DUNEDIN.

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

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, July 7. The University students’ ball has been the chief excitement in social circles since my last letter. It was in every way a big success, and the Garrison Hall looked its very best, prettily decorated and fitted up. The stage was devoted to the musicians, and Robertshaw’s band discoursed the sweetest of music. In front of the stage was a small greenery, in the centre of which a tiny fountain played. The night was unusually warm for the season, and the dainty and cool delicacies provided were as much appreciated as the hot coffee and tea. The committee had spared no pains for the amusement and comfort of the guests, and its members are to be congratulated, for it was declared on all sides to be ‘ a lovely ball.' While people are whirling round the room it is all but impossible to get any fixed and definite idea of the minute detailsofa dress, the colours and material being about all one can grasp. There was a good deal of white worn, for a number of young ladies made their debut. Among these were Miss Winnie Gordon, Miss Ulrich, Miss Braithwaite, and Miss Black. Miss Gordon wore white corded silk with long trained skirt, the bodice being adorned with ostrich feathers ; Miss Ulrich, a dainty gown of white, the skirt of which was finished with tiny French frills ; a lovely spray of white flowers adorned the bodice. The fashion of trimming the edge of the skirt is growing more and more, the old fashioned lace flounce coming in again, but unless the greatest care is manifested in the arrangement of these deep ruchings, flouncings, etc., anything but a picturesque effect isproduced. Among the (link diessesMissFodor'swaslovely. It was of a peculiarly pretty shade of cashmere, the skirt

made plain, anil only slightly trained, and edged allround with a band of dark green velvet, surmounted with a narrow gold embroidery. The bodice fitted perfectly, and was cut low with a vest of the velvet edged with gold, the sleeves being formed of a band of green velvet. Miss Freeman also wore a dress which suited her remarkably well—of rich black silk, with Medici collar lined with yellow, and full puffed elbow sleeves. Another lovely black dress was worn by Miss Daisy Ross —a blending of satin and lace, with the Medici collar lined with a rich orange, and long handsome ribbon streamers of the same colour finishing the skirt; Miss Grant wore a pretty dress of pink ; Miss Stephenson, pale blue silk, the skirt edged with a flounce of lace ; the Misses Brown (2), of Green Island, looked charming in •white; Miss Alexander, blue silk and pink feathers; Miss Anderson, very becoming dress of black and amber silk; Miss West, white silk embroidered with gold ; Mrs Whitson, very elegant black lace; Miss Smith (Balclutha), pretty white silk and grenadine; Miss Cutten, stylish black ; Miss Williams, black lace; Miss Wise, blue ; Miss Nixon, white China silk edged with deep ruche of silk; Miss Moss, white ; Miss Mackerrow, pretty green tulle ; Miss Winnie Mackerrow, pink ; Miss Shand, white tulle spotted with blue; Miss Hales, white tulle spotted with green, the bodice finished with green velvet; Miss Wales, very pretty black dress ; Miss Kenyon, heliotrope silk draped with fisherman’s net; Miss McQueen, blue draped with white tulle ; Miss Black, white silk and tulle ; Miss Inglis, blue ; Mrs Shand, handsome black silk ; Miss Webster, cream dress finished with green ; Miss Ramsey, yellow ; Miss Black and Miss Longford, pretty red dresses; Mrs Isaacs, white ; Miss McLaughlin, black satin and lace ; Miss Fitchett, pretty white ; and Miss Gordon, pink silk. The drawing-room entertainment was well patronised in the City Hall. Beside the tableaux, a play, ‘ Taken from the French,’ was acted by amateurs very well indeed. Miss Gibson and Miss A. Sievwright were the only ladies actin". Miss Gibson looked charming in a dress of delaine, made very simply, and a becoming hat to match ; Miss Sievwright wore a reseda dress with salmon pink Liberty silk trimming, and a pretty hat to match with feathers. Both ladies acted very naturally and unaffectedly. Miss Joel, who sang very sweetly, wore a French grey silk with frills on the bodice and skirt, and Miss Vivian, who also sang very well, wore a dress of pale blue silk with white opera coat. Little Miss Gibson played a banjo duet with Mr Baker, keeping very good time throughout, and wore a pretty terra-cotta plush dress with lace at neck and cuffs. Of the tableaux it is hard to name any special ones, but ‘ Sleeping Beauty,’ ‘ Venus’ Mirror,’ and the second scene from * Binebeard,’ were the best, I think. Among the audience I noticed Mesdames Edwards, Moore, Finch, Williams, Ritchie, Dowling, Sievwright, Gibson, Neill, Macdonald, Neville, and the Misses Farquhar, Ashcroft, Stevenson, Backhouse, and Gualter. Mrs Davidson, of Royal Terrace, gave a large afternoon tea in honour of Miss Maitland's approaching marriage. Mrs E. Reynolds gave a small afternoon tea. Among those present were Mrs and Miss McLean, Mrs Garrat, Miss Garrat, Mrs and Miss Sise, and Miss Reynolds. Mrs Williams has had a successful lunch party. Mr and the Misses Cargill gave an afternoon tea at the ■* Cliffs.’ Mrs Petre played a very pretty piano solo, Mrs Mills sang, and Mrs Ireland’s children recited. Among those present were Mrs Hoskins, Mrs and Miss Belcher, Mrs Ogston, Mrs Williams, Miss Rattray, Miss Backhouse, Miss Cutten, Mrs Ferguson, and Mrs McKenzie. Miss Maitland is being married now, so I shall have an account for you in my next letter. Early one morning last week Miss Reeves was married at St. Martin’s, North East Valley, to Mr Clapperton, the Rev. Brian King officiating. Only the relatives of the bride and bridegroom were present at the ceremony, but in the afternoon Mrs Reeves entertained between seventy and eighty guests to afternoon tea, when the numerous and costly wedding presents were exhibited, among which were cheques amounting to over £l2O. There were present during the afternoon Mrs Turner, Mrs Smith, Miss Brent, Mrs B. Martin, Miss Callander, Miss Tusley, Miss Kempthorne, Miss Gifford, Mrs H. Reid, the Misses Bell (2), Misses Hepburn (2), Mrs J. Park, Mrs R. Gray, Miss B. Martin, Miss Horsey, Miss L. Mitchell, Mrs J. Todd, Mrs Eva, Mrs Ziele, Mr Martin, Mr Coughtry, Mrs F. and the Misses Roberts, Mrs and Miss Fitchett, Mrs R. N. Reid .(Palmerston), Mrs Royse, Mrs and Miss Mackerras, Mrs and Miss Ulrich, Mrs and Miss Shand, and Misses Tewsley, Alves, and Hardy.

Maude.