TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Volume 16, Issue 2351, 16 March 1899, Page 43

TABLE TALK.

MoxD.A.r Afternoon.

On Wednesday afternoon Mrs Fisher gave a large "At Home" at her residence, St. Clair, when considerably over 100 ladies were present. Mrs Fipher received her guests in the drawing-room, vtlicme tJi&j- passed through to the large dining-room, which had Jjeen arranged as a music room. Very good music was to be heard there during the whole afternoon. Several brilliantly-rendered pianoforte solos were given by Mrs Blandford, that lady's playing being a special treat to all who had the pleasure of hearing her. Mrs Harris gave one or two excellent recitationsj and songs were sung by Miss Ethel Neill, Mrs Russell (Sydney), and Miss Lily Shand. Tea and refreshments were pcrved in the morn-ing-room, where the table looked very pretty, decorated with tall glasses of pink lilies and laden with grapes and cakes of all sorts. The Misses Fisher and Mrs Arthur Fisher presided over the t'.ia table.

Amongst those present in addition to Mrs and the Misses Fisher and Mrs Arthur Fisher were Mrs J. Fraser, Miss Fraaor, Mrs Morrison. Mrs Eardley Reynolda, the Misses Neill, the Misses Favquhar, Mrs and Miss Branson, Mrs Eliot Eliott. Mrs Walcort. Mra Skeat, Mrs Valentine, Mrs Harris, Mrs and Miss Coughtrey, Mrs C. Turnbull, Mrs Donniston, Mrs and Miss Shand, Miss Turton, the Mipses Millar, Mrs and Miss Graham, Mrs and Miss Henderson, Mrs and Miss Fitc'hett. Mrs J. R. .Tone.", Mrs and Miss Brent, Miss Lily Robert.", Miss Royse, Mrs Morrah, T^lrs Webb, Mrs De Latour, Mrs and Miss Fergus, Mrs Russell (Sydney), Mrs Adam. etc. Mrs Fisher wore a black crepon and satin costume, and the Misse3 Fisher pretty wlrite spotted muslin dresses ; Mrs Arthur Fisher wore a very smart costume of black crepon trimmed with liny ruches of black satin bebe ribbon, the bodice made with front of white chiffon and jet appliqxie ; Mrs W. S. Robert*, black, the front of the bodice being white satin veiled in jewelled net finished with revers of white covered with rows of very narrow black satin ribbon, fancy etraw hat trimmed with pink and green ribbons edged with black chiffon : Mrs Russell (Sydney) . dark grey tweed costume, the jacket opening over a vest of pale green bilk and lace, hat with trimming-* of peacock blue ribbons : Miss Lulu Roberta, navy blue cloth coat and skirt, the short coat braided and faced with white revern, toque trimmed with pink roses ; Miss Favquhar, tailor-made costume of black and white checked tweed skirt and black jacket, black and white hirt ; Miss Shand, fawn coloured tailor-made coab and skirt, brown and purple hat ; Miss Batchelor, dark tailor-made foal> and skirt; Miss Ethel Barchelor, grey cashmere drep? trimmed with iVhite bebe ribbon, 1 and the bodice with white satin and lace and pink velvet belt, Leghorn hat with black ostrich feathers and pink roses ; Mrs Sargood, dress" of reseda green cloth and covert coat with white revera, black hat with white chiffon and spangled wings and green ribbons ; Mrs Ogslon, green tweed braided costume and jet bonnet ; Mrs J. Fraser, black and white costumo and black bonnet with wiiite ostrich feather*; Miss Fraser, black and white checked tweed tailor-made costume, with pink vest and charming hat of pink felt trimmed with black and black ostrich feathers ; Mra Valentine, purple cashmere dress trimmed with bands of black Fatin, vest of white satin and lace and black hat ; Mrs Martin, handsome costume of black figured grenadine over purple silk, heliotrope and purple bonnet; Mca G, Tuxnbullj dress pi blue- figured,

trimmed with black ribbon, velvet," and lace, and black hat ; Mrs Cook, skirt of green tartan cloth and bodice of green velvet, black hat witli green velvet and feathers ; Miss Isy Rattray, brown tailor-made costume, and brown and pink hat ; Miss Isabel Mills, bright blue cloth costume braided with silver braid and white vest, black and blue hat with black feathers ; Mrs Harris, light fawn coloured coat and skirt and white Fatin and lace vest, fawn felt hat trimmed with fawn and white ribbons ancl^ white ospreys ; Miss Graham, dark blue tailor-made costume, and black velvet hat.

