WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 36, 6 September 1890, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, August 30. I hardly know where to begin, for there is so much to tell you. The gaieties are getting more and more frequent, and it is years since we have had such a gay session, and there is every probability of its being kept up for some time longer, as there are all sorts of balls, small dances, •concerts, theatricals, etc., on the tapis for the next month at least. The Naval Volunteer Artillery had their seventh annual ball at the Garrison Hall, and I do not ever remember seeing the hall so beautifully decorated as on this occasion. The music stand was erected in the centre of the hall, and was quite a fairy bower with light lace curtains and greenery. Minific’s string band supplied the music, so you may rest assured that it was of the very best, as was also the supper, which was curtained off at one end of the room. All the little alcoves surrounding the building were beautifully furnished for ladies to sit in and watch the dancers, and many were converted into card-rooms for the gentlemen. The ceiling was effectively hung witli bunting, and the walls had large mirrors arranged all round the room, and decorated with floral and evergreen wreaths, etc., combined with gay flags, so that the general effect was really beautiful, and one could see at a glance that neither pains or •expense had been spared in the ornamentation. The men had evidently taken some trouble over the floor, for it was polished to such a degree that towards the end of the evening one could see the white dresses reflected in it. The ■Governor was received with a Guard of Honour, and then took part in the first set of Lancers with Mrs (Capt.) Duncan (who was wearing a handsome trained black gown, with mauve Howers embroidered on it, and a mauve aigrette in her hair), and he afterwards danced in many of the round dances. In the Lancers Captain Duncan and Mrs Charlie -Johnston danced «f.s-a-m'.sto the Governorand his partner, and therestof the set consisted of Mr C. Johnston and Mrs (Capt.) Russell, Dr. Grace and Mrs Tolhurst, Colonel Pearce and Mrs Grace, Mr Walrond and Miss Buller, Lieutenant Hislop and Miss Trask, and Lieutenant Davy and Miss Davy. Among the guests were also the Misses Grace (2), Williams, Russell, Tanner, George (2), Cooper, Barron, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Trask, of Nelson, Captain Moorhouse, Captain Russell, Dr. Gillon, the Rev. Mr Waters and Captain Collins, most of these gentlemen being in uniform. There were altogether about 500 guests, and the ball was kept up till early morning. Mrs T. Fergus’ musical party was a very large alfair, both the dining and drawing-rooms being filled with friends, a third smaller mom being used for supper. Mrs Fergus wore an exceedingly handsome reception gown, being made with sleeves and high to the throat of lovely moss green plush with long train, and a front of pale greenish blue satin, and finished with hanging gold ball ornamentation. Miss Katherine Hardy was the great attraction among the singers, and delighted her hearers with her solos, and afterwards joined Mr Rous Marten in a duet. Young Mr Hammerton played some exquisite things on his ’cello, his sister accompanying him on the grand piano. Mrs (Dr.) Gillon also sang, and Mr Loughman, and Miss Medley played. Mrs Malcolm Ross (who with her husband is visiting here) recited splendidly, although I thought it would have been more forcible had the performer stood instead of sat in the centre of the room. Mrs Ross was handsomely robed in crimson plush. Lady Hall was there, and also Mrs Russell, Mrs Izard, Mrs Foster Goring (who, I hear, is passing through Wellington in order to take up her permanent residence in Auckland, Major Goring having been moved there), Mrs Rous Marten, Mrs Haise and the Misses Haise, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Blair, Dr. and Mrs Grace, Dr. and Mrs Fitchett, Mr and Mrs C. Y. O’Connor, Mr Valentine, Mr W. P. Reeves, Mr Hislop, MrPerceval, the Misses Duthie, Stevenson (Dunedin), Elliott, St. Hill (Hawke’s Bay) N. Tanner (Hawke’s Bay), Larnach (Dunedin), and many others. Miss Laura Johnson, daughter of Captain Johnson, was married to Dr. Johnston, of Gisborne, and lately of Palmerston. The marriage was celebrated at St. Andrew’s Church amid a large gathering of friends and relations, and the Hags were all Hying on most of the vessels in the harbour in honour of the event. Next on my list comes the bachelor's ball, which was given at the Masonic Hall. It was a very large affair, given by about thirty bachelors, who stood at the entrance and received the guests (numbering fully two hundred), and who were throughout the evening most attentive to everybody. The lack of gentlemen was the great fault, being more noticeable than usual on account of so many young lady visitors to Wellington, but on the whole it was a capital dance, and went off with great spirit, and was kept up until half-past one. It was quite impossible to see all the dresses in such acrowd, but 1 managed to get a glimpse of a few good ones for your special benefit, but I could not but feel sorry for the wearers of new gowns, who must have got them terribly crumpled when dancing. Mrs Buckley’s gown was an exceedingly handsome old gold

