THE LADIES

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 59, 29 October 1881, Page 104

THE LADIES

[We Bhall be glad to receive from lady contributors descriptions of new walking, costumes, ball- dresses, &c, which are worn in Queen - street or at social reunions ; also particulars of any very striking dresses worn in the Waikato, at tho Thames, or in other towns where the Observer circulates. All communications considered strictly confidential. Address — Editor of Observer, Auckland.]

— Mrs Whifcaker is just recovering from a severe attack of rheumatism. When convalescent she will visit the hot springs at Waiwcra Hotel. — It is claimed for the latest tiling out in Bonanza heiresses that she is a gonius,, that she is an admirer of poetry, that sho is extremely eccentric, and that she has recorded a vow to marry no man unadorned by a beard reaching to his knees. — It is one of the first principles of dress that a washing fabric shall not bo made up in combination with a material that will not wash. The recent London season has seen this principle utterly thrown over and made nothing of. Sateen and satin have been inado up together, and cotton dresses havo beon trimmed with velvet and silk. This is the begining of innovations which, if not checked by the intervention of good taste, may result disagreeably. — Our old friend Lady Martin is at present staying with Mrs Selwyn at the Cathedral Close, Lichfield. Near thorn lives Bishop Abraham, their constant visitor and counsellor. Mrs Selwyn, though now nearly seventy years of age. is well and active in good works, and Lady Martin is still indefatigable. This re-union of these two ladies, both widows of great and good men friendß for so long in tho Antipodes, has in it something both affecting and cheering. — Here is a dress of Colonial manufacture than ■which nothing prettier or better could be made in Paris. Skirt and bodice of dark wallflowerred serge, of the softest make. A scarf of similar material, with a ground of dark red, and a slight check of salmon-colour and red, crosses the front, and is gracefully looped and draped at theback. A mantle of the checked material, lined with the plain red, fits closely to the waist at the back, and is trimmed round all the edges with thick, rich chenille fringe of the dark wallflowerred — a delicious shade, with a plentiful dash of brown in it. The bonnet is of dark red silk, with brown leaves and dark red and salmon-colour Michaelmas daisies. — The ladies comprising the Church Aid Working Society of All Saints', Ponsonby, must really be complimented on the work they have already achieved. By their means, a carpet of a very handsome design has been purchased for the space inside the communion rails, the ground being crimson, and the pattern of black fleur de lis. Mrs Pirie has worked the altar cloth, which. is of crimson velvet embroidered with white lilies and leaves. The cushions outside the altar rails, which comprise a length of seven yards and a half, are being embroidered in passion flowers by Mrs Eden. By these means the eastern or upsidal end of All Saints', which for a long time has been in a very dingy and dilapidated condition (the old carpet having a hole in it which was really dangerous), will before Christmas be renovated and brightened, and be more in keeping with the character of those services which should have all things in order. — Apropos of Church sorvices, an innovation of a very pleasing kind has been introduced at Home. I allude to the fruit and flower services lately held in London, where amongst many others the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales went up to tho altar with their offerings of fruit and flowers, which immediately after the service were distributed amongst the various hospitals. Might not our clergymen take a hint from this, and when the summer season sets in inaugurate these services. Our hospitals would be none the worse in the hot season for a little fruit and a few flowers. — A London correspondent writes : — " Brocaded plush is one of the handsomest novelties produced for the autumn and winter dress campaign.. The flowers and leaves of the design are raised in a thick plush pile upon a ground of silk or satin. The effect is wonderfully soft, and the more so as the different textures, plush and satin, give almost the effect of two nearly approximate shades to th* colour. This brocaded plush is best in a rather large design, such as roses and loaves. In smaller patterns it is less effective. It is to bo produced in all colours, and in the darker ones will be much used for dress trimmings and mantles. The latter will be lined with quilted satin, as the plush is particularly light and soft. I have seen a brown satin dress trimmed with this material in the same colour. The front breadth was covered with a cascade of narrow satin flounces, and over, these, on either side, fell a long panel of the brocaded plush, perfectly plain, except that at the edge of the dress a narrow satin flounce was just, visible. At the back of each plush panel was a second cascade of tiny satin flounces, about two inches in breadth at the hips, but widening towards the feet with the width of the skirt. The back, made with abundance of room for the crinolette, consisted on three long ends of kilt-plaited satin, falling over each other, the longest reaching to the edge of the small flounces round the skirt. The bodice was of satin, pleated in front in a becoming fashion, which imparted 1 apparent additional width to the chest, while diminishing the size of the waist in appearance. The basques were of brocaded plush, and a prettily-shaped collar of the same adorned the neck. — A very serious state of affairs is now existing in the Parish of All Saints', to which an end should speedily be put by those in authority. Most people know that the Sunday before last the Rev. Mr Bree fainted in the pulpit, and that this faintness was caused by paralysis of the heart's action. He has been told by his medical advisers that the excitement of preaching i 3 had for him. Now, these facts being known to the parishonere, it is natural to suppose that they were very much, alarmed. It was evident that something must be done, either to induce Mr Bree fo resign, or to materially to lighten his labours ; and as the latter course was known to be the most agreeable

to him, with whom much sympathy was felt, the vestry had resolved, at the meeting held last week, to make a proposition of this kind most favourable to Mr Bree. Mr Boardman (just elected to fill Mr Jakin's vacant place) was picked upon to bring forward the motion. But unhappily, just before the meeting, the rev. incumbent had been badly advised by the archdeacon. Consequently, after a few words from Mr Upton, who •was about to introduce Mr Boardman and the motion, Mr Bree made a most aggravating speech, which so upset Mr Boardman that he got up and went out, and which so annoyed the vestry that they will take no. further steps in the matter. Now, as this vestry represents the intelligence of the parish, and is a thoroughly good one, this is a very unfortunate state of affairs. The matter .rests thus : Mr Edwards has at present offered to ■assist Mr Bree without remuneration either from the clergyman or the Parish ; yet, in spite of this, the incumbent preached twice. Now, in Mr Edwards, the people of All Saints' have, without .searching, a clergyman ready made to their hands. He is a man in the prime of life, with a magnifi--cent voice, winning manners, who reads well and jareaches well, and possesses almost every qualification for a successful parish priest. "We feel quite •certain that the people of All Saints' are prepared to deal most liberally with Mr Bree, but certainly the people themselves deserve a little consideration. That large and important cure of souls needs a man's work done in it. It is rumoured that unless some change shortly takes place, •another church will be built, and the parish be split up into two. Now, this would be madness. The united parish could raise funds to pay :a thoroughly good minister, and pension very handsomely the present incumbent. Divided, "would they have funds enough to pay two even indifferent clergymen ? Union is strength, •division weakness. If Mr Bree would call the vestry together and deal openly with them, he would find all things made smooth for him. .Mr Edwards cannot go on unremunerated for any length of time. The parish could not suffer it. How would it be to call a meeting and ask the .Bishop to preside ? Beneath the presidency of his calm and well adjusted mind, order might be ■evoked out of this chaos.