WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue II, 12 July 1902, Page 111

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, July 3. Tuesday turned out a beautifully flue bright day, though bitterly cold, for the opening of Parliament, and we were all very thankful for being able to go out without our waterproofs and umbrellas, as we have had wet weather for the last fortnight. The opening was at tended by the usual gorgeous display of uniforms, etc., and the surroundings of the Parliamentary buildings were thronged with people to witness the proceedings. The sun always adds to an occasion of this kMid, and on Tuesday it came out brilliantly, and made the gold and steel glitter brightly. His Excellency the Governor entered the Chamber, attended by his private secretary, Captain Alexander, MajorGeneral Babington, Captain Campbell, and Captain Rich (H.M.s. Ringarooma). The Countess of Ranfurly was unable to be present, and her place was taken by Lady Constance Knox. Lady Eileen was also present, and her governess, Miss Costello, the Hon. H. C. Butler being in attendance. Among those I noticed also occupying seats to the left of the Speaker’s chair were Lady Ward and her daughter, Lady Stout, Mrs. C. H. Mills and the Misses Mills, Mrs. Babington, Miss Babington, Mrs. A. Pearce, Mrs. Focke, Mrs. Menteath, and a few others. Lady Constance Knox was wearing a peacock green cloth tailormade suit, with fur-edged revers and sable collarette and muff, large black hat trimpaed with chiffon and feathers; Lady Eileen wore a suit of the same shade, with a fur hat, collarette and muff; Miss Costello had a neat grey gown and black and white

toque; I«dy Ward wore a deep violet eloth gown, braided with black, and a black toque with ospreys; L<dy Stout, black gown and caracal jacket, black toque with jet and ospreys; Mrs. Babington wore a cream cloth costume, the sacque coat made to reach almost to the foot of the skirt, black furs and large black hat with feathers; Miss Babington had a stone grey striped cloth coat and skirt, and a grey rough felt toque trimmed with lace; Mrs. Napier (Auckland), a neat blue tailor-made suit and black hat; Mrs. A. Pearce, black skirt and sealskin coat, black hat with Ups; Mrs. Mills, a black gown and hat with yellov roses; Miss Mills, a blaek coat and skirt, and black and cream toque; her sister wore a dark gown and pink hat; Mrs. Focke, black costume, and violet velvet toque; Mrs. Menteath. a brown suit, witli blue vest and a bright blue straw hat, with autumn leaves: Mrs. Herepath, black skirt and caracul Eton coat, with ermine collar, red velvet toque with black wings; Miss Coates, black coat and skirt, and black and white toque; Mrs. Bothamly, a brown gown and velvet cape., toque to match; Miss Randell-John-ston (England) wore a grey Eton suit and toque to match; her sister also wore grey, and a large black hat; Mrs Fitchett, black costume, and a white toque 1 rimmed with violets and wings; Mrs. Mason, a blue coat and skirt, and velvet toque to match; Miss Harcourt, black coat and skirt and grey toque; Miss Gore, dark skirt and fawn covert coat and toque; Miss Rawson, blaek skirt and caracul coat, large white felt hat, with black tips and velvet: Mrs. M. Ross, in a black costume and toque.

A very large afternoon “At Home” was given by Mrs Babington to-day. Mrs Richmond’s house, in Brougham-street, which General and Mrs Babington have taken for a lengthy period, is a delightful one for entertaining, and besides having all the rooms thrown open, the broad verandah was covered in, carpeted and furnished with comfortable chairs, etc., so that there was plenty of rooxd for everyone to move about. Delicious tea and cakes were laid out in two rooms, the dining-room and another smaller one next it. The tables were lit with pink-shaded canities, and had pot plants and flowers an decorations. King’s String Band was stationed on the verandah, and played exceptionally well. Mrs

