Brilliant Functions in Wellington.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XIX, 7 November 1903, Page 51

Brilliant Functions in Wellington.

farewell to countess of RANFURLY. A large and very successful ball was given on Friday, October 30th, as a farewell to Lady Ranfnrly. It was organised privately by a number of ladies, who are to be heartily congratulated and who deserve the greatest possible praise for the way in which everything was done. All must have worked very hard indeed, for the Sydney-street Hall was most beautifully arranged for the occasion. The dancing hall was hung with numerous mirrors, artistically draped with yellow. .Large groups of arum lilies were placed here and there, and the ceiling was elaborately festooned witli lycopodium, while bunches of gorse were suspended from the ceiling by yellow silk streamers. The stage was handsomely furnished and decorated with huge pot plants, and masses of broom, arum lilies and other flowers, the whole effect being indescribably lovely. The side-rooms were also made extremely cosv, every available room being charminslv furnished. One room was arranged as a card-room for non-dancers, while the pathway at the side of the building, covered in and carpeted, and hung with flags, made a delightfully eool restingplace for the more energetic ones. Tire Btipper-room can only be described as a perfect picture. An enormous marquee was erected inside the room, gayly draped with flags and silk hangings, and softly shaded lights threw’ a delightful glamour over everything. The four supper tables were arranged to form a square, and were decorated with the most exquisite red and white azaleas, peonies and other flowers. Such surroundings were indeed delightful in which to partake of a delicious champagne supper. King’s band supplied the music, and the floor being splendid nothing more was left to wish for. Indeed, this may well be termed one of the most brilliantly successful functions which has taken place in Wellington for years. I forgot to mention that the extras were beautifully played by Mrs Crawford, and the Misses Gore and Sommervilie. The hostesses for the occasion were Mesdames Duncan, Fell, Babington, Richmond, Newman, Collins, Wilford, Rawson, and Misses Coates, Richmond ,(2), and Holmes. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly arrived shortly after nine o'clock, aecompanidl by Lady Constance Knox, Miss Costello, Lord Northland, Major Alexander, and the Hons. Hill-Trevor and Butler, and were received by the hostesses of the evening. A bouquet of exquisite crimson blooms was presented to Lady Ranfurly by Miss E. Richmond (who was secretary), Miss Tolhurst presenting Lady Constance with a lovely white one. The programmes were quite a new and original idea, having a shamrock with the motto, ‘'Sian leaf ngus, bannact dea leaf” in the corner of each in gold. All the ladies wore shamrocks on their dresses. The Countess of Ranfurly wore an exquisite gown of white satin, veiled in black jet-embroidered chiffon, with berthe of white lace; her ornaments were a diamond necklace and brooches, black velvet bow in hair; Lady Constance Knox wore a pretty white chiffon gown, beautifully embroidered with coloured flowers, and finished with chiffon frills; Mrs Duncan, black jet-embroi-dered chiflon over white, lace on eor-sagej-Mrs Fell, black brocade with berthe ot white lace, heliotrope choux; Mrs Aewman, pale blue brocade with white lace berthe; Mrs Babington, pale green satin trimmed with chiffon to match; Mrs Wallis, grey crepe de chine, draped vith white lace; Mrs Collins, soft white ejj® “ e chine with lace, diamond orna- ’» Airs Richmond, handsome black k «nd lace gown; Mrs Wilford, white si’ll- o' OWI1 ’ en, broidered with sprays of trLn?r er . 3 A Mrs black satin, named wtth chiffon; Miss Contes, black

