A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 26 July 1894, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, 24th July, 1894.

One of the largest balls of tbe season was given last Friday evening by the Hon. Eoberfc and Mrs Pharazyn * Thomas' Hall being the place chosen for it; There were 1 about 500 guests and the room was consequently rather crowded, jfflta. not unpleasantly so, for the floW^ was in capital order and helped the dancers considerably. King's band of three performers supplied the music and during supper time, several ladies — Mrs H. Crawford, Mrs Samuels and Miss Anni* Brandon — played extras while tbe men were getting their supper. The room looked exceedingly pretty, being artistically decorated with greenery of various kinds, mirrors and flowers and the supper table also looked pretty with quantities of red and white camillias and drapings of silk. The supper was an excellent one, Godber catering for everything. Both Mr and Mrs Pharazyn stood at the entrance as we were announced, the latter receiving in a very handsome gown of claret coloured plush, much trimmed with pink chiffon frills and jet embroidery. Miss Whistler, a neice of Mrs Pharazyn's and for whom the ball was given, wore a pretty white silk frock with a white satin sash and a frill of white lace round the corsage. Mrs (Colonel) Macdonald, a daughter of Mrs Pharazyn, was present, wearing a black gown with pale blue satin sleeves and trimming, Miss Macdonald wearing white silk. Mr Lomax, Mrs Pharazyn's son and Mr Charles Pharazyn her nephew were also there. Some of the dresses were lovely, although I feel sure that I could not have seen them all in that crowd— it would be almost impossible. Mrs Johnston Stewart wore a beautiful black satin gown deeply flounced with fine black gauze and trimmed about the corsage with rare old lace. Lady Augusta Boyle wore a simple gown of white muslin. Lady Hector had a bandsome grey mervellieux with white lace lapels and Mrs (Dr) Fell, a beautiful mauve satin train embossed with chenille flowers of a deeper shade, over a petticoat of mauve satin and lace. Lady Buckley looked well in a lovely black satin trained gown trimmed with orange satin and beige lace and Mrs H. D. Bell wore yellow satin with. aJoiijjf. train and brown velvet sleeves. Mrs (Capt.) Russell was in black and; her daughter in black and mauve. Others present were Dr and Mrs Newman, Major Elliott, . -, XjapV Stewart, the E6v. T. 4 and* M"r«r Sprott, Sir Walter" Buller, Dr ani . Mrs Collins, Sir James Hector, Mm! (Judge) Richmond, Colonel Fox, Mrs W. B. Rhodes, Mrs Walter * Johnston and the Misses Johnston, Mrs and the Misses Grace, Mr and Mrs Travers, Mr Ed. Pearce; Miss Pearce, Mr and Mrs J. C. -J^artin, Dr and Mrs Adams and others. SB^ Dr and Mrs Grace have issued ; a number of invitations for an li -Ki Home " to take place in the Prinoesa Theatre next Thursday evening and on the following Wednesday the members of the Wellington Club are to give their annual ball. Two days later Mra Johnston Stewart i$ to give an " At Home " at Govern.' ment House, and shortly after, ihafc Mrs George Hutchison' is id J&&&. another " At Home " so you see the . gaiety shows no sign of abating yet' awhile.

Signa.