PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 11, 18 March 1893, Page 260

PICTON.

Dear Bee, February 28. I am sending for ‘ Topics ’ an account of the DELIGHTFUL CONVERSAZIONE given by- the residents of the town and district to welcome Mr and Mrs Sedge wick back amongst us. As there were more than three hundred people present I can only attempt to describe a few dresses worn by the committee and young lady assistants, of whom there was quite a small Mrs Duncan wore handsome black silk and lace; Mrs Mellish. black satin, and lovely white lace pelerine and cap : Mrs Baillie (Para), black broche ; Mrs Rutherford, heliotrope silk and guipure lace; Mrs Mclntire, light silk with large collar, and new circular cap of Limerick point; Mrs A. P. Seymour, black velvet and white lace ; Mrs Speed, handsome black Lyons silk ; Mrs Sedgewick, dark green silk ; Mrs H. C. Seymour. black merveilleux and pink ribbon bows; Mrs Waddy, well-fitting dark costume with collar and cuffs of white guipure ; Mrs Scott, black merveilleux. pretty circular cap of lace and ribbon; Mrs Baillie, black silk and white lace frills; Mrs Allen, black ; Mrs Gard, black with gold; Mrs Philpotts, black; Miss Linton woie white muslin, and managed the musical part of the entertainment in quite a masterly manner; Miss Hassel wore white lace over pink; Misses L. Falconer, pink muslin ; M. Philpotts, white muslin and black bows ; S. Philpotts, black ; M. Greensill, French grey brochd ; A. Scott, fawn cashmere with silk facings; M. Speed, white; B. Waddy. white; E. Waddy. fawn cashmere; S. Greensill, cream flowered delaine; N. Allen, black skirt, white blouse; M. Seymour, prettv frock of fawn striped material; K. Seymour, pink delaine, and I. Seymour, skirt and pale blue blouse ; A. M hite, pale blue frock with puffed sleeves and ribbon bows; Miss Hay wore cream delaine; Miss Speed, navy blue surah silk with white pattern; Miss Howard, black; Miss Carey, white muslin. All wore pretty flowers and had bright faces, so I need not say how welcome their appearance with plates of cakes and all sorts of goodies was to the three hundred folks in the hall, nor must I forget to say how energetically the gentlemen—who so far had taken a back seat—wo ked with the tea and cotfee trays, to satisfy an undefined longing to be up and doing something tor an affair which was to reflect glory on everybody connected with it. Archdeacon and Mrs Grace, from Blenheim, and our old friend. Miss Bowden, who is now visiting Picton, were the only other formally invited guests. All the rest was a free-will offering from the residents of every denomination to our returned wanderers. On Sunday afternoon a party of ladies and gentlemen consisting of Mr and Mrs Rutherford, Mrs Allen. Mr Gudgeon, Miss Speed, Miss M. Speed, and Miss Nora Allen, were entertained at AFTERNOON TEA ON BOARD H.M.S. RINGDOVE in the Captain’s sanctum sanctorum. They were shown over the ship, ar d saw the men parade, and listened to many interesting stories of the ship’s cruise around the Islands of the Pacific. On Monday Mr ar d Mrs Rutherford gave a most recherche little dinner at their residence Fern Hill. The guests were Mr and Mrs Waddy. Captain Bain, Mrs Allen, and Mrs Speed. One or two other invited guests were unavoidably absent. PERSONALIA. Pict onians are pleased to know that Mr Waddy, of the Bank of New Zealand, who has been absent on sick leave, is about to take up his duties again, and Mr T. Mouat of the Blenheim branch, who has been on relieving duty, will return to that office. The Misses M. and I. Seymour, M. Philpotts, and A. Scott, who have been visiting Captain Harris’ family at Richmond Bay, Pelorus Sound, have returned to Picton, and look all the better for their charming holiday, which was full of interest from beginning to end. Land and water excursions were frequent, tennis matches, dancing and musical evenings, visitors also were quite an everyday affair, as also were earthquakes, after the earthquake of Sunday morning, which was severely felt in that locality. Mrs Linton, who is going Home for a trip in the Coptic, invited her friends to A FAREWELL AFTERNOON TEA on Tuesday. Quite a goodly gathering roll'd up, amongst whom were Mrs Scott in black grenadine, and handsome long black lace mantle, bonnet of black btraw with cream tips and flowers ; Mrs Gard, black silk, and lace mantle, bonnet with yellow flowers; Mrs Speed, in black, and black jet bonnet with pink roses; Mrs Rutherford, dark brown cotton with coloured chrysanthemums, white hat with terra-cotta bowsand cream chrysanthemums, baby ribbon strings; Mrs Fitzgerald, pretty pale blue cashmere with white vest, collar and gauntlets: Mrs McShane, dark costume; Mrs Mclntosh white muslin ; Mrs Philpotts, black; Mrs H. C. Seymour, spotted blue cotton, black lace straw hat with pretty pink flowers; Mrs Allen, black; Miss Greensill, white Indian muslin prettily embroidered in pink, etc. Jean.