TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2303, 21 April 1898, Page 43

TABLE TALK.

- ' Monday Afternoon. - A very successful afternoon "Ab hems" was given on the stage of the Agricol ural Hall on Wednesday by Mrs Thomas Fergus. The drop curtain had been drawn over to the uttermost edge of the stage «o as to shut it off completely from the haiJ. The stage, which is admirably adapted for tha purpose of an entertainment of this sort, was thus converted into a good-«.izsd room capable of accommodating about 100 people. As a matter of fact about that number of ladies did partake of afternoon^ tea daring; the afternooD, and the general verdict of those present was that it wss an ideal tearoom. With the large mirrors in the background, draped with Literty mnslin of various colours and ornamented with flowers, and with the numerous little tables disposed about the stage, the place certainly locked veiy pretty, and it goes without saying thai; the afternoon tea was ail the more appre ciated by those present with such presiy surroundings.

Mrs Fergus received her gussts at the entrance to- tha stage, and she and the Misses Fergus were most assiducus in looking after the wants of all the visitors. After tea and the delicious grapes and sweets which were act out on each littla table had been partaken of, most of the guests wandered off 10 the Exhibition. The art gallery soemed fco be a particularly favourite resort, ard as a string band was playing in the gallery of the large hall one could enjoy both the; raasio and the pictures at the tame time. Ail fioo soon the afternoon passed, and. all were astonished when half -past 5 came and sorry that it. was time to say good- bye. Amongst, those present, besides Mrs and the Misses Ftrgae, were Mrs Bowler, Mrs Valentine, Mies Siephensorp, Mrs Landels, Mrs aud Miss Madman, Mrs Jones, Mis R>binsoo, Miss Robinson, Mrß MacNsiJ, Miss AHan, Miss MoTyneus, Mrs Michie, Mrs Sitnp^oD, Mrs Grahsra. Mrs Moodie, Miss Wilson, Mrs Hazletfe, Mr 3 Sinclair, Mrs Finch, &c.

Mrs Ulrica gave a delightful progressive euchre party on Friday evening at her residence in Dake street in honour of her sor, who is paying a visit <o Dunenin at present. Close on fifty guests were present* and a most Euccessful eveaing was ths resulfc.Both the dining room and drawing room were arranged with numerous small tables for play, and great excitement was displayed over the different games. Shortly after 10 play was stopped, and ifc was found that the greatest number cf games had been won by Miss M. Reynolds and Mr Bali and tbe fewest by Miss Lucy Rattray and Mr H. Law, so prizes were awarded to these fcur. Amongst those present, besides the Messrs and Misses Ulrich, were Miss Sband, Mr Royse, Miss Royse, ' Miss Webster, Mr Turton, Mr and Miss Gibson, Miss M. Reynolds, Miss L. Rattray, Miss E. NeiJl, Mr and Miss M'Leac, Mr Macdonald, Mr and Miss Bell, Mr Moore, and Mr Law.

The marriage of Mr M. Stuart Holmes, youngest son of the Hon. Matthew Holmes, M.L.0., to Miss Florence Ellen Rdd, youngest daughter of Mr John Bsid, Elderslie, was celebrated io the Eafield Church on Thursday, April 14, by the Rev. James S&andricg. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion with wbite flowers and foliage. The bride, who was given away by her rather, was attired in a rich ivory satin gown, princess style, with long train from the shoulders, the front of the dress draped with lace and caught at one side with myrtle and a spray of orange blossom, tbe Bleevas beiDg of lace and transparent; a tulle veil embroidered at the corners and arranged on the bride's head with a coronet of orange blossom completed a very charming toilette. She wore a handsome opal and diamond bangle and a pearl and sapphire brooch, and carried an exquisite shower bouquet. The bride was attended by four bridesmaids — Miss Reid and Miss C. Reid (sisters of the bride) and Miss L. Holmes and Miss E. M'Lean (nieces of the bridegroom). Their dresses were of white surah, with apple green cbiffoa sashes, white chiffon sleeves, bodices trimmed with pearl trimming and lace. They wore large Leghorn hats with ostrich feathers and apple-green ribbons, topaz bangles (the gifts of the bridegroom), and carried shower bouquets. The best man was Mr J. B. Reid, and the groomsmen were Messrs J. F. Reid, F. M'Lean, and D. H. Reid. Mr Victor Booth (Oamaru) presided at tbe harmonium.

