A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 4 August 1896, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, August 1, 1896. The parformance of " Our Boys " was on the whole very successful, for amateurs I mean. Dr Purdy as the retired butterman was very good indeed, so also was Miss Kate Wilford, as "Belinda" the lodging house servant. I think " Belinda " was the favourite, to judge from the applause she received. Mrs Purdy took the somewhat small part of " Aunt Clarrissa " and did it well. Miss Grace was •• Violet Melrose," and Miss L. Wilford, her poor cousin Mary ; both these young ladies did very well and looked very nice in their pretty costumes. The other parts .were taken by Mr E. Hadfield, | as Sir Geoffrey Champneys, Mr H. Butler as his son, and Mr H. Eolleston as Charles Middlewick, son of the butterman. The stage was erected at the drawing-room end of the ballroom, in fact it occupied the first drawing-room, which is "divided froom the ball room by huge folding doors, the drop scene, a very pretty one, just filling the space. The ball room was carpeted and filled with chairs, 220 of them, while Mr A. F. Hills' orchestra of course took up I their position beneath the stage, and I must tell you gained much well* deserved applause for the way in which they performed their different pieces. On the first night every seat was occupied, and numbers of gentlemen were standing at the back and in the doorways, but on the second night only half the room was filled, perhaps, the bad weather had something to do with this, but it was a pity, as the performance went off better than it did on the first night. Some of those I noticed in the audience on Wednesday night were Lord and Lady Glasgow, the latter wearing a handsome oyster colour and green brocade, trimmed with fine lace, Lady Augusta Boyle in pink satin, Lady Alice Boyle white satin veiled with chiffon, Lady Dorothy Boyle white figured muslin, Lady Helen Boyle black satin and lace, Mr and Mrs Duncan, Mr and Mrs Beddard, Mr and Mrs Pearce, Dr and Mrs Grace, Mr and Mra C. Johnston, Mr and Mrs Baldwin, Mr and Mrs Gee, Mrs Pynsent, Mrs Abbott, in handsome black satin and white lace, long black satin cloak with pale blue velvet collar, Mrs A. William?, black satin with epaulettes of white lace, pale blue cloak trimmed with white fur, Mrs Goring, Mr and Mrs Travers, the latter wearing a pretty pale pink gown trimmed with chiffon, Bishop and Mrs Wallis, the latter in pale yellow silk and white lace, the Misses Cooper, Wilson (Rangitikei), Williams, Johnslon, Rose, Mcc, Bey nolda, Izard, Acland, Fitzherbert, Friend, Tolhuvst, etc., etc. Now I must tell you about some of the stage dresses. In the first act Mrs Purdy wore a black skirt made very wide, and stylish black and white striped silk blouse trimmed wilh jet, black bonnet trimmed with white, ribbon and violets, Miss Grace looked very nice in white silk striped with pale green, white chiffon fichu edged with lace, a large white hat trimmed with chiffon and scarlet flowers ; Miss Wilford white muslin with lace frills, yellow silk sash and pretty hat with yellow flowers. In the second act Mrs Purdy wore black velvet and white lace ; Miss Grace black satin with pretty red and white striped sleeves ; Miss Wilford very . pretty pale pink silk trimmed with chiffon to match. In the third act Miss Grace wore a sage green silk gown, sealskin jacket and velvet hat with tips, while Miss Wilford looks nice in a pink silk blouse, black skirt and hats with tips. Lord Glasgow opened the seventh exhibition of the Academy of Fine Arts last Monday, when there was a fairly good attendance. The second day's races took place the same day, otherwise the attendance would have been better. Nice tea and cakes were provided, and were duly appreciated. Among those present I noticed Lady Helen Boyle, Lady Hector, Lady Whitmore (Napier), Mra and Miss Grace, Mrs ) and the Misses Stowe, Mra and the Misses Gore, Mrs England (Foxton), Miss W. S. Reid, Mrs Mills, the Misses Rose, Gore, Richardson, Hill, Bell, Burnett, Baker, Pharazyn, etc. Another very nice danoe was given a<; Government House last Friday night, when there were about 150 guests present. The usual de~ corations were employed, namely palms, ferns and pot plants, etc Lady Glasgow was wearing a pale yellow satin gown trimmed with cream lace and dark ruby velvet bows ; the Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle wore yellow spotted silk trimmed with flowers to match, Lady Dorothy wore a simple white musin frock ; Lady Helen Boyle black satin and lace. Among the guests were Mrs (Judge) Edwards, who wore a very handsome black velvet gown, trained and trimmed with jet; Miss Edwards, pretty white silk, trimmed with clusters of white flowers ; Mrs Travera looked very nice in white brocado with a bodice of very pale green brosade ; Miss Eila Williams wore one of the handsomeest gowns, it was of very pale yellow and white brocade, just a little bit trimmed with lace on the corsage ; Miss Napier Bell (Dunedin) was a debutante, and wore a very stylish gown of white corded silk

trimmed with white roses and chiffon J Mrs Alex. Williams, white brocade, trained and trimmed with lace ; Mrs Beddard, lovely white and pale green brocade trimmed with chiffon ; Mrs Strang (Foxton) -cream satin; her sister, Miss Reid, looked very nioe in white ffierveilleux and chiffon.

Last Thursday afternoon Mrs 0. Johnston gave a large " At Home." Tea, coffee, chocolate, and the accompanying svVeets were laid out in tempting array in the dining-room. One large room was cleared out for dancing, which was freely indulged in, as it was a bitterly cold afternoon. King's band supplied the music Our hostess received in a handsome black velvet gown trimmed with rare old lace. Some of those present were Lady Whitmore (Napier), Mrs and Miss Tolhurst, Mrs J. G. Wilson (Bangitikei), Mrs and the Misses Barron, Mrs and Miss Grace, Mrs Baldwin, Dr and Mrs Newman, the Misses Izard, the Misses Williams, Mrs Werry, Mrs Lougbnan, and several others.

August 2.

Mr J. E. Fitzgerald, C.M.G., who has been ill for the past three weeks, died this morning at an early hour. Mr Fitzgerald was widely known throughout New Zealand, and his death will come as a great shock to many. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Fitzgerald and her family.

SIGNA.