WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, 1 July 1899, Page 21

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee. j une 19 . A large and verv enjovable MUSICAL ”AT HOME" was given last Thursday night bv the Rev. T. and Mrs Sprott. The whole house was thrown open, the music being upstairs in the large hall, while downstairs the guests could stroll about and chat to their friends. Supper was laid in the dining-room, the table being decorated prettily, as also was the rest of the house, with flowers and greenery, and small tables were placed here and there, upon which were arranged photographs, etc., also tempting dishes of sweets. During the evening we had the pleasure of hearing some very charming music, among the performers being Mrs Fitchett, Mrs Dr. Finlay. Miss Moorehouse, Dr. Fyffe and Mr Douglas Jackson (all songsters). and instrumental pieces were given by the Misses Kennedy, Henry, and Parker. Mr R. Parker and Mr Kennedy. Mrs Sprott received in the hall and wore a black velvet gown, with deep white lace edging the yoke, which was veiled with jewelled net; Miss Sprott was in white silk: a young lady who is staying in the house wore

a pink satin gown, the bodice trimmed with chiffon to matcfi. Among the large assemblage I noticed Mrs Bishop Wallis, wearing a gown of pale pink brocade, the bodice being veiled with chiffon to match; Mrs Richmond, in black silk, white tulle cap: Mrs Izard, handsome black satin, trimmed with white lace: Mrs Finlay, a black silk gown, the bodice being of red silk, trimmed with black bands and lace; Mrs William Pharazyn. rich black satin. with lace; Mrs (Professor) Easterfield. an uncommon gown of black embroidered tulle, over grey silk, the bodice was trimmed with lace and the transparent yoke caught with a red satin neckband; Mrs Pynsent, handsome black jet-trimmed gown; Mrs Fitchett, black silk, trimmed with bands of handsome jewel passementerie; Mrs (Professor) Brown, black gown, veiled in lovely jewelled net, and the short sleeves caught across with passementerie bands, on one shoulder was a bow of purple velvet; Mrs Bell, black brocade, the bodice trimmed with white lace and jet ornaments; Mrs (Dr.) Newman, pretty white figured silk, with white chiffon about the bodice and finished at the waist with a blue satin belt; Mrs Tuekey, black, trimmed with mauve silk; Mrs Ritchie, pink silk gown, the long transparent sleeves and yoke being of jetted tulle; Mrs Newman (Wairarapa), black silk, trimmed with pretty cream lace: Mrs McPherson, white chine silk, with long chiffon sleeves; Mrs Marchbanks, black satin, with berthe of deep white lace; Mrs Campbell. blue silk gown, the bodice trimmed with white lace; Mrs Courtney, black skirt and cream figured silk blouse, trimmed with chiffon; Mrs Barron, black velvet, with berthe of handsome lace ; Mrs M. Richmond, black satin, with chiffon; Mrs Edwin and Mrs Powles, also wearing black gowns; Miss Coates, black moire, the bodice trimmed with black lace over white: Miss Richmond, black and red figured gown, trimmed with black lace: Miss E. Richmond, soft white silk and chiffon gown: Miss H. Moorehouse. a pink silk gown, with frills of black lace about the bodice, and also trimmed with black ribbon; Miss Kennedy, in white spotted muslin and

lace; Miss Ashcroft, black silk skirt and pretty blouse of white figured silk; Miss Campbell, a black silk and lace gown; the Misses Henry, black satin gowns, trimmed with white lace; Miss Duncan, a pretty gown of pale pink silk, trimmed with lace frills an.l sprays of flowers, and on one shoulder was a knot of blaek velvet: Miss Parker, soft white silk and chiffon gown; Miss Johnston, black satin, the bodice being of white satin and lace, and finished at the waist with a roll of cerise velvet; Miss Alice Johnston wore a pale pink spotted silk and lace gown: Miss Baber, black skirt and pink silk etening blouse; Miss Margots. in black and pink; Miss Izard, black satin skirt and pretty evening blouse of white pleated chiffon; Miss Fancourt, in pink; Miss M. Fancourt, black silk and lace gown; Miss Olive Gore, a black velvet gown, with white lace on the bodice and tied at the waist with a pink satin sash; Miss Mason, black skirt, and an evening blouse of blue silk, trimmed with lace? her sister wore a black satin gown and pretty white lace fichu; Miss Bell, uhite satin gown, the bodice trimmed with chiffon frills and pearl embroidery; Miss Iris Bell wore a black gauze gown; Miss Powles, in black and pink: her sister, in black, with white; Miss Harcourt, black skirt and bodice of white chine silk, with little ruches of chiffon: Miss Martin, white Liberty silk, with chiffon: Miss Cox (Christchurch), white gown, trimmed with rows of narrow black velvet ribbon; Miss Barron, black skirt and soft cream chiffon bodice; Miss Edwin, deep cream silk, trimmed with chiffon to match; the Misses Quick, in white silk gowns, trimmed with lace. I am afraid that is all I can remember, so I hope I will be forgiven by those w J hom I have not mentioned. Some of the gentlemen I saw were His Lordship the Bishop of Wellington, Rev. Mr Masters. Professors Brown. Easterfield and McClaren, Doctors Fyffe, Newman. Fitchett and Finlay. Captain Edwin, Messrs Parker. McPherson, Coates, Powles, Newman, Richmond, Kennedy. Ritchie, Campbell, Warren, Anson. Johnston (2), Gore. Jackson, Duncan (2), Cashmaille (2), Stowe,

