DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 50, 12 December 1891, Page 684

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, November 25. The arrival of the Governor and Countess of Onslow has sent a thrill of pleasure throughout Society circles. They are the guests of the Hon. George and Mrs McLean at Hazelwood. A number met our distinguished visitors at the station, and Sunday was, of course, spent quietly, only the family at Hazelwood being at dinner, at which Lady Onslow wore an exquisite gown of black and yellow uncut velvet. The next morning her ladyship, in company with the Misses McLean and Nir Walrond, paid an unofficial visit to the Art Society’s Rooms at the Choral Hall. In the evening the first of a series of delightful dinnerparties was given by Mr and Mrs McLean. The handsome dining-room looked lovely, the table being decorated with exquisite white flowers, among which roses played a prominent part. The guests of two evenings were : Judge and Mis Williams, Dr. and Mrs Batchelor, Mr and Mrs B. C. Haggitt, Mr and Mrs Ritchie, Mr and Mrs James Mills, Mr White, Mr and Mrs Morris, Dr. and Mrs Scott, Mr and Mrs Henry Mackenzie, Mr and Mrs Rattray, Mr and Mrs Spence, and Mr Walrond. Mr McLean took Lady Onslow in to dinner, who looked lovely in a magnificent gown of white uncut velvet, arms and neck ami head one blaze of diamonds; Lord Onslow took Mrs McLean, who wore an extremely handsome gown of black and gold ; Judge Williams took in Mrs Batchelor, who wore a handsome black velvet; Dr. Batchelor took Mrs Ritchie, whose dress was a lovely pale blue brocade ; Mr Haggitt took Mrs Williams, who wore a charming dress of black net ; Mr Ritchie took Mrs Haggitt, who wore a handsome reseda : Mr Mills took Miss McLean, who wore a lovely dress of black and scarlet; Mr White took Mrs Mills, whose dress was a very handsome one of black and yellow. The next night the host and hostess of the Governor and Lady Onslow gave another dinner party. The table upon this occasion was as lovely as before in red. A centre piece of red plush was embroidered with gold, and all the candles shaded with red ; the flowers were also red—roses and rhododendrons and other choice blossoms. Mr McLean took in the Countess, whose dress was of black watered silk with panel, of vieux rose with exquisite Venetian point lace, her bodice dazzling with diamonds : Mr Morris took in Mrs Spence, who wore black ; Mr Scott took Miss G. C. McLean, whose dress was a lovely pink silk trimmed with heather ; Mr McKenzie took Mrs Scott, who wore black silk with pale blue

panel and pink revers ; Mr Rattray took Mrs Morris, whose dress was turquoise velvet trimmed with blue figured satin ; Mr Spence took Mrs Rattray ; Mr Walrond took Mrs Mackenzie, wearing a very pale blue. Mrs (Judge) Williams gives a dinner party, of which I shall say more in my next, as well as a whole list of other festivities, and if it only keeps fine there will be nothing to mar the race week gaieties. There is, however, a very big if, for for the last month it has been rain, rain more or less every day, oftener more than less. I have comparatively very little news for you this week, but in view of the budget I hope to have next, you must please let me off.

