WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2, 10 July 1912, Page 64

WELLINGTON.

July a. At Home. On Tuesday night there were several things going on, but the m< t popular was the Victoria League’s t Home” In the Masonic Hall. Ferns, palms, and bamiboos were grouped picturesquely about the hall, which was carpeted with crimson and furnished with small tables and groups of ehairs, and the stage, arranged for the setting of a little play, was furnished as a drawing-room. Red and rose-coloured camellias and rhododendrons were effectively massed near the footlights, and two tall, handsome screens made temporary wings. A semicircle of chairs was arranged for the vice regal party, and the members of the Council of the Victoria League; but the latter were so busy seeing after their guests that they neglected to mark the seats as reserved, and their places were Usurped by early comers who desired a good view. Before and after the little play there was a concert by sc e of the “Orphans,” who possess many excellent musicians and capital raeont. r, while songs by Mrs Fisher and Miss D ill were very well received. Most of t':> accompaniments were played by Miss Gow. Besides his Excellency, the party from Government House included Lady Islington, who over her dress of paon blue crepe de soie with its elaborate beaded embroideries of dull pompeian reds and greens had a long coat of crushed panne in the same shade of blue with bands of chinchilla bordering the deep pointed cape collar; her jewels were diamonds, and in her hair she wore a fillet of dull gold. Miss Stapleton Cotton was in turquoise blue satin, over which she had a picturesque wrap of White caehemire de soie with gold embroideries; Mrs Guise was in black satin; Mrs Stopford, who with her husband, Captain Stopford of H.M.s. Pioneer, has been staying at Government House for some time, wore black crepe de chine and a black scarf with Turkish embroideries. The Vice regal party were received by the president of the League. Miss Coates, who wore a long black satin coat with an peril guipure collar over het dress of black satin; Mrs Chatfield, the honorary secretary, w >s in white satin with a tunic of violet sequined net. Other memlwrs of the Council present were: Mrs Corliss, in emerald satin veiled in black jetted ninon, emerald green aearf; Miss Harding in black chiffon velours with a panel of embroidery in rose, ivory, and gold; Mre Harris, in white satin with a transparent gliiinpe. the trained skirt looped up into paniers with black velvet roses; Mi» Luke, bla«k erepe de chino embroidered in jet; Mrs Fisher, Ivory silk veiled in i ‘ with pale blue embroideries and a < L- of ger-anium-coloured cloth; Mi ill, rose pink satin, with pointed di. >r erien of ftinon; Miss Corliss, white satin with a

tunic of crepe de chine embroidered in crystals; Miss Gow, a princess dress of black chiffon velvet with a collar of Cluny lace.

Of the girls who took part in the play, Miss Wilson looked well in a dark tailormade with white furs; another girl had on a becoming rose du Barrf cashmere with a satin rever, and a hat garlanded with roses; Miss Wylie made a spirited and amusing servant in an appropriately eomic get-up. All the performers showed self-possession and resource as well as talent.

Mrs Godley was present wearing a long black satin eoat bordered with ostrich feathers over a dress of blaek erepe de chine. An At Home.

Mrs. Frederic Ward, w‘ho was a bride of last Easter, gave an At Home on Wednesday to return some of the hospitality she lias received. Flower® are scarce in Wellington just now, but from Otaki Mrs Ward had received a great bunch of mimosa and quantities of lovely violets, so the rooms were gay and fragrant. The ■hostess wore black crepe de chine, with a touch of vivid green on the high-waisted bodice, and at the guimpe of lace; Mrs JHtzgvrald was in black ninon over ivory svatin, with blaek and gold embroideries, and a black hat. A Ball.

The New Century Hall was effectively decorated on Wednesday night for the annual ball of Duthie and Co.’s employees, and much credit for the success was due to the committee, which comprised Miss -Mace, wearing ivory ninon and lace; Miss Park, cream crystalline; Miss Hill, pale pink crepe de chine; Miss Mackenzie, pale blue satin, with a tunic of black net; Miss Haskell, dewdrop ninon over ivory silk; Miss Crawford, pastel ehanaaeuse.

