TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 76

TABLE TALK.

INVEBCARGILL, January 10. 'On Monday and Tueday the Southland Racing Club's summer meeting attracted, a large attendance of the public, the first diay's attendance being a ' record one. Mlany ladies were present. Ibis meeting is becoming more popular every year. The weather was overcast and gloomy,, .but the rain fortunately held off. The racing was excellent, and a good day's sport was afforded. The Bluff regatta on Monday drew a very large crowd of holiday-makers, tire attendance being- estimated at over 10,000, The weather was too boisterous and rough for any rowing events. Early in the afternoon there wca a heavy downpour of rain, which made most i:>eople anxious to leave by the early trains. The New Year holidays in Southland were unfortunately marred' by the bad weather. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, with their family, have been spending .a week at the Bluff. 'The Rev. Mr Swinburne and Mrs Swinburne are at present visiting Hastings, in order to be present at their daughter's wedding. Mi 33 M'Lennan returned to Palmerston North on Tuesday. Miss Baker (Sydney), who has been paying a long visit to Invercargill, left on Tuesday for Australia. Mrs Holderness (Hawko-'s Bay) is the guest of Mrs D. Cuthbertson (Gladstone). Mr and Mrs Haggitt and family returned from Dunedin. at the end of the week. Miss M. Rowley is visiting Mrs Rowley, Tweed street. Mrs Sleigh (Christchurch), who has been staying in town for a few days, is now visiting Stewart Island. Mrs' Wade is the guest of Mrs T. C. Ellis (Five Rivers). Miss R. Millar returned by the Marama en Monday from a visit to Adelaide. Miss F. Nurse is visiting Christchurch. TIMARU, January 11. During the last week so many people have been out of town that there is little doing. Mrs Frank Evans (Masterton) is staying with her parents, Mr and Mrs Wright (Craighead). Mr and Mrs Iv. Bassett (Christohuroh) are staying with Mr and Mrs Priest, Bank street. The engagement of Mr Timiaru Rhodes to Miss Car.gill is announced'. Mr Morthe Woolccmbe (Singapore) is staying with his mother. Mr and M'rs Bridges have returned to Christchurch. The Rev. H. Woolcombe is staying in Timaru. He is visiting various colonies on special work, having had to retire from the head of Oxford House on account of illhealth. The engagement of Miss Jessie Gow to Mr Shaw, solicitor, of this town is announced. Miss B. Fussell is visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs J. Fussell. CHRISTCHURCH, January 8. Last Saturday, New Year's Night, Mrs C. F. Thomas gave a delightful impromptu dance at her residence at Carlton. Mrs Thomas was wearing a becoming gown of pale grey chiffon, with silver embroideries. Miss M. Thomas wore rose pink silk and Laos frock; Miss Dennistom, cream, spotted net with touches of tangerine; Miss Campbell wore deep wine-coloured' silk frock; Miss M>'Kenzie (Wellington), white satin and sequin trimming; Miss B. Russell, shell pink striped chiffon and lace; Miss Symes, rose pink satin, with touches of silver; Miss A. Humphreys, black ninon frock relieved with cream lace and pink velvet knots; Miss Milne, pale blue chiffon dress; Miss Ogle, pale blue satin, with bands of bugle trimming; Miss Harley, frock of saxe blue chiffon over silk of the same shade; Miss Gosset, pale blue velvet princesse dress; Miss Moore, pale green silk; Miss D. Moore, white .point 4'esprit net frock; Miss Hannuer, white silk and lace Miss M. white chiffon taffetas and 1 silver trimming; Miss Burns., yellow cEiffon over silk of «,

