TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 68

TABLE TALK.

MONDAY, November 6.

On Thursday evening Dr and Mrs Batchelor gave a dinner party at their residence in George street.

On Thursday evening Miss Ewen gave a most enjoyaibk "progressive bridge" party at '"Glenesk," to which she invited about 30 of her friends. The drawing roon- and a small sitting room were set apart for the players-, seven tables being arranged in the former room and two in the latter. The partners and tables were drawn for, aoid at each table four hands ware played, the winners moving tc a. higher table and the losers iemaining. At- the top table the winners remained, and the losers -had to wend! their way to the small room, where the lowest table was to be found. Each player kept a separate^ score, and as at each change oH tables the partners changed, no two scores were exactly alike. The lady winner of the largest score was Mi&3 Maud Si?e-, who received s daintj little silver toilet box as first prize. Mr Jock Ritchie also was the tecipienc of r first prize, and Miss Bat oh el or and Mi Webster received the "booby" prizes. Supper was served in the dining room and morning roomi adjoining, the two rooms opening into one, and so accommodating a large number. Lovely flowers and plants decorated the hall and the various rooms, the supper table being decorated with glasses of lovely white Narcissi poetLca and fronds of asparagus fern. Mrs and Miss Ewen received their giieats, and there were also present the Messrs Ewen, Mr and Mrs W. Sargood, Dr aaid Mrs Riley, the Mifcses M'Leaai, Miss Maud Reynolds, Miss Batchelor, Mr and Mrs- Balfour Neill, Mrs Parkes (Auckland), Miss Denniston, Mr and Mrs Jim Roberts, Miss Constance "Williams, the Misses Sise, Miss Ruby Farqu'har, Miss IS'eill, Miss G. Webster, Mr Webster, Mt Alec Roberts, Mr M'Lean, Mr Hogg, Mr R. Sise, Mr Hunter, Mr Fenwick, Mr dock Ritchie, Mr M. Ritchie, Mr MacEwen, etc

Mr Justice and! Mrs "Williams returned fTom Wellington on. Friday.

Mi and Mra James Mills left on Thursday for Christchurch, where they will spend the race week, and be present at the attendant gaieties.

Mr sjid Miss Hait and Mr John Ha.rt rctumeci! by last week's steamer frQ^x Melbourne, having travelled- from 1 EnglancT by one of the German liners.

The Hon. George M'Lean--and Miss Kathleen M'Lsa-i* have gone to Christchurch for the race week.

Mrs and Miss Robinson (Ma.=terton) axe at present on a visit to Mrs Aufrere Fenwick, at St. Clair.

Mrs Leslie Reynolds and her children, who have spent the winter months in Dunedin, returned by Tuesday's steamer to Wellington.

Miss J. Wimperia left last week for Sydney, en route for Europe. Misa Wimpens purposes proceeding to Italy and spending some time there.

Misa Ulrigi, who. has 'been visiting the

Misses Meares in Christchurch, returned lasl week.

Mr and Mrs Eardley Reynolds returned last week from Wellington, where they have spent a few weeks.

Mrs Gibson Smith, who left eight months ago for England, returned, via Melbourne, last week.

Mr and Mrs Howard Jackson, who left a few weeks ago for a short trip to Melbourne and Sydney, returned by the Mokoia, on Sunday.

Miss Sinclair has gone tc Christchuich for the race week.

Mr and Mrs Eobert Turnbull and Mr Monty Turnbull are passengers by the Gothic from England, and on their arrival intend residing at Wanaka Station.

Hiss Hold&worth (Wellington) _ arrived by this •week's steamer, and is paying a visit to Mrs Holds worth, Maiiland stiest.

Mrs Colquhoun. who has been in Lawrence on a short visit, leturned last week to town.

Mis Paikes (Auckland) is visiting her mother, Mrs Ross, at Montecillo.

Miss Audrey Jackson left last week for Christchurch, where she is visiting friends for a little.

Mrs Leslie Wilson is spending a little time in Timaru at present.

Miss Muriel Boyd arrived by Suaday's steamer from the north, and will be in Dunedin to meet her mother and sister, who arrive this week by the Melbourne steamer.

The engagement is announced of Miss Irene Baker, daughter of the late Mr Baker, of the Duuedin Boys' High School, to Mr Jackson, of Wanganui. Miss Irene Baker is at present living in Wangarrai.

