A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 8 December 1894, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

♦ Wellington, Dec. Gth, 1894. •4 meant to have given you an account of the Amateur Athletic Sports this week, but owing to the dreadful weather of last Saturday, they had to be postponed until next Saturday. Iq spite of the wind and rain however, the picnic given by Mr and Miss Pearce, took place at Lowry Bay, where a splendid lunch was spread in a large marquee erected for the purpose. The distinguished guests of the day, were General and Mrs Fielding, in whose honour the pjfnio was given. Mr Pearce and bis sister made an admirable host and hostess, and a very merry time was spent by those present, among whom were Mr and Mrs John Duncan, Mr and Mrs H. D. Bell, Dr and Mrs Collins, Mr and Mrs H. Crawford, Mr and Mrs A. Crawford, Mr and Mrs A. Pearce, Mr and Mrs Percy Baldwin, and the Misses Duncan, Johnston (3), Williams, Cooper, Grace, Fairchild, Bell and many others. The Orchestral Society gave another concert last night, which was very well attended, the dresscircle being full and the downstair part comfortably so. I think on the whole the concert did not come up to the usual good standard of the Society. But I must say that I havo seldom or ever heard Beethovens Symphony played better than it was last night by the Orchestra of^thirtyfive performers, the Andante moves raent being lovely. Miss Grace Kennedy made her debut as a violin soloist and performed a new composition by Mr Alfred Hill " Air Varie" really very well, especially go, as she played entirely fi-oru memory, and as the movement was rather lengthy, it added much to her oredit ; she is, I believe, one of Mr Hill's most promising pupils. The vocalists were Madame Sheath who gang " Ernani Inoolani ;" and who did not appear to be in such good voice as usual, and Mrs Greenwood, whom we have not had the pleasure of hearing for some time past, and who gained hearty applause for her rendering of Cowen's beautiful song "The Children's Home."— Mr A. Hill as usual conducted at the concert. Madame Sheath wore a cream silk gown trained and trimmed with lace ; Mrs Greenwood wore black velvet relieved with white; Miss G. Kennedy, a soft white frock softened with lace. Among the audience I noticed Mrs Parker, Mrs Williams who wore black trimmed with white lace ; Mrs Charlie Richardson also wore a black and white gown ; Mrs Martin, pale blue silk with frills of white lace ; Mrs E. J. Hill, brown silk ; "* Miss Hill, a pretty pink gown ; Miss A. Brandon, red silk ; Miss Burnett, pale fawn silk ; Miss M. a pretty white gown ; Miss Pownall also wore white, others present were Madames Seed, Sprott, Hammer ton, Kirkcaldie, and the Misses Myers, Davy, Seed, Palmer, Simpson, Richardson, Henry, Heywood, Trimnell, Hislop.Hammerton, Hitohings (Napier) etc. Polo if, I am glad to say, fast becoming a popular game here, and as Lord and Lady Glasgow take a great interest in it, it is likely to become more so. A great drawback is, however, the distance from town to the ground at Miriniar. Lady Glasgow frequently takes tea out for the benefit of the players, by whom of course it is appreciated thoroughly. Everyone is looking forward to the return of the ever popular Brough and Boucicault Company, who start their season here next Monday night and continue for eleven nights. I hear that the seats are being booked rapidly, and I think the Company, if it is as good as the last, may certainly look forward to a successful season in Wellington. Lady Glasgow accompanied by Major Elliot, left to-day for Wan-, gftnui, for the purpose of finding a suitable summer residence in that quarter. Let us hope she will meet with success, as one could rarely find a prettier spot than Wanganui to reside in during the summer months. Next week I hope to be able to you a long account of Miss Gore's wedding which takes place next Wednesday, also of the Athletic Sports. SIGNA.