A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 12 October 1897, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Oct. 9, 1897. On Wednesday last a sale of Work was opened by His Excellency the Governor in the Art Gallery. The Bazaar was held in order to raise funds for the building of" a new school-room in connection. with St. Paul's pro-Cathedra^ and 1 should think thai; the promoters of it would realize' a nice lifctlo sum, judging from the numbers of people who wero present, both afternoon and evening. Lady Ranfurly was unable to be present at the opening, owing to slight indisposition, but the Governor was attended by Captain Alexander and the Hon. Mr HillTrevor. The " Afternoon tea " stall was supervised by Lady Douglas, and was very much appreciated. Four young ladies — the Misses Douglas (2), Eliott, and Coleridge — daintily dressed in mauve striped cotton frocks and white caps and aprons, assisted at this stall and waited at the small tables which were placed about, with snowy cloths, dainty cakes and oases of spring flowers on them. I believe the " Sweet " stall did a roaring trade, and no wonder, for to see that array of almost every kind of confectionery before you, was very tempting, and impossible to resist. Mrs and the Misses Quick had charge of this stall. Among others 'I noticed assisting were Mrs Barraud, Mrs Warren, Miss' Brandon, Mrs Hoggard, Miss Crothier, Miss PercySmith, Mrs Travers, Miss Harding, Miss Williams, &c. A few who came to buy were Mrs Rhodes, Mrs Empson (Wanganui), who looked nice in a dark brown costume, pretty velvet hat trimmed with gold embroidery and high tips to match ; Mr 3 and Miss E. Williams, the latter wearing a stylish dark green tailor made suit, made with a short zouave jacket over a vest of pale blue silk under ecru lace, and bound with beaver, black hat trimmed with high tips and pink and blue chiffon rosettes ; Mrs Beddard, Miss Bell (Nelson), Miaa Blake]ey,j'A. J astfaliaj, the Misge£_M^!6n and others. "'The Opera Houso wag fairly well filled on Thursday night on the occasion of tho Manghan Barnett Society's concert. Throughout the whole of the concert it was evident that to careful training and' rehearsing of the works chosen, was due the undoubted success of almost all the items. The first part of the programme was miscellaneous and for the second part MendeFlsohn's " Athalie " was chosen, the latter, I think, being the more enjoyable. Madame Carlton, and the Misses N. and P. Parsons took the solo parts, and were all three most successful. Madame Carlton wore a pretty pink silk gown veiled with net to match, the bodice being trimmed with frills of the same. Miss Parsons wore deep yellow mervelleux, while Miss. P. Parsons wore soft white silk with chiffon frills, and flowers on the bodice. In the audience I saw Sir Robert and Lady Stout, Mrs Rhodes, Mr Fraser, M.H.R., Mrs and Miss Grace, the Hon. G. Jones, M.L.C., and others. Last Friday night Mrs (Dr) Collinfl gave a very enjoyable dance at her residence in Boulcott-street. The drawingroom, which was used for dancing, was prettily decorated with flowers and greenery, and in the diningroom a most delicious supper was laid out, the table decorations being of lovely yellow daffidills and jonquils. Our hostess wore a handsome white satin gown, tha skirt and bodice being beautifully embroidered with silver passementerie. Among the guests were Mr,s Alex. Crawford, Miss Holmes, Mrs Wason (Canterbury), Mrs Burns and Miss Cox, both of Christchurch, Miss Graham (Dunedin), the Misses Johnston, Mr Crawford, Mr Wason, M.H.R., and others. . ' On Thursday night last Mrs Travera gave a very pleasant " At Home " when progressive euchre was the amusement chosen for the evening. Mrs Travers received in a pretty black silk gown trimmed with lace and was assisted to entertain by the Misses Coleridge. Some of the guests were Mrs Bias, Mr 9 Barclay, the Misses Barclay, Tolhurst, Izard, Williams, Bell, Gore, Johnston (2), Cooper, Rose, etc. I have been meaning to tell you several times lately about the most exquisite things I have seen lately opened at tho various drapery establishments. The new chiffons, for instance, are just dreams — of every imaginable colour and many of them shot with rainbow tints and spotted with silk, and these are employed for ball dresses, theatre blouses, vests and even toques, the latter being very fashionable with only the addition of an enormous black osprey rising out of a floral bouquet at one side. These seemed so simple, do they not, but rest assured none but the hand of an artist can turn out anything to compare the dainty Parisian confections that are in my mind. Toques solely composed of one kind of flower with or without its foliage are much worn and make a charming frame for a winsome, youthful face. The only toning down they get is from tliQ high black osprey or loop, of which, I am afraid, we are already beginning to tire. A great deal of laco is worn with everyI thing and never was there such a • demand for red lace before, and quito

the latest thing •is jewelled lace, which is simply sumptuous to look at by gaslight. Other white nets have the lace pattern worked in delicate shades of pink, blue, grey and yellow. artisticajly blended, and I am sure yoa would rave over the lovely jewelled white , velvets which are extensively used as hat and bonnet crowns, corsages and 'belts. - They are simply artificial jewels of every description encrusted, in embroidery on to the velvet, but have a singularly handsome effect. The jewelled white lace is much used on handsome black capes for day wear and looks well arranged in points, each terminating in a jewelled drop— but I consider them a good deal too gorgeous for every day wear. Signa.