TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3040, 19 June 1912, Page 72

TABLE TALK.

Monday. On Tuesday evening the Misses Barron gave a small evening partv at their parents' residence, Caversham, which ended principally in dancing. Some present were Miss Barron, Miss D. Barron, Miss O. Barron, Miss Btrnett, Mies Adair*, 'Miss ' iM'Caw, Mliss Park, Misses Dowling, Miss Allen, Miss D. Jackson, Miss Benham, Miss Fels, Messrs Barron, F. Barron, Alsop, Buddie. Whitton, Reid, Jones, Fels, Paterson, M'Caw, Tapper, etc.

Wednesday evening saw the opening of a, bridge tournament which has been inaugurated by Miss M'Leatl and Mies G. Webster. It was held at Sir George M'Lean's residence in Elder street. A great number of ladies are taking part in it. and the club is to continue during the winter months.

On Friday evening a small dance was Riven by Mrs Dowling at her, residence, Roslyn, where a. most enjoyable evening was spent. Mrs Dowling received her guests in the hall, which was prettilv arranged with flowers. Dancing was iriduleod in in th? dining room, whilst a most dainty and delicious supp«r was heartily partaken" of in the smoking rcom. Som- nresent as well as Mrs bowline and the Misses Dowling were Mrs George Roberts. Mrs Cheeseman, Mrs Black, Mliss Farquhar, Miss Theomin: Miss Forbes, Miss Sherman. Mis« TJlrich. Miss Ritchie, Mi'ss Stock. Miss Hosking. Miss R. Allen, Miss K. Pnrk. Miss Stacker (Invercargill), Miss M. Neill. Miss R. Benham. Miss Barron, Miss Mill, Miss Brent Miss Callan. Miss Nichol (Ashburton). Miss M'lntosh. Miss Hart, Messrs Black, Cheesenran. Ulrich, Monro. Buddie. Barron. Theomin. Fenwick, Dowling, Hunter. Sise. Brent. Raid. Whitt""l. Edwards, Allen. Bridgeman. Donaldson, V~np. Callan, Dr Inglis, Captain Sandall, etc.

\fr<? Dowling wore an extremelv pretfv black '.atin Brown relieved with black and gold; Mrs G. Roberta, stylish yellow charmouse with white spanscled lace overdress; Mrs Cheeseroan. soft pale blue silk prettily trimmed with lace; Mrs Black, pretty black crown trimmed with spangied net; Mi?s Farquhar. pale erey satin covered with grey spangled net; Miss Dowling. pale blue satin, pretty beaded tunic; Miss M. Dowling, white satin draped with pale grev tunic and caught with pink roses; Miss Barron, page green ninon over silk and trimmed with dark green velvet; Miss M. Neill, smart black satin covered with rot; Miss R. B».nham, dull fi-rren chiffon over silk; Mas* Theomin. white net over white satin, and trimmed crystal beaded trimming; Miss Forbes, pale blue covered with ninon and embroidered with eilk; Mlm Shennan, black crepe de chine; Miss Ulrich. uretty apricot satin with black and gold overdress, and trimmed with gold Oriental trimming; Miss Ritchie, mle pink ninon over pale pink satin; Miss Honking, whit* satin, with figured gold net

