WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 30, 25 July 1891, Page 202

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, July 10. I have so much to tell you about this week that I hardly know where to begin, but I believe Mrs Charles Johnston’s ‘At Home ’ comes first among the gaieties. We were led to expect nothing more than a reception, for there was nothing to even suggest dancing on the cards. However we were not to be disappointed, as daneing began at about half-past nine, and was kept merrily going until past midnight, the billiard-room being used for dancing, and the drawing room for music and singing, with which those who did not dance were entertained. Miss Williams sang very sweetly. Our hostess was richly dressed in a pompadour silk of palest grey with coloured flowers, and trimmed with quantities of chiffon, and made high to the throat, and with puffed sleeves. Her sister-in-law, Miss E. Johnston, was very handsomely dressed in sky blue silk veiled with magnificent jewelled embroidery, and wore a beautiful jewelled girdle and gold shoes, and carried a handsome fan. Miss Holmes (Dunedin) wore one of the handsomest dresses, and also Mrs (Dr.) Adams, the latter wearing a high collar. Miss Acland (Christchurch) was the only debutante, and amongst other guests were Mrs Grace, Mrs Newman, Lady Hall (Canterbury), Mrs Valentine (Otago), Mrs T. Fergus (Dunedin), Mrs W. Moorhouse. Mrs Coleridge, Mrs Travers, Mrs De Castro, Mis Barron, Mrs (Dr.) Collins, Miss Wilson (Christchurch), Miss Pharazyn (Wairarapa), Miss Butterworth (Dunedin), Miss Moorhouse (Christchurch), and the Misses Grace. Izard, Cooper, Harding, Barron, Williams, Brandon, and Reid, Miss Buller and her two brothers, Captain Russell, Mr Walrond, Mr A. Rhodes, Mr R. Pharazyn, Mr Walter Johnston, Dr. Collins, Mr Travers, Mr Parfitt, Mr E. O’Rorke, etc., etc. The two little girls were there part of the evening, looking very well in their pretty evening frocks. Both Mr and Mrs Johnston and their son, Mr Guy Johnston, were indefatigable in their efforts to amuse their guests, and a most enjoyable evening was the result.

The Rowing Club’s annual ball came next, I think, taking place in the Garrison Hall, which was well filled, and, oh I so beautifully decorated. I would like you to have had a glimpse, for it was a sight one would seldom forget, and nobody could recognise the usually bare, cold hall. It looked just like a huge marquee, the whole roof being draped with red, white, and blue, and most artistically decorated with quantities of Chinese lanterns, greenery, flowers, mirrors, etc., that must have taken days to arrange. I considered the decorations quite the feature of the evening, and everyone was lost in admiration. A raised platform was erected in the centre of the ballroom, and in this —for it was converted into quite a fairy bower—the bandsmen were stationed. Four large tree ferns were at each corner, between which were draped lace curtains over scarlet cloth, finished all round with lovely black screens with large bold designs in gold. The band played the best dance music I have heard for many a day. All the little alcoves round the room were converted into tiny sitting-rooms, and the supper was served at one end of the room partitioned off by curtains, greenery, etc. It is quite impossible to give you even a faint idea of the magnitude of the decorations in so large a hall, the whole of which was crowded, but not unpleasantly so, with dancers. The Earl and Countess of Onslow were present, arriving in time for the first set of lancers, Lady Onslow being handsomely dressed in black lace and moire, with long train, the front of her low corsage sparkling with diamonds, and wearing her coronet of diamonds, and carrying a huge bouquet of white camellias and ferns, and large black fan. Mr Walrond accompanied them. The lady Mayoress, Mrs Brown, was dressed in pale blue silk with short train. His Excellency danced with Mrs Patterson, wife of the Captain of the Club, the Mayor dancing opposite with Lady Onslow, and Mr Patterson and the Mayoress, ami Mr and Miss Duthie also danced in the same set. Mrs Patterson wore black crossed with a tartan sash, ami Miss Duthie wore black with narrow bands of bright green. Mis Cooper and her daughters were there, ami also Miss Hall, the Misses Acland, Miss Hadfield, Mrs Bell, in a black gown ; the Misses Carr, one in black trimmed with jet, and the other in pale blue ; Miss Holmes, Miss Wilson, the Misses Gore, Miss C. Brandon, Mrs W. Crawford, in black and red ; Mrs Kennedy Macdonald, in a very handsome old gold plush and silk, with long train ; Mrs Andrew Young, black satin. There were also many other pretty dresses, white appearing the favourite colour, and as for chiffon, you could not get away from the sight of it. It is very pretty, but I am afraid we shall soon get tired of it if we see much more. It seems to be worn in some form on almost every ball dress, but it is no wonder, for what could possibly look softer or more becoming. Unfortunately, there was one fault—and the committee were evidently over anxious in chalking the floor, and laid far too much, so that directly the dancing began the chalk rose into the air, causing quite a misty ap|>earanee. It was a great pity, for all the other arrangements were quite perfect, and it was a very brilliant affair, upon which so young a