deeper shade; Miss R. Wilson, emerald green satin and cream lace; Miss MeTton, pink mouaseline d© soie frock. Others present -were Messrs Campbell, Fell, Anderson, Biutterworth, Williams', "Gibson, Dunsford', Helmore, Hanmer, Cunningham, Shores, and officers of H.M. Challenger. Mrs W. Wood gave a very pleasant tennis and croquet party on Friday afternoon to welcome the Misses Dorothy and Phyllis Anderson, who have just returned from England. Amongst those present were Mrs H. Wood, Mrs and the Misses Burns, Mrs Strachey, Mrs A. Campbell, Mrs F. Niancarrow, Mrs J. Vernon, Mrs I. Gibbs, and Misses Denniston, Byrnes, Humphreys (2), ft. Anderson (3), Wilkin, Kitson, Hanmer, Ogle, Campbell, and Thomas. A delightful musical evening was given on Friday by Mrs H. H. Loughnan. The performers included Mrs Price (Sia-m), Mrs Mead, Dr Gribben, Mr Day, Mr Bunz, and Mr Loughnan. The hostess wore a gown of heliotrope brocaded satin and lace; Miss Loughnan, pink and white pompadour silk frock, with lace fichu; Mrs G. Pascoe, pale, pink crepe d'e chine; Mrs F. Cowlishaw, white mousseline de soie and lace; Mrs F. Nanciarrow, black satin with white lace berthe; Mrs Price, pale blue satin frock; Mrs A. Campbell, black crepe de chine and white lace; M'iss Wood, eau de nil satin, with wide pannel of embroidery; Miss Nancarrow, white spotted net over pule blue satin; Miss Humphreys, rose chiffon over white silk; Miss A. Humphreys, pale blue ninon with pearl embroidery; Miss Harley, white, embroidered net with pink flowers; Miss ft.. Anderson, pale blue satin with white tulle gimp; Miss- Symes, mauve and white floral chiffon; Miss Murray, frock of heliotrope silk; Miss Trclove, white satin; Miss H. Campbell, rose pink silk and lace; Miss Kitson, white satin frock. Others present were : —Messrs Wilding, Wallach, Field, Anderson. White, Fryer, and Murray. Miss Wilding has returned from a visit to Akaroa. Miss Christie (Wanganui) is the guest cf Mrs T. A. Phillips at "The Point." Mrs Wardrop has returned from Wellington. Mrs J. Anderson end the Misses P. and D. Anderson returned from England last Wednesday. Miss B. Wood is staying at Hanmer. ■ Mrs Russell Grace returned to the North Island last Thursday. Mr and Mrs A. Izard (Wanganui) are visitin? Christchurch. Miss M'Kenzie returned to Wellington on Tuesday. Miss Ruth Anderson has returned from the North Island. Miss Park has returned from a visit to Lake Coleridge - . Mr and Mrs J. Miles (Marten) are in town. Miss Mabel Anderson returned from England on Wednesday. Miss L-ucy Kitson also returned from England by the same steamer.

BLENHEIM January 5. On Friday evening the Messrs Munro gave a most successful and enjoyable dance at " Bankhouse," . and the weather, which had been very stormy all day, cleared. sufficiently to enable the guests to be in .attendance. , Large drags and: motor-cars conveyed tbo guests to "Bankhouse." The large drawing room, was cleared cut and prepared for dancing, the verandah was enclosed, .and splendid music was supplied by Vaninni's orchestra. A dainty and appetising supper was artistically arranged in the dining room, the table being decorated with daintily shaded' swa-at peas and roses, with the necessary foliage. Mrs Munro received the guests in a handsome black silk gown, relieved with creme lace. Others present ware:—Mrs Dymock, who wore mink satin with brown strappings; Mrs F. I\ T . Dillon, pale blue taffeta; Mrs Watte, pale gray figured silk with black trimmings; Mrs ■Griffiths, Mack spangled, dress; Mrs L. Griffiths, black taffeta; Mrs- Pexreit (Renwick), pale blue blouse, black skirt; Mrs J. Mowat, black silk; Mrs Adams, black lace robe over black taffeta; Mrs A. Mowat, white taffeta gown; Mrs Burden, black lace robe over black satin; Mrs B. Clouston, yellow silk; Mrs W. Clouston, black taffeta; Mrs Maclaine, white taffeta; Miss Urquhart (Scotland), pink, charmeuse Empire gown;- Miss D. Waddy, white charmeuse satin gown; Miss B. Griffiths, creme lace robe; Miss K. Scott-Smith, white and silver spangled robe, relieved with pale blue; Miss E. Bell, white taffeta; Miss M. Bell, black silk; Miss Jean Bell, white silk; Miss Janet Bell, pale blue silk; Miss Bene Horton, floral muslin Empire robe; Miss B-seima Horton, white muslin frock relieved with white satin; Miss Moira M'Nab, white silk; Miss Clouston, white silk; Miss Bene Clouston, white taffeta; Miss Connie Clouston, white taffeta; Miss E. Mowat, white muslin; Miss N. Mowat, white muslin; Miss F. Chayior, white silk; Miss Isobel Chaytor, white silk; Miss J. Horton, black lace robe over black silk; Misses Vavasour (2), rose pink silk Empire gowns relieved with crem*lace; Miss Suisted (Westport). black silk; Miss B. Bull, black