Lord Islington and the Church. His Excellency the Governor has been very thorough in his inspection of the different institutions in or near Wellington, and is taking a great interest in the Anglican Church soeial work. On Monday he addressed a meeting in connection with the various branches, and spoke very earnestly on the need of support both moral and financial, urging the importance of personal service in particular. St. Mary’s Home for Girls—which his Excellency recently visited—-has been doing excellent work for years, and quite lately a similar establishment for boys has been started at the Hutt, The claims of lonely immigrants appealed strongly to Lord Islington, and he laid stress on the importance of the Mission to Seamen in an island country. The meeting coincided with the session of the Diocesan Synod, so the audience was a large one. Coming Balls. Their Excellencies the Governor and Lady Islington have issued invitations for a ball at Government House on July 22. The Race Club Ball is to take place cn Thursday, July 18. Still another big ball will be that given by the members of the Star Boating Club during the first week in August, and there will ‘also be one given by the Garrison officers. A Dance. Mr Wilfrid Fitchett’s eoming-of-age was an important event which was celebrated by a danee given by Dr and Mrs Fitchett. There were no formal invitations issued, as it was doubtful if Mr Fitchett could get leave to come to Wellington, but luckily everything turned out well, and the telephone conveyed the news to all those invited. Of course they were nil young people, with the exception of a few old friends of Dr and Mrs Fitchett, and they all knew each other well; so there was a cheery informality about the danee that made it especially enjoyable. Congratulations were showered on Mr Fitchett, and ’at supper his health was proposed by Sir Joseph Ward, who with Lady Ward, the Premier and Mrs Mackenzie, were present. Tlie Marine Engineers’ Hall is a new place for a dance to be given, but the big upstairs room was just the right size, and the Hour was polished to perfection. Fhrgs and lycopodium decorated the rooms, and the supper tables had each its vase of violets. The hostess had a bevy of girls and some stalwart young men to help in the preparations, and next day the more energetic of them arrived at the hall to assist in the process of tidying up. Mrs Fitehett wore black embroidered gauze over dull gold tissue; lardy Ward, blaek crepe de ehine, with a tunic of beaded net; Mrs Mackenzie, black velvet and lac*.

Afternoon Tea. Mrs. Garcia Webster's tea was quite a large affair, but as people were coming and going most of the time, there was never any crowding. The hostess looked well in a dress of blaek erepe de soie, embroidered in blue and dull gold over a dessous of blue charmeuse. Rhododendrons, daphne, and earnations made a colour relief to the yellow and white so prevalent this time of the year, and bowls of violets gave out fragranee. Helping with the tea and coffee were Miss Watson in pink and white silk cleverly draped, and her sister in a somewhat similar frock of blue; Miss Tweed, in a brown tailor-made and a brown hat; and Miss Beauchamp, in blue Shantung and a blue hat. Many of the guests came on from the opening of St. Helens Hospital, where there was a big gathering. As a special invitation to all the mothers and children who had been patients at the old St. Helens was issued, there was plenty of animation, and the babies kept up a chorus, mainly of protest, while the speeches were being made, which was slightly disconcerting. As a souvenir of the occasion, Mrs. Seddon was presented with a pair of silver candlesticks, after which, at the request of Mr. Mackenzie, three cheers were given for Mrs. Seddon and for Lady Ward. The latter wore blaek satin, and a black hat with white plumes; Mrs. Seddon was in all black; and Mrs. Mackenzie’s dress was dark mole colour. Pioneer Club. The Pioneer Club is temporarily losing one of its keenest members, as Mrs. Salmond is going to England by the Tainut. She was one of the originators of the Club, and for some years now has been the honorary treasurer, so her absence will be felt a good deal. There was a elub meeting on Thursday to say good-bye to Mrs. Salmond, and to wish her a pleasant voyage and a safe return. Narcissus and jonquils gave a spring-like aspect to the rooms, and the bitter weather was modified by cheerful fires. Mrs. Salmond is taking her eldest son to England to further his studies, and by the same steamer are travelling several other youths bound to England for the same purpose. Girls’ Friendly Society. Since the days long ago when Lady Jervois started the Wellington branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society, that work has had various ups and down, and for many years it was little heard of. Nevertheless, the Society was steadily doing much unobtrusive work, and, thanks to Lady Jervois’ energy, it is established in a good building free of debt. Of late the G.F.S. has once more come into public favour, and entertainments for the girls are given at frequent intervals. One of the energetic members is Miss Stapleton-Cotton, who, on Thursday, gave the third of her soeial evenings this winter, much to the girls’ delight. Games and competitions alternated with the musical part of the programme, and very special interest was taken in a pjper on Abraham Lincoln, read by her Excellency, Lady Islington. Some part-songs by the G.F.S. Glee Club were very well sung, and there were other items contributed by Miss Staple-ton-Cotton’s party, which included Mrs. Heard and Mrs. Stopford. Prizes in the smelling competition, which created great fun, were won by Misses Jameson, Walker, and Wright, who were presented with beautifully illustrated books by (Lady Islington. Throughout the winter there will be entertainments every Thursday evening, to which the girls are looking forward eagerly. Personal.

Mrs. and the Misses Williams have come back to Wellington to live, after making their home for some years in Auckland. Frequent visits to Wellington have kept them in touch, and their many friends are glad to welcome them back for good. The Hon. A. Myers and Mrs. Myers are now occupying Mr. lan Dunean’s house, in Hobson Street, which they have taken furnished for some months. Mr., Mrs., ami Miss Denniston (Peel Forest, Canterbury) are spending some weeks in Wellington, and have taken Mrs. Hacon’s house in Tinakori Road for that period.