WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVI, 17 October 1903, Page 50

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, October 8. Mr and Mrs Edward Riddiford gave A VERY LARGE AFTERNOON AT HOME on Saturday at their residence, “Ferngrove,” The Hutt, to celebrate their silver wedding. The 2.30 train from town was quite festive with its carriages full of gaily dressed passengers. Rain was falling somewhat heavily in town, and some of the guests were prevented from going on this account, but at the Hutt it was quite fine and dry, and a most enjoyable time was spent out of doors. In the dining-room a dainty “breakfast” was laid, and a handsome wedding cake formed an imposing centre piece. Lovely spring bulbs and primroses decorated the tables. Mr C. J. Johnston proposed the health of Mr and Mrs Riddiford, which was drunk in champagne, and they were congratulated on all sides, and cheers were given for them. In the drawing-room there was a table covered with the numerous silver gifts which were received by Mr and Mrs Riddiford. The whole of the beautiful, large house was thrown open and everyone took advantage of the occasion to wander about and admire the newly erected part of the house, with all its spacious rooms and landings and latest conveniences. The Austrian band was outside, and on the broad verandah or in the garden it could be heard and enjoyed by everyone.

Mr and Mrs Riddiford received on the verandah. The latter looked very niee in a beautiful gown of soft grey erepe de chine, much shirred, and the bodice had a yoke of cream guipure finished with some pretty fine black and white silk embroidery, cream straw hat wreathed with pink roses and leaves. Miss Riddiford wore a charming gown of crerm canvas over glace; the skirt was entirely tucked into a broad band of heavy ecru lace insertion low down, finished with a flounce, and the bodice was tueked to match, and had stole ends of apple green satin on the lace and silk vest: pale blue hat trimmed with blue mil pink flowers. There were a number of relations down from

the country and from, other parts of New Zealand for the occasion, including several of the bridesmaids who had attended Mrs Riddiford on her wedding day. so that it was quite an interesting gathering. Among these present were Mrs Riddiford t Rangitikei >, wearing black voile and lace, and a black chiffon hat with plumes: Miss Aileen Riddiford. in white and pink floral silk, with lace fichu, and a large black hat: Mrs Hewitt, black silk, trimmed with lace, black and white bonnet; Mrs Dan Riddiford >Marton), pale biscuit voile, much tueked and trimmed with lace and a straw hat with flowers: Mrs Cooper, black gown and bonnet with osprey; Miss Cooper, in dark blue voile gown with white vest, and a small straw hat, with deep pink rosettes: Mrs Pratt (Palmerston >. handsome black silk gown with applique embroidery, and a black hat: Mrs Mcßae (Rangitikei). in a blue gown, and black hat with plumes: Mrs Levin, in cream voile, with lace, and a large pale blue hat with red flowers and leaves: Mrs Bunny wore black and white; Miss Humphrey, cream

gown, and straw hat with flowers; Miss Shapter, grey voile trimmed with white, and a floral hat; Mrs G. Pearce wore eream tucked voile with lace, and a cream hat with blue flowers; Mrs Broad, black gown and cape, and a black and white bonnet: Miss Broad wore grey and a black hat: Mrs Purdy, fawn tueked voile trimmed with lace insertion, and blue and black hat; Mrs Pearson, in a light voile gown, and black hat; Mrs Gore, black gown and ruffle, and black and mauve bonnet; Miss Gore, pale blue coat, and large white hat with blue; Mrs Loughnan, black gown and caracul coat, black toque with tips; Mrs Rhind. black coat and skirt, blaek and white toque: Mrs Johnston, pretty blaek erepe de chine gown trimmed with wide silk ecru lace insertion, black toque; Miss Johnston, green linen gown and white felt hat trimmed with flowers and black motifs; Miss D. Johnston, deep pink frieze Eton gown with white lace, white hat with blaek; Mrs Newman, navy blue eoat. and skirt, and a black hat with plumes; Mrs A. Duncan, red frieze gown, and black hat; Miss Dunean v os. a long fawn cloth cloak bound with pale blue and black embroidery, black plumed hat; Mrs Tweed, a dark eoat and skirt, and a hat with plumes; Mrs O’Connor, black coat and skirt, and bonnet composed of violets: Mrs Tolhurst wore blaek silk, and a jetted bonnet; Miss Tolhurst, tabac brown gown trimmed with velvet and cream embroidery, cream and brown toque: Mrs Young, in a green gown, and toque trimmed with flowers; Mrs Barron, in black, and a toque with ’inlets; Mrs Babington, dark eoat and skirt, and a white hat with flowers; Miss Barron had a dark coat and skirt, and black and cream hat; Mrs Turnbull, dark blue Eton gown, and large black chiffon hat: Mrs Menzies, in blaek, and a silk applique eoat. bonnet with violets; Mrs Wilson <England >, blaek coat and skirt, white felt hat trimmed with blaek; Mrs Bumes, in a green gown, and large straw hat wreathed with autumn leaves; Mrs J. Studholm, blaek costume and toque, white furs; Mrs Fitzherbert, dark gown, and handsome silk coat, velvet toque with violets: Miss Fitzherbert. in green zibeline, and a cream hat; Miss I. Fitzherbert. red flecked frieze gown, cream fancy straw hat; Mrs Brandon, dark blue voile with bands of white embroidery, and a black and white bat; Miss Brandon, navy blue suit, and a red hat with flowers to match; Mrs Ritchie, green zibeline, black toque; Mrs R. Crawford, eream serge gown and floral hat; Mrs Dr. Mason, in pale grey voile and laee, large hat with flowers; Mrs Tuckey. blaek gown and silk coat, bonnet trimmed with pink roses: Mrs Wardell, in a black gown, and toque: Mrs Jones, black costume: Miss Coates, blue and white zibeline and blaek toque; Miss Medley, grey coat and skirt: Miss Daniel, pale grey lustre gown, large blaek hat: Miss Abbott. in palest biscuit cloth with insertions of heavy a fiat straw hat; Miss O. Fitzherbert. a white gown, and large straw hat with flowers and leaves: Miss Harcourt, red frieze gown and blaek hat; Miss K. Fitzgerald, a blue gown, and black hat; Miss Somerville, blue eoat and skirt, and a red velvet hat; Miss Lee, in green linen, and a blaek hat;

