TABLE TALK. Monday Afternoon.

Otago Witness, Issue 2244, 4 March 1897, Page 42

TABLE TALK. Monday Afternoon.

Last Tuesday Mrs Higgitt gave a ladies' afternoon tea at her residence, Wyohwood, as a farewell to her mother, Mrs Tolmie, who is shortly leaving Dunedin. A large number of friends of Mrs Tolmie were present, but unfortunately ifte day was damp and drizzly, which kept tome from going and caused the greater number who did go to wear dark serges or capes. The large ballroom was used as a reception and music room, and down one side a long narrow table was placed, on which were arranged all manner of cakes and refreshments; so the guests remained in the one spacious hall or room all the time. The visitors entered by the outer door into the ballroom instead of by the house entrance, and the room was most beautifully decorated with flowers and pot plants, and rug* and chairs were arranged all about to form a drawing room. The table flowers also looked most artistic. DuriDg the afternoon songs were sung by Mrs Williams and Miss Neill, and Mies Gibson (a visitor from Tasmania) played a piano solo with much execution. Mrs Haggitt wore a handsome blaok costume trimmed with heliotrope, and Mrs Tolmie wore black. Miss Haggitt, who wore a pretty blue silk bodice trimmed with lace insertion over a grey skirt, was assisted in her duties at the tea table by the Misses Gibson (visitors from Tasmania), who wore smart green silk blouses trimmed with silk frills edged and trimmed with lace over black skirts, and Mils Ethel Neill, who wore a costume of pale grey figured lustre trimmed with white silk and passementerie trimming. Almost all the guesti were married ladies, and included Mrs Tolmie, Mies Tolmie, Mrs Perston, Mrs Molineaux (Wellington),' Mrs Sinclair- Thomson, Mrs Macassey. Mrs and Miss Neill, Mrs James Allen, Mrs Bell (Sydney), Mrs Bell (Shag Valley), Mist Kelly, Mm Harb, Mrs and the Misses Williams, Mrs Reynolds, Mrs Laidlaw, Mrs Donald (Riversdale), Mrs Galiaway, Mrs Sale, Mrs C. Reid (Oamaru), Mrs Sine, Mrs and Mils Rattray, Mrs R. Neill, Mrs Oliver, Mrs Macneil, Miss Allan, Mrs Finch, Mrs Denniston, Mrs Boyd, &c.

On Tuesday afternoon Mrs Shuter (Melbourne) held an afternoon reception at the Grand Hotel, when a number of her Danedin friends met to bid her adieu. Mr, Mrs, and Miss Shuter left Dunedin on Thursday by the Mararoa for the North Island, where they intend spending a little time before returning to their home in Victoria. Mr and Mrs Shuter have been visiting their daughter, Mrs Higgins, at Bishop's Grove.

The fame day another ladies' afternoon tea was given by Mrs Fergus at her residence in Royal Terrace. The day not being at all fine most of the ladies wore dark costumes, bat a pleasant afternoon was spent indoors. During the afternoon songs were sung by Mrs Valentine, Mrs Finker, and Miss Kempthorne.

