Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 45, 11 May 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

Hevk Christabel — MRS RILEY gave a \cry pleasant tea-party on Thursday last. Autumn teas are the most delightful of functions, for one appreciates the cozy comfort and enjoys the good things more keenly because of the chilly air outside. Most delicious refreshments were set out in the diningroom, and, after they had received full justice, some very good music was given m the drawing-room by several of the guests, Mis. Whit&on, Mrs. Greenwood, Mrs Roberts, and Mrs. Benjamin all (ontubuting songs. The hostess wore a heliotrope «ilk blouse and a black skirt, Miss Riley wearing pink, Mrs. Greenwood had on a grey voile, with lace, and a grey feathered hat ; Mrs. Roberts, a tan coat, dark frock, and a blue hat , Mrs. Benjamin, a black tailor-made, and black toque ; and Mrs. Whitson heliotiope toque and black and white silk frock. » • • Mrs. Harrison had on scarlet and black , Mrs. Miles, navy tailor-made gown, with black and white toque, Mrs. Kwen, black and white, Mrs. Findlay, black, with a hat trimmed with pink; Mrs. Tolhurst black, and a black and w hite bonnet , Lady Campbell , heliotrope and violet toque; Mrs. Gilruth, black coat and skirt, and black hat , and Mrs. Malcolm Ross, scarlet toque and coat, and black skirt. • • • Mrs. O'Connor's tea last week was a delightful affair. Her flowers are always lovely, but this year the chrysanthemums — masses of soft and brilliant colours, set about the rooms in bowls and vases — were particularly fine. While the sun shone, the guests wandered about the garden, enjoying the bright flower-decked rooms all the more when the autumn chill drove them, inside the house. Mrs. O'Connor wore black and white, and Miss O'Connor a very pretty black frock, with guipure yoke. Among the guests were — Mrs. Pynsent, in a grey coat and skirt, Mrs. Tolhurst in black and mauve; and Lady Campbell (Napier), in violet. Mrs. W. Moorhouse wore a seal coat, black dre&s, and toque , Miss Tolhurst, a brown frock, Mrs. Buchanan, black and white costume, Miss Skerett, black. Mis Crawford, navy blue dress and cunifion hat , and Mrs. Tuckey, in black. • • • A right royal "send-off" was given to Miss. Mount on Thursday by her musical friends. The hall was crowded, the audience enthusiastic, the stage extremely pretty with its red draperies and handsome foliage plants, and the atti action of the evening sang her best and looked very well in her charming white satin frock, with its airy tucked overskirt. In so excellent a programme it would be difficult to individualise. It is not often, indeed, Wellington has an opportunity of listening to such a combination of musical talent. Miss Mount received the most exquisite flowers, trophies, bouquets, and ba.skets, all beautifully arranged. All sort> of good wishes are expressed for her welfare m her new home bv the friends she made during her stay in Wellington. • • • Madame Cailton wore an effective black satm, veiled with net embroidered with coloured sequins, Miss Maginnity, a pretty heliotrope and white silk, Mrs. J. W. Hill, white satin; and Miss Prouse, pale green, with artistic touches of pink at waist and neck. Lady Stout wore, over her black frock, a handsome black satin opeia coat, Mrs. Fitchett had on black with a pretty white lace yoke, Mrs. Benjamin, a becoming black gown, with a band of turquoise velvet at the neck . and Mrs. T. G. Macarthy, under her handsome grey coat, wore a white and gold blouse and black "silk &kirt , Miss Fitzsimmons wearing a black frock, with a very fine lace collar. • • • Mrs. Fell had on black, Mrs. Gilruth, black, with a pale green chiffon fichu , Mrs. Findlay, blue blouse, lace bolero, and black skirt , Miss Scully, white striped blouse, and black skirt , and Mrs. Kendall, black. Mrs Stott wore a pink silk blouse, with lace yoke, and a black moire skirt, Mrs. Wyllie had on a crimson blouse, and dark skirt. Miss Coates, black. Miss Douglas, black , and Mrs. Ward, a beautiful