INYERCARGILL, November 3,

The bachelors' ball was held in Ashley's Hall on Tuesday evening, and passed off most successfully. The hall was tastefully decorated with festoons of gorse and red drapings. A large marquee had been erected, opening out of the supper room, which made a delightful sitting room. The bachelors made excellent hosts, and looked after their guests, so well that everyone had a good time. Among those present I noticed Mr and Mrs Robinson, Mr and Mrs Black, Mr and Mts Massey, Mr and Mrs I. W. Raymond, Mr and Mrs G. W. Macintosh, Mr and Mrs Pearee, Mr and Mi J. L. Bush, Mr and Mrs I. V. Raymond, Mr and Mrs BickneJl, Mr and Mrs Wright, Dr and Mrs Ca-ntrel, Mr and Mrs T. D. Moffett, Mr and Mrs A. M. Macdonald, Mr and Mra Greig, Mrs Stronach, Mrs Hunt, Mr and Mrs Haggitt, Dr and Mrs Gordon (Riverton), Mr and Mrs Hackworth (Riverton), Mrs Tucker, Mrs Cook, Mrs Rattray, Mrs Sharp, Mrs Wade, Mr and Mrs Pilcher, Mr and Mrs R. J. Gilmour, Mr and Mrs E. Russell, Mr and Mrs M'Credie. Mr and Mrs Callender, Miss Ewart r Miss I. Macdonald, Mr H. A. Macdonald, Miss Ayton. Miss Sharp, Dr Sale, Dr Snow, Mr Jamie, Miss Wade, Miss Moffett, Miss Ireland (Auckland), Messrs Moffett (3), Mr J. M'Leod, Miss I. Thomson, Miss Hay, Miss Fielding, Mr Charlt-on Fraser, Miss and Mi- F. Tucker, Miss Berndston, Mr B. Basstian, Mr V. Birrnes. Mr Barns. Mr T. Watson, Dr Gow (Winton), Mr Johnston, Miss. Harvey, Mrs Wyinks, Miss Rattray, Mr Sise, Mr Hodges, Mr Kane (Gore), Miss Callender, Miss Mitchell, Mr Rodgers, Mr Horxobin, Mr Stuckey, etc., etc. Last week Mrs Massey gave a most interesting afternoon tea, ail the guests being asked to wear the most old-fashioned costumes they could secure. The result was quaint and charming, many looking like the old-fashioned, photographs of our great-grandmothers. Sonic of those present wera Mrs CutKbertson, Mrs and Miss Robinson, Mrs Black, Mrs Webber, Mrs Haggitt, Mrs J. E. Watson, Mts Wade, Mrs Vor- Tunzelman Mrs E. Russell, Mrs ami Miss Rowley, Mrs Handyside, Mrs Ratlray, Mrs and Miss Callender, Miss Hall, Mrs Christophers, Mrs Csntrell, Mrs Wright, Mrs and Miss Tucker. Mrs Morrah, Mrs Macintosh, Mrs and Miss Swinburn, Mrs A. Mac" donald, Miss Macdonald. The Zealandia Hall was crowded on Friday night, when Miss Jessie Maclachlan gave her Scottish concert. Among the audience were Mr and Mrs Cutherbertson, Mr and Mrs Haggitt, Misses Thomson (2), Mr and Mrs Black, Mrs Stronach, Mis 3 Callender. Mr Turnbull, Miss Guthrie, Mr T. M. Macdcnald, Miss I. Macdonald, Mr J. L. WatFon, Mr and Mrs M'Caxtby, Mr and Mrs Macintosh, Mr M'Leod, Mr Rodgers, etc., etc. The GirV Hockey Club gave an enjoyable picnic at Rivprton Beach on Saturday as the wind-up of the season.

Miss Matheson is at present visiting in Dunedin. Dr Hogg, who has been on a holiday, recruiting, returned last week. IKss Ra-ttray left on Saturday for ai visit to the North Island.

OAMARU, November 4.

Ever so many people have gone up to Christchurch for the races, the Jockey Club ball, and for Carnival week generally. Among these who left Oamaru this week were Mr and Mrs E. 0. Campbell, Mr and Mrs Basil SethSmith, and Miss Butler, Miss J. Gilchrist, and Miss Armstrong. Mrs Menlove, sen., and Miss Menlove wera in town for a few days, en route to Christchurch,

Mr and Mrs Dv Croz returned on Saturday from their trip Home.

Mr aaid Mrs- Spence arrived in Oamaru from London on Friday last. • Lady Miller has returned from the north.

