TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 51

TABLE TALK.

costume of sage green cashmere, the front of ' the bodice blue satin veiled in sequin net, black and heliotrope toque; Mrs Theomin, blue tailor-madb costume, and hat trimmed j i with cornflower blue chene ribbons ; j Mrs Valentine, costume of petunia cashmere and velvet finished with a vest of j pale blue silk edged with fur, black velvet hat with blue trimmings ; Mrs Oliver, silver i grey tailor-made costume and white vest, picture feather hat of black velvet; Misa Aggie ; Roberts, blue cloth tailor-made dress and smart hat of green and black straw with pink roses under the brim ; Miss Lulu Roberts, a grey tailor-made costume and velvet toque ; j Miss Nina Gibson, smart costume consisting j of light browQ cloth skirt and Russian bodice ! of brown striped velvet edged with fur and sequin insertion, black hat with crown of blue crinkled silk and pink roses under the brim; Mrs Oheeseman, stylish costume of electric blue cloth and silk, black picture hat with blue trimmings ; Mrs VV. Hazlett, black cloth braided costume, with vest of white satin embroidered with sequin and jewel trimming, stylish hat trimmed with pink crinkled silk and brown feathers ; Miss Stephenson, datk blue costume, the bodice trimmed with white satin j and lace insertion, finished with belt and j collar of red velvet, hat of cherry-coloured . straw and chiffon with black feathers ; Mrs ■ Sinclair-Thomson, black and white checked j costume ; Miss Gertrude Rattray, brown and j blue ■ costume, and hat of brown and blue with pink roses ; Mrs Stock, black crepon, j the bodice trimmed with white satin and jet, j black and white hat ; See. f His Excellency the Governor and Lady i Kanf urly gave a large garden party at their , Christchurch residence, " Eimwood." Un- ! fortunately the weather was most disap-

j Monday Afternoon. | On Monday, the 21st, Mrs Finch gave a large afternoon tea at her residence in Royal Terrace as & farewell to her sister, Miss MacNeil. Mrs Finch invited all her sister's friends to give them an opportunity of saying good-bye, as Miss MacNeil is to be - married on Monday, the 28 th, and leaves for Melbourne the same afternoon. Mrs Finch received her guests in the drawing room, and tea and refreshments were served in the dining room adjoining, the two rooms being thrown into one. Amongst those present were Mrs Finch, Mrs and Misa MacNeil, Mrs A. MacNeil, Mrs Michie, the . Misses Eattray, Mrs Perston, Miss Molineaux (Wellington), the Misses Roberts, Mrs Theomin, the Misses Bartleman, the Misses G-ilkisoo, Misa Stephenson, Mrs Edmond, Mrs Roberts, Miss Ethel Neill, Mrs and Miss Robinson, Miss Williams, Mrs Valentine, Mrs Stock, the Misses Batchelor, Mrs Oliver, Mrs and Miss Morris, Miss Ruby Neill, Miss Macassey, Mrs ,O. Turabull, Mrs W. Hazletfc, Mrs Ogston, Mrs Ridings, Mrs Oheeßeman, Mrs Grierson, j Mrs Sinclair-Thomson, Mrs Woodhouse, &c. I Mrs Finch wore a black skirt and stylish 1 basqued bodice of pink satin trimmed with j narrow bands of black velvet and cream lace insertion; Miss MacNeil, a smart costume of china blue and white foulard silk, the bodice finished with yoke of white silk and trimmed with narrow frills of cream-coloured lace, the skirt' edged with frills and lace; Mrs MacNeil, handsome black brocade gown and lace mantle; Mrs A. MacNeil (Melbourne), black crinkled crepon costume, the bodice made with full vest of green satin and jet trimmings, black and pink bat;' Mrs Napier Bell, black brocade with bodice brocaded with green sprigs, green and jet trimmings, and black and green bonnet; Miss Elsie Bell, a smart grey canvas cloth over yellow silk, the front of the bodice entirely composed of lace insertion and rows of yellow bebe ribbon, grey hat trimmed with ' feathers and yellow roses] Mrs Ssrgoo3,

pointing, as it rained in the early part of the day enough to make ths grass wet and disagreeable, and later in the afternoon a heavy downpour came on, keeping- many of the guests from going at all. Large mar-" queee were arranged about the grounds for refreshments, a capital band did its best to enliven the dulness of tha day.and a phonograph was also arranged for the amusement of the visitors. Lord and Lady Eanfurly received the guests on the terrace overlooking the lawns, the rain having abated during the time of arrival. Refreshments were also served within the house, all the rooms (which were like floral bowers, so beautiful were the decorations) being thrown open. The state of the weather was unfortunate, but everything possible was done to secure the comfort and pleasure of the guests. Lady Ranfnrly wore an exquisite dress of pale grey satin, rich Brussels lace arranged on the bodice, which fell over one shoulder, forming a sash and drapery at the back; a large picture hat with plumes of grey and white and a touch of heliotrope colour. [ Lady Constance Knox wore a cbarmiDg frock i of white muslin and lace with pink sash, \ and pretty hat of pink straw with white ostrich feathers. Mrs and Miss Sanderson, from England, who have been guests of Mr John Eoberts at Littlebourne House for a few weeks, left last week for Wellington en route for Sydney. Miss Fil.cb.ett left on Thursday by the Wakatipu en route for England. Miss Fitchett purposes spending a year in England and visiting the Continent. Mr and Mrs Cheeseman returned from their trip to Auckland last week. Amongst the visitors in town this week are Judge and Mrs Denniston (Christcburch), Mr and Mrs Robert Turnbull (Linburn), Mr and Mrs C. Reid (Oamaru), Mr and Mrs Donald (Biversdale), Mr and Mrs Batger (Invercargill), Miss Ronalds and Miss Meara (Ohristchurch), Miss M'Lean (Sydney), Mrs Ridings (Oamaru), Miss Molineaux (Wellington), Mr and Mrs Alec Burnes (Nelson), Mrs Wilford (Wellington), Miss C&wliehaw

(Queensland), Mrs Kenry Rose (Chrfste church), Miss Mendelson (Temuka), Mrs H. Lance (Canterbury), &c. "" Weigel's Journal for March, while present* iog its asuai practical and useful features, is, so far as fashions are concerned, overrun by the vogue of the Russian blouee, the trimmed skirt in all its unwelcome variations, and the waisted frock for children, which bid fair to supersede the pretty hanging dresses we have bo long admired. Some pretty mantles and one or two very becoming hats are also shown.