WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXI, 23 November 1895, Page 647

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, November 15. THE CRICKET MATCH I mentioned in my letter last week between Christchurch and Wellington resulted in a win for the latter after a very exciting game. Lord and Lady Glasgow. Lady Augusta Boyle, Lady Dorothy Boyle, Miss Elfie Williams, and Captain Preston were present, and were met by Mr H. 1). Bell and Mr W. P. Reeves. The wind rather marred the enjoyment of the afternoon, but in spite of this there was a fair attendance of ladies- Delicious tea and cakes were very much appreciated at about four o’clock. Lady Glaagowjwore a striped black and white silk gown, handsome black lace three-quarter cape with yoke of gold embroidery, ecru lace bonnet trimmed with mignonette; Lady Augusta Boyle looked well in a holland costume, white sailor hat with blue ribbon band; Lady Dorothy, grey skirt, white blouse, sailor hat; Miss E. Williams, grey tweed costume, white sailor hat. Others present I noticed were the Misses Bell. Gore. Rose, Heywood. Upham, Asbbolt, Hitchings, Kennedy, Rhodes, Moorhouse, Faber, Pownall. Mee, Richardson, Parsons and others. Mrs Medley gave a very PLEASANT AFTERNOON TEA on Tuesday. Our hostess received in a black silk gown; Mias Medley wore black crepon with vest of pale green silk. Among the guests were Mrs Abbott, who wore a handsome black silk gown trimmed with jet and lace, burnt straw bonnet with black tips; Mrs Butler, fawn and blue striped gown prettily trimmed with ecru lace, pretty cream lace hat with pink roses; Mrs Higgins, yellow figured silk, with full bodice of black chiffon, large black lace hat with yellow flowers; Mrs H. D. Crawford tabac brown costume, yellow silk blouse, toque to match ; Mrs Baker, black silk gown handsomely trimmed with jet, jet bonnet with mauve ribbons; Mrs Brandon, Miss Williams, white muslin, black hat with tips; Miss Johnston, white spotted muslin trimmed with pale green ribbon, hat to match ; Miss E. Johnston also wore white ; Miss Moorehouse, black crepon, large hat with shot ribbon bow; the Misses Cooper, black crepons. sailor hats; Mrs Hewett, Miss Gore, fawn costume black hat with feathers ; Miss Duncan, light brown tailor-made costume, brown hat with black tips and pink rosea; Mrs Adams, green costume, black bonnet with steel buckles; Mrs Higginson. Mrs Gee. the Misses Brandon, etc.

