SECOND EVENING ‘AT HOME’ AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 31, 30 July 1892, Page 764

SECOND EVENING ‘AT HOME’ AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, WELLINGTON.

THE Countess of Glasgow gave hei' second evening ‘At Home’ on Thursday night, it again taking the form of a small dance from 9 till 12 o'clock, and it was just as enjoyable as the last, but of course all the guests were different. It appears that they intend giving these small dances until they come to the eml of the list, and in no instance is anyone invited twice, and for the afternoon receptions they are inviting people alphabetically. Wellington is growing so large that a system of some sort is necessary, especially during the session, when there are so many visitors. Only one ball room was thrown open, but this was all that was required, for there were not more than forty couples. The ball-room was beautifully decorated with ferns and Howers, ami the long corridors also looked very pretty decorated with tall pot plants, etc., and the conservatory was carpeted and softly lit with very pretty and novel looking Chinese lanterns. A delicious oyster supper was served in the dining-room. The ices were particularly acceptable, for it was rather a close, warm evening.

His Excellency and the Countess received together at the entrance of the drawing-room, the latter wearing her magnificent gown of crimson satin brocaded with Howers, a profusion of diamonds, and carried a large fan. A Scotch reel appeared on the programme, and was danced with great spirit by those who knew it—His Excellency, Admiral Scott, Captain Hunter-Blair, and the Ladies Boyle taking part. There were no programmes, merely several large printed cards on the walls framed with fern, and before each dance the musicians would put the number and kind of dance out on a quaint little contiivance for the purpose on the piano. King’s band supplied the music.

Admiral Lord Charles Scott, who arrived the same day in the Orlando, and is a guest at Government House, was present, ami also Captains Barlow and Pike, and several officers of the Orlando, and Captain Bourke, Lieut. Stansfield, and Dr. Collins, of the Kingarooma. The Ladies Borle wore pretty white dresses, prettily trimmed with ribbons, and Miss Hallowes looked very well in a soft cream chiffon gown trimmed with frills of the same. Col. Boyle, who is recovering front his attack of rheumatism, was walking about with the aid of a stick, his foot bound up. Amongst the guests were Lady Campbell, in a handsome pompadour silk gown, and with her Miss Duncan and Miss Collins, of Blenheim ; MrandMrsW. Moorhouse, Mrs J. Rhodes and Miss M. Rhodes, of Napier ; Mr and Mrs Mantell, Mr and Mrs Parfitt, Miss Grierson (of Dunedin), Dr. and Mrs Gillon, the latter in pale blue; Mrs Adams, Miss Johnston, Miss Hawkins, in a pretty cream gown ; Miss Elliott looked well in a dark sapphire velvet, trained, and trimmed with white chiffon ; Miss Reynolds, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Studholme, of Christchurch, in a pretty white gown ; Miss M. Allan,in a very pretty softwhite gown, trained,and trimmed with white fur or inching ; Miss Krull, of Wanganui, in white ; Mr and Mrs Firth, Miss Barion, in deep crimson ; Miss E. Barron, Mr and Mrs Wardrop, Miss Campbell, Miss Pynsent, the Misses Haise, the Misses Burnett, the Misses Tuckey, the Misses Kennedy, Miss Reid, Dr. and Mrs Rawson, the latter in a handsome maize brocade ; Messrs O'Rorke, Tolhurst, A. Deane, Cattsia, Studholme, G. Johnstone, C. Cooper, Baldwin, Butterworth, Tuckey, Hume, etc. There were few new gowns. White was very much worn, and Watteau bows and trains were very noticeable, even amongst the dresses of the young ladies.