WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 17, 24 April 1912, Page 64

WELLINGTON.

April 20. A Gay Week. Rather a gay week has come after the solemnities of Lent and the distractions of the Easter holidays. Most people are back in town again, and many visitors for the races. Weddings are numerous, that of Miss Fitzgerald's being of special interest. Although white flowers figured largely at the wedding. Miss Fitzgerald chose violets for the garniture of her bridal cake, combined with delicately tinted autumn leaves, which had a charming effect. A violet wedding was arranged here lately with much success, Miss Moult- being the bride. No other flower was used, and the result was most picturesque and fragrant. A Gift Tea.

Miss Bessie Fitzgerald was guest of honour at a tea given a few days before her marriage by the Misses Kennedy. Bella donna lilies and autumn tints decorated the rooms, and the tea table was quite bridal with white cactus dahlias, cosmea. silver tissue, silver cosaques, and horse shoes. Being a gift- tea, there was much excitement and laughter as the parcels were, opened, the contents ranging from the severely useful to daintytrifles. The "Bird Wedding’ competition taxed the ingenuity of all, Mrs Maurice Gillon gaining the prize of a photograph frame. Miss Kennedy wore a white cloth princess dress with a blouse of net and lace; Miss Agnes Kennedy. cream shantung, the lace vest piped with emerald green; Miss Fitzgerald, black velvet, en tailleur, with wide bands of black silk braid, black hat with berries and bow of cerise ribbon. The guests ineluded the three prospective bridesmaids —Miss Webb (Nelson), wearing grey voile, with a guimpe of ecru m-t and lace, black hat with roses; Miss Ward (Christchurch), fawn cloth braided in the same shade; Misg Bremn<r. pale blue eolienne, black hat with flowers. Mrs Gillon had on a grey tailor-r.-ade, and a smart hat: Mrs King, white ninon, with embroideries in blue, black bat with plumes ami lace: Miss Harding, ivory cloth tailor-made, black hat with ivory lace loops; Miss Harcourt, grey poplin, saxe blue hat: Miss Brandon, ilectrie blue cloth, and dark blue hat; Mis# Pearce, grey striped tweed, grey hat with wings; Miss Watson, Paisley ninon, black and white hat; Miss Seed, ivory cloth, black hat with pansies; Miss Nathan, violet cashmere, and purple hat: Miss Haybittie. grey coat anil skirt faced with emerald gre Miss Wheeler, dark blue eolienne. bin.- t. At the Races. Seldom has there been such a successful opening day lor the autumn races as last Wednesday, when summer warmth and brilliant sunshine enlivened affairs. It was a day when one could wear one's best without any qualm# about the weather, and the lawn at