THE WELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW was held on Wednesday and Thursday at Petone. The second day was the people's day. and when I tell you that there were over 4,000 present, you will know that the attendance was good in spite of the weather, which during the forenoon was very wet. but it cleared and got quite tine in the afternoon, and the only thing to complain about were muddy boots and shoes. The show itself was more interesting than usual, there being more competitions. The driving competition was very amusing. Those taking part in it had to drive between two barrels placed in different positions about the paddock without knocking either over. This was won by Mr McKenzie, Dr. Purdy being second. The steeplechase was won by Mr F. Pearce, the jumping by Mr W. Williams, and for the Polo competition Mr C. Baker (Palmerston North), carried two prizes, and A. Cooper one. Great interest was taken in a suit of clothes that was on view at the Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company’s tent. The sheep were shorn at 6 30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and by 3 30 the same day the suit of clothes, cap, and a pair of socks were made and on view. A party from Government House, consisting of Lord and Lady Glasgow. the Ladies Augusta, Alice, and Dorothy Boyle. Major Elliott and Captain Preston, were present. Lady Glasgow wore a sage green brocaded silk gown ; the bodice was of black silk under a zouave of the green silk, cut jet bonnet; Lady Augusta Boyle, navy blue costume, white blouse, white sailor hat with green and yellow band ; Lady Alice wore a similar costume; Lady Dorothy wore a blue skirt, pale blue blouse, white sailor hat. Others present were Miss Pearce, who wore a dark grey tailor-made costume, jet bonnet with pink roses; Mrs Levin, black costume; Mrs C. Johnston, black lustre jacket and skirt with ecru lace revers, bonnet of lace to match trimmed with pink flowers; Mrs Newman, smoke grey costume, small lace toque with pink chiffon rosettes and ospreys; Mrs Grace, black and dark green figured crepon gown, ecru lace bonnet with forget-me-notsand pink roses ; Mrs A. Crawford, dark skirt, shot silk blouse, small black hat; Mrs A. Pearce, black costume, toreador hat with jetted quills and violets; Mrs Tolhurst, black cloth costume, jet bonnet with mauve flowers and ribbon; Miss Tolhurst, peacock blue cape and gown trimmed with silk to match, becoming toque with shot ribbon bows and wings; Mrs N. Beetham, slate grey costume, yellow silk blouse, white sailor hat with white wings; Mrs H. Beetham, black gown trimmed with red embroidery, black hat with red flowers; Mrs Pratt, grey jacket and skirt, check waistcoat, small black hat with yellow flowers; Mrs Williams, black silk gown and mantle trimmed with lace, jet bonnet with white tips ; Miss E. Williams, grey tweed costume, white sailor hat; Mrs Cooper, Miss Cooper, black skirt, white blouse, sailor hat; Miss 1. Cooper, pink print gown with black ribbon belt, white hat with wings; Mrs W. Johnston, black cloth costume, black bonnet with pink ribbon rosettes; Miss Johnston, black tailor-made costume, sailor hat; Miss 8. Johnston, dark skirt, white striped blouse, white sailor hat; Mrs Baldwin, navy blue costume, black sailor hat; Mrs Menzies, Miss Menzies, black lustre gown, cape lined with yellow silk, heliotrope blouse, white sailor hat with mauve ribbon band; Mrs Macpherson, black crepon skirt, violet silk blouse, pretty black bonnet; Mrs Reid, light brown costume trimmed with ecrue lace bonnet to match; Mrs Riddiford, black skirt, pale green figured silk blouse trimmed with velvet of a darker shade, burnt straw hat with white wings; Mrs Wilford, black costume, blue blouse, black bonnet with ecru lace wings; the Misses Wilford, white duck costumes, sailor hats; Miss Fitzherbert, white duck costume, white chip hat with tips; Mrs T. Wilford, black cloth costume, white sailor hat; Mrs J. Pearce, black serge skirt, light blouse, black sailor hat; Mrs Elga, dark blue jacket and skirt, black velvet toque with buckle and tips; Miss Izard, fawn costume, burnt straw hat with black ribbon rosettes; Mrs Lees, grey tw’eed costume, black hat trimmed with cornflowers; Mrs Williams, brown costume; the Misses Burnett, black costumes; the Misses Gore, navy blue serge costumes, white sailor hats; Mrs H. D. Bell, brown tailor-made costume, black lace hat with red flowers ; Mrs Higgins, grey cloth Jacket and skirt, sailor hat; Miss Simpson, grey check gown trimmed with blue silk, burnt straw hat with red and white roses; Mrs Fulton, dark grey costume, white boat-shaped hat with white wings and tulle ; Mrs Barron, slate grey jacket and skirt, check waistcoat, gold bonnet; Miss Barron, blue serge costume; Mrs Abbott, black crepon gown with silk sleeves, burnt straw bonnet trimmed with white chiffon and black tips; Miss Daniell, dark cloth jacket and skirt, figured silk blouse, pretty toque trimmed with shot ribbon and flowers; Mrs Morrison, Miss Dransfield, fawn cloth costume, burnt straw toque trimmed with mauve flowers and shot ribbon loops ; Mrs Stowe, Miss Stowe, pale grey gown, yoke of guipure lace, becomingstraw hat with grey and pink tulle rosettes and pink carnations; Lady Hector, black gown, lace cape, black bonnet with white lace wings and osprey ; Mrs and Miss Sladden, Miss Lee, Miss Bodman, fawn gown and short cape, white sailor hat; Miss Macgregor, black jacket and skirt, white feathered hat; Miss N. Rose, black crepon gown, black hat trimmed with chiffon and pink ribbon; Mrs Hales, brown costume; Miss Baker (Auckland), black skirt, shot silk blouse, black lace hat with pink roses ; Mrs Firth, black crepon trimmed with violet silk ruches, white sailor hat; Miss Firth, black costume; Miss Ling, maroon figured cloth gown trimmed with silk and passementerie, large straw hat with huge shot ribbon bow; Mrs H. Jackson, grey tweed tailor-made costume, sailor hat; Miss Johnson, blue print with lace yoke, white sailor hat; Mrs W. Bidwell, Mrs Mcßae, Miss Johnston, and Miss Seddon wore their riding habits. Among the gentlemen present I noticed Messrs Worry, Tolhurst. Wilford, Crawford Cooper, Pratt, Bidwell, Williams, Riddiford, Lees, Bell, Hanna, Skerrett, Baldwin, Mills. Gore. Pearce, Roberts, Pharazyn, Phillips, Drs. Newman, Purdy, Grace, etc. 1 forgot to mention that Mrs E. J. Riddiford entertained a large number of people at afternoon tea on this occasion. There was a tent erected for the purpose, which was made so cosey with a carpet and nice easy chairs, etc., the table being decorated with beautiful roses. The H.M.S. Lizard has been in port for a few days. During her stay Captain Hancock entertained Mr and Mrs Brough and others of the company at tea on board. The show of roses is to be next Wednesday and Thursday, which I hope to tell you of next week. The Athletic Sports are uO be held on Saturday afternoon. OPHKLIA.

