TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2433, 31 October 1900, Page 57

TABLE TALK.

Monday Afternoon.

Mrs Fotheringham. had invited a large num- \ ber of friends to afternoon tea on Tuesday^ at her residence, St. Clair, but the afternoon | turned so stormj and Avas so AA'et and cold, that only about a dozen ladies Avere brave enought to face the elements and the mud of the St. Clair road. However, they were amply repaid for their trouble, foi Mrs Fotheringham had everything charmingly arranged, and general regret Avas expressed that the Fates had been so unkind, thus preA r enting so many participating in Mrs Fotheringham's hospitality.

On .Tuesday evening Mr and Mrs J. M. Ritchie gave" a young people's dinner at their residence, " Balvraid," and on Wednesday evening they entertained a number of theii own friends also at dinner.

On Wednesday afternoon Mk Theomin_ gave a ladies' " At home " at " Avenel," herresidence, in Royal terrace. Mrs Theomin received her guests in. the drawing room, which looked charming — as did all the rooms' — decorated with spring flowers of all kinds. Tea and coffee and all sorts of dainty cakes and sweets were served in the dining room,-, where the table- looked lovely, adorned with. boAvls of yellow roses, while in the large morning room ice creams were served and much appreciated by all. The Misses Hart and the Misses Ramsay assisted the hostess in' looking after the tea tables, so the Avants of all Avere speedily satisfied. Several rooms Avere throAvn open, and also a verandah and lawn, to which access Avas gained by the side door, forming a delightful outlet Avhen the?rooms became croAvded. There Avas some excellent music, Miss Blaney singing several times, and Sirs Westmacott (Ohristehurch), Mrs Theomin, Mrs Mills, and Miss S. Graham also contributing vocal items, Avhile Miss Hotop and Miss Fraser gave pianoforte solos, all of Avhich the guests seemed to greatly enjoy.

About 80 ladies Avere present, amongst Avhom Avere, besides the hostess, Mrs and the Misses Hart, Mrs Hallenstein, Mrs E. Hallenstein, Mrs Driver, Mrs Cheeseman, Mrs and Miss Macassey, Mrs Jones, Mr 3 and ' Miss Graham, Mrs and the Misses Shand, Mrs Sale, Mrs Gilray, Miss Marchant, Mrs and Miss Moodie, Mrs and Miss Bartleman, Mrs and Mis.« Bathgate, Mrs Pirn, Airs and Miss Cutten, Mrs Woodhouse, Mrs Turnbull, Mrs GallaAvay, ( Mrs Greemvood, Mrs S.<Wilson, Mrs Isaacs, Mrs H. . Turton, Mrs Sinclair Thomson, Mrs Ritchie, Miss Komi,.- Mrs and Miss Sise. Mrs and Misf Denniston, Mrs Garland (Oamaru), Mrs and Miss Mills, Mrs Michie, Miss Gilkison, the Misses Ramsay, Mrs and Miss Roberts, Miss Fergus, Mrs Moore, Mrs Harris, Mrs Wright, Mrs Butterworth, Mrs Valentine, Mrs and Miss Fraser, Mrs Fenwick, Mrs Salmon, Mrs Royse, ancl Mrs Melland.

