WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XII, 21 March 1896, Page 323

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bek, Mari h 12 The squadron has sailed away again, as they always do. going with a stately dignity not to be imitaten by the sea craft nf more ordinary description. Various parties were given in their honour, chiefly in the garden, or round the dinner tables. Sir Arthur and Lady Doug'as varied the monotony by a delightful luncheon party. I hear that the Wellington Cricket Club talks of opening the dancing season by an invitation ball sometime next month. There is also a rumour of a GOLF BALL, which will probably not take place tiil the beginning of August, when the championship meeting is to be held here. The idea was suggested as a subscription ball to raise funds for improvements on the links and erection of a caretaker's house, but this was quickly squashed, and the ladies strongly urged the preference of giving an invitation ball to entertain our golfing visitors who come to take part in the championship strife. I regret to learn that Dr. Anson has been very ill. and returned from his three weeks’ holiday only to go to bed with a form of blood poisoning. Now. however, he is progressing favourably towards recovery. Mr A. H. Turnbull returns on Saturday from a six months' trip to England. Several of the ladies most keenly interested in polo go up next week to Palmerston North with the team wholepresent Wellington in the tournament, beginning on Wednesday. It w ill be quite a gala week for Palmerston, as festivities are sure to fullow in the train of so many visitors. Mr and Mrs Williams (Hawkestone street) leave for England shortly, and will be away six months or more. In the meantime their house will be occupied by Mr and Mrs Friend, from Karori. Mr and Mrs Paul Hunter are in town staying with Mr and Mrs Maxwell. Mrs Gibson is having a large euchre party this evening, which promises to be a great success. It is given in honour of Mrs Gibson’s nieces, who arc paying her a visit. Mrs Tilly, senior, has returned from Wanganui. Mrs MacArtney is staying with Mrs Duncan. I'plands. THE EXHIBITION OF SKETCHES in the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery was opened by Sir Robert Stout on Saturday afternoon, and was very well attended in spite of the many attractions out of doors. The exhibition itself is w ell worth a visit, and has draw n numbers of people each day. Among those present at the opening were Miss Holmes, Misses Lingard, Mrs Mason. Misses Mason. Mr and Mrs Millward, Miss Parsons, Mrs Pynsent, Miss Smith. Mr and Mrs C. Wilson ; Mrs Ha bens in black silk, with lace mantle: Miss Mason, stone grey coat ami skirt, light blouse; Miss Newton, pale blue <-potted muslin dress, brown hat with pale blue flowers; Mrs Pynsent, dark cloth coat and skirt, soft silk vest of deep purple, small black bonnet with roses; Miss Shand, white muslin dress with lace insertion, large hat covered with roses ; etc. THE SPORTS AT THE BASIN RESERVE on Saturday very successful, and being fine and bright, there were great crowds on the ground during the afternoon. There is one thing about the sports which is nearly always good, and that is the tea and cakes. I heard them particularly praised on Saturday. Everyone seems to appreciate a cup of tea so after sitting in the air for so long. Mkye. Dear Bee, March 13. The annual exhibition of the Wellington Art Club was opened last Saturday afternoon by Sir Robert Stout, when there was a very good attendance, 'lea and nice cakes were handed round during the afternoon, and were duly appreciated. A life size portrait of Mr D. M. Luckie, painted by Mr J. Nairn, was attracting a good deal of attention, and was voted by all to be a speaking likeness. Lady Stout was present on this occasion, and looked very nice indeed in a maroon shot silk dress with broad black lace epaulettes, small jet bonnet trimmed with flowers to match her gown. Others were Mrs W. Ferguson, who was wearing a stylish bottle green and black figured gown, small burnt straw toque with black tips; her sister. Miss Moorhouse, wore a cream muslin gown, large black hat with flowers; Mrs Goring, pretty pink and white figured muslin gown trimmed with white lace, small jet bonnet with wreaths of tiny pink flowers ; Countess d’Albans wore a handsome black gown, large black hat with lace wings and deep crimson roses; Lady Hector, black gown and lace trimmed mantle, black and cream bonnet; Miss Hector, black skirl, pale pink blouse and sailor hat; Miss Blackett, neat grey gown trimmed with dark green velvet, large hat with cream roses; her sister wore a pretty very pale biscuit - coloured gown trimmed with lace and insertion, large cream hat; Mrs Collins looked nice in cream muslin, black hat with flowers; Miss Calder (Australia) also wore a cream dress and becoming black lace hat with cornflowers ; Miss Burnett, a pretty grey and black costume ; her sister wore white muslin trimmed with lace ; Mrs Millward, neat black costume, floral bonnet ; Mrs Prouse. brown tweed skirt and jacket, light blouse, and brown straw hat with feathers and yellow flowers ; Mrs and Miss Percy Smith, the latter wearing a pretty light grey gown trimmed with silk to match and jet edging, black lace hat with crimson and yellow ro.