On Thursday afternoon Mrs Sise gave a large " At Home " at her residence in Queen atreat. in honour of her guest Mrs Clapp, from Melbourne. Fully 150 ladie3 were present some time during the afternoon, and as there was no music the guests spent the time pleasantly passing from room to room, everywhere finding some friend with whom to converse. Taa was served in the diningroom, which was always crowded, but the room being large, all could easily- be accommodated. The teatable was superintended by the Mi*sc3 Sise and Miss Bartleman. The table looked most dainty, dccoiatecl with glasses of feathery yellow and golden brown flowers intermixed with pretty grasses, and the delicate sandwiches arid lovely cakes were most tempting.

Amongst the guests were Mtd Clapp, Mrs G. G. Russell. Mrs Jones. Mrs and. the iiissea Reynolds, Mrs J. White, Mr 3 and Miss Buller (Christchurch), Mrs Peraton, Mrs Stephenson. Mrs Edmond. Mrs W. Reynolds, the Misses Maclean, Mrs M'Kerrow, Mrs and Miss Maeascey, Mrs R. Neill. Misi Neill, Mns and Miss Tolmie. Mrs Michie. Mrs Denniston, Mrs Lindo Ferguson. Mis? Bntterwortli. Mrs Roberts, the Misses Robert?, tho Mitrai'sGilkison, Mrs and Miss Shand, Mrs and Miss Sale, the Misses Barlleman, Miss G. Mills. Mrs Robinson, Mrs and Miss Fitchett, Mrs Barnett. Mrs Adam, Miss Mackellar, Mrs MacNeil, Miss Allan, Mrs and the Misses Rattray, Mrs W. Turton, Mrs and Miss Fergus. Mrs and Miss XJlrich, Mrs and Mh-j Graham, Mrs Ziele, Mrs Russell, Miss Mill-, Miss Bathgate, Mis 3 Turlon, Mrs Sievwrig'h'.. Miss Sievwright, Mrs Hallenstein, Mrs and Miss Cutten, the Misses Cargill, Mr 3W. S. Roberts, etc.

Mrs Sise wore black, and the Misses Sise dainty white muslin dresses, which looked charming ; Mrs Clapp wore a handsome trained gown of black satin and lace, the bodice finished with a fichu vest of whitp chiffon edged with tiny ruchings of red and black chiffon ; Miss Bartleman, a pretty tucked while muslin dress finished with ril> bons of pale green ; Mrs Buller (Christ Iciiurch), black skirt trimmed with narrow frills of black tatin and bodice of green covered with black checked grenadine with black satin trimmings, black bonnet \rilh flowers : Miss G. Buller, a white skirt and silk blouse bodice; Mrs G. G. Russell, «. handsome gown of navy blue cloth, the skirt trimmed with bands of navy blue bongalino, and the bodice made of bengalinc silk, with vest of thick create lnce, jet bonnet with flame-coloured roses ; Mrs Michie, green silk covered with white embroidered muslin, finished with green ribbons, Leghorn hat with black oslrieh feathers and yellow flowers ; Miss Kathleen M'Lean. a smart costume of grey cashmere,- the bodice trimmed with revers and vest of pink silk covered with white jewelled net, and white and pink hat ; Miss E. M'Lean, charming white muslin dress, the bodice tucked, and both skirt and bodice trimmed witli embroidery, large white hat trimmed with chiffon and white ostrich f?athers; Sirs Russell (Sydney), pretty white muslin trimmed with embroidery and insertion over yellow silk, and largo white and yellow hat ; Mrs Bvirnes (Nelson) , very stylish dress of cream-coloured figured hilk lustre, the bodice made with yoke and front of pink, covered with drawn white chiffon, black hat with feathers ; Miss Mills, grey cashmere dress with fucked bodice made with revers nf white braided in black ; Miss Graham, while nuislin clres<-, hat with blue ribbons ; Airs George Roberts, white muslin embroidery dress over heliotrope silk, stylieh black hat trimmed with high-btanding black chiffon and feathers; Mrs Edmond, tailor-made costume of grey cloth, the jacket opening over a vest of white patin covered with green jewelled net; Miss Roberts, smart navy blue and white foulard silk, the skirt iiimmed with ruchings of narrow white satin ribbon, and the bodice finished with a yoke of drawn white chiffon, white hat trimmed with ostrich feathers : Miss Aggie Roberts, tailor-made costume of black and white, the skirt of black and white checked tweed, ancl^ short black jacket opening over a white ve&l, pink straw hat trimmed with block ostrich feathers ; Mrs Lindo Ferguson, stylish costume of violet floth, the skirt trimmed with baudis <if velvet, finished in scroll pattern up one side, the bodice als.o trimmed with violet velvet ; Mrs Sargood, costume of siXer grey lustre, the jacket faced with white brocaded patin, and white hat ; Mrs Leslie Reynolds, dark green 'cloth' tailor-made costume and black and pink bonnet ; Mrs W. Reynolds, pretty dress of pale grey cashmere trimmed with white satin and chiffon, and white hat trimmed with chiffon ; Miss V. Reynolds, white pique skirt and pink and white silk bodice with lace and white hat ; Mrs Philip Russell, grey tweed tailor-made costume, and white hat trimmed with green and blue; Mrs J. Fraser, brack costume, the bodice finished with vest of white braided with black, and black and white bonnet; Mra Ivan Fraser (Sydney), a stylish dress of black and white checked foulard trimmed with narrow black ribbon and vest of white chiffon, black and white hat with white obtrich feathers ; Mrs Sievwright, dark green cloth coat and skirt, and black and pink bonnet ; Mrs Stephenson, handsome gown of Black brocade, the bodice made with vest of white chiffon, black bonnet with white ostrich feathers; Mrs Chaff ey (Canterbury), friuart costume of grey cashmere, the bodice trimmed with yellow velvet and lace, while and yellow toque : Mrs Burnett, brown cloth tailor-made costume and floral bonnet ; Mrs Ho<.kinc. handsome dress of black and purple ■ material trimmed witli liny ruchings of purple satin ribbon, the bodice made witli yoke of purple satin jotted and finished with irills of black chiffrm and purple *atm ribbons, lettuce green htraw with greenand pale heliotrope and flowers ; Mrs Fergus, costume of grey figured material, the skirt trimmed with ruchings of narrow white satin ribbon, and the bodice made with white satin front covered with black guipure : Miss Batchelor, white costume, and hat trimmed with blue ribbon ; Miss Ethel Balchelor,-pale grey cashmere dress, the skirt trimmed witli ruchings of narrow while satin, ribbon, and the bodice made with* yoke of white satin • and lace r finished with belt an& collar of pink velvet, white hat trimmed with black ostrich feathers, chiffon, and pink roses; Miss G. Webster, blue spotted muslin dress, and straw hat trimmed with blue; Miss Gertrude Mills, pretty cream silk dre&s, and cream-coloured feather hat ; Misg Maunsell, blue floral muslin drebs and feather boa, black velvet hat; Miss Cutlen, black skirt and ourple silk .bodice., aad jmrjole b#u

