WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue IX, 21 August 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

WELLINGTON.

Dkak Bbb, August 13. THg FANCY DRKSS BALL given by the ladies of the Hutt is the first item on my list for you this week. It was a most delightful dance. The hall was beautifully decorated with nikau palms and flags, while on the stage was erected a tree fern, this having a very cooling effect from the heated ballroom. Besides this there were screens, pot plants, easy chairs, etc., which made things very comfortable. The supper, which was supplied by the ladies, was all that anyone could desire, and the artistic floral decoration on the supper-table were masses of primroses, violets, and jonquils. Cimeno’s string band supplied the excellent music. A number of the ladies and gentlemen drove out from town in breaks, and were fortunate enough to have a still moonlight night, as the drive is a long one. The guests were received by Mrs E. J. Riddiford, who wore a becoming Grecian costume, made of white soft material caught with gold straps. She wore her hair to suit the costume. Other costumes I noticed were Mrs (Dr.) Purdy as the ‘Queen of Hearts,’ this being very handsome, and designed in white and crimson satin ; Mrs Jackson represented Halma ; Miss Krull (Wanganui), Black Witch ; the short skirt and bodice was of black satin with panels let in of white, on which reclined small and large cats, and on either shoulder were perched an owl and cat ; she also wore a tall black pointed hat (this costume was very much admired) ; Mrs G. Pearce looked well as a gypsy ; Miss Coleridge also looked well, but I do not quite know what character she represented ; she wore a black velvet gown with white lace fichu ; and large black hat with white feathers ; and - her hair powdered; Miss Burnett wore a similar costume ; the pretty costume, Pierette, was well carried out by Miss M. Burnett; Miss Atkinson, Sweet Girl Graduate ; Miss Sydney Johnston, Fish Wife ; Miss McLean looked as though she had stepped out of one of Marcus Stone’s pictures, and wore a pretty white muslin dress with fichu, and becoming large white hat with long white feathers; Miss Wardell, black velvet gown, with white lace fichu, and wore her hair powdered ; Miss Hislop, as Kate Greenaway, wore white muslin finished with blue ribbons ; Miss V. Johnson, Flower Girl ; Miss Bodman wore Grecian costume, so also did Miss Foster ; Miss Hector looked very well as a Swiss Peasant. Among the gentlemen I noticed Messrs A. Duncan, H. Gore, and W. Johnston in Old English dress. Dr. Purdy as Mephistophels ; Mr H. Fit/herbert, Court Dress ; Mr Kirk, Clown; Mr W. Higginson, Peasant; Mr F. Harcourt, Toreador. I also saw Colonel Pole-Penton, Major Maddocks, Lieutenant Ward, and the Hon. Mr Hill-Trevor.

THB ART GALLERY was packed last night, when Mr Robert Parker gave his sixth Chamber concert. Miss Joan Parker was wearing a pretty soft dress of white muslin with satin belt and collar; Miss Williams, black silk skirt, and becoming . sky blue silk blouse veiled with cream chiffon ; Miss Stewart, white silk and lace; Mrs Quick, handsome black silk gown trimmed with lace ; Miss Hammerton, black silk skirt and shot silk blouse ; Miss Upham, black skirt and white silk blouse ; Miss Campbell, black silk, with bertha of black lace. Among the audience I noticed Lady Stout, in a black silk gown and handsome velvet cape bound with black and white feather trimming ; Mrs Henry Fitzherbert (Palmerston North), black satin skirt, pink silk blouse ; Miss Quick, black silk skirt, pale pink blouse with coffee lace collarette ; Miss Harcourt, long grey cloak trimmed with fur to match ; Miss Maitland (Dunedin) wore a pale blue silk gown, the bodice finished with ruches of chiffon to match ; Mrs Butt, black silk gown trimmed with white silk under black lace ; Mrs Butt, dark skirt, and red blouse trimmed with coffee lace; Mrs Barron, black and yellow evening gown; Mrs Biss, black silk skirt, shot silk blouse trimmed with lace ; Lady Douglas, black and mauve figured gown trimmed with mauve silk ; Mrs Joseph, handsome black silk gown trimmed with jet, white cloak bound with fur ; Mrs Ashcroft; Miss Ashcroft, black silk skirt, blue silk blouse under coffee lace ; Mrs Travers, long electric blue evening cloak trimmed with brown fur; Miss Coleridge, black silk skirt, silk blouse, white cloak trimmed with beaver ; Miss Chaytor (Picton), black skirt, pretty white evening blouse; Miss Henry, black and white gown. Also Mrs Purdy, the Misses Burnett, Miss Montgomery, Mrs and Miss Parker, Mrs and Miss Powles, the Misses Gore, Mrs Fell, Miss Taylor (Rangitikei), the Misses Davy, Miss E. Richmond, Mrs and Miss Palmer, Mrs and the Misses Prouse, Mrs and the Misses Stowe, Mrs and Miss Pharazyn, the Misses Hammerton, Miss Watkins, Miss Sprott, Mrs and Miss Martin, Mrs Wardell, the Misses Tolhurst, Mrs G. Tolhurst, Mrs and the Misses Rose, Mrs and Miss Stewart, Mrs and Miss Barbor, and others. Mrs MacGregor gave A LARGE JUVENILB DANCE

last Friday night at the Masonic Hall in Boulcott-street. Mrs MacGregor received in a handsome black silk gown trimmed with jet and lace ; Miss MacGregor wore pink silk and white chiffon ; Miss Sybil MacGregor looked nice in pale blue crepon ; Miss M. MacGregor was wearing a soft white gown trimmed with lace. Among the guests were Lady Stout, and the Misses Tuckey, Tripe, Stafford, Rawson (two), Burke, Coleridge, Douglas (two), Miles, Smith, Blundell, Harcourt, Harding, Edwin, Miles, Gilmer, Seddon, Hanna, Haselden, and many others. Ophelia. Dear Bbb, August 13. I have sent you a long description of the arrival of Lord and Lady Ranfurly, which leaves me little news for my letter. the annual ball given by the D Battery of Artillery took place last week, and proved a great success. The hall (St. Thomas) was charmingly decorated, and a delicious supper provided

by Mr God be r. Amongst those present were Lieut.Colone! Newall, Major Collins, and Captains Warren, Moorhouse, and Paterson. Surgeon-Major and Mrs Collins, the latter looking lovely in yellow brocade. Lieutenants Biss, F. Hume, and Rose, and many others were also present. Mrs Moorhouse wore black velvet, and Miss Dransfield was also in black. It is good to get away sometimes from routine, even if one’s groove lies in pleasant places, and I have come to the conclusion that a BICYCLE LUNCHEON, with a long ride, on a good road, as a forerunner is the best way of doing so. A very pleasant ride of this description took place on Wednesday last, among those who took part in it being Mrs Adams, Mrs Travers, Mrs Purdy, and the Misses Coleridge, Chaytor, and Turrell (Christchurch), Lieutenant Garrett and Dr. Andrews, of the * Pylades,’ and Dr. Purdy, being among the gentlemen riders. When the Upper Hutt was reached a delightful luncheon was partaken of at the hotel there, and on the return journey to town the party stopped at the Lower Hutt at Dr. Purdy’s tor tea, which was thoroughly enjoyed, the run back to town being a most pleasant one. Several AFTERNOON TEAS have been given on the * Pylades ’ by the Captain and officers since they arrived in Wellington last week. Among the guests present at a very pleasant one given yesterday afternoon were Mrs Maitland and herdaughter, Mrs Lees, Mrs Travers, and the Misses Coleridge, Turrell, Moorhouse, and Barclay.

Clarisse.