tunic; Miss K. Park, white satin trimmed white chiffon; Miss Stocker (Invercargill), bright pink, silk gown; Miss Brent, pale blue satin trimmed cream lace; Miss Mill, pale pink satin covered with pink ninon Miss Nichol (Ashburton), pale grey ninon over pink satin; Miss M'lntosh, pale blue charmeuse Batin covered with pale olue ninon, the bodice prettily made with blue chiffon fichu; Miss Hart, white satin trimmed with white lace. The Eight Hon. James Bryce. British Ambassador to America, and Mrs Bryce arrived in Dunedin on Saturday, and during their stay in this city were the guesta of Mr .and Mrs J. M. Ritchie, Balvraid, Pitt street. On Saturday evening Sir George and Lady M'Lean entertained the Right Hon. James Bryce and Mrs Bryce at a dinner party at their residence, Hazelwood, Elder street. Those present as well as Sir George . and Lady M'Lean and the Misses M'Lean were the Right Hon. James and Mrs Bryce, Mr and Mrs J. M. Ritchie, Dr and Mrs Batchelor, Mr and Mrs Sargood, Mr and Mts John Roberts, Mr P. C. Neill, Mr Ho3king, etc. Miss Nichol (Ashburton) is the guest of Mrs Dowling (Roslyn). Mr and Mrs Bell and Miss Bell returned to—Shag Valley last week. Mrs E;. Thomson, who has baen absent in England for some time past, returned to her residence in Littlebourne last week. The Misses Watson, who were the guest 3 of Mrs A. A. Finch (Royal terrace) during their stay in Dunedin, returned to Wellington last week. Mrs Burden (Wopdbury) is visiting Miss Gilkison (Manor place), s Mrs Rhodes (Bluecliffs) is the guest of Mrs Builock (Roslyn). INVERCARGILL, June 17. On Friday night the Women's Club held their fortnightly meeting in the Orphans' Club Room. The subject for the evening was "Dickens." Miss Jobson, M.A.. occupied the chair, and there were somo 50 ladies present. Professor Gilray's paper, written for the Dickens centenary, was read by Miss King, M.A. Misses Farnie, Griffen, Jobson, Todd, Mac.alister,' Perrin, and Byass took part in the different dialogues, and Miss Hamilton read a paper on the children characters in Dickens. Mrs W. A. Saunders gave a reading from Dickens, and Misses Fife and Crofta sang "What are the wild waves saying." Some of the ladies present were Dr Baird. MescUimes Burridge, Rennie, Morrison, Mitchell, Tcdd, Barclay, Saunders. Pottinger. Laycock. Misses Royds (2), Pitcher. Macalister, Birss, Bellamy, Hardie, Morrison, Farnie. M.A., Opie, M.A., Griffen, Perrin. Law, M.A., Laycock, M.A., Crofts, Fife, Byass, c-tc. The mixed foursome arranged for Wednesday had to be put off on account of the bad weather, and the ladies' golf match on Thursday was just of a friendly nature this week. On Friday evening Mr Tom Watson entertained a few friends at a "musical evening" at his residence (Forth street). Everybody performed, and in. jolly evening was spent. Among those present were Mr and Mrs Ja-.-k Watson, Misses Hay, Turnbull, Robinson. Callender, Gardner, Messrs T. Foster, Black, Russell, Hamann, etc. Mr and Mrs and Miss Sharp left on Monday for Sydney, where they will reside for the winter. Mr and th* Misses Price also left for Sydney on Monday. Miss Jobson. M.A., returned from Melbourne last Monday. Mrs W. Saunders was also a passenger by the Maunganui on Monday for Sydney. Sir Joshua and Lady Williams returned to Dunedin last week. Mrs Alfred Hogg also returned home to Dunedin on Saturday. Miss K. Mitchell has returned home from her long stay in Napier. OAMARU. June 16. Last Saturday Mrs Milner (Waitaki Boys' High School) gave a very jolly children's nsrty for Winsome (her little daughter). She asked a great many little friends, and Kiev had a splendid time. On Saturday evening last Mr and Mrs Jasper Niohols pave a large bridge party .at tf'eir house in Tamar street. They were fortunate in having a fine bright night, and cvprvone enioyed it very much. Mr and Mrs Tom Brown (Station Peak) are in town just now. Mrs R. M'Domald (Palmerston North) is visiting her mother (Mrs Bulleid) at present. Mrs and Miss Burry have returned from Dunedin. The Misses M'Douall have come home from the North Island. Mrs Milne (Ardgowan) went north today. Mr 'Charles Reid, of Christohurch, has been visitine Mr and Mrs J. Reid (Elderslie) during the woek.

TIMARTJ, June 17. ■ Mrs and Miss "Wyley leave*" to-morrow for a two months' tour of the North Island.

The point-to-point steeplechase held in Mr- E. Kelland's paddock, off Page's road, was very successful in spite of the bad weather. A good number of ladies were among the spectators, including Mes'dames R. Rhodes.. T. Rhod-ss, H. Eworthy, Crow (Geraldine), Cole, H. Orbell. Jameson. Bond (Argylle). Westenra (Christchurch), G. Buchanan, Cariwright, Thomas, Misses Orbell, Bassett, Wigley, Westmacott. Temple, Buchanan, Rhodes (2), Brodrick, Jone 3 (2), and many others. Afternoon tea provided by the Hunt Club "was most welcome.

Miss Holdsworth (Duuedin) is staying with Miss Robinson (Glen-iti).

Mr and Mrs Blacklock have taken Mr Stronach's house, Beverly road, for a fewweeks.

Miss Clements and Miss Raymond (Fairlie) are the guests of Mrs Frank Raymond.

Mr and Mrs D. C. Turnbull left for Sydney, en route for England, last Thursday. They were accompanied by their two sens, and intend being away for some months. Miss Priest has left for a visit to Christchurch.

