WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 2, 15 July 1905, Page 47

WELLINGTON.

Bear Bee, July 7. I have quite a budget of news lor you this week. First there was THE NAVAL AND MILITARY DIN NKR PARTY AND DANCE at Government House, which was the first ,?nterta in inent given there this session. Naturally it was eagerly looked forward to. The dinner party was an official affair—for men only, and th.* dance was mainly for young people who were invited at 9.30. The big ball-room at Government House, which was formerly. deeorated in yellow, is being done up again. This time the scheme of colour is to be white and scarlet, which should have a gay effect. Lady Plunket wore a picturesque dress of ivory satin, the corselet skirt being heavily embroidered at the top with pale blue and gold. Jewelled lace outlined the decolletage, and an Empire scarf of pale blue completed the graceful effect. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket wore white satin with flounces of lace, and a little silver embroidery. Mrs. Babington wore cream 'satin, with draperies of lace, and a deep belt of orange velvet; .Mrs. Webb, black brocade; Mrs. Siddon, black velvet, and lace scarf; Mrs t’havtor, ivory brocade, flounced with lace”; Mrs. Brandon, cream brocade and la.ee ; Mrs. Campbell, black satin embroidered in yellow: Mrs. Collins, white satin, relieved with yellow: Miss Grace, white satin and tuff,' with garlands of pink Bowers; Miss Erica Fell wore her debutante dress of ivory taffetas with laee tucker-ruffles; Miss’ Fell, white spotted glace; Miss M. Fell was in pale blue crepe de chine; Miss Tolhurst, pale blue satin and laee; Mrs. JI. Johnston, eau de nil satin with wreaths of roses; Miss Fitzgerald, cream satin: Miss — Fitzgerald, pale pink glace; Miss Gore, white satin and laee; Miss Simpson, white glace; Miss E. Simpson, white satin; Miss Rawson, green satin: Miss E. Rawson. lemon taffeta. The great event of the week has been the OLD ENGLISIIE FAYRE at the Town Hall. Preparations for this have been going on since Christmas, so nil the arrangements arc very complete. The interior of the hall has been built up to represent an old English village, ami the stalls themselves arc constructed as quaint old-fashioned houses, with gables and lattice windows. On the walls are proclamations cleverly done in old world language, setting forth the various particulars in a most diverting way. Judging by the results at present, the ■proceeds will enable the Victoria Home for Chronic Invalids to be furnished in a most luxurious style. The principal stall is that of the President. Mis T. C. .Williams, Lady Plunket and the Hon. Kathleen Plunket share also an interest in the stall. Others attached to it are Eadv Ward. Mesdames Duncan (2), Wallis. Johnston (2), Edwin. Turnbull, Firth, Kirkealdie. Mae Pherson. The assistants wear becoming dresses of

mauve, with laved bodices and pannier* of ilowcred sateen, folded muslin lichus, and Im witching lace raps with lappets. An addition to this stall is a department devoted entirely to blouses and lingerie, yclept “Ye Maydes’ Paradise,’ and in charge* of it are Mrs \V. Johnston and Airs A. Duncan. the most popular stall is the pottery, presided over by Miss Coate-. Mrs L. Blundell. Mrs Hislop, and Airs Loughnan. The most attractive art treasures are In hr had here, together with pictures and repousse metal work. The costumes of the sellers are pink and pale blue. Solid satisfaction ran be gained at the produce stall, whose owner. Mrs J. Barton, has l>cen doing very good business with her exhibits. Iler girls look well in peacock blue and white, with mob caps. Then there is the sweet stall, which always does good trade. I In* leading people here are Mesdames Fell, Richmond, Sprott, Atkinson, and Coleridge. They have a quaint, old-fashioned garb with black quilted skirts and lightfitting bodices of coloured flowers on a black ground. Their assistants are gay ii>. scarlet and white, with picturesque floral hats tied with red ribbons. The deep orange hue adopted by Mrs Rankin Brown and her helpers at the parcels stalls looks wonderfully well, the white lichus and black lacings heightening the effect. The ladies of South Wellington are in charge of “Ye Ladyes’ Delight." where Mesdames Tuke, Crawford and Butts are prominent. A beautiful carved oak settle inlaid with pewter is a great object of attraction here. Pale blue ami white are the prevailing colours worn, with large Hop hats garlanded with blue Howers. Next door is the stall of Mrs Cohen, who has sele<.ted yellow tor her assistants to wear, with big yellow ami black hats. At the miscellaneous stall, managed by Mesdames Stafford, Fulton, and Rawson, there is a strong bevy of girls attired in crimson skirts and dowered tops, their hats being trimmed with crimson roses and black velvet. Mrs A. Pearce and Mrs Wil ford are managing the tea stall with an army of assistants in white linen dresses and pink or blue ties. Cushions and tobacco are grouped together under the care of Airs Russell and Airs Samuels, whose helpers are clad in eau de nil. A silhouette gallery, directed by Miss Hursthouse, is a distinct novelty, and has produced some excellent portraits. The artists are appropriately attired in black and white, with huge black poke bonnets. Misses L. Brandon and C. Smith are kept busy selling a special cookery book which they have edited. A gigantic blackbird pie is a great source of interest to the children. Nurse Holgate is cook-in-charge of the pie, inside which are concealed some wonderful things. Then, how shall I describe the Posters, whose triumphal procession is one of the features of the Fayre? The leading figure is Miss Turton, who represents Old Judge tobacco, wearim»- a gorgeous robe of crimson with a long train, upheld by two chil dren, got up as cigar boxesi; Miss Simpson (Golden Bee jam) has a well-carried-out dress, banded with brown and yellow velvet; Miss M. Fell (Godber’s Wedding Cakes) has a beautiful white satin frock, the three-tier skirt being elaborately trimmed with silver lace paper and orange blossom; Miss Butt. (Tisdal's Fishing Jackie )is conspicuous for the neatness of her tailor-made suit of grey tweed, all the del ails of a sport swonian being accurately carried out; Aliss McTavish ( Equitable Life Assurance) looks well in an Empire dress of shaded red and llame-colour velvet with an electric star in her gold coronet ; Aliss M. Fell has a pale green gown, thickly sown with greenstone (Lloyds); Aliss Haybittie (Wertheim Sewing Machines) wears black velvet with white satin motifs ami a Miry Stuart cap; a smart coat and skirt built of blankets is worn by Miss Macintosh (Pet one Woollen Mills); an ingenious idea is carried out by Miss R. Simpson, who represents the Phoenix Assurance Company. On the opening day the bazaar was thronged with people, and (he sales were very satisfactory. His Excellency the Governor made a smart, short speech in declaring the Fayre open, and then proceeded to buy generously from all the stalls in turn. Lady Plunket looked very well in a gown of golden brown velvet with a long coat of darker brown velvet, having a fur collar; her brown tulle hat had brown tips; the Hou. Kathleen Plunket had a pale blue doth dress with touches of mauve and a long blue eoat to match, white velvet toque ■with aigrette; Mrs Babington was in pale grey cloth and a white heaver hut; Mrs (’. Johnston, black velvet and glace;

