TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 68

TABLE TALK.

MOX<DAY, April 23. On Thursday evening Mrs James Allen gave a small dance at "Arana" as a farewell to her guest. Miss Gnerson, and also to Miss Lizzie Shand. Mr and Mrs Allen received their guests in the drawing room, and when the music commenced passed on to the dining room, which had been converted into a dancing room, the musicians being stationed in the bow window. Supper was served in the library, and lovely flowers decorated the hall and all the rooms. Outside, the house looked gay and bright with coloured Chinese lanterns dotted' here and there, and many little co?y corners were to be found about the vera,ntLihs and grounds, the pleasure of the latter, however, being marred by the steady fall of rain which set in during the evening. The unfortunate downpour prevented tho indulgence m the pleasure of strolling about tie pretty grounds of "Arana," which on such a sultry night would have been much appreciated by the dancers. About 40 ' guests were present, amongst whom was a debutante, Mies Dorothy Jackson, and the dance proved an undoubted success from start to finish. Amongst those present besides Mr and Mrs Allen were Miss Allen, Mr C. Allen, Oklr and Isjrs ifsntgqm^rv^ Mi^

Grierson (Auckland), the Misses Shand, Miss il'Lean, the Misses Sise, Mr JR. Sise, Miss Gladys Hocken, Miss NeiU, Mr S. Neill. the Misses Uirich, Mr Ulrich, Miss Batohelor. Mr Bartleruan, the Messrs liltchie, Mr and Miss Ewen, Miss Dorothy Jackson, Mr M'Lean, Miss Chapman, Mr Webster, Mr Hogg, Mr Little, Mr W. Downie Stewart. Mr Wilkinson, etc. On Friday evening Mr and Mrs Ritchie gave a dinner party at "BaJvraid." Miss Lizzie Shand left by Friday's steamer for Wellington, where she will spend a few dsys with, hci brother, I>r Walter Shand, before sailing for London. Miss Shand travels by the Gothic to London, and proceeds to the Continent, where sha purposes studyirg music for two ye?rs Mr and Mrs Montgomery, who have been spending some little time with Mr and Mrs Jame3 Alien, returned on Saturday to their home at Little River, Canteibury. Miss Grierson accompanied Mr and Mrs Montgomery, ani will stay a few weeks at Little River befora zz burning to Auckland. Mr and Mrs Hcsking returned last week from Wellington. Mrs C. Fenwick returned on Saturday from Christchurch. where she lias been staying for a few weeks with Mrs Fenwick, sen. Mrs Dennison (Oamaru) was in town last week to b3 piesent at iliss Whitson's wedding. Miss Deans Christchurch) is waying a visit to Dunedin, and is staying with Mis I« raser, at fcj . C an . Mrs ila'.co'm Ross and Miss Grant came down from Wellington last week to be present at the \vedding of their nieoe, Miss TVhitson, and returned on Saturday to Wellington. Mrs Gladstone Robinson, who has been visiting her relatives here during the past three weeks, returned last week to Timaru. Miss Hotop left by Thursday's steamer for Sydney, en roue ior Germany, where she intends remaining for" two years to pecicct herself in the study of music. Mi Hart has returned to Dunedin after two yeais' absence in Europe. Mts and tho Misses Hart have remained in Australia for » little before leturning to Duaedin. Mr Edgar Hazlett left for Sydney on Thursday en route for London. On Friday afternoon Kiios Church was the s'cenc of a pretty wedding, the bride being Miss Winnie TVh;l<*on. aud the bridegroom Captain Cameron, R.N.R., of the s.s. Runhine. Unfortunately the afternoon oecame very wet, and much sympathy was felt for the biide and bridesmaids, who h?d to walk from the entrance gate to the door of Knox Church wi+h no overhead covering whatever. However, the blidal parly made little of the inconvenience, and all were gay and bright throughout the afterKoon, r.ncl^once within the church and house they forgot the uncomfortr.b?e conditions of the elements outside. The church was most beautifully and profusely decorated with variegated autumn leaves and branches of autumn foliage, with h-ere and tlore occasional white flowers. The bride, who -was given away by her father, wore a pretty wedding gown of white satin trimmed with chiffon. tuUc veil, and wreath of orange blosFo»n, vhe costum-s finished with a lovely bridal bouquiet. The bridgroom, who appeared resplendent in full royal navy uniform, was attended by Colonel iJauchop as best man, and the bridesmaids were the three sisters of the bride, Miss Wbit^on, Miss Ina Whitson, and Miss Rosie V. T hitson. The bridesmaids wore white siik dresses, the skirts frilled with three frills reaching to the waist, and smart white cloth hats finished with white bird feathers at /he back, and each bridesmaid wore a lovely pearl pendant and chain, "the gifts of tee bridegroom. After the ceremony the bridal arty and about 40 invited guests adjourned to the residence of Mr Whitson, in George street, where an afternoon "At home" was given. .Mr Whitson welcomed the gueats in the drawing room, and the bride and bridegroom received the congratulations and good wishes of their friends. Refreshments were served in the dining room, and the healths of the bride and bridegroom were proposed and responded to by -Be Rev. Mr Hewitson and Ihe bridegroom. Late.. \n the afternoon Captain and ; Mrs Cameron left for Lyttelton, where Captain Cameron joins the Ruahine, the bride wearing a grey tailor-made costume^ and hat with white tstrich feather, also nandsome furs which were the gift of the bridegroom. Amongst those present besides Mr Whitson and the bridal pirty were the Rev. Mr and Mrs Hewitson, Mrs Malcolm Ross* (Wellington), Miss Grant, Mi and Mrs Grant, Mr and Mr 3 Holdsworth, the Misses Mackerras, Mr and Mrs Sawell, Mr and Mrs DeanistQiv Mrs Macbeth, Mr and Mrs Hi e lop. Mrs- Blandford, Miss Glasgow. Mr and Mr? Lusk, Mrs George Turnbull, Mrs Bullock, Mrs Dennisou (Oamaiu), etc.

