A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 14 July 1896, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, July 11, 1896. The ball given at Government House last Thursday night, was a somewhat larger affair than the one given two weeks previously. However it war none the less enjoyable, and everything went off with great spirit. The usual decorations were employed to adorn the ballroom, drawingrooms, diningroom and corridors, namely, hothouse plants and flowers, which always look pretty, especially the large pots of beautiful feathery maidenhair fern, for which the Government House conservatory ia famed. On this occasion the Countess oi Glasgow, who always makes an admirable hostess, was wearing white satin trimmed with black chiffon and lace, brightened with her lovely diamond ornaments. The Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle wore pale blue satin trimmed with white lace and pink roses, which I may safely say, was very becoming to both. Lady Dorothy wore white muslin and lace. Lady Helen Boyle, handsome black gown trimmed with laoe and jet. A Miss Reid, of Dunedin, who is staying a short time at Government House, wore a lovely pale blue silk gown. Other pretty f < gowns were worn by Mrs Baldwin, thick white corded silk, the bodioe a good deal trimmed with pearl embroidery and chiffon ; Mrs Strong, a relation of Louis Stevenson, and who is travelling through New Zealand, wore white satin ; Miss Ethel Heywood, a debutante, wore a very pretty and simple gown of white silk and chiffon ; Mias Seddon, pink silk ; Miss M. Seddon, sky blue silk trimmed with white lace ; Mrs Beddard, lovely pale pink and white » shaded brocade trimmed with cream silk lace ; Miss S. Johnston, pale yellow silk trimmed with yellow and brocaded ribbon and pale green During the past week several Afternoon At Homes' have been given, Mrs Gore, Mrs Findlay, and Mrs Stafford each entertained a large number of friends in this pleasant way, On Thursday afternoon next Lady Douglas and Mrs Jellicoe are giving an 'At Home' in Thomas' Ball. But these two ladies have ohosen a

decidedly novel, and, I should say| from all accounts, exceedingly pretty way of entertaining their guests. There are to be Tableau Vivants, skirt dancing, Indian club exercises, and a peace which is called " The Feast of Flora," and which represents ' Flora ' standing in the centre of a garden, while over fifty girls, big and little, are to march past her, each dressed to represent a different flower, as each flower comes in, in its turn, Mr A. S. Paterson recites the piece. It sounds pretty, does it not ? I hear that some of the dresses are splendid and are chiefly made of coloured paper, but I will be able to tell you more about them in my next letter. The Manawatu Golf team were not very successful here, I am sorry to say, of course I would not have liked them to have beaten our team, but still I would like them to have done better than they did. The Gaiety Company opened their season here last night in the Opera House, which was crowded. " The Gaiety Girl" was staged, and was well received by the audience, which included Lord and Lady Glasgow, the Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle, Miss Reid, Major Elliott and Capt. Preston. The Company is to play here fourteen nights, and in that time three pieces are to be staged I believe. There has been a great rush for seats, and to-day it was only possible to get good seats for Wednesday next. Mr Maughan Barnett's concert, which had been postponed on account of Mr Barnett spraining his wrist some time ago, took plaoe in the Art Gallery last Friday afternoon, which unfortunately was wet. However, there was a fairly good audience, and what is more, an appreciative one. Mr Alfred Hill as usual assisted. The Vice Regal party were among those present. Signa.