Aliss Johnston. navy doll* with rich cur broidery; Mrs Rhodes, l»1:b-k vMvvt. 1 must find space to tell you of the amateur |te.> formative oi ‘•nil-: WEDDING MARCH," which was given in aid of the bazaar funds. It was principally noticeable for introducing a new amateur stnr in the person of Dr. Hay, who took (he part of the bridegroom, and rained unstinted applause by his clever aiding. Miss Tolhurst made a charming rustic bride, ami her train of bridesmaids and groomsmen were most amusing. The audience appreciated Mr Harvey as ( 011sin Toodle, and a got d character sketch was given by Mr C. Robertson (Unde Bopaddy). Other parts were well filled by a number of young people, m..ny of whom appeared on the stage for the first time. After the performance alt the players and their friends assembled for a very jolly supper party and dance. THE AT HOME GIVEN BY LADY STOUT last week was to enable people, interested in temperance matters Io meet Father Hays, who was here for a day or two. His Excellency the Governor, who had expressed a desire to meet the distinguished visitor, was present, accompanied by Captain Bingham. A.D.C. Lady Stout looked very well in black crept* dr chine with applications of ivory lace. Among the guests were the Bishop of Wellington and Airs Wallis. Mr .Justice Williams and Mrs Williams. Rpv. Gibson Smith and Mrs Smith. Mr Justice* Cooper and Mrs Cooper, the Rev. Mr Isitt ami Mrs Isitt, the Rev. Mr Sprott and Mrs Sprott, Mr T. Taylor. AI.ILIL. ami Airs Taylor. Dr. and Mrs Fell. Mr and Airs Atkinson. Dr. and Mrs Markin, Mr and Mrs E. B. Brown, Air and Mrs Kirk, and many other well-known people. Lady Stout gives another At Home this week. With all these attractions going on there were not many outsiders at THE NAVY LEAGUE CONVERSAZIONE, but I hear the members turned up in force, and the affair went off very weli. The speeches were commendably short, and they were followed by a pleasant little musical programme. after which came refreshments. During the evening the hon.' secretary, Mr C. W. Palmer, was presented with a gold watch and chain, in recognition of the services he

has rendered the League. which have !r.on entirely gratuitous. His- E\< citwm v the Governor presided at the but Lady Pluukct. who is |>a lioness of the ladies’ section, was not well enough to Im» present. Mr and Mrs F. Wah leg rave have issued invitations for (he wedding of their daughter •‘Mamie” to Mr Harry Atkinson. THE IM TTERFLY BALL. given by Miss Estelle Bet re. was wry much enjoyed by all present. The stage was prettily /.‘coratrd with palms, and garlands of roses, ami the butterflies and fairies looked quite charming as they flitted about, or danced * lately minuets, interspersed with Irish jigs and cake walks; whilst the fairy queen, attended by a tiny .A.imide a stately pro gress at intervals, amongst the guests. I’he dancing in most urn's was quite wonderful for such youthful performers. The dresses were ( harming. Where all were so goed. it is almost impossible to say who was best , but a pr.'tty dark-eyed girl in a yellow dress, who danced a cake walk, was undoubtedly a great lav ourite with the public. A little black butterfly with spangled silver wings danced very lightly and gracefully ; and a child in white with pal.* blue satin petals hung with bells, was a miracle of pretty posing and rhythmic movement. But the sweet. i st of all were two fairies in the frilliest of white frocks and gauziest of wings, who were harnessed with ribbons and driven by an even smaller brown elf (tlnfr broth.-r). The group might almost have come out of the nut shell, so beloved by (he fairv tab* hooks, and they danced as lightly and gaily as thistledown.

OPHELIA