TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 68

TABLE TALK.

MONDAY, March 13. On "Wednesday afternoon Mrs Leslie Harris gave a large "At home" at her residence in High street, when more than a hundred ladies were present. A band, consisting of six instruments, was stationed on the lawn just beside the house, and played various selections during the afternoon, and as the guests were within doors the music sounded wleasantly near without in any way hindering conversation. In all the rooms and hall were to be found choice flowers and handsome pot plants. Tea and refreshments were served in the dining room, where the table was beautifully decorated with bright scarlet eeraniurns arranged in silver vases, and as this room opened on to a large verandah room arranged with little tables and chairs many found their way there to partake of tea. la a room upstairs was to be found a fortunetoiler willing to reveal the secrets of the past, present, and fuvure of each supplicant, numbers wending their way to this abode, each one patiently awaiting her turn. Amongst Mrs Harris's guests were Mrs and Miss Allen, Mrs Adam, Mrs Bathgate, Dr Eleanor Baker, Mrs Blandford, Miss Cargill, Mrs Cheesemam, Miss Coughtrey, Mrs and Miss Chapman, Miss Cutten, Mrs Cook, Miss Davidson. Mrs and Miss Denniston, Mrs Edmond, Mrs Finch, Mrs Fisher, Miss Gross (England). Mrs GaJlaway, Miss Gilkison, Mrs and Miss Graham, Mr 3 and Miss Haggitt, Miss Hart, Mrs and Miss Hazlett, Mrs Hosking, the Misses Jackson, Mrs and Miss Joachim, Mrs LeCren, Mrs MacNeil, Mrs Macassey, Mrs and the Misses Mackerras, Mrs and Miss Florence M'Lean. Miss M'Kellar, Miss Marchant, Mrs Marshall, Mrs Michie, Mrs Moore, Miss Orbell ("Waikouaiti), Mrs Oldham, Mrs Pattullo, Miss Power, Miss Ramsay, Mrs Raynor, Mrs and Miss Reynolds, Mrs Eardley Reynolds, Mrs W. Reynolds, Mrs Ritchie, Mrs J. Roberts, Miss Roberts, Mi3s 'Royse, Mrs and the Misses Sale, Mrs Percy Sargood, Mrs Solomon, Miss Shand, Mrs Stephensoc, Mrs J. Stewart, Mrs Theomin, the Misses Ulrich, -tars Ernest "Williams, Miss "Wimperis, Mrs and Miss "Woodhouse, etc. Mrs Harris wore a charming dress of cream eolienne, the skirt trimmed with w*de creamcoloured lace insertion aoid white guipure lace applique, and the bodies with the same combination of lace and transparent yoke, black hat vath. feathers and jetted trimming; Miss Gross, a pale blue voile shirred dresa, with white lace and blue ruchings, stylish picture hat of white and black transparent chiffon and black ostrich feathers ; Mrs Hosking, light brown voile trimmed with shhred and gauged frills and lace, large transparent white tulle hat trimmed with blue; Miss Shand, cream voile and shirred silk dress with lace, aad long, white coat with orangecoloured facings, white and black tulle toque; Miss Ellie Ulrich, costume of pale green spotted voile, with lace yoke, finished with black embroidered spots, and black hat ; Miss K. Ulrich, giey voile dress with large white spots, lace yoke, and black hat ; Miss Allen, China blue floral voile trimmed with lace and ruchings, blue straw hat trimmed with black and pink flowers; Miss Reynolds, brown canvas cloth trimmed with brown silk ruches and cape of lace, tulle toque with pale green; Mrs Gilkison, heliotrope silk shirred dress, with cream lace yoke and bertha, black feather hat ; Mrs Michie, pale grey voile costume over pink silk trimmed with lace and passementerie, and black hat; Miss Sale, pale green costume with lace yoke, and black hat ; Miss M. Sale, a pink linen costume, with Eton coat faced with white embroidery, and Tuscan hdt with pink roses; Miss Royse, pretty cream-coloured voile dress, the bodice finished with deep cape of embroideied lace, hat with pink and led roses; Miss L. Mac-> kerras, white cloth costume, and black hat; Mrs Shepheid (England), white cloth costume with pleated bolero bodice faced with pale blue cloth, tulle toque with, violets ; iiiss Denniston, costume of champagne-coloured voile with lace yoke, brown marabout stoles, and brown hat; Mrs LeCren, pale giey voile dress with white lace trimmings and accoz--deon-pleated underskirt, black hat with small white roses; Miss F. M'Lean, white voile and lace dress, and white hat; Mrs Oldham, giey costume trimmed with grey velvet, grey hat, with bauds of velvet and tinted yellow roses; Dr Eleanor Baker, a dark grey Eton, costume faced with white, and beaver hat , Mi 39 >| A.udrey Jackson, pale grey voile costume, witi a' bolero bodice trimmed with lace; Mis 3 KDoicthy Jackson, white cloth costume a&fl

