WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VIII, 14 August 1897, Page 246

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, August 5. The loss of the • Tasmania ’ has, of course, been the absorbing topic of the week here, and great excitement prevailed in Wellington when the news of the wreck was received in town, the office of Messrs Huddart, Parker and Co., being besieged by the anxious relatives and friends of those on board. The splendid behaviour of the women under the terrible strain they were subjected to until they were safely placed on terra ftrrna, and the perfect discipline which prevailed on board after the ill fated vessel struck, are the bright spots in the terrible tragedy; and the chivalrous conduct of all the men on board, and especially that of the stewardesses and stewards (most of whom, alas ! perished after nobly doing their duty), is, indeed, pleasant reading after the gruesome stories related of the behaviour of the men during the recent terrible fire in Paris. Great sympathy is felt for the bereaved relatives generally ; also for those made widows and orphans by the sad disaster, the Huddart, JParker Co., and for Captain McGee, who is deservedly one of our most popular captains, in the loss of the vessel. In view, I suppose, of all the impending festivities in connection with the arrival of our new Governor, there has been quite a lull in our social festivities since I last wrote, afternoon teas and golf having been our only dissipations. One of the most pleasant of the afternoon teas was given by Mrs MacKenzie at her residence in Tinakori Road last Friday, for her neice, Miss McPherson, who i i visiting her, when she entertained her many girl friends, by whom the delicious sweets, fruit salads, and cakes were greatly appreciated. During the afternoon, Miss Pharazyn and Miss Lucy Tolhurst sang, and Miss McPherson played very sweetly. Tea was laid in the dining-room, the table being decorated with pink and white camellias. Mrs McPherson wore a fawn crepon gown, the bodice trimmed with white lice and silk; Miss McPherson, crushed strawberry gown, the bodice finished with shot silk to match and deep collarette of lace. Others present were Miss Tol hurst, in fawn trimmed with heliotrope silk, toque ; Miss Lucy Tolhurst, electric blue costume, with toque of shot ribbon bows and pink roses ; Miss Coleridge, navy blue costume, white sailor hat; her sister, slate grey braided costume, black velvet hat with quills and shot ribbon ; Miss Hilda Williams, light fawn covert coating costume, white sailor hat with blue band ; Miss Cooper, tweed tailor-made costume, black sailor hat; Miss Grace, neat blue serge jacket and skirt, green straw hat with violets and ribbons; Miss Pharazyn, French grey costume trimmed with velvet, black hat and feathers ; Miss Acland, black costume; Miss Wardell (Masterton), black jacket and skirt, black felt hat with wings ; MissL. Izard, blue tailor-made costume, white felt boat shaped hat with black tips at the side ; etc., etc. A most delightful SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT was given by Miss Baver and Miss Richmond on Fridayevening last, the piece de resistance being a very pretty play, the ‘ Lucky Page,’ which was very well acted by the Misses Holmes, Sprott, McTavish, Coleridge, Tregear, Burnes, and others. The play was followed by some very pretty skirt dancing, which was much enjoyed by the many guests present, among whom were Mesdames Rawson, Burnes, Travers and Richmond, the Misses Coleridge, Wilkins, Kennedy, Swainsou, and Atkinson, and Dr. Rawson, Rev. Mr Sprott, and Messrs Atkinson, Fitzgerald, Rolleston, and Dr. Pollen. As it was too rough for the ‘Tutanekai’ to leave Sydney until yesterday afternoon, she will not be due in Wellington until Tuesday morning, so all the observances and the holiday announced for Monday will have

to be prorogued until Tuesday. The conversazione to be held in the Parliamentary Buildings takes place on the' J 18th, and promises to be most successful, and the Garrison Ball is to be held on the following night at the Drill Shed, and will, from all accounts, be one of the most brilliant balls ever given in Wellington, a very large number of ladies, being on the Committee, and they are all working most indefatigably to ensure its success. As the weather has been so unpleasant all this week, we are hoping it will clear up and be fine by Tuesday ; but there is no knowing what our surprisingly unforeseen climate has in store for us, especially at this time of the year. A very jolly little PROGRESSIVE EUCHRE PARTY was given by Miss Izard on Thursday evening in honour of Miss Hay, from South Canterbury, who is at present staying with Mrs Izard. After very keen competition the prizes were won by Miss Zoe Johnston and Miss Kebbell. Clarisse. Dear Bee. August 6. Great excitement prevailed among the juvenile community on Friday evening, when Mrs G. Robertson gave a VERY LARGE CHILDREN’S FANCY DRESS DANCE in the Masonic Hall, which was charmingly decorated with greenery and flags for the occasion. The suppertable was very artistically decorated with foliage plants, and white and rose-coloured camellias. Duringtb.e evening a flashlight photograph of all the children in a group was taken, and at the end the children gave three cheers for their host and hostess. Mrs Robertson received in a black satin gown with lace frills and jet ornaments ; her little daughter, Edith, was sweetly dressed as a Shepherdess in pink and blue figured frock with the usual large hat and crook ; the Masters C. and W. Robertson were a Neapolitan and Page, respectively. Among the prettiest and most characteristic were Master Wrigglesworth, as Bubbles; Miss M. Blundell, as Juliet; Miss E. Page, Da Cigale; Master Beere, Eighteenth Century costume; Miss T. Hanna, Old English Lady; Master Batham, Muleteer; Miss R. Simpson. Starlight; her sister went as Grass; Miss E. Blundell, La Belle France; Master Eichelbaum, Uncle Sam; Miss Gladys Faulk, Shamrock; Miss H. Farmer and Master W. Blundell represented Princess and Prince Charming ; Miss J. Levi, Kate Greenaway; Miss B. Miles, Fancy Ball; Miss G. Collins, ‘ A Little Lady in Green ;’ Master Hales, an Archer ; Miss Berta Gibson, Highland costume ; Miss Farmer, Dragon Fly ; Master H. Focke, Robinson Crusce (excellent); Masters D. and H. Young, Sailor Boys ; Miss Didsbury, Tambourine Girl ; Miss Ethel Holmes, Gipsy Queen ; Master H. Blundell, John Bull. Also present were Misses Wheeler, Marshall, Ashbolt, Redward, V. Farmer, J. Blundell, Alport, Collins, Reid. Brandon, Rhind, Focke, - Miles, Prouse, Dunlop, Hislop, Smith, Grant, and Masters Rhind, Hislop, Lawson, Williams, Simpson, Bannister, etc.

Ophelia.