A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 26 November 1895, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Nov. 28, 1695. A very pleasant dance was given at Government House last Wednesday night. It was given chiefly in honour of the officers of the Italian warship " Christoforo Oolumbo " which was then in Port, and as Wednesday happened to be the Queen of Italy's birthday, it came in very opportunely. The Commander and several officers of the ship were among the guests, and included the Grown Princes' younger brother, who danced with Lady Glasgow in the first set of lancers. An excellent champagne supper was laid out in the dining room, and while partaking of it, His Excellency rose and proposed the healths of the Queen of England and Queen of Italy, and also of the young prince present, who suitably responded, and then Lord and Lady Glasgow's health was then drunk. Lady Glasgow wore on this occasion a lovely white corded silk gown, sprayed with small pink flow* era, and the bodice Was prettily trimmed with cream lace. The ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle were dressed alike in pretty blue satin with bunches of pink roses on the shoulders. Lady Dorothy Boyle wore white spotted muslin and pale pink sash. Mrs Dr. Newman wore a lovely grey brocade and satin gown trimmed with handsome passemen terie and lace ; Mrs Johnston, black and white striped brocade with jet trimmings; the Misses Johnston wore white figured silk ; Mrs Bedford, becoming dress of pretty shaded pink brocade, with gathered white chiffon bodice over which sparkled Bilver drop beads; Mrs Hiqgins (Dunedin), lovely white merveilleux with full flowing angel sleeves of striped chiffon; Miss McEellar (Palmerston N.), wore an uncommon looking gown of light sage green Batin with brown fur shoulder bands ; Miss A. Gore, white brocade with chiffon sleeves ; her sister wore pale blue satin trimmed with ecru lace over pink silk ; Miss H. Williams, very pretty pale grey corded silk with pink chiffon bodice; Miss Grace, white silk ; Miss A. Grace, cream •ilk crepon, the bodice elaborately trimmed with red and gold passementerie ; Misb Elliott, pale lemon silk Hrimmed with chiffon. Mrs Beddard gave a very enjoyable dance at Miss Malcom's, in Tinakori Road, on Friday night. Our hostess received in a beautiful thick white ■atm gown trimmed with pearl embroidery and deep red roses on the bodice. Among the guests were : — Mrs Abbott, who wore a very handeomo gown of grey satin trimmed with pink bead work ; her daughter, Miss Daniell, wore white and pale blue brocade ; Miss Salt (England), becoming gown of pale salmon pink brocade with frills of chiffon on the bodice ; Mrs Hutchison, black silk, trimmed with yellow chiffon and jet embroidery ; Miss Hislop, white silk with blue flowers on the corsage ; Mrs Higgins, yellow and green silk ; Miss Williams, lovely cream brocade and lace. The Flower Show last week proved a decided success in every way and a great many people attended on each day. Some of those I saw on the first day were : —Mrs Levin, in black silk with jet trimmings; Mrs Duncan ; Mrs and the Misses Johnston ; Mrs Grace; Miss Grace, in blue spotted muslin and large cream leghorn hat trimmed with white tulle and pink roses ; her sisters wore a pretty and cool white costume; Mrs and the Misses Edwin ; Mrs Williams ; Mrs and the Misses Barclay ; the Misses Fairohild ; Mrs Hislop, Mrs Parfitt, the Misses Rose, pretty cream crepon gowns and large black hats with cornflowers and chiffon rosettes ; Miss Gore, cream costume; the Misses Dransfield, Coleridge, Burns, and several others. The races on Wednesday and Friday were on the whole poorly at* tended. The first day was fine, but a cold wind was blowing, which made it rather unpleasant on the course. The Vice-Regal Party was present and consisted of Lord and Lady Glasgow, the Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle, Major Elliott and Captain Preston. Others present w«r« the Mesdames Crawford (2), Pearce, Butler, Abbott, Beddard, Johnston, Grace, Moorhouse, Biddiford, Wilford, Bell, G. Pearce, Hig gins, and the Misses Duncan, JohnBton, Bennett, Daniell, Williams, Cooper, Pearce, Kebbell, Moorhouse, Grace, Heywood, Moelleur, etc. Shot ribbons in all colours are very much used for millinery purposes just now, and bunches of grass blades ate to be seen in almost every, hat and bonnet. The new neck ruffles* are either of chiffon or lace with a bunch of violets or any other small flowers, placed at intervals among the folds of the chiffon. I hear that •mm ana whit* it rge ii to takt the

place of duck and pique costumes, and alpacca is very much worn now, it can be got in almost all shades, and is nice and light for summer wear. The wide veils are the correct thing and a new idea is to fasten them in the front of the hat with an ordinary brooch. SIONA.