WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 7, 16 February 1907, Page 46

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, February 8. Summer is still with, us and shows no sign, as yet, of departing. Bargain sales are rampant everywhere, and energetic women are making the best of good things at moderate prices. It has been a great year for muslins and other cool fabrics, and any girl with • lever lingers can achieve a smart “tub” frock with little expanse. Another thing worthy of note is the growing tendency for girls to do their own millinery, not only thu. trimming, but the actual making of tiie hat itself. In this they are aided by some of the numerous “schools” which have been established lately, and .with assistance from one of these, an apt pupil can make a charming little chapeau at a cost of one quarter of the shop price. THE RETURN OF THE BROUGH COMPANY to Wellington is one that gladdens the heart of playgoer. The members have had a splendid reception, and every night the house is well-filled. Mr. Brough’s presence is sadly missed by his friends, of whom there are so very many in Wellington. but everyone is charmed to see Airs. Brough on the stage again. She and her sister arc such favourites here, and they have been quietly made a great deal of during their stay. At “Dr. Wake's Patient" I noticed Airs Alacarthy wearing ivory mousseline de soie with lace flounces, Jiandsome brocade coat; Airs. Blundell, blue crepe de chine; Airs. Chatfield, black satin and ecru lace; Miss Chatfield, cream taffetas; Mrs. Young. white eolienne; Afiss Simpson, Hack taffetas; Aliss — Simpson, white mousseline de soie; Aliss Fell, pink and white flowered silk; Aliss Fell, black crepe de chine ; Miss Cooper, "black taffetas; Aliss Miles, white crepic de chine; Mias B. Miles, black chiffon glace and lace

tucker; Mrs. Crawford, pastel taffetas and frills of lace; Miss O’Connor, white mousseline de soie with touches of pale blue; Miss E. O’Connor, chiffon -glace with lace tucker; Miss Johnston, white mousseline de soie; Mrs. Duncan, flowered glace and a smart belt; Miss Richardson, white mousseline de soie; Miss Richardson, pale pink crystalline; Mrs. Pearce, black taffetas and lace bertha; Mrs. Johnston, black crepe de chine and laee scarf; Miss Mills, white mousseline de soie; Miss Brandon, white crepe de chine; Mrs. Rawson, white mousseline; Mrs. Rawson, black crepe de chine and lace; Mrs. Abbot, pale blue glaci and lace; Miss Ewen, white crepe'de chine; Miss Quick, ivory lace and net: Miss Wilson, black taffetas; Miss Williams, white crepe de chine; Mrs. A. Smith, black taffetas; Miss Hislop, white mousseline de soie; Miss Stuart, white glace; Mrs. Biss, chiffon taffetas and ’ lace; Miss Tweed, white crepe de chine. A VERY GOOD LITTLE FLOWER SHOW was opened on Wednesday at St. Thomas’ Schoolroom, Newtown. It is the eighth, year in succession that St. Thomas’ people have organised this show, and each year the popularity has increased. Late as it is in the season, there was a fine show of carnations, roses/ and pelargoniums, and the more homely vegetables. Mrs. Thompson won the prize for the best collection of cut Howers. Other prominent exhibitors were Misses Smith, Allan, Jenkins, and Messrs Chapman and Hazelwood. I am glad to be able to give a slightly more favourable account of Mrs. Newman. who has been so dangerously ill lately. Long months of bad health culminated in a fortnight’s acute anxiety for her life, and it was only owing to wonderful care and skill and persever-ance-that she rallied. It is hoped that steady improvement will now be maintained. Mrs. Newman has always taken a leading place in Wellington, not only in society, but elsewhere, and her energy and skill in organization are largely devoted to charitable matters. Chief among these are the Convalescent Home and the Home for Incurables. Dr. and Mrs. Newman had intended to go Home this year to see their son, who is at Oxford, but they have been obliged to postpone the trip, and Mr. Frank New-man-is coming out here instead. MADAME BLANCHE ARRAL’S SPLENDID. CONCERTS. Madame Blanche Arral, who has, unfortunately, not had the best of houses at her concerts here, is a most delightful and fascinating singer, gifted with a naturally flexible soprano voice. She uses it to the greatest advantage, literally revelling in the higher notes. Her operatic scenas were sung with dramatic power and effect, Few indeed have been the singers with her powers and gifts who have visited New Zealand. Added io this, she has a flue stage presence, and dresses extremely well, the Parisian touch being very evident in the cut and fit of her gowns, in fact, quite an object lesson to the uninitiated. Madame has three or four changes each night, anil perhaps her most attractive appearance is as ‘’Mignon,” in the palest pink satin, opening over a petticoat of white satin, shimmering with crystal. With this she wears a hat to match, with lovely plumes, and carried a crook, tied with pink and white ribbons. Among the audience were: Mrs. Donne, wearing a black satin skirt, white silk blouse; Mrs. Tweed, black velvet, white coat; her daughter a. simple white frock; Miss Miles, pale pink delaine; Mrs. Buchanan, black crepe de chine, pale blue coat; Mrs. Leckie, white frock, champagne-col-oured coat, with deep lace collar; Miss Stafford, white silk; Miss E. Stafford, pale blue. Mrs. Hislop, black satin, white opera coat; Miss Coates, black peau de soie, lace fichu and ruffles; Mrs. Barron, black satin, lace berthe; Mrs. Biss, black nion; Mrs. T. K. Macdonald, black dress, handsome coat, brocaded in a design of pink roses; Mrs. McEwan, white frock, pale blue scarf; Mrs. McCarthy, white frock of silk and chiffon, pretty coat; Miss V. Macdonald, white muslin; Mrs. Foster (Blenheim), soft white silk; Mrs. W. Hislop, white gown, pale blue opera coat; Miss Barnett, white silk; Miss Mee, pretty frock of pale pink silk; Mrs. Mee, black brocade; Miks Somerville, white, blue coat; Miss Hoggard, rose pink frock; Miss E. Mawsort, creamsilk, chiffon sei '

OPHELIA.