WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 22, 25 November 1908, Page 66

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, Nov. 20. As Christmas draws near one hears of more and more weddings which will take place before that date. Of course the most interesting engagement discussed at present is that of the lion. Kathleen Plunket and Captain Lyon, which was announced early in the week. Miss Plunket is very popular here, and has many •warm triends, and her fiancee is also very much liked, so they are both being overwhelmed with congratulations, tif course we are all disappointed that the wedding will not take place in New Zealand but it is only natural that with so many relations in England that the ceremony should be celebrated there. Influenza was the cause of a wedding being postponed at the last minute, a few davs ago. the bride was Miss Morris, daughter of Colonel Morris -(Bourne- . mouth, England), and the bridegroom Mr. W. Platts, of Port Chalmers. Miss Morris had just arrived from England.

and wan staying with Mr. Platt’s sister Dr. Elizabeth Platt-Miles at Karori,- for the short time necessary before the wedding could be solemnised. It wa«'t4nibly hard luck that she should have been seized by influenza, ah all the arrangements were made and the bridesmaid* in readiness, when everything had to be pul off. THE DANC E GIVEN BY C APT. FYI.EH AND THE OFFICERS OF 11.M.S ENCOUNTER on Friday night was a most charming one. The weather, always such an important factor- on an occasion like this, was absolutely ideal, not a puff of wind, or the slightest ripple on the water. The Encounter, which was brilliantly, lighted from stem to stern, and studded with electric, coloured lights, was a beautiful object, and elicited much admiration. The guests were taken off in the ship’s launches, the voyage heing quite enjoyed. The ballroom floor (erstwhile the deck) was in capital order, and screened with awnings lined with flags, and decorated with greenery the whole effect was exceedingly pretty. The ship’s hand furnished the music, so was naturally of the best, and went with the right swing. Supper was laid in the wardroom, the tables being gay with many-coloured ixias, and choice iris in high silver vases. The girls all seemed to have donned their freshest and smartest frocks, and with all the naval, and occasional military uniforms, made the scene a very gay and bright one. Being a naval dance, it is needless to say “ the wall-flower ” was not represented. Mrs. Fyier looked very well in a lovely gown of white chiffon, embroidered in pearl and opal sequins, triple skirted, and worn over soft skirts of blue chiffon, the bodice finished off with fine, lace, large blue chou, and cluster of cream roses, diamond ornaments. Mrs. Tuson, blue silk with overdress of silk net embroidered in beetles’ wings and stiver thread; Mrs. 11. Johnston, yellow satin, lace berths; Mrs. McLean, pale blue silk with chiffon and lace: Mrs. Tweed, blue velvet, white lace fichu; Miss Stuart, white satin, with touches of silver; Miss Miles, pink chiffon taffetas; Miss Reid, emerald green net with iridiscent embroideries, hem of gold tissue; Miss Medley, black ninon de soie’: Mrs. Richards (New York)limber satin ‘charmeuse princess gown with draperies of lace; Miss/ltussell '(Hawke’s Bay), ivory lumineuK, the corsage having I ‘Aide bafids of pearl and silver embroidery; Miss Warburton (Palmerston), white chiffon taffetas, made a la Empire, with a girdle of gold cord ending in tassels; Miss Jessie Reid wore petal pink ninon de soie with a high-waisted belt, and sleeves of lace; Miss Fitzgerald, rose pink mousseline de soie, soft ly draped with lace; Miss B. Fitzgerald, ivory- chiffon veiled in lace; Miss Eileen Russell, cream satin with gold embroideries; Miss Brandon, chiffon charmeuse with lace vest and sleeves; Miss McKenzie, pastel chiffon satin with effective touches of gold. A VERY BRIGHT LITTLE DANCE was given at the Goring street Hall last week by a committee of girls headed by Miss Bessie Fitzgerald. It was expected that several officers from the Encounter would have been present, but, unfortunately, the orders .were for the Encounter to proceed to Cook’s Straits to wait for the flagship and fleet, so the naval element was not represented.

