WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue IV, 27 January 1900, Page 179

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, January 19. The large garden party given yesterday afternoon by Mrs Rhodes, at her beautiful residence, "The Grange,” Wadestown, in honour of the officers and men of New Zealand's second contingent, was a most brilliant success. There must have been several hundred guests present, besides those in whose honour it was given, and from three o’clock till close on seven p.m. the grounds presented a very gay scene. The contingent, all mounted, arrived at “The Grange” at three o'clock. They created a great sensation as fihey proceeded from the camp at Newtown Park through the streets to Wadestown. Thousands of people assembled all along the route to witness this fine display of horsemen, and at intervals bunting was displayed from the house tops. Commodious accommodation was provided for the horses at “The Grange," some little distance away from the house, where each animal had its goodly share of fodder and water. Shortly after the men had settled their horses His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by the Countess of Ranfurly, Lady Constance Knox, Captain Alexander, and the Hon. Hill-Trevor, arrived, and the German Band, which was stationed near the entranee gate, played the National Anthem. About .3.30 p.m. the whole party adjourned to the large on the southern side of the house, for the sports, for which dainty programmeswere distributed, being quite new to. Wellington gatherings, the eight events having been arranged for the occasion by. Captain Moorhouse, of the “D” Battery, and Messrs G. Bethune and Moore. A most covetable table of prizes for the various events was displayed in the paddock, which included most artistically designed silver medals, pipes (ready filled and silver-mounted), sets of razors, boxes of choice cigars, knives (combining every known accessory in the way of corkscrews and other combinations useful to a soldier), all of which had been bought and provided with evidently much forethought as to their future utility by Mrs Rhodes. The sports were most amusing in many instances, and caused roars of laughter, especially the first eyent, entitled "Briton v. Boer,'* in which the doctor’s orderly, Trooper Hill, representing the Briton, being blindfolded, and endowed with a bell-topper surmounted by a. gaily flowing plume, lay at full leng’th on the ground, where, grasping Trooper Gillespie's left hand (who was similarly accoutred). with a. padded weapon in his right hand, after a desperate combat, succeeded, amidst yells of delight, in knocking oft' his opponent's hat, and thus. winning the prize. Other events were well contested, and consisted of tugs of war. SO men on each side, the “Deerfoot Race,” the “Victoria Cross Race.” “The Fight for the Standard,” a soft of blind man's buff competition, entitled “Mixed Medley,” Ripe and Tobacco Race, and a “Number One Combat.” The prizes having been distributed by Captain Moorhouse, nephew of Mrs Rhodes, on her behalf, amidst loud cheering, a. number of trophies were found to remain over, and these were gracefully presented by Mrs Rhodes to Captain Smith, of the Hotchkiss Battery, to be competed for by the contingent on the Waivyera. on the voyage to the Cape. Danying on the green in front of the house to the excellent dance-music of the Austrian band was the next attraction, ami was thoroughly enjoved by the troopers until 6.30 p.m.,' wpen Bugler Chegwin sounded the unwelcome “Fall in,” and very shortly after the -Hoopers were once more en route f? r .rity, having, on a call from Major Cradpck, first given threi 4 hearty