The engagement is announced of Miss Edith Foi=yth, fourth daughter of Mr J. C. Foisyth." Dunedin, to Mr \V. X. Miller, Pahiatua, second sou of Sir Henry Miller, Oamaru.

On Thursday afternoon a military wed- j ding took place at St. Peter's Church, Caversham, which caused a good deal of excitement in the neighbourhood and attracted a great many spectators besides the invited guests. The bride was Miss Christian Stewait Forsyth, youngest daughter of Mr James Forsyth, and the bridegroom Lieutenant Murray , Menzies Gardner, R.N.Z.A.,, son of Mr Maitland Gardner. The bride wore a very pretty dress of white crepe de chine made Empire style, falling from a yoke of lace, the long train trimmed with white chiffon roses and , white vucked chiffon finished with wreath and j veil. The costume was completed by a beautiful bouquet of white flowers. The bride was attended by two bridesmaids. Miss Maitland Gardner and Miss Mina Mac Donald, who wore dresses of pale blue siik trimmed with string-coloured lace, and burnt straw hats trimmed with autumn-tinted chrysanthemums, , and carried bouquets of pale pink sweet pea and autumn leaves. Each bridesmaid wore a gold and turquoise pendant, -the gift of the bridegroom.. The bridegroom,, who wore the j uniform of the R-.N.Z. Artillery, was attended j by his best man, ,Lieutenant Symon, Royal i N.Z. Engineers, of Wellington, who also was in full dress uniform. The church presented a gay scene, bsing bright .with the uniforms worn by all the officers present, amongst whom were Lieutenant-ctflonel' Allen, Captain FredriCj Captain Dodds, Surgeon-chaplain Borne, and officers of No. 1 Company Dunedin Navajs, No. 2 Company Port Kavals, and B Battery, Lieutenant-colonel Will, V.D., Lieu-tenant-colonel Stonefaam, Captain J. N. Barclay, and Captain Dempster, and officers ol No. 1 Battery, O.R.V. After the ceremony tto bride afid bridegroom wjpre, Bfllu^ed, b^ $Ufi A

