TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 55

TABLE TALK.

Monday Evening. A great influx of visitors from the country a<nd other centres are arriving in town for the first Winter Show since the signing of tho armistice and the D.J.C.'s winter meeting, and there is ever prospect of a very gay week.

General -Richardson inspected the Red Cross Convalescent Home at Montecillo on Monday afternoon, and gave a most interesting address on Eed Cross work in the billiard looni and lounge, in which visitors, nurses, and patients were assembled. The Home was gaily decorated with bunting, and the General was accompanied by Colonel Mcholls, Lieutenantcolonel Gabites, otheT officers, and Lieutenant Bidler, A.D.C. He was received by Miss Rattray (president),, Rev. Bryan King, Mesdames Butterworth, Ferguson, Fitchett, Miss "Williams, Miss MacMillan (matron), Messrs Bone, R. Glendining, andl E. P. Smith (members of'the executive). Mr King welcomed the General on behalf of tho Red Cross Society and the soldier patients. In his address General Richardson paid a high tribute to women's work in the war, and called for three cheers for the New Zealand Red Cross, which were heartily given by the soldiers. The largo number of members present and visitors were entertained at tea,, the Momington School Band contributed bright music, and three heartycheers were given for General Richardson as he motored off.

In the evening, tho Dunedin District Officers' dub, of which Lieutenant-colonel Chalmer entertained General Richardson at the Savoy. The large_ room was filled by a distinguished gathering of returned and Territorial officers, and a delightful time wa3 spent, after a number of toasts had been duly honoured and musical and elocutionary items contributed, in informal chat, and the pleasant reunion was enjoyed by all present.

An enjoyable luncheon party was given on board the Remuera by Captain Cameron on Monday. Among the guests were Mesdames Galbraith, Harman Reeves, MacArthur, Close, Captain and Mrs Doorly, Mr and Mrs Downton, the Misses Cook, M'Laan, Whitson, Sargoodl (2), Angus, and Mr Douglas Whitson.

A delightful dance was given on Tuesday evening by Dr and Mrs Lindo Ferguson at their residence, Wychwood, Anderson's Bay. Dr and Mrs Ferguson received their guests at the entrance to the ballroom, which was gaily decorated and brilliantly lighted, tuneful music baing supplied by Flint's Orchestra. Supper was served in the dining room, and tables arranged for bridge in the smoking room. Mrs Ferguson wore a handsome gown of yellow charmeuse trimmed with exquisite lace and diamond ornaments; Mrs Rattray, black charmeuse veiled in black net; Mrs Wolsley Kain, smart black tulle frock; Mrs Stanley Batchelbr, black silk and net; Mrs Sydney Neill, hydrangea blue charmeuse; Mrs Falla, becoming black gown; Mrs Sargood 1 , pastel blue satin trimmed with gold; Mrs H. _S. Fenwick, black charmeuse effectively trimmed with gold tissue; Mrs Edmond, madonna blue satin trimmed with jet; Mis3_ Cheeseman, turquoise blue . georgette; Miss Douglas, i'ade green georgette; Miss Rattray, leliotrope georgette veiled in pale blue; Miss Gallaway, black tulle; Miss Denniston, effective frock of peacock blue silk trimmed with bands of floral ribbon in Oriental tones; Miss E. Haggitt, amethyst ninon embrodered in silver; Miss Sargood, pale blue charmeuse, the short tnnk georgette tunio daintily beaded; Miss Kempthorne, black tulle; Miss Sise, royal blue figured silk; Miss Bridgeman, jade green georgette. Among the guests were Mesdames- Cheeseman, Grprdon Denniston, Mr and Mrs Didsbury, Mr and Mrs Oldham,,. Dr and Mrs Fitchett, the Misses Edmond, H. Sargood, Free, Allen, Sanderson, K. TJlrich, Stock, Holmes, Hanlon, Vickers, Warne, Ford, Hart, Captain Cornwall, Captain Rattray, Messrs Haggitt (2), Mansell, Gilkison, Hilton; Cutten, C. W. Rattray, Davidson, Irvine, Whitson, Sim, Wallis, Edmond, Sawell, Shand, S. Neill, Ward, and Dr Stanley Batchelor. At the conclusion of an enjoyable evening "Auld Lang Syne" was sung, and three hearty cheers given for Dr and Mrs Ferguson and the returned soldiers present, in whose honour the dance was given.

