TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 43

TABLE TALK.

Monday Aptebnoon, Last Monday evening a large crowd assembled at the tongue wharf to witness the departure of the sJ. Tarawera on her second Sounds trip. Formerly the steamer has

always left from Pott Obalmerr, so this new departure caused no little excitement and a good deal 61 pleasure both to the excursionist* and thoie left behind. Punctually at 7 o'clock the gangway was withdrawn, although it was a quarter past before the steamer finally got away, at whioh time the crowd on the wharf was so dense that there was scarcely standing room for all. Several hearty cheers were given by those on shore as the Tarawera slowly moved out from the wharf, in response to which she fired a salute. A very pretty tight ie was to see the steamer slowly gliding away, the night so calm and Btill, the brilliant electric lights shining brightly everywhere bolow, a gay display of bunting adorning the masts above, while some 90 passengers were all assembled on the v oper deck to wave adieu to those left behind. Given fine weather the trip should prove most enjoyable, as everything possible that. can be done to make it no will be done, the weather being the only thing daring the excursion over wbicb the U.S.S. Company have no control. The j>a»secger I>'st for this trip included people from all quarters of the world as well at from different parts of New Zealand. » A large gathering was present at Mrs W H. Reynolds'fi "At home " day last Monday, amongst whom were a number of those just returned from the first Sounds trip, all of whom were loud in their praises of the delightful times they had experienced, notwithstanding the rather unsettled state of the weather. Croquet was indulged in by not & few, and tea was served outside under the shaje of the trees. Amongst those present were Mrs and the Micses Reynolds, Mr and Mrs Leslie Reynold?, Mrs D;nni»fcon, Mrs and Miss Williams, Mr snd Mrs Fox, Mrs Higgins, Miss Shuter (Melbourne), Miss Slse, Mr Sievwright, Mr Campbell, Miss Roberts, Miss Neill. Mr Macdonald (Chriatchurch), Judge and Mrs Forbes (Sydney), &o. On Thursday afternoon Judge and Mrs Williams received a large number of guests at their residence, Anderson's Bay. Thursday was Mrs Williams'* " At homo " day, but so many visitors called that the lawns and garden presented more the appearance of a garden party than that of a weekly "At home " day. A number of strangers, visitors to Ounedin, were present, and tea was served on the lawn under the shade of the trees, whilst games of tennis and oroquet were indulged in by those desirous of playing. Amocgat those present were Judge and Mrs William?, the Misses William.-, Mrs J. Wright, Miss Wright, MUs H«pgitt, Judge and Mrs Forbes (Sydney). Mrs W. G. Neill, Miss E. Neil 1 , Miss S.sa, the MUses Neill, Mr Hag&itt, the Misses Roberts, Miss Gibson, Captain Oraddock, Mr E. Macdonald (Christ- | church), Mr Campbell, Miss Greenwood, the | Misses Rsynolds, &c. On Wednesday afternoon the Misses Rattray gave a .small tennis and croquet party at their residence, Craighal). Amongst those present were Mrs Ra&tr&y, j the Misses Rattray, Mrs 0. Rattray, Mrs Butterwortb, the Misses Neill, Mr L. Williams, Mr E. Witliame, Miss B.vfd, Mr D. | Boyd, Mis£ Gibson, Miss Haggitt, Miss I Phillips, M)sb Ethel N«ill, the Misses Graham, 1 Miss G. Webster, the Misses William?, Miss E. Ulrich, Miss Sise. &c. On Wednesday evening Miss Eempthorne gave a delightful little party, which began with euchre and terminated with a few dances. Eight or nine tables were arranged for euchre, and all present thoroughly enjoyed the games. At the conclusion prizes | were won by Miss Lily Mitchell and Mr i George Stephenson, and those who had ! gained the smallest numbw of games were i Miss Florence Maclean and Mr D. Maclean. Amongst those present were the Misses Kemptborne, Mrs Hartley (Auckland), Mr and MUs Stephenson, Miss X. Ulrich. Miss G. Webster, Mr and Miss Tewesley, Mr Gaily, Mr Richardson, Mr Old ham, Mr Hislop, Miss j Wilson, Miss Lily Mitchell. Mrs Brown j (Christchurcb), Miss Wilson, &c. I On Saturday evening Mrs Sievwright gave I a small musical party at her residence in f High street. The party was given in honour ' of Mr George Sievwrigbt, now resident in ! Auoklaud, who is at present paying a short visit to Danedin. Mrs J. M. Ritchie and family return to town on Tuesday, the 2nd, after having spent the summer weeks at " Carrington," Timaru. Mrs A. W. Morris and the Misses Morris ' are at present payirjg visits in Canterbury, and will be absent from town some weekii

Mr Rose, who has been in New Zealand for a few weeks on a visit to his daughter-in-law, Mra H«nry Rose, returns to bis homo in Er gland by the s.s. lonic, leaving Lyttelton on Thursday. The Rev. Father Lynch left by the Flora on Saturday for Lyttelton, where he joins the lonic, by wbioh steamer he goes to England to spend a well-earned holiday. He goes with the good wishes of all his people, who in wishing him a pleasant voyage and time at Home look forward with pleasure to his return to Dunedin. Mr and Mrs Oliver return to Dunedin by the Talune on Wednesday after an absenoe of two years, having travelled to Melbourne by the large new P. and 0. steamer Obina from London. Mr and Mrs P. Campbell (Ohristohnrch) intend leaving In Maroh for England, where they will spend the coming summer. Mr and Mrs Campbell will be accompanied by their family. The citizens of Wellington have decided to give a oonversazione in the Exhibition buildings as a farewell to Lord and Lady Glasgow on Thursday evening, the 4tb. The Exhibition is now closed to the public, so no more fitting and convenient place could have been found in which to hold an entertainment of this sort.

On Wednesday, January 20, Mies Katie Johnson, daughter of the late Captain Johnson, was married to Mr 0. J. Tally, of Greytowu, in St. Paul's pro-cathedral, Wellington. The ohuroh looked exceedingly pretty, some girl friends of tbe bride* having decorated it with white flowers, amongst whioh was intermixed some exquisite bright scarlet geraniums. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr Johnson, and was attended by four bridesmaidp, the Missei Fanny and Louie Johnson, Miss Olive Tully, and Miss Queenie Elliott. Tbe bride wore a oharming dress of white eatiu, t.be bodice trimmed with white ohiffon embroidered with silver, Medici collar, and flohu with long ends of tbe same white and silver, tulle veil embroidered and fastened with tbe orthodox orange blossoms. The bridesmaids wore dresses of white silk embroidered with gold, with chiffon bodices finished with zouave jftcketx, ako richly embroidered with gold braid. Large white picture hat* trimmed with chiffon and ostrich feathers completed the costames.

After the ceremony Mrs Johnson held an "At home " at her residence in Guildford Terrace, where a large number of invited guests assembled ho ofrVr congratulations to fche bride and bridegroom. The bride's travelling dress was composed of fawncoloured doth trimmed with coloured embroidery, picture hat trimmed with pink and gold.