Babington received in tlie drawing-room. She looked very nice in a black gow n of some soft, xiiky chiffon material, made .with a slight train, and the bodice had a vest of white accordion chiffon, and trimmed with lace and diamond ornaments. Miss Babington wore a deep cream figured silk gown softened with lace on the bodice, and a pale blue rosette. Among the many guests were Lady Constance Knox, wearing a bright pink frieze coat and skirt, and a large black hat with feathers; Lady Stout wore a black and white brocade gown trimmed with white lace and satin, and a black hat with feathers; Lady Ward, in a dark .violet frieze gown braided with black over white, and a black toque; Mrs .Wallis, a dark blue Eton gown with lace revers, and a black and white hat; Mrs Richmond, black satin gown and velvet cape, and a black and white bonnet; Miss Richmond, black skirt and velvet Eton jacket, black hat with tips; Miss E. Richmond wore a pretty pale blue frieze Eton suit, strapped, and with cream lace revers, and a large fawn felt hat; Mrs Pharazyn, black brocade gown trimmed with white, and a black bonnet with flowers and ospreys; Mrs O'Connor, bleck brocade gown, anil blue velvet and fur bonnet; Mrs Brown, handsome black silk gown trimmed with black and white applique, and a black bonnet with rod roses; Mrs Bell, black skirt and velvet Eton eoat trimmed with grey fur, ’Mack and blue hat; Mrs A. Dunean, tomato red frieze gown trimmed with cream guipure, hat to match with wings; Mrs Riddiford, in a black gown and caracul jacket, and a black and white toque; Mrs Brandon, black Eton gown with ecru lace collar, and a black hat trimmed with red; Miss Brandon, a violet frieze Eton suit, and black chiffon toque; Mrs Hislop, black costume, black and white bonnet : Miss Hislop, blue coat and skirt, and black chiffon toque; Mrs Sprott, black coat and skirt, and black hat with tips; Miss Sprott, in a brown gown, and hat to match with wings: Mrs Butler, black gown and caracul coat, large black hat lined with white; Mrs Purdy, black tailor-made Eton suit, black hat; Mrs .Gore, black brocade gown, and cream

and violet lionnet; Miss Gore, pule grey gown with white vest, and a cream hat with flowers; Mrs Herepath, a tabae brown cloth gown with cream guipure on the bodice, and a toque to match with wings; Mrs Reid, blaek gown and caracul coat, black and white toque; Airs Collins, a black gown and cape, and large black picture hat; Mrs Quick, blaek satin gown trimmed with white, black and white bonnet; Aliss Quick, in a fawn and white gown, and black hat; Mrs Morison, black gown and sealskin jacket, black hat with feathers; Airs C. Izard, black gown and fur eoat, and a white toque bound with orange velvet; Miss Izard wore a red Russian gown with cream laee collar, black and white chiffon toque; Airs A. Pearqe, grey gown and sealskin coat, and a blaek hat with feathers; Airs C. Pearce, a blue voile gown with cream laee revers, and a blaek hat with feathers; Airs Turnbull, black and white striped silk gown trimmed with lace and pale blue velvet, cream and blue toque; Alr.s 11. Crawford, wore a pretty red frieze gown, the bodice trimmed with cream appliques, and a large hat to match; Mrs A. Crawford, a dull blue gown and blaek toque; Airs Beauchamp, a brown gown with handsome white lace on the bodice, and a hat to match; Mrs Loughnan, a brown gown and toque to match; Airs. .1. R. Brown, dull green voile gown with white vest, and a white and black hat; Airs Harding, blaek gown and velvet cape, and a black and white bonnet; Miss Harding, in a blue coat and skirt, and hat trimmed with blue: Airs Nelson, black coat and skirt, and hat trimmed with blue silk; Alias Nelson, neat Eton suit and pink hat; Airs Turrell, a pink frieze gown with cream lace vest and revers, and a black and white toque; Airs Mahtell, dark skirt and long fawn coat, blaek toque; Airs Al. Ross, black coat and skirt, and flat black toque; Airs Barclay, black figured gown trimmed 'with jet and laee, and a black and white bonnet; Alias Barclay, black gown and toque; Aliss Brandon, dark brown gown, and brown and eream toque; Aliss Stone, a green coat and skirt with laee collar, straw hat with pink flowers; Aliss Green-

wood, blaek silk gown, and bonnet trimmed with lace and pink roses; Aliss Harcourt, a blue Eton gown, and blue velvet toque with lace; Aliss Skerrett, cornflower blue gown, and hat to match; Aliss D. Johnston in a pitik frieze Eton gown prettily trimmed with cream insertion, and a black chiffon toque; Miss E. Williams, a grey gown and toque, and black caracul coat; Aliss Buth, dark skirt arid pale blue silk blouse, blaek hat trimmed with blue; Aliss Fancourt, in grey, and a blaek hat; Aliss Miles, a maroon coat and skirt, and black and white toque. lam afraid there were many more, but among the number it was almost impossible to see everyone, so those I have not mentioned must forgive me. There were also present, besides General Babuigton and Captain Campbell, Captain Alexander, Captain Rich, Major Aloore, Alessrs Fraser, Butler, Harcourt, Alorison, Pearce, Herepath, Quick, Ross, Crawford, and others. OPHELIA.