A pleasant social meeting of the parishioners of All Saints' Church was held In the schoolroom on Wednesday evening- in honour of ther forthcoming- marriage of the curate, Rev. F. V. Fisher, and Miss Enid Fulton, which takes place this week. Dean Fitchett presented the Rev. Mr Fisher with a grey suede bag containing ia substantial purse of sovereigns, contributed by the congregation. Tho other speakers, Canon Curzon-Sigßers and Mr S. T. Mirams (churchwarden), conveyed the best wishes of the parishioners to Mr Fisher and Miss Fulton, and in replying Mr Fisher paid a graceful tribute to tho valuable "work done in tho parish by Sister Elizabeth. A musical programme followed, contributed by Missee Smith, G-. Mirams, Butler, N: Fulton, Messrs Lilly, IST. Fulton, C. R. Allen, and H. Black. Supper was handed roimd, the singing of "Auld Lang Syno" and tho National Anthem, bringing an enjoyable evening to a close-.

Mrs George Roberts entertained some friend's at tea at her residence, Whltelea, on Friday afternoon to meet her guest, Mra Hay. Among those present were Mesdamea Holds-worth, Edmond, jcSutterworth, G. Ritchie, and the Mnsses Stewart, Mill (2), C. Williams, Bridgcman, Neill, Sise. On Friday evening an enjoyable picture party was given at the Empire by Mrs A. A). Finch, followed, by supper at the Savoy. Among the guests were the Missea Free, Allen, Edmond, Roberts, Gallaway, Laidlaw, Neill, Cheeseman, Hazlett, Bridgeman, and B. Haggitt, and Messrs Sinclair (2) Irvine, Bridgeman (2), Edmond, "Wallis, Haggitt, Sim (2), Wilson e-nd Captain Ziealer. - colonel Eardley Fenwiok,

N.Z.M.0., and Mrs Fenwick (nee Mis* Alison Bartloman), who returned to the Do* minion by the Tofua on Thursday after an absence of eight years, are the guests c& Mrs George Fenwick, Mornington. Captain Max Rarnsay, N.Z.M.C., and Mm Ramsay also returned by the Tofua, and are the gue&ts of Mrs Ramsay, Albert street. Mrs Laidlaw (Matakanui) is the guest ol Mrs J. M. Gallaway (Musselburgh) for Show Week, and Miss Laidlaw is Staying with Mrs George Roberts (Whitelea). Miss Marion Scott (Chmtchurch) is th« guest of Mks Gibbs (Manor place). Mrs Petre and Miss Gertrude Petro ar* visiting Rotorua at presfflit. Miss Webster and Miss G. Webster left for Wellington on Tuesday. Mrs Hay (Temuka) is the guest of Mr« George Roberts (Whitelea). Brigadier - general Richardson, 0.8., C.M.G., accompanied by his A. D. 0., Lieu* tenant Ridler, left for the north on Wednesday. „- Mre J, M. Begg and Mrs Fraser amd family, Pukeawa, left last week for Timaru, where they intend spending the winter. lISPVERCARGILL, June 2. Dr and Mrs Wilkins are staying at Th« Grand at present. Mrs R. H. Hogg returned from a visit to Stewart Island last week. Mrs W. Saunders returned from the north last week. Sister A. Searell is spending a holiday in Auckland. Mr and Mrs S. "Gardner are the gue»t» of Mrs Pilcher. • / OAMARU, June 2. Mrs Roy Mitchell has returned from Dunedin. Mrs and the Misses Fenwick (Maraeweka) left last Monday for the North, en route for England. Mi- and Mrs Burry have returned from Christchurch. Mrs Moore (Wellington), who was th« guest of Mrs Whitton, has returned hornet Major Mao Donald, M.C., who was visiting l Mr and Mrs J. A. R. Scott, has gone north. Mr Harold Preston, who has been on active service, returned home last week. : Miss Marjorie Whitton is homo from Dunedin for the holidays. Miss Miiriel Webb (]>unedm), who waa staying with Mrs Pochin, has returned home. Miss Haines is visiting Dunedin. Miss Meta Ftillarton, who was the guest of Mrs Darling, has returned home.