CaTk blue hat ; Miss Ruby Neill, cream-coloure< voile spotted with black, and pink straw ha trimmed with pink; Mrs Riley, a brown cos time trimmed with pipings of white, boler< coat with white pipings and lace, and blacl hat; Mrs Ritchie, black crepe de chine, thi Bkirt shirred and trimmed with black lac< yoke and embroidered lace, white feathei stoles, and black hat ; Mrs Finch, white anc black floral muslin, white picture hat trimmet ■with blue ribbon and pink roses; Mrs Sar good, pale blue floral voile dress trimmed wit! lace and belt of blue heliotrope and greai Bilk, white beaver hat trimmed with tulli and green foliage ; Mrs Moore, dark greei costume with laoe yoke over green, drapec with small aocordeon-pleated frills, white ha : trimmed with violets and green leaves ; Mrs Marshall, white, with yellow silk belt anc Bash ends, Leghorn hat, with t,ands of greer velvet and yellow chou; Miss Chapman, cos tume oj. China blue trimmed with faggotting in white and lace; Mrs Theomin, costume o: black and white voile with white yoke covered with black guipure lace, and black hat. On Saturday afternoon a wonderfully sue cessful fete took place in the grounds o "Marinoto," the residence of Mr Percy Sar good, kindly lent for the occasion. The en xertainment was got up by the Dunedii branch of the Ministering Children's League to provide funds for a convalescent home fo: children, which is to be built whenever fund: permit. The weather — that mighty factowhich can do so much to make or mar ai outdoor entertainment — was simply glorious— in fact, perhaps the most perfect" day of tin •whole season; and no doubt this added con eiderably to the success of the undertaking From early morning the beautiful grounds o "Marinoto" -presented a gay and lively scene busy preparations being made for thi sports, arranging and judging the competi tions, cutting cakes and making all in readi aiess in the tea tent. Willing workers wen there in numbers, who all worked hard, botl heart and soul being in the good cause Prizes were offered! for the best decoratec tricycle, pet, basket, parasol, bicycle, go-cart hat, hoop, etc. Prizes were also awarded for the best cake of various classes, and fo] different varieties of sweets. The exßibits had been sent in in the morning, and the judging was over before 2 o'clock, when tht long stream of visitors began to arrive. The grounds were all decorated with flags, etc.. and here and there on the grass and among the tree-es were dotted! a side show, c tent for the sale of fruit or sweets, or some sort of game was indulged in. A large tea tent, superintended by Mrs Gallaway, hao been erected in the paddock adjoining th^ lawns, and this was taxed to its utmost limit, the demand being almost greater than the supply. Close to the house, outside the conservatory verandah, the work stall was placed, Mrs Benham being in charge of it ; and another tent was devoted to the sale oi sweets, superintended by Mrs Ramsay. The side shows which were scattered about the grounds included a shooting gallery, a bran pie. an Aunt Sally, and a hidden treasure enclosure, all of which attracted large numbers and were well patronised. All the exHibits whicH kad. been sent in for competition were on view, and were much admired, and a special feature of the afternoon was a procession of children riding on decorated bicycles, tricycles, and ponies. During the afternoon the different sports attracted a good deal of attention, and secured a large number of entries. A great many