Dear Bee, November 14. Our town is again gay with visitors. Country cousins from all directions have collected hero for the show, and the dullness, which enfolded us as a pall after the Session is dispelled. I think there are really fewer visitors than is usually the case, but then Wellington has its own again, as all those, or nearly all. who wont to Christchurch, have returned. We wore not fortunate in our weather this year, the morning being so wet and unpromising that many people were deterred from going out at all, though the beautifully tine afternoon tempted a good number who believed in the saying, ‘ Better late than never.’ The ladies’ hack, driving competitions, polo and jumping competitions, were, as usual, the favourites, and well merited the attention accorded them. The jumping, especially was remarkably good, exceeding any previously seen on the grounds. Mrs G. J. Riddiford bad a very enjoyable afternoon tea, which was served in a spacious airy tent close to the stand. The interior was furnished with numerous small tables, temptingly spread with sweets of every description, the tea itself being hot and most refreshing Mrs Riddiford entertained His Excellency and Lady Glasgow. Ladies Augusta, Alice, and Dorothy Boyle, Major Elliott, anti Captain Preston. With so many on the grounds and so much else to look at it was quite impossible to notice what everyone wore, but I shall try' to describe a few of the pretty frocks. Lady Glasgow wore a very stylish dress of the palest sea green figured silk, which fitted her beautifully, was most, becoming; the sleeves were of thick black corded silk, and the collar and waistband matched, the costume being completed by a small black bonnet trimmed with lace and high jet ornaments ; the Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle wore very neat serge costumes with light blouses and sailor hats; Mrs Abbott wore a black alpaca dress with white silk front, full, and barred with deep cream lace, a yellow straw bonnet trimmed with black and white chiffon. Mr Anialius Smith has gone for a trip to the Old Country, and will be away about six months. Next Saturday the AMATEUR ATHLETIC <*Lt'l< hold their annual sports on the Basin Reserve. This is always a very successful meeting, and very numerously attended. The club itself containing so many members, representing so many families, draws al) those associated or connected with them to

join the ranks of spectators, and I have no hesitation in predicting an enjoyable gathering this year. Night after night we take up the paper and read locals about concerts held somewhere in the town or suburbs, always in aid of, or in connection with, come charitable object or church, and we wonder how they pay, or if they really do pay at all. Yet on they go, and ever will do so I suppose. Smoke concerts appear to be always ‘ crowded,' which proves that the love of music is strongly developed in man, or is it perhaps the love of tobacco also which fills those halls so frequently ! We find, however, that the muchdiscussed depression and bad times do not affect our purses where amusement claims a ‘ bob ’ or two, and prudence and economy are not our fellow passengers when we go to the Opera House or the concert room. We were both pleased and proud to see that Mr H. B. Vogel who till recently was well known amongst us. has been appointed to such a splendid position as that of editor of • Hood's Annual.* and is also well up In the staff of the Weekly Dispatch. Mr Vogel has always been of a literary turn of mind, and even while here had written several short stories, and. also tried his skill at plays, which, however, were never published here. The holiday to celebrate the Prince of Wales’ Birthday came and passed like a meteor flash under bright sunshine and clear blue sky. There were picnics by land and picnics by sea, croquet, tennis, and garden parties, driving, riding and bicycling parties, each to his own fancy, and each in his own way taking full advantage of the day. In the evening there was an excellent concert in the Exchange Hall, while in the Opera House the BLAND HOLT COMPANY opened their season by a performance of ‘The Span of Life.’a most powerfully acted and realistic play, and has drawn crowded houses all the week. There is no doubt that Bland Holt is second to none in the public favour of Wellington. In spite of the marked patronage shown to the Brough-Boucicault Company. Bland Holt meets with a universal popularity which is seldom shown to any other Company. We are therefore looking forward with pleasant expectancy to a prolonged and successful season. We expect the Italian warship, the Christifero Columbus, here shortly, which carries, I believe, some distinguished visitors, who are to receive a patriotic welcome from their fellow countrymen now resident in Wellington. The finale of the Ladies’ Bracelet Competition in golf was played off at the Hutt Links on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Miss M. Bodmin, who is to be heartily congratulated on her well-deserved victory.

Meye.