißsH. Driver, a fltraed. silk bodice andblaoK

skirt; MissSfcephenson, a lovely French muslin dress trimmed with frills of coffee-coloured lace, and floral chine silk ribbons ; Miss Toi Stephenson, a pretty striped floral print dress with pale blue sash, and white straw feather hat ; Mrs Jowitt, a dark dress with very stylish aocordeon-pleated bine Bilk and chiffon cape, large picture feathered hat; Miss M'Lean, pink silk dress veiled in black striped grenadine; Miss K. M'Lean, pink muslin frock trimmed with narrow edging of white lace, and white hat; Miss Neill, pretty bodice of pink floral silk and skirt of tan-colcured oloth, Leghorn hat trimmed with flowers and while ribbons; Miss B. Neill, black alpaca skirt with blouse bodice of pink chine silk trimmed with laoe, picture hat of white felt trimmed with white chiffon and feathers; Miss F. Itottray, tailor-made costume of grey lustre • Miss N. Driver, a soft white spotted mnslin frock trimmed with laoe; Miss Wilford" (Wellington), pink costume with bodice o£ pink silk ; Mrs J. Rhodes (Napier), terra cotta talk tl^use over a dark skirt, black and ' white straw hat ; Mrs Finker, a black crepcn dress with yoke of white silk veiled in cream lace ; Miss Grosse, a charming dress of grass lawn worn with whit;e linen, collar and onff» ; Miss Gfl-kieoo, gfey lustre skirt and coat ; Miss Buller (Wellington), costume of pink floral crepe silk, Tuscan straw hat with piak . flowers; MUs Ethel Neill, pretty blouse , bodice of pale blue Bilk trimmed with deep cbiffon rofflfiß worn over » grey skirt, white sailor hat; Miaa Roberts, grass lawn dress striped with green and yellow and bretelle of yellow satin .and lace ; Mrs Stock, pink gingham skirt and jacket with white " vest; Mrs R. Martin, handsome black satin dress with sleeveless bodice of heliotrope silk, and jet bonnet; 1 Mrs Grieraon, grey checked costume, with tan vest trimmed with passementerie, and bonnet with lovely flowers ; Mies Moffat (Inveroargill), slate grey gown with white mtitt vest and trimmings ; Mrs Lintottvgrey lustre costnme, consisting of skirt and coat and floral bonnet.