The assembly held last Thursday night after the steeplechase was most successful, and it is to be hoped will become an annual function. Some of those present were Mrs H. Elworthy, wearing apricot charmeuse overdress of gold chiffon and fringe; Mrs F. Barker, blue satin, overdress of silver; Mrs H. Tripp, pink satin; Mrs T. Rhodes, white satin; Mrs C. Finch, heliotrope charmeuse and fura; Mrs Jameson, blue charmeuse and black net; Mrs "Westenra, pink poplin; Mirs Leslie Orbell. shot blue silk fuchu, with white stole" ends; Mrs Paul Studholme, black satin, steel embroidery; Mrs Loughnan, white satin ; Miss Temple, green satin, overdress of lace; Miss O'Bryan Hodge, pale pink charmeuse; Miss Wigley. green satin. Oriental trimmings; Miss Rhode*, black satin; Miss Ziesler, cream satin; Miss F. '■ Ziesler, cream ninon; Miss Shand, oyster i satin, overdress of green chiffon;. Miss.West- ' macott. green satin, overdress of orange net; , Miss C. Hay, black ninon; Miss Barkas. j pale blue ninon; Miss Talbot, white satin and lace; Miss Kerr, blue satin, jewelled , overdress; Miss Goodwin, white brocade; and many others wore lovely dresses. «. * CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. On Tuesday afternoon Mrs Stead gave a. small tea at her Sumner residence, where she is staying at present. The same afternoon Mrs Rolleston gave a tea party for Mrs John Rolleston (Sydney), who has been her guest during the last week. Amongst those present were Mesdames "Wigra.m, ' Mecdonald, Hill, Pyne, Godby, Misses Reeve's and Stott. A large musicale was given by Mrs Nicholls on Thursday afternoon at her residence in Mansfield avenue. Mr Lancelot Lewin was the sole performer, and during teh afternoon he delighted the guests with his wonderful playing. Mrs Nicholls wore a handsome gown of pale grey crepe de chine trimmed with braiding and silk embroidery; Mrs George Rhodes, dark blue cloth coat and skirt, toque of blue and emerald green straw; Mrs Denniston, gown of black and white striped ninon, black toque; Miss Denniston, grey and black striped corduroy velvet frock, black hat; Mrs Fcx, navy blue coat and skirt, large hat with blue and green plumage; Mrs G. Hclmore, navy blue braided costume, blue and crimson toque; Mrs Pyne, prunelle cloth coat and skirt, sable and lace toque; Mrs Savill, frock of shot blue taffetas, brown and blue hat with pink roses; Mrs Westenra-, mauve cloth costume, hat to match; Mrs H. Acton-Adams, blue cloth gown, black hat with crimson berries. Others present were Mesdames Macfarlane, Wilding, Brodrick, Milton, Mts and Miss 80-wdon, Mrs and Miss Campbell, Mrs and Miss Harris. Mrs A. Reeves, Misses Kftson. Meave. Chapman. Salwey, Tabart, Fulton, Mrs and Miss "Wilkin, Mrs and the Misses Prins, Mrs and Miss Thomas, Mrs and Miss Wood, Mrs and Miss Knight. The engagement is announced of Miss Gosset, eldest daughter of Archdeacon Goss.et, Merivale. to Mr George Starkey, son of Mr G. B. Starkey. Mrs Burns is staying in Timaru. Mrs Henry "Wood is visiting Dunedin. Miss Macdonald is visiting friends in South Canterbury. Captain and Mrs MacArthur-Onslow left on Thursday on a visit to Cydney. The Hon. J. Bryce and Mrs Bryce (Washington) were the guests of Mrs Wigram during their stay in Christchurch. BLEIOIEIM. June 13. There was a large attendance on Thursday evening in the Town Hall for the concert in aid of St. Mary's Old Boys' Football Club. Among those I noticed in the audience were Mrs R. M'Callum, Mrs Innes, Mrs Clouston, Mrs M'Rae, Mrs Corry, Mrs Ross. Mrs Murphy, Mrs Redwood. Mts Burden, Mrs Goulter, Mrs Hull (Wellington), Mrs Powell, Mrs Girling, Misses Farmer, Goulter (8). Redwood. Clouston (2), Neville, Brittafn, Chapman. Girling, Lucas, Messrs Burden, M'Rae, Hylton, Powell, Meade, and Girling. Mr and Mrs Geo. Seymour entertained at the Loloma Tea Room" a few friends at e farewell tea to Mr and Mrs H. Howard before their departure for a trip to Sydney on Thursday afternoon. Those present were Mr and Mrs Wolfersfan. Dr and Mrs Meade. Mrs W. Clouston, Miss J. Anderson. Mr and Mrs Aldridge. | On Saturday morning Dr and Mrs Russell Adams took a number of young folk and their mothers out to Langley Dale for the day by motor 'bus in honour of their small son's (Hugh's) birthday. A jolly time was spent ;* 11 being well entertained by Mr and Mrs W. Adams. Amoner those who journeyed out were Mrs -P. Stuart. Mrs E.. Meade Mrs Tescheiraakpr-Shute. Mrs A. M'-iv I. Afrs Bennett. Mrs Coleman, Mrs Weeds. Misses Tony Woods, Susie Bennett, j Mar- Stuart. Helen Teschemaker-Shute, : Drreei Meade. Katie Mownt." Jean and Leslie Hiiv-'t.. Masters L. Mowat. Gawthorne Me? '» lan Maclainc, B. Bennett, George ■and Douglas Coleman. : M> and Mrs Clarke entertained a number i ft ,v iends at a "Song Title" evening on Friday at their residence in Maxwell road. First prize was awarded to Miss Ewart for guessing the greatest number of songs. I A.mong those present were Mr and Mrs Kier, j Misses Ewart (2), Clarke C2). Burgess, Stapp, Murphy. Messrs Bush (Wellington), Stapp, Admore. Golding, Parker. His Excellency the Governor arrived in Blenheim on Thursday. "While here he will b° the guest of Mr H. D. Vavasour, at i "Usbrooke." I Miss Vnvftpour ha 3 returned from a 3hort visit to Wellington. Miss Skinner left on Tuesday for Wellington. Miss Coleman, who has been visiting Mr and Mrs B. Coleman, has left for Hunterville. MVs Jack (Nelson) is the guest of Mrs Trolove ("The Shades"). Mr and Mrs "W. Trolove ('The Shades") were in town during the week. Mts Ritson Thomas ("Tirohanga") has been spending a few days at the Criterion Hotel. Miss Rutherford has returned to Kckerangu. t