Trentham was a most interesting sight as train after train brought out smartly, gowned people. The latest fashions in hats and frocks were displayed to great advantage, and some wonderful toilettes invited comment. Miss Harcourt wore grey satin cloth braided in grey, and a smart little blue hat with upstanding wings; Lady Clifford, of Christchurch, dull green tweed, and a hat with wings; Mrs. Johnston, of “Highden,” black taffeta, the long coat smartly embroidered and appliqued, black hat with biscuit j leureuse plumes; Mrs. A. Dunean, black and white striped tweed, mauve hat with roses; Mrs. Godley, black velvet en taiileur, small black toque; Mrs. W. Turnbull, black satin coat and skirt, black and white striped satin revers, black hat with white roses and wheat; Mrs. Newman, black cloth tailor-made, black velvet toque with grey lancer plumes; Mrs. Heard, black sat in en tailleur finished with fringe, black hat with cerise flowers; Mrs. Tweed, black cloth, a long black satin coat lined with pink, black hat with roses; Mrs. Pearce, dark blue tailormade, black and wlcite hat; Mrs. Moorhouse, grey tweed tailor-made, black and white hat; Mrs. Joseph, a smart tailor-made of black and moire cerise, and violet toque; Miss Joseph, green coat and skirt, black velvet hat with orange doublure; Mrs. Blundell, purple cloth with embroideries in tone, long black velvet coat, and purple hat; Mrs. MaeDonnell, of Auckland, black cloth coat and skirt, black Napoleon hat with plumes: Mrs. A. Young, navy tailor-made and green hat: Mrs. Tringham, grey doth coat and skirt, beaver hat of white with yellow wings; Mrs. Clifford, green tweed tailor-made and dark green hat; Miss Clifford, royal blue ninon over ivory taffetas, black and white plumed hat; Mrs. Williamson, of Palmerston, vieux rose striped merveilleux en tailleur, black hat with vieux rose pleureusc plumes; Mrs. Walter Johnston, peacock blue eaehemere de soie, the coat having a square sailor collar, black picture hat; Mrs. Kebbel, of Alfredton, black cloth tailor-made, black velvet toque with ermine crown; Mrs. W. Strang, of Palmerston, dark blue cloth with black soutache over grey blue, black hat with blue and mauve orchids; Mrs. J. Studholme, of Taupo, blue satin tailor-made, the collar and revers smartly embroidered in oriental shades, blue satin hat massed with white and black plumes; Mrs. Abbot, dark blue tailor-made with chine facings, grey mauve hat; Mrs. Tolhurst, navy blue cloth, black hat with blue and green bows; Mrs. Gillon, blue tailormade, cherry red hat. Farewell Festivities. There were several farewell festivities for departing Wellingtonians before the Athenic’s departure. A children’s party, given by Mrs Duncan, was a very jolly little affair. It was given in honour of her grandchildren. Mr lan Duncan’s family, who are being taken to England in order that their education may be continued at the best Roman Catholic schools in that country. This, of course, means a parting for several years, as some of the younger children are not yet in their teens. White frocks of lace muslin or silk were worn by most of the little guests, who frolicked away in the gayest and most cheerful manner. The festivities were continued the next night, when, there was a dance for grown-ups. Masses ' f hydrangea, lilies, and autumn foliage decorated tlie spacious rooms, and the big conservatory, dimly lighted and fragrant with flowers, made a most alluring spot for sitting out. The hostess wore black crepe de chine, with lace entredeux and delicate embroideries; Miss Dunean, a graceful high waisted gown of Liberty satin draped with lace; -Mrs lan Duncan's charmeuse gown had a ninon tunic, and was finished with fringe; Mrs Arthur Dunean was in changeant taffetas, with delicate embroideries, and a cordeliers; Mrs R. Dunean, pastel eharmeuse, with crystal embroideries. On the Golf Linhs. Usually the opening of the golf season is a pleasant function, and the attractions of the course and club house bring in an increase of members eager to share in the joys of a country resort. This year the weather, though fine, was against outdoor enjoyment, at least for non players, so there were not so many guests as usual. The golfers themselves were keen and enthusiastic, and the links were closely dotted with groups of player#. The Warmth and shelter of the club-house appealed most strongly to tho less sporting people, who found the comfortable quarters thrown open to them worthy of the warmest praise. From the

ladies’ drawing-room, with its cheery fire ami enticing sofas and armchairs, there was a wonderful view of the picturesque valley barred with tire snowy mountains, and just below lay the' links, so one could watch the progress of the players. Very neat and sporting the lady members looked in their short tweed coats and skirts, the. übiquitous knitted coat being very much to tire fore still, while the little tweed hat with its tuft of plumage was always becoming. Most of the guests were in tweeds and tailor-mades, also some very handsome sets of furs were t< be seen, black fox being a particularly favoured pelt. Instead of furs, the golfers seem to go in for the long merino scarf. generally in white or cream, with elective bands of colour on the fringed i nds. Personal. Mrs Grace. Mr and Mrs lan Duncan and their family are All passengers to England by the Athenic. Mrs Dalrymple and Miss F. Dalrymple 'Bulls) are passengers by the same steamer. Mr and Mrs Walter Clifford and Miss h rtha Clifford are going to the Old Country for a trip. The announcement of Miss Bertha Clifford’s engagement to an English i aval officer is stated, on the best authority, to be incorrect. The "Morning Post” (London) published the announcement originally.