TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 43

TABLE TALK.

Monday Afternoon.

On Monday evening the first meeting of the Kahanga- Club for the present season was held at -the residence of Mrs W. G. Neill, Melville atreet. There was a fair attendance, about 60 or 70 ladies being present, but the bad weather and counter attractions limited

the number considerably for a " guest evening." Tilt new presidents are Mrs Melland, Mrs Valentine,, and Miss Outteo, and during

the interval Mr» Melland read the rules of

tha club ami oonditionß of membership for .the season. „ The Kahanga Club still retains its popularity, at the list of members, which

)• limited to 80, is quite full, each vacancy : having, been at once filled up. The chairwomen for the evening were, as on former occasions, ih« three .presidents, each of whom

had prepared a moat artistically-designed programme, each one as original and beautiful as on former occasions. Two of these programmes were executed by Miss Elsie Bell and Miss Ndll respectively.

The first item on the programme was a piano solo by Mrs Petre, who was unfortunately unable to be present'; but her place was ably filled by Miss Elsie Ball, who played a brilliant solo with no little execution. The next item was one of Rubenstein's vecal duets, sung by Mrs Valentine and Miss Lily Sband, accompanied by Miss Rylie. This was followed by a 'most interesting reading by Mrs Napier Ball, describing a trip to the West Coast of Tasmania. Mrs Bell had previously arranged in the hall large photograph* descriptive of tbe places and scenes referred to in her reading, which proved meat interesting. After the reading of the rules atd making any necessary arrangements for the season, the usual adjournment was made for tea and coffee, which were served in the dining room, Mrs Bell's phott graph* being on view in the hall between the dining and drawing, rooms After refreshments the programme was continued, the first item being a dance (which delighted the audience) by Miss Edith Shand, who wore a Swiss peasant's costume.. Then followed a song, "Echo," by Miss Ethel Neiil, and the programme tvas brought to a conclusion by an amusing little character sketch entitled "A Woman* Resolve," by Miss Cargill, Mies M. CargiJl, and Miss Denniston.

Mrs Neill wore a handsome black dress, the front of the bodice veiled with jewelled net ; Miss Neill, black, the bodice finished with cherry- coloured ribbons; Miss E. Neil), a pretty white frock ; Mlsb Rylie, a charming blouse of blue satin trimmed with chiffon and ; bands of passementerie, with a black satin skirt ; Mrs Melland, black dreßs the low bodice trimmed with white satin ; Miss Elsie Bell, a costume of shot blue, the bodice trimmed with passementerie and a touch of crimson ; Mrs Valentine, black satin costume; Mrs W. Reynolds, blue satin dress, the bodice trimmed with frills of blue chiffon; Mrs Leslie Reynolds, black skirt and stylish basqued bodice of pink corded silk, trimmed with lace and black velvet ; Miss Lena Mackellar, a charming blouse of reseda green silk trimmed with narrow ruchiegs of black chiffon, finished with long sleeves of ruckled chiffon, and black skirt. A stylish blouse bodice, with a black satin skirt, was worn by Mrs Leslie Harris, composed of a pals shade of electric blue accordeon-pleated chiffon, the sleeves also of the accordeon-pleated chiffon ; Mrs Brook wore a black evening dress, the bodice finished with long ruckled sleeves of black chiffon and gold passementerie ; Miss P. Gibson; black" skirt and bodice of fawncoloured silk striped with blue and pink, and trimmed with abot pink silk and lace ; MissLily Shand, a pretty' bodice of heliotrope gauze strapped with pale blue ribbons over a black satin skirt ; Miss DenniatoD, black ; Miss E. Ulrlcb, black skirt and bodice of white satin, edgad with narrow ruchings of white chiffon and bands of passementerie.

The next meeting of the Kahanga Club will be held on Monday evening, the 14tb, at Mrs Uirich's house in Duke street, when Mrs Sale will be chairwoman.