However, there was a sufficiency of I>artners. and a good" flior,’ and all had a good time. The hall was prettily deeorated With masses of yellow broom and arum lilies. The ‘chaperones Were Mrs (j. Turnbull and Mrs Fitzgerald. Aliss Fitzgerald wore pink ’ crepe de chine; her sister, floral chiffon,, over pale green silk: Miss B. Miles, pale pink silk and chiffon: Miss Jone.-, nniiive ninon de soie, softened with lace: Miss Beauchamp. diene silk; Miss Bristow, pretty white silk' and chiffon; Miss Simpson, ciel blue mousseline de soie. Among those present were Aliases Webb, Dean, Ward. C. Beauchamp, W. Miles, Knox, Nathan, and Didsbury; Messrs. Brandon,' Bell. Simpson. Ward, Selanders. Middiford. Peacock, Rliind, Fergus, Dr. Holmes. DANCE FOR THE ENCOUNTER. It is a long time since there lias been such a popular ship cm this station as H.ALs Encounter, and her departure for Sydney next week will be greeted with much regret. Mrs Beauchamp is giving a dance for the officers of the squadron, and I hear of a good deal of other private entertaining being done. There is also an exciting rumour of “something" being given on board the flagship during the stay in portMiss Effie Stavely .is one of the numerous hrides-eleet, and it was in her honour that Mrs. Matthews gave A HANDKERCHIEF TUA at her house on Kdburne. Being Saturday afternoon, there was an unusual number of men among the guests; a very jolly afternoon was spent. Chief among the attractions was a billiard table, where play went on merrily all the time, more than one girl proving herself the possessor of a straight eye and steady hand, which surprised her coach. Roses, sweet peas, ixias, and poppies, were used for decorations, and an al fresco tea in the garden was immensely appreciated. Tile handkerchiefs were many and various, ranging from dainty, cobwebbing trifles, to the more sturdy, hem-stitched linen sort. A fortuneteller was an immense source of interest, and was besieged with anxious enquirers. • It was noted that- most of the-girls were anxious for promises of travel.- and amusements, together.wfth the usual query of matrimony; while mankind was most - eager for: information about the forthcoming elections, and the prospect of a rise in “screw.” Songs and instrumental music were much appreciated, some of the guests being among the performers. The hostess wore a semi-Empire frock of cardinal chiffon taffetas, made with a guitnpe, and sleeves of guipure lace; Miss Stave-ley’s white muslin dress was inset with delicate lace, and worn with a rose-wreathed hat-;. Airs Arthur Ballance wore nut brown taffeta, with yoke of filet net. Aliss Staveley’s marriage with Mr. E. Holmwood is to be on December 16. Among the presents w ill be a C hesterfield sofa, the gift of the bride’s comrades at the Telephone Exchange. GIRLS’ REALM GARDEN PARTY. The Kia Ora branch of the Girls' Realm Guild, was entertained last week at a garden party by its president, Mrs

Sutcliffe. It was a glorious summer day, 'and the picturesque*' garden : ail_ Maranui made a delightful setting for the 'pretty frocks and’ pfetty wearers. Away below was an exquisite panorama of blue sea, with a foreground of rocks and sand, dotted with children enjoying a day at the seaside. An outdoor concert was contributed by the girls, soms of whom are extremely talented, as. the patients at the hospitals and homes are delightedly aware." An amusing competition was won by Miss Prendeville. The president wore a graceful dress of white muslin inserted with lace and embroidery, a becoming white hat; het wee daughter, who has the distinction of being the youngest member of the Guild. looked captiyating in her pretty white’frock with ribbon bows; Miss Prendeville was wearing cream muslin with a design in shades of green, and her Leghorn hat was garlanded with roses and their foliage; Miss Stevens, white broderie Anglaise, finished with, lace, cloche hat with cluster of shaded blue roses; Miss Young (secretary of the Kia Oras) was in white India muslin with a pale Mue sash, and her white hat had a floating veil of blue chiffon.. SCHOOL SPORTS. There was much fun and excitement at the Lower Hirtt on Friday, when ths girls of Miss Baber’s school had their annual athletic sports. The recreation ground was the scene of action, and all those invited to witness the sports spent a most enjoyable afternoon. A procession of drags conveyed the pupils—bubbling over' with excitement —to the Hutt, but most of the guests made the journey by train. Gymnasium dress, consisting of blue serge blouse and bloomers, was compulsory for those taking part in the races, and very nest and trim the girls looked. Running and jumping formed the principal part of the programme, and the relay race caused great

cgcitrnicnt, the girte of Form IV. being victeriouH. Mitin . pulu -Bolton won the senior <hampk>nahip, and Miss Phyllis Murray the junior. Mies Holderness, one of Miss Baber's staff, organised and superintended the sports, while Mr. M. Denniston _gave t invaluable assistance. -Miss Baber entertained the-.girls and their friends at tea, Mrs. Mason’s eharming garden being lent for the purpose. Prizes were presented to the successful ones by Mrs. T. Wilford. DINNER TO THE ADMERAL. Last night, at the Wellington Club, a dinner was given in honour of his Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Poore. On Friday the Navy League is holding a reception and concert in the Town Hall, at which his Excellency and staff will be present, besides a contingent of captains and officers from the other ships in port. St. Tiilda’s-Church, Island Bay, should benefit greatly by the BAZAAR got up by the parishioners. All worked ha rd to make it a success, and among the stalls was one got up and managed entirely by the young men of St. Kilda's Club, who must be proud of the result. Mrs. Chatfield did a big trade at the sweet stall, where the decorations of white and- gold were extremely well done. Mrs. Collins’ handkerchiefs were Well displayed on a background and surrounding of pale apple green. The bazaar was opened by Sir Joseph Ward, who, in the midst of the political excitement. found time to help the work of an Anglican church. Lady Ward, who wore' a striped blue tailor-made and a hat with roses, brought her son’s fiancee, Miss Davidson, with her. There was nothing particularly exciting about ELECTION DAY until the polls were declared. Visitors who had just arrived from England, fresh from the Suffragist doings—were interested and surprised to see the active part women took in the proceedings: not only forming a big proportion of the crowd, but as each candidate stepped forward to speak he was accompanied by hi® wife, whose presence was greeted with applause. Mrs. whose, husband is the only .man safely in on’ the’first ballot, was very much congratulated, as well as envied by other women whose mankind have another week’s hard battle before anything is decided.

OPHELIA.