WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XIX, 30 October 1897, Page 598

WELLINGTON.

October, 22nd. The ball given at Government House on Friday by the Governor and Lady Ranfurly was a most brilliant one. I do not think that the walls of the ball-room, staircase, etc., ever had so much attention before. They were most beautifully decorated, and when dancing you could almost imagine you were in fairy-land, surrounded with flowers. The walls were completely hidden by Arum lilies, and at each corner were huge nikau palm fronds that drooped their weary but graceful heads across the ceiling, forming a sort of arch. The mantelpiece was also heaped up with Arum lilies, while the underneath was filled with growing ferns. Each side of the staircase was intertwined with yellow broom and willow trails, and on going up this prettily decorated pathway we found ourselves in a corridor which was made comfortable for ‘sitting out’ with armchairs and sofas, and at intervals were small tables daintily decorated with flowers and glass dishes of sweets, with which one could while away a few minutes very happily. At the end of this corridor tea. coffee, ices of various kinds, and cakes were served, and were didy appreciated. The roomy verandah was also made comfortable, and was carpeted with a handsome red carpet,

and chairs and lounges of all sizes and shapes were placed in two's here and there, while brightly-coloured flags were draped over - head, and potplants filled up the corners and crevices, adding greatly to the tout ensemble.

In the reception - room I noticed some handsome pots of flowering azaleas, also other beautiful and delicate hot-house plants. The conservatory was a charming sight, and was very much in demand. Sppper was kept going from half-past ten o’clock, and this time it was most temptingly laid on many small tables to accommodate four persons. The same plan of only a certain number of people being in at a time was adopted ; and I still think it a very unsatisfactory one, though, of course, it is very enjoyable for the lucky ones who gain their entrance, but I know that on this occasion, as well as on the previous one. many did not even get in the supper-room. I suppose they really could have if they had preferred waiting at the door, which was carefully guarded by the butler, instead of dancing. Naturally, those who are fond of dancing, would rather go hungry instead of missing even one dance. The floor was not very satisfactory, but at the end began to improve, while the music, which was supplied by Minifie's String Band of four performers, was excellent. There were twenty dances on the programme. t-he Washington Post being one of the number. The latter is a very pretty and graceful dance when performed well ; but. like all other dances, wants practice.

Shortly after ten o’clock, when all the guests had assembled. Lord and Lady Ranfurly, accompanied by Captain Alexander and Lady Constance Knox, entered the hall to the strains of the National Anthem. The first dance then started. His Excellency dancing with Lady Douglas, and Lady Ranfurly with Sir Arthur Douglas. Her Ladyship was beautifully attired in a rieh black satin gown, with short sleeves, caught with blaek velvet bands. There was very little trimming on the bodice, but I noticed some magnificent diamond and emerald ornaments on the corsage, glistening among some fine black lace, and on her head she wore a beautiful diamond tiara: Lady Constance Knox looked very nice in a lettuce green liberty silk frock, flounced at the hem and on the bodice with white laee. and tied at the waist with a sash of the same shade of green. There were a greater number of guests present on this occasion than on the last. Among them 1 noticed Mrs Seddon. wearing a handsome black satin gown, frosted with jet sequins, the bodice being softened with white chiffon: the Misses Seddon were both wearing pretty white silk dresses, the bodices made in pouch fashion and daintily tucked and run with belie ribbon’; Lady Douglas, handsome blaek velvet gown, with broad hanging revets of white satin: Miss Douglas looked nice in a white silk dress, veiled with net, with a deep flounce round the hem. through which was run many rows of narrow satin ribbon: the’bodiee was prettily trimmed with white flowers and finished at the waist with a sash of white satin; Lady Buckley was wearing a rich jetted gown of black satin, finished with chiffon; Mrs Barron, black velvet, with old laee on the bodiee; Miss Barron, sky blue silk, with fichu of chiffon to match, caught with a bunch of scarlet roses; Miss E. Barron, cream silk, with berthe of cream lace; Mrs Biss, pretty gown of mauve figured silk, with fine coffee lace and mauve poppies on the bodice: Mrs Barclay, handsome black velvettrained gown, with fichu of white lace; Miss Barclay, white silk, with mauve ribbon sash: Miss Coleridge, lemon figured silk gown: Miss I. Coleridge, white brocade, with ruches of ehiffon on the bodice; Miss Bell (Nelson), black silk, with epaulettes of deep pink velvet: Miss Davy, soft white silk and lace; Miss Eliott, white silk, the bodiee very much trimmed with white chiffon; Miss M. Eliott, also wore white silk and chiffon: Mrs Fancourt, handsome black silk gown, with fichu of lace: Miss Fancourt, black satin; Mrs Fitzherbert. black, silk, the bodice trimmed with jet passementerie and white chiffon: Miss Fitzherbert, white corded silk, with ehiffon sleeves; Mrs Goring, cream satin, with pink roses and lace on the bodice; Mrs Gore, handsome black brocade trained gown, finished with jet and ehiffon; Miss Gore, white Ottoman silk, with full sleeves of white chiffon; Mrs