On Tuesday evening a large and most sue* cessful dance was given by the Misses Gilkison in St. Matthew's schoolroom. The hull was tastefully decorated with flags and palm leaf fans, and a huge Chinese umbrella was suspended from the roof in the centre of the hall. The stage was used as a supper room, and was closed from the hull by means of screens and j pot plants till supper time, when an entrance • was made to the. et»ge. The supper eoc"*vj?m

also decorated with flags and flowers, whioh hid the bareness of the walls entirely. About 130 guests were present, and the floor was in very good condition, while the dance music supplied by Messrs Yates's band, was excellent, leaving nothing to be desired. The extras were well played, and were kindly supplied by Miss Reynolds, Miss Fricar, Miss Coleridge, and Mr Moss. Dancing was kept up till quite the small morning hours with unflagging spirit. Amongst those present were the Misses Qilkison, Mr D. Gilkiion, Mr and Mrs Donald (Riversdale), Mrs A. W. Morris, Mr C. and Miss Morris, Mr and Mrs Ritohie, Mrs Macassey, Mr and Miss Macassey, Mr and Mrs P. C. Neill, the Misses Neill, Miis Shand, Mr and Miss Sise, Mr D. and Miss Boyd, Miss Mills, Miss Sbogden (England), Miss Elworthy (Timaru), Mr and Mrs Valentine, Miss Ethel Neill, Mr and Mrs G. Denniston, Mr and the Misses Reynolds, Mr and Miss Ulrioh, Mr and Mrs Stott, Mr and Mrs Perston, Mr E. Black, Mr J. C. Marshall, Miss Driver, Miss Macneil, Mr and Mrs Finker, Mr Harris, Mr D. and Mibs Haggitt, Mr Crawford, Miss F. Ratbray, Miss Farquhar, Miss RobiDson, Miss Batchelor, Mr and Mra Lintotfc, Miss Graham, &o. Miss Rita Neill was a debutante on this occasion, and looked very charming wearing- a lovely drees of white striped satin with full bell skirt made quite . plain, pearl passementerie trimming the front of the bodice and forming the belt. She carried a white shower bouquet. Miss (Silkison wore a stylish bodice of floral silk over a black sequin skirt ; Miss N. Gilkison, black velvet dress trimmed with white chiffon ; Miss Effie *Gilkison, pretby dress of pink silk and brocade ; Mrs Donald (Riversdale), white satin trimmed with jet and scarlet flowers ; Mrs J. M. Ritchie, pale green silk gown with sleeves and trimmiDgs of dark green velvet ; Mrs C. Rattray, a pretty dress of blue silk handsomely trimmed with jet ; Mrs Hart, handiome dress of black brocade, the bodice covered with jewelled passementerie ; Miss Elworthy (Timaru), soft white striped silk trimmed with gold ; Miss Le Cren, heliotrope j brocade gown with trimmings of olive green sjlk and lilies of the valley; Miss Sise, smart drons of pink brocade with white lace ; Mra Stott, charming costume of black velvet and lace ; Mies C. Neill, a lovely dress of rioh pink satin, the bodice profusely trimmed with jewelled passementerie ; Miss Mills, black silk, the low bodice trimmed with lovely sprays of scarlet flowers ; Miss Stogden, black and heliotrope with laoe ; Miss R. Reynolds, pretby white brocade dress trimmed with gold ; Miss V. Reynolds, pink silk and chiffon ; Miss Coleridge (Wellington), pink satin and lacs ; Miss Ethel Neill, a sbvlith frock of pink brocade, the bodice trimmed profusely with chiffon of the same shade ; Miss Macassey, a pretby drees of sof t white silk trimmed with lace ; Mrs Valentine, a stylish green plush gown trimmed with fur; Miis Stephenson, yellow silk dress trimmed with violets and heliotrope silk sash ends ; Miis E. Stephenson, dress of white silk and lace ; Miss Farquhar, a pretty white silk and chiffon dress, the bodice trimmed with satin edged with pink velvet rose leaves ; Miss Batchelor, white satin dress with deep fall of lace trimming the bodice ; Mra G. DennistoD, heliotrope velvet dress; Mrs Ogston, yellow satin and chiffon.

