DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 6, 6 February 1892, Page 134

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, January 19. The month is growing old again, and we are all as staid and settled as though there had been no New Year. The weather takes care that we shall not be too jolly, for the rain it raineth every day. Last week a very severe storm swept over the town doing damage. The flowers hang their heads as if rebuked for growing, and the birds are asking one another all day ‘ when will it be summer ?’ Having been fully persuaded that their calculations as to nesting time were all right, they feel it a little bard that their half-fledged little ones should have come into the world to be drowned. Mr Walter Bentley is having a good time here. Of course, you know that he is an old Dunedinite, and his reception contradicted the statement that a prophet receives no honour in his own country. One afternoon he gave a large ‘ At Home' at Wains Hotel where he stays, leceiving his guests in the large dining room. Amongst these were Mrs and Miss Mackerras, the Misses Sievwright, Roberts, Williams, Macassey, Carew, McNeil, Mrs R Wilson, His Worship the Mayor (Mr C. Chapman), the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Messrs J. Brown, Digby, Smith, A. Cohen, Dr. Stuart, and a number of others. ‘ Othello,’ ‘Richard Hl,’ ‘The Lady of Lyons,’ ‘Merchant of Venice,’ ‘ The Bells,’ ‘ Richelieu,’ have all been played to good houses. A few friends of the actor's met for the purpose of considering a proposal made to present Mr Bentley with a testimonial, and it has been decided that the Mayor shall make the presentation at the theatre one night in an interval of the performance. Society still remains out of town, and will do so, I expect, until the opening of the schools. The gentlemen, of course, are back at business, while the women and children stay away. But on Saturday afternoons when the offices are closed there is a general rush out to the get-at able places. News comes from Chatton of the marriage of Miss Marjory Black, to Mr S. Mclntosh, both of whom are well known and liked in the district. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr Ramsay, of Knapdale, at the residence of the bride’s parents. The bridesmaid was Miss May Gordon, of Milton, Mr W. Mclntosh acting as best man. There was a large company of guests present to witness the ceremony, more than a hundred sitting down to the wedding-breakfast. It was in all respects a Scottish wedding, for while the feast was in progress, the bagpipes were playing. The presents were numerous and costly. A large party was given at night, over one hundred and fifty being present, the rooms being prettily decorated with wild flowers. The bride’s costume was a travelling dress of navy blue, relieved with orange blossoms. The bridesmaid wore blue and white ; the bride's mother, a black costume; the bridegroom’s mother, black corded silk; Mrs Noble (sister of the bride), black ; Mrs Jones (sister), navy blue ; Mrs McKechnie (sister), black ; Mrs W. Black (sister of the bridegroom) navy blue corded silk ; Mrs Robinson, black ; Mrs Ford, black ; Mrs Gardner, green cashmere. A number of black dresses were worn—quite an unusual number. Others of those present were Miss Noble, Miss J. Noble, Misses Mclntosh, Gordon, Reid, Kidd, Williamson, Lamb (2), Ford <2), Wood, Miln, Bradbury (2), McKenzie, Mesdames Bennetto and Cameron, Miss and Miss H. Jones, Mrs W. Ibbotson, Mrs Howden, Mrs Gardyne, Misses Robertson (2), Mrs Donald, Mrs Miln, Misses Wood (2), Miss Falconer, and others. Dancing was kept up until daylight, a most enjoyable time being spent. The guests then dispersed, a number of them having long distances to ride or drive. Another outlying entertainment was the ball at Arrowtown in connection with the Hospital. This was held in the drill shed, and was, my conespondent informs me, with the exception of the music, a great success. Whether or not in the country the music is regarded as an important part of a dance or no, I cannot venture to say, but in the town we usually consider that tbe music forms an important feature of the dance, not being able to dance very well without it. However, perhaps we are fastidious, and ought to regard a pretty dress, a nice partner, and a good floor as all sufficient. The supper was excellent. Among the dresses Mrs Donaldson wore green plush ; Mrs Stoddart, black lace relieved with white silk ; Mrs W. Butler, Japanese silk ; Miss Pritchard, pink sa’.in under fisherman's

net; Mias Low, pink dress ; Mias Ingleworth, electric blue silk with pink flowers; Miss O’Farrell, black fisherman's net ; Mias Ferelle, sea foam nun’s veiling ; Miss < 'app, crashed strawberry; Miss M’Quirk, black dress; Miss Butell, white dress and pink flowers; Miss Flannery, white : Miss Wood head, cream figured lustre; Mias K. M’Quirk, white and bine sash ; Mias Travis, cream fisherman’s net over pink silk ; Miss King, black lace ; Miss G. King, pale blue.

Maude.