After tbe ceremony the wedding party drove to the residence of t'as bride's parents, where a sumptuous breakfast was laid for more than 100 guests in a large marques on the tennis lawn. The tent was beautifully decorated with festoons of foliage, and the tables were most artistically arranged with flowers, a lucky horseshoe o? white flowers hangiug 07er tbe bride's head. Quite a feature of the table was the exquisite menu cards, on each of which were engraved pictures of Elderslie and tha Ennsld church. " " >J.tb9 Inevitable toasts tjae^wsstsi r.e,tjj§a.

of daisies aod autumn leaves; Miss Holmes (eisrer- of bridegroom), black dress trimmed with violet, black bonnet with violets : Mrs Allan Holmes (sister-in-law to bridegroom), I black dress trimmed with heliotrope chiffou, j bonnet to match ; Mrs James Holmes (Awamoa), sister-in-law to the bridegroom, black satin dres3 and black bonnet, both relieved with Chineße embroidery in shades of blue, bouquet of cornflowers ; Mrs John White (Dunedin), sister of the bridegroom, sage green costume trimmed with a darker ehade, serthetic basket or flowers ; Mrs H. J. Miller (Oamaru). Black satin dress and bouquet of sweet peas, floral bonnet ; Mrs Shrimski, olive green satin dress, petunia bonnet ; Mrs Menlove (Windsor Park), handsome black brocade dress, lace mantle and floral bonnet, beautiful bouquet of yellow flowers and autumn leaves; Mrs Sbephenson (Danedin), rich costume of black moire velours, wbite bonnet trimmed with jet andl black plumes Mrs Webster (Danedin). black satin dress, black bonnet and white tips; Mrs Garland (Oamaru), stylish blue cloth costume braidad with black, toque to match ; Mrs Sband (Dunedin), handsome black brocads trimmed with cream lace, floral bonnet, bouquet o£ yellow daisies and antumn leaves ; Mrs Wait .(Olarksfield), exceedingly handsome black and white silk, black and white bonnet to match.

The following is a list of the presents :—: — Bridegroom to bride, diamond and sapphire ring and gold watch and chain ; Mr Reid piano and cheque, Mis Reid sewing machine, house linen, and tea set, Hon. M. Holmes diamond ring, Miss Holmes breakfast set, Misses Reid silver card case, Mra T. 0. Deunison point lace, Mr M'Master diamond and opal bangle, Mrs M'Master silver cake tray, Mr and Mrs G. W. Reid gold chain bangle, J. F. Reid side saddle and biidle, J. B Reid pearl necklace, D H. Reid sandal wood boxes and silk handkerchiefs, E. H. Reid silver fruit knives and forks, S. G. Reid clock, Hon. George aud Mrs M'Lean silver fish kuives and forks, Mrs White picture, Mr John Ccnuell (London) silver tray and tea service, Hon. R. and Mis Oliver pearl and sapphire pendant, Mr and Mrs Menlove (Windsor Paik) Japanese jars, Misses and Mesbrs Menlove carved fire screen, Elderslie employees handsome clock, Mr Jiibtice and Mrs Demiivton field glasses, Mr and Mi«Jaa,£lolmeis(Awaaaoi4)completecliuuei'Kervic?i,

