WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 52, 27 December 1890, Page 12

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, December 13. Again my letter will be full of our German visitors. We cannot help liking them, for besides being such excellent hosts when we pay a visit to them, they are charmed with our harlxmr and town after Sydney, and appear to thoroughly enjoy any enteitainment that may be arranged for them on shore, which is quite refreshing after our blase English naval officers. The night after the ball given to them by the German residents, another large one was given to the crews of the three ships, and the same decorations and music were used and highly appreciated a second time by fully 200 people, who danced most energetically until the ‘ wee sma’ hours.’ Then another small dance was given on board the Leipzig to the personal friends of the officers, and, fortunately, the weather was perfect, so that the sides of the ship were left open, and only the top covered in with bunting. The vessel was most beautifully arranged and decorated, and a delicious afternoon tea, including strawberries and cream, and ices, provided. Among those present were the Misses Grace, Quick, Cooper, Lord, Harding, and several German residents, including some from the Hutt and elsewhere. Nearly every day there is an afternoon tea on board one of the vessels, and these, providing the weather is fine, are most enjoyable. The officers are continually to be met in town too at all kinds of parties. Mrs Grace had a tennis party for them, and Mrs G. Knight a musical party and dance combined, when some of the officers played on the piano. The Misses Henry, E. Richmond, Gore, Cooper, Bennett, and others were there. Mrs Quick also gave a large afternoon party for them, the chief amusements being music and dancing on the lawn. Some of the officers also went to the Athletic Sports, and appeared to take a great interest in the various contests. I saw some pretty new gowns that day, and the weather being so beautifully fine and warm, nearly all the ladies wore summer gowns. The Mayor and Mrs Johnston were there, the latter being handsomely dressed in black with tiny grey feather toque. Our coming Mayor (that is, the one who has just been elected, but has not yet taken office), Mr A. W. Brown, and his wife, were also there, the latter wearing a handsome blue grey gown with panels, and a grey and pink bonnet. Mrs Foster Pratt had black, and large black lace hat, and her sisters, the Misses Cooper, wore white. I admired the Misses Izard's simple girlish gowns of pale pinky brick colour with Swiss belts ami rows of white insertion, and large flower hats. Miss Russell wore pink and blue stripes, ami flat black hat. Miss Ludbrook, mauve ; Mrs Newman, heliotrope flowered material with white embroidery ; Miss Grace, white silk, and her sister white, with huge pale green sash, black lace hat with velvet roses : Mrs Duncan wore a pretty little black and orange bonnet, and Mrs (Capt.) Rose a Irecoming small bonnet entirely composed of pale French grey feather's. Of course, there was great excitement over the Ladies’ Bracelet race, which was finally won by Mr C. Hickson, jun., who had, I believe, been nominated by Miss Adams. At the Thorndon Lawn Tennis Club the tournaments have begun, and numbers of people are daily to lie met on the ground watching them with evident interest. One capital set 1 saw was between Mr Buddington and Miss M. Grace and Mr L. Tripp and Miss , the former couple winning after a good struggle. The Harmonic Concert will be‘a thing of the past when next you hear from me. The society have chosen ‘ The Sleeping Beauty,’ ami as the soloists are Lady Campbell, Miss Letham, Mr Izard (Christchurch), and Mr Gray, we are led to expect something unusually good. Mr Parker gave a good little concert for the Choristers’ picnic. The Misses Johnson sang a duet, and then one sister gave the ‘ The Oak and the Ash.’ Miss I'pham sang Handel's ‘ O, had I Jubal's Lyre’ very sweetly. Mr Wratt also sang, Miss I. Cooj>er played. Mr McDuff Boyd played the violin, Mias Parsons sang, and also Miss Tarn, and Mr E. Ander-on played a violin solo, his sister accompanying him. Master Harold Widdop sang ‘ Cherry Ripe,’ and a few part songs made up the rest of the programme. The Army and Navy Bazaar is now over, and I think the last night was [>erhaps the most successful of all. Certainly we had more fun that night, for there was a good deal of bargaining, and t hen an auction tosell offevery thing. The Leipzig band played that evening, and the room was just crowded all the time. The result of the whole week was £6OO (exclusiveof expenses), which goes to St. Peter'sCliurch fund, and considering the time of year, and the endless amusements we have had lately to take our money away, I think the stall-holders ought to be gratified. We are very sorry to have lost onr German visitors, who hate made so many friends during their stay, and I am sure everyone will be delighted if they are able to keep their promise of coining again next year. A capital little dance was arranged for them out at Karori by a few bachelors. The

Karori Hall was used for the purpose, the door being particularly good. The ladies played the dance music, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The Misses Quick went" out from town for it, and also Miss Knight, Miss Cowper, and several others. The Misses Graham were there, and the Misses Porter, Miss Hartmann, etc. Mrs Quick airanged a large picnic to the Hutt last week, when several Lierman officers were present, and also the Misses Harding, Quick, Graham, Knight, Cowper, and others.

Sunday was a beautiful warm summer's day, and the squadron was surrounded by boats, steamers, and yachts during the whole day long and afternoon. Teas were given by the captains and officers on board all three vessels, and among the guests were Mrs and Miss Medley, the Misses Buller, Cooper, Willis, Lord, Gore, Johnston, Trimnell, Graham, Quick, Knight, and Blair. Admiral Valois was a great favourite, and seemed to be very fond of all games and sports, and often played tennis with Lord Onslow at Government House. \ ery few of the officers play tennis, but they all seem very fond of dancing and music, some of them playing and singing very well indeed. The French man-of-war Volta has just arrived to take the place of the squadron, and I have already heard of several dances which are to be given in their honour, so I suppose our gaiety will last a little longer. Mrs Robert Pharazyn gave a large afternoon ‘ At Home ’ in honour of Mrs W. Pharazyn's return from England, and as the afternoon was lovely, a good deal of time was spent in the garden playing croquet, etc., while music was provided indoors.

Miss Holmes also gave a pleasant afternoon to her friends at Hawkestone-street, and pleased everyone with her reciting. Mr H. Batger sang, and the Misses Cooper were there, and the Misses Williams, Russell, Grace, Lord, and many others. Several ladies and gentlemen went up from town to the ‘ Longwood ’ (Wairarapa) dance, and enjoyed themselves greatly, and among Mr and Mrs Charles Pharazyn’s guests were Mr and Mrs Stratton Izard, Mr and Mrs Elgar, Mr and Mrs L. Pharazzn, the Misses Moncton, Wardell, Marian Pharazyn, Bunny, Mr Vogel, and others. Ruby.

[We regret that Mr F. H. Tronson begs us to contradict our announcement of his engagement to Miss E. Quick.]