WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue VIII, 22 February 1896, Page 209

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, February 14. Mrs (Dr.) Johnston and her daughters are expected to pay us a visit within the next few months. They leave England, in June for an indefinite period to pay visits to their distant friends. Mrs David Nathan and her daughter leave by the next direct boat with the intention of visiting her relations in the Old Country. Mrs George Moore, from Napier, is in town. The Working Guild in connection with St. Peters’ Church is holding a sale of work to-day. Mrs Ross, as President, has spared no pains to make it a success in every way, and has very kindly placed her lovely garden at Inverlochy at the disposal of the committee. Besides the usual stalls of work, there is the never-fail-ing attraction of tennis and other lawn games, while delicious tea and other refreshments flow hot and refreshing the whole afternoon. One of the most enjoyable CONCERTS held here for a long time was that on Wednesday night, when the whole house was enchanted with the gracious charming presence of the court singer Madame Von Vahsel and the rare richness of voice of both herself and her husband. A musical treat such as this is not likely to be forgotten, and we can only regret that the house was not more crowded, or that we shall not have another opportunity of hearing these talented visitors. The Company goes on to Nelson from here, and though they pass through Wellington on their return, it is unlikely that they will give another concert here. I hear, however, that many requests have been made to their manager, with the hope that we shall yet again hear them, and perhaps it will yet be arranged. Among the audience were Mrs and the Misses Allen, Mr and Mrs Barron, and the Misses Barron and Fowler, Dr. and Mrs Collins, Mr and Mrs Castendyke, Mrs Field, Mr. Mrs and Miss Fisher, the Misses Hardy, Mrs and Miss Harding, the Misses Johnston, Mrs Moore (Napier), Mrs Palmer, Mr and Mrs Rhind, Mrs and Miss Ross, Sir Robert and Lady Stout. Mr and Mrs Tolhurst and the Misses Tolhurst, etc., etc. I hear that Miss Fisher will probably leave the Company in Dunedin and return home for a rest before her marriage, which takes place within the next few months. The Governor and party are expected in town early next week. At present they are in Oamaru. The committee of the Ladies' Christian Association held their ANNUAL TEA for the orphans yesterday afternoon. About 30 children were there, orphans immediately under the charge of these ladies, and quite distinct from those resident in the Cottage Home. The committee consists of Mesdames Anderson. Fitz Gerald, Hall, Hartmann. Janisch, Kenney, Kinniberg, Menzies, Peth erick. Phillips, and Waters. Before they left each child was presented with a small present as a memento of the occasion. Mrs Rhind gave a very delightful children’s party a few evenings ago for her two young daughters, which was much enjoyed. Mrs Abbott gave a small Roulette party on Tuesday evening —a very bright, though sometimes expensive way of spending an evening, and a way not likely to become generally adoped. We have the unusual experience at present of sheltering a man in a trance, rendered unconscious by the will of a fellow human being. Mr Kennedy, the mesmerist, has been here some days, and is exciting no small share of interest not unmixed with awe. The man in the trance is the greatest ‘draw ’ of all Mr Kennedy’s experiments, and crowds daily flock to see him. and all come away apparently much impressed with the marvellous reality of the mesmerism, which so few understand, yet all must recognise as a mysterious power. The cycling sports take place in the Basin reserve on Saturday