grey opera-coat, with grey fur over her black frock , Miss Barnett's black satin, with lace yoke and sleeves, was most effective. Miss Grant had on a black silk skirt and heliotrope chiffon blouse; Mrs. Whitson (Dunedin) wearing black brocade and chiffon. Madame Mere w ore a handsome sequined cape over her black dress. Miss J. Ross (Petone) had on a tucked white muslin, and Miss Prouse a pretty silk frock, with turquoise velvet revers. * • • The Sketch Exhibition was most enjoyable. There is a freshness about open-air work that is eminently attractive, and some of the exhibits were daintily charming and suggestive. Sketches are like the poems of some modem poets — they leave a great deal to the imagination, and the more vivid the imagination the more easily one can perfect and complete the sketch. An unimaginative and inartistic person would prefer a highly-finished oleograph to the most poetic of sketchy "bits.'' Quite a number of people were delighted with Mr. Nairn's charming exhibits. He and Mr. Worsley, who showed some exquisite sketches, fresh and bright and breezy, are succeeding in making Wellingtoniana believe their city is beautiful. If the two continue in their good work, people will not scornfully allude any more to "ugly Wellington." Anyone who has watched the lovely effects of harbour, hills, and shipping, especially on a grey morning, or in a sunset light, will not agree to the libel. Wellington, however, certainly looks better in a mist. It poetises it, and softens its harsh lines. • • • Mr. Sheriff's sketches of animals were excellent, and always had an admirer or two in front of them. A series of drawings, faintly coloured, by Mr. W. F. Barraud, were also most attractive, and many of the sketches were recognised with pleasure by those who had travelled in Europe and Egypt. It was a pity there were not more specimens of wood-carving and repousse work. The exhibits of the latter work were admired, and now that a class has been started at the Technical School this branch of art will doubtless become more common. The value of a copper bowl or copper panels in a gloomy room, especially when the firelight glorifies them, cannot be over-estimated. • • • What do you say to a satin frock with an overskirt of tucked tulle, each tuck being run with fine gold thread.-' Gold appears everywhere, used, however sparingly. In a lovely evening frock of black satin, a thin gold gauze sandwiched the underskirt and the net overdress, making a constant sheen and (Continued on Page 11.)

shimmer as the wearer moved. Black, ivory, and white laces have their pattein accentuated with the finest gold braid, tliiead, or sequins, and the guipure laces, so much used on smart blouses, are often laid over gold galloon. Lace revers, worked in point braid and washing gold — which, by the way, is improved by being washed — are quickly done, and smarten up a tailormade gown most effectively. The gold braid/if liked, could be run along the centre of the- linen braid, and spangles could also be sewn on, but then the lace will not be easily washed. The ecru silk braid, combined with gold, makes a piece of work that, if not a joy for ever, will, at least, be most satisfying to its possessor for a very long time. On a white silk gown, this trimming would be most beautiful. • ♦ ♦ Some of the newest cloth skirts are cut in scallops or Vandykes, and rest on an underskirt of velvet, edged with fur. The cloth is sometimes bordered with the fur, and then the velvet below is fuller, and flows out like a flounce. By the way, this is a capital style in which to renovate a gown that beloners to bho days when women were sensible, and eschewed trailing skirts. • * * On Monday a small, but very pleasant afternoon tea was given by Mrs. Benjamin. The tea-table was prettily decorated with chrysanthemums, and during the afternoon Mrs. Roberts and Mis. Benjamin sang, and Mrs Trevor Gould played Mrs. Fitchett wore a large black hat and a very smart frock of strawberry-coloured frieze, trimmed with tucked glace silk. Mrs. Holmwood and Miss Holmwood were among the guests, the latter's pretty grey frock having under-sleeves and belt of pale blue. Miss Barnett wore a beauti-fully-made black and white foulard, and hat to match: Mrs. Gould, navy-blue and white foulard, and black picture hat; Mrs. Nelson, a fawn coat, black frock, and black and white hat ; and Mrs. Wickham, grey, trimmed with salmon and gold braid. Mrs. Roberts wore a fawn frock, with black and white silk flounces, and a green velvet hat. Mrs. Gilruth, black coat and skirt, and a smart black hat, and Mrs. Benjamin, a pretty pale-blue silk blouse, lace bolero, and black satin skirt. • • • Mrs. Rolleston, wife of Commander Rolleston, of H.M.S. Archer, has been staying at Mrs. Read's, in Boltonstreet, for a few days. • • * Mr. and Mrs. Leigh-Wood leave South Africa soon for London, where they intend to reside. • • • Mr. Robert Leckie, son of