Harding, a handsome gown of black and white brocade; the Misses Harding, in white silk dresses, with pretty soft laee on the bodiees; Mrs (Dr.) Henry, cream satin, trimmed with pearl passementerie and pretty lace: Miss Henry was looking nice in a pale pink silk gown, with epaulettes of lace; Mrs Hislop, black velvet, with white laee fichu; Miss Hislop, blue silk, the bodice prettily trimmed with embroidered chiffon: Mrs Izard, handsome black silk, with old lace on the bodice; Miss Izard’s dress was. I think, one of the prettiest in the room, being of white s|>otted chine silk, the bodice composed of beautiful white accordion ehiffon. caught at the waist with an Empire belt of satin ribbon; Mrs Longdon. in a cream satin gown, with ehiffon and scarlet roses on the bodice; Miss McKenzie, pink satin, trimmed with ehiffon to match: Mrs Maxwell, handsome blaek velvet gown, trimmed with beaver and old lace: Mrs Menteath. white satin, the bodice trimmed with lilies of the valley and ecru lace; Mrs Purdv, handsome blaek moire, with black sequined chiffon on the bodice: Mrs Pvnsent. handsome mauve satin gown.' the bodiee trimmed with a darker shade of velvet and delicate laee: Mrs Quick, claret satin gown: Miss Quick, black satin, relieved with vellow; Miss D. Quick, eream satin and chiffon: Mrs Captain Rose was wearing a handsome black velvet "own. with sleeve's and panels of grey brocade, and the bodice was trimmed with lovely laee; Miss Rose, pale vellow silk, trimmed with embroidered chiffon to match: Miss A. Rose, green figured silk: Mrs Richardson. handsome black brocade, with panels of white satin, under jetted lace- Miss Richardson, stone grey velvet, with bands of beaver over the shoulder, and epaulettes of deep white laee; Mrs Rhodes, black satin, handsomelv embroidered with jet, and she wore’ scarlet flowers on the bodiee: Mrs Riddiford was wearing a verv prettv and uncommon pale green brocade gown, with a little laee on the bodiee; Miss Richmond, a very stylish salmon pink merveilleux. with epaullettes of violet velvet and bunches of violets on the bodice and in the hair: ■•'i-s Rawson, heliotrope silk, trimmed wi.a figured chiffon and passementerie: Mrs Malcolm Ross, grey satin gown, with sleeves of velvet to match, and trimmed with pink roses ; Mrs Revnolds. handsome black silk gown; Miss Reynolds, white silk, with frilled sleeves of the same, and lace on the bodiee: Miss Reid, white silk, with Zouave of blue silk, embroidered with pearls: Miss Medley, pale pink brocade. trimmed with white lace : Miss Graham (Dunedin), pink figured silk: Miss Heywood, pale pink surah silk, with fine white lace on the bodice: Miss Fairchild, black silk, relieved with yellow silk: Miss N. Fairchild, a pompadour silk gown, prettily trimmed with green chiffon: Miss Rose, white silk, with revers of the same, embroidered with silver, and bunches of lilies of the valley on the shoulder: Miss Ross, a pretty white satin gown, with deep lace on the bodice : Mrs Simpson.' black silk, trimmed with black and white embroidered chiffon: Miss Simpson, soft white silk and chiffon : Miss K. Skerrett. green figured silk, prettilv trimmed with lace and passementerie to match : Miss J. Skerrett. a prettv white and yellow brocade, the bodice trimmed with pearl embroidery : Mrs Seed, handsome black silk gown: the Misses Seed, cream silk, trimmed with chiffon to match : Mrs Stowe, green figured silk, trimmed with chiffon: Miss Stowe, pale pink satin : Mrs Stafford was wearing a handsome moonlight blue satin gown : Miss Stafford, white satin with sleeves of spotted net : Mrs Samuell, sage green brocade, trimmed with passementerie to match : Mrs A. Smith, black satin, the bodice trimmed with scarlet velvet; Mrs Young, black silk, with old lace on the bodice : Miss Young, a pretty gown of sky blue silk, trimmed with chiffon to match: Mrs Tolhurst, handsome black velvet and silk gown, trimmed with lace and jet: the Misses Tolhurst were wearing dainty dresses of white satin, trimmed with chiffon and delicate white flowers: Miss Tripe, pretty and becoming black satin dress, the bodice slashed with satin and trimmed with pink roses : Miss Willis, pink silk, with rucked sleeves of chiffon to match : her sister looked nice in a soft white silk gown, trimmed with lace and satin ribbon: Mrs (.lodge) Williams. (Dunedin), a stylish black satin gown with bodice of white chiffon, trimmed