ladies took part in the approaching and putting competition for ladies, while the gentlemen's was also ■well patronised. There were also races of all eoits, mostly suitable for boys and girls — potato race, tie race, obstacle race, egg and spoon race, three-legged race, pets' race, goal-keeping, cigarette race, and tug-of-war by teams oi six boys, all of which attracted large numbers. The committee deserve very great credit for the manner in. which all the arrangements were carried out and for their untiring efforts t oensure success. The Garrison Band was stationed on the lawn, and played selections at intervals during the afternoon, and the Moray Place Congregational Church Choir contributed several glees, all of •which aided somewhat to enliven the afternoon. The executive consisted of the president, Mrs Michie ; hon. treasnurer, Miss Williams ; hon. secretary, Miss Ramsay ; Mrs Sargood, convener of the sports and entertainment ; Mrs Benham, of fancy work; Mrs Gallaway, refreshments; Mrs Ramsay, sweets; and Miss Eislop, floral decorations, About 2000 must have been present, and on an occasion of the kind it must have been pleasing to notice the large gathering of children amongst the number when help •was wanted for the little ones in less favoured circumstances than their own. From firsi to last the day provedl most enjoyable and attractive, and there is every prospect of the fund being appreciably assisted by Saturday's entertainment. Mr Justice and Mrs Williams returned from Invercargill on Saturday evening. Mr and Mrs Robert Turnbull left on Saturday for Melbourne, whence they travel to England by the P. and O. Line. Mr and Mrs Turnbull expect to return to New Zealand before the end of the year. Mrs Shepherd, from Scotland, sister of Mrs W. Reynolots, is paying a short visit to Dunedin, and is at present the guest of Mrs W. H. Reynolds, at "Willow Bank." Mrs and Miss Ewen, the Messrs Ewen.. and Miss Sargood (Sydney) left for the south last •week, and are spending a little time at the Southern Lakes. The Misses Teschemaker returned last weel; to Oamaru, where they are visiting theii brother. Miss Gross, from England, has come to Kew Zealand for a visit, and is at present staying with her aunt, Mrs Leslie Harris. Miss Cargill has returned from Queenstown, •where she has spent the last few months, and is at present staying at Mrs Haggitt's, Anderson's Bay. Mrs J. Wright and her children returned from Christchurch on Saturday evening. Mrs Greenwood also returned on Saturday from Ciiristehurcli. Miss Tolrnie left on Tuesday for Nelson, Tvliere she purposes staying for some time. Miss Lilias Haggitt accompanied Miss Toljnie to Nelson. Miss Allen returned last week from Little Kiver. where she has spent some weeks with ier sister, Mrs Montgomerie. Mrs Leslie Harris and her children have gone to Waihola for a little while. INVERCARGILL, Monday, March 13. On Thursday afternoon Miss Macdonald gave a large "At home" at her residence., "En-

i " wood." Miss Macdonald received her guests t on the verandah, and they afterwards passed i- on to the hall and the drawing room. Early c in the day the weather was cloudy and Is showery, but towards the afternoon the sun c appeared, and many of the guests took ad3 vantage of this to wander about and admire r the pretty gardens. During the afternoon J tea and delicious refreshments were served in 3 the dining room and part of the hall, and later there was music in the drawing room, i Mrs Hogg and Miss Macdonald singing several a times. Miss Isa Macdonald ably assisted c Miss Macdonald in looking after her guests, i who numbered about 150, and amongst whom J were Mrs Arnold Macdonald, Mrs Hunt, Mrs Tucker, the Misses Tucker, Mrs M'Closkey, 9 Mrs Wade, Mrs Phil. Wright, Mrs Henderson, j , Mrs Baxter, Miss Mathieson, Mrs Wallis, MiSs , t F. Corbett, Mrs Stronach, Mrs Cailender, Miss | Cailender, Mrs T. F. Macdonald, Mrs G. Wat- , i son, Mrs Black, Miss Macgoun, Miss C. Mac- { > goun, Mrs Rattray, Miss Rattray, Mrs Dyer, j ! the Misses