On Thursday evening a large dance was given by Mrs James Mills at her residence. Mount Lodge, whioh is beautifully adapted at all times for entertaining, and more especially just now, as a large new ballroom has recently been added to the honse. * Tae front door was closed, and the guests entered by a side door, and Mr and fifra Mills received in the laige hall. The long verandahs were completely covered in, and were lit up with Obinese lanterns, as also were the -grounds. Delightful lounges and chairs were placed in evoiy corner and nook, to which the guests retired between the dances. The ballroom looked lovely, being decorated with flaes, Fijian mats, and other Island trophies, while the floor; which has been' specially laid for dancing, was (imply perfection. Mesßrs ■ Yjites's Band supplied' the music, and the' extras were played by Mrs MiHs,Mißfr Florence ' Mills, Mr' Mason, and Mr Leslie Williams. Supper was aerved in tbe large dinicg room, where the table looked most artistic, decorate^ with trails- of green twining between the silver candelabra. Amongst those present were Mrs O. Kettle, Dr and Mrs Lindo Ferguson, Mies Buller (Wellington), Mr and Mrs 0. Butterwortb, Mr and Mrs Hosking, Mr and Mrs B» Tarnbull, Mrs and Miss Williams, Mr and Mrs Sdmond, the Misses Gibson, Miss Stephenson, Mils Butterwortb, Miss Greenwood, Miis Sise, Miss Bartleman, Miss Shand, the Misses Battray, Miss Graham, Miss Macneil, Miss MacLaren, Miss Naill, Mist F. ' Batbgate, Miss Boyd, Miss R^yoolds, Misß Cargill, Miss M'L9an, Miss Berry (Melbourne), Miss B. Ulrica, Miss G". Webster, Miss H. Driver, Mr Wright, Mr Cameron, Mr Bpyd, Mr Williamn, Mr Sice, Mr Tapley, Mr Oheesemau, Mr Ssiv wright, Mr Branson, Mr H. Kettle, the Messrs Haggitt, Mr Reid, Mr J. B. Reid, Mr Thomson, Captain Craddock, Mr Cooper, and Mr Oldham. Mrs Mills wore a very handsome gown of pink brocade trimmed with pink feathers, a lovely diamond tiara in her hair; Miss Mills, a heliotrope silk drew with trimmings of lace ; . Mies Florence Mills, a very pretty white brocade with paffad sleeves, finished with 'white chiffon and pearl trimmiog; Mrs Robert - Turnbull (Linburn), a becomiog and lovely gown of rose pink brocade ; Mrs J. H. Hos- r yellow silk gown veiled in grey gauze ; Mrs J. S. Williams, rich black satin with chiffon and jet trimmings ; Mrs O. O. Kettle, black silk dress with bodice of pale pink'; satin, and lace streamers falling to the foot of the skirt •; 'Mrs Edmond wore her lovely • wedding dress of white brocade and chiffon; - Mies K. Stephenson, yellow silk dress trimmed with heliotrope chiffon ; Mus Greenwood, bright blue brocade gown, with trimmings of maize silk; Miss G. Rattray, a pale blue silk costume, with sleeves, belt, &c, of white satin ; Miss Lorna Rattray, white and black striped gauze dress ; Miss M'Lsan, a very pretty white brocade with lace ; Kiss Graham, stylish dress of peacock blue satin trimmed with lovely bice ; MiBB Bailer (Wellington), a smart black silk gown with sleeveless bodice of white chiffon trimmed with frills of black chiffon edged with white, and pearl necklace and trimmings ; Miss. Sise, a becoming dress of lovely pink brocade ; Miss Batterworth, black satin with sleeves of blue silk ; Miss Gibaon, black broohe ; her sister, white silk with frills of yellow chiffon ; Miss Driver, a pretty white silk dreßs; Miss Berry (Melbourne), a dress of white bengaline with pearl ' trimmings and crimson roses; Miss E. Ulrich, black satin dress, the bodice trimmed with revers of white satin beaded with pearls ; Miss A. Oargill, a dress the combination of which was yellow silk and brocade ; Miss Boyd, white silk with full sleeves trimmed with chiffon; Miss G. Webster, black silk dress with sleeveless bodice of i pink brocbe; MlasF. Batbgate, white silk . and lace ; Miss Neill, a white sill; gown with frills of white chiffon edged with snowdrops. Miss Wilford, from Wellington, is visiting Mm George M'Lean at present. Mr and Mrs 0. Izard and the Misses Izajr^ (Wellington) are the guests just now o£ Me and Mrs Jaok Wright at Blshopsoourb. Miss Macassev and Miss Graham have r& turned to Doneain alter paving visits in tbi north,

m> — — — i m i Mr and Mrs Theomin and Mice Michaelis left on Thursday for Sydney and Melbourne. Mrs W. G. Neill, Mrs Bobert Neill, Miss Blse, and Miss Boyd all returned to Danedin by the Talune last week after spending the Winter months in Melbourne. Miss Haggitt is again back in Danedin Utter a three months' visit to New Plymouth. The " people's day " at the show wats quite sufficiently fine to enable the enormous crowd of people to enjoy themselves, but there was a treacherous wind blowing, which made me glad that I had not put on my new muslin blouse. Blouses and hats were the* keynote of brightness and colour, and cheered the eye in every direction. The dear little Alderney.cows made me wish to relinquish my Ladies' Page and take to farming ; the tiny' ponies were " just too sweet for words," but the fashionable, blonde-haired |>sgß were a point beyond me. When I g«t to their strange beauty I feel I am hopelessly oat of it. Miss Dunlop's invitation concert on Friday evening attracted a large, and" fashionable audience to All Saints' Schoolroom. All the arrangements were -excellent, the Itage presented a charming appearance, and the 'audierca evidently warmly appreciated the capital programme presented to them. Miss Dunlop's pupils, by their excellent vocalisation, paid a high tribute to her methods of teaching, and in several instances encores were warmly insisted upon by the audience. Agreeable variety was introduced by the production of instrumental soli and duets, in Which Mies Salmon . took part. Miss J. Shand, Mrs Russell, Miss Lucas, and Miss M'Lean all sang excellently, and Miss Dnnlop's rendition of Gounod's " Serenade " (with violin obligate by Miss Gairdner) was & beautiful piece of vocalisation. Danza's popular number, "Faniculi, Funicula," in whioh Miss M'Lean took the solo pirt, brought a most successful concert to a close.