A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 1 October 1895, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Sept. 28, 1895. The ball given by the Port Nic« holson Yacht Club was held on Friday night, and considering that it was the first given by the Club, great praise is due to the working committee who carried out the arrangements, which were excellent. The attendance was very large, top large in fact, for comfortable dancing, so to speak, there being nearly two hundred couples in Thomas' Hail. However, everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves in spite of the crushing and bumping. The hall was most beautifully decorated, the entire ceiling was hung with flags, and all round the walls were large pictures of yachts, etc., and mirrors prettily draped. The stage was a work of art, at the back was a newly painted dingy, with crossed oars, and placed here and there were anchor?, coils of rope, and green and red lanterns alight, and large nikau palm plants, while comfortable chairs and lounges were provided for the chap-* erons. The club colours are black and red, and these two colours showed up very prettily on the supper table among pots of ferns, flowers, etc. Lord and Lady Glasgow, accompanied by Lady Alice Boyle, - Major Elliott, Captain Preston, and Mr Gathorne Hardy, arrived at about 9 o'clock, and were received at the entrance by the Commodore Mr E. W. Mills, who danced with Lady Glasgow in the first set of lancers, and Mr G. Mee (Vice-Commodore) who danced with Lady Alice Boyle. His Excellency's partner was -Mrs - Mee. During the evening Lady Glasgow, presented to the winners, Mr G Mee and Mr T. Osborne, the Levin Memorial Cup and the Downes Challenge, amid cheers. Lady Glas-. gow wore a lovely gown of pale pink satin and pink, and blue brocade, the skirt was arranged in panels, "'the' '^? front was of this pretty mixtuie of * blue pink and gold, also the panel iu the centre of the train, the rest wa*

of pink satin and round the skirt was a border of beaver, this same trimmed the bodice, with soft white lace. Lady Alice Boyle wore very pale pink gauze over pink silk. Mrs Mills' gown was of rich black satin and jet trimming ; Mrs Mee wore black velvet trimiiled with lace and flowers ; Miss Mee, very pretty White brocade gown trimmed with lace ; Mrs Pharazynworegrey satin trimmed with ruby and black lace ; Counters d' rich black silk and lace; Mrs Baldwin, very becoming gown of cream satin trimmed with ecru lace and white flowers ; Mrs Pirani, black Bilk gown with wide revera of pink velvet trimmed with jefcj others present were Mesdames Maxwell> Samuel, Butt, Travers, aud the Misses Seddon, Coleridge, Grace, Williams, Blundell, Fairchild, Cooper, Gore, Nunnely, Johnston, Powuall, Lloyd-Williams, Rose, Richardson, Barber, and a great many more whom I did not know. This afternoon (Saturday) Lord Glasgow opened the boating season. There was a very long procession of boats from all clubs, headed by the Government launch " Ellen Ballance;" As it was a fine clear calm afternoon, the sight was a very pretty one, and a large number of spectators assembled, by invitation, at the Star Boating Shed, from the skids of which Lord Glasgow made his opening speech, at the conclusion hearty cheers were given for him and Lady Glasgow, who was also present. Afternoon tea was laid out in a large room upstairs, and was much appreciated by all. A very enjoyable dance was given by the Misses Johnston last Thur3- j day night. Mrs Johnston is away from town, staying in the Bangitikei district and in her absence Mrs Baldwin acted as chaperon. Other married ladies present were Mrs J. Duncan, Mrs A. Pearce and Mrs B. Goring. Miss Johnston received and wore her lovely old gold brocade gown, and her sisters, white figured silk and chiffon ; Lady Alice Boyle wore white satin and lace ; Miss Grace wore cream satin, trimmed with violets and lace ; Miss Williams, pale blue satin trimmed with delicate white lace ; Miss Pearce, lovely pale blue brocade and lace ; Misg Gore, very stylish black satin gown trimmed with jet embroidery and chiffon ; Miss Seddon wore pretty pink silk, and her sister orange silk trimmed with brown and gold braid. The Misses Tol hurst, Richardson, Izard, Harding, Cooper, Moorhouse, Brandon, Daniels and Dransfield were Also present. Mrs Tolhursfc entertained a number of her friends at a gar^^party on Thursday afternoon. £s : the close of the session approaches, the festivities become less and less, and just now, with the exception of the reception at Government House Wednesday afternoon, there is little or nothing in prospect. However we cannot g tumble, for on the whole wenave had a very gay session especially for these hard times. Siona.