A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 28 September 1897, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Sept. 25, 1897. We observed the usual pomp and ceremony of the opening of Parliament last Thursday afternoon and all the galleries, and in fact every available space in the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council were thronged with people, the fairer sex being in the majority. Although it was a dreadfully windy day and very unpleasant to be out, everyone seemed to be wearing their best clothes, and the Ladies' Gallery looked particularly gay. Hie Excellency the Governor arrived at about a quarter to 8, being attended by Captain Alexander and Lieutenant Ward, and was escorted to his place in the House by the Speaker. Lady Rtnfurly, accompanied by her little daughter, Lady Constance Knox and Fvl. Schweiter, arrived some little time before and were in their places on the arrival of His Excellency. The Countess wore another exquisite gown —of thick grey duchesse satin plainly made, and on the bodice there was a berthe of beautiful old white laoe. Her toque was of rose pink velvet and chiffon with quantities of roses to match and black wings in the front. She was presented on her arrival with a lovely shower bouquet of white flowers. Mrs Seddon wore a black moire gown with a yoke of white gathered chiffon, and a pretty black bonnet with magenta roses at one side and tips ; Mrs John McKenzie wore black satin and lace, and a black bonnet with pink roses ; Miss McKenzie pink straw hat with black ribbon anp tips ; Miss Seddon wore a stylish gown of dark blue cloth made with a zoauve jacket over a black silk blouse, and a deep rose pink straw hat trimmed with high black tips ; Miss M. S. Seddon wore a pretty sage green gown made open iv front and snowing a cream chiffon vest, and a large blaok chiffon bat trimmed with jet and tips. Among the visitors who have come to Wellington for the session I noticed Mrs Napier-Bell, of Dunedin, who wore a very handsome black ei!k guwn, the front of the bodice being of pale green silk covered with lovely silver and steel passementerie, and a stylish black bonnet with green chiffon rosettes and tips ; her daughter was in a dark tailor made suit, with pretty cream chiffon vest, and a O'eara ptraw hat with black satin ribbon loops and black tips. Mrs George Hutchison's danoe cornea off on Monday next, and on Wednesday there is to be a Ball at Government House, so that . the session, though it is so late in ooming has brought gaieties with it. Lord and Lady Ranfurly and suits were present at the Caledonian Society's Annual Concert on Friday. Their Excellencies also paid a visit to the Hospital and to the Wellington College one day last week, and they expressed themselves very pleased with the arrangements of both institutions. Yesterday afternoon the Star Boatlift Club opened their season. His Excellency the Governor performed the opening ceremony and in a short and pleasant little speech wished the Club every success. Mrs Sydney Johnston (Hawkes Bay) ia paying a visit to Wellington aid is the guest of Mrs Grace, Hawkestone Street. The engagement has lately been annouueed between Miss Lulla Miller of Hawkea Bay and Mr Harry Gore of Wellington.