A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 22 June 1895, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, June 20, 1895.

I must begin at once to tell you about the Birthday Ball, but if I undertook to describe all the pretty gowns worn, there would be no space left in your paper for other matters. However, I will tell you of some of the prettiest. The decorations were really beautiful, and a great deal of trouble must have been taken. AU the corridors were carpeted and draped with scarlet, which always looks effective— and huge pots of palms or bamboo were placed here .- and there. The long verandah was entirely draped with flags and deco« rated with greenery and Chinese lanterns, in fact I could go on lor some length telling you about the decorations, but as I said before, I must remember my limited spaoe. Those dancing in the vice-regal set of Lancers were His Excellency and Mrs (Bishop) Wallis, Lady Glasgow and the Premier, Mrs Seddon and Captain Johnson (H.M.S. Bihgarooma), Mrs (Dr.) Grace and Mr Eobert Pharazyn, Mrs C. Johnston and Sir Patrick Buckley, Lady Buckley and Mr W. P. Eeeves, Mrs T. O. Williams and Dr. Grace, Mrs B. Pharazyn and Mr C. Johnston.

Lady Glasgow's gown was of lovely cream and the palest heliotrope figured brocade, trimmed with beautiful lace and brown fur, and she wore her diamond tiara and ornaments.

Lady Augusta Boyle, who was on a sofa on a scarlet dias ia the drawing room-, wore a pretty white silk and lace gown, and carried a lovely bouquet. Lady Alice was among the many debutantes who made their first appearance on this occasion, and wore a very pretty gown of white merveilleaux, trimmed with lace and white flowers. Lady Dorothy wore a soft white silk trimmed with chiffon ; Mrs Foster Goring (Auckland), who is a guest at Government House, wore a handsome gown of dark bro* cade sprayed with yellow and lace fichu ; Miss Crace, who is also staying at Government House, wore an exceedingly pretty gown of white stiped satin and lace. Mrs Wallis, pink brocade gown trimmed with lace ; Mrs Seddon, handsome grey brocade gown ; Mrs C. Johnston, lovely white pomadour silk gown, trimmed slightly with scarlet velvet ; Lady Buckley, grey brocaded gown trimmed with velvet of a darker shade ; .Mrs Fox wore her beautiful wedding gown of white satin and chiffon ; Mrs Grace, silver grey brocade ; Miss Grace, pretty cream satin with pink flowers ; Mrs Pharazyn, grey satin trimmed with pink ; Miss

•

Beddon, pink silk with coloured braid } her sister wdre a pretty sky blue silk gown j Mrs H. D. Bell, ttrearh brocade; triinrhed tidth i dark greett Velvet} Mrs W. Johnstbiij black and red brocade, with velvet sleeves to match ; the Misses JohnBton, pretty blue stiped gauze gowns, trimmed with jewelled embroidery ; Mrs John Duncan, handsome grey

moire gown ; Miss Duncan, white silk, brocaded with pink, and pink blowers on the bodice ; Lady Hector wore £ handsome black gown trim* mcd with jet; Miss Hector, white Bilk} 1 Mrs W. Fitzherberti yellow and black gown j Miss Fitiherbert (debutante), pretty white inervilleaux; the other debutantes were Miss Lily Wilford, Miss Madge Hislop, Miss Nathan, Miss L. Koch, Miss Chatfield, Miss Sladden, Miss Griffiths and Miss B. Hamerton, who all looked very nice in their pretty white frocks. Mrs Baldwin wore a lovely white satin gown, much trimmed with pearl embroidery; Miss McKenzie, pretty pink gown ; Mrs Gorton (Bulls), handsome black gown relieved with white lace ; Mrs G. Hutchison, lovely grey silk with steel beads. Now I must tell you about the opening of Parliament, which took place this afternoon. I am glad to say the weather was fine, though very cold. It was a very fine sight when His Excellency entered the Chamber, followed by Major Elliot, Captain Clayton, Captain Preston, Captain Gathorne Hardy, Captain Johnson (H.M.S. Eingarooma), Captain Adams (H.M.S. Plyades), and four attending officers, all in full-dress uniform. Lady Glasgow was present, and wore a lovely gown of goblin blue brocade, rich cape of black velvet bordered with fur, jet bonnet trimmed with tips and blue satin. Lady Alice Boyle wore a pretty . drab costume trimmed with fur and smoke blue velvet. Lady Dorothy wore a pretty brown costume. Tbey were accompanied by Mrs Goring-, who wore a handsome black gown relieved with white, bonnet to matcb.'and Miss Crace, light grey tweed and large black velvet hat, with feathers and violets. Other ladies present were Mrs Seddon, who wore, a dark costume, the Misses Seddon, Lady Buckley, brown cloth costume with a lighter waistcoat. Mrs -flastendyke, dull electric blue gown,' handsomely trimmed with golden brown velvet, bonnet to match; Mrs Duncan, black silk gown, black velvet cape, and gold and black bonnet ; Mrs H. D. Bell, brown tailor made costume ; Mrs Wallis, handsome black brocade gown, black velvet double cape, and black bonnet trimmed with pale blue ; Mrs Richmond, black si k gown trimmed with jet, black bonnet with cream flowers; Mrs Miller, handsome black costume, bonnet with «bi4e osprey ; Miss Miller, dark green cloth and velvet gown, black hat with feathers.

Mrß Tolhnrst gave a large afternoon "At Home" to-day. Among the guests were Lady Buckley, Lady Heotor, Mrs Wallip, Mrs Seddon, Mrs Eichmond, Mesdames Maxwell, Fitzherbert, Boss, Frith, C. John* Bton, Travers, Stowe, Ward, Loughnan, Anson, Hutchison, Butt, Cooper, Friend and the Misses Izard, Cooper, Gore, Turnbull, Friend, Fitzherbert, Eose, Eolleston, Boss, Menzies, Johnston, Qislop, McKen jsie and several others.

SIONA.