WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 1, 5 July 1911, Page 62

WELLINGTON.

July 1. Coronation Ball. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Islington and ‘he Vice-tegal stall must be heartily complimented on the success of the Coronation Ball, which was a most brilliant function, and admirably managed in every way. The ground floor of Government House was thrown open to receive the guests, who numbered between seven and eight hundred, and many additional private rooms were pressed into the service. The supper arrangements were most complete and satisfactory, small tables being set in two of the smaller rooms adjacent to the dining-room, as well as in a screened off space in one of the wide corridors. A great improvement was the additional portico at the guests’ entrance, and it is earnestly to be hoped that it will become a permanency, as it so greatly expedites arriving and departing. The floral decorations were most artistically carried out. the main scheme being of rose-eoloured camellias and bronze birch. Tn the supper rooms these were enhanced by the rose-eoloured: shaded lights on the splendid silver candelabra, and in one room there was a harmonious and

fragrant arrangement of yellow narcissi amF delicate trails of bronze miniature |vv. The drawing-room was a most inviting spot, with cheerful fires blazing away, shedding a ruddy glow- over the crimson carpets and ivory-tinted walls. Ur eat admiration was expressed for the poinsettias, which were of splendid size, and were arranged in most effective banks and clumps wherever the eye turned. Old Government House conservatory was always famous for its poinsettias, which were introduced many years ago by Lady Bowen, who accompanied her husband from Queensland when he became Governor of New Zealand. Another striking plant used for decorating the drawing-room had long graceful branches with glossy dark green leaves and close set flowers of waxy red. The ballroom itself, in its severe simplicity of white walls and crimson curtains, made a most admirable, background to the gorgeous uniforms and beautiful dresses. Palms and ferns and arums were grouped near the crimson dais with the State chairs, where Lady Islington sat and received the guests, who were brought up to her. Their Excellencies entered the ballroom soon after f>.3o, and the State Lancers were immediately formed as follows His Excellency the Governor and Mrs Roderick McKenzie, II.E. Lady Islington and Sir tloshua Williams, Captain Wemyss, R.N. (11.M.5. Cambrian) and Mrs Godley, Major-General Godley and Lady Williams, Colonel Heard and Mrs Wemyss, Mr Vavasour and Mrs Barton, Mr Barton and Mrs Vavasour, Dr. Collins and Mrs Wilford. By 10 p.m. dancing had become general, and though the floor was a little stiff to begin with it improved with every hour, and it was with tlie greatest reluctance that the ilancers stopped when God Save the King was played at the end. It was rather interesting to note the general effect When dancing was in full swing. Tlie note of colour was mostly given by the military, who are so numerous in these days. The scarlet and gold of their uniforms was most conspicuous amongst the white and faint colours of the Ureases. Apropos of these, there is no doubt that the present fashions are not no effective as those seen, say, at the last Government House ball some few years ago. One noticed that some of the most beautiful dresses of exquisite, subtle hues, and delicate, mysterious draperies were totally ineffective and uninteresting seen from across a room, although a nearer view revealed their charms. The signal for supper was given at 10.30, His Excellency the Governor leading the way to the dining-room, while Lady Islington and her escort entered another supper-room. There was no waiting until the Vice regal party had emerged again, as immediately the aides-de-camp began ushering people in, and a few moments all the chairs were occupied, and supper became general. There was no crowding and no waiting, and it was generally agreed that things had never been managed So well at any previous Vice regal function during Wellington’s long experience. Their Excellencies’ house party included Miss Stapleton Cotton, Mrs Fergusson (England), Mrs Vavasour, and Miss

Vavasour (Marlborough), Mr and Mrs W. Barton (Wairarapa), and Mrs Guise. The Viceregal staff was composed of Air Arthur Guise (private secretary), Captain Shannan, and Captain MacDougall, A.D.C.’s.