-es; Mrs Wilson, Gobelin blue gown trimmed with silk the same colour, burnt straw hat with lace wings and pink flowers ; Miss Turnbull, light grey tweed, pretty Leghorn hat trimmed with tulle and flowers ; Miss Stowe wore a pretty cream dress trimmed with ecru lace; Miss Rose, white muslin, black hat with large cornflowers; Miss Shand (Dunedin), white spotted muslin, pretty floral hat; the Misses Menzies, dark skirts, pretty light blouses, sailor hats : Miss Kebbell, in a dark costume ; Miss Gore, white costume, sailor hat with black band ; Miss M. Lingard, pretty blue and white striped gown, white sailor hat; her sister looked nice in white spotted muslin; Mrs G. Parsons, Miss Parsons, Mrs Habens, Mrs Stowe, Mrs Williams, and others. A stringed band of four or five performers played several pretty pieces during the afternoon. Miss Medley and the Messrs Alfred and John Hill gave their FIRST MATINEE in Mr Hill’s music room on the top storey of the Exchange Hail on Wednesday. The concert, though first-class, was only fairly well attended, but I feel sure when it is better known that the above-mentioned artists intend giving these delightful little concerts once a fortnight, the audiences will increase, as well they should. Among those present on this occasion I noticed Mrs Medley, Mrs Pynsent.. Mrs Goring, Mrs and Miss Ross, Mrs Leckie, Mrs M. Burnett, Mrs Martin. Countess d’Albans. the Misses Holt, Sprott, Daniel). Douglas, Lingard, Pickering, Williams, etc. Some of those who drove out to Polo on Saturday were Mr and Mrs Butler, Mr and Mrs Baldwin, the Misses Armitage, the Misses Cooper. Miss Beddard, the Misses Skerrett, the Messrs Hanna, A. Cooper, Skerrett, Mills, and Buddle. THE GERMAN COURT BINGERS gave a farewell concert in tho Exchange Hall last night, when there was a very large audience. The Company was assisted by Madame Merz and Mr Alfred Hill, who gave great pleasure by his viola playing, and was loudly encored, as indeed were all the items on the programme. Madame Von Vahsel was wearing a lovely pale pink and white brocade gown, trained and trimmed with lace and handsome bead embroidery ; Miss Fisher wore a be coming black velvet gown with a spray of scarlet flowers on one shoulder. Madame Merz, black satin relieved with white lace; Miss Mcßurney, soft white gown trimmed with lace and pink ribbons. In the audience I noticed Mr and Mrs 11. Rose. Dr. and

Mr* Grace, the Misses Grace. Mr and Mrs Prouse. Mr and Mrs Abhbolt, Mr and Mrs Kohn. Mr and Mrs S. Castendyke. Miss Parsons. Mr and Mrs Fisher. Mrs Eberle. Madame Carlton. Mrs and Miss Hoss. Miss Heywoed. Mr and Mrs Martin. Miss Pickering. Mr and Mrs Ritchie. Mrs and Miss Grimes and others. Miss Pearce’s GAKDKN PARTY was enjoyed by a large number of guests, which included the Admiral and several officers from the Squadron then in port. Afternoon tea was laid out in the dining-room, which opens out on to a large verandah, and the table was decorated with artistic-ally-arranged vase* of tiger and Japanese lilies. Miss Pearce received in a handsome gold and red shot silk gown trimmed with black lace and jet. small bonnet to match. Among the guests were Mrs and Miss Duncan, the latter wearing white muslin tigured with green sprays, small black hat with white flowers: Mr and Mrs R. Pharazyn. Mrs Baldwin, in a neat dark tweed costume straw hat trimmed with wingsand flowers; her sister. Miss Johnston, wore a white duck skirt, and pretty silk blouse trimmed with lace, white straw hat with tulle rosettes: Mrs Pynsent. black brocade handsomely trimmed with jet and white openwork lace, small bonnet to match; Mrs and Miss Morrah. the latter wearing yellow and white spotted muslin, black hat with yellow’ flowers: Miss Fairchild grey trimmed with black satin; MissN. Fairchild, neat dark blue jacket and skirt, light silk blouse, black feathered hat; the Misses Krull (Wanganui) looked very nice in white silk blouses with a narrow black stripe, and trimmed with white lace and tiny black ribbon velvet, black silk crepon skirts, and velvet toques trimmed with white ribbon and yellowflowers; Mrs Collins, black crepon skirt black accordion silk blouse with folded collar and belt of mauve satin ribbon, large black hat with tips and mauve ribbon loops: Mr* and Miss Medley, the latter wearing a pretty drab embroidered gown trimmed with pale blue, black lace floral hat: the Misses Harding wore pretty white costumes: Miss H. Williams, becoming soft cream gown, black velvet hat with feathers; Miss Barron, white and heliotrope figured gown trimmed with lace and heliotrope ribbon*, pretty white hat; Mrs Gore, in brown silk with revers of electric blue silk, pretty bonnet trimmed with blue; Miss Gore, cream skirt, and muslin blouse with satin collar and belt large hat with ribbon loops and flowers : Mrs Leckie. Mrs H. D. Bell, very stylish light drab gown with sky blue silk collar and cuffs, pretty little bonnet to match; Miss Fowler (Sydney), royal blue crepon trimmed with white satin, becoming floral hat ; Mrs Goring, dark blue braided gown, and black straw hat with wings; Mrs H. D. Crawford, pretty white dress trimmed with butter lace, cream straw hat trimmed with black velvet and scarlet flowers; Mrs A. Crawford also looked nice in white; Countess d’ Albans, Miss Dransflcld, in a pretty heliotrope muslin gown trimmed with ribbons to match, pretty green and heliotrope toque ; Mr and Mrs Mantell. the latter wearing a black crepon skirt, and stylish black and white check silk blouse, large black hat with feathers ; Mrs C. Izard, in brown and white figured silk: Mrs Tilly, Miss Calder, cornflower blue crepon, small toque to match; Lady Stout. Mis* Shand (Dunedin), very pretty Gobelin blue crepon trimmed with white satin and jet, pretty white hat; Mr and Mrs Tolhurst. Miss Tolhurst in white; Mrs and Miss Edwin, Mrs McKenzie, who wore a becoming black costume; and others. During the afternoon Miss Hilda Williams and Mr Hopkins (H.M.S. ‘Orlando ’) sang, and Miss Medley played some pianoforte solos, which were very much enjoyed. Ophelia.