with jet; Miss Williams, white brocade, trimmed with pearl embroidery and chiffon ; Mrs T. Wilford looked well in a black satin gown, with long rucked sleeves of black chiffon: Miss K. Wilford, white brocade, prettilyfinished with frills of ehiffon ; Mrs Wason (Canterbury), a handsome cream satin gown, the bodice trimmed with pearls and handsome lace: Miss M. Burnett, pale blue silk with berthe of white lace; Mrs Henries (Tauranga). a beautiful white brocade trained gown trimmed with handsome passementerie and laee: Mrs R. B. Williams, red satin, with coffee lace on the bodice: Miss Watkins. a pretty white satin dress effectively trimmed with chiffon frills; Miss Blakeney was wearing an exceedingly pretty gown of sea green satin, with sleeves of accordion chiffon to match, and a little delicate lace was draped across the front of the bodice: Miss Buchanan (Akaroa). white silk and lace: Miss Fitzroy ( Hawke's Bay), a pretty and simple dress of white satin, the Ixslice trimmed, silver spangled lace: Mrs Maclntyre, mauve brocade trimmed with light coffee lace and passementerie; Mrs MacGregor, a handsome black silk gown: Miss MacGregor, black satin trimmed with jet and chiffon: Miss S. MacGregor, white satin with full-frilled sleeves of ehiffon; Mrs Macpherson, a very pretty cream satin gown, with a panel on the skirt of tiny chiffon flounces, while pearls and ehiffon formed the trimming on the bodice: Miss Hamilton, black silk, with fichu of white lace: Miss Ringwood. white satin with pink flowers on the bodiee: Mrs Mestayer, blaek silk: Miss Mestayer, cream silk with berthe of white lace: Mrs Haselden. a handsome gown of white brocade trimmed with bead fringe and lace: Miss Partrick.black silk trimmed with yellow; Miss Mackellar. a pretty pale blue silk gown trimmed with chiffon to match. Among the gentlemen I noticed Sir Robert Stout, Sir Arthur Douglas. Mr Wason. M.H.R.: Mr Montgomery. M.H.R.: Captain Russell. M.H.R.; Major Madocks. and the Messrs Macpherson. MacGregor. Samuell. Coates. Riddiford. Quick. Maxwell. Walter. Longdon. Barclay. Izard. Simpson. Rawson. Gore. Pearce. Harcourt. Cooper. Malcolm Ross. Duncan. Fitzherbert, Seed. Reid. Watkins. Rolleston. Anson. Robison. Buller. Jackson. Branfill. Tolhurst. Richardson. Richmond. Tripe. Herris. Luckie. Rnrnes. Young. Johnston. Higginson. Goring. Skerrett. Dr. Purdy. Dr. Henry. Dr. Martin. Dr. Fyffe, and many others. I must now tell you about the delightful AT-HOME given on Thursday afternoon by Mrs Wallace MacKenzie at her beautiful new house in Upper Willis-street. The whole house was thrown open, so that the guests could wander about and see all the pretty rooms. During the afternoon King's string band of four performers played musical selections upstairs. A delicious tea was laid in the dining-room, and also in a room upstairs. The table in the diningroom was very prettily decorated with yellow silk and numbers of glass vases of tulips, while the table was ladeit with all kinds of tempting cakes.sandwiches. sweets, etc. The table in the other tea-room was artistically decorated with lilac. A few ladies were helping Mrs MacKenzie to entertain her many guests, namely. Mrs (Dr.) Ewart. Mrs Hutchinson (Taranaki), and the Misses Tuckey, MacGregor, and Rawson. The drawing-room was a mass of most beautiful flowers: in fact, every room was adorned with flowers. There were about 200 guests present. Mrs MacKenzie received in : handsome black silk gown, the liodici being of white silk veiled with black chiffon and trimmed with vet: Mr (Dr.) Ewart, pretty blaek silk gown trimmed with jet: Mrs Hutchinson was also wearing black silk and lace: Lady Stout, neat brown tailor-made costume, and felt hat with wings to match: Mrs Adams, green costume and floral toque: Mrs Butts was wear