Dyer, Mrs Robinson, Miss Stock, Mrs Hogg, Mrs Rawson, Miss Rawson, Mrs Thomson, Miss Thomson, Miss Ina Thomson, Mrs Hartman, Mrs Kirk, Mrs Eyre, the Misses I ' Churton, Miss Ayton, Mrs Handyside, Mrs Swinburne, Miss Swinburne, Miss Hay, Mrs Edmunds, Mrs Hazlett, Mrs Rowley, Mrs G. Moffett, Mrs Howorth, Miss Ewart, Mrs Can- ? trell, Mrs Nichol, Miss Louie Nicliol, Mrs ' Massey, Miss Hall, Mrs Bicknell, Mrs I. W. * Raymond, Dr Helen Baird, Mrs Bush, Mrs Z T. S. Miller, Miss Bedford. Mrs Dunlop, Mrs Henry, Mrs Macalister, Mrs Mitchell, Miss Mitchell, Mrs Greig, Mrs Pilcher, Miss Pilcher, ~ Miss Crofts, Miss Thompson, Miss Ruth Thompson, Mrs Cutherbertson, Mrs Lindsay, " Mrs Herdman, Mrs Stocker, Mrs J. E. Wat!j son, etc. Miss Macdonald wore a lovely dress of pale grey voile, the skirt bordered c with rows of lace insertion, and passementerie and ruckings trimming the bodice, finished . with high, belt of stitched grey silk, white c straw hat with masses of violets ; Miss Isa ! Macdonald, dark blue voile dress with lace yoke, and black chiffon hat ; Mrs Black, white

[ cloth costume; Miss Hay, white voils dress and lace, pretty pink chiffon hat; Mrs T. F. Macdonaid' s dress was of black spotted voile, i opening over a lovely front of white silk ; Mrs Hunt, white voile, and white marabout stoles; Mrs Henderson, handsome black dress, with yoke of black lace insertion, black hat; Mrs Cailender, champagne-coloured voile, the * bodice prettily rucked and trimmed with. ' cream lace, black hat with a cluster of pink ' roses worn at the side ; Miss Cailender, pretty white voile, straw hat trimmed with chiffon and blue satin ribbon; Miss Mathieson, lovely 3 black voile made over an underskirt of black silk, and having ruffles of voile below the 5 knees, black hat; Mrs Wallis, delaine dress trimmed with yellow silk; Mrs I. W. Raymond, cream Voile, both skirt and bodice I trimmed with cream, toque trimmed with b tulle and violets; Mrs Phil. Wright, pretty s white nauslin, with elbow sleeves of lace, black and white toque ; Miss Stock, dress of biscuit-coloured voile, trimmed with lace in- : sertion, black chiffon hat ; Mrs Hogg, lovely r dress of white voile, rucked and gathered and trimmed with, lace, black chiffon and feather hat; Mrs Eyre, handsome black silk and lace, > black chiffon bonnet; Mrs Arnold Macdonald t wore pale green and white voile, with narrow bands of lace insertion embroidered in pink; Mrs G. Moffett, charming dress of white voile, the bodice finished with silk insertion I and bebe ribbon, black hat ; Mrs Dyer, black voile costume with revers of black and white ; Miss F. Corbett, pale green dress and black hat ; Miss Swinburne, pale heliotrope costume I with Eton coat, white straw hat; Mrs Rjtray wore a pretty eilk blouse and bright blue skirt trimmed with motifs of cream embroi- . dery; Miss Rattray, white frock and pink frilled hat; Mrs Howorth, blue and iv-iiite checkered muslin, Tuscan hat trimmed with lovely red-tinted flowers; Miss Ina Thomson, stylish dress of grey voile, with lace yoke and bright emerald green silk belt, black hat with plumes ; Mrs Edmunds, a lovely cham-pagne-coloured voile trimmed with lace, the skirt frilled and gauged; Mrs Massey, light grey voile and black hat; Mrs J. E. Watson, s pretty pale pink dress and soft pink silk scarf; Dr Helen Baird, pretty white silk dress trimmed with lace insertion and black hat; Miss Hall, pale blue muslin with trimmings i of white insertion and motifs; Mrs Thomson, ! handsome black silk and mantle of lovely I lace; Miss Wade, cream-coloured dress, bla^k hat with chiffon strings; Mrs Hazlett, black I cloth, costume trimmed with green ; Miss - Thompson, black voile with cteam lace yoke