Mason, Ashcroft, etc. The guests bid good-night to their kind host and hostess shortly after 11 o’clock, having all agreed that they had spent a most enjoyable evening. The weather was beautiful on Friday for the OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, and hundreds of people assembled to witness the bright festive scene. The Countess of Ranfurly, Lady Constance Knox, and the Hon. Hill-Trevor arrived shortly before the appointed time, and His Excellency, Colonel Pole-Penton, and Mayor Madocks arrived punctually at 2.30. "God Save the Queen” was played as they came on the scene, and guns were fired. Then there was a short wait, and then more guns, and all excitement was over. Lady Ranfurly was gowned in a deep violet cloth costume, revers, collar, vest of white satin under prettv lace, violet velvet hat trimmed with white satin flowers and ospreys: Lady Constance wore a dark waiter suit trimmed with fur, and hat to match. Others present were Mrs Seddon. handsome blaek gown trimmed with jet lace, pretty bonnet with pink roses and tips; Mrs Dyer, grey and black gown trimmed with black lace, black velvet toque with tips; Mrs Wilson, black silk bodice trimmed with satin under lace, black and white toque; Mrs Wallis, brown gown with white lace on bodice, grey velvet hat with tips; Mrs Arkwright, dark blue spotted silk trimmed with white lace, black bonnet with pink velvet loops: Mrs Rolleston. dark tailor-made gown, pretty black and pink bonnet: Mrs Tilly, rich black brocade velvet, embroidered cape. l>onnet trimmed with pink flowers: Mrs Duncan, black brocade, handsome velvet cape, black bonnet with grey plumes and ospreys; Mrs Bell, dull green costume, black velvet toque trimmed with pink and red roses; Mrs Beetham, black costume: Mrs Ross, rich black brocaded gown and cape, pretty bonnet trimmed in two shades of orange velvet and ospreys: Mrs Ritchie, black gown, fawn cape, becoming black hat with tips: Mrs Ewen, neat blue braided costume: Mrs McPherson, black coat and skirt, black hat trimmed with tips;

