A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 31 March 1896, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

» Wellington, March 28, 1896. The lectures, given by Dr Emily Brainerd Ryder daring the last week have proved very attractive, and she has been getting very large audiences, composed mostly of the fair sex of course. Last Saturday afternoon this interesting visitor was entertained by a number of ladies here at an afternoon tea. This little entertainment was given in the Women's Club, which has quite lately been established, and which is situated nearly opposite the Government Buildings. Other ladies present were— Lady Stout, Mrs Neill, Mr! Plimmer, Mrs Hume, Mrs Evans, Bobison, Mrs Hales, Mrs Booth and the Misses Seddon, Baker, Lee and several others. \* Captain Russell, who as you know is the leader of the Opposition had. a very large meeting at the Opera House last Thursday night. The building was packed, at half-past eight, even standing room was hardly available. The Mayor, Mr J. Fisher, was in the chair and showed himself, as usual, fully able ,to fill that worthy position. I thought, (but perhaps I am not a good judge on such matters) that the first part of the speech was some* what dreary but as the evening word on the orator seemed to warm op to it, so to speak, and became quite interesting and also amusing. I never saw so many ladies at a political meeting before, as there were on this occassion. I think it a very good thing that they should attend these meetings, for now that we have the Franchise it is just «8 well we should know something about politics and what we are going to vote for at the elections, etc., etc. Quite a number of pleasant little excursion? have been arranged for the coming Easter holidays. I hear that Mr and Mrs J. Fulton are inviting a number of their friends to a Camping party, somewhere near Plimmer ton. This is decidedly a novel way of entertaining and also very enjoyable I should think, of course providing the weather ig fine: Mrs H. D. Bell will^have a house full of visitors at Lowry Bay during tbe holidays, and several parties have been made up to go across to Picton to witness the Be* gatta.

t— — ■ ■■ ' — ■ Blouses still hold their own> and are likely to do so all through the winter. I saw a very pretty one the other day ; it was of bluey-greeli shot silk, with a tiny black stripe running through it, and it was prettily trimmed with turquoise blue velVeti Another was of white silk with a small black stripe and spot. This was trimmed with narrow black satin ribbon made into ruching. The newest sleeve are of the leg of mutton Bhape, very full, and about two inches from the arm hole are two or three '■" little tucks which are gathered rather tightly. The sleeves of the black and white blouse I have just described were made in this style> and looked very nice. Last winter it was Baid that boas were going Oat of fashion, but to judge from the quantities and qualities on view just now in the large shops, this was certain I V a mistaken idea. Some of the soft black feather boas are lovely, and are most becoming. In one of the latest numbers of The Queen I saw a very sweet ball frock illustrated and desoribed. The foundation .was of pale satin, covered with thin spotted net, on which were - rows of e"cru lace insertion almost from the hem to the waist. The bodice was gathered into the waist with a satin belt and bow. It was cut square and bordered wilh the insertion. The puffed sleeves were of the satin covered with net, Signa.