On Wednesday evening a most enjoyable dance was given by Judge and Mrs Williams at their residence at Anderson's Bay in honour of their daughter Miss Dora, who that evening came out. Over a hundred guesbs were present, a good proportion of whom were married. Judge and Mrs Williams received their guests in the drawing room, which was afterwards occupied as a resting place between the dances and a comfortable retreat for non-dancers. Unfortunately the weather was nob fine, although the rain had subsided when evening came ; but the walks and grounds were too damp to walk about or sit in, so all were confined to the house. Supper was served in the morning room adjoining the dining room, and the floral deco- " rations every where were lovely. The floor was in first-class condition, and notwithstanding the many amusements that were going on daring the week, it was the small hoars of the morn- ' ing before this pleasant party broke up. Mr I Hamann played the music in excellent time, and j the extras were kindly supplied by Mrs Higgins, Mr L. Williams, and Miss G. Williams. AmpDgst those present were Judge and Mrs Williams, the Misses Williams, Mr C. Williams, Mr and Mrs Oliver, Mrs Butterwortb, Mr and Mrs Hosking, Mr D. and Miss Boyd, Mr and Mrs Donald (Riversdale), Miss Elworthy (Timaru), Miss Reynolds, Miss Haggitt, Mr D. and Mr H. Haggitt, Mr and Miss E. Gilkison, Mr E. and Miss Cutten, Mrs C. Reid (Oamaru), Mr and Miss M. Sise, the Misses Neill, Miss F. Mills, Miss Stogden, Mr and Miss Webster, Mr and Miss Chsffey (Oamaru), Mra and Miss Batchelor, Miss E. Shand, Miss Rattray, Mr P. Macassey, Mr Webster, Mr R. Campbell, Mr Leslie Williams, Miss Macneil, Mr Fisher, MrC Maitland, Mr J. C. Marshall, Mr Black, Miss Gibson (Tasmania), Me C. and Miss Ella Morris, Mr and Mrs Gallaway, &o. Mrs Williams, wore a handsome _ gown of I black brocade ; Miss Williams, bfack, the bodice trimmed with green ; Miss M. Williams, quaint dress of white and heliotrope striped grenadine trimmed with purple silk ribbon and white lace ; Miss Dora Williams, a pretty simple dress of pure white crinkled crepon trimmed with white be"be ribbon ; Mrs Batchelor, handsome dress of black brocade, the bodice trimmed with revers of pale blue striped silk and pascementerie ; Mrs Oliver, an exceedingly handsome gown of rich pale green satin brocaded with bunches of pink flowers, the bodice trimming, sleeves, and ruffles being of pink ohiffon ; Mrs Hosking, black trimmed with white veiled in jeb ltce ; Miss Elworthy (Timaru), a lovely dress of yellow floral chine silk trimmed with chiffon ; Mrs C. Reid (Oamaru), dress of black brocade, the bodice made with front of white accordeonpleated chiffon, finished with bntberfly sleeves of brocade and chiffon ; Mrs Lindo Ferguson, "a handsome dress of brocade and pink aatin, the skirt trimmed with panels of theaatin ; Miss Elsie Bell, white trimmed with chiffon and flowers, the sleeves being composed of straps of flowers ; Mrs Higgiat, handsome dress of white brocade trimmed with chiffon edged with pink, and sash of the same, the bodice finished with revers of crimson velvet covered with passementerie ; Miss Boyd, white satin trimmed with lace and buttercups and sash of yellow 'silk ; Miss Neill, white satin and flowers ; Miss Ethel Neill, pink ailk dress trimmed with white chiffon; Miss Cutten, pale blue silk dress trimmed with lace ; Miss M. Sise, white silk frock trimmed with lace ; Miss Morrii, white floral silk crepa dreis trimmed with lace and ribbons.

The race ball was given in the Choral Hall on Friday evening, the 26th ulb., and proved, as usual, a most successful affair. Perhaps on no previous occasion has this ball proved so successful in every particular, and great credit Is due to the committee of ladies and gentlemen for devising me»ni to tarn this usually rather nninteresting building into a tasteful and ( beautiful ballroom. Seldom, if ever, has a | joore guceesflful dan * c beea 6«e» in Punedin