taffeta; Miss Williams (Renwick), pale blue taffeta; Miss Nellie Coulter, white taffeta; Miss A. Goulter, pale blue silk Miss E. Goulter, white silk. Messrs S. Macishiane, Adams, B'. Moore, W. Grace, A. Bell, L. Tuke, J. Bell, B. Eeid, White (2), Hill, L. Bridge (Wellington), H. Vavasour, Horton, H. Anderson, J. Mowat, G. F. Watts (Lansdowne), Fell, etcOn Saturday (New Year's Day) there was a large gathering of people at Picton. Every train leaving Blenheim for Picton was well filled, the attraction there being the Picton regatta.. It was a perfect day,' and Picton looked really very pretty. A steamer came across from Wellington, and brought a number of excursionists, who spent a very pleasurable day, and bad an excellent trip across. Mr and Mrs D. A. Strachan have returned from a most enjoyable stay in Nelson. Miss Olive Mills (Wellington) is the guest of Mrs Neville at " Thurston." Miss D. Waddy is visiting her sister, Mrs L. Griffiths, at. " Springlands." Mr H. O'Bierne (Nelson) is visiting "Langley Dale." Mr and Mrs G. Waddy are visiting the North Island. Mr R. M'Callum is visiting Auckland. Mr L. Bridge (Wellington) is the guest of Mrs W. E. Clouston at St. Andrews. Captain and Mrs Hull (Wellington) are visiting Mr and Mrs T. Redwood in Hawkshaw street. Mr R. J. Sharpe has returned from, a short stay in Welington. Mr H. E. Burden, is visiting the North Island. Miss Dora Redwood lias returned from' a. holiday spent in Wellington. WELLINGTON, January 8. Most of those who are responsible for the turning of the wheel of gaiety are out of town. There is absolutely no entertaining of any kind being done. The Sounds have become a most popular place for camping, and this year a very large number of

families from Wellington hare gon« there. The various seaside plaoes here aTe being very w«H patronised by people who air* unable to leave town, a new attraction being Lyell Bay. The means of access until this summer have always been too difficult for picnic parties to manage, but now wo have a twenty minutes' train service, which takes one right to the beautiful long stretch of sandy beaoh, where the children simply revel in their delight. Mrs G. Tolhurst, who has. been staying with Miss Tolhurst (Grant road 1 ), returned to Otaki on Wednesday. Mr and Mrs T. Young left on Monday evening for Milford Sound and the southern lakes. Mr and Mrs Noble-Campbell and their two little boys have been spending some weeks in Wellington. Mrs Cbatfield is paying a visit to Auckland. The Misses' Hiassell (Oamaru) are tiia guests of Dr and Mrs Hassell, Porirua. Mrs Stilling (Dunedin) is spending the holidays with Mrs Lees at Heretaunga. Mr and Mrs Fenwick (Napier) are staying in Wellington. Mrs and Miss Butts are staying with friends in the Wairarapa. Mr and Mrs Guy Fulton have returned from their wedding trip, spent in Australia. Miss Kitty M'Kellar has returned from her visit to Timaru. Mrs J. K. Fulton and Miss Fulton, who have been the guests of Mr Warburton (Pahnerston North), have returned. Miss Fulton leaves for England shortly. Mr and Mrs Clark-Johnstone and family spent the holidays at Day's Bay. Mrs Norton (Pahiatua) is staying at the Windsor. Mrs and Miss Brookfield (Wanganui) are in town. Mrs W. H. Field and family are staying at Waikanae. Mrs Mackee and Dr Elizabeth M'Donald leave this week on a tour of the North Island. AUCKLAND, January 5. 1910 was ushered in with fine weather, and there was nothing to mar the sitcoess of holiday-makers. In the matter of entertainments there were plenty to choose from, and what with the New Zealand tennis totirnanient on the Eden and Epsom lawns, the representative cricket match in the Domain, and the Auckland Racing Club's summer meeting at Elkrslie, added co the numerous exctirsions in the harbour, no one need have felt dull . for want of something to do or somewhere, to go. [You will have heard all about the tennis f ournament ere this, .and there is small use in repeating what is now a, matter of history. .There were large attendances each day to .witness the various matches. Mr A. F. Wilding'3 play is far beyond .anything we have yet seen in Auckand, and that