WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIV, 2 April 1904, Page 50

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, March 25. The doings and dissipations of the Medical Congress are still the only things to chronicle, and without them we should be dull indeed. Quite an unique function in its way was THE CONVERSAZIONE held in the Colonial Museum, which went off with great eclat. The dingy building was hardly recognisable in its festive adornments of palms, flowering plants and ferns, while the gay draperies and vari-coloured bunting gave very effective notes of colour. Supper was laid in the carved Maori house, where the scene was most picturesque, the gigantic figures, with their gleaming pawa-shell eyes, forming a delightfully incongruous background to the smart modern men and

women, who were enjoying the wellchosen menu.

The programme was admirably selected, and the audience was most apprecia-' tive. Mr. R. Robertson's slever vocal} duets (in which he takes both parts)) were very successful, and evoked storm* of applause, more especially “The Miller and the Maid.” Miss Floyd-Hassell and Mrs. Glover-Eaton both sang charmingly, and Mr. E. J. Hill was in very fine voice. Dr. Carbury (Stratford) also gave an amusing recitation, which was vigorously encored.

The committee of ladies is to be congratulated on the success of their efforts, which were mainly devoted to decorations and the more important branch of refreshments, and altogether the occasion was quite one to be remembered.

•Dr. and Mrs. Collins received together, the latter wearing a lovely dress of black and white chiffon and lace, over satin, diamond ornaments; Dr. Elizabeth Platts-Mills wore black satin; Dr. Isabel Watson, black silk crepe, with raised motifs of Paris lace; Dr. Jessie Maddison, pale grey silk voile, with handsome lace insertion; Dr. Edith Huntley, champagne silk, with touches of black velvet; Mrs. Kendall, black velvet and Maltese lace; Mrs. Beauchamp, black satin, and Paris lace; Mrs. Fell, black brocade and lace berthe; Mrs. Henry, grey satin; Miss Harcourt, black satin and net; Miss G. Harcourt, white satin; Miss Harding, pale green brocade; Mrs. Cooper, white satin; Miss C. Smith, black crepe de chine and pale green sash; Miss McLean, pale blue silk voile; Mrs. G. Kemp, black satin and lace; Miss Kemp, white silk; Mrs. Gilmer, ivory satin; Mrs. Young, blue crepe de chine; Mrs. A. Young, black satin; Miss Brandon, white silk and laft; Miss Lloyd-Hassell, black jetted chiffon over satin: Miss Coates, black brocade, relieved with white; Mrs. Pollen, grey crepe de chine; Mrs. Macarthur, black brocade; Misses Hislop, black dresses and pale blue choux; Mrs. Jeffcoat, mauve Chinese crepe; Miss Waldegrave, black satin and lace; Miss May Seddon, ivory voile and lace; Miss Heywood, white silk and net; Miss Scully, white silk, with touches of pale blue;

Mrs. Glover Eaton, black poplin and Irish lace; Mrs. Rankinßrown, black satin; Miss Marchant, pale green silk; Miss Richmond, black, with lace berthe.

THE GARDEN PARTY AT BELLE VUE (Lower Hutt) was not graced with the best of weather, but in the beautifully planned grounds there was complete shelter from the wind and dust, which made town so unpleasant. A string band was stationed under the trees in the lawn, where it discoursed popular operatic music, and afternoon tea was served on the wide varandah. Mrs. Collins wore a gown of lilac silk linen, with a smart toque of the same hue; Lady Ward was in grey-blue voile, and a black picture hat; Mrs MacGregor, black silk and handsome mantle; Miss MacGregor, blue and white voile; Miss S. McGregor, pale green linen; Miss Pitt (Nelson), white serge bolero costume; Mrs. Mills, black canvas voile; Miss Mills, white silk and lace; Miss —. Mills, pale green voile; Mrs. A. McKenzie, white silk and voile coat; Mrs. Jeffcoat, grey voile, with steel pessementerie; Mrs. Kendall, white cloth dress; Mrs. Fitchett, grey-blue frieze, with handsome galoon; Mrs. Tolhurst, blaek silk; Miss Davy, blue cloth, piped with red; Mrs. Miles, black voile and red hat; Miss Miles, champagne muslin, with sash of red; Mrs. Edwards, grey poplin; Miss Edwards, pale blue silk voile; Miss Warburton, rose voile and white hat; Mrs. Kane, grey tweed; Mrs. Savage (Auckland), black voile and Paris lace; Mrs. Pollen, black canvas cloth; Mrs. Wilford, grey green voile; Mrs. Moore (Napier), black canvas; Mrs. Hales, black satin foulard, with white spot; Mrs. Wilson (Palmerston North), turquoise voile and black hat; Miss Bey (Wairarapa), tussore gown and red hat; Mrs. Quick, black brocade, handsome mantle; Miss Quick, pink and white muslin; Mrs. Fell, blaek cloth piped with white; Dr. J. Maddison (Christchurch), pale blue cloth and Paris lace; Dr. Isabel Watson, black canvas voile skirt and white satin blouse, black toque; Mrs. Young, white serge Eton costume, with vest of pale blue.

OPHELIA.