A good deal of regret would have been felt at the close of the Art Society’s exhibition, were it not for the gay time coming, for many pleasant sociable evenings have been spent in the rooms, and more than one delightful afternoon tea. Lady Stout and Mrs (Dr.) Jeffcoat gave one on an immense scale, between five and six hundred guests being present. The rooms were literally packed with smiling faces, and the hostesses were kept shaking hands from three o’clock till six. Sometimes these large receptions are not very sociable, but this was all that could be desired. The refreshments were served by a number of the hostesses’ friends, and Dr. Jeffcoat and Sir Robert Stout among other gentlemen helped to make the time pass pleasantly to the ladies. There was a good deal of capital music, Mrs Williams and her sister, Mrs Israel, singing charmingly. Miss Sievwright also sang, and Master Towseyandhissisterplayedaduet. MissFitchettalso played, and Mi Towsey sang. MrJF. L. Jones sang a very nice song, and Mr Macdonald gave a much appreciated recitation. Mrs Monkman was also among the vocalists. In such a crowd it is impossible to even see, much less remember half the guests. There were dozens of pretty dresses one admired, then forgot again, for they were crowded out of the memory by others as pretty, but 1 will do my best to recall as many names as I can. Among them are Mesdames Haggitt, C. Chapman, Reynolds, Morris, Sise, Shand, Towsey, Hales, Melland, Woodhouse, Ridings, Ogston, Moore, Neill, James Allen, Bowen, Finch, White, Hosking, Dymock, Garratt, Stephenson, Gillies, Stock, Williams, Fitchett, S. Thomson, Denniston, Macdonald, and the Misses Hodgkins (2), Morris, Fitchett, Hales, Garratt (2), Dymock (2), T. Stephenson, Reynolds, Sise(2), Joachim, Scott, F. Fitchett, Ziele, Roberts, Farquhar (3), Michie, Williams, Mackerras, Carew, Beal, Wimperis, Shand, and Macandrew. Lady Stout wore a very handsome dress of black merveilleux, grey bonnet trimmed with soft grey feathers, and red velvet strings : Mrs Jeffcoat, stylish dress of black silk anil lace, large black hat with a spray of pale pink flowers ; Mrs R. Gilljes, dress of light electric blue, bonnet to match trimmed with pink roses; Mrs Chapman, very handsome dress of green silk, and cream bonnet ; Mrs Oatway, black silk dress and black jet bonnet; Mrs W. H. Reynolds,, black dress, lace mantle, and black bonnet; Miss Reynolds, dark green velvet dress, fur boa, and green hat; Miss Rachel Reynolds, fawn tweed dress, black hat with pink roses ; Miss Ziele, very pretty dress of fawn and blue invisible stripe, light fancy straw hat covered with a spray of poppies and cornflowers; Miss Rooke (Auckland), black and grey striped silk dress, and black lace hat with crushed strawberry feathers ; Mrs Stephenson,,handsome black silk dress, and black bonnet; Miss Stephenson, heliotrope dress, and black and heliotrope hat ; Mrs Jas. Davidson, prune dress, and black bonnet with jet ornaments ; Mrs Farmer, very pretty dress of cream serge with collar and cuffs of dark red velvet, cream hat covered with long cream feathers Miss Marshall, dark brown dress, black bonnet with yellow flowers ; Mrs Israel, fawn dress and large cream hat; Miss Sievwright, navy blue dress, large speckled straw hat with pink roses; Mrs Towsey, very pretty fawn dress, bonnet to match ; Miss Hales, heliotrope print, cream hat trimmed with feathers; Miss Farquhar, black dress, large bow of heliotrope chiffbn at the neck, and black hat; Miss Scott, light green dress, grey jacket, black lace hat with white poppies : Mrs Bowen, black dress, lace cloak, cream feather hat ; Miss Ormond, fawn dress, cream hat; Mrs Thompson (Christchurch), dress of French grey, with large woolly spots, grey areophane hat with grey pom-poms ; Mrs Neill, large black and white check dress, black bonnet;. Mrs Arthur Fulton, navy blue dress, white vest, cream hat trimmed with feathers; Mrs F. Fitchett, prune dress with vest of gold lace, bonnet to match ; Miss Fitchett, dress of French grey with cream feather hat ; Miss Williams, dark blue dress and hat; Mrs Hosking, black dress, Dorothy cape, and cream hat trimmed with yellow poppies; Mrs Coughtrey, grey dress and bonnet; Miss Beal, fawn dress, and black hat trimmed with forget-me-nots ; Mrs Monkman, fawn dress and yellow hat; Miss Freeman, violet delaine with purple and yellow pansies, a large cream hat with cream ostrich feathers ; Miss Fodor, white delaine flowered with blue, the collar and vest of blue silk, white muslin hat edged with tiny frills, and finished in front with a bunch of forget-me-nots; Mrs Adam,grey and brown invisible check, brown bonnet ; Mrs J. Cargill, black, dress, grey cloak, and black bonnet; Mrs Grey, crushed strawberry cloth, with white hat ; Miss Anderson, pretty French grey costume. The bachelors and Benedicts of Nenthorne gave an enjoyable ball. Among those present were Mesdames Fowler,. Mills, M’Kie, M’Kay, Morgan, and the Misses M’Kay, J. Mills, M’Kay, M’Kie, Wicks, Bothwick, Bradbrook, Ryan, Talty, Fowler, and Hanlin. The very nice supper was supplied by Mrs Mills, of Nenthorne.

Maude.