WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue X, 8 September 1894, Page 235

WELLINGTON.

Dear Beb, August 30. We have been as gay as ever since last I wrote, but I really think that most of it is over now. I still hear of several more dances in prospect, but that will be considered quiet after what we have gone through during the past couple of months or so. It is certainly THE GAYEST SESSION WE HAVE HAD FOR YEARS. The first * At Home * on my list is that (given {by Mias Pearce last Thursday night. It took the form of a dance, there being about ninety or one hundred guests, who arrived at nine o'clock and danced until shortly after midnight, when the delightful party broke up. The drawing-room was turned out for dancing, and was beautifully decorated, chiefly with scarlet and white camellias and greenery. The sitiing-out room was also artistically decorated, and also the verandah, which was enclosed and furnished for retiring. The splendid champagne

supper was tMautifully decorated with daffodils and drapery, and the .» • staircase, etc., were all made as beautiful as possible. Miss Pearce and her brother, Mr Ed. Pearce, received together, the former wearing a handsome cream silk gown, trained and trimmed with gold: Mrs Dowell, who is staying with her father, wore a white and yellow striped silk gown, and Mrs H. Crawford, her sister, wore cream silk and satin striped in bterial trimmed with black velvet: Mrs Al«*x.Crawford wore a blue silk gown, slightly trained, and Mrs Arthur Pearce wore orange silk trimmed with white lace. Mrs (Dr.) Collins wore a pretty yellow merveilleux gown with 6cru lace ; Mrs T. M. Wilford wore white brocade and chiffon : Mrs Johnston-Stewart wore a pretty cream stiiped gauze gown ; Lady Augusta Boyle looked very well in white; Mrs U. Izard wore yellow satin; Mrs Khodt-s, a handsome black trained gown : Mrs Eardley Reynolds, of Dunedin, a pretty white and yellow silk gown; her sister. Miss Richardson, white silk with chiffon frills; Mrs Oliver (Dunedin l , handsome Gobelin blue and gold brocade; Mrs Montgomery (Napier), mauve gauze; and there were also present Captain and Mrs Russell, Mr and Mrs Arthur Russell (Palmerston North). Mr and Mrs I ravers, Mr and Mrs W. Johnston. Dr. and Mrs Adams, Mr and Mrs Wardrop. and the Misses Moorhouse, Duncan. Grace, Williams. Johnston. C A ra 1 V? 88e U? Gore * N.) Williams, Williams (Dunedin. Mills (Dunedini, Buller, and Palmer (Christchurch). Miss Maud Friend is to give a progressive euchre party one Bext week for her guest. Miss O’Connor (who is a daughter of Mr C. Y. O’Connor), who is visiting her from Australia. A small dance is to be given to-night by Mr and Mrs John Duncan.

Mrs (Captain) Edwin gave a large afternoon tea on Wednesday, there being music and singing contributed by several of tne guests, and an amusing reading was given by Mr Charles Izard The Misses Edwin were assisting, and also Miss Bridgen a j »i r 8 an ° Misses Harding. Among the guests were Mr and Mrs R. Pharazyn, Mr and Mrs Travers. Dr. Harding, Mr and Oliver, Mrs Rhodes. Mrs Ferguson, and many others. On the following day Mrs Izard, of Hobson-street, gave a LARGE AFTERNOON ‘ AT HOME.’

there being about sixty or seventy guests present between four and six o’clock- Afternoon tea was prettily laid in the diningroom, and the drawing-room was much decorated with flowers, etc. Some good singing and playing was contributed by the Misses Hilda Williams. Moorhouse, Graham, and Mr Day and Mr Ernest Izard recited. , Mrs Izard received in a handsome black trained gown, and Miss Izard wore b own cloth trimmed with turquoise blue velvet. Among those present were Mr and Mrs C. Izard. Mrs and Miss Aeland (Canterbury), Mr and Mrs Pynsent, Mrs Bell, Lady and Miss Hector. Mrs and Miss Williams, Mrs and the Misses Johnston, Mrs Richmond. Mrs Fell. Mr and Mrs Tanner, Mrs Menzies, Mrs and Miss Grace, the Misses Brandon, etc. Last night Mrs Sprott gave A LARGE JUVENILE PARTY AT ST. PAUL’S PARSONAGE, and as it is holiday time all the children were allowed to go. and they enjoyed themselves thoroughly with dancing and games of various kinds. Among the guests were the Misses Quick, Powies, Edwin, Harding, Joseph, Beil, Gore, Wilson, Williams, Brandon, Hislop, Martin, etc., and Miss Sprott made an excellent little hostess. MR ROBERT PARKER’S ANNUAL CONCERT was largely attended last night, and was a great success. It introduced to us Herr Balling, of the Nelson Musical Academy, and who, with M»ss Dugdale (who is visiting Wellington from Nelson), contributed the gems of the evening — two duets for viola and piano by Rubenstein and Ritter. They were exquisite. Miss Stuart made her debut as a pianiste, and _ r ® ceived quite an ovation after her performance of Mendelssohn’s Capriccio in B Minor with the orchestra. The Misses Hamerton and Miss Myers also played extremely well The vocalists were Lady Campbell, Mrs Burioot, Mr Prouse. Mr Waters. Mr Hugh Wright, Mr Day. and Miss M. Myers. A small orchestra under Mr McDuff Boyd contributed a couple of pieces and the Wellington Liedertafel gave some Norwegian glees, ‘Olaf's Home Coming ’ being particularly admired, and I hope we shall have an opportunity of hearing it again. His Excellency the Governor and party from Government House were present, and a large and fashionable audience. The TOWN HAS BEEN FULL OF CHRISTCHURCH AND WANGANUI COLLEGE BOYS lately, as the football tournaments are taking place this week. Mr and Mrs Firth entertained all the teams and a number of fnends at a dance at the College last night. It was very much enjoyed, and at the conclusion three cheers were given for the Headmaster of the College and his wife for their hospitality. Tne teams were again to be entertained on Saturday night at supper at the College by Mr and Mrs Firth, and afterwards an entertainment is to be provided for them—so you see they are being w’ell treated in the Empire City. - On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of last week a private display of the latest London and Parisian modern millinery and mantles was held in the reception rooms at Te Aro House, Wellington. ’I he display was truly grand, and over five hundred ladies, including a party from Government House, attended by special invitation. Afternoon tea was dispensed in adjoining rooms, which were most tastefully laid out for the occasion.

Ophelia.