A WOMAN'S LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8189, 23 July 1906, Page 3

A WOMAN'S LETTER.

(Speoially Written for the Age). WELLINGTON, July 21. Lady Plunaet returned on Wednesday from Hawke's Bay, where she has been the guest of Sir William and Lady Russell. Mr and Mrs Cecil Kebbell (Wairarapa) have been spending a week or two in Wellington. Most enjoyable was the little •dance given by Mrs Haybittle at her residence, "Dnnmaie," Wool•combe Street, ou Wednesday night. The large garden whs most effectively lighted with Chinese lanterns, the verandahs being enclosed and furniFhed with easy chaiis, and -lounges for eittiug-out purposes. The library was used for dancing, «nd the supper tables were laid in the dining-room, the decorations used being bands of violet shaded ribbon and silver bowls of violets and inaiden-hair. Mrs I-laybittle wore a becoming gown of black crepe deohine; Miss I. Haybittle a gown of white radium silk; Mips N. Baybittle wore blaok velvet with white laoe collar; Miss McLean, of Auckland, "wore white crepe de Chine; Miss Lynda McLean was in ivory msertioned muslin. Amongst the guests present were Misses islundell, Webb, Smith, Simpson, Watson, Ewen, Kember, Mc.Kellar, Joaes, Scewart, Riley, Wilberfoss, Rawson, and fieid, Messrs Robartson, Reid, Simpson, Revell, Ward, Sutton, Nelson, Hall and Harvey.

The "At Home" given by the Misses Hkerrett at their charming house, Sydney Street, was a delightful function. Quantities of sweet-smelling flowers added greatly to the prettiness of the rooms. The tea table was laden with very ohoie dishes and primroses, and jonquils in silver bowls formed the decoration. Miss Skerrett, who received her gueats in the drawing ruom, wore a most becoming gown of russet and orange-shaded watered silk, with a yolk of tiny little frills of tulle to inatob. Miss Skerrett wore a very pretty soft white silk with fine jiet yolk. Mrs H. Crawford, tailormade gown, lovely ermine stole and Ted toque; Mrs Johfl Abbott, blue oloth gown, white furs and very .small blue tuque with cut steel buckles ; Mrs Turnbull, tweed gown and Jiat with soft green foliage and ribbon ; Mrs Kiuhardson, black silk gown, white ostrich stole and tulle ifoonoet; Mrs 0. H. Mills, black •cloth gown and blaok bonnet Mies Ooates, tlack cloth tailormade, with ■embroidered collar and cuffs, laoe .front, blaok hat with ostrich leathers; Mrs Fitobett, violet oloth &own, laoe vest and pretty tricorn bat with violets; Mrs• Holmwood, iron grey cloth gown, stylish toque; Mrs Grey, tailormade dress, crimson 'collar, and cuffs and pretty toque; Mrs Walter Mantell, black oloth • dress and small toque; Miss Duncan, ermine fur's and toque, dark cloth gown with white revers; Mrs Kemtie, blaok voile gown; Mies Fromen, 'blaok tailormade with embroiderer! collar, smell toque; Miss N. Turner, grey tweed gown, pretty' bat; Mrs Tolhurst, black silk , gown, blaok bonnet; Miss Maogregor, navy blue 'tidingote costume, large black hat; Mrs Hislop, black gown, whitd 4ulie bonnet and ostrioh stole; Mrs ißutt, blaok dre r s, black and white hat; Mrs Shand, pretty light brown costume, sable furs and brown toque; Miss Ooleridge, navy blue dress pretty hat with pink roses; Miss Souliy, ivory silk gown, smart hat, with tiny panaies wreathed on the ibrim; Miss Butts, wine red oloth gown and hat to match; Miss Tolhurst, •brown cloth dress and hat with blue swathe; Miss Ewen, stylish tailormade gown and felt hat; Miss Greta Ewen, violet oloth dress, becoming felt hat of the same shade; Mrs B. Gilmer, black silk, gown, 'lace, vest and black bonnet; Mrs Herbert, white cloth costume, pretty toqne; Mrs Rankin-Brown, blaok •cloth gown, dark embroidery, and picture hat; Mrs Bucholz, blue cloth gown, and small sable fare; Mrs Burnes, pretty oloth gop, white hat, and furs; Mrs Samuel, dark green costume, the ■coat emcroidered with shaded ribbon; Mrs Medley, blaok silk gown; Miss Medley, blue foulard and white lace vest; Mrs F. Loughnan, black cloth gown, round toque; Misa Loughnan, bright red gown and white furs; Mrs Ernest Badfleld, white cloth coat, dark gown and white hat; Miss Kitty Wood, Napier, white fur toque and dark gown; Miss Rember, frieze gown and picture hat; Miss Webb, blue tailor jmade and pretty blue hat; Mrs Arthur Young, blaok oloth gown and toque with feathers; Miss Elsie Simpson, dark dress and pretty blue ;'hat.; Missea Mills, blue coats and skirts, floral hats; Miss Stafford, blue voille, dress, bright red rose i-toque; Miss Effia Stafford, pale blue ueloth and white hat; Miss Hayes, pale grey cloth, grey hat: Mrs Arthur Ballance; brown ridincote costume and brcwn hat with prune rosettes and feathers; Mrs Tuckey, black gown, black and white, white bonnet ; Mrs Edwin, black silk gown and tulle bonnet; Miss Edwin, dark tweed gown and black hat; .Mrs McArthur, black' silk gown, white ostrich stole, and black and white hat; Miss Pearson, tailormade dress and hat with roses: Dr Platts Miles, black and white gown, blaok hat; Miss Gladys Nathan, red cloth dress, black hat; Miss Harding, brown tweed dress and brown hat.

The Wellington College Old Jtioys entertained their friends at an enjoyable ball given at the Sydney Street Hall on Thursday last. The College colours draped the doorways, and the stage was very nicely arranged with palms. Supper was served in the gymnasium, which had been brightened with flags. The tables had the College colours arranged crosswise and vases of yellow fluwers. The ball in aid of the Veterans' Home, which was postponed on aooonnt of t'!9 death of the Premier, took place at Hastings, on Thursday night, and v?as a brilliant success. The gueßts wore fancy dress and posters.

I noticed a visitor in Wellington wearing a very handsome Empire .coat of blaok faced cloth, lined with soft white satin mervelleuse, with a large collar of the sailor type in white and tlaok cloth, trimmed wth silk braids and the daintiest of pipings in black and white silk. At the edge there was a flue em broidery in blaok and white, which continued down the front to the hem, showing prettily when the full skirt of the coat opened out. Handsome out steel buttons finish tho coat at the baok and front, and it is hold together with straps of blaok velvet. The cuffs on the elbow sleeves correspond with the oollar.

At a smart wedding which took place in London early iu June an innovation was made in the robing of the bridesmaids, of whom there were eight, 'lhey wore white spotted muslin frocks and iacie coats, with emerald green crepe belts and white bonnets ol the early fifties tied ou with emerald green strings. Quite unique were the crepe bags and whit« parasols they carried instead of bouquets or muifs. Each bag held a real lace handkerchief, given by the bridegroom, and the names of both young people appeared in silver on handles of the parasole.