The same afternoon Mrs Harris gave a small afternoon tea at the Kai-ora tea rooms as a farewell to Mrs W. Hazlett, who leaves for Invercargill on Wednesday.

On Friday a small afternoon tea was given by Mrs Perston at her residence at the Bank of Now South Wales as a farewell to Mrs W. Hazlett. About 30 or 40 were present, and several guests contributed to the enjoyment of the afternoon by their musical performances. Mueic and recitations were given during the afternoon in the drawing room, and tea was served in the dining room, whilst the hall between the two rooms was utilised as -another sitting room. The guests who sang were Mrs Valentine, Mrs Russell (Sydney), Mrs Cook, and Miss M. Graham ,• Mrs Harris gave two clever recitations, and Miss Macdonald. a visitor from Sydney, played some charming airs, and also whistled to her own accompaniment. The tea table was very prettily arranged with decorations of pale pink strectpea and bush green in small glasses. Amongst the guests were Mrs Hazlett, Mrs Stophenson, Mrs George Roberts, Mrs Dowling, Mrs Valentine, Mrs Cook, Mrs Michie, Mrs Graham, Mrs A. W. Morris, Mrs Ziele, Wre Russell, Miss Low, Miss Macasscy, the Misses Roberts. Miss Milly Graham, Mies Macdonald (Sydney), etc. •

Mrs Perston wore a black skirt and stylish bodice of black and white striped satin; Mrs ITazlett, a handsome dress of blapk and blue silk canvas cloth, the bodice trimmed with yoke of blue tucked silk trimmed witli black silk braiding,, hat composed bf fawn and turquoise blue velvet trimmed with feathei*3 and true lover's knots ; Mrs Cook, tussore silk dress trimmed with insertion lace and black bebe satin ribbon, white feather hat : Mrs George Roberts, heliotrope silk covered with white muslin and lace insertion, Tuscan straw hat and black and heliotrope ribbons : xVTrs Valentine, black skirt and bodice of cerise and white silk trimmed with bands of cerise and insertion, black feather hat with violots ; Miss Roberts, stylish costume consisting of skirt of lavender-coloured poplin trimmed with uarrow # white satin ribbon and lace bodice over white satin finished with rovers of jewelled dark lavender silk, white feather hat; Mrs Edmond, smart dross, the skirt being white lustre and the bodice pale blue and white foulard sillc trimmed with insertion and tucks ; 'Mrs Harris, black skirt and black and white silk blouse trimmed with true lover's knots of black bebe ribbon, white and pink lint: Mrs Russell (Sydney), yellow flUe covered with white muslin tucked and trimmed with emlnoidery, large white and yellow hat; Mies Lulu Roberts, navy blue tailor-made costume, the short jacket braided and finished with white revers And. opening over a white vest.