Mi'rf Theomin Avore a handsome skir' of black moire velours and smart bodice of orange chiffon, trimmed with jet; Mrs Hart, bright blue cloth coat and skirt; braided with black, and stylish bonnet of pale blue chiffon and jet ; the Misses Hart, pretty skirts b£ Avhite silk and insertion over grey jloth, skirts, and Leghorn hats trimmed with black velvet and feathers ; Mrs Butterworfch, very smart frock of green cloth, the bodice made with a deep yoke and revers of Avhite chiffon and thick cream lace; Mrs Sargood, a most becoming gown of purple cloth, the bodice trimmed with white chiffon and ' lace, and strapped with bands of purple velvet ribbon, lovely toque of palt blue chiffon trimmed with violets and white feathers ; Mrs Mills, blue and white foulard costume, the overskirt being made over a flounced underskirt of navy blue silk, and stylish hat of black chiffon ; Miss G. Mills, blue serge coat and skirt, smart pink hat; Mrs Ritchie, a A-ery pretty costume of blue and white foulard, the bodice trimmed Avith thick cream lace, black and Avhite chiffon ruffle, and black and gold bonnet" trimmed with lovely damask roes; Mrs Sinclair Thomson, grey cashmere skirt and bodice of grey and white tucked glace silk, white and black feathered hat ; Mrs H. Turlon. a charming gOAvn of olive green " cashmere, both skirt and bodice tucked^ andthe latter trimmed with chiffon and lace, picture hat of black chiffon ; Mrs Michie, violet cloth skirt, the bodice of tucked glace silk of the Fame sbade, stylish toque of purple velvet trimmed with masses of Parma violets; Mrs Hallenstein, a costv.ra** of sage green cashmere, both skirt and bodice tucked, • and the bodice trimmed with white chiffon and lace, Tuscan straw hat ' trimmed with i pprays of lovely pink'- roses ; Mrs John j Roberts, handsoma gown of black brocade, i and velvet mantle, fawn bonnet trimmed with, ,pale blue; Mrs Melland, blue . and -whitc^ foulard dress, red straw hat; Mrs E. Halleie;

stein, blue cloth coat and skirt, white and black hat with touches of blue chiffon; Miss Sise, smart tailor-made coat and skirt of black cloth, black straw hat trimmed with feathers and pink ribbons ; Mrs Moore, blue cloth coat and skirt, white chiffon ruffle, toque of pale blue trimmed with pink roses; Mrs Harris, grey cloth coat and skirt; Mies Ramsay, grey coat and skirt and pretty pink straw hat; "Miss Fergus, a lovely grey voile •frock made over blue silk and trimmed with 'lace, feathered hat en suite; Miss Kohn, grey cloth coat and skirt, che former faced ,jwith white, -white" hak; Miss Shand, navy iblue coat and skirt, the former faced with r "white satin and lace, pretty black hat trimmed jwith pink ; her sister, a brown costume. Mrs Mackerras gave a very enjoyable 'euchre party on. Wednesday evening at Roseanount, her residence- in Forth place. Mrs Oolquhoun gave ar ladies' luncheon at !her residence an High street, on Friday, the 26th inst. . Mrs Lindo Ferguson, gave a very enjoyable '"bicycling, tea" up the Leith Valley on Friday afternoon. The weather was not very propitious, but fortunately the rain kept off, so all thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon's outing. ■ Quite a large of both ladies and gentlemen were ' present at Miss Marehant arid the staff's invitation on Friday afternoon, at the. Otago Girls' High School sports, ■whioh were held ih the school grounds and •the gymnasium, fl,f 1 , Miss Marehant, who >yore a smart blue cloth costume, received the guests, - of- whom there were about 600, on the tennis courts, and the various races and ■gymnastic exercises were at once proceeded .■with. The competitors all wore gymnastic costumes, which proved very becoming to the various pupils. The weather was unfortunately not as bright and fine as might have been wished. Despite (his fact, however, the spectators nearly all stayed to the end of the sports, which were most interesting. Delicious afternoon tea was served in the large cloak room, where 'the teachers and pupils were all most assiduous in looking after the 'fronts of all. Airs A. H. Maclean gave a most successful progressive euchre party on Friday evening at her residence in Royal Terrace. About 30 guests were present, and after a number of gamss had been played, a sumptuous little supper was served in the dining-room, after which there was some pleasant music before the party broke \rp. Mrs G: Robinson returned to Dunedin last ■woek by the s.s. Monowai, after spending the •winter months in Queensland. Mrs G. M'Lean has gone north to Wellington for a visit. Miss Fairchild (Wellington) is at present staying vrith Miss M'Lean, at Hazehvocd, in Elder street. Miss Ruby Roberts has gone to Christchurch to vffcit Mis Stead and participate in the gaieties there. ZvJr3 YVestmacott (Ohristchurch) Is staying - in Dunedin just now. . llrs Garland (Oamaru) is at present the guest of the Misses Webster, in Howe street. • Misfe Giimer, of Wellington, is at present staying with Mrs Ziele.