Mrs. Leckie, of Wellington, was married in Auckland on April 24th, to Miss Winifred McDonald, of Suva. The bnde departed from the conventional white satin, and wore pale blue voile, and a blue velvet toque. Miss Harriet Williams, her one bridesmaid, was dressed in brown cloth, with Eton coat and cream satin vest, and smart black and turquoise-blue toque. She wore a handsome gold bangle, and carried a shower bouquet, both being gifts of the bridegroom. Mr. Frank Leckie was best man. The bridegroom's present to the bride was a handsome diamond ring. • • • Mrs. and Miss Grady, of Wellington, are staying for a week or two with Mr. and Mrs. R. McCallum, of Carlyle, Blenheim. Yours truly. — Phillida. Mrs. (Dr ) Roberts, of Nelson, is visiting Mrs. Gilruth. • • • Colonel Pitt, chairman to the Federation Conference, has returned to Wellington, and has been staying this week at the Royal Oak. • * • A large gathering assembled to witness a very pretty and attractive wedding, which took place in St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Mulgrave-street, on Wednesday afternoon, Ist May, when Miss Lois F. E. Willson, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs. Philip C. Willson, Tinakon-road, Wellington, was united in marriage to Mr. Thomas Leonard Boyes, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Boyes, of Motueka, Nelson. The Rev. J. G. S. Bartlett officiated. The bride (who entered the church at half-past two o'clock) was escorted by six bridesmaids, the chief being Misses Ethel Willson and Emily Boyes (sisters of the bride and bridegroom), Misses Ruby Willson and Nellie Jones (sister and cousin of the bride), and the little Misses Ida and Mona Drawbridge (friends of the bride). The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a handsome trained dress of white duchess satin, the bodice having a transparent yoke and sleeves of lace, edged with pearls and chiffon. The sash was also edged with pearls and orange blossoms, and her tulle veil was daintily arranged over a spray of orange blossoms. She carried a shower bouquet.

The chief bridesmaids wore cream serge dresses, the bodices having sailor collars of cream satin, edged with, velvet trimming , also transparent lace vests. Their hats were of cream velvet, tummed with feathers and violets. They carried cream velvet muffs, with bunches of violets, and long pearl chains. The next two bridesmaids wore cream serge skirts, Eton coats trimmed with gold cord, and vests of tucked silk. Their hats were of cream velvet, trimmed with feathers and yellow flowers. They carried shower bouquets of yellow chrysanthemums. The two little maids were attired in long silk dresses, with sashes of chiffon, trimmed with daisies Their poke bonnets were of gathered silk, trimmed with chiffon and daisies, and they carried crooks, with streamers and flowers. • * * Mr. Frank Hawthorne acted as best man, and associated with him was Mr. Gerald Boyes (cousin of the bridegroom). After the ceremony, the wedding guests, who numbered about ninety, were entertained at the residence of the bride's parents, where a reception was held. The bridegroom presented to the bride a handsome gold cable bangle, and to the bridesmaids broad sold band rings, set with opals, while the bride's present to the bridegroom was a silver-mounted ebony walking-stick. The happy couple are spending their honeymoon in the Nelson district, the bride's travelling costume being navy-blue cloth, with white and silver toque. The presents were both handsome and numerous. • * * A lady friend, just returned from the Home trip, has been telling me about the latest fashions in hair ornaments. The first is a fascinating arrangement of two rosettes of pale blue velvet ribbon, with a diamond centre, joined together by a narrow band. One rosette is well worn in the middle of the hair, and the second comes down low on the left side until ix, almost rests on the temple. A second idea is a halfwreath of jet, fixed across the front of the coiffure like a fillet, with, a pink rose on the right side, showing the faintest sign of foliage — in which case the flowers on the corsage should, of course, match. The craz© for gold, it seems, also has reached our headdresses, and very effective is a rosette of white tulle, supporting a high standing gold rose with tinsel leaves. Another after the same style, is of black, with a black butterfly covered in diamond spangles. • • « Would anything, I wonder, but a dance draw us away