On Saturday Mrs Ziele gave a large afternoon tea. as a farewell to her daughter (Mr: Russell), who. returns to her home in Sydney thi* week. About 70 ladies were present, and a few men put in an appearance during the nfterndon, which was very pleasantly spent and much enjoyed by all. The various rooms were all thrown open, but the centre of attraction was the music room, which wa« always crowded. Mrs Russell .-sang several songs charmingly ; llh Valentine and Miss Lily Shand also contributed several songs ; Miss Kempthorue and Miss F. M'Lean saug a duet; Mrs Roberts and Miss Macdonald played, the latter whistling lo her osvn accompaniment; Mis Harris and Misci Noiah Farquhar gave capital l'eeilations ; and Mr Herbert Power contributed a enmie song, and gave several very clever imitations. Amongst those present, in addition to Mr and Mrs Ziele and the MisFe? Ziele, were Mrs Roberts. Mrs Russell, Mra George Roherts, the Misses Roberts, the Misses Bartleman, the Misses Farquhar, Mrs Hax-ris, Mrs a«d Miss Shand, Mrs- Valentine, Mrs Martin, Mra Denni&ton, Mrs Perston, Mrs Cook, the Misses Kempthorne, Mrs and Miss M'Lean. Misd L. M'Lean, Mrs De Lautour, Miss Low, Mrs Jeffcoat. Mrs S. Brent, Mru MacNeil, Miss- Allan, Mrs Urahain, Mr Perston, Mr Cook. Mr H. Power, Mr_ Brent, .Mr Oldham, Mr Harris, etc. Mis Ziele wore black: Mrs W. S. Roberts, a black coftumo, the front of the bodice white Fatin veiled in jewelled net and finished with revers of white satin covered with rows of very narrow black satin ribbon; Mrs Russell, grey and purple crepon dress, the skirt trimmed with ruchings .of purple and white aatin ribbon and the bodice with yoke of white chiffon ; Miss Hay, grey dress trimmed with bands of dead rose velvet and lace; Mrs De Lautour, brown cloth coat and skirt, with pink vest, black hat with yellow flowei^; Miss Macdonald (Sydney), dark green cloth costume faced with white, braided with black, and hat with violets; Mrs Valentine, black hkirt and green and white bilk bodice and black toque ; Mrs George Roberts, plylish dresß of violet cloth mode with basque bodice braided with rowe of black silk braid, and large hat of violet velvet with feathers : Miss Lily Shand, fawn coloured coat and skirt and felt hat of the same colour; Mrs Martin, black satin skirt and bodice brocaded in purple and heliotrope, purple bonnet ; Mrs S. Brent, grey costume, with trinxr inings of pink and grey shot silk, and black hat with pink ; Mrs M'Lean, black with white trimmings, and bonnet with pale green flowers ; Miss F. M'Lean, a dark tweed costume, with pink and white chiffon vest, and pink floral toque; Miss L. M'Lean. black skirt and green and white silk blouse bodice ; Miss Aggie Roberts, fawn coloured tailor-made costume ; Miss Sise, black skirt and jacket and black hat- trimmed with white and black feathers ; Miss Kempthorne, black coat and skirt, white chiffon vest and white hat ; Miss Low, brown tailor-made coat and skirt, brown hat trimmed with lace insertion.

On Friday afternoon about 500 ladies and gentleme* accepted the invitation of the owners of the new steamer Rimu tq a harbour excursion. A start was made at- 2.30, and the steamer sailed as far as the Maori Kaik, returning about 5.30. The weather was very fine and the sea fcmooth, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the delightful day. Ample refreshments Mere provided, and Mrs and the Misses Ramsay were most untiring in their .efforts to attend to everyone. Mr and Mrs . Keith Ramsay received the guests on board the steamer. Mrs Wallis, from Invercargill, fs at present paying a visit to her uncle, Mr Carr, at hia residence in Duke street. Mr and Mrs Gilkison, from. Clyde, were staying in sown last week. Miss Devereux, from Auckland, isr at pre- • sent staying in Dunedin. as the guest of Mra ' Eliot Eliott. I find that I was rnioiuforrned in connection with the supposed marriage of Mr David Napier, which was made in this column hut Napier, allusion lo which was made in thin column last week. Mr Napier, who ia on Km 'jmsf to Englaj^dj. was upt married as a'letfc.l.

Mrs Townsend returned to Sydney last weeS after a «horl stay in Dunedin.

Miss Molly Ncill left for Melbourne Hj the \Yaikar& lasi week, where she •wil! spinet the winter with friends.

Mrs and Miss Cakltr returned to Melbourne by the Waikare, joining the Sueameiat the Bluff.