A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 24 March 1896, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, March 21, 1896. There was a lot of merry-making going on here on Sfc. Patrick's Day, though the weather was not as fine as it might have been, the rain coming on at about four in the afternoon. The annual picnic of the Hibernian Society was held in the grounds of Father Lane at the Lower Hutfc and was very largely attended, as also was the Irish concert given in the Opera House in the evening. I must tell you the concert was fir3fc class, some of our mo3t talented artist 3 assisting to make it so, namely Madame Oarlton, Miss N. Parsons, Miss Gage, Mr E. J. Hill, Mr Mac Duff Boyd, Mr R. B. Williams, and Mr A. Millar, of Christchurch, who has a very fine bass voice, which was heard to great advantage in that well-known and popular song " Off to Philadelphia." The first part of the evening was devoted to the display of limelight views taken in and about Ireland, which were graphically described by Father Goggan. Some of the descriptions were, I regret to say somewhat lengthy, and this tended to make the whole performance too long, and rather wearisome, but except for this one drawback everything went off very successfully, and most of the musical items were encored.

One of the best concerts eirer 1 heard here was that given by the Newbury-Spada Company on Friday night in the Skating Rink. The company consists of five persons* Mr Newbury (tenor),. Madame Spada (soprano), Miss Kitty Grindaley' (contralto), Madame Herbert (piano soloist), and Mr Hobbs (bass), whd arc one and all excellent* and the Addience showed their approval by (Jon* tinued bursts of applause. On this occasion Madame Spada wore a rer* handsome white satin gown with gathered epaulletes of peacock blue velvet, from which fell long flowing sleeves of white spangled tulle, which looked very pretty and uncommon ', Madame Herbert Wore black velvet with sprays of soarlet flowers ; and Miss Grindsley looked nioe in a bis* cuit-coloured brocade, trimmed with tulle to match. I suppose you have finished your tennis tournaments by this time, as it is getting late in the season. The finals of our last tournament (combined doubles) at the Thorndon Club, was played off on St. Patrick's Day, when Mr R. M. Simpson and Miss Rutherford beat Mr B. Goring and Miss D. Heywood. The play was very close throughout, and the sets were 6—5, 6—5. By the way, how is it there was no Foxton representative taking part in the N.Z. Championship tournaments held here at Christmas 1 The meet* ing is to be held at Nelson next Christmas. I believe there are six very good courts there. We were rather handicapped at the meeting here, only having four, and it was only owing to the good management of the committee (the events being got off punctually and in order), that the matches finished in the three days. I take a great interest in this game, and also take an interest in your little township, so I hope to see it represented at the next championship meeting. Why shouldn't the N.Z. champion tennis player hail from Foxton as from Auckland, Wellington, or any other town ? Why, indeed ? The " Bimutaka " left for England on Thursday, Mrs W. P. Reeves and her three' children were passengers by her. Also Captain Fairchild, who goes home to bring out the new Government steamer, Mrs Fairchild and two daughters. Shortly before he left, Captain Fairchild who is a general favourite, was presented with a handsome travelling clock, by Mr Seddon, on behalf of himself and others who have frequently travelled in tho " Hinemoa " with Capt. Fairchild in command. I think I promised to tell you this week about some of the winter novelties on view at the principal draper's shops just now, bat I fear I have not left myself much space to do so, however, I will try and remember a few of the prettiest hats and bonnets I saw in Te Aro House the other day. I will begin by telling my lady readers that they can wear any colours together, be it bright green and bright blue, orange and pink, mauve and red, or in fact all these colours mixed up together, and they will be in , the fashion. The prettiest hat I thought was of light fawn beaver, with rather a pointed crown, at one side of which was a high bow of white, pink and fawn pompadour ribbon, wide, and at the other side a bow of dark f*wn velvet ; another very stylish one was of black velvet, at least the broad brim was of this, and the large beef-eater crown of lovely white corded silk, it was gathered very fully and kegt in place on the top in the centre with a cut jet ornament, at the left side was a cluster of three or four black tips fastened wi'«h a jet buckle ; another one was of darkish royal blue velvet, rather broad and trimmed with a huge butterfly bow of green and blue shot ribbon in front, and in the centre of the bow was a pretty high osprey to match the ribbon ; -a pretty bonnet was of dark blue velvet with a small gold spot, it was trimmed with loops of blue, green and yellow pompadour ribbon and osprey? ; another was of the palest shade of fawn velvet, the crown being beautifully embroidered with fawn silk and tiny beads, thin the wintry effect was added, in the shape of two golden brown fur tails ffts* tened in the centre of the front with a lovely paste ornament which also fastened in a fawn and cream osprey, the tails reached almost round to the back on each side and would have, I think a very pretty and soft effect. - SiaiU.