THE ‘AT HOME’ AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 29, 16 July 1892, Page 716

THE ‘AT HOME ’ AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

THE Countess of Glasgow’s first ‘ At Home' at Government House took the form of a small dance from 9 o’clock till 12 and was the most delightful little affair that could possibly be imagined. The guests, numbering about thirty or forty couples, were most cordially received by the Earl and Countess of Glasgow and dancing began at once, and continued until shortly after midnight, when a very meriy galop brought one of the most successful dances ever given at Government House to a close. The Earl and Countess were attended by Colonel Pat Boyle, Captain Hunter-Blair, Captain Clayton, Mr Gillington and the Hon. Edward Boyle, all of whom wore the Windsor uniforms. The Countess received in a magnificent gown of pale bluish-green watered silk with narrow stripes far apart of deep salmon pink satin, the long train prettily cut on the cross, with the stripes meeting in the centre in V. shape ; the low corsage and sleeves were trimmed with pale salmon pink crinkled chiffon frills edged with pink feathers, she carried a fan to match, and wore diamonds. The Ladies Augusta, Alice and Dorothy Boyle were all dressed alike in pink veiling gowns trimmed with cream lace and tan shoesand stockings. Miss Hallowes wore a handsome gown of maize satin, with Zouave jacket edged with gold bullion over a front of ecru lace. Miss Sutcliffe was in cream with crimson bows. King’s band played the best of music, and the programme included a Scotch reel, in which his Excellency, among others, danced throughout. In the first set of Lancers the Earl danced with Mrs W. P. Beeves, the Countess and Mr Beeves being their vis a-vis. The conservatory was prettily lit up with coloured Chinese lanterns, and the ballroom was beautifully decorated with greenery, one corner being one mass of ferns. The mantelpieces were covered with flowers and ferns, and the little alcoves on either side of the stairs were converted into delightfully cool retreats for the dancers. * * * * ♦ * There were a number of lovely dresses ; nearly everyone wealing new gowns. Sir James and Lady Hector were there and also Mr and Mrs Arthur Bhodes, the latter wearing her wedding gown ; Mr and Mrs Ed. Bichardson, Miss Bichardson, in white ; Mr and Mrs Charles Johnson, the latter in a rich pink brocade trimmed with turquoise blue satin ; Mrs Newman, in cream satin ; Mr and Mrs Travers ; Mrs Loughnan, in ruby plush, trimmed with jewelled embroidery, Watteau back ; Miss Loughnan (Chiistchurch) in palest green silk with Watteau train ; Mr and Mrs E. B. Brown, the latter in her wedding dress ; Dr. and Mrs Grace, the latter in pink and gold brocade with train of chocolate stamped velvet; Mrs Menteath, in white striped brocade the front draped with crystalled net and trimmed with flowers ; Mrs Honeyman (Auckland), in a handsome maize silk gown. It was too difficult among so many beautiful dresses to decide which was the piettiest. The following are a few of the best amongst the young ladies :—Miss Alice Moorhouse wore a beautiful cream corded silk trimmed with gold braid, and Watteau train ; Miss Hilda Williams, a lovely white brocade gown, the corset bodice completely covered with jewels, the train and high puffed sleeves edged with jewels and inching ; Miss E. Williams, a handsome thick white corded silk, the pointed bodice edged with deep crystal and pearl fringe; Miss M. Grace, pale green brocade, trained, the bodice edged with a fringe of white and green flowers, which also trimmed the skirt; Miss L. Izard, beautiful white silk, trained, with Empire sash ; Miss Gore, pretty white gown with short puffed sleeves and side sash of deep orange silk ; Miss M. Gore, white corded silk, the Swiss belt edged with daisies ; Miss Hector, cream ; Miss Cooper, pink ; Miss I. Cooper, maize Liberty silk trimmed with narrow black velvet; Miss Medley, pale blue gauze; and the Misses H. Williams (Dunedin), Brandon, Fairchild, McGregor, Duthie, Chefferei), Graham, etc. * * * . * . . . * * SECOND RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. Lady Glasgow held her second reception at Government House last Saturday week, but the weather was very cold and wet—in fact.it rained almost incessantly the whole afternoon, and kept many of the intending visitors away. The reception was not nearly so largely attended as before, but between four and five o’clock there were a good many callers, most of them having arrived in cabs owing to the weather. The rooms were very cosy and warm with big blazing fires, shaded lamps, etc., and above all, a charming hostess to welcome visitors, for Lady Glasgow is an excellent hostess, giving herself up entirely to the comfort of her guests. The Countess wore a handsome dark bottle green cloth gown, slightly trained, and much trimmed with white cloth embroidered with green braid, a cream silk Maltese lace handkerchief being used as a lullle at the throat. The Ladies Boyle were present, wearing pretty pale fawn gowns with yokes, cuffs, etc., of dark velvet. The little boys were dressed in pretty white sailor suits, and were very busy in the tea room, carrying about cakes, etc. Colonel

I’at Boyle and Captain Clayton were in staff uniform, Mr Gillington being also present. Miss Hallowes wore a pretty black silk gown, the long bodice cut in tabs and edged with sparkling jet and large bow of cream chiffon at the throat, and Miss Sutcliffe wore dark red trimmed with striped velvet. A capital string band discoursed sweet music at intervals during the afternoon in the drawing room. Afternoon tea was laid out in the dining room and greatly appreciated by the visitors. The rooms, as before were artistically decorated, the mantelpieces being filled with maiden hair ferns and palms; the guests also wandered about the coriidors, w’hich were decorated with treeferns in pots. The conservatory was carpeted, so that anyone could walk about with ease and admire the hot house plants. * * * *** * * * A few of the guests were the Hon. R. Seddon, Captain Russell, Mr and Mrs Valentine (Otago), Mr and Mrs Fisher, Mr and Mrs Arthur Rhodes (Christchurch), the latter look* ing very well in a beautiful brown costume, slightly trained and braided with black, black hat; Mrs Charles Johnston in a sealskin coat, fur bonnet and green cloth gown trimmed with fur; Mrs W. Moorhouse, sealskin jacket and small brown bonnet; Mrs Menteath, green cloth, braided with black, pale blue ciepe frills in front, green toque with wings ; Lady Buckley, grey stiiped rough tweed jacket and skirt over a tena-cotta striped satin blouse front, grey velvet bonnet; Mr Loughnan ;Mr and Mrs Mantell, Mr and Mrs 1 horn as Wilford, Dr and Mrs Collins, the latter in a sealskin jacket, black feathered hat; Miss Richardson, prune-coloured cloth trimmed with pale grey, and pretty little hat to match trimmed with jet; Miss N. McLean (Dunedin), crimson, large white felt hat trimmed with crimson feathers ; Mrs Wardrop, dark green, prettily trimmed with black jetted canvas, velvet and jet bonnet; Mr and Mrs Parfitt, the latter in fawn, brown bonnet; Miss Grierson (Dunedin), Miss Greenwood, Miss Jolly, Miss Cooper, Miss Izard, the Misses Nathan ; the Misses Haise, Miss Jackson, Miss Gillon, Miss Graham, in green with light fur boa; Miss Henry in grey, black hat; the Misses Campbell, Mrs Treadwell, Dr. and Mrs Chapple, Capt. Hume, Messrs Tanner, G. Johnston, Todd, Tripp, Tolhurst, etc.