A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 8 September 1896, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Sept. 5, 1896. Last week has been an unusually gay one, both for grown up people and for the juveniles. Last Saturday night Mrs Rhind gave a very enjoyable dance, princi pally, I believe for the visiting Golf ladies, many of whom were present. k great deal of trouble, must have been taken to make the dance a Success, whioh it certainly was, for the decorations and other arrange* X&ents were all very well carried out. Mrs Rhind received in a rich black tttio gown cat Equare, and edged with let embroidery. Miss Tabart, and Miss Cowlishaw of Christchurcb, who are staying with Mrs Rhiod, were helping to entertain. The former wore a stylish black brocade ikirt, and soft pink silk bodice trimmed with buck ribbon velvet and cbiffon ; and the latter'a gown waa of light green spotted ailk with 101 l bodice of white chiffon, which looked very soft and nice. A few of the guests were the Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle, who wore blue satin gowns trimmed with white Uoe and pink roses; Miss WynnWilliama (Christchurch), in a pretty black satin gown, the bodice being mostly composed of pale pink bro oaie trimmed with black chiffon frills and jet ; Miss Palmer (Christ•hatch), very pretty pale grey bro* oade, with butterfly sleeves of grey tulle caught at the top with bright m pink velvet bows ; Mrs lan Duncao, black satin gown with bodice of black satin brocaded with mauve and green flowers and leaves, and revers of white satin on which wore sewn violets without stems, and edged with a frill of white aocordian ohiffon, the sleeves were finished wit), a frill of the same ; this I may oration is an English gown. The Hisses Izard, Gore, Webster (Dun* edin), Cooper, Rose, Burns, Rattray (Danedin), St. Hill (Hawkes Bay), Williams, Shand (Danedin), were also present. Mr Charles Johnston gave a large ball last Tuesday night whioh was a brilliant success. It was given to celebrate the " coming out " of Miss Zoe Johnston, Mr and Mrs Charles Johnston's eldest daughter, who lately returned from England, having finished her education there. The fine large drawingroom wa3 cleared oat lor dancing, and the floor and music were excellent as also was the champagne snpper which waß laid oat in the diningroom. Mrs and Hiss Johnston received together; the former wore a very uncommon

looking gown, the skirt was of black and white striped satin, and the bodice a full one of sby blue embroidered chiffon; black satin puff sleeves with blue chiffon frills let in down the centre} Miss Johnston wore a beautiful pearl satin gown with white roses edging tbe round cut corsage, and she carried a lovely white bouquet; her younger sister wore a pretty white figured silk gown with full bodice of white accordian chiffon. Among those present were — the Ladies Augusta and Alice fioyle, id tale yellow silk gowns with wreaths of crimioft shaded convolvulus on the bodices ; Mrs Wallte* in lovely white satin and lace ; Mrs W. Johnston, black and white brocade trimmed with cut jet and white chiffon ; Mrs Newman, a very handsome striped gown of cream satin and moire> with quantities of white chiffon frills on the bodice. Mrs tihind looked very well in red satin trimmed with velvet of a darker shade and delicate cream silk lace; Miss Bcynolds (Dunedin), wore pale blue 'silk trimmed with white lace and ruby Velvet; Mrs Luida Ferguson (t>unedin), looked, to my mind one of the best in the room, she wore a pretty pink figured satin and silk gown, trimmed with sprays of small white flowers ; Lady Stout, handsome white brocade, slightly trained and trioirned ttitb white bead embroidery and fringe and many others too numerous to mention.

Besides the large Juvenile dance which was given by Lady Glasgow week before last, there has been one given by Mrs Firth at the College, last Saturday night, while Mr 3 T. H. Hislop entertained in the same way on Monday last, Mrs Joseph on Tuesday and Mrs W» Nathan on Wednesday night. Then for next week, Miss Elsie Riddiford has issued a large number of invitations tp her young friends for a dance on Wednesday nest at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lower Hutt. The next night Mrs Tolburst is giving a Juvenile dance and yet another 13 to be given by Mrs Alfred Brandon very soon, so you see the young folk are having a very gay time these holidays. Lady Stout gave a large * Afternoon at Home ' last Saturday, when with music, tea and chat, the time passed all too quickley. Mr Robert Parker's Annual Concert took place last Monday night in the Opera House. The concert was altogether very successful. There was a large and fashionable audience present which included Lord Glasgow, who was accompanied by Lady Augusta Boyle, one of his little sons and Captain Feilden.

Mr Maughan Barnett gave another of his very enjoyable concerts in the Dresden rooms last night. This afternoon saw the finish of the Ladies Golf Championship Tournament of New Zealand, when Mist Lillian Wilford, third daughter of Dr Wilford, Lower Hutt, beat Mrs Wilder of Christchurcb, in the final match. Miss Wilford played exceedingly well throughout the tournament and certainly deserved to win. To-night Lady Glasgow is to present the prizes at Government House, when all the Golfers, their friends and relations are invited to be present.

There is to be another ball at Government House next Monday. Siona.