i and black chiffon hat , Mrs Rowley, black I with a touch of white, and pink and white r bonnet. I On Tuesday evening Mrs I. W. Raymond l gave a very enjoyable bridge party in honour of Mrs Menzies, who is here on a visit at i present. Those present, besides Mr and Mrs l Raymond, were Mrs Menzies, Mis Munay Menzies, Mr and Mrs Cailender, Mrs Handyt side, Mr Jack Watson, Mr and Mrs Howorth, Miss Howorth, Mr Brent, Mr and Mrs Bush, ' Mrs Eyre, Mr x/unlop, Mrs Dunlop, Mr Str,itell. Miss Reade has returned to Dunedm. ' On Saturday Miss Crofts gave a small after- \ noon tea as a farewell to the Misses Dyer, prior to their departure for Auckland. Mrs M'lntyre (Wellington) is on a visit to ; her sister, Mrs Gibbs, at Wallacetown. '. j CHRISTCHURCH, March. 11. His Excellency and Lady Plunket gave a small dinner party on Tuesday in honour of Lady Ennismore, Ireland, who is their guest : at present at Elmwood. The Hon. Kathleen , Plunket, Miss Fielding, Mr and Mrs Lumleyi Hill (Queensland), Mrs Stead, the Ma3 r or and ; Mrs Gray, Mr Heaton Rhodes, Dean Harper, ; the Hon. Mr Bingham and Captain Braithwaite formed the party. On the afternoon of the same day Mrs ; Stevens gave a very enjoyable tea as a farewell to Mrs Ritman. Music, conversation, i and a delicious tea made the time pass very ; rapidly. Among the guests were Mrs Palmer, i Mrs Wardrop, Mrs Ogle, Mrs J. Wilson, Mrs John Hall, Mrs Roberts, Mrs Wilding, Mrs Macdonald, etc. The terribly sudden death of Mr H. Ainger on Tuesday afternoon was a great shock to his friends. Mr Ainger was cycling into town from Rangiora with a mend, and when : near Belfast quietly sank from his machine, and was found to have ceased to breathe. The : cause was heart disease, and nothing, of course, , could b3 done to restore him- Mr Ainger was very greatly esteemed by a large circle of _ friends. He leaves two daughters, with whom

he had recently- returned from a pleasure trip to England. Dr Alice Moorhoiise and her sister, Mrs Armytage, England, gave a charming party at the Art Gallery on Tuesday evening. Light refreshments were served in a side room, aud the large drawing room was most gracefully decorated with flowers and palms. Music was contributed by Mrs Burns, Mrs Wilding, the Misses Cook, Mr Fisher, Mr Hugh Reeves, and Mr W. Day, and afterwards there was a pleasant dance. Dr Alice Moorhouse received her guests wearing a handsome gown of white silk veiled with black chiffon, her sister, Mrs Arrnitage, being in a lovely cream satin gown draped with rich lace. Mrs Moorhouse wore a black silk gown and a white cap : the Misses Moorhouse, black gowns ; Mrs Reeves, rich, black satin ; Miss Reeves, cream silk with touches of blue; Mrs Dcnniston, black chiffon over silk; Miss Denniston, white silk; Mrs G. Gould, black and white silk ; Mrs Ranald } Macdonald, cherry-red silk gown; Mrs Wiid- | ing, black; Mrs Arthur Ilhodes, handsome gown of black satin and diamond ornaments ; Mrs Wardrop, brown silk and tulle; Mrs Pitj man, rich yellow brocade and cream lace ; Mrs P. Studholme, white silk and chiffon with pink roses; Mrs Gower Burns, lovely white brocade; Mrs Wilkin, pale grey crepe de chine; Mrs John Hall, handsome grey satin; ■ Mrs Palmer, black silk and lace : Mrs Fisher, white satin and lace; Miss Boyle, lovely pale blue frock ; Miss Kitson, white silk and lace ; Miss Burns, white chiffon ; Miss MurrayAynsley, white silk ; Mi&s Todhunter, white satin ; Miss Campbell, very pale pink silk. A few people went out to the polo grounds on Saturday, and in spite of the moisture under foot a pleasant time was spent. Mis Alister Clarke dispensed afternoon tea, and among those present were Mr and Mrs Arthur Rhodes, Mr and Mrs Boyle, Mrs "W. Fox, Mrs G. Gould, and Mrs John Hall. On Wednesday Mrs Pyne gave a juvenile party, when garner, a gramaphone, and a delicious tea provided a most enjoyable entertainment. Among the guests were little Miss Macdonald and her brother, Mr Lusk, Mrs G. Gould and her little daughter, Mrs W. Fox and her children, Mrs J. C. Palmer and her son, Mrs Woodroffe and her little son, Mrs Blunt, and her children, Master Taku Rhodes and his sister, Mrs Cory Thomas, and little Miss Lane and her brother. Miss Howells, South Canterbury, is leaving for England shortly with Mrs Armytage. Mr and Mrs Wynn-Williams have gone north on a visit to Rotorua.