ing a black and white costume; Mrs Ashcroft, black silk grown anti mantle, and black bonnet with yellow roses; Miss Ashcroft, light brown dress, and straw hat to match trimmed with wings; Mrs Barron, black silk trimmed with white satin under jet, and pretty jewelled bonnet; Mrs lan Dunvan. handsome green glace silk dress, with lace collarette, and pretty hat t< match, with chiffon and two shades of green velvet roses; Mrs Grace, handsome dark green costume; Mrs Bothamely, very handsome black silk gown trimmed with l>eautiful jet embroidery and black bonnet with pink Howers; Mrs Barclay, black and white costume: Mrs Fulton, dark brown cloth costume and pretty yellow Horal bonnet: Lady Hector, grey gown trimmed with brocaded silk to match, ami black and red bonnet: Mrs G. Hutchison, black jacket ami skirt, and white straw hat with wings; Mrs Kight, fawn tailor-made costume, ami black hat with blue ribbon and cornflowers: Mrs Haselden. black costume, black hat with tips and pink flowers; Mrs Leckie. black silk gown and cape and black bonnet with white flowers and ospreys: Mrs Miles, a handsome green canvas gown triinmed with passementerie and bonnet with green and pink flowers: Mrs Rose, black crepon trimmed with jet and very pretty green bonnet with lilies of the valley and lace: Mrs Rhodes.handsome black silk gown and cape frilled with pleated chitfon and black and violet bonnet: Mrs Reynolds (Dunedin), black gown and cape trimmed with jet and bonnet trimmed with mauve poppies: Miss Reynolds, grey jacket and skirt ami white hat with ribbon bows:Mrs Rawson, neat blue tailor-made costume and becoming black and red toque: Mrs Malcolm Ross, blue serge Eton costume and boat-shaped hat with ribbon and quills: Mrs Rhind. black jacket and skirt and violet linnet: Mrs Simpson, green jacket and skirt and pretty mauve bonnet: Mrs Stafford, green canvas dress trimmed with passementerie, and pink and black bonnet: Miss Stafford, fawn dress and pretty white hat with bright blue ribbon bow’s: Mrs Samuel, violet costume trimmed with velvet and sparkling passementerie, and pretty bonnet to match: Mrs Tuckey. black costume: Miss Tuckey. green lustre, with a vest of cream chitfon: Mrs Travers, neat black tailor-made costume and vest of pink silk. Iwonv ing pink and black hat: Miss Bell, black dress, green velvet cape, black hat with feathers: Mrs Tripe, black satin gown and cape, and pretty black bonnet with white tips: Miss Tripe, a neat grey costume: Mrs Mil ward, blue braided costume, black hat with white tips: Miss Dransfield. black jacket and skirt, and black hat with pink ribbon and roses: Mrs Denniston. black costume: Miss Harcourt, blue serge, white sailor hat* Miss Gore, navy blue tailor-made suit, and bright pink hat: Miss Cox (Christchurch). grev jacket and skirt and white sailor hat: the Misses Harding wore black costumes and white sailor hats; Miss MacGregor, grey costume, and straw hat to match trimmed with striped ribbon, etc., etc. It turned out a fine day for the opening of the riIORX DOX BOWLING GREEN last Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance of both ladies and gent lemon. Delicious afternoon tea and cakes were provided by Mrs Grace (wife of the president of the club), who was assisted by her daughter and other ladies. The tea table was prettily decorated with Arum lilies. A few who were present were Mrs Grace, who was wearing a stylish green costume: Miss Grace, in blue serge and a burnt straw hat trimmed with black chiffon and lilies of the \alley; Mrs Kight, fawn tailor made costume and burnt straw hat. with black tips ; Mrs Marchbanks, neat, green costume and straw hat to match, trimmed with pink ami green roses: Mrs A. Smith, blue tailor made suit, black hat with vellow flowers and lace : Mrs Waldergrave. fawn costume. and very pretty green