the “ladies.” Crowds of people lined the side of the hills on the return route of the troopers, and heartily cheered them the whole way back to camp. Among the very large number of guests present to meet the contingent were the Premier and Mrs Seddon and Miss Seddon. Colonel PolePenton, Sir Robert Stout (Chief .lustice) and Lady Stout, Sir James Prendergast, Mr Aiken (Mayor of Wellington). Sir Arthur and Lady Douglas, Judge and Mrs Edwards, Captain Stuart and the officers of the Tauranga, the Count and Countess De Courte, Mrs Parker (sister of Lord Kitchener), who is seeing her son oft' ns a member of the contingent. Mrs Hayhurst (wife of Captain Hayhurst). Lieut.-Col. Newall. Lieut.-Col. Sommerville. Captain and Mrs Moorhouse, Dr. and Mrs Newman, Mr and Mrs and W. L. Travers and the Misses Coleridge. Mr and Mrs Parfitt, Mrs and Miss Barron. Mr Studholme and Mr Joseph Studholme (Christchurch). Dr.and Mrs Grace, Mr and Mrs T. C. Williams and Misses Williams. Bishop and Mrs Wallis, and very many others. Now, I must try and remember some of the pretty costumes that were worn. Our kind hostess, for whom ringing cheers were given by the contingent before leaving at the eall of Major Cradoek, received her guests on the verandah, and wore a rich black silk canvas gown, trained, and the bodice trimmed with black and white gathered chiffon and steel, black lace bonnet trimmed with jet and ospreys and a touch of scarlet. Lady Ranfurly was wearing a black cloth tailor-made costume, handsomely braided, white lace vest and revers, and a becoming black velvet toque with plumes. Lady Constance Knox wore a simple white pique frock and a white straw trimmed with silk niching and tips; Countess de Courte, a dark blue and white figured silk gown, the skirt made with rather narrow frills from the hips down to the hem. and the bodice was made to correspond, black jetted toque with cream roses; Mrs W. Moorehouse, black braided coat and skirt and pretty mauve satin and chiffon toque; Mrs Wallis, blue and white soft silk gown, the bodice lightened with lace, grey straw hat with fawn chiffon and flowers; Mrs Seddon, handsome blnck brocade gown with white lace on the bodice? prettV" black bonnet trimmed with miiuvo ■ flowers and white ospreys; Miss Seddon, dark green gown ■ wilh lighter vest, and light straw hat trimmed with flowers and black tips; her sister (Mrs Bean, Christchurch) wore a grey jacket ami skirt, and hat with tips; Mrs (Capt.) Stuart, neat cream serge costume, braided, and a mauve straw hat with mauve flowers and chiffon; Mrs Duncan, black silk canvas gown with lovely cream lace on the bodice, stylish black and white bonnet; Lady Douglas, grey jacket and skirt with white silk vest, large black hat trimmed with black and white feathers; Miss Douglas, red cloth coat and skirt and a white straw hat trimmed with feathers; Miss Maggie Douglas, dark grey Eton suit with scarlet vest, white hat trimmed with scarlet: Mrs Perry, a pretty cream and pink figured chine silk, the bodiee made with circular frills and trimmed with white lace, large grey straw hat turned up at the side and trimmed with tips and pink flowers; Mrs Richardson, black silk gown with vest of cream satin and lace, and pretty black and white bonnet; Miss Richardson, dark blue coat and skirt and white sailor hat: Mrs Parfitt, brown tailor-made coat and skirt and a pink straw toque trimmed with a deeper pink ribbon and leaves; Mrs Brown, black canvas over maroon silk, and a black bonnet with maroon tips; Mrs E. B. Brown, white embroidered muslin over mauve, and a white straw hat trimmed with mauve chiffon and flowers; Mrs Sprott, black gown and short cape with green silk revers, black and green hat: Miss Sprott, white silk gown, red jacket, and a red and black hat; Mrs Professor Brown, a light greeny grey coat and skirt, white hat trimmed with daisies; Mrs Barron. black gown with pink vest, small black hat trimmed with bright pink ribbon: Miss Barron, blue print gown and white hat trimmed with pink roses: Miss E. Barron, pink print gown and white and pink hat; Mrs T. Young, dark blue coat and skirt, brown straw hat trimmed with Itrown and pink ribbon: Mrs Fancourt, black gown and blnck and pink bonnet: Mrs Travers, dark blue tailor made suit and a blnck hat trimmed with blaek nnd white chiffon; Miss Coleridge. grey checked gown With blnck braid. large blaek lint with - w iMFF -. -Alls, M ,)..’!