—a verdiot in whioh all wbo were fortunate enough to be present unanimously agreed. Flags were the principal decoration, being gracefully festooned on the walls and over the gallery and suspended from ropes whioh were arranged crosswise acrois the roof. The stage was beautifully arranged as a drawing room, being elegantly furnished and made pleasing to the eye with screens and knick-knacks. It was also adorned with flowers and plants, lovely palms and ferns being placed about, betides bordering the edge of the stage, which was reached by carpeted steps. Refreshments were served all the evening in a room downstairs, aud an awning had been erected across the street to make an ante-room to rest between the dances, and also to serve as a passage to reach a hall below which was converted into a sapper room for the occasion, and a most charming sapper room it made. Three long tables, surrounded by ohairs, filled the centre of the room, and these were lighted by candles in silver-branched candelabra, the light softened by red shades. A most sumptuous supper was served, leaving nothing to be desired in the shape of good things to eat or drink. The floor was in splendid condition, and danclug was carried on with unflagging zsal until 2 o'clock in the morning. Messrs Yates's band supplied the music, and, needless to say, it was excellent. The extras were played in a very pleasing manner by Miss G Rtttray, Miss Kempthorne, ! acd Mr Leslie Williams. The committee, to whom the great success of the ball was mainly due, consisted of Miis Bktchelor, Misb Neill, Miss Macneil, Miss G. Eftttray, Miss Roberts, Miss Stephenson, Mr Sise, Mr. Robert?, Mr Sievwright, Mr Macassey, Mr J. C. Marshall, and Mr Mai bland. They received the guests at the door of the hall, and were untiring in their efforts all 1 through the evening in looking after tho enjoyment: of everyone. The ladies on the committee all wore very smart dresses. Miss Neill wore a very handsome pink satin frock, the bodice and deep belt being covered with jewelled passementerie ; Miss Batchelor, a stylish dress composed of heliotrope brocade ; Mies Robert*, a very smart dress of buttercup yellow bengaline silk, the bodice being composed of white satin veiled in accordeon-pleated yellow chiffon, on which was arranged narrow rows of white lace ; Miss Stephenson, becoming frock of ivory silk trimmed with lace and sprays of pink roses ; Miss Macneil, a lettuce-coloured silk dress trimmed handsomely with lace and jewelled passementerie; Miss G. Rattray, pale blue silk dress, the bodice and sleeves trimmed with deep frills of white chiffon. Three young ladies " oame out " at this ball— Miss Gertrude Mills, Mils Ethel Batchelor, and Miss Buckland (Taieri Lake). The other two debabantes of the week— Miss Rita Neill and Miss Dora Williams — were also present, and they all looked charming in their pretty fresh white dresses, and all carried exquisite white bouquets. Miss Ethel Batehtlor's dress was very effective, being of white satin and laoe finished with a large white satin sash edged with laoe ; Miss Gertrude Mills also wore white satin, the bodice elaborately and tastefully trimmed with white chiffon ; Miss Rita Neill'e dress was of noh white striped satin, the front of the bodice and belt being of pearl embroidery ; Miss Dora Williams wore a pretty dress of white satia with chiffon bodice ; and Miss Buckland, white satin" prettily trimmed with lace. Mrs Batchelor wore black brocade with revers of pale blue silk and passementerie ; Mrs Denniston, purple velvet dress with silk trimming ; Mrs Macassey, black velvet and lace ; Mrs Ritchie, a very stylish costume of pink floral glaca silk, made with quite short bell skirt, the bodice trimmed with chiffon and pearl trimming ; Miss Elworthy (Timaru), an exquisite dress of rich pale pink merveilleux, the skirt vandyked to show an underskirt of grey brocade, bodioe of grey brocade and pink chiffon ; Mr.