TIMARU, May 81. Mrs W. C. Raymond (Nile street) has returned from Wanganui. The Bev. T. M. Curnow and Mrs Curnow, who were at Stutchbury House, return to Christchurch to-day. Mrs Matheson (Tighnafeile) andl the Misse* Matheson. left this week for Napier, whera they will spend the- winter. Mrs Milner (Oamaru) is staying at th* Hydro Grand. Miss F. Dixon (Woodbury) is staying with Mrs Priest (Bank street). Mrs 0. J. LeCren (Sefton street) has r«» turned from Rotorua. Mrs Elworthy (Christchurch) and. Mis* Elworthy are staying at the Hydro Grand. Mrs F. J. LsOren (Seaview terrace) haa returned from Oamaru. .•: Mrs Bernard Tripp (Orielton) is at present in Christchurch. - * On Thursday evening the Wai-iti Tennis Club gave a most enjoyable dance in tho Caroline Bay Hall. Some of thoso. present were Mesdamee Wood, Cox, Rsvell, Bendy, Misses Rattray, Pigott, Goodman, Clksold, Laidlaw, Rattray, Hay, LeCren, Wright, and. Messrs P. D. Jones,' Bishop, Lodge, Aspm-.' all, O'Callaghan, Shallcrass, Olissold, and Goodman. ■ ■. f " ■' BLENHEIM, May 27. On. Thursday evening last in St. Patriokja? Hall, in honour of their daughter's wed-: ding, Mt and Mrs* E. Rutherford, of' KJekorangu, entertained a number of guests by means of a dance. The floor was in good order, excellent musio was supplied by Perry's Orchestra, and a recherche supper was tastefully arranged on a long table in the supper roomi, and consequently dancing was resumed in a most enjoyable manner until the early hours of Friday morning. Mrs E. Moore wore e prune-coloured charmeuse gown; Mrs (Christchurch),. black ninon over glace silk; and Mis* Rutherford l looked well in blue charmeusev Others present were: Mrs Howard, black glace silk with hinon; Mrs CrossleyDampier (Christchurch), white oharmeuse; Mrs Good (Rangiora), black corded silk; Mrs Lissaman, black taffeta; Mrs Trewin, white satin; Mrs Hardy, black ninon; Mrs W. Trolove, floral ninon over silk; Mrs Noble-Adams, pale pink taffetas.; Mrs Bennett, black mnon over white satin; Mrs Latter, black ninon over silk; Miss Vale, pink crepe de chsne; Miss Mowat, yellow crepe de chine; Miss Trolove (Nelson), black silk; Miss Townshend, black ninon over glace silk; Miss Amuri Neville, yellow ninon blouse, black taffeta skirt; Miss Marie Lightfoot, pale blue net over silk; Mis 3 Good (Rangiora), white tucked ninon over silk; Miss P. Vavasour, white net, prettily flounced; Miss B. Vavasour, black net, flounced; MissZ. Clouston, creme frock with, gold trimmings; Miss Loughna-n, yellow crepe de chine; "Miss.C Clouston, aaso blue silk; Miss I. Wolferstan, white ninon over silk; Miss L. Wolferstan, black velvet; Miss K. Barnett, black crepe de chine; Misa Chapman, black ninon over cerise; Miss "Wilberfoss (Wellington), black ninon over silk; Messrs Rutherford, Trewin, Good, Reid, Paris, Fisher, Adams, Moore Williams (Christchurch), Howard, Hardy, Vava-. sour, Drs Bennett and Adams, etc. There was a large attendance at the first*. honorary band members' concert on Tuesday evening at His Majesty's Theatre. Those who took part were Misses F. Penney, D. Sharp, O. Neill, Messrs Len Barnes (Wellington), Roscvraine, E. Marsh, S. Brewer, Hale, and choruses by the Blenheim Operatic Society, from "Tho Gondalierß." Among the audience I noticed Mr and Mrs J. Sharp, Mr and Mrs T. Railing, Captain, and Mrs Hardy, Mrs Corry, Mr and Mrs C. Mills, Mrs B. Lester, Mrs E. Rose, Mrs L. Clouston, Mr and Mrs Wilcox, Mrs Lightfoot, Mrs Innes. Mrs Barlow (Morrinsville), Dr and Mrs Noble-Adams, Mrs Bennett, Mrs Burden, Mrs Revell, MJrs E. Ball, etc. Mr and Mrs E. Rutherford, who have been, staying at the Criterion Hotel, ha« returned to K/ebc-rangu.