tongs, Jifr and My* Sinclair-Thomson Bena-es bowl, Tic and Mrs Lipdo Ferguson picture, Mi- and Mrs Ifl. P. Bui bury silver-backed hair brushes ana comb, Mrs Edmund Gibson Mosgiel rag, Mr and Mrs P. It. Sargood silver-mounted carvers. Miss Fraser (Palmerston North) silver paper knife, Mis Kattrav silver and glass flower stand, Mrs Webster silvtr pepper pots, Miss Webster tea cosy, Miss G Webster table centre, Mr E. Webster butter dish and knife, Mr James Webster salad bowl. Misses Hassell (Waimate) flower vase, Dr and Mrs Garland silver tea kettle, Miss N. and Mr K^ Gibson silver p^per knife, Mis 3 Gillies hand-painted plate, Mr U. S. Teschernaker opera glasae», Captaiu Teschemaker salad bowl, Mr and Miss Grummit silver shoe horn and button hook, Misses M'Laren Longfellow's poems, Archdeacon aud Mrs Gould candlestick*, Mrs W. H. Reynolds drawing-room miirors, Mr and Mis Jas. Mills statuette, Misses Milk picture, Mrs T. W. Whitson specimen glasses, Mr and Mrs Bricknell tsa set, Mr and Mrs B. Toltnie silver iug, Mrs B. 0. Haggitt sideboard cloth, Mr G. P. Sise bread platter, Mr and Mrs Street carved stool, Mr- C. 0. Kettle satin handkerchief sachet, Mr 15. Hams salad Low!, Mrs J. M. Eitchie wiiting-case, Mis Tobias Pirn silver knife rests, Mrs Eoy^e pictures, Mrs 11. Anderson (Scotland) cheque, Mr and Mrs M'Lean (Strathconan) silver spoons, Mrs Richmond picture, Mr T. Kennedy sewing machioe, R^v. Mr Gifford and Mrs Gifford book, " Daily Light," Mr and Mrs Reid portraits ; bride to bridegroom gold ring and silver flask, Mr and Mrs Eeid Bible, Mrs L>eunisou and Misses Reid silver-mounted stick, Mrs and Misses M'Lean (Strathconan) cheque, Mr and Mrs Wilfoid cigar and cigaiette holders, Miss Holmes (Wellington) picture.", Miss Reid picture, Miss L. SJolmes carved table, Mrs James and Missis M'Leau Waverley Novels, Mr and Mrs 0. W R.eicl silver matchbox, Mr T. L Barnhill hand-painted dessert service, Mits Simpson fish cavvers and rest. Miss Tempeio photo frame, Dr and Mrs Batchelor silver candlesticks, Dr Douglas "Shakespeare," J. F. Reid gold tletve links. E. H. Reid silvermounted pipe, Mrs Field, Wedgewocd jug.

The Otago Ladies.' Golf Club held their first medal play competition on Tuesday, 12th inst., for a trophy presented by Mrs Theomin. The weather was almost perfect, except for a slight southerly breeze blowing, but the scores returned were not as gcod as usual, owing no doubt to the remarkable keenness and bareness of tho greens. The winner proved to be Mrs Ogston, handicap 4. Others who competed were Mrs Pirn, Mrs A. Todd, Miss Gibson,, Miss K. Rattray, Mrs Woodhouse, Miss Begg. The handicap limb i»9 beea considarably increased, with

to the house to view the presents, which were both numerous and costly. About i o'clock p.m. the happy couple departed en route for WarriDgton, the country residence of the Hon. George M'Lean. The bride's travelling dress was a coat and skirt ot electric blue cloth, white satin vest embroidered with colonred crystal embroidery, white felt boat-shaped hat with bands of electric blue velvet and white wiag.

