WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XVII, 29 April 1899, Page 576

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee. April 19. Winter is coming upon us swiftly now. and a great many ladies are to be seen busy shopping, and very tempting indeed are the winter goods that are exhibited in the windows of the drapers’ shops just at present. There does not seem to be anything particularly new in shape of this season’s hats, and one ean safely wear the shape that becomes them best, which is a great blessing. I noticed some very stylish hats .at le \ro House the other day. and if yon ean spare me a little space I will describe a few of them to you. The fashion of turning the hat up in front, which was so popular last summer. seems to be still among the leading shapes, but 1 always think that one requires a pretty face and tiuffv hair for it to look at its best. One' of the prettiest hats 1 noticed was a bright violet velvet, and was trimmed with curling quills to match, stud large rosettes of the velvet and violets. I thought that this hat would have suited a tall, dark girl. Another striking one was of bronze velvet, trimmed in front with :i large rosette of old rose silk and high brown shaded quills. A black velvet hat. with scarlet ribbon bows and black wings, was also very pretty. Toques are still popular, one of jet trimmed with cerise velvet and flowers looked very stylish, and a bonnet of magenta velvet, and flowers io match, took my fancy. The silk blouses of every shade that were on view in the show-room were very pretty indeed, daintily trimmed with many tiny tucks and lace insertion, in pale green, salmon, yellow, pale blue. pink, scarlet, and many other shades. The window was full of beautiful lace table-centres, cushioncovers. afternoon tea eloths, d’oylies, and tray eloths. many of them being laid over delicate colours, so as to show off the pattern. I think a great many ladies have found their way to Te Aro House to avail themselves of this opportunity of selecting some of this lace-work before it is too late. A DANCE. There is still a lack of gaiety in Wellington. Miss Borlase broke the monotony by giving the first dance of her series of twelve last Friday night, in the Sydney-street schoolroom. which was prettily decorated for the purpose. The music was played by some of the girls present. These dances tire given for girls who have not vet made their debut, as well as for older girls. There were not quite enough people present to till the room comfortably full, but it is expected 1 hat the next and following dances will be more successful. Among the girls present I noticed the Misses Rawson (2). Hislop (3). Haselden. .Marchant (2). Hickson. Elliott. A. Rawson. Broad, and the Messrs. Cooper. Grace. Barclay (2). Harcourt. Broad. Haselden. Rawson, and others. the coming SHOW. The chrysanthemum show is to take place next week. I have heard that most of the exhibitors are disappointed with their blooms this vear. so that the show may not be so good as the last. There are to be several special prizes best decorated liicvcle. hoop, table decoration, hand bouquet. It is hoped that there will be more competition this year, as it makes it far more interesting. HOCK EY. Hockey lias again started in Wellington. and the players are as keen as ever over the game. A number of t h«* members of tin* Kiwi team drive out to their grounds at Miramar one day every week to practise. Miss Zoe Johnston proves to be an excellent captain, and Miss Bell acts as Secretary. I noticed a drag full of girls starting for the ground last Wednesday. Among them there were the Misses Bell (2). Johnston (2). Williams (2), Gore. Benton. Brandon. Higginson, Harcourt, Hutchinson, Sprott. Rawson (2), ami Hislop. Eater on in the season a team Is to be chosen to visit Christchurch.

CLARISSE OPHELIA.