A WOMAN'S LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8150, 28 May 1906, Page 7

A WOMAN'S LETTER.

■■—•— (Speoially Written for the Ago). WELLINGTON May 28. We are at present enjoying ideal winter weather, clear, frosty mornings, the b' lghtest of sunshine, and the most bracing of atmospheres, that whioh lends to the soft cheek a warm glow of colour, reminding one jnst for a short time, of the dolightful climate iu Switzerland, where, even in the midst of summer the air is keenly invigorating, whispering of snow-oapped mountains, whioh glisten in the rays of the sun. It is here, in the heights of Andermatt 5,000 feet abovo the sea, or In any other height to whioh one mayolimb, one thinks, a thousand times, it is good to be alive. And now, as we enjoy oar skipping ropes before breakfast, our thoughts are muoh the same. Perhaps the happiest of all this last week have been the little children for they have been the guests at many functions. What sweeter sight oan one wish for than a children's fauoy dress ball, wee tiny bo-peeps, fairies, oapids, Japs, the daintiest little flower girls, all looking so sweet and shy as the little sailor boys, etc., oome to olalm her for bis partner, and auoh will be the case, to-night when Mrs T. Young ia entertaining a large number of ohildren in honour of her son's birthday. Mia W. Lawson's tea on Wednesday was a charming little affair. The girlish bride who makes a capital hoßtesa, wore a dainty frook of white embroidered muslin. Her guest, Mrs Ross, for whom the tea was given wore a oream oloth gown, the bolero being edged with gilted silk. Tea was arranged in the pretty din-ing-room, the table decoration being mauve oosmeas and maiden-hair fern. Some of those present were: Mrs Willis, who wore a blaok voile gown and floral bonnet; Mrs G. F. Campbell's gown was of wine coloured oloth, made with direptoire coat; Mrs Haooo wore blaok voile, and black hat; Mrs Bridge, dark cloth gown, and black hat; Mrs J. Lawson, dark green oloth gown and hat to matoh; Mrs Mao Arthur, pretty gown of light cloth, fur coat and red hat, Mrs Webb, brown costame and brown beaver hat, Mrs Gray, Miss Wheeler, Misses Turner, Misses Elliot, Miss Nathan, Miss McKellerand Miss Didbury were alao there. A moßt enjoyable euchre party was given by Mrs Moss, Karori, on Friday evening for her guests, Mrs Pratt, Ohristohurcb, and Mr P. Didsbury, Australia. The games were played until ten o'clock, and then the prizes were presented to the winners, Miss Gale and Mr Sinclair. After a delightful supper music and recitations were much enjoyed. Mrs Moss wore a very handsome gown of blaok orepe-de-chine, and deep lace bertha; Mrs Pratt's gown was of blaok satin, With touches of lace; Mrs Gray wore a beooming gown of pale blue silk; Mrs Briatow, a gown of blaok silk and lace; Mrs Holmwood, black crepe-dechine over glace; Mrs Bal lance, a sweet frock of pale green muslin; Mrs Didsbury wore a gown of blaok merveilieau;Miss DidsDury, a BOft white silk gown; Miss Hale, white satin and laoe; Miss Turner, pretty gown of rose silk; Miss A. Turner wore white muslin; Mrs Barraud, a pretty pale blue frook; and Miss Putman,* soft blaok silk with pink roses.

Mrs Laing entertained a large number of guests last Thursday at a very jolly danoe. TheThorndon Ball was tastefully decorated for the occasion with palms and tall grasses. Mrs Laing wore an ex-, tremely handsome gown of black silk velvet, with a cluster of deen red roses on the corsage; Miss P. Laing wore a soft white silk dress and bine sash, and her sister MolUe'a frock was of black velvet. Amongst the many guest present 1 noticed: Mrs Mirams, in a gown of black satin; Mrs Pratt, cream satin; Mrs Gray, black orepe-de-chine; MissM. Wheeler, pale blue net; Miss Brioe, white satin; Miss Ruby Seddon, white crepe-de-chine; and Miss Nathan, rose chiffon. Miss S. Nelson has gone to Sydney, where she will remain for some time. She is accompanied by Mr Nelson. Mr and Mrs Hughes-Johnston j left on Tuesday for England by the Dorset. Miss Flora Brandon is at present in Sydney where she is the guest of Miss Owen Williams. Miss Brandon will meet her brother, who arrives from England early in July. The long looked for pantomime, "Sinbad the Sailor" has really arrived and oyer's a season at the Opera House on Saturday night. It is a thing, I hoar, children will delight in, as they are so seldom given a treat in the way of a pantomime. By the way a little bird whispers that the latest matrimonial engagement is that of a well known ornament of this company. The young actress is dark, petite, dainty and as bright in her acting on the stage as she is entertaining and natural in private life. Her fiancee is a well known fciydney solicitor. Although I may not tell her name you are quite at liberty to guess her identity if you can. Mr Cuyler Hastings, s6 wellknown to us in bis role of "Sherlock Holmes" is once again in Australia. He ootnes not as a detective to discover things—he Bimply comes "resting" to übo the theatrioal term. Mr J. U Williamson has not engaged him, Mr Musgrove has not engaged him, Mr Bland Holt has not engaged him, and yet the whisper goes round that he is engaged, an engagement that will be to him a life-long one. It is said that a beautiful young heiress in a sister State is his ohoioe. Miss Grace Falotta has returned to Australia, and is ' playing a part in "The Man fiom Mexico." Some of her frocks are a delightful ooufeo-

tion. She makes her entry in a very ' smart frock of oream silk and l ohiffon, with a complete over dress |of cream tambour lace beautifully embroidered with crowns set in a onveutional floral design. The same laoe was repeated ou the bodice whioh was finished with a smart belt, hat, a flat, black one, was finished by two long drooping white fetbers. Her SBoond gown, of tho softest pink surah silk wa« out corselet fashion, the waist being finely shirred. The nkirt had deep i;uoks and tiny frills with a wide flounce of oream guissure lace. The bodice was soft and pretty with laoe, and tho accompanying hat of pale pink satin had a very high orown, banded with out jet, the brim being rolled back and finished with small black oabrichons. The most charming frook of all Miss Palotta wears in the last act. It is a Mexican dress of orange silk, the skirt made tbree quarter length and formed of bandyked flounces edged with ruohiuga. Ooe half of tho bodioe was of crimson velvet, embellished with silver embroideries, and the other half was of orange silk, banded with tangerine velvet. Crimson flowers in her hair, and crimson shoes and stookings completed a most picturesque costume. 1 am glad to see we are to have a "Grand Opera Company" here once more, but not until next year, when the operas to bo produced will include "Lohengrin," *'The Flying Dutchman," "Tannhauser," and many others.