Mr and Mrs Alister Clarke are the guests of Mr and Mrs Arthur Rhodes at Te Koraha, aud leave shorty for Australia. Miss Pembcr, whose health has made good prosress of late, is about to return to Englau.l by the China. Mr aud Mrs, A. Roberts, Wc=terfieM, havtaKen rooms at Sunnier, where they will re-r'>e for some mouth; Mrs Robarts, Australia, is the guest of Mrs W ardrop. Professor and Mrs Ilaswell are the guests o: Mrs Gordon Rich. On Thursday afternoon Mr and Mrs Aithur Rhodes gave a large garden party at Te Korana ni honour of the Australian cricketers and Lord and Lady Plunket and suite were present also. The day was perfect, being warm and windless, and the grounds were looking lovely. From a large marquee erected on the front lawn delicious lefreshments were dispensed, and small tables and seats were in Xiroximity, while a band discoursed pleasant music near by. Mrs Rhodes received hi'f guests on the lawn, wearing a p'tle muoliroomcoloured silk with medallions of lace raid silk and touches of lace enriched with gold on ta° bodice, and a picture hat of brown r.i.d white tuile , Lady Plunket, pale grey voile tiimmed with lace, black picture hat. Miss Plunket, turquoise blue muslin, black hat, Lady Enmsmore, grey «ilk gown, white hat, !Mrs Elworthy, rich black silk, Mrs Ah=ter Claike, pale blue silk, With pink chiffon trimming 0 , blue hat; Mrs George Rhodes, grey voile, hat to match; Mrs "Williamson, lovely white s-ilk and lace, hat with featheis; Mrs Denniston, grey silk, with touches of blue, black hat ; Mrs Stevens, black, black bonnet ; Mrs Pitman, pale blue silk and cream lace, hat to match, Mrs Boyle, lovely heliotrope crepe cle chine, hat to match ; Mrs Armytage, brown silk with cream lace ; Mrs Ranald Macdonald, brown •\oile with cream lace; Mrs G. Gould, white silk; Mrs Kettle, turquoise cloth, hat to match; Mrs P. Campbell, black; Mi 3 Duncan Cameron, brown silk costume ; Mrs Tabart, handsome black gown ; Mrs Mereditk-

Kaye, soft blue and white silk; Mrs Reeves, handsome black silk; Mrs Stead, black silk, white hat, and feather stole; Mrs Buchanan, white voile, black hat; the Misses Nedwili, white gowns; Mrs Deans, all black; Mrs S3 rues, brown .costume; Miss Symes, -white voile, hat to match : Mrs Ronalds, black ; Mrs Stringer, handsome cream voile and lace ; Mrs Graham, dark blue voile; Mrs Lee, grey silk, Mrs Deans, black costume ; Miss Deans, lovely pale blue rnushn ; the Misses Anson, white frocks ; Miss Moorhouse, black crepe de chine; Mrs Cobham, pale grey voile, picture hat ; Mrs "Wigley, dark green and white ; Mr and' Mrs iiiil, Mrs Mathias, Mr Beswick, Colonel Owen, Professor Haslam, Mr and Mr'j "Wilder Fox, Mr and Mm Stavely, Mr and Mrs Meares, and Messrs Murray-Aynsley, Ensor, Jameson, Pitman, Bloxham, and the Australian cricketers were present also. On Thursday night "The Mikado" was revived at the Canterbury Hall in aid of the Volunteer Drill Sheds Fund, and was honoured by the presence of his Excellency the Governor, Lady Plunket, and suite. Friday, the first day of the test cricket match, was gloriously fine, though perhaps somewhat warm, and Lancaster Park was thronged with enthusiastic onlookers. In front of the pavilion were the seats for the Governor and his party, handsomely draped in crimson. The play was somewhat slow, but perhaps the groat heat had something to do with that. White frocks were very numerous, and the scene was particularly gay. Lady , Plunket looked very pretty in a cream crepe jde chine gown and flower-adorned hat; her guest, Lady Ennismore, was in white and dark blue, her hat bright with rosrs ; the Hon , Kathleen Plunket wore pale blue crepe de ' chine and a black hat; Mrs Wigrom, lovely gown of cream canvas and lace, becoming hat ; j Mrs Arthur Rhodes, soft white silk, hat trimmed with tulk ; Mrs Geoige Rhodes, dainty white dress and hat, Mrs Stead, black «atiu, white and pale greer hat , Mrs Ranald Martlona'cl, lich b'-own gown and hat: 1 Mrs Elworthv, handsome blnck silk and black and cream bonnet , Mrs Williamson, v.hite ' muslin and lace, lovely hat with pink; Mrs H. Buchanan, loyal blue, blue hat , Mrs Alister Clarke, pale grey crepe de chine, picture hat, Mrs Denniston, dull green, black hat; Miss Deimiston, cream silk; Mrs H. Wood, white cloth, smart hat to match ; Mrs Woodroffe, clove grey crepe de chinp, black hat ; Mrs Duncan Cameron, brown silk and chiffon costume, hat to match , Miss Cameron, white gown : Miss Julius, white and pink, pink I hat ; Miss A. Julius, pretty white Qress and