brocade, trimmed with chiffon, berthe of fine white lace; Misa Richmond, biscuitcoloured brocade, Paris lace on bodice; Miss E. Richmond, pale blue brocade with berthe of white lace; Miss Holms, black satin with lace; Mrs Adams, black satin, trimmed with jet; Mrs Pollen, grey crepe de chine, trimmed with white lace and chiffon; Mrs A. Fell, black satin and chiffon; Mrs Rprott, black and white gown; Mrs Abbott, yellow silk trimmed with black lace and tulle; Mrs Butler, black crepe de chine, with berthe of Paris lace, deep green silk belt; Mrs 11. Crawford, pink satin draped with fine ecru lace; Mrs Perry (Napier), rich white and pink brocade trimmed with deep lace and cluster of red roses; Mrs Johnston, pale pink silk trimmed with chiffon and lace; Mrs Ewen, black satin and lace; Mrs Levin, white satin softened with chiffon and lace; Mrs Ross, black satin trimmed with lace; Mrs G. Pharazyn, white satin flounced with accordionpleated chiffon; Mrs A. Dunean, pale oyster and pink brocade, inserted with lace; Airs C. Cooper, white tucked satin with ecru guipure lace, chiffon berthe; Mrs Knight, black satin and lace; Mrs Montgomery (Canterbury), white satin trimmed with lace; Mrs Coleridge, white silk with chiffon; Mrs Young, white satin with pearls; Miss Tolhurst, handsome white satin with lace and chiffon; Miss Costello, blue brocade, finished with white lace; Miss Dunean, palest pink satin trimmed with lace and silver passementerie; Miss Barron, yellow silk trimmed with black lace; Miss E. Barton, black; Misses McClean (2), Dunedin, lovely white chiffon and lace gowns; Miss Somerville, white silk, trimmed with lace; Miss Johnston, white satin, trimmed with sequinned lace; Miss D. Johnston, white tulle, with wreaths of tiny pink roses; Miss AL Johnston (Hawke’s Bay), white embroidered chiffon; Miss Wilson (Bulls), pink crepe de chine, with cream lace; Miss Fraser, white flowered satin, with chiffon; Miss Fell, white silk, trimmed with lace; Miss Al. Fell, green silk and chiffon; Miss Inglis (Hawke’s Bay), pale green striped silk, with fine white lace; Miss Gore, black satin, with touches of turquoise blue; Miss Harcourt, white satin, trimmed with lace; Miss G. Harcourt, pink silk and chiffon; Miss Stead (Christchurch), black satin trimmed with ecru lace; Miss Fitzherbert, white silk and lace; Miss Coleman (Napier), pink satin with berthe of lace; Miss Fitzgerald, cream satin, with chiffon; Miss M. Fitzgerald (debutante), white chine silk, with chiffon flounces; Miss O. Rawson, Paris lace over silk; Miss Beetham (Masterton), pale green crepe de chine, trimmed with white lace; Miss Atkinson, white brocade, with chiffon berthe; Miss Reid, soft white gown, trimmed with black lace motifs; Miss Fell (Picton), red chiffon, softened with white lace; Miss Rily, white crepe de chine; Miss Bacon, pale green silk, trimmed with white lace; Miss Simpson, soft white silk; Miss Wilford, blue silk, trimmed with chiffon to match; Miss McTavish, wnite silk, with cream lace; Miss Knight (Sydney), blue silk, with berthe of white lace; Miss Miles, cream satin; Miss Butt, pale blue satin, trimmed with white lace; Miss Ewen, white crepe de chine; Miss Lee, black satin and white lace berthe. AT HOME AT “AWARUA.” Sir Joseph and Lady Ward entertained a very large number of guests at a garden party on Monday. His Excellency, the Countess of Ranfurly, Lady Eileen Knox, Major Alexander, and the Hon. Butler were among the guests. It was a beautiful day, and the gayly dressed throng enjoyed seeing the lovely grounds, which looked at their best. A marquee was erected at the end of the long lawn for tea. Small tables were set about with delicious tea, cakes and ices. A band discoursed popular music during the afternoon. DRESSES AT LADY WARD’S. Lady Ward received in an elegant gown of black crepe de chine, deep cape collar of fine cream lace, large cornflower blue straw hat simply trimmed with chiffon and flowers to match; Miss Ward, white muslin trimmed with face insertion, white frilled hat. Lady Ranfurly arrived about 4.30, and later was presented with a lovely white bouquet by Miss Ward. Lady Ranfurly’s gown was very lovely, being of cerise pink glace veiled in creanr point lace, black hat trimmed with plumes and chiffon; Airs Seddon, black costume, white lace vest, black hat with plumes; Mrs Mills, black brocade, black hat trimmed with tea-

