WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue VI, 11 August 1894, Page 138

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, August 2. Mrs Grace’s large ‘ At Home ’ took place last Thursday night at the Princess Theatre, where a very large number of guests had assembled by 9 o’clock. Last year Mrs Parfitt gave an * AT HOME ’ AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE, and it proved most suitable for the purpose, as it did also on this occasion. It needs a great deal of decorating, etc., to make it at all presentable, and on Thursday night it was so beautifully decorated as to call forth the admiration of all. The large stage w’as furnished with crimson velvet chairs and lounges, and had in the centre a large conservatory stand filled with hot-house plants, ferns, and flowers, and the edge of the stage was very skilfully arranged with lovely yellow daffodils and jonquils, which were made to stand upright as though erowing all along the edge. The ceiling was prettily festooned with long strings of scarlet and white camellias and lilies, and the gallery was draped with scarlet flags and festooned with flowers. The supper-room was also beautiful with flowers, etc., and the piano appeared to stand in a bower of greenery and flowers. King’s band supplied the music, and the extras were played by Miss Brandon and Mr W. A. Day during supper time. An excellent sit-down champagne supper was provided, and all the guests were well looked after, in spite of the extreme difficulty of so doing at a large ball. THE DRESSES. Dr. and Mrs Grace received, the latter wearing a handsome dark bronze brown stamped velvet train and bodice over a petticoat of lovely silver and white brocade, and she wore a lovely diamond necklet and pendant. The Misses M., A., and P. Grace were all dressed alike in handsome white satin gowns, finished with four or five rows of tiny chiffon flounces, the sleeves being entirely composed of the flounces; Miss Johnston, of Hawke’s Bay, who is staying with Mrs Grace for the session, wore a similar gown of white -satin and chiffon ; Lady Buckley wore a magnificent gown of light, grey satin brocaded with dark grey flowers and trimmed with white silk ; Lady Augusta Boyle wore a pretty black net gown with black satin drooping sleeves, the skirt edged with orange flowers, the same appearing on the bodice and in her hair; Mrs Johnston Stewart wore a dark greenish-grey satin gown, trained, and brocaded all over with tiny pale pink clusters of flowers, the corsage trimmed with lace: Mrs Newman, a dull brown silk train and bodice over a petticoat of pale tinted silk embroidery over pink silk ; Mrs W. Johnston, a handsome black and white gown ; the Misses Johnston, pale green fraise silk with ? e , e P, ounces °f white striped silk gauze ; Mrs Rhodes, a beautiful black satin gown trimmed with velvet and jet, and diamond stars; Mrs Bell, a lovely white silk gown brocaded with a small pattern of flowers in stripes, and with lapels of deep red velvet embroidered with pearls, the skirt trimmed with diagonal flounces of ecru lace caught with velvet and pearls ; Miss Buchanan (Christchurch), who is staying with Mrs Bell, made her debut, and wore a pretty white silk gown trimmed on the corsage with white flowers and leaves and lace; Mrs Oliver (Dunedin) wore cream broche: Mrs Tolhurst, black, with revers of gold and cream brocade ; Miss Tolhurst, white and silv-r ; Mrs Fulton, deep ruby velvet, trained: Mrs Friend, black wAh moss green moir6 sleeves; Miss Friend made her debut in a pretty white silk gown; Mrs James Allen (Dunedin) wore terra-cotta Sl .» trained ; Mrs G. Hutchison, a handsome black gown trimmed with go’d ; Mrs J. C. Martin, white: Mrs J, H. Baker, terra-cotta trimmed with darker velvet and lace : Miss Baker (Napier), black with pale blue velvet sleeves; Mrs Gale, bright blue satin and velvet over a petticoat of pink satin ; Mrs C. Izard, white Liberty silk trimmed with black insertion; Mrs Richmond, black ; Mrs Werry, pale brick-coloured silk trimmed with velvet and lace; Mrs Parfitt, a combination of cream silk and brown velvet; Miss Alice Moorhouse, black with an Empire sash and sleeves of orange silk : Miss Williams (Dunedin), slate-coloured merveilleux with a pink silk bodice; the Misses (J.N.t Williams, of Hawke’s Bav, wore white silk, the bodices trimmed with strings of pearls; Miss Williams pale blue satin trimmed with black velvet and jet; Miss Hilda Williams, a cream accordion gown; Mrs (Captain) Russell, black and yellow; Mrs Mantell, a pretty lavender silk edged with narrow jet trimming; Mrs Hislop, a combination of black and pale blue silk ; Mrs T. Wilford, cream ; Miss Wilford, white and silver ; Mrs Wardrop, a smoke grey and orange moire gown ; Miss A. Brandon, rose pink silk trimmed with black lace ; Miss Medley, black with white sleeves; and there were also present Dr. and Mrs McKenzie, Mr and Mrs Pynsent. Sir Waiter Buller. Mr and Mrs Gee, the Misses Buckley (Christchurch), the Hon. R. and Mrs Pharazyn, Mr and Miss Pearce, Mr and Mrs A. Pearce, Captain Forbes, Mrs and the Misses Barron, Mrs and Miss Edwin. Mr and Mrs W. Ferguson. Dr. and Mrs Collins, Mrs and the Misses Harding. Mr and Mrs Rawson, Captain Russell, Dr. Cahill. Mr and Mrs Janich, the Misses Stowe. Holt. Duncan, Palmer (Christchurch), Gore. Cooper, Holmes. Coleridge, Arkwright (Rangitikei), Moore (Wanganui). Graham, Pearce, Thomas (Christchurch), Powell (Christchurch), etc., etc.

