WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 36, 5 September 1891, Page 345

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, August 21. The Star Boating Club’s annual ball is wbat I have principally to tell you of this week. It took place in Thomas’ new buildings, which have recently been erected for dances and concerts. The ballroom gave forth a distinct odour of paint, the building being barely finished, and it all had a very new appearance, but, nevertheless, was admirably adapted for dancing, the floor, thanks to the energy of the committee, being perfect, and the decorations were very much admired, two long boats being hung across the ceiling, and quaint designs with oars and greenery mingled with flags. The dais was prettily decorated with ferns and floweis, and was furnished like a drawing-room, the Governor and Countess of Onslow sitting up there most of the evening. Then there was a prettily furnished tea and coffee room, besides a large supper room all on one floor. There must have been fully five hundred guests, and it was, in consequence, a wee bit crowded. It was a great pity, otherwise it was a capital ball, and thoroughly enjoyed, as could be seen by the number of extras they had at the end of the long programme. It was not over until 3.30 a.m., when the last carriages began to leave. The Countess wore a magnificent gown of pale grey brocade with panels of deep coffee - coloured lace tied across with yellow velvet bows, the same trimming being also introduced on the low corsage, which sparkled with diamonds, the same stones ornamentiug her coiffure and throat, and she carried a large bouquet of yellow daffodils, and wore long tan gloves. The vice-regal set was made up as follows :—Lord Onslow and Mrs H. D. Bell, the latter wearing a handsome cream brocaded satin with long train, the sleeves and front of heliotrope chiffon bordered with gold braid ; Lady Onslow and Mr E. Pearce, the President of the Club; Mr A. S. Patterson and Miss Holmes, in black lace with pink panels; the Hon. Mr Seddon and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Brown ; the Mayor and Mrs T. C. Williams ; Mr W. H. Field, the Captain of the Club, and Mrs Patterson ; and Mr Walrond and Mrs George Beetham, the latter in pale yellow brocade with cut beads. Mrs Brown wore bright red broche ; Mrs Williams, black satin, with long train; Mrs Rhodes, of the Grange, lovely black velvet and satin, with high embroidered collar ; Mrs Acland, black ; Mrs A. Bell, black, with ruffles of grey chiffon; Mrs (Judge) Richmond, black silk; Mrs Richardson, black velvet and white lace; Mrs Coleridge, black satin ; Mrs J. P. Maxwell, dark velvet and lace ; Mrs Werry, black satin, and steel tiara in her hair ; Mrs G. S. Cooper, black, relieved by pink ; Mrs W. Moorhouse, black; Mrs Grace, dark slate grey, and white panels covered with black openwork beads, and diamonds ; Mrs H. Crawford, terra-cotta silk and white lace ; Mrs A. Russell, yellow brocade draped with moss green tulle, and trimmed with big yellow roses ; Mrs Still, old rose silk ; Mrs D. Riddiford, deep crimson net, with one of the new corset bodices handsomely embroidered with gold ; Mrs Barron, black merveilleux ; Mrs Collins, canary silk draped with green silk and net, and marguerites; Mrs Reynolds, black; Mrs Rees, black ; Mrs Mantell, white silk with yellow velvet; Mrs Elliott, moss green satin with high collar ; Mrs Rose, black ; Mrs CoburnHood, deep cream brocade, and yellow flowers in her hair ; Mrs D. Irvine, bright lemon-coloured net and satin; Mrs Moss, in her wedding dress ; Mrs W. Crawford, pale green satin trimmed with dark green velvet; Mrs Bishop, Mrs Stevens, Mrs (Dr ) McCarthy, in heliotrope satin, with ostrich feathers to match ; Mrs W. James, Miss Seddon, pink ; Miss McKenzie, pink fishing net; Miss N. McKenzie, white net ; Miss Hadfield, white net and white feathers ; Miss L. Williams, maize ; Miss Lysaght, pink, with chifl'on frills ; Miss Rhodes, pale blue brocaded with flowers ; Miss Studholme, white ; Miss Reynolds, a pretty blue and white striped silk brocaded with flowers, and made with a corset bodice, the full under bodice and baby sleeves being of white chiffon ; Miss St. Hill, a pretty pink net gown ; Miss Spensley, pink, with stripes of green velvet; Miss Pharazyn, white net; Miss Jolly, white; Miss Williams, black anti white striped satin with quantities of pink roses; and her sister, pale grey satin with silver girdle, and huge bouquet of violets; Miss Izard, her canary gauze with pearl embroidery; and her sister, pink soft silk and silver; Miss Bennett, blue net and pink roses; Miss Robison, white; Miss H. Moorhouse, a pretty pale blue net, trimmed with dark blue velvet edged with gold braid ; Miss Neil, white, with bead drops ; Miss McLean, pink net with ribbons ; Miss Richardson, white ; Miss Cooper, white and green ; and her sister, pink ; Miss Hector, white silk; Miss Hall, pink fishing net; Miss Johnston, pale blue gauze embroidered with jewels ; Miss Acland, blue satin draped with black net; Miss Gore, cream silk ; and her sister, a pretty black spotted net trimmed with old rose brocadeid ribbon ; Miss Rolleston, cream, with pink pom-pons ; Miss Bransfield, a yellow net gown ; Miss Hawkins, black embroidered with gold ; the Misses Harding, white ; Miss M. Grace, white and silver ; Miss Darley, black and white net; Miss Medley, lemon, handsomely embroidered with bronze beads; Miss Duncan, pale blue

