A WOMAN'S LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7973, 26 February 1906, Page 3

A WOMAN'S LETTER.

(Specially Written for the Wairarapa 4ge).

WELLINGTON, February 24. Although we,seemed to have bud but little warm weather the sales wbiob toll the knell of departing summer are now over, and the woman who loves a bargain has enjoyed the fray. Next week the shop windows will be deoked out in fresh array, and the woman of fashion is wondering what Madame la Mode has In store for her. Already we are feeling the need of our winter coats. These are to be worn full length, reaching to the hem of the skirt, and a closely-fitting back. The most k fashionable are of checked tweed. Oo doubt this ffisbiou of lone coats' is duo indirectly to motoring; but from whatever cause, it will be warmly welcomed, as there is no doubt our climate ia getting culder year, I __ _ n- "-■•-* Tailor suits will be indispensable \~- oostumes for walking purposes, and there will be no great revolution in shape this autumn. Simplicity is still the Parisienno's banner for all costumes to bo worn in % tho streets, and yet the quoation'of the moment is how to make them. Fashion has decided in favour of the three-quarter coat witb. the basque only at the back. Charming gowns are being made with velvet bedioes of this description, and more tor lees elaborate waistcoats, with a lace jabot of some kind. Veils over the hat and tied in a broad bow under the chin, with long ends, aro till to be worn. White chiffou is charming, but when the colder weather sets in, becoming shades of brown, red, grey and green will be seen, and we shall bo glad of the protection they offer especially when travelling. Velvet, soft o'/texture and varied in colours, is evidently to be an important factor in this season's millinery. Shore is a quiet richness about the millinery, and no Jack of variety in shapes or trimmings. Some of the bats are entirely made of velvet; others hato fur crowns and lace brims. Many other novel combinations aro amongst the important models. Marabouet hats are another novelty. These are trimmed with a paradise plume only. The small button mushroom which is so popular and Becoming, is, also, appearing in a wintery line of bats, Navy fait or straw in this shape, swathed witb a suitable silk scarf, tbe ends loosely at the back, several inches in length, looks very smart on a tail wearer. Though our weather, hag prohibited all functions, sucn as garden parties, etc., it is still interestling to read of them taking place in other countries. A Japanese garden party, given in Australia, by the Consul for Japan, and Mrs Swasaki, at which they entertained about 200 guests, must have been very quaint, and pretty. The bouse and grounds were, gaily decorated witb flags, two large Japanese flags being draped across the entrance gate, and, numerous other ensigns were flying from a flagstaff erected on the lawn. The host and hostess, who received their guests on the lawn, were drtssed in their national costume. General Swasaki wore a black overcoat of orope-de-chine, witb a blue collar and the family coat of arms shown in white (like a large-sized button) on tbe black ground, and his underskirt was of biown silk. Madame Swasaki wore a beautiful olack crepo-de-chine kimona which shaded to palest grey at the foot; it was, also, embroidered with the family coat of arms, and had a white collar (the sign of full dress). Her obi was of handsome pale heliotrope and black and silver brocade, the crimson fringe of her fan and purse being tbe only bright colour in the costume; she, also, wore a diamond and ornament round her neck and a small white sptia bow in her hair. Refreshments were served on the lawn, where amall tables and chairs were placed, but most of tbe guests preferred to sit on tbe grass. Tbe Swasakis' infant son. "Takuo," age 7 months, came in for a ■ great amount of admiration, and looked most picturesque, wearing a tiny Tbe principal attraction was the grand display of fireworks, every five minutes. The first rocket, when it burst, displayed the Japanese national flag, thou foli lowed red and blue dragons, "Golden bells," "butterflies, "olum blossoms," "in a shower of rain," and many other things. The entertainment must have been quaint and interesting. It seems to bo the fashion for star actresses to carry their pets about with them, wherever they go, and to always insist that the latter shall be tended with extreme care. Miss Maud Jeffrey's poodle was a terror to hotelkeopersj but tho troubles they underwent on its account were nutking to thoir worries when Miss littell Jtfrune is travelling. That warmhearted young actress insists upon taking three dogn about with her, and seeing that they got the best of everything. Consequently a united groau, whenever the botelkeepers, witb previous experience, read that some well-meaning but misguided admiror, baa banded to Miss Bruno, across ttio footlights, a delicately nurtured puppy, in a basket. Tho inventive genius of a man is continually giving to us some new labour-saving apparatus for the household, yet tho "Merely Mary Ann" of Now ZcnlFind aro not satisfied atul tho more consideration shown them, tho more ungrateful tbey appear. One Wellington lady, who was recovering from an operation, wasordeiecl away for.acbaoge. A few days had passed, when she received word to tbo effect that her three maids bad levanted in a body; consequently, she had to return to town and spend her much needed holiday in a registry office, and after securing a fresh trio, return with them to see them domiciled and started on their new duties. Another case I heard of was where two maids bad been left in obarge of

a house while the family were at the seaside. These domestics simply departed, not even troubling to tell anyone, or say where the keys were left.