week, and the athletic sports have been fixed for the 17th of March. Ms ye. Dear Bee February 13. Herr Balling and Mr Maughan Barnett assisted by Mr Alfred Hill, gave A MATINEE in Thomas Hall last Friday. The audience was not a very large one. but nevertheless very appreciative, each item being loudly applauded. Some of those present on this occasion were Lady Stout, who was becomingly dressed in black and white ; Mrs Rhind, who wore a pale biscuit coloured gown with a deep collar composed of moss green moire silk cut in four large tabs and edged with pretty braiding, small brown straw hat trimmed with brown tips and green ribbon bows : Mrs Richmond, the Misses Richmond. Mrs Glasgow, pale blue blouse, black skirt, and small black hat with pink flowers: Mrs Edwin, stylish crepon gown trimmed with black lace, floral bonnet: Miss Edwin, royal blue crepon with folded collar and belt of black silk, large black hat with cream roses; her sister wore a light blouse, navy skirt, and sailor hat: Mrs Hardy, black crepon costume, pretty bonnet with pink; Mrs Macpherson, very pretty dark heliotrope figured silk with deep cream lace collar, small bonnet to match: Mrs Wardrop, black serge skirt, stylish black silk blouse bodice, small black chip hat with quills and ribbon ; Miss Ashcroft, black serge skirt and jacket, white frilled blouse, sailor hat: Mrs and Miss Blackett, the latter wearing a pretty cream costume, and large cream hat trimmed with roses and black chiffon; Miss Powles, dark blue gown with cream gathered yoke, white sailor hat: Mrs Lowe, navy blue figured gown trimmed with coffee guipure lace and navy ribbon bows, small black bonnet witn butterfly lace bows and pink roses: Miss Wilford, white muslin blouse, black skirt, and pretty cream straw hat with soft white tips; Miss — Wilford. becoming pink cotton blouse and cream feathered hat; Miss Barber, grey tailor-made coat and skirt, white blouse and large white hat with silk bows : Mrs fDr.l Fell w’ore black ; Miss Seed, purple and white figured silk trimmed with velvet to match, bonnet to correspond; Mrs McCarthy looked nice in grey, and small black and white bonnet; Miss L. Paterson, pale blue blouse, black skirt and white hat; Miss Turnbull, light brown tweed; Miss Williams, pretty white spotted muslin trimmed with lace and insertion, small black hat with flowers: her sister wore a pretty pink shot silk blouse and black skirt, small cherry-ripe hat trimmed with ecru lace and pink roses ; Miss Hirschberg. navjr serge skirt and jacket, white cotton blouse, sailor hat; Miss Quick, cool white costume: Miss Hill, a well-fitting dark blue cloth gown, black sailor hat: Miss Norie, white muslin, cream straw bonnet with pile blue and white tulle rosettes: Mrs Anson, grey tweed jacket and skirt, blouse, and small cream boat-shaped hat with upstanding wings and ribbon loops; Miss H. Moorhouse, a pinkish coloured serge gown, large black hat trimmed with grass and pink flowers ; Mrs Findlay, pale blue figured silk blouse bodice, black skirt, and small black hat with shot ribbon loops and white flowers: Miss Parsons. white duck costume and sailor hat; Mrs Levin, neat black braided costume, black beefeater hat with quills and ribbon: Mesdames Jellicoe and M. Barnett, and Misses Richardson and Gore (two), etc. Mr and Mrs John Duthie gave a very enjoyable LUNCHEON PARTY at their lovely residence at the Lower Hutt last Saturday. Among the favoured few were Sir Robert and Lady Stout, Mr and Mrs Rhind, Mr and Mrs Menteath. Mr and Mrs J. C Martin, the Mayor and Mrs Fisher, and Mr and Mrs Gibson. I am sorry to say that Lady Prendergast is only a little better since last I wrote. She is in a very weak condition. On Saturday afternoon Mrs John Ross. ‘ Inverlochy,’ who is the President of St. Peter’s Church Guild, is giving a large garden f&te in aid of the Guild. Given a fine day, it ought to be very successful, as there is to be tennis and a sale of all sorts of useful and pretty things. Mrs Sprott has issued invitations for a garden party next week. Herr Balling left in the ‘Gothic’ last Saturday. Mrs Joseph Joseph was also a passenger by her. Mr and Mrs Muirson have returned from their honeymoon trip down South, and are now settled in one of the pretty little cottages in Onslow Terrace. The Hon. Mr and Mrs H Butler have returned from Wanganui. Miss Friend has gone to spend a few weeks in the Rangitikei district. Ophelia.