-, C. Rattray, white satin with pearl trimming mkl j lace; Mrs Williams, costume of black iuer- j veilleax, the bodice trimmed with jet and laceand a bunch of scarlet flowers ; Miss Williams, pink brocade trimmed with chiffon ; Mrs M. Williams, a white chiffon bodice with blaok skirt, finished with belt of blue velvet ; Mrs M 'Master, handsome costame of yellow brocade, the plain skirt made very full with demi-train, and the bodice finished with rovers of the "same brocade ; Miss Reid (Elderslie), blue brocade trimmed with pretty lilies of the valley; Miss ConHy Reid, green trimmed with pink roses ; Mist Mills, pink brocade and pink ohiffon bodice ; Mies Florence Mills, green and white, the skirt being of striped satin, and white satin bodice covered withgreeu chiffon ; Miss Stogden, black skirt, with pale blue silk bodice ; Mrs Jowitt, handsome dress of blue and white figured brocade trimmed with white chifltsn and flowers ; Mrs Boyd, yellow silk, the bodice trimmed with violets ; Miss Boyd, a smarb white satin dress, the bodice trimmed with edged chiffon, and sleeves of tha same ; Miss Sylvia Buchanan, a pink silk dress made with panels of white silk and sequin trimmings ; Mrs Stewart, white satin and pearl trimming ; Mrs Edmond wore her wedding dress of rich ivory brocade ; Miss Harper (Melbourne), black trimmed with black and white accordeon-pleated chiffon ; Mrs Fox, handsome dress of white satin trimmed with real lace; Miis S. Graham, pink floral silk; Miss Macassey, white striped s*tin dress trimmed with lace; Miss Menlove (Windsor Park), pink brocade with pearl trimmings ; Miss V. Menlove, grey and pink brocaded dress, with sleeves and trimmings of Trilby chiffon ; Miss Chaffey (Oamaru), pale pink brocade, with green silk sash and trimming, flowers on the bodice; Mrs Grierson, yellow silk dress, with- black lace trimming both skirt and bodice ; Miss Gillies (Sydney), yellow satin trimmed with bands of white satin; Mrs A. Burnes (Nehon), pale green, the bodice made with zouave of d«rk green velvet opening over a fall vesb of chiffon ; Mrs Jeffcoat, pale blue floral chine silk ; Mrs Roberts, handsome dress of apricot brocade, made with panels of pink satin and finished with chiffon trimmings and sleeves ; Miss Hiiggitb, pale green satin dress trimmed with pink roses ; Mrs Dowling, a dress of ateel grey satia trimmed with white lace ; Miss Robinson, black silk, with long, transparent sleeves of black chiffon ; Mrs R. Turnbull (Linburn), handsome dress of pink brocade ana satia with lace ; Mi»s Shand, pale green silk dress ; Mrs Finker, black brocade, with sleeveless bodice of pale blue silk ; Mrs Sinclair-Thomson, handsome dress of heliotrope satin and lace ; Miss Joachim, pretty dress of white satin trimmed with wreaths of snowdrops ; Mrs C. Reid (Oamaru), black brocade with white chiffon trimmings ; Miss Elsie Bell, yellow brocade ; Miss Webster, pale green dress ; Miss Georgia Webster, a perfectly plain satin of a bright pink colour ; Miss Driver, white satin drees ; Miss Macdonald, cream silk and lace ; Mrs Finch, pink satin trimmed with passementerie and lace.

The Jockey Club's Aatamn meeting was commenced at the Forbury on Wednesday, which was Cup Day. Unfortunately, after such a fine dry season, the weather (which had broken the previous day) was most unpropitioui, a drizzling rain falling the whole day, and towards the afternoon settling into a steady

downpour. We ar« told this is fee flrat wet Cap Day that has been experienced in Dunedm for 24 years, so we are really more fortunate for oar February races than we think. There was a fair attendance of ladies, although the state of the weather prevented any attempt at smart dresses, and certainly dark and simple costumes looked best on such a day. Almost all of the ladies wore mackintoshes or rain oapes the whole day, as it really nerer oleared at all. Amongit the ladies present wore Mrs Staphonson, the Misses Stephenson, Mrs Lintotfc, Mits Mills, Miss F. Mills, Mrs Butterworth, Mrs C. Reid (Oamaru), Miss Reid (Elderslie), Miss Conny Reid, Mrs Laidlaw, Mrs Edmond, Miss Harper (Melbourne), Miss G. Roberts, Mrs Forbes (Sydney), Mrs Donald (Riversdale), Mrs Bell (Shag Valley), Mrs Bell (Wellington), Miss Le Cren, Miss Robinson, Mrs Gallaway, Mrs M 'Master (Tokarahi), Mies Menlore, Miss Y. Menlove (Windsor Park), Miss Sise, Mrs W. G. Neill, Mrs Ritchie, Miss El worthy (Timaru), Mrs R. Turnbull (Linburn), Mrs Baker, Mrs Honry Mackenzie, the Misses Webster, Mrs Fox, Mrs Jowitt, Misa E. Gilkison, Miss Rattray, Miss Chaffey (Oamaru), bo. After Wednesday's incessant rain Thursday morning broke almost too fine to last, the ohange being so extreme and sudden. However, instead of the sky clouding over as the day went on, the son oame oat brighter and warmer, and the weather that day was all