satin, with train, and trimmed with lovely black point lace. Mrs T. C. Williams’ was a beautiful silver grey brocade, and Mrs G. Beetham’s a very pretty white silk covered with black lace and jet. Mrs Levin’s gown was crimson plush with a front of pink silk, and Mrs Maxwell’s sapphire plush, with petticoat of gold and sapphire stripes. A chocolate stamped velvet train and bodice over a petticoat of buff-coloured lace mixed with gold worn by Mrs (Dr.) Grace, ami a handsome gown was also worn by Madame Lostalot, of pink and white striped silk with long train, and ornamented with pink and white ostrich feathers. Mrs Riddiford (Hutt) looked well in green, Mrs (Dr.) Collins and Mrs Moorhouse were both in pale heliotrope. Mrs Arthur Bell wore cream, and Mrs Charles Johnson black with yellow sash. Amongst other married ladies I saw Lady Hall, Mrs Acland (Christchurch), Mrs Cooper, Mrs (Captain) Russell, Mrs Izai'd, Mrs Werry, Mrs Duncan, Mrs Gore, Mrs Menteath, Mrs Fell, and Mrs Blair. I do not ever remember seeing so many visitors in Wellington. I will try to remember some who were at the ball. Mrs J. C. Walker (Ashburton) was there, and Mrs Burke (Napier), who looked well in a pretty white silk gown with a broad niche of scarlet poppies round the hem ; Miss Whitaker (Auckland), wore all black, even to the aigiette in her hair; Miss Harper (Christchurch), white; Miss Acland (Christchurch), Miss Hall (Christchurch), white; Miss St. Hill (Hawke’sßay), biscuit coloured silk with puttings of pale blue gauze ; Miss N. Tanner (Hawke’s Bay), white with bunches of guelder roses ; Miss Larnach (Dunedin), pale blue, and lovely ostrich feather fan to match ; Miss E. Richmond (Nelson), white; Miss Lord (Australia), black ; Miss Spence (Dunedin) Miss I. J. McDonald (Auckland), Miss I. Carew (Dunedin), pink with ivy leaves; Miss Cay (Auckland), white and yellow, and gold coronet; Miss Krull (Wanganui), white and pale greenish blue gauze; Miss Webb (Hutt), pale blue satin prettily trimmed with pale pink, and her sister wore a black jet costume; Miss Seymour (Pieton), yellow, covered with green silk gauze ; Miss Reynolds (Taranaki), pink ; Miss M. Speed (Picton), a pretty white gown with large green sash ; Miss Bennett (Rangitikei).a stylishblack gown with striped black and white sash ; Miss Tully (Wairarapa), and Miss Fell (Nelson). Amongthe Wellington youngladies I think Miss Hilda Williams wore quite the prettiest dress, a quaint-looking cream silk with pleated round bodice, and trimmed with delicate coffee and cream-coloured lace, and finished with a gold girdle hanging round the waist. Miss E. Richmond looked particularly well in a plainly made blue silk gown with very high sleeves ; Miss Buller wore black net with wreath of pink roses ; Miss K. Hadfield, a pretty white gown ; Miss Izard, black with old rose bows ; Miss H. Moorhouse, white with red flowers; Miss Cooper, mauve with violets scattered all over it; Miss Grace, a pretty lemoncoloured tulle with brocaded bodice and ribbons, and her sister, white ; Miss Gore, green and gold gauze over white ; Miss Russell, all white with bunches of violets on the shoulders ; Miss Tolhurst, blue silk with bands of gold braid ; Miss Holmes (Dunedin), black ; Miss Medley, pink ; Miss Brandon, white ; Miss L. Haise, pale blue with ivy leaves. Among others were also Misses Willis, George, Moriah, Hawkins, Harding, Lake man, Johnson,Garrett, and (Percy) Smith. Lady Campbell, who delighted everyone by playing and singing a waltz as an extra, looked well in pale pink satin covered with tulle, and Miss I. Cooper ami Miss Brandon played the rest of the extras. The Kindergarten concert was got up by Mrs Levin ami Mr M alrond, the latter playing some of the accompaniments. Miss Whitaker sang, and also Miss Hilda Williams and Miss Dixon, and the children sang some part music very nicely. Miss McClean's concert was very enjoyable. Miss Fisher made her debut, and proved the possessor of a very powerful voice. Miss McClean sang Gounod’s ‘ Serenade' beautifully and the Misses Grace both gave songs. Miss M\ers, Miss Cemino, and Mr Simms also performed, and the stage was most beautifully decorated, and furnished like a drawin-' room, and all the performers (dressed alike in white, Mrs Gibbon ami Miss McC lean wearing long trains) remained there the whole evening. The stage was artistically draped, ami finished with evergreens, and there was a very large audience, who were most enthusiastic with their applause, and re-demanded many of the items.

Ruby.