tant Hall. SOCIETY DOINGS IN SYDNEY. By y BENGA. Dame Melba's concert given on January 1 drew an enormoua audience to the Town Hall. 'It was understood to be the last chance of hearing her in Australia, and no one wanted to miss it. The stage was curiously decorated with a graduated hedge of hydrangea blossoms, which curved down in the centre, where in large pink roses were wrought the words "Au revoir." Dame Melba was received with - burricane of applause when she rap lightly on to the platform, bending the knee ceremoniously to the Governor-General, who was present, and then bowing repeatedly to all points of the compass. With Ilis Excellency was Lady Helen Munro Ferguson and Lady Doris Blackwood, also the Governor of New South Wales and Lady Davidson, who came down from their country house at Sutton that looked like 8 drift of apricot tinted Forest to be present. Dame Melba wore an artistic gown of come diaphanous material a vapour, through which lines of diamente glinted like Bashes of lightning. The corsage had a rest of diamente set between looped draperies, a long cord of bead work swung from one shoulder, while train of pale apricot-tinted satin fell on one side. Her D.B.E. order, on its purple ribbon, and magnificent rope of pearl were Among jewels. Very touching indeed her singing of the plaintive appeal to Noel of the homeless children of France, written and composed by Debussy. The serious illness of Sir. John Lemmone robbed of some sweet music, and the diva acnounced that she intended to give a con• cert on the following Tuesday in honour of her dear old friend. Lady 'Helen Munro Ferguson was elegantly gowned in rose-duBarrie satin damascened in a largo, pattern with cold; her coat of black was richly in• laid with diamente, and abe wore a circlet of jewels, and carried sheaf of deep crimson roses. Lady Davidson's Town of oystergrey antin was embossed with gold, and she wore a wrap of exquisite old lace. Mrs. Hamilton, of Queensland, la visiting her sister, Mine Rose Scott, in Syduey. Early this month the marriage took place at St. Paul's, Burwood, Sydney, of Min Nancy Keep, third daughter Mr. and Nim. W. J. Keep, of Bur wood, to Lieutenent W. E. Bottomley, D.C.M., of Leeda, England. Miss Lonis Macdonald, who has for nearly 27 Jars been principal of the Women's College, has resigned. She is