The Hon. George and Mrs Jones have arrived in town from Wellington. Wear Street Hall was crowded to the doors on Tuesday evening, when the Musical Society gave a fairly good performance of Mendelssohn's "Elijah," the proceeds of which they generously handed over to the new Town Hall Fund. The soloists, who one and all were good, were Miss Amy ilurphy, Miss Miua Caldow, Mr Cookson, and the Eev. Mr Mitchell. Mrs Gould also sang very well in the trio, "Lift thine eyes." The chorus and orchestra numbered upwards of 70. The opening of the Boating Club's season took place on Thursday afternoon, when a large crowd assembled to witness the various aquatic items in the harbour. A committee of ladies, headed by Mrs _ M'Adara, arranged to dispense afternoon, tea in a laa-ge marquee erected for the purpose, and among those busy supplying refreshments and enjoying a chat over- "the social cup of tea I noticed Mi-9 Bxickley, Mrs Boxby, Miss Jones, Miss do Lambert, Mrs Hindinarsh, Mrs Edmondson, Mrs Creagh, Misses Creagh (2), Miss Murdoch, and Miss Edwards. Speeches were mad-e by his Worship the Mayor and Hon. T. Y. Duncan. All proceeds were in aid of the Town. Hall, and I understand a considerable siva

was handed over as a result of the afternoon's sport.

CHRISTCHURCH, November 4,

Mrs James Mills, "Mount Lodge," Dunedin, lias come to stay with Mrs Beswick for the Carnival gaieties. Mr and Mrs Malet returned in the Ruapehu from a trip to England. Mr Justice Williams and Mrs Williams ■were in town for a few days this week on their way south from Wellington.

Miss Stead, who has been paying visits in Napier and Wellington, returned home this week.

Mr and Mrs Robin Campbell, of Otekaike, have established their household in Mrs Cary Thomas's charming houso on Park terrace, •which they have taken for a month. Mr and Mrs Godley have just arrived from England on a visit, and are'the guests of Mrs Arthur Rhodes, at "Te Koraha." Mr and Mrs George Rhodes have taken "Elmwood' for the next fortnight.

Mr and Mrs Duncan Cameron have returned couth, and are staying at Warner's Hotel. Mrs Stevens's delightful series of putting competitons came to an end on Tuesday, when among those present were Mrs Wigram, Mrs. and Miss Murray-Aynsley, Mrs and Miss WilMn, Mrs and Miss Campbell, Mrs and Miss Kettle, and Misses Moore, Gresson, Mathias, and Denniston. The month's scores placed Miss F. Moore first, and Mrs Campbell and Mrs Wigram second. On playing off Mrs Wigram won, carying off the prize of half a dozen golf' balls. Miss Moore's prize was a golf bag.

On Thursday evening Miss Cox gave an exhibition of fancy dancing, on the occasion cf her half-term breaking-up. Quite a number of "parents of the pupils were present look.ing on, among them' being Mr and Mrs C. Wynn-Wiliiams,- Mrs' and Miss Symes, Mrs and Miss Deans, Mrs Gould, Mrs Calcutt, Mrs Kirkpatrick, Mrs and the Misses Burns, Mr and Miss Prins, Mr and Mrs'H. Catherill, Mrs and- Miss Kettle-/ Miss Fox, and Mr and Mrs Litchfield. There were some very pretty skirt dances and a cachuca, as well as several fancy dances. A short dance in which the grown-ups took part concluded a very pleasant evening.

Mr and Mrs A. Elworthy are the guests of Mrs Julius, at Bishopscourt. '-

Mrs and Miss J. Williams are in town for the festivities.

It -was a great pleasure tlie otHer <3ay for her many*friends to see Mrs Howie back again on her return from London, where she has spent the last three years. Mr 3 Howie, who spent a few hours here on her way north to join her husband, was. looking exceedirgly •well, and. seemed delighted to get "home" again after her long absence.

On Wednesday a new and most attractive suite of tearooms was thrown open to the public. , Freeman's — which used to be the "one and. only" tearooms in town — has been transformed - into a particularly artistic and up-to-date place, and will make a serious attempt to regain its pre-eminence "as in the days of yore." It has two-rivals — formidable ones, too — in Broadway's and the Cafe, but this fact has been duly recognised, and Freeman's strikes the visitor as most charmingly arranged. The, series h± rooms are dadoed in dull blue, -"with cream-tinted' walls and green linen curtains embroidered in^gold and blue — a daring combination this, but a most charming one when taken in connection with the oiled which is so largely in evidence. TEe waitresses,, with their, pale blue and white urriiorms,"'harruonise with, the' colour '-scheme, which .was designed by Mrs Pgle. The shop downstairs "is in deep crimson with white furniture, and here the maids are clothed in crimson 'to match' the .wall. hangings. An excellent band. plays each afternoon, and, taken altogether, Christchurch has some reason to be proud of the excellently-appointed tearooms it possesses. "Mr J. Deans, who has been to England for m trip, returned home this week. Mis's Bathgate, who has been the guest of Mr* Denniston, has returned to Dunedin. Mr and Mrs Weils are in town for the races. Miss Ulricli has returned south after paying » round of visits here. To-day is Cup Day, and. crowds of beauti-fully-gowned people are thronging the streets on their way to the Canterbury Jockey Club's racecourse at Riccarton. Next week's doings will be gay also. Friday is Show Day, and there will be dances, the Brough Company, liiedertafel, and other gatherings to tell you of next week, so adieu till then.

