WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue III, 20 January 1900, Page 130

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, January 11. Last Thursday Mrs Grace entertained a large number of guests at A GARDEN PARTY at her lovely residence in Hawkes-tone-street. The weather was beautiful for such an occasion, and the guests could wander about or rest in the comfortable chairs and seats arranged about the grounds. Tea was served in the dining-room. The table looked very pretty, being artistically decorated with vases of yellow and white flowers, and simply laden with every imaginable dainty and sweet, including the ever welcome dish of strawberries and cream. The draw-ing-room was also made fragrant with bowls of sweet flowers and pot plants. The conservatory was a perfect picture of loveliness, with all its pots in full bloom. Mrs Grace received in a stylish gown of dark blue and white figured silk, the bodice cut down to form a yoke, filled in with white satin under lace. Her daughter, Mrs Clark, of Christchurch, wore a pretty gown of pea green silk, figured with a small spray. The trained skirt was ornamented with numerous frills, and the bodice lightened with a little white lace, green straw hat trimmed with chiffon and plumes, and flowers under the brim. Her younger sister was in a. pretty soft white frock and white hat. Some of those present were:—• Mrs Charles Johnston, who wore a skirt of grey and black check with a short black jacket, with cream lace revers and vest, black hat trimmed with light tips and chiffon; Miss A. Johnston, a cream and pink figured gauze with yoke of lace, white Leghorn hat trimmed with pink chiffon and tips; Mrs Wallis, pale grey gown trimmed with white satin and lace, white hat trimmed with chiffon and roses; Countess de Courte in a grey costume and black feathered hat; Mrs Tilly, sen., black satin gown and jetted velvet cape, black bonnet trimmed with pink; Mrs O’Connor, black brocaded gown trimmed with lace ami a black bonnet brightened with blue velvet and tips; Miss O'Connor, a deep royal blue satin gown, draped with eream lace and a blue straw hat trimmed with ehiffon match and bright yellow ft Miss E. O'Connor, dull sage given gown with roumled yoke of white silk and lace, white hat trimmed with chiffon and pink roses under the brim; Mrs Parfitt, dark grey tailor-made gown and toque trimmed with two shades of pink; Mrs Turnbull, dull blue cloth gown slightly trained and a short jacket of a darker shade, black hat trimmed with white tulle and yellow roses; Mrs Baldwin, neat blue tailor suit, burnt straw hat trimmed with red ribbon and ehiffon and corn; Mrs Fell, handsome black and white cheek silk gown with white silk and lace front, black bonnet with tips; Mrs Waldegrave, a mauve and biscuit coloured gown and small hat to watch; Mrs Adams, rich green and black brocaded gown with cream lace on the bodice, blaek hat with flowers; Mrs Hislop, blaek tailormade costume and blaek bonnet trimmed with pink flowers; Miss Hislop, pale blue and white figured muslin gown and a blue straw bat trimmed with white ehiffon and pink flowers; Mrs Watson (Dunedin), dull green striped gown, the yoke of magenta silk and the over skirt lined with the same, small straw hat with . V,.11„,,- Ittr, \y M<u>n*hnjisr

with white lace, pretty white satin toque with tips; Mrs Smith, black and white gown; Mrs Barron, dark tailor-made costume and black bonnet with yellow roses; Mrs Edwin, black brocade, black and pink bonnet; Miss Edwin in a fawn gown trimmed with rows of velvet, hat to match; Mrs Crawford, black tailormade suit with revers of white lace, light hat trimmed with red and pink roses; Mrs C. Pearce, white muslin and lace gown, white straw hat with flowers; Mrs Ewart, black coat and skirt; Miss Harcourt in white embroidered muslin and white and pink hat; Miss Hadfield (Marton), fawn coat and skirt with lace revers and vest, toque with flowers; Miss Seully, pretty dark blue and white figured silk gown with bands of white insertion, black hat trimmed with pink and red roses; Miss Coleridge in a white muslin gown and hat with flowers; and her younger sister in a dark coat and skirt. AT THE OPERA HOUSE. Last night the Opera House was packed from floor to ceiling, when the Pollard Opera Company gave a special performance of “The Geisha” in honour of the second contingent now preparing for the Transvaal. A very large number of officers and men attended the performance, which went off with unusual spirit. His Excellency the Governor, attended by Hon. Mr Hill-Trevor, was also present. During the evening the usual patriotic songs appropriate for the occasion were sung, the audience rising and joining in with great enthusiasm.

OPHELIA.