On. Tuesday evening Mrs Denniston gave a young people's dinner at her residence in Lees street. About IS were present, amongst whom, in addition to Mr, Mrs, and Miss Denniston, were the Misses Reynolds, Miss Neill, Mr Tapley, Mr Pattullo, Mr George Ritchie, Miss G. Roberts, Mr Oldham, Mr Sievwright, Miss Williams, Miss Boyd, Mr Cornwall, &c.

Mr and Mrs Gladstone Robinson are at present in Dunedic, prior to their departure for England. Mr Robinson has sold his station, and intends residing for the future in England, and, along with his family, leaves immediately. Miss Turton will accompany Mrs Robinson, and intends returning to New Zealand in a year.

On Friday afternoon the Misses Rattray gave a small afternoon tea at their residence, Craighall, as a farewell to Mrs Robinson and Miss Turton, to which they invited their special friends to bid them good-bye,

Professor Denham (who has been appointed to fill the chair of biology at the university in the place of the late Professor Parker), accompanied by Mrs Denham, have arrived in Dnnedin, and have taken the house close to the university lately occupied by Dr Scott.

Miss Nita Neill has returned to Dtmedin after an absence of gome weeks in Christchurch ; and Miss Cargill also returned from Ohristchurch on Sunday after sv lengthened frtay in that town.

The Government House Birthday Ball proved in every way to be a brilliant success. Seven hundrad guests were present, amongst whom were Admiral Pearson, his flag lieutenant, officers of the flagship, Captain Brown and officers of the Taaranga, Sir Henry Berkeley (Governor of Fiji), Lady Berkeley, Colonel and Mrs Pole-Peuton, the Premier and MrrSeddon, Colonel Cavendish, &c.

The ballroom, with its exquisitely harmonised colourings of white and yellow and its clusters of electric lights designed by Lady Rinfurly, looked Bplendid. Two drawing rooms were also thrown open for dancing, the windows of each room being draped with frilled muslin and yellow satin curtains to harmonise with the general colouring. . Palms and Oriental plants were everywhere called into requisition, and here and there bright spots of crimson poinaettia relieved the masses of foliage. All sorts of nooks and alcoves' were to be found in the lone- o«-HcSors, and the verandahs, which were lighted by elecfcrio light, were tempting* j ciia-ged with lounges and luxurious chairs, backed by tall palms and plants. Altogether, a wonderfully gay and brilliant sight was presented, tha exquisite colouring surrounding everything, the gay colours of the uniforms of the officers of the warships, commandant, and volunteers, together with the wonderfully varied and dazzling appearance of the ladies' dresses, all combining to add to th# brilliancy of the scene. Lord Ranfurly wore his uniform, and Lady Banfurly wore an exquisite dress of the palest of green duchesse satin, the front of the skirt and the bodice draped with fine white lace and jewelled net, and masses of purple violets placed down the Bide of the skirt and on the bodice, violets also being worn in the hair, along with the magnificent tiara of diamonds and emeralds so much admired always ; Lady Berkeley wore a lovely gGwn of silver grey brocade, the bodice trimmed with real lace ; Mrs PolePenton, rich white brocade trimmed with yellow chiffots ; Mrs Rhodes, black brocade trimmed with velvet and jetted lace relieved with red ostrich tips ; Mrs Saddon, white satin brocaded with a heliotrope design, tha bodice draped with pale creamcoloured lace ; Mi*s Seddon, handsome dress of white moire valour, tha bodice trimmed with chiffon and jewelled embroidery ; Mrs Collins, a handsome gown of rich buttercup brocade with large design, the bodice draped, with lace ; Mrs Pearce, lovely dress of grey satin, the bodice relieved with pink trimming?.

At this ball there were seven debutantes — Mis 3N. Williams; Miss O. Butts, Miss Gore, Miss Douglas, Miss K. Brandon, Miss Reid, and Miss D. Tripe. All wore charming white dresses of either silk or satin trimmed with chiffon or jewelled net.

The following day Lady Ranf arly gave an afternoon " At home " to meet Admiral Pearson, who was staying at Government House. The lovely decorations remained as on ths previous evening, and the guests were received at the entrance to the drawing room. A string band enlivened proceedings by playing music during the afternoon, being stationed in the hall.