WELLINGTON, October 4.

We must, of course, look forward to a few weeks quiet now that Christmas is so near, the chief excitement being the annual "stir" of tlie plum pudding. A" f«% very enjoyable teas have been the extent of this week's dissapationj. First, we iad th« very pleasant "At home" given by ths lady editor of the New Zealand Mail, who received her 'guests in a. large room at the ,Time^ building. Afternoon tea was daintily laid at many, small tables, and a string band played * during the afternoon. Mrs Tuckey leceijted her .guests at the ; top of the staircase," and. was gowned- in black, wearing a pretty "bonnet v.ith. a touch of pink. After tea ■we enjoyed the novelty of a visit to the linotypg room', "wiere the operators were rruo&t courteous in explaining all the mechanism, and had ctocora'ted the room with large cards bearing the words '""Welcome!" Amongst the guests -were Mesdamesi Rhodes, Brandon, Crawford, Seddon, Wald.egra.ve, Larnach, Tregeai, JEJeauchamp, Meek, Burnett, C. Iz-aocd, His-lop, Tolhurst, Lady Ward', Misses Kennedy, Hare, Skerrett, Barron, Smith, Macpherson (Dunedin), Seddon, Robinson, Adams-. Mis 9' Richmond gave a very large tea on Wednesday for those -who have assisted her with her kindergarten scheme-. Tea was beauifcifully laid in the large hail, and. exquisite azaleas were in profusion. Mrs Richmond Trore black .sulk ; Miss Richmond, a. soft black gown and ivory laoe ruffles; Miss E. R-ioh-nK>nd was wearing pale blue. His Excellency the Governor and 1 Lady Plunfcet, accompanied 1 by the Hon. K. Plunket and Captain Braithwaite, left on Tuesday morning in his motor car for Napier, en route ior Rotorua, from where they proposed to train to Auckland. Mis M&cartliy, who has just returned from a, long holiday spent in Nelson, gave a very large and jolly afternoon tea las-t Wednesday. Her pretty house, looked charming, especially t-ho dining room> where the tea table was decorated with crimson-Ehaded lamps, from which trailed smilax, interspersed with crim-son-azaleas, low vases of azaleas and maid&nliair were grouped amongst the very delicious sweets and bonbons. Our lios'tess 1 wore a becoming dress of soft cream Indian lawn, much cmibroiderod. Her sister was -wearing pale T>lue/ A "oup-;reader" causal in UC li "exciteltteat,'"and" Miss" Gaur (of the Brough-Flein-miiig Company) recited most charininglySome of the guests were Meedames' Seddon, Stafford, Tuekey, Findky, Dyer, Knox, Ewen, Hichardson, Robertson, Tringham, Fulton, Simpson, Misses Watson, Ewen, Stafford, Skerrett, Simpson, Mills, Kane, Gair, Winnifred Fraser, H&nry, Harding, Bran Son, Mocphefcson (Dunedin), C. Smith, Macintosh, Knight (Dannevirke), and Prouss.

Mt and Mrs Frank Waldegrave have gone nip to Palincrston for the show, so also lia\e Mrs and Miss Fulton.

Mrs Amelias Smith is visiting Invercargill, having gone south to be present at the marriage of a cousin, Miss Muriel HoworUi, of lixvercargill.

Miss Fxora Brandon is visiting Mrs Deans 1 , Christ-church.

Amongst the lucky ones who liave gone south, for the races are Mesdames Johnston, Abbot, Tnngham, Misses Fell, Johnston, and Partridge. -

The Welling! on Amateur Athletic Club held its annual meeting to-day in splendid weather The chief interest centred in the race iv which your long-distance man, Mr Burk, competed, aad lie soon became popular. The Premier, Mrs and Miss Seddon, Dr amd Mrs M' Arthur, and a gxeat many onlookers were present.