spangled with silver ; Miss E. Haise, white ; Miss Barron, pink; and her sister, white; Miss Carr, cream; and her sister, black ; Miss Elliott, white net; Miss Borlase, Miss E. Borlase, white ; Miss Nancarrow, a pretty pink dress; Miss Fairchild, pale green; Miss U. Hitchings, white spangled with silver; Miss K. Johnston, a pretty pink brocade; Miss E. Johnston, pink trimmed with green velvet; Miss Barclay, cream ; Miss Tuckey, cream with gold ; and her sister, pink; Miss Knight,whitewithyellowflowers; Miss Grahame, blue and gold; Miss Lakeman, white; Miss Johnston(Hutt),white; Miss Rees,whitesilk; Miss Huxtable, lemon net; Miss Rose, cream ; Miss Dutbie, cream, with mauve embroidery ; Miss Bishop, cream, with flowers embroidered on it; Miss L. Kennedy, a pretty white dress; Miss Bendall, green net; Miss M. Reid, black ; Miss Pickering, white; and Miss Pownall, black. Altogether it was a capital ball, but among so many guests you must forgive me if I have not mentioned all. To tell truth, I did not know them all. Lady Onslow held a large reception at Government House, when she wore a magnificent gown of moss green, with panels and large lapels of white satin brocaded with coloured flowers, and bright yellow introduced here and there with pretty effect. Soft lace, diamonds, and tan gloves completed her toilette. His Excellency received with the Countess, Mr VValrond being also there helping, Captain Guthrie being out of town. The drawing-room was fragrant with sweet spring flowers, one table being completely covered with yellow jonquils and violets. Tea and coffee, and all kinds of dainty little cakes and biscuits were served in the dining room. Among those present I noticed Mrs James Mills, in a handsome dark brown or black brocade with long basque, and tiny velvet bonnet to match with jet butterflies, Mrs Arthur Russell wearing a black and grey brocaded cloth, and tiny black velvet bonnet with plumes high at the back, and a cock’s feather boa. Miss Johnston had a fawn dress braided with gold, and a gold bonnet covered with mauve flowers, Miss Grace wearing a pretty crushed strawberry dress, and black bonnet with flowers; her sister wearing gobelin blue, and a large velvet and feather hat to match. Mrs Werry wore a handsome brown and fawn costume, and a light beaver bonnet, and Mrs Charlie Johnston wore a very new-looking sage green cloth, the long tabbed basque edged with beads, and the wide cuffs and front of white satin brocaded with pink. The Primate and Miss Hadfield were there, and also Captain and Mrs Russell, and Miss Russell, wearing one of those new-fashioned short cloaks of grey tweed ; Mrs Menteath was in black cloth, with jet butterfly bonnet, Miss Rolleston, from Christchurch, wearing light brown tweed, and brown hat with feathers, Mrs Fell having a pretty brown hat with strings, and a sealskin jacket, Mrs W. Percival wearing a handsome costume. The Earl and Countess of Onslow, at the invitation of the Hon. Mr Seddon, Minister of Defence, made an excursion across the harbour in the Ellen Ballance to Shelly Bay to witness some experimental submarine mining operations. The day was a perfect one, and a most enjoyable trip was the result, His Excellency taking his camera and taking photographs both of the party and of the operations. The party were entertained at afternoon tea in the mess-room on arriving, and were shown over the torpedo station by Captain Falconer. Amongst those on board were the Hon. R. Seddon and Mrs and Miss Seddon, the Hon. the Premier ai.d Mrs Ballance, the Hon. J. McKenzie and the Misses McKenzie, Sir John Hall and Miss Hall, Captain and Mrs Russell, Messrs Percival, Dawson, Joyce, Fish (M. H.R.’s), and the Misses Rhodes, McKerrow, Richmond, and Ross, and Mrs W. P. Reeves, and Miss N. Reeves. Lady Onslow set off the explosions by pressing an electric button on the wharf. The party returned to town shortly after four o’clock, having spent an enjoyable afternoon. We have lost another Wellington family ; so many seem to have gone lately. I refer to Mr and Mrs McD. Cooper and family, who have just left for Australia. His position as manager of the Bank of Australasia is to be filled by Mr Gibson, of Sydney. Of course, it is promotion for Mr Cooper, but we are sorry to lose them. Mrs Cooper was presented with a silver afternoon tea set by the ladies of St. Peter’s working party, of which branch Mrs Cooper was one of the most enthusiastic workers. I meant to have told you a good deal about Mrs Rhodes’ large afternoon tea at the Grange, Wadestown, but I am afraid I have already overstepped my allowance of space. It was given for Mrs Rhodes’ three young relatives who are visiting Wellington for the session—Miss Rhodes, Miss Rose Moorhouse, and Miss Studholme, all from Canterbury. Next week you shall hear of Mrs Robt. Pharazyn’s ball, and also of Dr. and Mrs Grace’s private theatricals. Before closing I must tell you about a wedding that may be of interest to you, and which took place at St. Mark’s Church, the Rev. Mr Coffey officiating. Miss Rubena Bendall, eldest daughter of Captain Bendall, of Oriental Bay, was married to Mi John King, so well known as one of our best athletes. The bridal toilette was of white satin, the long train prettily trimmed with orange blossoms, and the full front of white chiffon fastened by a silver girdle, and made with a high collar, and she wore a long tulle veil, and carried a large bridal bouquet. There were four bridesmaids, who wore white veiling dresses handsomely braided with gold, ami gold girdles, and large hats covered with white feathers, and carried bouquets. Mrs Bendall, the bride’s mother, had a black merveilleux gown with white chiffon front, and white velvet bonnet with black jettrimmings. Mr M. C. Barnett was best man. After the breakfast had been partaken of, and the large number of presents inspected, Mr and Mrs King left by the Manawatu train for their honeymoon in the North, the bride’s travelling dress being of grey diagonal tweed, and hat to match. During the day most of the vessels in port displayed bunting in honour of the event. Ruby.