A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 15 September 1896, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Sept, 12, 1896. The ball given at Government House last Monday night was as usual^ very enjoyable. A number of the visiting Lady Golfers were present, in faot, I think the dance Was given principally to entertain them. Lord and Lady Glasgow have always been very kind and thoughtful in entertaining visitors to Wellington, and their departure from New Zea» land is looked forward to with much regret. On the occasion of which I write, Lady Glasgow received her guests in a beautiful grey brocade gown, very slightly trained and trimmed with beautiful soft cream lace and pink roses. Tha Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle wore very pretty gowns, one in pink satin under white chiffon and the other in blue satin, similarly made ; Lady Helen Boyle wore rich blaok satin with a cluster of pink roses on one shoulder, which had a brightening effect. Other pretty gowns were worn by Mrs Arthur Bhodes (Christchurch), who wore lovely grey satin, the bodice of which was covered with beautiful embroidered chiffon and edged with passementerie ; Mrs (Dr) Collins, white Batin trimmed with spangled embroidery and email accordian chiffon frills; Mrs Ogle (Christchurch) deep cream watered sil'c trimmed with light mauve chiffon and flowers to match; her sister. Mrs Palmer, also of Christchurch, wore white satin with butterfly sleeves of satin and lace ; Miss 8. G. Hill (Hawke's Bay), sky blue silk trimmed with pearls ; Miss Elfie Williams looked very nice in pale yellow and white, the skirt being of lovely yellow brocade, the full bodice |of white chiffon, and short puff sleeves of brocade over close fitting gathered chiffon sleeves to the waists ; Miss Greenwood (Dunedin), peaoook blue brocade gown, the skirt edged I with a tiny friil of yellow satin, and | the bodice and sleeves draped with I chiffon the same colour. There were also present, Mr and Mrs Werry, Mr | and Mrs Ferguson, Mr and Mrs C. Izard. Mr and Mrs W. S. Moorhouse, i Dr and Mrs Lmdo Ferguson (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs Baldwin, Mr and Mrs Warren, Mrs Wilder (Christchurch), the Misses Grace, Cooper, Gore (2), William:) (4), Johnston (2), Gibson (2), Beid. Shaw, Battray (2), Webster, Tabart, Cowli« shaw, Buller, Douglas, Bose (2), Z. Johnston, etc. j I am very glad to see that the sleeves, both for evening and day wear, are gradually getting smaller, but I do hope that the tight plain sleeves will not come into fashion again, for they oertainly were most unbecoming. The spring display at Te Aro House has been attracting great attention during the last week or so. It certainly deserves a visit, even for an outside view,- for the four huge windows are most artistically got up. The north window is arranged chiefly with blouses, in all colours and styles, some of them being sweetly pretty. Next comes the millinery window, and this I think attracts the most attention, for some of the hats and bonnets are truly wonderful, masses of tulle, feathers, flowers and ribbons all mixed together, no matter what colour. Green straws are going to be very fashionable, evidently, I notioed several in the window, also bright green tulle. The third window was devoted chiefly to light summer tweeds and dress stuffs; and the fourth, to prints and muslins, some of whioh are beautifully fine and dainty. Striped prints for ordinary blouses will be all the rage, spots have evidently had their day. The new flowers are beautiful, very large generally, and made in lovely velvets and soft Bilks, while something quite new are the chiffon and tulle flowers of the daintiest construction. The new Bailor hats are mostly of the beafeater shape, some with several rows of tiny blaok ribbon velvet round them, finishing with a bow on the left side.