TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 66

TABLE TALK.

Monday \fternoon. Mrs Hanson Turton gave a very novel and enjoyable "At home" on the afternoon of Wednesday, the 19th inst., at her residence in Mornington. The entertainment was called "A Curiosity Tea," and every lady invited was asked to bring some sort of ourio with her. The result was both unique and interesting, relies being produced which, both in number and value, were equal to w'lat ha\e ever hitherto been exhibited in Dunedin. All the curios were handed to Mr Turton, who arranged them on a table, where they could be examined at leisure, but for fear that any should be overlooked, the host and hostess took the precaution to hold everything up and say what it was. Later in the afternoon the voting was proceeded with, every lady — who was first provided with pencil and paper — being asked to write down, which of the curiosities she admired the most, and the result was that Lord Nelson's speaking trumpet, a battered-looking old instrument of brass, received most votes. Miss Gilkison. was the owner of the trumpet, and received a pretty cut-glass bottle of scent as the first prize. Amongst other exhibits were a nightgown which once belonged to her late Majesty Queen Victoria, a chaste bilver loving-cup, a silver coin, containing z portrait of Nell Gwynne; Fijian spoon; an Egyptian donkey chain, made of coins ; a ship, made of a goose's breast bone ; arrow head, of the stows age ; Nelson medallion, a quaint brooch, a Venetian dagger, spears, a greenstone needle, shells gathered from the River Jordan, fine hair earrings, portions of the s.e. Wairarapa. Kaffir bangle, drinking cups, rouge box of the eighteenth century, gambling dice, lelics of Napoleon found after the battle of Waterloo, club?, old scent bottle, miniatures, a wonderful ring, with

cloth, the bodice trimmed with white lace : Mrs Edmunds wore a smart gown of black frieze, the bodice being finished with revers and trimmings of cream lace over black silk; Miss Mackenzie wore a skirt and Eton coat of purple cloth, black silk belt aud trimmings, pretty toque hat ; MinS Nina Gibson wore a very pretty blouse of blue chine tucked siik, with bolero, belt, and trimmings of Paisley silk, finished with gold braid, over a black skirt, white hat trimmed with white and blue feathers ; Miss Batchelor, skirt and Eton coat of ro.=e-coloured frieze, ve=t of while silk and gold braid, black hat ; Mrs Moore w ore a coat and skirt of grey cloth, the jacket having vevers and collar of white panne, black hat with black and white feather? ; Mrs R C. Reynolds, dark blue coat and skirt, scarlet hat; Mrs Edmond, long dark grey coat; Mrs Harris wore a smart tailor-made oo?t and skirt of dark blue cloth, giey and pale blue toque; Mrs Thomas, ntwy blue coat and skirt, black hat; Miss B. Farquhar wore a btylish skirt and Eton coat of slate-grey cloth, the former being finished with stitched bands of grey silk, belt and trimmings of black silk ; Mrs Oldham, dailc blue coat and s-kirt, black hat : Mrs Bridgman. black skirt and short sealskin jacket, blue toque ; Mibs Cam Graham wore a blue and white foulard blouse over, a black skirt, black velvet hat lined with white, trimmed with black and white ostrich feather* : Mrs C. Rattiay, black cashmere skirt with oordings, and black velvet jacket ; Miss Ellie Ulrieh wore a pretty gown of black voile, tiie bodice being tucked and having a sailor collar of black silk and chiffon, black chiffon hat ; Mrs Kemp (home, black skirt and Eton coat, revere of heliotrope silk, and vest of embroidered chiffon, large black hat : Mis Maud Sise, black skirt and Eton coat, levers of white panne edged with gold braid, black and white hat; Mrs Ogoton, grey coat and skirt ; Mrs Gallaway wore a gown of black cloth ; Mrs Hosking. dark red frieze trimmed with black braid, vest of red silk ; Miss Allen, smart costume of brown cloih. the Eton oat opening to show p vest of cream ?ilk and lace, red \el vet ribbon*, toque hat of white fur and red velvet.

A very enjoyable little dance wa« given on Friday evening, the 20th mst.. by Mrs A. H. Maclean, at her residence in Royal

with jet and chiffon ; Miss M. Mackerras, a soft white silk frock.

On Friday afternoon Mrs Bulterworth gave a pleasant little afternoon tea at her residence in Roslyn, as a farew-ell to Miss Nina Gibson, who is to be married on the 3rd of next month. About 30 ladies were present, and the hostess introduced a novel entertainment for her gue&ts in the game of "Ping-pong," of table tennis. The board is placed on a table, and is played with much the same rules as lawn tennis. As most of the ladies had never played the game before, the play was not so brilliant as it will probably be a few months hence. Amongst those present were Miss. Rattray, Mrs C. Rattray, Miss Sise, Miss Graham, Miss Haggitt, Miss P. Gibson, Mi-* Nina Gibson, Mrs Turton, Mrs Edmund*, and Miss Cutten.

The Mi&ses Wright returned from Melbourne last week by the s.«. Mokoia. Mr and Mrs D. Macdonald (Edendale) aie staying at Wain's Hotel. Miss Cuthbertson (In\ eroaigill) is. staying with Mrs W. E Reynolds in Lees street. Mrs and Mi=s Che wings (Mosslnun) are staying in Roslyn. Mrs .T L. Bush and Mi.« I. Thomson (Tnvorcargill) are staying \uth Mrs l''orbe=, at St. Clair. Miss Gould (Oamaru) is staving \\ith Mi-" De Lautour at "'Cintra." Mi and Mrs Donald (Ri-vor^dale) aie tho guest* of Mrj Coughtrey, at St. Cliui. Mr and Mrs C. Reid (Clifton) and MiHay (Teniuka) are the guests at pie-ent of Mra Sise in Cjuecn street. "Mrs O. R. Eclmuncls (Inveicargill) i^> staying with Mrs Hanaon Turcon in Mommgton. Mis R. H. Hogg (Invcrcaigill) is laying with Mrs Sleigh in Heriot row.

Mr Brydcne has returned from his^ lip to Japan, and is staying at the Giand Hotel. Mr and Mrs W. M. Hodgkins ha%e ieturned to town after their honeymoon trip, and have taken up their residence Pt their home m the Bank of New South Wales. The engagement has been announced o? Mus Mary Wright, daughter of Mr J. T. Wright, Bishopscourt, to Mr Guthrie, of Sydney.