TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2390, 21 December 1899, Page 55

TABLE TALK.

Monday Afternoon.

On Thursday afternoon the Misses Sproule gave a large musical matinee in the Young Women's rooms, Moray place, which proved .most successful and enjoyable in every way. The entertainment Mas given by the Misses Sproule to introduce to their friends their niece, Miss Hotop, of Queenstown, who has spent the last few years in Germany prosecuting her musical studies with the intention of teaching. Miss Hotop returned to New Zealand a few months ago, and now intends settling in JJuaedin,.

where she purposes devoting her time to the instruction of music, commencing after the summer vacation. The hall was tastefully arranged, pretty flowers being conspicuous everywhere. The floor was carpeted, and groups of chairs and little tables were dotted about, and the slightly elevated platform on which was placed a handsome grand piano, was used by the performers. The musical programme consisted of about half a dozen items, between two of which tea and cakes were seivcd to the guests. Miss Hotop contributed several brilliant pieces, and took part in a piano and violin duet with Signor Squarue, and needless to s.ay, all preseil wer*. charmed with the young lady's playing. Mi&s Dunlop contributed a song, her accompaniment being played by Miss Black ; Miss Milly Grahaoi and Mr Maitland Gardner each sang a song, their accompaniments being played by Miss Gwen Roberts.

Notwithstanding the heavy rain which fell during the afternoon, nearly 200 ladies were present, amongst whom were the Mi«s.es Sproule and their sister, Mrs Stevens, Miss Hotop, Mrs Martin. Mrs E. Reynolds, Mrs ami Aliss ilackerras, Mrs and the Misses Wise, Mrs and the Misses R»lti'ay, Mrs Cohen, Miss E. Ulrich, Mrs J. Roberts, Miss Roberts, the Misse^ NwK, Miss Reynolds, _Mrs and Miss Denniston, Mrs W. Maitlamr, Mrs ■BaHeitstKS, 3lr«_Edlsu Mrs B. Hallenstein, Mrs Royse, the Misses Farqnhar, Mrs W. G. Neill, Miss Eily Neill, Miss Dj.inlo.ji,. Mrs and Miss Sinclair, Mrs and Miss Whitson, Miss Cargill, Mrs and the Misses Bathgate. Mrs and Miss Maitland Gardner, Mrs Thompson, Mrs James Allen. Mrs and Miss Coughtrey, Mrs Haggitt. Mrs and Miss Tolmie, Mrs Colquhouu, Mrs and Miss Macassey, Airs Logan, the Misses Miller, Mis* Black, Mrs Curzon-Siggers, Mrs Perston, Miss Gwen Roberts, Mrs and Miss Henderson. Mrs Edmond, Mrs Blandford, Mrs Raphael, etc.

The Misses Sproule and Mrs Stevens wore black ; Miss Hotop, dark skirt and -pretty tucked pink silk blouse ; Mrs Martin, black satin with vest of embroidered lace, and heliotrope bonnet ; Miss Tolmie, smart costume of sage green cloth trimmed with narrow black satin ribbon bands, and white hat trimmed with black and pink roses ; Miss Whitson, pale green cotton dress and sailor hat ; Miss Gwen Roberts, grey tweed tailormade dress, and smart hat of grey straw and chiffon, with grey ostrich feathers and yellow flowers ; Miss Lorn.i Rattray, smart blue cloth tailor-made costume and feather hat ; Miss L. Rattray, a stylish dress of purple cloth, and purple hat with purple flowers and rosettes of orange velvet ; Miss Cargill. pink cotton dress trimmed with lace, and large white hat w T ith feathers ; Mrs Finch, black skirt and black and white silk blouse, black feather hat with purple flowers ; Mrs Maitland Gardner, black with black and yellow bonnet ; Mrs liardley Reynolds, grey tailor-made coat and skirt, with vest of violet velvet and cream lace, and toque trimmed with violet velvet and flowers ; Mrs James Allen, costume of pale electric blue cloth, with wliite satin yoke and narrow black ratin trimmings, black bonnet trimmed with pink and white satin ribbons ; Miss Nora Farquha-:, a cream serge skirt and pretty- bodice of yellow and white striped silk trimmed with lace, and large white hat with white ostrich feathers and yellow flowers ; Miss Milly Graham, dark .skirt and blue and white muslin bedice trimmed with electric blue, and black and blue hat ; Mrs Peroton, handsome black costume and black and pink bonnet ; Miss Rita Neill, a stylish tailor-made costume of black and white, the skirt trimmed with bands of black, and short black jacket finished with steel buckles and white vest ; Mrs Cohen, handsome black dress with trimmings of white satin braided with black, and black and white bonnet : Miss Denniston, a black serge costume and sailor hat ; Mrs Oldhain, silver grey cloth ta;lormade costume and feather boa, grey feather hat ; Mrs W. G. Neill, dark green coat and skirt, and black feather hat ; Miss Ruby Neill, costume of fawi, checked material trimmed with dark green velvet, white hat with rose pink and lace and black quills ; Miss Molly Neill, dark blue and white checked dress, finished with white satin yoke, and red straw haL with flowers of the s-anio colour ; Mx* Royse, handsome black corttume, and black and purple bonnet ; Miss Dunlop, grey tweed tailor-made dress and vest of rose pink trimmed with black velvet, black and pink hat.