also General Babington, Captain Campbell, Mes«rs Riddiford, D. Riddiford, Bunny, Mcßae, Pratt, Pearce, Studholm, Johnston, Tolhurst, O’Connor, Young, Brandon, Levin, Yon Zedlitz, Ritchie, Brown, Higginson, Latham, Menzies, Gore, Hodson, Sloman, Tripe, etc. The ceremony of

OPENING THE FIFTEENTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE NEW ZEALAND ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS was performed by His Excellency the Governor on Wednesday afternoon. There was a very large attendance, and the exhibition of pictures was very good. It was a lovely hot spring day. almost like the middle of summer, and the very delicious t**a and cakes provided by the lady members of the Society was greatly appreciated and enjoyed. The Countess of Ranfurly acompanied His Excellency, also Major Alexander, the Hons. Hill-Trevor and Butler, Dr. Fell (presiilent), a nd members of the council received the vice-regal party and escorted them to the platform, where Lord Ranfurly declared the exhibition open. Lady Ranfurly was wearing a green zibilene gown with white vest, and a burnt straw hat trimmed with blaek. The splendid portrait of Lord Northland exhibited was an interesting picture, and was the work of Nir Goldie, of Auckland. This artist has also some excellent Maori studies in the gallery. Miss Maud Williams’ work was greatly admired, and her large picture of an old Maori woman is one of the most life-like and clever studies I have seen. Mr Worsley’s large water-colours are very fine, and lovers of art were not slow to appreciate his work, as little red stars in the corner indicated that some of them were already sold. The tea room was presided over by Mrs Fell, Miss Holms, Mrs Adams, Mrs and Miss Wilson. Miss Newton, and others. Mrs Fell wore black voile with, cream lace, and a black hat; Miss Holms was in black silk with laee, and a jetted bonnet; Mrs Adams, a grey glace gown and handsome black silk and lace jacket, black hat with red flowers; Mrs Rhodes wore a rich black velvet jacket, handsomely jetted, and black bonnet; Mrs Richmond, in a blaek costume; Miss Richmond wore prune silk with ecru laee cape collar, and a black hat; and Miss E. Richmond wore royal blue frieze and a white felt hat with ostrich plumes; Mrs Duncan, a black and white satin foulard trimmed with lace, and a fawn velvet bonnet with ospreys; Miss Duncan wore a cream Eton gown with pale blue sash, and white hat trimmed with feathers; Mrs Wilson, in black, with white laee: Mrs A. Crawford, had a handsome black silk voile gow-n with silk applique, and a straw hat with mauve flowers and foliage; Mrs Buller, white crepe de chine, tucked and trimmed with laee. and a large black hat; Mrs Pharazvn, a blaek silk gown with cream lace, black bonnet: Mrs Newman, navy blue Eton gown, and black hat with plumes; Mrs Tuckey, wore black, and a handsome silk and lace jacket, black bonnet with pink rosea; Mrs Thorne George, in a black costume and picture hat with pink roses under the brim; Mrs Rawson, black gown, and blaek and cream hat; Miss Rawson was in pale blue muslin, and a white chiffon

hat; Mrs Marchbonks, dark red figurefl gown and a black and white hat; Mies Gore, in a white voile skirt and silk blouse, big white hat; Mrs Warren, blaek coat and skirt, and pink hat with rosettes; Mrs Field, in a black velvet eoat and black toque; Mrs Tripe, blaek silk voile gown with white vest and a black picture hat; Miss Richardson, dark skirt and muslin blouse; Mrs M. Ross, black coat and skirt, and black and white toque; Miss Coates, in grey and blue zibeline trimmed with velvet and white satin, black and white toque; Miss Williams (Hawke’s Bay), blue

pev Eton gown and black hat; Mrs <im'psou, grev silk with white lace, and toque to match; Miss Simpson, a light brown suit and hat to match with plumes; Miss Izard, blaek and white satin foulard gown, and large black hat; also Mrs Nairn, Misses Harding, Misa Newton, Miss Rose, Mrs Donne, etc.

THE MUSGROVE OPERATIC CO. continue to draw excellent houses at The Opera House. ‘‘The Fortune Teller” was their first production, and “The Serenade” is now being staged. The music in “The Serenade” is very pretty, and Mr Pringle’s singing has been very much appreciated throughout. Among visitors to Wellington are Mr and Mrs Pratt (Palmerston), Mrs MeKae. Mrs and Miss D. Riddiford, and Mr and Mrs Dan Riddiford, and Mrs Hewitt, all from the Rangitikei district. and who came down to be present at the celebration of Mr and Mrs E. J. Riddiford’s silver wedding. OPHELIA.