Mr and Mrs H. Howard have gone to Sydney for a lengthy holiday. Mra Woods has returned from Masterton. Mr and Mrs Aldridge are staying aj the Criterion Hotel.

WELLINGTON, June 15, The event of the week was undoubtedly the jubilee ball of the Wellington .Club. This club, it i 3 therefore clear, was born in 1862. • From which one. may draw the conclusion that Wellington was somewhat belated in the matter of clubs. Wellington was founded in 1842, eight years, roughly speaking, before Canterbury, but the Christchurch Club was founded in the fifties, and very early, a 3 we" find in the correspondence of Lord Lyttelton, one of the founders of the settlement, who constantly I refers to his stay "at the club" with evi- | dently the satisfaction of an Englishman I who has found in the wilderness what he ! has become accustomed to in his own coun- ! try as a necessary of life. Of course, when the Wellington Club did start it was true to the club tradition of the British race, j •"If," says a recent writer, "it is not a palace, it at all events is a temple of solid ! comfort, with noiseless carpets and a spacious entrance hall, cool, hushed, and of dim religious light; a good cook, a cellar you can depend on, a discreet smoking room, and an irreproachable butler; a writing room stocked with ever so many different kinds of club paper, newspapers selected with the .same oare as the wine, and the latest thing in billiard tables." All these things have been marked features of the life of the Club during every week of every one of the 50 years of the jubilee. It has entertained and refreshed Governors, Princes of the blood, and distinguished travellers of many lands. It is of the genius of the British race —a thing copied with respectful cordiality by other nations, but never rising to anything more than a copy. Here Dublic opinion used to be made, but to-day Social revolutionary spirits have reduced the width of the club influence somewhat, and even compelled it to bow an uncommonly stiff neck to the licensing laws. Of such an institution the jubilee id, you will readily believe, a solemn occa~ sion. Hence the presence of Vice-royalty, of the General of the Forces, of Mr Bryce (the travelling Ambassador of Britain, to the | United Ststes), of the leaders of law, commerce, medicine, and" all else in the city. Hence a!so the magnificent costumes of the ladies, each and all of whom seemed to remember above all things the primary duty of honouring an exceptional occasion exceptionally. Six hundred guests were invited, and they appeared to have all come, if the tremendous crush is any indication of numbers, which proved far too much for the club house, even with its reinforcement of spaces added here and there with cunning devices of-architects learned in such, who had made verandahs and balconies develop unexpected capacity, and added an entire room in the adjacent air of noble proportions and splendid decoration known throughout the evening as the winter garden. Soft lamps gave radiance everywhere, flowers and plants beauty, and in every room there WBS comfort worthy the traditions of clubland, with many trophies of sport of which every club throughout the Empire is a special temple. And here were buffets with all sorts of cunning compounds. The official "set," of course, contained the Governor end Lady Islington, the' former dancing with Mts Judge Chapman, the latter with the president (Mr Martin Chapman). The Right Hon. Mr Bryce and Mrs Bryce and General and Mrs Gcdley were also included./ Her Excellency wore silver brocade, and was radiant in diamonds—taiare, necklace, earrings, and wide shoulder garniture, with a great pendant of aquamarine. Miss Stapleton Cotton w.a.9 in pale green satin charmeuse, with gold and Mrs JBryce in black ninon with draperies of lace on tunic and bodice. There were no uniforms, but the splendour and diversity, of the ladies' dresses gave a magnificent colour scheme nevertheless. There were many that stood out conspicuous. Several of white brocade for example, one especially trimmed with roses in pink and blue (jewelled) and draped with ninon. There was a cherry chiffon with a handsome arrangement of Honiton lace; a cerise satin with tunic of sapphire blue; a sulphur yellow with tunic of blue ninon ; a mauve tulle here, and there a flake of vivid green; a pale pink satin with crystal .embroideries; a remarkable dress of bright red brocade with gold thread tight fitting and slit up one side. But space bars further elaboration of details. Enough that there were very many lovely gowns. As was to be expected, there were many debutantes, something between 15 and 20, one was assured, all very pretty in simple white. Among them we noticed the two charming daughters of Mr Justice Chapman. The following day Mrs Leonard Tr'op received a large number of guests "At home." The hostess was in white, there was auite a collection of seal and other furs, with here and there a bright costume relieving the sombre effect.