THE CONCERT IN AID OF THE UNEMPLOYED in this city was very largely attended at the Opera House last Saturday night, and the handsome sum of £2OO will be handed over for the praiseworthy object in view. The very best talent VI L" e Cl^y was ?* ven free. and the kindly performers included Madame Rosaly Merz, Miss Jeanne Ramsay, Mrs and Miss Parsons, and Messrs John Prouse, R. B. Williams, E. J. Hill, A. S. Patterson, and W. F. Haybittie. The programme was an excellent one. and the concert was one of the best ever given here. Nearly every item was encored. Miss Jeanne Ramsay sang charmingly, and it is to be hoped that she intends residing here, for she will prove a great acquisition to our musical circles. The ot hers all sang splendidly, and were accompanied by Mr Tallis I nmnell and Mr Alfred Hill. The Orchestral Society contributed two items, as did also several members of the Liedertafel—Messrs Stringer, Pollock. W. Day. Gray, Hickson. Clothiei, Plimmer, S. Kennedy and Pickering—the latter giving two double quartettes. and these brought to a close a most enjoyable evening. The Mayor (Mr A- Brandon) then called for three cheers for all those who had gratuitously assisted, and this, you may be sure, was most heartily given. The stage was prettily decorated with ferns and fairy lamps, and the conductor’s stand was also surrounded with greenery. IN THE AUDIENCE WERE the Mayor and Mayoress, the latter wearing a black gown and pale blue cloak bound with white fur ; the Hon. R. J. Seddon and Miss Seddon. Mr and Mrs 11. I). Bell, the latter wearing black: the Rev. Dr. Watters, Dr. and Mrs Newman, the latter in a pretty Gobelin cloak bound with beaver; Mr and Mrs W. Ferguson, the latter in a grey and pink cloak; Mr and Mrs Gale, the latter in a lemon-coloured velvet cloak bound with white fur; Hon. W. P. Reeves, Mr and Mrs Larnach (Dunedin), the lat ter wearing black ; Mrs John Ross, who very kindly presented each of the lady singers with a beautiful basket of flowers tied with streamers of

