WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 10, 9 March 1910, Page 63

WELLINGTON.

March 4. Victoria League. The departure of Lord Kitchener and of all the military people left us feeling rather dull, but fortunately the Victoria League has afforded some excitement, socially speaking. }liss Talbot—who is furthering the interests of the League—was the guest of Mrs. Grace during her stay in Wellington, which was a very busy one. Besides speaking at the big meetings, she had many consultations with the executive committee, and in addition, spent a good deal of time in endeavouring to get into touch with the secretaries and officers of the labour unions and councils. This was not so easv, as there was a distinct impression abroad that the Victoria League was entirely a ’•society” affair, and it took a good deal of explaining to convince people otherwise. There were about three hundred guests at the Victoria League “At Home,” which was held in the Town Concert Hall. Miss Talbot—who has a pleasant, sympathetic manner —was introduced to many of tl|£ guests, who were all charmed with her. Exceptionally clear, direct, and practical was her speech, which was audible distinctly all over the hall, and her listeners were very interested to hear of the wide scope of the League, and the splendid work it is doing. The guests were received by Lady Ward, who wore a graceful gown of ninon de soie in a faint.tone of pinkish mauve, wide bands of aluminium embroidery outlined the net guimpe, and appeared on the close-fitting sleeves, and her mole picture hat was garlanded with roses; Miss Talbot had a graceful gown of ivory crepe de chine, made with artistic simplicity, the only relief being a Peter Pan collar of delicate lace, her black picture hat had a feather osprev; Mrs. Grace, wore black Chantilly lace and net over ivory silk. and'a black toque with white tips; Mrs. Tuekey, black crepe de chine, and a black and gold toque; Miss C'oates, prunelie cloth, braided in the same ’shade, black hat lined with pale pink; Mrs Stott, reseda shantung, and hat with roses; Mrs Lamach, Ottoman tussore tailor-made, with black jet buttons, black toque: Mrs Chatfield (secretary), a Princess gown of peacock blue charmeuse. the guimpe of black lace, black picture hat: Mrs Harris, golden brown tussore, and smart black hat ; Miss Holmes, grey taffetas, and bonnet with tips; Miss Harding, mauve linen, and purple hat with hydrangeas; Mrs Newman, sapphire blue eolienne Princess robe, with a guimpe of lace and net, dark blue hat with pale blue pl nines; Mrs Findlay, p» arl grey shantung, black lace coat; Airs Chaytor, mushroom souple cloth, with soutache in the same shade, tegal hat with roses: Mrs .D’Arcy Chaytor (Marl..'orough), white lawn and lace Princess r >be. black hat with shaded flowers; Mrs Collins, pale purple linen, braided in a darker tone, purple hat with plumes; Mrs Dunean, mole sicilienne tailor-made, smartly braided in the same shade, mole h.it with tips; Mrs Tuson. pale amethyst simple cloth, braided in white, purple hat with shaded petunias, and purple Ostrich boa: Mrs Fitchett, blue foulard net. lace guimpe, and black picture hat; Mrs McEwan, a “moyenage” costume of silver-grey ninon, the kilted skirt being finished with a knee sash and bow of Silver-grey satin, the round yoke was of aluminium lace outlined with cord, while her grey picture hat was lined with aluminium. banded with embroidery of the same, and finished with silver wheatcar-; Mrs Firth, pale blue and white spotted foulard, with a deep kilted flounce, black picture hat; Mrs Ewen, purple canvas and deep purple hat; Miss Ewen, blue shantung eoat ami skirt, and black hat; Mrs AL Richmond. black voile end yoke of eeru lace, black hat: Mrs Grady, black chiffon taffetas, and black and white toque; Miss Richmond, black crepe de chine, with touches of palest blue black picture hat: Mrs Luke, white cloth tailor-made, faced with black hat; Fowler (Wairarapa), dark amec’°th, with yoke of purple lace, mack picture hat; Miss Seddon. back and wane striped ninon, black picture hat;

