WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue IV, 17 July 1897, Page 117

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, July 8. Society has not been doing very much just lately. It seems to be waiting for our new Governor before doing anything excising. I hear rumours of sundry private dances in the near future, but can say no more. Of public balls, the Port Nicholson Yacht Club’s ball promises to be a great success, as does also that to be given by the Star Boating Club. A very ENJOYABLE EUCHRE PARTY was given last Thursday evening by Mrs Fitchett. Some of those present were Miss MacGregor, who looked well in a lemon-coloured gown with white chiffon frills; Miss B'air, black; Miss Ross, a pretty yellow gown ; Misses Gibson, Tuckey, etc. Mrs Grace is giving a small euchre party to-night. All the papers just now are filled with letters of complaint. This is caused by the fact that there is every probability of our Basin Reserve, * our only Recreation Ground ’ within reasonable distance from everyone, beijg spoilt by a road being made through it. I have two very sad events to chronicle this week—the death of Mr Bell’s eldest son and of Mr Lloyd Williams, manager for Sargood.Son and Ewen. Everyone’s sympathy is with onr worthy Mayor. Mr Williams will be much missed in this city, and we offer our sincere sympathy to his sorrowing wife and family. All the shops are displaying those tempting coloured posters in their windows announcing ‘ wonderful slaughters ’ ; • reductions,’ etc. Te Aro House shows us some really splendid bargains, and one has great difficulty in resisting the temptation to invest to an extent far beyond the bounds of prudence, seeing the wonderful value now being offered in every department, and the building has been thronged with eager purchasers ever since their Record Reign Sale opened on July Ist. Marjorie. Dear Bee, July 8. Our social frivolities have been just enough to amuse us pleasantly lately, the rush of the sessional gaieties often bringing us too much of a good thing, turning what should prove a distraction into a corvee of the most fatiguing kind. THE ANNUAL SOCIAL GATHERING in connection with the Dedication Festival was held at St. Peters’ schoolroom on Tuesday evening, and proved a most successful Reunion. The principal feature of the entertainment was a ‘ May Scene ’ from Saroni’s Opera, which was most artistically arranged by Miss Ross, and represented a gipsies’ camp, with appropriately dressed gipsies and Arcadian shepherdesses, who danced and sang on the green sward, the scene being most effective ; Miss Simpson and Miss Young both looked charming as the May Queen and the Gipsy Queen, and wore sweetly pretty gowns. A cachuca was most gracefully danced by Miss Rose and Miss Grant. In the musical programme which followed Miss Prouse and Miss Ross sing a duet, and a very novel and effective action song was sung by fifteen children, who had been trained by Mrs Greenwood. The Vicar, the Rev. W. C. Waters, during the interval, proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had taken part in providing such a delightful entertainment, and referred especially to the untiring efforts of Miss Ross, who in addition to the arduous work of decorating the stage, played all the accompaniments. During the evening bran tubs were provided for the juvenile portion of the audience and delicious refreshments dispersed by a committee of ladies. Very few ladies had the courage to face the cold northerly breeze and showery weather at the Hutt Racecourse on Wednesday, where the Wellington Racing Club were holding their WINTER MEETING, and many were the lamentatio- s over the charming todettes which had been destined to be worn there during the cav, tweeds and warm wraps being the only garments at all suitable for the occasion Several drag and luncheon parties had been arranged, all of which had to be postponed, but we are all looking forward to a fine day on Saturday, on which day the second day’s race meeting takes place. The racing was very good on Wednesday, and ail the arrangements excellent, and a great many visitors were present from various parts of the colony. 11.M.5. ‘ Pylades ’ leaves Wellington to-day for Akaroa and Lyttelton, and will be very much missed, as Cap-

tain Adams and the officers are most popular here socially, and have given several delightful lunches, afternoon teas, and dinners on board during their stay in Wellington. In spite ofthe unpleasant weather yesterday the Scenery Preservation Society celebrated ARBOR DAV by planting at its own expense 120 native shrubs and some English trees in the plantation reserve between Mount street and Salamanca Road, and Mr George Woodward added to the scenic beauty of the city by having a number of trees planted in continuation of the proposed Victoria drive, and in honour of the day a general holiday is being observed in town, the inclement weather, however, having damped the ardour of the less enthusiastic tree planters, as tree planting in the rain is anything but pleasant. Clarisse. Dear Bee, July 8. One of the jolliest dances given this season, I hear, was held at Mr Eustace Brandon's on Saturday evening. It was intended as a ‘ SURPRISE,’ but I am told some lit le bird must have ‘ given the show away,’ as my gentleman informant said, for when thev arrived every thing was prepared for dancing, and supper already laid in the diningroom. I hope for forgiveness if I make mistakes in the dresses worn, as gentlemen are not always to be relied on in this respect. Mrs Brandon wore black satin ; Mrs A. Smith, black skirt, pretty pink and white blouse ; Mrs Waldegrave, black and blue striped silk costume; Miss Zita Broad, white, amber sash ; Miss Beard, black skirt and velvet blouse ; Miss Laishlev, black velvet; Miss Brandon, black skirt, blouse of white satin trimmed with black lace and ribbon ; Miss Oswin, pale blue ; Miss Greenlaw, black skirt, amber blouse. Others present wore the fancy dresses of the night before—Misses Waldegrave (two), Brandon (two), Smith, and Haselden. Among the gentlemen were Messrs Hazelden, Gillon, Smith, Waldegrave, Clay, Broad (two), Vaughan. Tripe (two), and C. Haselden (the four last named wearing those delightfully cool-looking Indian mess-dresses with cummerbunds) and others. Mrs Howorth, Mrs Vaughan, Misses Broad and Smith played the dances, which were kept up till the stroke of twelve. The dance was given as a farewell to Mrs Brandon and Miss Florence, who are leaving Wellington directly for a lengthy visit to Mr Percy Brandon of Pohangina.

Pollie.