A WOMAN'S LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7979, 6 March 1906, Page 7

A WOMAN'S LETTER.

(Specially Written for the Age).

WELLINGTON, March 3. The chief excitement of the week was the departure of the Athenic for London. Quite a large number of new Zealanders are travelling by that very popular boat—some intending to make a very lengthy stay, and ali bent on seeing and doing as much as possible, causing those who are left behind to feel very envious and home-sick for another glimpse of the life, gaiety, and bustle of London, ol the quiet peaceful life in the country just at the time when the beautiful silver and copper beech and chestnut trees will be looking their best, not forgetting the fields of wild primroses, violets, and purple hyacinth—all so oharming. One of the most interesting street sights to a New Zealander in London is the pavement artists—they are exceedingly clever in. sketching and the blending of colours—having quite a variety of pictures, moonlight effects, sunsets, heads ifter Romney, Asli, and others. Hundreds pass by daily,little heeding the talent, in chalks on the pavement, except to throw an occasional penny. Another novel sight is the flower women, who take up their stands in the centre of the principal streets, crying their wares, which they have purabased at Oovent Garden market at daybreak in the morning. Eoses of all shades and tizes, lily of the valley, violets, all smelling so sweet. A pleasant feature of travelling in Englahd is the attention one receives from station porters. Even if only carrying a rug and small handbag, they aie politely taken from you and your seat in a carriage secured, for the small "tip" of twopence.

Farewell teas have been the order of the day. Mrs Chatfield was **at home" to a large number of guests at hef residence at island Bay, last Tuesday. The rooms were tastefully decorated with vases of small sunflowers, the same flowers being also used on the tea table, with bands of shaded green ribbon laid crosswise, having a very pretty effect. Dainty cakes and delicious tea were very welcome after the long dusty tram ride. Miss Arndt, an accomplished reciter, gave much pleasure lo the guests by her rendering of various amusing pieces. Mrs Chatflold wore a handsome brocaded satin, with a yoke of embroidered obiffon and jet. Miss (Jhatfield wore a rrofcty soft silk gown; her two sisters wore dpinty frocks of floral muslin. - Included in the guests were Lady Stout, wearing a handsome voile gown, with many frills of white kilted chiffon on the bodice, and a becoming bat. Mrs (Captain) Rose wore a lovely gowu of figured black de soie over white glaoe silk, and a smart black French sailor hat. Others present were: —Mrs Edwin, Mrs O'Connor, Mrs Butts, Mrs Firth, Mrs Larnach, Mrs Pearce, and Mrs Logan. Lady Stout was also one of the hostesses of the week, the oonasion being a tea civen for her guest, Mrs Turnball, wife of MrTurnqnll, of Mangaweka. The Misses Edwin gave a girls' tea for Miss Grace Morrah, who Is leaving this week for England. It was an exceedingly merry occasion, and Miss Morrah received the heartiest wishes from her many girl friends.

Mrs Howie, or "Princess Te Rangi Pai," as she is called, has returned once more to Wellington, and arrangements are being made for her appearance on the concert platform. Her voice is a contralto of riob, fall quality and possesses the great <cbarm of sympathy.

An intrepid man made a most | ■courageous protest against the I tyranny of the sombre evening j dress by appearing in the circle at the Opera House one sultry night clothed from head to foot in cool white linen/ If this is the end of the wedge to introduce something approaching the sensible and smartlooking white evening dress whioh is de regueur in India, Hongkong and the East generally, it should be welcomed by our danoing men. There is a strong and steady effort in England to bring iu lrnee breeches and fancy vests for gentlemen's evening wear, and it is cordially supported by the King, who, in faot, was one of the first to suggest it. Knee breeches t<re now compulsory if you attend a Court function. Did you hear of the marob through London in correct Court •dress by a number of its advocates? It created quite a little sensation. One of the would-be reformers was Douglas Gerrard, the fascinating young actor, who is at present in Melbourne, and 1 believe setting girls' hearts aflame. One more little masculine , fashion that is being brought into force is velvet collars "to evening coats. All the smart men at Home are weariDg them, but it is a fashion that is not likely to remain for any length Qt time, as velvet collars do not commend themselves to modern taßte.

Parisian milliners have solved a new full dress theatre hat. It is merely a brim with the hair forming the orown—what are called "turban curlß" on the top of the head, so that they form quite a tur&an of noticeable size. The bnm is of some diaphanous material, of a colour to tone with the hair, and the trimmings are often flowers and soft ostrich feathers. Another Paris fad is coloured umbrellas, something more cheerful thai) the usual dark hlue or black gamp. ' They are trying to bring them in to match the trottier toilette.

Velvet and oloth will be used to gather, the former being used for revere and cuffs on our winter tailormades, The popular oloth will be •self-coloured, prune, dull red, plum colour, and a rioh mauve bre the "tone" of the season,and these shades -are repeated in the millinery of the hoar. White hats are also to be , much worn. With the oold weather oar sleeves are lengthening, and this is a " fortunate circumstance for women's slender dress allowance, * or with sleeves ending midway between Shoulder and wrist it was imperative that our gloves should be lengthy ones. ' Now, for a time at least,, beeves will be of ordinary length,

although there is little doubt that next summer will -see the abort slee,ve shorter than ever.

"Novel and Song Teas," "Personality and Tray Teas," have had their day. The ingenuity of hostesses is never without end. Quite recently a novel and original amusement was introduced hero. The guests were given a pencil and paper, and each had to draw a specified animal in two rainutes. 'lbeso specimens of art were pinned up on the wall, and the guests had to decide what each represented. As some of the sketches were drawings of animals Noah could not recognise, and Adam could not name, there was considerable amusement amongst chose present, who were much divided in opinion as to whether a particular drawing was a pig or an elephant.