Mrs Quick, reseda eolienne, purple toque ■with wings; Miss Quick, Princess robe of lawn and lace, hat with roses; Mrs Sutcliffe, dull green shantung, black picture hat; Miss Butts, blue and white muslin, and flower-trimmed hat; Miss Kensington, striped tweed tailor-made, and green hat. The following night was held the annual meeting of the Victoria League with his Excellency the Governor presiding. There was a specially lange attendance showing much interest in the League, and all the officials, were reelected. Lord Plunket’s speech was a really good one. Miss Talbot eloquently explained the objects of the League and ■was much applauded. Miss Mary Richmond also spoke in favour of the League and its work. Lady Ward wore a graceful gown of erepe de chine and lace, with a black picture hat; Mists Talbot was in ninon de soie finished with delicate lace. An Enjoyable Evening. It seems a long time ago since the doctors were all merry-making here, but their final festivity was too late for last week’s mail. Dr. and Mrs. Young were the entertainers, and the party took the form of private theatricals preceding a danee. In spite of the sultry heat of the night most of the guests stayed on after supper and danced with unabated zeal. The theatricals were capitally done, the performers being Misses Watson. Simpeon, and Messrs. Rhind and Ellis-Mills. The hostess wore an ivory satin ch-arm-euse with lace draperies and touches of black velvet ; Mrs. A. Young, white chiffon taffetas, made en Prineesse; Mrs. Newman, violet ninon de soie hemmed with velvet, and trimmed with jewelled lace; Mrs. Purdy, lotus blue erepe de chine, and jetted laee; Airs. Head, rose satin charmeuse. the tunic draped with black Chantilly laee; Mrs. Albert Martin, petal pink ninon de soie Princess gown, finished with silver fringe; Mrs. Von Haast, amber satin charmeuse with lace draperies; Miss’ Coates, black lace and net; Mrs. Etherington. pale blue ninon de soie with sleeves- of laee; Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, eiel blue crepe de chine, hemmed with charmeuse; Dr. PlattsAlills. sea green messSline on Princesse, laee ber.the; Mrs. Firth, pale blue chiffon taffetas veiled in tambour laee; Dr. Agnes Bennett, black satin charmeuse draped with laee; Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, coral pink messaline Princess robe finished with laee; Mrs. (hatfield, silver sequined net over taffetas; Mrs. Gilmer, vieux rose satin charmeuse with lace berthe and sleeves; Mrs. Herbert, gold tissue veiled in amethyst ninon, with touches of velvet; Mrs. Kerr Hislop, malachite green satin charmeuse, with Oriental embroideries on the Princess corsage; Mrs. Quain. vieux rose satin diarmeuse draped with laee; Miss Eileen Ward, white satin charmeuse with brassiere of silver; Miss Watson, pale mauve ninon de soie made en Prineesse: Miss Simpson, ivory crystalline and laee: Miss Nelson, opal ninon de soie with copper and gold embroideries; Miss Miles, black net and lace: Miss Beauchamp. Empire green satin charmeuse; Alias Ewen, ciel blue crepe de chine: Miss Sise (Dunedin), lotus blue charmeuse with silver embroideries; Miss.Tolhurst, sea blue crepe de chine made en Prineesse. Afternoon Tea. Miss Eila Vallance—whose marriage with Mr. Earle Williams is to take place in March—was guest of honour at a tea given by her aunt, Mrs. Hayward. Crimson rata and autumn berries and foliage decorated the tea tables with unusually good effect, and cheery music was supplied by a string band. Mrs. Hayward wore black erepe de chine with a yoke of lace and net; Miss Hayward, lilac ninon de soie and lace! Miss Eila Vallanee. aluminium grey Shantung braided in the same shade, tricorne hut with black tips. Navy League. -The Navy. League is busy making ready for the ball in honour of the Naval Commander-in-Chief and the captains and officers of the squadron. At a similar ball a few years ago a special feature was made of introducing the visitors, with so much success that there were no girls sitting out, and the men’s card-room was .unoccupied all the evening. . An especially strong commit ten means this time to eclipse all previous

affairs, so a thoroughly good ball should be the result.

Two distinguished visitors to Wellington are arriving by the Rimutaka—Sir Ralph and Lady Ada Wilmot. The former spent some years of his boyhood in Wellington, and has come out for a short visit. Personal. The news of Mr. Percy Buller’s death was received with great grief by all those who knew him. His health was always bad, but his spirits were high, and his cheery pluck and determination were unconquerable. It was after his last bad attack that his sister. Mrs. Madoeks, came out to New Zealand and induced him to return to England with her. Mr. Buller always declared it was only for a visit, and two years would find him back in Wellington again, so his friends here were looking forward with great pleasure to seeing him again before long. His only brother. Mr. Leo Builer. has been living in the Old Country for a long time now. and last year he married an English ladv. OPHELIA.