WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 23, 7 June 1890, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

May 30. Dear Jexme. Government House no longer looks the deserted mansion that it lias for the last few months, for Lord and La*iv «»nslow have now returned, and are comf«»rtably *ettied down. I hear, for the winter. The Ladies Ik»n»thv and iGwendoline ’ »n*low are at present living at Lowry Bay a pretty little place across our harbour . where they have often vi*ite»i before. Lady ' »nslow held her fir*t afternoon reception la*t Monday fn»m four to ha]f-pa.*t five o’clock. It turned out a very dull, odd day, but nevertheless a very large gathering assembled, and very brilliant indeed did the large and hand*ome look, filled, as they were, with ail the youth, beauty and fashion of Wellington. The rooms were prettily decorated with a numler of hot-house plant.* in artistically-draped |«ots. and the lovely chysanthemum* about the room were much admired. The C ountess looked exceptionally well in a rich dull black silk gown, verv plainlv made, and quite devoid of trimming of anv kind, and her only ornaments were tw.. magnificent diam«»n«i brooches fa*tene»i at the thn»at. and a number «»f jewelled ring*.

Tea «a.- serxetl in the dining-room, which wa.. well [atronised the afternoon, and altogether it wa- a very plea.-ant arfair. the Groernor and Mr Waln.nJ al., being there helping La.iy < •n-h.w to entertain her viaftom. Some ot the dre-.~e-worn were very handsome, but I am — ’try to say they were n*»t -on to advantage, for although the ga.- was lit there was not a good light, and m.et ~'t them were quite b«-t- I noticed Lady Buller and her daughter, who have ju-t arrive.! from England, the former weann- a handsome black gown |>rofu-ely trimmed with jet. and'the latter a tight-fitting 'lark taii<«r-ma<ie dnes*. vita a tinv Hat stringless bonnet. Mrs Irani wore a rich looking Wack costume, and her daughter wore an effective combination of sage green and favm. with a -mall brown -tra» hat trimmed with -hot ribbon. Mi— M eW>, of the Hutt, a recent arrival from Ireland, looked ver y -tvlish in a handsome fawn-s - ■ trimmed with braided lace, and a 1.-nnet to match Nir- NV . H. Levin wore a long -ea:-kin jacket and a U>nnet ot checked nbbon. and Mr- Dr. ' ollin- looked well in v plainly-made navy blue costume and blue tulle hat. Mrw (Dr.) Grace wore a hat with feather- to match her dark ■ire—. ; Mr- II: : ; H ::r w ; <~ dr——: in ': v x ■ and watered silk, with a large black hat with teathera. Mi— I'aptain Ru—ell wore a navy blue.ire and a |>aje grey t-oat—hape hat trinit: ed with ■rev ar.. ; w ire 7 i Wm *»*»»'*• -Mi* Cooper also wore a Hue cv-tnme. ' ? own WiV ' terra-cotta braidei with black, and Mis* U ihord * Hun brown, and plush jacket with lapel*. Mrs Melville wore a very prett v blue and grev wing linnet with a blue and grey gown : Mr- Dr. Henrv. brow n trimmed with fawn and brown -atin : Mrs G. Knight, a wine e.loure.i dress, and bonnet to match with feathers; Mrs J. 5i M. Thompson, a handsome tight-fitting shawl pattern eb-ak. with long <qen sleeves falling to the hem ; Mrs Dr. (rillon. a fawn costume, with cape and l»w.net to match. Amongst others there were Nirs To’b"G Mr- Parfitt. Mr- Gore. Mr- . Mrs Menteath. Mm Tanner Chnstchureh*. Miss L. Krull Wanganui . Mi— Handing, the M ; —e- Richardson, but I realiv could, not ~ee what they vvore. or who else was there. It i- rumoured that there will be no Birthday ball but that the Governor will give one in the beginning of the session. The young people are natnrallv v erv disaptv >inted e-pectaoy a- there are several young ladies who tad quite made up their minds to make their -ifbut on the yueen - Birthday. Another rumour-avs that one of our Minister's wives will shortly issue invitations for a large fanev dre—ball. From what I have heard in various quarters l anc.-i P«te a very gay session for the young people, a: anvrate aI think most of the dances will be private and -mall 1 ■lave al--> beard of numlers of young ladies who intend visiting Wellington during the session, so I hope for their -akes that it will be more lively than last year. Mrs Coleridge gave a very pleasant afternoon tea la-t >atumay. which was largely attended. The hostess wore a blaek merveilleux gown trimmed with jet. and Nirs W errv looked very well in a black satin gown slightly trained and tnmniM with jet beads, and a small lace mantle and a becoming pure wane bonnet with feathers. Mrs R Pharazyn Mr- Medley. and others were also there. I must tell you something about Mrs Tolhurst > bail before I close, for it was one of the nicest we have had for a long time. It took place last night at Mr- Swanson - new schoolroom in Fitzherbert Terrace, which was beautifully decorated tor the occasion, and Nir- Tolhurst proved an ex cellent hostess, so that the affair was most enjoyable. <me or two of the dresses were lovely, the Misses l.race ootn looking well—one in pile pink and one in white. Miss Buller also looked well in a handsome black fancy net relieve,! with deep crimson colour, and Miss Webb Hurt and Miss Brandon bothwore vervstrikinggowns. < urioudv enough they were almost exactly alike, made in Direvtoire rashion. of a lovely -hade between [vale blue and green and pale pink, the combination leing very effective, made a- thev were, with long bands of pink from’the shoulder to ”th«»em •,t the dress. Miss Captain Russell and Miss Irani nkh "-ore beautiful pure white gowns, and Mi— Elfie Willianlk also wore white, made very prettily with laree puffed - ev . - Mi-s Willi- wore black. Mi-s ('..qe-r pink. Miss Barron ennison. am: Miss Elhott white net with large blue moire -asn rhe Misses Harding. Hart. NVorgan. Morrah. M r Nvalrond, and many other- "ere also present. Mi— Tolhurst, who has lately eome from England, wore a prettv ereme dies- " ith a bunch of rose- and leave, up the -boulder; the Mi—es Tolhurst w..re white dre—■- "ith pretty -a-hes. ' Rvby.