officers, who formed an arch of drawn swordfc under which they passed. On leaving tho church the bridai party and the invited guests drove to Onslov/ xiouse. where refreshments we-e daintily served and various toasts pro.-. posed and replied to. Mr James Richarciscn proposed the health of the bride's parents, md Liautenant-colonal Allen proposed the health of the bridesmaids, the toast being responded to by the best man. During the afternoon the handsome and numerous presents of which the young couple were recipients were exhibited, and were much admired. The presents included a handsome diamond ring, rhe gift oi the bridegroom to the bride. Later in the afternoon Mr and Mrs Maitland Gard'uer left by train fcr the south, the biide's travelling dress being a costume of brown velveteen, and pretty * white hat trimmed with .Neapolitan violets. OAMABU, April 23. Mr Cecil Tescheruaker has left for England. Miss M'Kellar (Wellington) is the guest of Mrs Armstrong, sen. - - , Mra Garlaad has returned from her visit ra Dunedin. Mrs 'M.'Cavr (Windsor Downs) has returned from Queenstown. _- ~ Archdeacon Gould has arrived in town from, Itotorua, b\it Mrs Gould 13 remaining there ior some time longer. Miss L. Dalziei, who has been the guest of Mrs Burbury, has returned to her home in the JJorth Island. Te Rangi Pai gave a successful recital on ■Wednesday last in "Wear Street Hall. Mrs Howie's singing, though she was suffering - from a severe cold, gave great pleasure to the appreciative audience -which filled the hall. The company supporting bar fully sustained their respective reputations as gifted vocalists, and contributed much to the enjoyment of an excel.ent concert. Golf is now in full swing, the links being in' perfect order. A Yankee tournament is bein^ arranged, causing much interest among the members. I2vTEJRCARGII*L, April 23. Although the weather has been so rough of . late, it proved beautifully fine during the J^aster holidays, thus enab.ing holiday-makers to make the most of their outing. On Saturday and Monday the town presented quite a gay appearance, hundreds of people coming in from the country 'to witness the Axemen's Carnival. The seaside resorts received their usual patronage, the Bluff, as is generally the : case, attracting the largest numberAalthough a great many attended the Eiverton 1 ' races. On the Wedn-esday before Easter the opening night oi the Players' Club wa3 held at Mrs Glimour's- residence. The first iten? on the programme was an uddress by the president - (Mi G. \V. M'lntosh), whicb was followed by a small curtain-raiser, entitled "A Pair, of Lunatics," the parts being taken by Mrs W A. $aunders an a j£ rs Rodgers. The rest ot the programme cousisted of the comedietta, "I'v-e Written to Brcwn. ' those taking part bsing Mrs D. Gilmour, Miss Fielding, Mr»D. Gil- . inour, Mr ltodgers, and Mr T. Brown. I understand that similar evenings are to be held about once a month. ' " The same night Mrs Turnbull gave a small bridge and musical. evening. ' Mrs Masscy also gave pleasant bridga . psrty. Mr and Jlvs Callendsr have returned from Dunedin, where they spent the Eastern boli- - days. Mrs Ttoyse (Dunedin) is at present on a visit - to her daughter, Mrs F. D. Morrah, Gladstone. Mrs W. Henderson left on Thursday for Dunedin. • Mrs Tucker is at present on a visit to Punedin. Mr J. G. Herdman (Wellington) has been in town for a few days. Miss O. Herdman also spent the Easter holi-" dsy3 here. Miss Ol'ivc OS'eHitigton) was the guest of Mrs W. J. Mofiett for a few day 3 last week. Mrs J. Stronach and Miss Guthrie are spending a short holiday at the Nuggets, Port Molyneux. i Mrs Robinson spent Easter at the Lakes.

