WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 22, 30 November 1910, Page 63

WELLINGTON.

November 25. Lord and Lady Islington's Return. It was with great pleasure that Wellington welcomed the return of their Excellencies the Governor and Lady Islington, who are now once more installed at Government House. The interrupted programme of entertainments has been resumed, and on Wednesday night there was a dinner-party, the guests including H. E. Vice-Admiral Sir ■Richard Poore and his staff. Owing to Parliamentary business, Sir Joseph Ward ■was unable to attend, but Lady Ward and her daughter were there, and tho Opposition was represented by Mr. Mu-

sey and Mr. and Mrs. Herries. Captain Wemyss, R.N. (H.AI.S. Cambrian) and Mrs. Wemyss were also guests, together ■with Flag-Captain Prouse and FlagLieutenant Fisher (H.M.S, Powerful). The Bishop of .Wellington and Mrs. Wallis, the Attorney-General and Mrs. Findlay were included, and the remainder of the party were private people: Mr. A. Pearce, Mrs. and Miss Pearce, Mr. and Mrs. Elgar, Mr. and Airs. J. Duncan, Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Riddiford. Roses, rhododendrons, and flowering plants deeorated the drawing-room, where the white panelled walls give an effect of lightness and brightness, and admirably show off the many beautiful things with which the rooms abound. In the diningroom there is a high dado of rimu panelling, which with its soft harmonious brown tones is very artistic and makes a delightful background. One’s memory goes back to old Government House, where for years the diningroom was papered with a vivid crimson most trying to general effect, and the cause of anguish to many a guest who had unwittingly gone in a dress which clashed in colour. The decorations on the din-ner-table were of roses, sweet peas and carnations with delicate trails of greenery. Rather more state is kept up by the present respresentatives of royalty than by their predecessors, and curtseys are quite de rigueur. Her Excellency Lady Islington wore a graceful dinging robe of ivory ninon and Liberty satin with entre deux of lace, and an effective note of black here and there, her jewels were pearls and diamonds: Miss Stapelton Cotton had a draped Princess robe over a satin dessous; Lady Ward, ivory satin, and fine black lace draperies; Airs. Findlay, a Princess charmeuse dress with horizontal embroideries; Airs. Wemyss, pastel ninon de soie with draperies of lace; Airs. Duncan, a lace and chiffon dress over a satin dessous, finished with folds of lace; Mrs. Pearce, a draped Princess robe of mignon satin with handsome horizontal embroideries, and folds of lace; Airs. Wallis, radiante ninon de soie over satin, the vest having beaded embroideries. A Dance. A large detachment of naval officers at Afiss Eileen Ward’s dance gave a good deal of extra zest to the proceedings, and everyone enjoyed it enormously. It was quite an informal affair, got up in a hurry, mostly by telephone, and doubly welcome, as the dancing season has really been over for some time. Awarua House possesses the best ballroom in Wellington. now that old Government House is given up to the dreariness of Parliamentary debates, and as its floor is laid on springs there is no effort in dancing, although the weather may be hot. Against the pale green walls the decorations of pink roses and hydrangea had a charming effect, which was heightened by tall palms and bamboos placed about at intervals. In the supper-room there was a

delicate harmony of pink and lavender sweet peas and feathery maidenhair fern. Ward wore ivory satin, veiled in black ninon and lace, the decolletage bordered with folds of white tulle; Misa Eileen Ward, a draped Princess gown of white Liberty satin with a peplum of silver-sewn tulle; Mrs. Cyril Ward (Invercargill), black ninon de soie, encrusted with lace and tiny sequins; Mrs. J. Bell, sea blue charmeuse with a draped tunic of net; Miss Harcourt, ciel blue Liberty satin with horizontal bands of embroidery in silver ami aluminium; Miss Skerrett. a Princess gown of opal brocade; Miss Miles, white satin, draped with embroidered net; Miss Pearce, pastel Liberty satin with delicate embroideries and lace; Miss Burnes, a very modish gown of liberty satin and ninon in a burnt biscuit tone, cleverly draped and adorned with pink roses; Miss Collins. ivory satin and ninon; Miss Watson, rose du Barri charmeuse, draped with ninon of the same shade; Miss Fitzgerald, a Princess gown of ninon de soie with a tucker of lace; Miss Russell, black crepe de chine with embroideries of sparkling jet; Miss McKenzie, ivory satin with Oriental embroideries and lace; Miss Fulton, a draped Princess robe with embroideries in silver ami aluminium; Miss Brandon, hydrangea ninon de soie and lace; M iss N a nea rrow (Ch ristchurch), pale blue satin with a draped tunic of black tulle; Miss Nathan, ivoiy &atin with pearl and silver embroideries; Miss Buddo (Auckland), white Libert/ satin and lace.

