A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 7 January 1896, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Jan. 4, 1896. Now that the excitement caused by the holidays and Tennis Tournaments, is over, everything seems dull and dreary. We have been blest with beautiful weather all through the holidays, and thousands of people went plea* sure seeking by land and sea ; the trips to Blenheim, Picton and Nelson £ being very largely patronised. The Wellington Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society are to play " Princess Ida " (Gilbert and Sullivan) for the first time, next Wed^^ nesday night. The rehearsals h^^V!~ been most satisfactory and a ver^V successful run is expected. Some of the principal performers are Madame Carlton, Miss Hill, Miss Newton, the Messrs E. J. and J. W. Hill and Mr G. Parsons.--The Newbury, Spada Concert

Company have been giving some splendid concerts here during the last fortnight, but I am sorry to say have not got the patronage they deserve. Those who did not hear Mr'Newbury and Madame Spada Bing, certainly missed a treat. Mr Newbary'a singing of "The Holy City " was really grand ; he also brought down the house, as it were, with the good old song " Let me like a soldier fall." One afternoon during the week, the Company went up to the Hospital and very kindly gave the patients a concert which was greatly appreciated. The Vice Regal party are at present visiting the Islands up North, after which they intend visiting some of the Southern ports. Daring their absence from Wellington, the beautiful grounds surrounding Government House are thrown open twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, for the public, who are thus afforded the chance of seeing the most splendid gardens in town. Mils Maude Grace, second daughter of Dr Graoe, has become engaged to Mr Duncan eldest ion of Mr John Duncan of Levin & Co. The wedding, I hear is to take place in May. Mr Charles Prendergast Knight, nephew of Sir James Prendergast, was married this afternoon in St. Pauls Church, to Miss Lena Davy, third daughter of Mr G. B. Davy, chief Judge of the Native Lands Court.

I saw a very pretty and simple summer frock the other day ; it was of thin white cambric, the blouse bodice was made with a yoke of tiny tucks and narrow e*cru lace alternately ; round the high turned down collar and cuffs was a very narrow 4eru lace frill, this same lace edged a flounce round the hem, the whole was finished with a ribbon belt and large bow and streamers at the back, of pale lemon silk ribbon, broad. Another pretty and stylish gown was of very pale pink print crepon, the skirt made plainly and the sleeves very full, and the bodice loosely covered with soft white muslin striped with white valenciennes insertion, this covering showed the pink through, so the effect was very pleasing. Some of the new sunshades are lovely, one I noticed was of black moire silk, lined entirely with pale blue cr&pon silk which was prettily gathered ; another was white satin covered with pink chiffon flounces and lined with open butter lace.

Siatu.