WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XIX, 9 May 1896, Page 539

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee. April 27. Mrs Hales gave a very enjoyable TEA on Thursday afternoon to farewell Miss Laura Baker. Mrs Hales was dressed most handsomely in brown satin brocaded m grey: Miss Baker wore a black silk gown with yellow silk vest veiled with black lace. Among the guests were Mrs Bendall, Mrs and Miss Fitchett, Miss Fairchild, Mrs Hudson, Mrs Jackson, gowned in dark green, with bonnet to match ; Mrs Logan, Mrs Mills. Mrs Napier, wearing a handsome black gown with stylish black bonnet covered with large violets; Mrs Ronayne, Mrs J. Ross, Mrs Seddon, Miss Seddon, who was very stylishly dressed in a black gown relieved with pink, and pink roses in her hat; Mrs Stafford, Mrs Tringham. and others. Miss Fitchett sang very nicely during the afternoon, and Miss Baker played several pianoforte solos, which were much appreciated by the guests. A very spirited evening was spent last Wednesday by those present at the usual ASSEMBLY DANCE, which appear to be as much in favour this year as they always have been. I noticed several new faces among the dancers, and among others were Miss L. Brandon, prettily dressed in white silk trimmed with lace; Miss Ecclesfield. in a black brocaded silk, with a fichu of cream lace, and relieved with a bunch of red flowers ; Mrs Fitchett looked w ell in a stylish dress of yellow silk and lace; Miss B. Gibson, black skirt, pretty crimson bodice ; Miss Griffith, Miss Hickson wore pale blue nun’s-veiling : Miss Holt, in white: Miss Kennedy, a pretty cream figured silk; Miss Koch wore blue silk trimmed with butter-coloured lace : Miss L. Koch, cream with touches of red; Miss Seed, black satin edged with lace; her sister, in pink silk : Mrs Simpson. Miss Simpson, white, with scarlet waistband and bows ; Mrs Stafford, Miss Statlord, pretty yellow silk trimmed with green velvet bows ; Miss Stuart, black drees, with cream lace. The * Rarukores ’ hold their annual dance on the 15th of May in Thomas’ Hall. It promises to be a great success, and is under the chaperonage of Mesdames Field. Gavin, J. C. Martin, McGregor, Miles, Simpson, and Stafford. .-I propox of chaperones I notice in an English paper a few remarks on a new position for women, viz., that of bicycling chaperone to young girls. Apparently it is a new idea, for hitherto I have never heard it even considered necessary for young ladies on wheels to have any sort of supervision. 1 also am of opinion that any girl who takes regularly to ’cycling will scorn the idea as being beneath contempt. To a few t Iderly ladies the old prejudice still clings that bicycling is unwomanly, but even they have not suggested that the addition of a lady chaperone, also on a wheel, w’ould lend any grace or dignity to the pastime, and I feel inclined to condemn the proposition unconditionally in schoolboy language as ‘tommy rot.' When Mr Browne (Rolf Boldrewood) was in Wellington very few of our residents had the pleasure of meeting him. but those few favoured ones appear to have been indescribably charmed with the frank graciousness and simple courtesy of the Australian author. Mr Browne has spent nearly two months in New Zealand, and spent it merely as a pleasure visit, enjoying the scenery.

and meeting the people in a friendly spirit of equality and friendship. wholly free from any show of * lionising, or the pomp and importance which usually surrounds any literary celebrity who visits our shores. Mr Browne expresses himself as both surprised and gratified with the spirit in which his books have been received and read in New Zealand. He evidently has found that a prophet truly has more honour in anot her country, and must go from home to be appreciated. It brings the general election very close upon us when we hear so constantly of plansand arrangements being made for it. To the convenience of candidates and constituents, the two powerful Cs., everything else must yield. To the genera! public an election means perhaps but a little more beer, a little more leiz ire. a little increase of importance, a street row or two. and then peace and contentment again for three years, but to any one more intelligently interested, to the members of each candidate's committee, and more especially to the principal actor himself, it. is a thing to be dreaded and postponed as long as possible. The three years seem as but yesterday, and it is gor e. and here it is again with all its fears and doubts, hard days, and sleepless nights. After all it is a thankless office—that of a representative of the country, and we can hardly wonder at the number of men. good and true, who hold themselves steadfastly aloof from politics, deeming the life of a private man the better part. Mrs Stafford has issued invitations for a euchre party on Wednesday evening. Mrs O'Connor has an afternoon tea on Friday. Meye. Dear Bee, April 30. Among the audience at the Leidertafel concert I noticed Mr and Mrs Biss, the latter wearing a black silk skirt, pretty cream silk blouse, white cloak bound with fur; Mr and Airs Richardson (Picton). the latter in black silk trimmed with lace: Mrs and Miss Prouse. the Misses Chapman (Australia*, pretty white brocaded cloaks trimmed with white fur: the Misses Gore, dark silk skirts, light silk blouses ; Mrs and Miss Wrigglesworth, the latter in a soft white dress, red velvet cloak trimmed with grey fur : Miss Laishley. red velvet gown, pretty whitecloak : Mrs and the Misses Ritchie. Miss Muir, pink silk gown trimmed with dark red velvet: Miss B. Hammerton. white muslin trimmed with pale blue ribbon : Miss Reid, dark skirt, becoming pink blouse trimmed with lace: her sister wore whi'e; Miss Stewart. Mrs Quick. Miss Quick, black velvet wfith collarette of white lace : the Misses Pickering. Mrs Rhind. black satin trimmed with jet and black lace : Miss Mee, black velvet with bertha of white lace; Mrs (Judge) Denniston (Dunedin), handsome black silk Sown : Mrs and Miss Kirkcaldie. Mrs and Miss Barclay. Mr and liss Paterson. Miss Simpson, dark skirt, mauve silk blouse, white cloak trimmed with swansdown ; Mr and Mrs Levi, the Misses Hall. Mrs Boyde, and many others. Miss Tuckey started her fortnightly Assemblies last Wednesday night at the Masonic Hall. There was a large number present, a few being the Misses Tuckey, Koch. L. Koch. Stewart. Reid, Simpson (two), Seed (two). Holt. Rose (two). Mee. Pownall, Blun dell. Barton. Branbor. Stafford. B. Gibson, McGregor (two). Baker-Fairchi’.d, and the Messrs Rose. Turkey. Reid. Stafford. Mcßae. Hume, Menzies and others. Ophelia