A WOMAN'S LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8177, 9 July 1906, Page 3

A WOMAN'S LETTER.

(Specially Written for the Age).

WELLINGTON, Saturday. This month indeed promises *o be .6 gay one as far as balla are concerned, but up till now things have been hopelessly dull. The race ball on the 12th is being much looked forward to, especially by those fair, blooming maidens who are to mnke their uebut. Ouo showed me her frock, which, is a dream of girlish perfejtion, beino; white chiffon em broidered in trailing rosabui design over a.ionudatiou uf white glace silk, the bodice ia BOft and simply made, being trimmed with douioold Limerjoklace. Another beautiful gown to be worn on this occasion (not by a debuntanie), is composed of russet brown silk chiffon made over an underskirt of deep-stink silk; boidening tbe hem of the gown are trails of pinkohitfou roses and greeu stoma .and leavee, coming from the back and getting slightly higher .to.wards the front, fiuisbing either '•side of the front oreadth. This same graceful trimming fiuisbes the bodioe, which is cut low on the The annual ball of the Royal New Zealand Artillery follows on the 13th of July. Go the 19th tbe Wellington College Old Buys' iu to eventuate, and thd Stai' Boating Club, wbiob is always a most delightful dance, and this y«ar will be Braced by the presence of Lord PJunket, frakeß plaoeouJuly 20th. There is a whisper of a large private dance to be given in the Sydney Street hall early next month by a very popular Wellington hostess. At present it is only a wnitper. The* second of the Cinderella dances given by a committee of Hutt ladies last Tuesday night was a most enjoyable function. > Quite a large number of .guests .tent out fronii town by special train. ; The Drill flail w%s brightly festooned with, flags and native greenery, ' whilst., the decorations auggested springy quantities of jonquils being arranged in silver bowls. Amongst tbe jguestß were Mesdames Purdy, ; Peaaie, Jones, Barlthorp, Barraud,' Maoolmson, Allan, and the Misses Elliott, Tulhurst, Lukin, Linsard, rieotor, Hickson, Lambert, Smith, Bodmin, Brandon, Poster, Johnston,' Stnart, ForbeP, Humphrey, Jackson, Menteath; Mill?, and Tiegear. Dt J. S. Purdy, of the Hutt, who is expected here this month on leave of absence, holds a very !responsible, but moat interesting position in the Egyptian Quarantine service at Port Said. Quite recently Dr Purdy bad charge £of four hospitals at the Pilgrimage Camp at El Tor, on tbe Bed Sea, during whioh time his experiences were most unique. , Miss Donah Fitzgerald has returned from her visit to Rangitikei, and intends leaving for a trip to England by the Athenio. Mr A. Pearoe leave on Saturday for a three/! months' visit to Japan. Others also leaving shortly for the East are Mr and Mrs Cotter, of Grey town. Miss Lois Menteath has gone to Ohristohuroh for several weeks. Mrs S. Preeoe (Paimerston;, has returned after an enjoj able holiday in Wellington. Mr Bathe Brandon is shortly expected from England. Bis sister, MissiFlora Brandon, is in Sydney to meet him. e> Tbe engagement is announced of Miss Bessie Hickson, younger daigbter of Mr C St. G. Hickson, to Mr G. Keeble, Wellingtun representative for Messrs Abraham and Williams, of Paimerston. Mrs Riddiford has issded invitations for a dance on Tuesday. Mrs E. ,Goleridge is giving a small dance at tbe Vicarage as a farewell to her brother, Mr Maurice Sprott, who leaves for England next month. A moßt enjoyable euchre party, and danoe was given by the Wellington Lawn Tennis Club on Thursday laat, when a great number of guests were present. To those girls who are clever enough to make their own clothes sewing becomes quite a fascinating occupation. Blouses especially with their pretty little touches of laoe and insertion always, repay tbe labour expended on them. French knots make an exceedingly nice finish to any garment, and coat collars seem .particularly adapted for the purpose. I noticed a smart little coat a day or two ago which had collars and cuffs of cream velvet simply powdereo. with French knots in black. Tbey seemed to salt the scheme exactly and were most unaommon looking. The long American coat which is so smart and comfortable looking for the winter season is quite the favourite, but the shorter batqued coat, ijhe bolero, and tbe sacque will all be just as fashionable and much worn in the coming season. One difference though, in the style of bolero. Those will be made with cape-line epaulettes out in one with the bolero, whioh is rounded, so that the blouse worn beneath has the appearance of a yoke. Tbe bolero may or may not meet in front, but in no case are the edges wide anart. A shaped circular rjoHar finishes the edge of the bolero.

Miss Alice Hollander baa been obliged to refuse one of tbe biggest offers ever made to an Australian artist—an American contractor forty-two weeks at £BO per week —owing to ber present English engagement which the direotors of the Syndicate H alia, base, declined to release her from. •

la place of the necklace of pearls Bills in Paris are wearing the necklace of gold beads, tbe larger ones being in the front and tlae smaller oaes towards the back. The beeda are of a rather softly dulled gold and are very attractive. I Some of the'gold buttons which oruament blouses, dresses and coats are hardly larger iu =iize than b piu's head, but they are used generously, 60 that;.they make up iu number any thing lacking in proportions. These hame wee buttons are seen on lam vests and lace sleeve rufflles. Among the novelties introduced at Home last wiuter were t'<e skeleton heels. These take the form of an open filigree of gold and silver made iu the shape of a heel, and intended to be slipped on over the heel proper and faotened with little flanges. J&very care is taken to make tnem as light as possible and the appearance of these aocespories in conjunction with slippers of white or light-onl-ouied satin ir thought to bo extremely effective. For a correct account of the latest fashions in bats it would be advisa ble to look through some old books of.tbe beginning of last century. Tbe only hats seen!in Paris just now are the "Watteau" with a round crown and narrow edge, "Louis XV." sailors with high crowns; "Consulates," small round toques; "Direotoirei," "1819,"; all;trimmed so elaborately as to modify completely their original characteristics.