On Friday afternoon a most enjoyable ladies' afternoon party was given by Mrs Jack Wright and Mrs Butterworth, at their residences in Roslyn. The guests were received by Mrs Wright, at Bishopscourt, and immediately sets of croquet were foimed on the two lawns. In another place there was the game of " putting." which attriicted not a few, and still another entertainment was an exhibition of the phonograph given in the hall at Bishopscourl. Tea and lefreshments were served in the

dining-room, .vhere the flowers were exquisite — in the hull and vestibule lovely pot , plants abounded everywhere. Later in the i afternoon an adjournment was made to Mrs Butterworth's residence, where strawberries and cream weie served in the dining-room. The day was not at all fine, being cold and showery, although it cleared in the afternoon sufficiently to enable one to enjoy , being out of doois, but not enough to allow of smart dresses being worn.

Mrs J. Wright wore a black silk striped crepon skirt, and very pretty bodice of white .--ilk, covered with tuckpd black chiffon, finished with collar of pale blue, and laige picture hat, and Mrs Butterworth woie a blue costume with white vest. Between 30 and 40 ladies were present, amongst whom were Mrs J. Wright, Mrs Butterworth, Miss Butterwoith, Mrs and the Misses Williams, the Mi&ses Rattray, Mrs and Mis« P. Gibson, Mrs Bdidgman. Mrs W. G. Neill, Mrs and the Misses Sise, Mrs Perston Mr.* Woodhouse, Mrs Brooke, Miss Lulu Roberts, Mi&s Dennislon, Mrs Ogston, Mrs Edniond, Miss (J. and Miss Rita IS 7 eill, Miss (Jutten, Miss Gwen Roberts. Miss Eily Neill, etc.

Miss Finch returned to Wellindon las.l ■week.

Mrs Fenwick, from Christchurch, is at present paying a visit to her daughter-in-law, Mrs Aufrere Fenwick, at St. Clair.

Miss Maud Sise and Miss Maunsell, who have been paying visits in Timaru, have returned to Dunedin.

Dr and Mrs and Miss Batchelor have left for. Sydney, whence Mrs and Miss Batchelor proceed to Egj'pt, where they puipose spending some time, thence proceeding to England. Di Batchelor returns to Dunedin via Melbourne.

Miss Gibson and Miss Nina Gibson have left Wellington (where they have spent the winter months) for Christchurch, where the}' are at present paying farewell visits before returning to Dunedin. Mrs and the Misses Gibson intend proceeding to England early in the year, leaving Dunedin in FebriKuy.

INVERCARGILL. Monday. On Saturday, the 16th, an impromptu dunce for young persons was held in Ash- i ley's' Hall. A picnic had been arranged for 1 that afternoon, but the_vsruher prevented it taking pla.ee. " 'Those invited to the p'enic, together with a few friends, got up th- dance instead. A very successful even--; ing vas the result. Mrs W. Spence and ! Mrs ToTvkr^Oaihblmg were the chaperones. I Jlhe music was supplied by The young ladies ! present. Amongst the guests were* Misses Spenee, GambliTrgT'TMoffat, Callender, Howorth, and Vyner, Messrs Trail, Taylor, Basstian, Vyner, Woodward, Luxford, Sharp, Stocker, etc.. etc.

The cqmbined cho'rs of Invercargill on Friday, the Bth, produced "The Messiah." The performance was a success in every way, and the attenda'nee was better than usual. The soloists were Mesdames Blue, Ross, and Forbes-Williams ; Misses Kirwan, Organ, and Royds ; and Messrs Edgar (Dunedin) and Taylor.

Wednesday was the People's Day at the A. and P. show, and as the weather was fine, the town was well filled with country visitors. Amongst these I noticed Mr and Mrs Hare, of Blackmount, Fairfax; Mr and Mrs M'Phcrson, of Otautau ; Mr and Mrs Ellis, of Blackwater; Mr and Mrs Mcnzies, of Dipton; Mr and Mrs Macdonald, of Edendale ; Misses MacLachlan, Blackwood, and Chewings (2), and many others.

Mrs Stocker, with the younger members of the family, is taking a holiday at the Bluff.

Mr and Mrs Raymond are taking a month's holiday in Melbourne.

Miss MacGillivary has returned from along visit to Christchurch.

Mrs Tothill, with her family, has gone to spend the summei at her country house, " Oaklands."

Mr and Mrs Woodward leave Invercargill in a day or two. Mr Woodward has been in bad health for several months, and he is going to a warmer climate. Mr and Mrs Woodward have been residents of Southland for many years, first at Eivei'ton, then at Invercargill.

The break-up of the High School, which took place on Wednesday last, was very successful. The Rev. Gibson Smith, who presented the prizes, made a humorous speech. Amongst others present were Mesdames Fowler, Hartman, Vyner, Christophers, Harvey, Webber, Lindsay, and Mehafi'ey.