hit; Mrs H. Cotton!!, v.hite cloth, highcrowned Int with pmk . Jli<? A'ison, blue linen c.own, hat oT blue -ncl i\hit-. Mrs "Wilding, brow 11 cloth, bat to match, Mrs Harr.iur., ljuick and white, hat to match. WELLTXGTOX, March 10. Mi* <~!iacc crt^i'.aircd ? mimb-u ot guests la=t Fnrl.iv. v, hen .i most amusing entenammpr.t v.i"s piovitled — namely, an animal Tace. Each aue a t bio-ielit with her an animal on bird to compete and surely such an amusing and queer r.ice was never before run — a cluck, a pijf. a Pr-i-iaii 1 itten (uhich took flight will 1 a \ergeanif, and hr s rot since been found), a hen. and a China pug were a few of the competitors who faced the starter. There v.as 'also a pvttipg competition, and delicious afternoon tea and ices. The Mi=ses "Williams icl by the "Waikare today en route for England, and. later, the Continent, wheie they propose to spend a year Of two studying ait. Mis Malcolm Ro3=s \v?= the hn=t3=s of a very jolly little afternoon tea on Fiiday afternoon — a. novel and mo«t entei taming competition of music and stoiy .jcing arranged. Our hostess leciteu the story, with frequent musical interruptions fiom a clever pianist. For instance, after they met," we might have a bar of "On the banks of Allan water," and sc on. The guests, of course, guessed the songs introduced Miss Christine Smith was the luckj- wi'iiier, and xeeeived a quaint fan. Aii other competition was yon by Miss M. Simpson. Atteri.oon tea was daintily laid in the dining room. Mrs Ross wore a white linen gown and pale blue belt. Miss Lukia v-ore cream voi c . Miss hi-npson looked well in blown \oi]<?, Miss Stafford, cream emb'oidered mus'.in , Miss E. St-.flord. cream can. as. Miss Chri^t'iie Smith, pale b'ue vui'e deep Isc2 yoke and Ya<.V hat; Miss -U Lc.'i on "\'aij.eij. piett> ocam gown, and picture hat, Miss Wat'cn. white, Miss E. Simpson, pale bue: Miss Sturrt. pale green "taiJor-niade, white hat, Mi=s "Waldegrave, pretty green costume ; Mis? M. "Waldegrave, navy b'ue tailor-macle gown ; Miss Ewen, rose pink muslin, black hat. Miss G. Ewen. white lmishn , Miss E. Waid, back voi'e ; Miss Marchant, fawn costume, and hat; Miss Kitty Msrchant" pretty grey dre«=s . Mi 1 --"? F. T>o =<•" cream voi.o, Mits Rilev, blue faced v -th vl-cloth.v Icloth. The engagement has been announced of Miss Ida Thoriie-George. daughter of the Hon. Seymour Thorne-George. of Auckland, to Mr , F. Waller, of EpsoTa. Mrs Pynsent loaves veiy shortly for T-- ,_- land, where she will reside for the ■> »»- • ' years to enable her grandchildren to '< her wlii'st they aie being educatd. Mrs Newman is expected back from England before the end of the month. "" : Mr Miles and his daughters. Misses Minnie ancl Bertha Miles, leave for England next , week. ' Miss C. M'Lerno« M, , ~- Mrs Watson. I must tell you abotit Mrs O'Connor's d°ii?htful tea, given last Tuesday as a fareveil for Mrs Mcorhouse. who "very shortly loaves with her husband on a world tour Beautiful flowers were arranged everywhere with exquisite taste and effect. The tea table was especially lovely with blended street peas, while on the table were the most tempting sweets, several of the cakes bearing suitable inscriptions, such as "Bon voyage* " ami "Farewell." Mrs O'Connor wore a black silt gown and lovely lace; Miss O'Connor, blue voi.e gown, and lace applique; Miss E . O'Connor, a, soft white silk gewn.