that could be desired. There was a fair attendance for an "off" day at the raoes, although very few ladies in comparison with tboee at the previous day's meeting. Amongst those I recognised were Mrs M'Master (Tokarahi), Miss Reid, Miss Conny Reid (who wore a charming dress of yellow chiffon), Mrs Lintott, Mrs Bobhamby, Mrs C. Reid (who wore a white spotted mualin dress with blue belt and ribbons), I Mrs aud the Missed Sbephenson, Mrs Webb, Mrs Donald, Mrs Smith, Mrs Barnes (who wore a smart dress of pink shot material made with rever* of white satin and pink chiffm), Mist F. Mills, Mrs R. Turnbull (Linburn), Miss Elworthy (Timaru), Mrs Edmoud, Mrs Jowibt, &c. Saturday was a perfect day, which made a very happy termination to the Autumn meeting of the D.J.C. The lawns and stand presented a gay appearance, a large number of ladies availing themselves of this opportunity of being present after the unfortunate weather on Cup Day. The Engineer*' Band was in attendanoe, and what with their bright, lively music and the lovely warm sunshiae everyone seemed ; happy and in good spirits. Amongst the ladiea j present were the four young debutantes of the week, who all seemed to be enjoying their new liberty. Miss Gertrude Mills wore a very pretty lemon-coloured dress, the front of the bodioe being embroidered with sequin trimming and fiuished with rufllss of apricot-coloured chiffon, stylish white straw high-crowned hat trimmed with white ostrich feathers and floral ribbons ; Miss RitaNeill, a becoming grey dress with vest of pink brocade, smart velvet high-crowned hat with feathers and a touch of pink ; Miss Ethel Batchelor, pretty white spotted muslin with black ribbon, sash, and trimmings, white straw hat trimmed with black velvet and feathers ; Miss Dora Williams, a simple dress of white pique and stylish bl&ck and white hat. Mrs Edniond wore a smart tailor-made dress of blue cloth, the jacket faced with wfcite, and finished with small gold buttons ; Mrs Burnes (Nelson), costume of petunia cloth, with vest and trimmings of velvet aud thick white laoe, highcrowned black velvet hat with feathers ; Mrs Jowitt, pale grey bengaline silk costume trimmed with chiffon ; Miss Elsie Bell, green lustre, with belt and trimmings of floral ribbon, | and floral hafc ; Mr« W. G. Neill, handjome j black striped brocade with lace, and black and i yellow bonnet; Mis= Ethel Neil, :aey cloth i skirt and jacket Icced wuh whifco and pink v^.st ; Mis* iVlacnoil, white pique costume, -Rich rone pink chiffon 7eaf. ; Misa G. Robert*, wLitc ; cpof-fced muslin and I&ce, black hc.t v.u,h ' | chiffon m\<j. blue ribbon trimmings; Mies | Greenwood, a floral cotton dress with blue j ribbons, and green, toque trimmed with pink i roses aud bows of white ribbon ; Mrs Siev- > wright, handoome black satin, the bodice profusely trimmed with jefc black, and red* bonnet; Mra Stephenson, a very handsome biack brocade gown, the bodice trimmed with heliotrope silk and black aocordeon-pleated chiffon edged with lace, and bonnet to match ; Miss Stephenson, blue shot lustre trimmed with green velvet ; Miss Menlove, blaok skirt and *hot silk bodice trimmed with chiffon ; Mrs Lintott, black brocade with moss-green silk trimmings and sash ends of green silk, and floral bonnet ; Mrs R. Turnbull (Linburn), handsome gown of brown cloth with vesb and revers of green velvet and white lace ; Mra Donald (Riversdale), a shot grey costume trimmed with electric blue silk, and black toque ; Mrs A. D. Bell (Shag Valiey), black i skirt, and stylish bodice of yellow silk strapped with bands of black velvet on bodice aad sleeves, large black velvet hat with pink flowers ; Mrs Aufrere Fenwiok, purple and white striped silk dress ; Mies Florence Mills, a green lustre skirt and bodice of green aud white striped material finished with ruffljs of apricot chiffon, green straw hat trimmed with flowers and chiffon ; Mrs Boyd, pink silk covered with black striped grenadine, the bodies finished with pink trimmings and jet ; Miss Boyd, a charming dress of very pale brown lustre with white satin and lace trimmings, and Leghorn hat ; Miss Chaffey (Oamaru), costume of sage green cloth,..'" with white ; Miss Webster, green cloth, the front of the bodice trimmed with