CHRIST CHURCH, April 21. The most perfect s-umraei weather we have enjoyed for years at this season gladdened the haarts of holiday-makers during Easier week, when the whole population, with o«e accord, tnads the most of their opportunities. Everybody one met was on the move, and the number of people travelling by trams end trains broke previous records by a large margin. For a wonder there were no accidents, in spite of the enormous passenger traffic -.n every direction. Easter Monday was a perfect day — warm, with a midsummer glow of sunshine that made* one feel it was good to be alive. The great attraction for those who had not been tempted to journey far afield wasi, of course, the Canterbury Jockey Club's Easter meeting at Ric- • carton, and those who went by carriage and motor found the drive out no small part of the day's enjoyment, the bronze and gold _ of the autumn-tinted foliage forming a splendid contrast gainst the vivid blue of .ilie sky. It certainly was a day to be remembered long, and we were glad on account of . our visitors, many of whom came from the* south. Mrs Boyle was there, with Mi?s Boyle, the former looking stately in a perfctly cut princess gown of mauve cloth. "With this she wore silver fox furs, and a dainty green andf pink toque; Miss Boyle was in violet-tinted cloth, with a toque of the same; Mrs Robin Campbell (Otekaike) had a bscoming gown, of creamy cloth handsomely trimmed with, lace, white furs, and pretty pale blue toque, with sable- tails; Mrs Arthur Rhodes iad a damty robe of very rjale grey, with white - toque; Mrs George Rhodes wore a gown of the prevailing shade of violet, with hat to match, and handsome furs; Mrs Stead wore green cloth, with Arctic fox furs, and green toque; Mis 3 Stead was in navy blue cloth, and had a pretty toque, with viol«i«i and foliage; Mrs J. Reid (Oamaru) had a handsome gown of black taffetas relieved win cream lace, white feather stole, and blacK toque ; Mrs Ranald Macdonald, pale prey clotu costume, with hat to match; Miss Mactbja^d was in dark blue cloth, with touches of green. velvet, black hat with white quills; Mrs Patrick Campbell, becoming black tailor gown, and black hat; Mrs Hugh Reeves looked very pretty in dark brown cloth, and toque of the same tone; Mrs Stringer had a- beautiful gewn of fawn velvet, and a white toque; Mr 9 Kettle looked handsome in pale grey, -with a. mauve toque; Misa Kettle was in ■white, •with, a becoming white cloth toque; Mrs War drop, wore a light grcpn costume, aai& purple 'hat; Mrs Egerton Reid looked well in dark bln« voile, cream and blue tat; Mrs Duncan. Cameron (Methven) wore a pal© b'ue t*ilor_ - gown, and toque to match; Mrs Milaster (bamara) had a Bmart white cloth tailor gowji, and white- toque with a touch of black; Mra - Beswick was looking -well in dark btue cloth, t with a pale pink toque; Mrs Cohn (Dunedin) looked "well in navy blue cloth, with a Teel h»i, white. furs; Mrs John Mills had a pretty, turquoise blue gown, and toque to match; "- Miss INeill was in grey ; Mrs Elworthy wor« black taffetas; Mis Arthur Elworthy (Paoroa-), purple cloth, and pale blue velvet toque; Mrs Herbert Elworthy was in pale blue. - OJh.§rs grftsejat were Mrs and Miss Samson, .

lira Ronald Duncan, . Mrs Gower-Burns and the' Misses "Burns, l£ra\«nd- the Misses -Den- - - , aiis'ton; Mrs- Vernon, , Mrs IWlgram, Mrs "and ' „ Miss Ti7il<ler, Lady "Clifford, the lMissea Mur-lay-Aynsl^y, Symes, Heave, Wilkin, Nancarxow, and Mathias. The engagement is just announced of Miss M[Cracken, of * Melbourne, to Mr H. Erusor, of Mount Gray. .^.^..Pi Tuesday evening Mr 3 Bpyle gave a small dinner and bridge pajty, among her guests being Mrs Wigram, .Mrs Gould, Mrs Patrick- Campbell,'. Mrs Waxdrop, and Mrs Kettle., " - ' Mrs Cohn {Dunedin) came up for the holidays,, aoid is the guest of her mother, Mrs Louisson. Miss L. Murray-Aynsley ;has gone to Amt "berley on a visit to Mrs Wells. Mr and Mrs Arthur Elworthy, "who were - staying at Bishopscourt during the holidays, ■went south on Wednesday. Miss E. Reeve 3 has gone to Woodbury, where she is the guest of Mrs Burdon. Mr aaid Mrs Arthur Rhodes and their son and daughter left yesterday for England, with the intention of returning about January next. ' - i Mrs Walter Thomas is visiting Ashburion, •where she is the guest of Mrs D. Thomas. 'Mr and; Mrs Robin Campbell are staying . at -Warner's Hotel. j^ Tuesday's races were run in cooler weather "than on the previous day, and proved none the less enjoyable as well as interesting. Mrs .George Rhodes 'looked well in dark brown 'cloth/- -and, browji .toque relieved with-- orange; ■ :• VMra^t Stead! :v/as: v/as "in . brown " also, I and' had a "v." v . cream-coloured-. toque ;, Miss Stead had a., be- J \^' coming, tailor. gown of -navy blue, and a purple ' ?Miai;^i€rs i --jßho^es had. a dark blue eTothj> gown ."and bhie toque; ' Mrs Kettle wa3 inr^mauve white, .•withl-inauve/liat;- Miss T 'KetU& looked. well in dark green; Mrs Boyle pale grey- silk, and a grey liat; Miss Boyle- .wore dark .blue ; .Mrs Barclay was in ' violet. sloth; f Mrs Bes wick- 1 baked well in- pale ' grey, •and.i.a- .charming blue 'toque; Mrs Symes had a brown tweed gown and toque; Lady Clifford was in grey; Mrs M'Master, becoming, gown, of grey,-tweea, black hat. Among ethers on the lawn were Mrs Louisson, Mrs Cohn, Miss Samson, Mr& and Miss Elworthy, Mrs. A. Elworthy, Mrs 1 BetheH, Mrs Cadell, etc.