there; Mrs Johnston, grey gown, blaek silk jacket, black and pink toque; Mrs Bean (Christchurch), royal blue voile, with cream lace collar, black hat; Mrs Dyer, black gown, black toque with cream roses; Miss Moss, Davis, black silk, white feather boa, black and white hat, with plumes; Mrs. Abbott, lovely black jet embroidered chiffon over white glace, black silk and lace jacket, hat with white roses; Mrs. Butter, dark frieze gown, trimmed with beaver, blaek hat; Mrs. O’Connor, black costume, bonnet with pink ro»es; Airs. Tolhurst, black silk, trimmed with lace, violets in bonnet; Mrs. Collins, grass lawn, with white vest, pink belt, large black hat; Mrs. Findlay, fawn voile, trimmed with lace; Airs. Leckie, black silk gown, handsome cape, pink flowers in bonnet; Airs. Brown, black and white gown; Airs. Loughnan, navy blue Eton costume, black toque with pink roses; Airs. R. Loughnan, cream voile skiit, and silk blouse, cream floral hat; Airs. Gore, black gown, trimmed with lace, black and pink bonnet; Airs. Barton, black silk costume; Airs. McKenzie, pink muslin, trimmed with lace, white and pink toque; Airs. Pollen, biscuit-coloured voile, trimmed with lace, green velvet hat, trimmed with flowers; Airs. Ross, cream coat and skirt, straw hat with blue flowers; Airs. Wilford, pale blue and white gown, blue poke bonnet; Airs. Quick, black brocade, violets in bonnet; Airs. Cox, black voile, trimmed with lace, blue hat; Airs. AfcKenzie, white tucked voile, trimmed with lace, black hat; Mrs. White, grey voile and straw hat, with blue flowers; Airs. Butt, black, with violet bonnet; Airs. Riley, royal blue voile, hat to match; All's. Jeffcott, pretty grey accordion-pleated voile; Miss Coates, black and white gown, toque to match; Aliss Seddon, cream canvas, trimmed with lace, straw hat trimmed with green; Miss Al. Seddon, grey voile, With lace, Royal bl"e hat; Aliss McClean (Dunedin), white lace gown, hat wreathed with red flowers; Aliss O’Conner, white silk and lace gown, black and white hat; Aliss Afills, pale blue voile, trimmed with lace, hat to match; Aliss Mills, grass lawn, hat with pink flowers: Aliss Butt, grey, trimmed with lace, black hat; Miss Rose, blaek voile, black hat with tips; Aliss Harcourt, cream gown, hat with flowers; Aliss Gore, white gown, with violet hat; Aliases Quick (2), white skirts and satin blouses; Aliss Smith, green linen, cream hat; Miss Riley, white muslin, and black hat; Aliss AlcGregor, cream voile and lace, black hat with tips; Aliss Heywood, pretty white silk, with lace insertion, cream floral hat; Aliss Stafford, biscuit coloured embroidered muslin; Aliss Rose, cream voile, trimmed with lace, black hat; and a great many more. Also present were the Premier, Sir William Stewart, Hon. Afills and Duncan, Judges Cooper and Chapman, etc.

RECEPTION AT PARLIAAIENT BUILDINGS.

The Parliamentary reception given to the Countess of Ranfurly on Saturday afternoon was a great success. Perfect weather prevailed. The decorations were elaborate. An areh over the entrance composed of yellow broom was very effective. Lines of flags were hung across the drive and lawn, and the front of the buildings was also gay with flags, greenery, and flowers. The interior of the building was made very pretty for the occasion with greenery, etc. Lady Ranfurly arrived at half-past four. His Excellency, Ladies Constance and Eileen Knox, Alajor Alexander, Hons. HillTrevor and Butler, were also present. The Heretaunga Alounted Rifles furnished an escort, and detachments of various other corps were in attendance and there were also some veterans present. The Garrison Band announced the arrival of the Governor with the National Anthem, and played on the lawn during the afternoon. The viceregal party was received at the entrance to the building by the Premier and Airs. Seddon. Exquisite bouquets were presented to Lady Ranfurly and Lady Constance Knox. The reception was held in the Legislative Council Chamber, where a large number of guests assembled. The Countess was presented with a beautiful Alaori muff by Airs. Pani Te Tau (wife of the editor of the Alaori paper published in the Wairarapa) on behalf of the women of the Ngatituma.puhia tribe as a token of esteem and good will. The reception was an altogether successful affair, giving further evidence of the Countess’ popularity.