Vandykes of white satin covered with lace ; Miss S. Webster, pale electric blue cloth tailormade costume ; Mra Sinclair-Thomson, stylish grey dress with bodice of narrow black and white striped silk and vest and trimmings of white chiffon and job, black and white bonnet ; Miss Elworthy, a prefcty white muslin dress trimmed with frills of Valenciennes lace and yellow ribbons, white fancy straw hat trimmed with yellow ribbons and white and pink flowers ; Mrs Grierson, a costame of black and red, the bodice trimmed with thick white lace, and floral bonnet ; Miss Gillies (Sydney), grey and pink shot lustre with white vesb and revers, striped with sequin trimming, white picture hat trimmed with ribboas and chiffon and pink flowers; Mrs Batchelor, petunia corded silk with bodice veiled in black chiffon aud lace, ; yellow floral bonnet; Miss Batchelor, white ! muslin dress spotted with yellow and trimmed with black ribbons, white straw hat with black feathers and velvet trimming; Miss Gilkison, pink muslin dress, with floral toque ; Miss E. Gilkison, brown lustre costume trimmed with lace, Tuecan straw hat trimmed with shot ribbons ; Mrs Jeffcoat, black trimmed with black ac-cordeon-pleated chiffon and long sash of floral chine ribbon, bonnet to match ; Mrs L. Maclean, black, with sleeveless bodice of pink ailk veiled in black chiffon, and floral bonnet; Miss Reynolds, grey lustra costume with pale blue vest; Miss Vida Reynolds, whits pique costume ; Miss Coleridge (Wellington), white serge costume trimmed with lace and silk, and white hat; Mrs C. Reid, white spotted muslin dress with blue ribbons ; Miss Sise, dark green oloth dress with pink silk vest, hat of green fancy straw with chiffon and flowers ; Miss Maud ' Sise, grey, and pink silk edged with pink chiffon, i high-orowned black velvet hat ; Mrs M 'Master

(Tokarahi), fawn-coloured c!»t!i skirt and jacket wish bright red vesb, and hab with red ; Miss Reid (Elderelio), blaok serge costume ; Mrs Finker, black and whibe checked silk costume trimmed wibh black velvet, blaok and red hat; Miss Le Cren, blue serge costume and floral toque ; Miss Ruby Neill, black skirt with heliotrope bodioe ; Miss Cutten, black skirb with blue and white silk bodioe, and white hat; Miss Mendelson (Timaru), pretty dress of pink muslin and blaok.

On Thursday afternoon Miss Violet Grierson, daughter of Mr C. Grierson, Union Bank, Dunedin, was married to Mr Henry Bloomfleld, of Auckland, in St. Matthew's Church. The officiating clergymen were the Rev. CurzonSiggers and the Rev. H. Leach, and the service was choral, several hymns being sung during tho service. . The fronb pews had been reserved for the invited guests, and there was no crowding in the ohurch ; admission being only by ticket causing the attendance of spectators to be very much smaller than is usually the case at a fashionable wedding. There were no decorations whatever, the Rev. CurzonSiggers objeobing to ohuroh decorations for such occasions. The bride looked very charming, and walked up the aisle leaning on her father's arm and attended by four bridesmaids — her cousin, Miss Gillies (Sydney), Miss Wright, and two children, Miss Ethel Grierson aud Miss Marjorie Michie. The bridegroom, attended by his brother as " besb " man," meb the bridal party at the chancel steps, where the first parb of the ceremony was performed, the bride and bridegroom moving up to the communion rails for the conoludmg portion of the ceremony. The bride wore a very pretty dress of ivory satin made quite short, with no train, the low bodice trimmed to the throat with ruohed chiffon, and long sleeves of the same transparent chiffon, and finished with large bows of white satin at the waist and back of the neck. A handsome laoe veil and spray of orange blossom completed the boilette. The bridesmaids wore white muslin dresses daintily trimmed with narrow frills edged with Tuscancoloured lace, frills of the same on the bodice and falling over the sleeves, and long sash ends of apple-green ribbons. They alto wore large white and green straw hats trimmed with white feathers, green and white ribbons finished with pink flowers falling over the hair at the baok. The elder bridesmaids each wore a handsome brooch, the gift of the