a naKe 01 viviu green; a paie puxn. »»«u with crystal .embroideries; a remarkable dress of bright red brocade with gold thread tight fitting and slit up one side. But space bars further elaboration of details. Enough that there were very many lovely gowns. As was to be expected, there were many debutantes, something between 15 and 20. one was assured, all very pretty in simple white. Among them we noticed the two charming daughters of Mr Justice Chapman. The following day Mrs Leonard Tr'op received a large number of guests "At home." The hostess was in white, there was auite a collection of seal and other furs, with here and there a bright costume relieving the sombre effect. Mrs Scobie Mackenzie left here on Friday for South Africa to visit her sister. She travelled by the TJlimaroa. Mrs Corla Brown, of Dunedin, was a passenger by the same vessel. Mr and Mrs Roderick M'Kenzie left yesterday for Nelson. It is his pre-soH»ional tour, and she will accompany him throughout. The political gossips are on the qui vive. Mrs Malcolm Boss and Mrs Sfcapleton

Cotton entertained the inmates of the Girls' Friendly in kindly style in the lodge room on Thursday. , , , On Friday Miss Coatee received a number of friends to meet Mrs Snelson, of the Sydney Branch of the Victoria League. A meeting of the council of the Girls Peace Scouts is called for next week to elect office-bearers, and, I understand, to rearrange the basis of the movement. Owing to the narrowness of scope the movement has not been as widely popular in Wellington as its importance deserves. But those who have joined r.re very enthusiastic over their work and eloquent of the advantages and improvements they have.felt and experienced. With a wider appeal the movement is sure of splendid development. The Musical Union of Wellington tendered a benefit concert on Wednesday night to Mr Parker, who is resigning from concert work, in which he has been, a conspicuous figure for over 80 years here, besides some 10 or 15 in Christehurch. There was an immense house at the Town Hall, and the concert was under Vice-regal patronage. Mr Parker's reception was most cordial, and there were among the singers many old pupils and comrades of old days who have not been seen on a platform for years. _ The niece de resistance was Sullivan s setting of Longfellow's "Golden Legend." In this Miss Rosina Buckmann, the famous New Zealand soprano, was the bright point of success. The breakdown, through a sudden bad cold, of 'Mr Hamilton Hodges, who was cast for the part of Lucifer, detracted somewhat from a, in some respects, remarkably fine performance.

Sir Joseph Ward and family, who returned last Sunday from the south, are staying at the Royal Oak. Mr and Mrs Wood (late Bubi Seddon) were at last advices visiting his people in Ireland.