LIFE IN THE CITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8327, 19 December 1905, Page 6

LIFE IN THE CITY.

Life is a journey; on we go Through many a scene of joy and woo

A Charming Fete—Meal Surroundings— Dancing 'on the Lawn — Picturesque Frocl-s—The Latest Modes—Skirts and Sleeves—An Evening Garden Party — About the Camp Fire—Little Mart/— Two Stars—Barrie, the Play v: right— Miss Winifred Fraser—Landscapes and Children.

Two most delightful entertainments were given last week by Mr and Dr. Platts-Mills in their beautiful grounds, in Karori. On Wednesday, an At Home took place there in delightful weather, so sunny and calm that summer frocks were much in evidonce, and made tho loveliest flecks of colour on the lawns and among the magnificent shrubberies. Woollahra—Mr Mills , proportj used to be a tea-garden, in the old days, and a'great place for honeymoon couples. The grounds are fascinating, abounding with picturesque walks, bordered with 2ft. box borders, little ponds with water-lilies, and a lake with an island in the centre. There is a hill, too, covered with natural bush, threaded by paths that twist and turn till the summer-house at tho top is reached. The living house is old-fashioned, but MiMills has made it comfortable and preserved its picturesqueness. On Wednesday afternoon a string band played delightfully. Refreshments, including quantities of delicious strawberries, were served from a large marquee. Miss Putnam, during the afternoon, danced most charmingly, posturing and pirouetting, and using a long red chiffon scarf to heighten the effect. She wore a • short white frock, and the most piquant of red shoes and stockings. Among those present was Miss Winifred Fraser, of the Brough-Flemming Co., in white with lace capes, and a shady hat wreathed with yellow roses and having a lace curtain at the back. The hostess wore a most becoming champagne-tinted muslin over pale-blue, with a pale-blue belt, and a large black picture hat. Some of the prettiest gowns worn were blue. A lacecloth in this colour had the trailing skirt made with three French folds—these are in high favour at present — and the bodice opening back and front over a lace vest. A blue crepe de chine had the frills on the skirt falling over loops of black velvet, and the deep yoke all silk rallies and rows of lace. The taffetas frocks were lovely. Mrs Mills wore a Home silk, opal-tinted, with a pretty painted chiffon scarf over her shoulders. Mrs Hales had on a most becoming navy-blue silk, and Miss Partridge was in bronze taffetas, a large rhou of emerald-green chiffon finishing the bodice.

The new skirts are very little trimmed, and depend on the beauty of their material. Tiny ruches of the silk are sometimes laid on in curving patterns or true-lover's knots along the foot of the skirt, or French folds are deftly manipulated. But insertions and lace trimmings are rarely seen, though lace nearly always is used on the bodice. Every second bodice opens over a lace vest. Sometimes this is seen, in a V-shape, down to the waist, or consists of a deep transparent yoke. A. charming vest was made of net, covered with rows of Valenciennes, edging slightly frilled, the collar-band having a little rullle on either side of the same lace. The newest sleeves are the French elbow sleeves, and are gathered from shoulder to elbow, and also at the inside seam. They are finished by a small ruffle lying against the sleeve, and another falling over the arm, a band of embroidery or lace dividing the two. Long gloves are necessary with these abbreviated sleeves.

Another function—this time an evening garden-party—was given by the same hostess. This was mainly for younger people, and the invitations were couched in old English, and included a warning not to wear too thin clothes or light shoes. It was a most original entertainment. Chinese lanterns were hung about the walk?, a band played among the trees, and " Sir Roger de Coverley" was danced on the lawn. But the most delightful feature was a huge camp-fire lit in a clearing on the hill. Immense pine trees surrounded the opening, and the pine-needles made a most luxurious carpet. There ths guests gathered and enjoyed some very fine music, Mr Ballance and Mr Can , singing most delightfully, Mr Reuben Watts playing the banjo and singing, and Mr Butljr and Mrs Malcolm Ross reciting.' The glow of the fire revealed new faces' in th? shadowy aisles of tree trunks, and the rjtl sparks flew up among the network of branches over-head, while the choruses rang out with a hearty will from the many voices. Supper was served in a tent and hugely enjoyed, and about midnight a procession of loaded 'buses carried the guests to town. It was a most adventurous and highly successful enter-

tainment

" Little Mary " is all that was expected of her, piquant, whimsical, and sympathetic, with a moral so delicately conveyed that no offence need be felt. It is certainly the play that Mr Brough and Miss Fraser shine most in. It suits the former, with his indolent drawl, and his naturally cynical melancholy expression that is so transformed by a smile, marvellously well, and Miss Fraser, little and dainty and graceful, looks only fourteen in the prologue, and acts with extreme charm to the end. The hits in the play were received with great laughter, and keenly appreciated, by an audience, not crowded—for this time packed houses have not been the rule—but most quick and sympathetic. Barrie is a prince of playwrights, and we shall look forward to his " Alice-sit-by-the-Fire " —the play, by the way, in which Miss Terry was acting in the provinces, when Sir Henry Irving's" tragic death occurred.

I had an interesting day "with Miss Winifred Fraser, the little lady who takes the principal girl's part in the Company. We were both lunching at the Bellevue Gardens, with Mr Lukin, the editor of the Evening Post, and in the afternoon Mr Duthie drove us, behind his splendid horses, to spend the afternoon in his fine gardens. Miss Fraser enjoyed the Hutt scenery immensely. She is English, and this is her first visit to the Colonies, though she has acted since she was a little girl." For one season she was with Sir Henry Irving, and speaks of him as a

manager and friend with loving enthusiasm. Indeed, a trip to America with him, which she was obliged to give up, is among the regrets of her • life. Mr Brougb seems a delightful man to superintend a company. He has a great faculty for " enthusing " his actors, and is universally liked. In Auckland, two new plays aro to be put on, one being " Dr. Wake's Patient." After the Auckland season, the company goes for eleven weeks to Sydney.

There is on view at McGregor Wright's studio, Just now, an exhibition of pictures by Mr Christmas, an Australian artist. His colouring is splendidly daring. There is a Highland scene, Aberfoyle, where a clump of pines glow against the mountains in the sunset like burning copper. Some Sydney Harbour pictures aro exquisite, and one of the Seine is delicatoly lovely. In the window are some of Miss Bendall's charming studies of children. She has been for some time in Sydney, and lately returned here and taken a studio, where she carries on her work. Several Wellington children have been painted by her, and sho catches the curves and dimples of babyhood wonderfully.