bridegroom, and the younger ones gold chains with gold and pearl hearts abbaohed. The dresses were very effective, and along wibh the bride when kneeling at the chancel rails mado a pretty pioture from the far end of the church. About 60 guests were present in the churoh, and after the ceremony they adjourned to the Union Bank, where Mr and Mrs Grierson held a reception. The bride and bridegroom received the congratulations and good wiihes of their friends in the large dining room, where refreshments were also served. Tho floral decorations everywhere were lovely, quantities of white flowers and greenery being arranged all about the room. The table decorations were all white and green, and the large wedding cake was simply a mass of flowers. The presents were exhibited in the drawing room, so there was no crowding, as all could pass from the one room bo the other. A great many very pretby and useful presents were dis- j played — all most acceptable to a young couple j beginning housekeeping. Amongst them were a handsome case of fish knives and forks, a case of fruit knives and forks, dilver trays, naiad j bowl, teaspoons, jelly dishes, eutr6o dishes, | silver-backed brushes, silver toilette bottles, I soeufc bottles, pictured, china cups and sauccri., j sugar and cream dishes, haudsome carriage | clock, asparagus dibh and toags, mirrors, ornaments, aud fancy work, and several clr-uue?. Later in the afternoon Mr and Mrs 11. Blooin1 field left on their honeymoon, the bride wearing ! & ::rnarb travelling drase of dark bluo cloth, the I jacket faced back with velvet and opening over | a vest of blue silk and lace, large black hab trimmed wibh black and white chiffon and blue ! ribbons. Amonget the guests were the Rev. CurzonSiggers and Mrs Curson - Siggers, Rev. Mr Leach, Mr and Mrs Boyd, Mr and Mrs Sinclair-Thomson, Mrs and the Misses Rattray, Mr aud Mrs Sbotb, Mrs and tho Misses Reynolds, Mrs and Miss Cutten, Mrs and the Misses Williams, Mm Ogstoc, Mra Butterworth, Mrs C. Rattray, Miss Neill, Mr aad Mrs Chap- I man, Mr and Mrs W. G. Neill, Miss Gilkison, Mr and Mrs Sise, Miss Le Cren, Mr Michie, Mr Black, Mr James Smith, Miis Maoneil, Mr and Mrs Denniston, Miss Roberts, Dr aud Mrs Roberts, &c. Mrs Grierson wore a handsome dress of bright red and black material, with thick white lace on the bodice, white chip bonnet brimmed with black and white and bunches of red cherries ; Mrs Grierson's tiny little daughter was quaintly dressed in a yellow silk dreso and bonnet ; Miss Le Cren wore a costame of shot silk covered with black grenadiue trimmed with silk and jeb, and floral toque ; Mrs James Allen, grey silk trimmed with black chffon and lace ; Mrs C. Ribbray, a black dress with sleeveless bodice of white silk veiled in black accordeon-pleated chiffon, and stylish high-crowned hat of blaok velvet trimmed wibh feathers and red velvet wibh white lace ; Miss C. Neill, a brown and black costame wibh highcrowned hat of brown velvet with feathers and pink velveb ; Mrs Sinclair-Thomson, grey crepon wibh belt of floral xibbon, and black and white bonnet; Mrs Driver, black velvet with vest of white satin and jet, black and white bonnet ; Mrs Ogston, grey lustre dreis ; Mrs Sbott, dress of soft white silk trimmed with lace, and white hat ; Miss Reynolds, black satin dress with sleeveless bodice of pink veiled in black chiffon and jet, black and pink hat ; Miss R. Reynolds, a pretby drees of soft pink silk trimmed wibh Valenciennes insertion, green aud pink floral toque; Miss Cutten, black skirt with bodice of pale blue, and feather hat ; Mien Issy Rattray, costame of grass lawn trimmed with white satin, and white bat ; Miss G. Rabbray, blue bodice over a black skirt ; Mrs Williams, black skirb and blaok silk bodice striped with narrow stripes of white, black and red toque; Miss Williams, black, the bodice strapped wibh white lace insertion, black and purple toque ; Misß M. Williams, blue crepon coatume with sleeveless bodice veiled in white chiffon ; Miss G. Roberbs, white muslin dress, black and blue hat ; Mrs W. G. Neill, blaok skirt with handsome bodice of gold and blaok silk wibh gold and lace trimmings, black and yellow bonnet ; Mrs Butber worth, green tailormade costame and floral toque.