Mr and Mrs Williams (Christchurch), who were last weok the gnosis of Mrs H. Howard, in" Maxwell road, have returned. f Miss A. Corry is visiting Wellington. Mrs Barlow (Morrinsville), who has been visiting Thurston, has returned. Miss Irene Horton is staying with Mrs A. Bell down the Sounds. Mrs P. Monro (St. Andrews) has returned from a short visit to Wellington. Miss Wilcox lias returned from, a short tfisit to Wellington. Miss Marie Lightfoot has returned from an enjoyable visit to New Plymouth. Miss Cheeseman i 3 the guest of Mrs T. V. Belling, in Maxwell road. The engagement is announced of Miss

Pearl Fairweather, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs E. Fairweather (Yelverton), to Mr j H. E. Loo, ycungest son of Mr A. D. Loe, ! of Blenheim. WELLINGTON, May 80. Dr Agnes Bennett, who recently arrived here, and is resting before starting work again, had some interesting experiences to ■ j relate of her time in Serbia with the Scot- ! tish Women's Hospital work. The most j interesting of these are her account of the j advance of the hospital with which she was . connoctcd in the wake of the victorious Serbian army which got' back first into Serbian territory after the victory of the Salonika forces; and the arrival in England i after tho armistice. Of the first the most

| interesting point to New Zeakmders concerna I the Pioneer Club of Wellington, for the i timely arrival of the club's donation to the ! Serbian Rod ' Cross causa enabled the unit with which Dr Agnes Bennett was serving' to promptly follow the advance, through the purchase of the special motor ambulance lorry ordered from America' It really was a very important; service, and ike unit was immensely glad of it, and very thankful, of course. The journey from the coast inland to London after the armistice was remarkable for the enthusiasm shown everywhere as the train with the returning members of the unit passed. The whole country round the various railway stations was wild with joy, and the stunts of the flying men, who at times accompanied the train, were wonderful and exciting to behold. I The Governor-general and Lady Liverpool were present last night at the performance of the highly original "phantasy" "The Three Doors" —a very appropriate appellation indeed for a charming production of danoing, recitals, and scenic effects at the Opera. House by Mrs Hannah and the pupils of Miss Gladys Campbell. The doors were the doors of Happines, Beauty, and Fairyland, all appropriately and very originally treated and presented, and they were followed by the quarrel scene of the fairies from "Midsummer 'Night's Dream" —a truly I wonderful performance. There was a I crowded house. The "phantasy" is to be j repeated on a three nights' run. The proI ceeds are in aid of the Free Kindergarten i of Wellington. 1 The dancing studio of Miss Saunders was I on Saturday the scene of some bright exhij bitions in aid of the war memorial to the I old boys of the school who fell in the war. | The girls of the Fifth Standard did the bulk i of the work of dancing and singing and instrumental music, under the superintendence of Miss Saunders.

