WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1, 6 July 1907, Page 50

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, June 27. This week I have a budget of mixed news for you. To begin with, THE RETURN OF SIR JOSEPH AND IjADY ward was a great event, and they must have been very gratified by the warmth of their greetings. .They are looking so well after their trip, and are evidently delighted to be back among their friends again. Lady Ward was wearing a smart checked tweed tailor-made, and toque with upstanding tips. Miss Eileen Ward was all in white, with ermine furs and a pretty hat. In the evening the whole party appeared at the Town Hall, where the citizens were assembled to meet them with a hearty welcome. The Premier was greeted with tremendous cheers, and his speech was closely listened to with evident appreciation. The musical programme, though good of its kind, was a little long for the audience, who were anxious for the business portion of the evening. Lady Ward was wearing black taffetas with a yoke of fine lace and a lace scarf; Miss Eileen Ward wore pink crepe de chine with vest, and short sleeves of esprit net. Her white kimonoshaped wrap was particularly graceful and becoming. Also on the platform was Mrs. Findlay in pastel taffetas with full sleeves and bretelles of black Chantilly lace, caught up with rosettes of black velvet. One of the most delightful events imaginable was the MASK PARTY, given by Mrs. J. E. Fulton. .Indoors there was a medley of strange voices ranging from shrill cracked treble to mysterious whispers and expressive grunts, as each person tried to bewilder others. The disguises were most difficult to penetrate, especially when, in addition to a mask and new coiffure of contrasting >a ue to the wearer’s own hair was worn. Unmasking tbok place before supper, and great was the laughter as familiar faces appeared in unexpected places. Mrs. Napier MacLean was the success of the evening as a "Sandwich Man,” and no one guessed who she was. Mr. E. Reid was well got up a, a stout little Dutchman,

and Mr. J. Stout was unrecognisable a monk in scarlet, with a particularly forbidding expression. Quite -one of the best characters was “Hiawatha,” impersonated by Miss G. Harcourt. There were many others present, but it was difficult to identify them in 'masks, and the majority appeared in evening dress once the dominos were discarded. Mrs. Fulton wore black crepe de chine with

motifs of lace and jet, a touch of colour being given by a cluster of roses; Miss Fulton’s ivory mousseline de sole, embroidered in pale green was concealed by 'her domino of pale blue. tussore silk. Mr. Fulton represented a Frenchman with much success. After supper was over fortune-telling, progressive bridge, and other amusements held sway, and it was long after midnight, before the party broke up. Prizes, which were charming liberty gifts, were won by Misses C. Smith and S. Nathan, and Messrs. Harcourt and Rex Bridge.

THE STAR CLUB BALL is always a good one, and this year it was. even more successful than last time. The Sydney-strect hall was a festive scene with its paraphernalia of oars and flags interspersed with greenery. The supperroom was decorated with white and blue, together with vases of narcissi. Among those present were Mrs Biss, wearing blaek taffetas with sequin embroideries and touches of velvet; Mrs Pearee, black ninon de soie with tucker and sleeves of white tulle; Mrs Bridge, black crepe de chine; Airs Fulton, black Chantilly lace over white taffetas; Mrs D. Menzies, black erepe de chine with berthe of blonde luce, and a single rosette «>f gold tissue; Mrs Macßetli, pale blue taffetas with jewelled embroideries; Mrs K. Duncan, white taffetap veiled in lace and net, pale pink belt; Miss Simpson, white satin and roses; Miss Barnett, black crepe de chine and lace; Miss Ward, pale pink taffetas with brctellcs of pink and green chine ribbon bordered ■with lace; Miss Ewen, salmon pink chiffon glaee with handsome motifs of lace; Wise Borlase, pale blue glace, lace and chiffon; Miss Hannah, black mouseline de soie with chine sash and bretelles; Miss — Hiinnali, ivory taffetas and lace; Miss Shannon, pale blue glaee and lace; Miss Richardson, pale pink taffetas with garniture of lace: Miss Waldegrave (Palmerston), ivory erepe de chine; Miss Beauchamp, pale blue chine, flowered with pink; Miss Bothamley, pale pink taffetas; Miss Fitzgerald, white chiffon taffetas and laee; Miss Stuart, ivory satin; Miss Haybittie, white chiffon taffetas and laee; Miss Jones, pastel chiffon glaee; Miss McDonald, sky blue crepe de chine. MRS. OSWALD BEERE’S DANCE was a delightfully informal affair, and went off well. The hostess wore.- ivory satin.;,withiyi deep’ belt of bretelles of pale,-'Hlwe. Melvet: Miss" Whitfem was in sky blue chiffon glaee, with motifs of laee; Mrs Jackson, pearl grey crepe de chine hemmed with darker velvet; Mrs Peers,- blaek satin veiled in printed chiffon; Mrs Blundell, blaek chiffon glaee and laee berthe; Miss Wilson, ivory taffetas; Miss Hoggard, rose pink satin; Miss Lee, white satin veiled in spotted chiffon; Miss McKenzie, skv blue taffetas, the skirt having panels of laee; Miss Menteath, white chiffon taffetas; Miss Bendall. ■ pale blue mousseline de soie; Miss Kember, cerise -satin, with jewelled lace berthe; Miss King, pale pink numsseliiie.de soib; Miss Marchant, ivory taffetas; Miss Brandon, white soie de chine.

Dull, drizzling rain in the early part of flic afternoon spoilt the opening of Parliament from a spectators point of view. Once inside, all was warmth and brightness, and everywhere one saw familiar faces and friendly greetings. Lady War d was, of course,, tjfe eentre of interest to the ladies present-and she was surround ed by people eager to welcome her back. She looked very, pharming, in „a graceful dress of crepe de stine,.the. bolero bodiee being embroidered•itn.lappliqued with velvet, and the smart short -sleeves finished with the same material. Her toque was of crinoline sfraw.ttaiumied with chiffon and ■upstanding ti,ps,,Ju><l she carried a lovely bouquet tied wiflji satin streamers. She was accompanied! by her daughter, who looked very well in champignon face cloth, braided and worn oyer a vest of lace and net, and'a beaver hat with roses.

OPHELIA.