It would be = impossible to describe ths many handsome costumes worn by the guests, but the following are •& few of the one 3 I noticed : — Mrs Reid (mother of the bride), exquisite royal blue velvet, wbite duchesse lace collar a.nd cuffs, blue velvet bonnet with white tips and yellow flower at the side, cloak o£ blue brocade shot with yellow and trimmed with sable, lovely shower bouquet ; Mrs George M'Lean (Dunedin), sister of the bridegroom, very handsome black satin dreg?, front of white satin veiled in jewelled net, becomirg bonnet to match ; Mrs Oliver (" T olearoa," Dauedin), lovely yellow and white Damascus silk trimmed with Lebanon embroidery and Venetian lace, large black velvet picture hat with wbite ostrich plumes and yellow loses under ssn'oa, bouquet of berries and acfcomn leaves ; Mr^ T. 0. Deu»ison (Oamaru), sister of bride, most becoming costume of black and red brocade, large picture hat with t»rtao crowa. blsck plumes, and red o&preys, bouquet of autumn leaves and berries; Mrs M'Mastex (Tokarabi), sister of the bride, lovely costume of pale grey clotb, sac coat with revera and collar of yellow Bilk covered with guipure lace, large grey chip bat with yellow plumes ; Mrs 0, W. Rsld (Clifton), sister-in-law to bride, becoming costume of pale grey skirr, white chiff on blouse, with white satin zouavs trimmed with silver, white felt picture haf. with black plumes and cerise rose?, bouquet

Dr and Mrs Shand silver inkstand and gong combined, Messrs BrowD, Ewing and Co. eider down quilt, Mr J. G. Milliigton set carvers, Messrs Hodge aud Jones driving and riding whips, Mrs Gavin Dennison silver salt cellars and spoons, Miss H. Dennison silk pincushion, Dr and Mrs Collins bob-water dish, Mr and Mrs Wilford card case, Mr and M;s Holmes Warren silver seiviette rings, Mr John Cook pearl and sapphire brooch, Rev. and Mrs 3?raer, silver pickle forks. Miss and Masters M'Master gold charm, Miss Daisy Dennison pirture. Miss Violet Dennison teapot and cosy, Miss Evelyn M'Lean clothes brushes, Miss K. M'Lean bamboo table, Misses M'Lean aud F. M'Lean engravings, Miss Lily Holmes tray cloth, Mr and Mrs Allan Holmes fish slice aud fork, Messrs Holmes (Awamoa) wallaby rug Mr Harry Holmes photo frame, Mr and Mrs Sise silver Rpirit kettle, Misses Sise silver bread f. rk. Miss Murdoch silver tea strainer, Mr A. W. Gillies silver scissors, shoehorn, etc., Mrs Wood (Chri^tchurch) lace handkerchief, Mr and Mrs Wocdhoiue silver sweet dishes, Dr and Mr 3 Hockeu carved photo frame, Mr and Mts A. Bathgate silver flower stand. Miss G. and Mr T. Cowlishaw silver pepper pots, Mr and Mrs Chaffey (Highfield) china flower pots, Mr and Mrs J. Stephensoa silver tea and coffee service, Hon. S. X and Mrs Shrim^ki silver vegetable dish, Mr and Misses Newton silver and Doulton sugar bapin and cream jug, Mrs Gillie--- (Auckland) picture, Hr and Mrs John Eoborts silver rapper pots ami sweet dishes. Mr and Mrs R. C Gillies silver serviette rings, Mr J Buckley silver card tray, Mr and Mrs W. Edmond silver spc.cn* and sugar tongs, Miss Chaffey silver paper kaiie, Mrs Turton silver serviette rings, Mrs C. Tiiorusou siiver sugar basin and cveam jujr, Mrs Ro'>son (4( 4 totland) table centre, Mr Brydone silver sugar basin and tongs, Mr Justice and Mrs "Williams silver-backed clothes brushes, Mrs A. W. Morris silver bread platter and knife, Mr and Mrs Butterworth silver dessert opoons, Miss M'Laren (Melbourne) tray cloth, Mr and Mrs H. M'Kenzie (London) silver tea caddy, Mr and Mrs M'Dongall (London) silver photo frame, Mr H. W. Roll silver pen, pencil, and paper kaife, Mr and Mrs Bradley picture, Mr and Mrs J. C. Nicholla silver rgg stand and Ir*y cloth, Mrs Dowling embroidered pillow shunt and tublecover, Miss Todd (Dunedio) tray cloth, Mr and Mrs G. L. Penniston silver jam spoons, Hon. H. J., Mrs, and Miss Miller silver kettle, Dr and Mis Wait &ilver teaspoous and

a view to encouragicg beginfterg, and it is quite expected the attendance on medal days will be larger in consequencb.