■ AUCKLAND, May 28. The centenary of the birth of the late Queen Victoria was marked by an interesting ceremony carried out by the Auckland branch of the Victoria League, when a beautiful wreath was placed l at the, foot of the statue in Albert Park by the executive and leading members of the league. Mr W. J. Napier, who is president, performed the ceremony. The Maori race was represented by Mr Whare Ngahana. Visitors at present staying at the Grand Hotel include Mr and Mrs C. E. Teschemaker .(Blenheim), Mr and Mrs D. Tonks (Hawera), Mr and Mrs A. M'Kellar and Miss Hay (Christchurch), and Mr and Mrs Hugh Campbell (Hawke's Bay). A marriage which has lately taken place at St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, has been that of Miss Elsie Vera Fry (late of the nursing staff of the Auckland Hospital) and Dr Victor Rylands Nicholson, Dunedin. The Rev. Archdeacon MaoMmray officiated. The bride; who was given away by her uncle, Mr Thomas Fly, of Otorohanga, wore a beautiful frock of embroidered georgette, with veil of tulle and wreath of orange blossoms. Miss Wynne Fry (cousin) was the only bridesmaid, and she wore a pretty frock of orepe de chine in an uncommon shade of blue and smart black hat. Dr R. B. Hall was best man.

We are having dances one after another in Auckland, and as there were practically none held during those sad years of war their revival has been heralded with" great enthusiasm..

Mrs Robert Rose was most successful in the giving of. a dance last week at her home in Remuera road. There were lota of partners, and the floor and the music excellent. The hostess was wearing . a pretty black georgette frock, and the only daughter of the house (who is to malt© her debut this winter) a dainty dress of palest green net. Amongst the guests were • the Misses Kitty and Margery 01-ark, Miss Marnie Buckleton, Miss Horton, Miss Otway, Mrs Sidney Thorn© George, Miss Muriel Pay ton, Miss Phyllis Bloomfield, Miss Marian Macfarlane, Miss Margot Bloomfield, and Miss Freda Rathbone, etc. - . Mrs F. Rayner also gave a dance during the past week at Moose Lodge, the charming home of the hostess in Mountain road, Epsom. Amongst the guests were Mrs Vail©, wearing a frock in a pretty shad© of pink;* Mrs Norman Hanna, black georgette; Miss Ruby Coleman, rose pink charmeuse, softened with lace; Mrs Percy Hunt (Hamilton), cream charmeuse, with tunic of floral broCadei; Miss Tola, blaok georgette; Mrs Arthur Rhind, blue brocade and frilled lace underskirt; Miss Beryl Wilson, pal© pink georgette'; Miss Betty Shannon, white silk; and Miss K. Hunter-Brown (Napier), blaok net. The hostess wore a distinctive frock of pale grey georgette and charmeuse, with a wide border of beaver fur, the same finishing appearing 'on 4 th© decolletage. Mrs Nuckie (California, and who is at present the guest of Mrs Rayner) was wearing a becoming frock of black georgette. Cargen dances are always enjoyable, and that given last week proved no exception to the rule. Miss Freda Wake wore a pretty frock in a pale shade of blue; Miss Una Buddie, black net with effective touches of embroidery; Miss Phyllis Bloomfield, white; Miss Mackintosh (Dunedin), pale mauve; Mrs J. Martin (nee Miss Beryl Goring, Masterton), a much-admired frock of heliotrope taffeta, with underskirt of -lace, and the decolletage softened with tulle; Miss Violet Izard (Nelson), white georgette, with touches of lace and s.titchery; Mrs C. Pearce (Wellington), black; Miss Rita Ashton, black and gold; Miss Batchelor (Nelson), an uncommon shade of blue; and Mrs Athol Mills, black georgette with veiled floral ribbon.

The Hon. T. M. Wilford with Mrs and Miss Wilford are at the Grand Hotel, havingl arrived to meet. Captain •G. M'Lean Wilford and Mrs Wilford, who are also staying there. Mrs and Miss K. Hunter-Brown (Hawke's Bay), who have been etaying at the Grand, have left for Rotorua.