club are to be congratulated. The Governor and Lady Onslow stayed until quite late, and thoroughly entered into the general spirit ot gaiety. Next week you may hear something of Mrs Godfrey Knight’s dance, which will be over by that time. Miss McClean’s concert, which, I hear, is quite a novelty, takes place a few days later, and later still comes the Harmonic concert, and then Mr Parker’s annual concert, besides the Kindergarten concert, so musical people will be well provided for. Mr Leon Driver has been greeted with good, large audiences, but I have not yot been, so cannot give my opinion. Lady Campbell, Mr E. J. Hill, and Mr McDnff-Boyd have been helping at bis concerts, Miss Medley playing the accompaniments. The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Wellington City Rifles took place the evening after the Rowing Club ball in the same building, when there were fully five hundred ladies and gentlemen present, and Mrs Coliins, wife of the captain, presented the prizes. A few days later Lord Onslow, who was accompanied by Lady Onslow and Mr Walrond, laid the memorial tablet in the new offices of the Wellington Harbour Board, which are now being erected in Jervois Quay. There was a large gathering of influential citizens, and nearly all the Ministry and numbers of members, besides those closely interested in the ceremony. Three cheers were given when the Government House party drove away, carrying with them the silver trowel which had been presented to His Excellency, and which, by the-bye, caused a little excitement during the proceedings by snapping in half. The Rev. Mark Guy Pearse has paid us a flying visit, which, however, has been greatly appreciated by large numbers of people who heard him lecture on ‘ The Old Folks at Home.’

The young ladies attending St. Francis Xavier’s Academy have just given a most successful entertainment at the Exchange Hall, consisting of an operetta, but as I have not much more time, I will just tell you the names of those who took part. The Misses Zohrab, Blackie, M. Crease, Davis, W. Stevens, Shewbridge, E. Young, M. Driscoll, Seagar, Webbe, Dunne, Yuile, MeGre'gor, Saunders, H. Crease, Smith, A. Cuff, J. Wilson, J. Jones, Z. Smith, Ahern, Lyon, Whelan, M. de Castro, Monogue, Allen, Beauchamp, Holcroft, Salmon, V. Cemino, Hawkings, Chevannss, Allen, Taylor, Kebbell, Edmeades, G. Dunne, and Fauvel. They chose ‘ Rubezahl ’ and ‘ Frederick of Prussia,’ and did them remarkably well. Two very quiet weddings have taken place this week—that of Mr Hirshberg, of Masteiton, and Miss Jessie Wallace, niece of the late John Howard Wallace, and that of Mr Kemble, of Wairarapa, and Miss Laura Welch, of the Taita.

There are a great many visitors for the session, including Mrs and the Misses Acland (Christchurch), Miss Holmes (Dunedin), Miss Butterworth, Mrs Fergus, and Miss Larnach (Dunedin), Mrs and Miss Rees (Auckland), Miss Moorhouse (Christchurch), Lady and Miss Hall (Canterbury), Mrs Valentine (Otago), Miss Rolleston, Miss Wilson, and Miss N. Reeves (all of Christchurch), the Misses McKenzie (Palmerston South), Mrs Foster Pratt (Palmerston North), Mrs Arthur Gore (Napier), the Misses Carr (Australia), Miss Dousey (Australia), Miss Wardell and Miss Pharazyn, both from the Wairarana.

Ruby.