Mrs Gee. dark costume, white vest, tuque trimmed with flowers; Mrs Young. blue gown trimmed with black satin ribbon, black hat with large pale blue bow; Mrs Marchbanks, neat fawn costume; Mrs t'raigh, blue coat and skirt, green velvet hat with tips; Lady Stout, black silk gown, jetted toque with tips; Countess De Courte. dark costume, light vest, black velvet toque with high plumes; Miss Seddon, green gown with vest of lighter shade, green velvet hat with crown of [Mlle green silk; Miss Coates, black braided tailor-made costume, velvet toque trimmed with light flowers; Miss Dunean, fawn jacket and skirt, brown straw hat with tips and touches of pale blue velvet; Miss Kolleston (Christchurch), dark coat and skirt, pretty black hat. Miss Johnston, red cloth costume, burnt straw hat with black tips; Miss Stowe, brown coat and skirt, straw hat trimmed with tips and pale blue; Miss Tolhurst, time brown coat and skirt, black toque with pink flowers; Miss Sprott. dark green costume, burnt straw hat with tabae brow n eoat ami skirt, black toque trimmed with white, pretty toque to match; Miss Statford, dark blue suit: Miss Edwards, black gown and eape trimmed with ecru point laee. hat trimmed with grey flowers and tips; Miss Fisher, brown costtime and pink and black hat. On Wednesday night the Choral Hall was the scene of \ VERY BRIGHT AND FESTIVE FUNCTION. it being the occasion of the first annual ball in connection with St. Mary’s Convent Ex-pupils’ Association. The committee of ladies—Mrs T. G. McCarthy, Mrs A. Martin. Mrs Gascoigne. Mrs Gamble. Miss Saunders. Miss O’Conner, Miss Skerrett. Miss McDonald. Miss Williams. and Miss Crombie—are to be highly congratulated on the distinct success of the affair. The excellent supper, which was temptingly laid out in an adjoining room, was supplied by the committee and their friends, and needless to say was done full justice to. Minnefie’s String Band played capital dance music, and dancing was kept up vigorously until tiny hours. A few of those who were present were the fount and Countess de Courte. Sir Arthur and Lady Douglas. Miss Douglas. Lady Buckley. Sir and Mrs McCarthy, Miami Mrs Smith. Mr and Mrs Dunean, Mr and Mrs Samuel. Mr and Miss Skerrett. Mr and Mrs Waldegrave. the Misses O’Conner. the Misses Henry. Miss Maginnity. Miss Reid. Dr. Cahill. Messrs Izard. Biss. Skerrett, Plummer. Crombie, etc. This afternoon THE “CAPPING” C’ERENtC.NI' in connection with the New Zealand Vniversity was conducted by the Chancellor (Sir Janies Hector) in the lecture hall at the Technical School. The hall wac crowded with spectators of both sexes. Before presenting the degrees to the successful candidates. Sir .Tames Hector gave an interesting address, and others who spoke were Professor McLaren, Rev. Mr Patterson. Mr Joynt (Registrar of the N.Z. Vniversity). and Mr J. R. Blair (Chairman of the Victoria College Council), all making special reference to the newly established Wellington N ictoria College. Those who received degrees were: Charles P. Knight. Doc-

tor of Laws; William A. Chapple, Doctor of Medicine; Florence M. Kirton (Canterbury College), Master of Arts; Myra M. Rawson (Canterbury College). Master of Arts; Florence E. Livesey (Auckland College), and Wilhelmina S. Fraser (Canterbury College), both Bachelor of Arts. On the stage were members of the N.Z. Vniversity Senate, members of the Victoria College Council, and others connected wth university work. Among them I noticed Sir Maurice O’Rorke, Sir Robert Stout. Bishop Wallis, Professors Brown. McKenzie, Easterfield, and McLaren. Drs. McGregor and Grace. Messrs Ritchie. Kolleston. Patterson. Joynt, Dorset. Riley. Fleming. Bothamly. etc. A few of the ladies ig. the hall were: Lady Hector, wearing a black tailor made gown, and bonnet trimmed with violets: Miss Hector, in grey, with a black felt hat. with wings; Lady Stout, in black, pretty jetted toque: Mrs Brown, dark grey coat and skirt, black hat. trimmed with tips and’jet; Mrs Easterfield. a bright blue cloth coat and skirt, braided with black, black and white hat. with violets: Mrs Kolleston (Christchurch), deep violet cloth gown, braided, and a pretty bonnet, with pink velvet: Mrs Grace, wearing a dark gown and sealskin coat, gold bonnet, trimmed with pink roses: Mrs McGregor. Mrs Firth, and others.

GUARDS’ BALL. The Wellington Guards held their annual ball on Monday last in the Choral Hall, when the prizes won during the year were presented to the lucky winners by Mr John Duthie. jun. The hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion with flags and greenery, and Minnefie. as usual, played good music. Extras were played by Miss Benjir and Mr Moore. Some of those present were: Mrs Duthie, Mr and Miss Harcourt, the Misses Butts. Miss Cox (Christchurch). Mr and Miss Atkinson. Miss Wilson, and others. A very pleasant AFTERNOON TEA was given last week by Mrs W. Kennedy, as a “farewell” to Miss Queenie Eliott, who is to be married next Wednesday. Tempting cakes and sweets were laid in the diningroom. and “music and talk” made the afternoon pass all too quickly. Mrs Kennedy wore a rich black gown, and Miss Kennedy was in black, relieved with yellow. The guests included Airs Maurison. Mrs Steward, Mrs McAndrew. the Misses Scully. Heywood. NV. Eliott. Chatfield, Reid. Simpson. McGregor. Seddon, Stafford and others. OPHELIA.