The Dresses. Lady Islington had on a beautiful dress of Egyptian blue souple satin, swathed in ninon of the same hue, which was bordered with deep gold fringe and encrusted with raised embroideries in dull silver and gold gleaming through the ninon; the corsage was swathed in translucent blue over gold, and the sleeves were of Brussels lace; in her dark hair she wore a low, wide tiara of diamond trefoils, each centred with an emerald, diamond earrings, diamond comb, and a long diamond chain completed! her toilette. Her small girl was dancing away gaily in the early part of the evening in a pretty little frock of white ninon, with a vandyked tunic and loops of dull satin ribbon, and a bow of the same in her dark hair; Miss Stapleton Cotton, vividi green charmeuse, with draperies of dull gold net, a fillet of green leaves in her beautiful fair hair; Mrs Guise, ivory satin, with lace and brocade ; ’ Mrs ’ Barton ( Wairarapa), ivory charmeuse Josephine dress, with flounces of Venetian rose point lace; Mrs \ avasour ( Blenheim), cerise charmeuse veiled in smoke giey chiffon, a cerise bandeau, and grey plume in her hair; Miss Vavasour, ciel blue crepe de chine, with a tunic of veiled gold net; Mrs Fergusson (England), ivory satin, with crystal trimming and flounces of lace. No less than six debutantes came out at the Coronation Ball, which will always be a landmark in their lives: Miss Ottvrson looked charming in a gown of white charmeuse and ninon, finished with delicate embroidery in crystal; Miss Alison Burnett, white Tosca net. over white satin, with entredeux of lace; Miss A. Fell, white souple satin, with silver and crystal embroideries; Miss Dora Shirtci iffe, white charmeuse, with a ninon tunic bordered with pearl, and crystal galon; Miss Geddes, white satin veiled in ninon, finished with lace; Miss Johnston, white satin, draped with ninon and delicately cm bro i de re d. Among so great a crowd it was difficult to distinguish people, but I noticed: Lady Williams (who was receiving a great many congratulations at the honour conferred on her husband), wearing pearl grey charmeuse, the ninon tunic having entredeux of lace and delicate embroideries in silver; Mrs. Godley, in oyster grey satin with diamond ornaments, the swathed corsage having soft toned embroideries of palest rose and subdued blue; Mrs. Wilford, emerald green charmeuse with a tunic of shot green Tosca net. with heavy embroideries in dull gold; Mrs. R. Mackenzie, ivory satin with gold fringe; Mrs. Buddo, mauve satin, veiled in ninon, with Oriental embroideries; Mrs. Wemyss (England), white and silver striped ninon over white satin; Madame Bushamente (Uruquay), black charmeuse with an overdress of black jetted net; Mrs. Fitchett, black tulle over a dessous of rose and gold brocaded tissue; Mrs. Elgar, pearl grey souple satin veiled in elusive shades of mauve and blue ninon, with dull bead embroideries in the same hues, and a flat satin sash of faintest green; Mrs. Burnett Stuart, pale grey satin and Irish lace with crystal embroideries; Mrs. A. Abbott, white satin with lace and touches of gold; Mrs. Atkinson, black satin and purple scarf; Miss Mary Atkinson. white satin and silver fringe; Miss Bothaniley, white crepe de chine and lace; Mrs. Botham ley, black satin and jet; Miss randonß, opal brocade with sleeves of lace; Miss F. Brandon,

Thames grey satin with a tunic of geranium ninon and embroideries of the same tone; Miss M. Brandon, white crepe de chine and ninon with a .Japanese sash of poppy red tulle; Mrs. Burnett, black lace over white taffatas and jet; Miss Burnett, maize charmeuse with dull gold and bronze embroideries; Mrs. Burnes, black satin and jet; Miss Burnes, pastel charmeuse, veiled in shaded itfiion; Mrs. Leo Buller (England), pale blue brocade with a draped tunic of smoke grey ninon, diamond ornaments; Miss Butts, pale blue satin with a tunic of Tosca net in the same shade; Mrs. (’hatfield, black satin, veiled in black net, with Royal blue paillettes; Mrs. ( haytor, pale blue brocade with silver and crystal embroideries; Mrs. W. Clifford, black brocade and jet; Miss Clifford, lotus blur satin with a ninon tunic; Miss Clifford, white charmeuse with silver embroieries on the ninon overdress; Mrs Corliss, peacock blue satin veiled in black and silver ninon; Miss Coleridge, pale blue satin, with a draped tunic of Tosca net; Miss T. Coleridge, grey-blue charmeuse, with dull gold embroideries; Mrs Corrigan, ivory satin, veiled in ninon; Mrs Crawford (England), -white satin, veiled in black beaded net; Miss (oates, black charmeuse, with dull gold embroideries; Mrs Cooper, pale blue brocade, with sleeves of lace; Mrs lan Duncan, gulden brown charmeuse, over an underdress of grey-blue, bronze and gold cm broideries; Miss E. Duncan, ivory satin, with panels of lace and crystal; Mrs K. Dunean, petal pink chiffon satin and ninon; Mrs Dyer, white satin, with touches of gold; Mrs Dykes, black jetted not; Mrs Dymock, ivory brocade, veiled in lace; Mrs Edwin, black lace and jet, and gold roses; Miss Edwin, ivory satin, with a tunic of flowered' gauze; Miss Ewen, apricot charmeuse, with pipings of satin in the same shade; Mrs Fell, black satin and jet; Miss Fell, ivory crepe de chine and violets; Mrs Field, black ninon, and Chantilly lace over ivory silk; Mrs David Findlay, smokegrey chiffon velours; Miss Fitzgerald, green tunic over pale green brocade; Mrs Fisher, white satin, Irish lace, and crystal garniture; Mrs Firth, black charmouse, with tucker and sleeves of lace; Mrs Locke, black satin and jet; Miss Locke, white charmeuse, with lace entredeux ; Miss Sutton, nattier blue ninon over, old rose satin; Mrs Gilmer, rosepink ninon, with bands of dull gold galon; Mrs Gillon, white satin, with a zouave and tunic of black satin, with a with fringe; Mrs K. Gilmer, black satin and jet; Miss Gore, black sequin net; Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, apricot charmeuse and ninon; Miss Harding, black charmeuse with a ninon tunic edged with silver fringe; Mrs Hamilton, lavender satin and lace; Miss Hamilton, old gold crepe d* chine, with Liberty embroideries in a darker shade; Mrs Hume, ivory satin, with pink embroideries, veiled in overdress of tambour lace; Mrs Holmes, vieux pink pailette, embroidered and piped in a darker shade; Dr. Edith TTuntlev, black Spanish lace over ivory silk: Miss Harcourt, ivory satin ami lace; Mrs Johnson, ivory taffetas and lace; Mrs Joseph, eau de nil satin, with a tunic of black ami white lace; Miss Joseph, nattier blue charmeuse. the tunic edged with a deep flounce of Brussels lace, which also swathed the corsage; Miss Kane, black and white lace over ivory charmeuse: Miss Kensington. p’ale blue crepe de chine, with crystal embroideries: Miss Knox, ivory satin and ninon: Mrs. Larnaeh, black crepe de chine and