Coleridge, blaek coat ami skirt, large black Leghorn hat, with tips and green ribbon; Mrs A. Pearce, violet cloth gown, with black silk waistband, black and white hat; M rs Hutchison, black silk gown and small blaek hat, with ospre.t s; Miss Hutchison, pretty pale grey gown, with white tucked silk yoke; Mrs Warren, dark blue coat and skirt, and blaek hat, with pink flowers; Mrs Gore, blaek silk gown, with white vest, white chiffon bonnet, with blaek and white tips; Miss Olive Gore, dark skit, and pretty light silk blouse, with lace, blue straw hat, trimmed wth flowers and pale blue tips: Nirs Litchfield, red costume and black and red toque; Mrs Grace, handsome blaek brocade gown, trimmed with narrow white lace, blaek and white lace bonnet; Miss Grace, pretty white muslin gown, with satin sash, white Leghorn hat, with dai-ics; Mrs Fitz Gerald, all b'ack: Mrs Marchant, dark grey jacket and skirt, and black bonnet with pink roses; Miss Marchant, black coat and skirt and white sailor hat; Miss —. Marchant, white gown, with lace collar. black straw hat, with tips: Mrs Edwin, black and pink brocaded gown and bonnet to match: Miss Edwin. grey figured lustre gown, with yoke of yellow tucked silk, grey strawhat. trimmed with yellow chiffon and roses: Miss Lillie Edwin, dark coat and skirt, and white straw hat. with pink and white silk niching; Mrs Rose, brown jacket and skirt, blaek bonnet, trimmed with pink roses; Miss Rose, dark blue gown, and blaek straw hat. trimmed with flowers; Mrs Newman, pale buff cloth gown, the bodiee trimmed with white laec and dull crimson velvet, violet chiffon toque, with magenta roses; Mrs J Hume (Lyttelton), dark blue coat and skirt, and black straw hat. with pink ribbon loops and flowers: Mrs Riddiford, blaek canvas, trimmed with satin and cream lace, mauve straw hat, trimmed with flowers to match; Miss Riddiford, pale fawn coat and skirt, white straw hat, trimmed with pink and red roses and black tips: Mrs Butts, blaek silk gown, trimmed with white, blaek and white bonnet; Miss M. Butts, pale grey jacket and skirt, and white straw hat, with yellow silk: Miss Edwards, grey check skirt and short blue Eton jacket, small blaek hat, with osprey; Mrs W. Reid, blaek silk gown, trimmed with lace, bonnet to match: Mrs McCarthy, brown jacket, and skirt, and black toque, with cream

roses; Mrs Turkey. black and white coMume: Mrs WaldegTave, dark blue figured silk gown, and black hat. with light flowers Miss Darnsfleld, light brown coat and skirt, and white hat. tri mined with pink flowers; Mi*s Smart, sage green gown, trimmed with narrow white lace and silk, white t ulle-trinnned hat with pink roses under the brim: Miss Brandon, dark skirt and mauve silk blouse, black and mauve hat: Miss A. Brandon blaek eoat and skirt, small black hat, trimmed with tips; Miss E. Richmond, blue and white soft figured silk, with white Ince, pretry white straw hat. trimmed with mauve tulle and flowers; Miss Fitzherbert. pale green gown and white straw hat. trimmed with green ribbon and corn; Miss Isau Fitzherbert, white muslin, white hat trimmed with tulle: Miss Hadfield (Marton), dull green coat and skirt, with white revers, blaek hat. with yellow flowers and tips; Miss ( T . Williams, cream lustre jacket and skirt, pale blue chiffon toque. with laee wings and leaves: Miss (Jitha Williams a similar costume and white straw Toque, with green ribbon and forget-me-nots; Miss Harcourt, white muslin with laee insertion. blaek velvet neck and waistband, large white hat. trimmed with black tips and chiffon and pink roses; Miss (’hatfield, pale fawn jacket and skirt, white hat; Miss Fitz(Jerald hi grey and black. Also the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), the Premier, Count de Courte. Colonel Vole-Pen ton. Colonel Newell. Major Somerville. Colonel Hume, Captain Stuart (ILM.s. Tauranga). Archdeacon Fancourt. Rev. Mr Sprott. Rev. Mr Masters. Messrs Duncan. McCarthy. Reid, Richardson, Fitzherbert. Broun. Professors Broun, and Ensterfield etc., etc. On Tuesday evening the members of the Contingent were present at the performance of “A Trip to Chinatow n,’* by the Hoyt and McKee Company, at the Opera House. There was an immense audience, which included Lord and Lady Ranfurly and suite, the Premier and Mrs Seddon and others. Patriotic songs and cheering were the order of the evening and on Mr Wallace Brownlow* rendering “The Absent Minded Beggar.” the handsome sum of £l3 was thrown on the stage. The house was lavishly decorated for the occasion with draperies of red. white and blue, and flags, and altogether presented a brilliant spectacle.

OPHELIA.