WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 20, 19 May 1909, Page 63

WELLINGTON.

May 14. Popular Sailors. It is seldom we have such a sociablyinclined warship as HJJ.s. Challenger, bo the captain and officers have been entertained a good deal. Owing to scarlet fever on board, the first few days were •pent in quarantine, but once the restrictions were removed the fun began. It culminated on Wednesday night, when a dance was given on the ship as a return for the hospitality which has been so abundant, and a tremendous success it was. The quarter-deck was cleared for dancing, the awnings being disguised by flags of all nations, which also draped the doorways and curtained the secluded seats. All the latest dance music was played by the ship's band, and the floor was waxed and polished till it could not be better. In the long low wardroom there was a profusion of flowers, mainly in tone of pink and mauve, which decorated the supper table. As the ship was alongside the wharf, the anxiety of a sea trip when attired in one’s best ball gown was absent, but many girls professed to be disappointed. Mrs lan Duncan wore ivory satin, with a deep flounce of guipure lace, in which the design was accentuated in black; Mrs Nathan, white glace, with a hydrangea design in natural tints, hem of mauve velvet, and corsage and collar of lace; Mrs Wilford, chestnut tulle over gold tissue, with bands of opalescent galon; Mrs Harold Johnston, tangerine-orange satin charmeuse, the lace draperies studded with tiny sequins; Mrs Kendall, black crepe de chine Spanish lace and jet; Miss Duncan, petal pink satin charmeuse, with Mechlin lace bertha and sleeves; Miss Coates, black chiffon taffetas, jet embroideries •nd Spanish lace; Miss K. Duncan, white satin velvet veiled In sequin net; Miss Eileen Ward, ivory satin veiled in tulle, with silver fringe and tassels; Miss Bell and Miss H. Bell, myosotis blue satin charmeuse, made in semiEmpire style, and softened with lace; Mias Harcourt, rose pink corded silk, with lace berthe and sleeves; Miss Reed, geranium red tulle over ivory chiffon, hemmed with taffetas; Mias Hislop, ivory black crepe de chine, with choux of turquoise blue; Miss Brandon, Ivory tulle hememd with taffetas; Miss Hislop, ivory satin, veiled in filet net with rows of

satin ribbon; Mis.* Watson, flowered silk in pastel tones, Empire sash, lace rest; Miss Ewen, cameo pink crepe de chine, with epaulettes of lace; Mis* Russell, petal pink charmeuse, draped with lace on the Empire corsage; Misses Nathan, ivory satin dresses, with lace berthea and sleeves, and touches of gold; Miss Beauchamp, Ivory charmeuse and lace; Mi*a O. Beauchamp, emerald green crepe de chine and gold sequins; Miss Hungerford (■Cheviot), mauve mousseline de sole, .and lace berthe; Mias Miles, palest pink ninon de soie, with Empire sash of taffetas; Miss 11. Miles, shell-pink charmeuse and roses; Miss Cecil Jones, moonlight-blue crepe de chine, with silver fringe and tassels; Miss Dean, caineo pink charmeuse, draped fwtith lace; Miss (VI Kennedy, ivory chiffon satin veiled in crystal net, and softened with lace; Miss Bristow, palest pink glace with an overdress of net and lace; Miss Nelson, white crepe de chine, with Indian embroideries; Miss Simpson, ivory satin and trail of shaded pink roses; Miss R. Simpson, sky-blue charmeuse, with lace sleeves; Miss Mackenzie, azure-blue ninon over ivory glace. Farewell to Mrs. Webb. A very cheery little afternoon tea was given by Mrs. Kane as a farewell to Mrs. Webb, who is off to Nelson to live. Late as it is for roses, there were some exquisite specimens in silver vases in the drawing-room, while in the dining-room, the tea-table was done with white, amber and bronze chrysanthemums. Miss Hardinge Maltby, Miss Miles and Miss Jones gave much pleasure by songs and recitations. Mrs. Kane wore black chiffon taffetas with a guimpe of Irish guipure and boules of black velvet; Miss Kane was in mist grey ninon de soie with lace and silver embroideries; her sister was in pale pink eolienne, made in semi-Empire style with a guimpe of lace and net; Mrs. Webb wore a dark blue tailor-made, a lace blouse, and a toque with roses; her daughters were in navy coats and skirts, and hats with wings. For Mr*. Donne. Mrs. de Castro (Kelburne) was hostess at a small tea on Tuesday in honour of Mrs. Donne, who, with Mr. Donne, is going to London to live. Mrs. Kendall, Mrs. Kreeft and Miss Darling contributed pleasantly to an impromptu musical programme, and the decorations of -hrysanthemums and coreopsis were pretty and unusual. Mrs. de Castro wore pastel ninon with Eastern embroideries; Mrs. Donne, a dark blue tailor-made and a black hat with wings; Mrs. Litchfield wore dark cloth tailor-made and a black hat; Mrs. Wilson, nattier blue chiffon taffetas with lace vest; Mrs. Findlay, navy coat and skirt and black hat. Nurses’ Dance. Very enjoyable was the dance got up by the Trained Nurses’ Association, which was held in St. Peter’s Schoolroom. Red and white were the predominating colours, contrast being afforded by the numbers of palms and ferns. Pink and white and mauve chrysanthemums decorated the suppertable, and bowls of chrysanthemums were used with good effect in the room eet apart for bridge. The majority of the nurses wore their pretty dainty uniform dresses of pale pink and blue, with becoming white caps. Mr.*. Kendall, who is president of the association, wore black silk with an over-dress of pailetted net; Mrs. Newman, ivory satin ■with a horizontal stripe and embroideries of gold and silver; Dr. Agnes Bennett, ivory crepe de chine and lace; Dr. E. Gunn, ivory messaline; Mrs. Herbert, white satin and sequins; Mrs. Johnson, black chiffon taffetas; Miss Kohn, black lace and net; Miss Coates, black satin and jet; Mis* Mackenzie, white messaline and silver sequins; Mrs. Fisher, petal pink taffetas with lace epaulettes; Mrs. Young, pearl grey charmeusc; Miss Bulkley, eau de nil taffetas; Mrs. Gibbs, dahlia taffetas; Misa Did*bury, pale pink ninon de soie; Mr.*. MacArthur, black satin and jet; Miss Dunlop, black crepe da chine; Mis* Dean, sky blue taffetas. Afternoon Ten. Mrs. Birkett gave a pleasant little tea at Kelburne on Wednesday. Purple iris and violets and yellow narcissus were mingled with autumn foliage in most artistic manner for the table decoration, •nd much pleasure was given by a group of songs and recitations. Mrs. Birkett’s black and white attire was effectively relieved by touches of tangerine.

A Busy Week. Race week in July promises to ba very gay. Three days’ sport are in prospect. The Jockey Club Ball is to be a gorgeous affair, and the Garrison officers have decided to give their annual ball during the same week. There are several private dances talked of, so there will be no lack of amusement. Personal Items. Lady Russell and Miss Marjorie Russell (Hawke’s Bay) are here for a week or two shopping preparatory for Mias Russell's wedding in June. She is marrying Sir Francis Price, Bart., who saw service in the Boer War with his regiment, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. OPHELIA.