jet; Mrs. Leckie, ivory ratio with aa overdress of handsome lace; Miss Litchfield, lotus blue satin and ninon; Mrs. Loughnan, black Spanish lace and net over a satin dessous; Mrs. Louisson, mauve charmeuse, veiled in palest pink and smoke grey ninon, with embroideries of the same shades; Miss Mackenzie, pale blue satin, veiled in ninon, with a raised scroll design in mauve; Mrs. Martin, black satin and jet; Miss Martin, riel blue crepe de chine with touches of pink; Miss Marchant, mauve ninon de soie with dull gold embroideries and fringe; Mrs. Macarthy. geranium ninon de soie, the tunic revealing gold embroideries; Mrs. Mason, pale blue brocade and lace; Miss Miles, ivory satin, veiled in ninon, with crystal embroideries; Miss W. Miles, pastel pink ninon de soie; Miss Mills, white taffetas and lace; Dr. Platts-Mills, shaded blue ninon over a dessous of lace, embroidered in gold; Miss Morison, white cre|>e de chine and crystal galon; Mrs. Nathan, black lace and ninon over chine silk; Miss Nathan, white satin, veiled in ninon; Mrs. Palmer, ivory satin with a zouave of gold net; Mrs. Parker, ivory satin and lace; Mrs. Pearce, rose pink ninon de soie with entredeux of lace and embroidery; Miss Pearce, pale blue satin, the black ninon tunic hemmed in tabliers, with black satin rouleaux; Miss —. Pearce, ivory ninon de soie; Miss Rawson, white charmeuse and ninon; Miss Reid, pastel crepe de chine, finished with lace; Mrs. Richmond, black crepe de chine and jet ; Miss Mary Richmond, amethyst brocade and Hon i ton lace; Mrs. Ross, paon blue satin and black ninon with Oriental embroideries; Miss Seaton, ivory satin, with lace and pearls; Miss Seed, palest pink charmeuse and lace; Mrs. Shand, pale blue satin ami Paisley ninon; Miss Simpson, nattier blue satin, the black ninon tunic effectively finished with rose pink and blue embroideries; Mrs. Van Staveren, old gold crepe de chine, with copper and gold appliques; Miss Van Staveren, a Princess gown of charmeuse, veiled in ninon; Miss Stafford, pale blue crepe de chine; Mrs. Stowe, black satin and needle-point lace; Mrs. Tewsley, grey satin, with an overdress of aluminium pailletted net with choux of turquoise blue velvet; Miss Tewsley, ivory satin, veiled in flowered ninon; Mrs. Tripe, pale grey crepe de chine and lace; Mrs. Tripp, ciel blue mousseline de soie with crystal embroideries and buckles; Miss Tweed, palest blue satin, veiled in ninon; Miss Webster, ivory crepe de chine and lace; Mrs. Webster, charmeuse satin and sequins; Miss Wilson, ivory satin, with touches of deep green velvet; Mrs. Herdman, ivory satin, veiled in pale blue mousseline de soie; Mrs. Shirteliffe, black lace and net over ivory satin; Mrs. Litchfield, black chiffon velours and jet; Mrs. Samuel, pale blue satin with embroideries in gold; Mrs. Algar Williams, amber satin, veiled in gold net; Miss J. Brandon, sapphire blue sit in. veiled in ninon; Mrs. Christie, smoke grey crepe de chine, with a silk spot and gold embroideries; Mrs. Jones, changeant charmeuse. with a ninon overdress

OPHELIA.