WELI/INGTOK, April 21. _ -Easter is the time par excellence foi marriages, and one of the most ' interesting and' attiactive was that of Miss Ruby Holrmvood, only daughter of Mrs Holmwood, of Kelburne, to Mr -Arthur Ballance, of Mbssts Banna-tyne-and C 0. ,. the popular baritone singer. The brid« entered the church wifh her brother, and N looked exceedingly gracefulfand' pretty in her gown-, of white mousseline-de-soie, -beautifully embroidered, over glace. The crossover bodice was softly, draped, and the- elbow sleeves were finished with ruffles. A small •wreath of orange flowers was becomingly arranged* under. the bride's veii, and a beautiful ehowez bouquet was earned. Her bridesmaids <were Misses Yida ,Bristow and Kathie Oeborue, who -were prettily, attired in white book muslin frocks, much befrilled, and white hats, their bouquets of scarlet geranium and I autumn -leaves lending a gay touch' of colour, j Mr Roland Robertson ,was best man, and .Mr Cyril Tbwse'y. played- "the, organ. After thb

ceremony," -which was "by the Rev. - G.. P Davys, vicar of Sk ' Peter's, the guests . "euterfainetl^ liy its T>rl3e's moitsi at her -charging homa at Kelburne. A large inarqueo was ereoted on. the . lawn, and the tables were- arranged" therein and- ladcn^-with-' sweets. Tho decorations were very artistfe, being composed of ■'crimson and white ilowets. I-oDuring the afternoon , there "was some excellent music/ i,2li> and "&Er9^BaHa'nce-left..for ihe~ * norths" •fekereCth.e hineymcoa is bairig spent. r ' The h bride's travelling costume was a 1 very stylish gown of brown zibeline made with a long "American" coat caught with a gold buckle and strap ; her lir.t was of brown straw, with shaded violet plume, and a. splendid set of stone marten furs (the gi£* of the ■bridegroom) composed the toilette. Mrs HolmTFood's gown was of cigar brown silk voile with a small ..brown beaver Jiat and pink loses. Amongst the guests w-ere Mrs "Mills, grandmother of thr> bride, wearing dove grey taffetas and white and grey bonnet; Mrs Bristow, wearing a smart gown of tweed relieved ■with violet, and hat of violet straw; Mrs Osmond, Mrs Platts-Mills, Mrs C. Richardson, Mrs Moss, Mrs -Kazie, Mrs Dykes, Mrs Vennell, Mrs Palmer, Mrs Kember, Mrs Stafford, Miss Tregear, Hiss Bendall, Miss Brandon, Miss Kember, Miss Seed, Misses Mills, Miss Turner. Miss Brassey (Auckland), Miss Mcc, Miss Shannon, and Miss Kane, while quite a large number of gentlemen wer& also present. An engagement of interest has been announced lately — namely, that of Mrs Morr'son, sister of Mrs Finch, of Wellington, to Mr Dudley Tripe of the Bank of Kew Zealand ■taff. - , X Miss Mabel Mcc, second daughter of Mr George Mcc, leaves almost directly for Lon- j don, wlier© she is 1 io be married to Lieutentnt j , -Cooper,- R.N., of H.M.S. Ocean. Mts Mcc ac- i companies lier daughter as far as Australia. j Mrs Q. "EL. Mills gave a very pleasant tea j ' last week for Mrs Morice (Greymouth), daugh- j -•■ ta. of "the Premier, and the Misses Bxownlee. j

- Afternoon tea was prettify laid in the dining ■■ roomj large silver bowls of handsome begonias jceupying Ifce place of lionour en the tables. The guests included Mesdames Seddon, M'Arthur, Hall-Jones, Heroert, Russell, Giljn'er, Bendall, Kane, HolmesV Michie, Barton, Hamer, Donne, Myers, M'Dona'.d, Harris, Misses Shannon and Bendall. .Miss Holmes who has been lor several months visiting relations in the South Island, intends to reside in her Ha-vrkeston-e street house. Mrs "W. H. Rose gave a delightful tea on Thursday last week. The function was given for Mrs Rose who is on a visit to thecolonies.