F.M.C-A- Aoltertßry The anniversary of the Y.WjC-A. was celebrated at the Town 11*11 on Tuesday evening, and was an unqualified success. The committee had taken a good deal of trouble with the arrangements, and the result was very satisfactory. The front of the stage was draped with green and blue art muslin, and a crimson carpet was laid below; on this were placed tables containing eakes and sweets biscuits, besides flowers, roses and carnations predominating. The various prizes which had been awarded for these were presented by Lady Islington. On the stage, where the girls who sang in the choruses were grouped, some fine palms and bowls of arum lilies were placed, the girls ail wearing white frocks. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Islington, accompanied by Captain Hamilton and the Hon. Dr. ami Mrs Findlay, arrived at 8 o'clock, and were received by Miss McLean, vice-president of the Association. Lady Islington was presented with a bouquet of roses tied with pink ribbon. She wore a beautiful gown of white satin with overskirt of white chiffon with panels of Irish crochet lace, and touches of black velvet; her ornaments were pearls and diamonds, and she wore a scarf of black and silver.. Mrs Findlay wore black satin eharmeuse; Miss McLean, blaek sequin gown. Lord and Lady Islington both addressed the girls, and were listened to with much interest, as was also Dr. Findlay. A short musical programme was then carried out. Among the performers were: Mrs B. M. Wilson. Mr Clarkson, Mr Stewart, and Mr Erie Water®. Mr Parker was conductor and organiser. Girls' College Sports. The College girls were lucky in having their sports on such a beautiful day, and the grounds were very gay and cheerful with the crowds of spectators. The lady principal and the staff had issued invitations for a garden party, and detachments of girls were told off to look alter the guests. Various amusements such as putting and croquet were arranged for their benefit,-but interest in the sports was so warm that moot people preferred to watch. Nothing could have been neater or becoming than the gymnastic costume worn by the girls taking part in the sports, their trim blue sailor suits, with skirts, reaching just to the knee, being ideal for the purpose. Afternoon tea was well managed by a bevy of girls in white dresses, with the College colours on their sailor hats. Nasturtiums and Spanish iris decorated the tea tables, an-i the walls were hung with artistic sketches and studies. Outside strings of flags fluttered between the trees, and a band played cheerful music. After the sports, the prizes were distributed by the Mayoress (Mrs. Wilford . who made a pleasant little speech, and was heartily cheered. The sports were admirably managed, and the championship was won by Mks J. McKenzie, with Miss H. Grant second. Great amusement was caused by some of the events, such as the sack race and the costume race, which latter brought forth some wonderful toilettes: Miss McLean wore a Princess dress of pale blue Shantung, with a guimpe of tucked net, white terra! hat with mauve and blue flowers; AL-- Dale, biscuit tussore, brown hat ■with Paisley scarf; Miss Eeclesfield, dark blue tailor-made and blaek hat; Miss Newman, blue voile, with a late yoke and black hat: Mrs. Wil ford. mauve Shantung, with a net yoke, black hat, with garland of roses; Miss Richmond, a Shantung tailor-made, blaek hat; Dr. Agnes Bennett, a light grey tailor-made, black and white hat; Miss Coates, navy cloth, and a black hat; Mrs. Izard, violet Shantung and purple hat: Mrs. Nathan, black crepe de ehine and black picture ha; ; Mrs. Easterfield, biscuit doth tailormade and brown hat. A New Hospital. T!»e opening ceremony of the Infections Diseases Hospital was performed on Wednesday by His Excellency the Governor. There were a good many inbeing medical men and their wives. Afternoon tea was provided by the authorities in one of the new wards. A number of hospital nurses in their demurely becoming uniforms were looking sft- the guests. Her Excellency Lady Islington wore an ivory eloth" tailormade handsomely braided, white hat lino! with black velvet; Mrs Rhodes, black crepe de chine, and handsome blaek eoat. blaek toque: Mr« Herbert, pale bine Shantung, and dark blue hat

with flowers; Mrs Luke, grey chiffon taffetas, and black picture hat; Mrs Young, biack and white tailor-made, and black hat; Mrs Holmes, pale blue Shantung, braided in soutache, burnt straw hat with grasses; Mrs Harty, pastel cloth tailor-made, and black picture hat; Dr. Edith Huntley, black and white tailormade. and black hat. There was a good attendance at the Navy League entertainment in honour of the squadron, the audience including His Excellency the Governor and His Excellency the Admiral, with their staffs. During an interval Lord Islington presented a number of prizes to the NavyLeague children for their essay work. Mrs Wilford wore black crepe de ehine, with a burnous of silver tissue-. Mrs Wemyss England', black ninon de soie, and scarf of Spanish lace; Miss Harcourt. a Princess gown of eharmeuse. and a satin burnous; Mrs Firth, long black lace eoat over a ninon dress.

OPHELIA.