ribbon, wore a handsome black gown ; Mrs Travers, black : Miss Coleridge, grey cloak; Mrs Barclay, long red cloak ; the Misses Gore, cream satin cloaks bound with feather; Mr and Mrs Oliver (Dunedin), the latter in cream silk: Miss Brandon wore a pink opera cloak bound with white fur; Miss A. Brandon, black and silver, mauve cloak with white fur; Mrs Higginson, pretty grey cloak embroidered with steel: Miss Buchanan (Christchurch), white; the Misses Williams (Hawke’s Bay), long white cloaks; also Mrs and Miss Edwin, Mr and Mrs J. D. Ritchie. Mr and Mrs Theo. Ritchie, Mr and Mrs Cameron. Mr and Mrs Focke. Mrs and Miss Moore (Wanganui), Mr and Mrs A. Pearce, Miss A. Grace, the Misses Menzies. Mrs Haybittie. Mrs Plimmer, Miss Williams (Dunedin). Dr. and Mrs Adams, Mrs and Miss Kircaldie, Mrs and Miss Grady, besides a great many M.H.R.s, who. of course, were able to get away on Saturday night. Lord Glasgow, owing to a previous engagement, was unable to attend, but forwarded a cheque with his sympathy. THE MONTAGUE-TURNER COMPANY opened their season here last Monday and were greeted by a fairly large audience, playing ‘Lucrezia Borgia.’ Miss Annis Montague wore two beautiful gowns during the evening—one of rich black watered silk with a long train, over a petticoat spangled with gold jewels; and another, a long purple velvet Watteau train over a petticoat of heliotrope satin sparkling with gold embroidery. Miss Staunton is a great addition to the Company, and Mr Farley is as good as ever, but Mr Walshe has not yet quite got into the ways of a principal, he having now to take most of the parts formerly taken by the late Mr Turner, and the difference, naturally, being considerable. WELLINGTON CLUB BALL. The ball given by the members of the Wellington Club is always considered one of the best of the season, and that given by them last night proved no exception to the rule. I heard someone remark that everything was ‘ tip top,’ which seemed to exactly express his feelings. It was certainly a splendid ball, although somewhat crowded in the ball-room at times, but there is so much outlet from the hall that the crowd was not felt so much elsewhere. All the rooms were beautifully decorated, chiefly with wattle and red and white camellias, and the long verandah and porch were both covered in and prettily draped and decorated, and furnished as sitting out rooms. THE CHAMPAGNE SUPPER was a great feature, the waiting being excellent. Everything in or out of season was prettily laid out in profusion, and the members proved themselves to be excellent hosts and looked after everyone thoroughly. King’s band supplied the music, and during supper time Mrs Harry Crawford and Miss Annie Brandon played a couple of extras. The President, Mr Ed. Pearce, ana Miss Pearce received the guests at the top of the broad staircase, and Miss Pearce wore a handsome cream satin gown, trained, with epaulettes of lace. HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AND PARTY ARRIVED AT ABOUT 9.30, AND WERE USHERED IN BY TWO PIPERS playing the bagpipes, in Highland costume. I was informed that they were playing the National Anthem—and, not being a Scotchwoman. required the information. SOME MAGNIFICENT DRESSES WERE WORN. Mrs Johnston-Stewart wore a lovely silver-grey brocaded gown figured with black, and trimmed with chiffon; Lady Augusta Boyle wore white silk striped with broad stripes of white silk embroidered with coloured flow'ers and trimmed with lace ; Mrs Larnach, of Dunedin, wore a lovely gown of deep peacock silk, the bodice part of yellow satin trimmed with gold and jet passementerie and black chiffon; Mrs J. G. Wilson, a handsome black gown, the bodice made zouave fashion and trimmed with ecru lace ; Mrs T. Rose, a lovely gown of black moire, the revers of pale green silk and jet; Mrs (Dr.) Collins wore a beautiful black moire and white silk gown, the sleeves of white crepe and jetted epaulettes; Mrs W. Johnston wore her magnificent gown of broad shaded stripes of black and white chiffon ; the Misses Johnston wore pretty white satin and chiffon gowns ; Mrs C. Izard, a pretty yellow brocaded satin gown ; Mrs Werry, sage green silk and darker velvet trimmed with embroidery; Miss M. Williams, yellow brocade over a petticoat of white silk embroidered with pearls ; Miss Hilda Williams, a lovely white brocade gown trimmed with lace: Miss Duncan, pale grey satin with shoulder straps of flowers; Miss Gibson (Dunedin), pink silk trimmed with deep lace and shoulder straps of flowers; Miss Gore, old rose silk flounced with black chiffon, with a black satin bodice; her sisters, white silk and chiffon; Mrs Dowell, white and yellow striped silk; Mrs Fell, ecru silk trimmed with black lace; Mrs H. D. Bell, yellow silk ; Miss Buchanan (Christchurch). white silk ; Mrs Tolhurst, brown velvet with a front and revers of gold and cream brocade; Miss Baker (Napier), white silk with chiffon frills; Mrs E. Wilson, a lovely white silk gown embroidered with pearls; Mrs Purdy, a pretty pale green satin gown trimmed with lovely lace and pearl embroidery; Miss Hector, cream silk and lace; Mrs Newall, a handsome brown velvet gown ; Miss Newall, white; Mrs T. C. Williams, a lovely brown brocade gown with long train; Miss Holmes, a handsom’e black velvet gown, jetted; Miss Cara Russell, white trimmed with lace; Miss Friend, blue silk, plainly made; Miss Cooper, pretty pink silk gown with pink crepe sleeves; Miss Stowe, white : Mrs Palmer, grey brocade with clusters of pansies; Mrs (Dr.) Adams, a beautiful white brocade gown : Mrs Hales, a handsome black and yellow gown trained; Miss Shirley-Baker (Auckland), white silk much trimmed with striped chiffon ; Mrs Whittail, deep greenish blue velvet trimmed with embroidery; Miss Fairchild, orange brocaded silk with lace epaulettes, and her sister, pale blue silk with a dark velvet bodice; and there were also present Captain Stewart, Major Elliott, Captain Clayton, Mr and Mrs Pynsent, Sir Walter Buller, Dr. and Mrs Findlay (lately fiom Otago), Mr and Mrs A. Brandon, the Misses Brandon, Mr and Mrs A. Pearce, Mr and Mrs G. Pearce, the Misses Skerrett, Mrs (Captain) Russell, Dr. and Mrs McKenzie, Miss H. Moorhouse, Colonel Pox. Mr and Mrs R. Pharazyn, Miss Whistler, Mrs and Miss Seed, Mr and Mrs Field, Miss Burnett, Mrs and the Misses Grace, Miss Dransfield, Miss Griffiths, Mr and Mrs Dean, the Misses Buckley (Christchurch), Mrs and Miss Barron, Mr and Mrs Travers, Miss Graham, the Misses (J.N.) Williams, of Napier, and many others.

The next dance is that of Mrs Johnston-Stewart at Government House to-morrow night, and the next that of Mrs George Hutchison on the 13th of August. These are all the invitations that are out at present, but I have no doubt others will be out before long, for I do not think there is any likelihood of the gaieties stopping just yet. Yesterday was ARBOR DAY, and a large number of people assembled on the Reclaimed Land for the purpose of planting or looking on at others planting trees. His Excellency made a short speech and planted a tree, as did also Lady Augusta and Lady Alice Boyle and Captain Clayton. The Mayor also made a speech, and then he and numbers or others, including many ladies, proceeded to plant trees. The day was observed as a holiday.

Ophelia.