from a cosy fire on these cold nights? At any rate, it is a powerful magnet. The attraction on Wednesday evening last was Miss Koch'& assembly. I think I never before noticed so many white frocks, and, certainly, for girls nothing is prettier. Some of the gue&ts were . Mesdames Holmwood, JBendall, Batham and Haase. Miss Koch was wearing pale yellow brocade, Miss Linda Koch black velvet, Miss Wright pretty sky-blue chiffon blouse, black skirt, Miss Holmwood, white, with very effective knots of crimson at the wai&t and m her han , Miss Laishley, black silk, with scarlet flowers , Miss Hickson, blue satin. Miss Tregear looked very well in white muslin; Miss Grant, blue &il& blouse, black skirt, Miss Logan, blue, Miss iVicKerrow wore violets with her white muslin frock , Miss Holt, white, the bodice prettily draped w ith lace ana bebe ribbon , Miss Bendall, black and white, relieved with blue, Miss Neh Batham, white muslm dress, old gold sash , Miss Widdop, black silk , Mi&s, -Edwards, white silk, with touches of black velvet , Miss Haase, white, with straps of apple-green velvet. • ♦ • Miss Brewer was wearing a pink chiffon blouse, black skirt. One pretty frock was of yellow silk, with soft chiffon fichu and frills, and suited the wearer to peifection. Miss Aldrich was in white muslm , Miss Richardson, blue, the flounces on the skirt being edged with white bebe ribbon. There were many other pretty dresses, but I really can not from memory describe them all. • ♦ * A very pretty wedding, which aroused not a little local interest, was celebrated at the Wesley Church, Taranakistreet, on Wednesday last. Mr. F. W. Gardiner, of Vivian-street, who is well known in musical circles, wa& married to Miss Ada E. Godber, only daughter of Mr. G. E. Godber, also of Vivianstreet. The Rev. T. F. Jones was the officiating clergyman The bride, who looked extremely well in a dress ot white silk and a white velvet hat, carried a beautiful shower bouquet, and was given away by her father. The bridesmaids, Miss Eva Godber and Mi&s Nellie Rosenberg (cousins of the bride) were attired in white lustre and satin frocks, royal blue hats, and each wore a gold brooch the gift of the bridegroom. The best man was Mr. C. Diamond, and Mr. T. T. Joy acted a>s groombinan. The "Wedding March"

was played by Mr. Harland, the organist, as the bridal party left the church. * * * After the ceremony, a reception was held m the schoolroom, and about seventy guests partook of the wedding breakfast. After receiving the congratulations and good wishes of their many friends, the happy couple left for Christchurch, where their honeymoon is to be spent. The bride's travelling dress was of blue cloth, trimmed with white silk and blue velvet. An interesting incident was a visit paid, after the ceremony, by Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, to receive the congratulations of the bridegroom's grand-parents (Mr. and Mrs. Kilminster), whose extreme age — 91 and 93 years — prevented their being present at the ceremony. * ♦ ♦ In Wellington, as elsewhere, it goes without saying, that black for evening dresses will hold its own this season, although black alone is out of the question. To inspire admiration, it must be fashioned with embroideries of jet, or, what is newer, cream lace appliques, sewn on to sleeves, bodices, and even in the form of insertions on the skirt. I have recently seen some dear little bodices, that quite captivated my fancy. One was high to the throat, at least with a transparent yoke, and the other was cut square, with the long, useful sleeves. Narrow black velvet figures largely as trimming in the fashions of the hour. Yards of it are being used on one costume just ordered, in conjunction with lace insertion, which is now made with eyelet holes, through which the bebe ribbon is threaded. * * * From evening dress to evening cloaks is an easy transition. You know, of course, that the edict has gone forth that evening cloaks have been nearly all banished. Only long jackets in Empire style are tolerated. Some are made of black satin, lined with white, and have large revers of thick cream lace, a deep flounce of the same adorning the edge. They must be made very long, the carriage folk even favouring a little train. The underneath part of the sleeve must also be of lace. Another idea is to have a coat of pale blue satin or Roman satin, with revers and yoke of panne worked in gold. In this instance the collar and undersleeves should be of old lace.