he would win the championship of New Zealand was of course seen to be a foregone conclusion from the first. Miss Powdrell, the present lady champion, proved too much for Miss Nunnelley, her staying powers .and judgment in placing being considered far beyond any other lady player. The chief attraction at the New Year is of course the races held at Ellerslie, for Derby Day invariably draws a large number to the course. The win scored by Sir GeorgeClifford with Kilwinning was evidently a very popular one, jtidging by the enthusiasm shown as Mrs Boy Wilson (daughter of the president) decorated the horse with the blue riband. Mrs Wilson was wearing a very pretty frock of pale blue voile with yoke and sleeves of cream net, and pale blue hat with green foliage and roses.' Amongst the many visitors present I noticed Mr and Mrs T. H. Lowry (Hawke's Bay), the latter in champsgns-coloured silk with black facing.", and black hat with snrays of lilac; Mr and Mrs F. M. B. Fisher (Wellington), the latter in pink ninon with white tucked net yoke and sleeves and large white hat with ostrich feathers; Mir and Mrs W. H. Herries, Sir George Clifford. Mr E. J. Watt, Mrs Coutts (Nelson), and Mr and Mrs Claud S.ainsbury (Gisborne) and many others. Mrs Thorn® George was wearing black silk taffetas, with smart grav cloak, and black hat with plum.es; Mrs W. H. Parker, costume of brown voile, with yoke -and sleeves of tucked white' net, and brown hat with foliage; Mrs Hope Lewis, dark heliotrope with black trimmings, and black hat; Mrs? Guy Williams, tailormade suit of sbeoherd's plaid, and pretty pink hat; Miss Hilda Willams. cream coat and skirt, and toque of electric blue; Mrs Ernest Bloomfield, mole-oolouredi costume .and smart green toque with green wings; Mrs M'Cosh Clark, striped black silk taffetas, and floral toque; Mrs Wilfrid Colbeck, grey nir.on, and rustic straw hat with pink roses: Mrs J. M. Dargaville. black silk taffetas with silver galom. and close fitting black bat: Miss Muriel Dargavilla, blue silk coat and skirt and large hat massed with flowers; Mrs Robert Leckie, pale blue silk taffetas, and smart black hat; Mrs Cotter wore a beautiful Parisian gown of purple satin with black lace overdress, and small black toque with bird of Paradise plume: Mrs Aitken Carriclc. black and white striped silk, black plumed hat. and white ostrich feather boa; and Miss Dun.net, black ninon and smart green straw hat with folia.ge. Miss Dorothy Court (one of the principals in Williamson's "King of Cadonia" Company) was much admired in her baautifully cut English costume of electric blue satin cloth, and nicture hat massed with roses. Mr and Mrs Eardley Reynolds, who have been visiting Auckland during the festive season, have returned to their home in Dunedin. Mr W. M. Hann.ay and the Misses Hannay (■?,). who have been staying at Glenalvon for the past fortnight, have left again for Wellington via Rotorua. and the Wanganui River. Mr and Mrs Claud Sainsbury (Gisborne) are -amongst other visitors to Auckland. Mr and Mrs B. M. Litchfield and their son and daughter,' who have been staying aft Glenalvon for the past week, have returned to Wellington. Mr .Tames Coates and Miss Coates (Wellington) spent Christmas and New Year in Auckland. Dr and Mrs M'Arthur (Wellington), wh.-» are shortly leaving on a visit to England, are at present paying a short visit to Auckland. The new comic opera, " The King of

Cadonia," has been witnessed by audiences which have packed*all the available accommodation at His--: Majesty's Theatre. - The compaov is undoubtedly a strong one. MofH of the "fun, ;of.course, emanates from Mr Bert Gilbert,-;,who •. takes the part of the Duke of Alasia., -The King of Cactonm is Mr Gilbert Clayton, who hails from the Prince of WaW -Theatre in London his dainty bride/-,Mis 3 ;.Dorothy Court also hailing from that: ; ®CMt. centre. At the end of this week "Havana" is to be staged and the fact that „the ...composer of Moradora is responsible ; for. it warrants the assumption that a musical treat is in store for playgoers. Our former friend, Mr W. S. Percy, Ts to appear in this, as well as other oldtime favourites.