A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 16 June 1896, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, June 18, 1896. Fortunately it turned out a fine day on Thursday last, when Parliament was opened by His Excellency Lord Glasgow, with the usual brilliant display. Long before the time appointed, 2.80 p.m., the galleries, windows, and in fact, every available space in the Parliament buildings was orowded, in most parts, not even etanding room wag to be had for love or money. The Wellington college cadets called forth many remarks of admiration, and I must say they did look nioe, as they stood arranged in order, before the front entrance, ready io salute the Governor on his arrival. Shortly before half-past two Lady Glasgow arrived accompanied by the Ladies Augusta, Alice, and Dorothy Boyle, Lady Helen Boyle, the Hon Allan Boyle, Captain Fielder A.D.C. and Professor Forbes, who is travelling round the colonies just now. Punctually at the appointed time His Excellency arrived escorted by Major Elliott, P.S., Captain Preston, A.D.C, and the captain and officers of H.M.S. Eingdove, who all looked very well indeed, in their full dress uniforms. Lady Glasgow was wearing a very beautiful gown of dark green satin, brocaded with sprays of large very pale greeny blue flowers and leaves, short black velvet cape trimmed with oapreys and pink flowers. The Ladies Augusta and Alice were dressed alike in neat brown tailor. made gowns, and round felt hats to mafceh ; Lady Dorothy, navy blue skirt and jacket;, light blouse, and blue felt boat shaped hat. . Lady Helen Boyle, who is Lord Glasgow's Bister, was wearing a black gown and Bhort velvet cape, small black bonnot with red flowers. Mrs Seddon, brown cloth costume trimmed with large buttons and velvet to match, small bonnet trimmed with brown and yellow spot ribbon ; Miss Sed-' don, dark royal blue crepon trimmed with black ohiffon and satin, large black hat with feathers ; her sister wore a becoming black costume ; Lady Stout, black crepon gown, stylish black velvet cape with fur collar and pretty little black and scarlet toque ; Mrs Duncan, handsome black silk gown and short black lace cape embroidered with jet, jet bonnet with heliotrope and pink roses; Mrs Travers wore a very pretty costume, of black crepon trimmed with jet, and very broad revers of moss green velvet edged with narrow black feather trimming, small green and black hat with a full osprey fastened in with a- paste buckle; Mrs Larnach (Dunedin), black cre'pon gown, handsome pealskin jacket, and stylish black tcque with tips and ospreys ; Mrs (Dr) Collins looked very nice in a black orepon skirt and blouse, bodice of black and scarlet striped velvet, large black hat with tips and ribbon bows ; Miss Stogdon (England), black ikirt and black velvet blouse, much trimmed with wide ecru insertion, black hat with satin ribbon and tips. On the same afternoon Mrs Tolhurst a very large afternoon 4At Home. 1 In , the dining-room, tea, coffee, and cakes of all descriptions were daintily laid out on two round tables, which were decorated with vases of yellow daisies. Mrs Tolhnrst received in a black crepon gown, trimmed with jet and silk ; Miss Lucy Tolhurst was looking v«ry nice in a black skirt and scarlet blouse with black satin ribbon bands and bows. Among the guests I saw Mrs and the Misses Seddon, LaSy Sfcout, Mrs Pynsent, Mrs Wallis, who wore a pale grey gown trimmed with white satin, small hat to match with white wings ; Mrs A. Pearce, light brown gown, seal skin jacket and small brown straw hat trimmed with a darker shade of velvet and dusters of pale green lilies of tha valley and their leaves ; Mrs 0. Pharazyn, in drab orepon trimmed with satin of the same shade, small toque with pink pompadour ribbon and tips ; Mrs Stratton Izard (Greytown), pretty brown and green costume ; Mrs B. Pharazyn, Mrs Biss, Mri and Miss Grace, the Misses Friend, Cooper, Izard, Kebbell, Gore, Williams, Duncan, Meeley, Chapman and a great many more. Mr Maughan Barnett with the able assistance of Mr Alfred Hill gave an excellent concert in Thomas' Hall on Friday night. I have often before written in praise of Mr Barnett's pianoforte playing, and the pleasure we have derived from listening to it, that there is hardly need fpr ma to repeat myself, but I will lif that after a lapse of several months, it was indeed a pleasure to bear this able musician perform Main and the large audience showed ltftkppreoiation in loud bursts of apptaUK, ftfttf each item. Mr Hill

also was in his best form, so as to speak, and his violin solos were beautifully played. This concert was the firat of a series of six, which theae two musicians intend giving during the winter months. On this occasion Lord and Lady Glasgow, the Ladies Boyle, Capt. Preston and Major Elliott were present, together with a large number of other musical enthusiasts. Signa.