WANGANUI.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XV, 11 April 1903, Page 1031

WANGANUI.

Dear Bee, April 4. The weather has been very unsettled, nevertheless there has been plenty going on. Fortunately on Saturday the day turned out fine for the “At Home” given by Mrs Saunders and Miss Finlay, and a very large number of guests were there. “Mount Desert” is a charming place for a garden party, overlooking the river, with a fine lawn and garden. Everything was done to ensure enjoyment for those present. The Garrison Band played all the afternoon on the

lawn, croquet for those who played, and a dainty afteruoon tea was prodived indoors and under the verandah. Mrs Saunders received in a pretty dress of dove grey, tucked and trimmed with pale pink and a picture hat. Miss Finlay wore a handsome brack, trimmed with old lace. Amongst those present were: Mesdames Harry Nixon, Arthur Nixon, Wray, Dixon (Fiji), Christie, Leppiton, Edgar, Dungan, Greenwood, Jackson, Hole, Hawke, Johnson, Campbell, Anderson, McLean, Watt, Porritt, Dymock, Innis, Broad, Stevenson, and Dalgetty, the Misses Barnicoat, Dodgshun, Christie, Leppiton, Newcombe, Anderson, Mailing, Alexander, Scott, and Jackson, Messrs Harold Mackay, Willis, M.H.R., Leppiton, Dalgetty, Dixon, Wray, Nixon, Dyinock, Stedman, B. Anderson, Edgar, Greenwood, Hole, Drs. Tripe, Hatherly, Barnard. Some very pretty costumes were ■worn, a few of the striking ones being: Mrs Wray, navy blue Eton costume, pretty light silk vest, hat to match; Mrs Dixon (Fiji) wore an Indian muslin dress and a three-quarter coat of crushed strawberry material, revers turned back, with cream lace, suiting her very well; Mrs Campbell, grey dress, white Thibet coat; Mrs Hole, cream Indian muslin, let in with insertion, sailor blouse, tucked, and insertion; Miss Winnie Anderson, a white silk frock, the whole skirt and bodice let in with insertion and tucked; Miss Newcombe, tussore silk, with pretty insertion to match; Mrs Greenwood wore a brown snow-flaked costume, tucked Russian coat, with white silk collar and front trimmed with silk embroidery; Miss Helen Barnicoat, a dainty white muslin, with chiffon, boa edged with pink, and white picture hat; Miss Dodgshun, white silk, transparent yoke; Mrs Harry Nixou, pretty costume of pale pink, covered entirely with fine spotted muslin, hat and sunshade to match; Mrs J. Stevenson, a stylish costume of grey, white and black muslin; Mrs Hawke, soft grey dress, black picture hat.

The Anderson Dramatic Company have played here several nights, and for those who like melodrama, they are certainly worth going to see. The acting was above the average and the scenery was especially good. They had good houses.

The horticultural autumn show was held on Thursday, and the Drill Hall looked lovely, filled with the choicest of cut flowers, pot plants, bouquets, buttonholes, and decorated tables and fruit. It was a great success and was well attended. Miss Ethel Taylor won the first prize (by vote) for table decoration, and her table was a work of art, decorated with the prettiest of autumn tints. Brown reds and golden browns were used. The candles had shades of autumn leaves. The Misses T.

and R. Jones and Miss Campbell had charge of the sweets stall, and the three girls wore pure white, and looked very dainty; their stall was quite the attraction. Afternoon tea and supper were in the capable hands of Misses Rawson, Baker, and Barnicoat. The hat trimming stall was in charge of Miss Griffiths and Miss Winnie Anderson, and they deserved great credit for the tasteful arrangement of the stall.

On Friday Miss Janet Ross gave a pianoforte recital in St. Paul’s

Hall. The weather was very bad and the house was to match. Miss Ross, who is quite a young girl, comes from Turakina, and has studied under Robert Parker. She certainly plays remarkably well, and almost entirely from memory. She wore a simple white silk frock, low neck, and elbow sleeves. I hope she will come again, and have a fine night. It must be very disheartening to play to such a small audience.

Golf is about to start, and promises to be a good season. A large number of ladies were no table to get in as playing members this year owing to the number being limited, and members who do not play often are asked to join as honorary members to make room for some of those who want to join as playing members.

PAN OPTEES.