A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 24 August 1897, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Aug. 21, 1897. The Conversazione held on Wednesday in the Parliamentary Buildings, as a welcome to Lord and Lady Ranfurly, was a most decided success, and those who had the management of it are to be congratulated upon the way everything went off. The musical part of the varied evening's amusement was held in the House of Representatives and was much enjoyed. The Orchestral Society gave several selections in their usual pleasing and finished manner, under the baton of Mr Maugban Barnett, and Mr Robert Parker conducted the Liedertafel, who also gave some splendid part songs. The soloists who assisted were Mrs Levi and the Misses Parsons. There were several smaller rooms where one oould hear the Phonograph or see the X Bays, and the Legislative Council was used for Limelight views. But the most imposing sight of tfll was the main Hall. Up the centre was laid red carpet, and at the far end a dais was erected, cosily furnished and carpeted, and decorated with huge ferns, &c. It was here that their Excellencies were received by Mr and Mtb Charles Johnston, who took the place of the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs H. D. Bell). Lady Banfurlcy was handsomely dressed in a trained gown of rich peacock green velvet, the folded bodice being ornamented with steel, and finished with a touch of white lace. She wore an exquisite necklace and hair ornaments of diamonds, the former having a large emerald hanging in front. In her hair was a high green agriette and she carried a bouquet of lovely flowers tied with red ribbons, this being presented to her by little Miss Johnston on her arrival. Mrs Johnston's gown was a very stylish and uncommon one of lovely black and white striped silk ; the bodice was almost entirely com* posed of white chiffon, tied with a black satin sash. She also carried a lovely bouquet ; Mrs Strang (Foxton) black gown, with berthe of white lace. Tea, coffee and cakes of all kinds were served in Bellamy's. I noticed that this room was very well patronized during the evening, and no wonder, for after the hot rooms and galleries one was glad to get -a nice cup of coffee or tea. On Thursday night the Military Ball took place. The Driilshed was crowded, in fact too much so for it to be enjoyable. Everyone in Wellington seemed to have turned out on this occasion, consequently it was almost impossible to dance, or even move at all. One of the mistakes made, by the committee was that they did not supply a large enough space for the supper room, and I heard of many persons who were unable to get any refreshments at all, owing to the great crush. Lord and Lady Ranfurly arrived at about i 10 o'clock and after being received I took part in the first set of Lancers, l His Excellency dancing with Mrs Grace and Colonel Pole-Penton with Lady Ranfurly. Her Ladyship wore a very handsome gown of old rose satin, the bodice slightly trimmed with white lace and studded with diamonds. She also wore diamonds in her hair and carried a bouquet of violets. On Saturday afternoon, the Coun- ! tess of Ranfurly held a large recep- j fcion at Government House, The I

rooms and corridors were beautifully decorated with palms and flowers, and the ball-room was for the first tirtle used for tea and co&eei The table decorations consisted of dowering pot plants, and was laden with all kinds of cakes and sweets, Lady nantnrly received in a black sillc skirt and pretty blouse of pea green glace silk trimmed with white chiffon ruffles. Her little daughter was daintily dressed in pale pink silk with lace insertion bands. The Yachting Club's Ball which took place in Thomas* Hall on Friday night was a great success in every way. The Hall was most beautifully decorated, and a splendid supper was laid out upstairs. Lord and Lady Banfurly were present. The latter on this occasion wore a handsome blaok satin gown with I lace, and beautiful diamond ornamentg. The day was not a very bright one for Miss Gore's wedding on Wednesday, but after midday the rain ceased to fall, and it turned out a better afternoon than was expected. At 3 o'clock St. Paul's Church was crowded with people, and shortly after the bride entered leaning on her father's arm, and attended by the Misses Alice and Olive Gore, Miss Fitzherbert, Miss Burke, Miss Vtra Fulton and Miss Marjorie Hector, as bridesmaids. The dress was a lovely one of thick white satin v.ry plainly made and the bodice t'.iuuned with chiffon. She wore a long tulle veil and a pearl and diamond crescent brooch, the gift of tho bridegroom, and carried a huge -bower bouquet. The bridesmaids wore extremely pretty dresses of white silk, trimmed with chiffon and carried lovely bouquets of yellow flowers and grass. The four elder ones wore large blaok velvet hats, with black plumes and white lace wing?, also very pretty gold rings, presented by the bridegroom. The two smaller maids wore white hats and their gifts were pearl initial, brooches. Mrs Gore was handsomely dressed in black brocaded satin, relieved with white, and a bonnet to match ; Mrs A. Gore wore .i light brown tailor made suit, and black velvet hat with feathers ; Mrs Walters (sister of bride) black silk gown trimmed on the bodice with pink satin and lace, jet bonnet with pink velvet wings; Mrs Stevenson and Mrs Campbell (sisters of the bridegroom) were also present, the former wearing black and white, and the latter red cloth gown and a white and red toque. Others I noticed were Lady Hector, who wore a handsome dark grey silk sown, small black bonnet ; Lady Stoat, pale grey gown trimmed with white lace, toque to match ; Mrs Fitzherbert, black and white; Mrs Fulton also wore black, and a bonnet relieved with yellow ; Hon. J. and Mrs McK^nzie, the latter wearing black satin and lace ; Mrs George Hutchison wore a handsome black brocade gown, jet bonnet with tipg ; Mrs and Mis 9 Blair, Mrs Duncan, the Mis3es Tolhurat, Izard, Henry, &c, Sir Jamoa Hector, Mr G. Hutchison, Mr Campbell, Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Tolhurst, General Schaw and others. After the reception held at Mr and Mrs Gore's residence on Aurora Terrace, Me and Mrs. Marchbanks lr-ft far their honeymoon in » the North. The bride's travelling cos. tume was a neat dark tailor made 3uit, and a straw hat trimmed wkh tips and ribbon and bunches of violet 3. The duties of best man were carried out by Mr C. Hartmann. I hope soon to be able to tell you about some of the new spring hats. So far as I have seen there is nothing very new, everything seems to be very much trimmed still. Siona.