straw toque with yellow roses and luce; Mrs Stafford, black silk gown and pink bonnet; Miss Stafford, dark skirt, shot silk blouse and burnt straw hat with black and pink ribbon bows ; Mrs Edwards, green canvas over yellow silk, the bodice trimmed with black chiffon, and toque of pink roses and ribbon; Miss Edwards was wearing a black velvet skirt and silk crepon l>odice, burnt straw hat with black tips; Mrs Maxwell, black costume and bright pink bonnet; Mrs Murison, fawn jacket and skirt, and white sailor hat; Lady Douglas, black crepon gown, velvet jetted cape, and pretty black and pink bonnet ; Mrs Fisher, black striped silk gown and lace cape, black bonnet with yellow roses: Mrs Quick.brown corded silk, trimmed with black and yellow lace, green l>onnet: Mrs Brown, black costume: Mrs Janisch, black jacket and skirt, and bright red waistcoat, covered with ecru lace, burnt straw toque with red roses : Mrs Montgomery (Wanganui), brown costume and black and yellow bonnet ; Mrs Litchfield, violet shot lustre costume and stylish bonnet to match : Mrs Samuel, green jacket and skirt, and felt hat to match, trimmed with velvet and wings; Mrs B. Wilson, blue jacket and skirt and white sailor hat; Miss Rose, a white costume: Miss E. Rose, blue spotted muslin and white sailor hat: Miss Eliott, fawn dress, white sailor hat; Miss Friend, blue tailor made costume, burnt straw hat trimmed with black chiffon and red poppies; Miss Hislop, blue costume, white sailor hat; also Mrs Denniston (Dunedin). Mrs Menteath. Mrs Fulton, Mrs and Miss Percy-Smith, Mrs and Miss Fancourt, the Misses Mason, Rowlands, Holmes, Milward, Tolhurst, Nathan, Haise, Brandon, Bendall, Harcourt, Cox, Newton, Allen, Fraser, Laishley, Campbell, Partrich, and others. A very enjoyable afternoon tea was given by Mrs Quick on Tuesday last. During the afternoon songs were given by Miss Quick, Mrs Reynolds (Dunedin), Miss L. Tolhurst, and Miss Graham; while Miss J. Parker played some pretty pianoforte pieces and Miss Henry the violin. Tea was laid in the dining room, the table being prettily decked with primroses and other spring flowers. Mrs Quick received her guests in a handsome black silk gown, trimmed with jet and embroidered lace ; Miss Quick was wearing a black silk skirt and stylish black and white blouse, trimmed with jet; Miss M. Quick wore a dark skirt and silk blouse; and Miss D. Quick a pretty cream serge costume. Among the guests I noticed Lady Stout in a stylish brown braided tailor made costume and black and scarlet bonnet: Mrs Bell (Dunedin), handsome black silk crepon, the bodice trimmed with pale green chiffon, covered with passementerie, and pretty green velvet bonnet with tiny tips; Miss Bell.a very uncommon grey canvas dress, the bodice draped with white lace and tucked with yellow bebe ribbon, and a pretty hat to match; Mrs Rhind. black costume and becoming green straw hat with pink stock and cream lace; Mrs Somerville. black silk gown and cape, trimmed with lace, black and pink bonnet: Mrs Miller, handsome black silk gown and cape, and pretty black bonnet with green and pink roses; Mrs Marchbanks, neat green tailor made costume and toque to match; also. Mrs and Miss Reynolds. Mrs Purdy. Mrs and Miss Rose. Mrs Fitchett. Mrs MacTavish. Mrs Henry. Mrs Graham. (Dunedin). Mrs and the Misses Harding. Mrs Samuell. Mrs Menteath. Mrs and Miss Ashcroft. Mrs and Miss Fancourt. Mrs and Miss Friend. Mrs and Miss O'Connor. Mrs and the Misses Tolhurst. Miss Campbell. Miss Haise. Mrs Wardell and others. Mrs Quick also entertained a fewladies at luncheon last Thursday, among them being Lady Douglas. Mrs C. Izard, Mrs Tolhurst, Mrs Hutchison, Mrs Butt, Mrs Watson and others.

OPHELIA.