LIFE IN THE CITY.

Life is a journey; on we go Through many a scene of joy and woo. The Pas'. Week — Wedding and Ball—lHnewm—The Coming Mdba~A Maori Fete —Motor Cars — An Opposition Luncheon — Babjnwnie — A Picturesque Residence — Lively Discussion—Capital and Lahmr j —The True Liberals—o or Ho—Xim**-dci-s and Mussels—Wellington V. Lytlelton—A Coming Presentation. This has been a rather lively week in tho way of events. A good deal of interest was taken in tho wedding of Miss Friend to Mr Vawdrey Baldwin, who is in business in Palmerston North. Tho father of tho hrido was for many years Clerk of tho Houso of Representatives, and I remember him, during his last ses- r sion, sitting in tho little green baize '"* shelter set up around him to keep tho draughts from him. He was then very ill indeed. Bit , Maurice O'Rorke, tho Speaker, gavo the brido away. A very successful dance was given on Wednesday by tho. ex-pupils of St. Mary's Convent. This.rs an annual'affair, and always well-managed and enjoyable Soma of tho dresses wore very handsome, a great proportion of the giris wearing white, and a number decorating themselves with wreaths—a quaint old fashion that, in skilful fingers, is charming. Lady Ward, in scquinod black net, was present at tho , dance. " Hinemoa " was immensely appreciated, and tho great audience in the Opera Houso rose at the composer and cheered him heartily. Miss Evelyn Sclig, whom Mr Alfred Hill brought from Australia to sing tho solos, has a lovely voice and an arliatic style. Quite a pleasant feAge of the welcome concert to Mr AlfreHpST was tho ready enthusiasm of musical * people, not only to give their time and ,-X services, but to enjoy the result of tho rehearsals. Mrs Howie is on her way out to New Zealand. It was cabled that Colonel Porter, her father, had suoeeeded to the Baronetcy and estates of Strathearn, but nothing more has reached us concerning this. We are all looking forward to Madame Melba's coming, though it is said that the delay and tho illness of her father may oblige' her to forego her New Zealand trip. If she comes she will get fine audiences, though now many people declare that her prices will bo out of their reach. Lady Eanfurly is gradually getting better from her illness. On Wednesday the postponed Coronation entertainment to the sailors in port is to take place at Government House. A concert will bo given by a number of ladiee and gentlemen. It has been decided to postpone the Fete in aid of the Veterans' Home Fund till December 13th. Bettor weather will then be probable, and it will not clash with the Garden Party in j the Government House grounds, got up >4 for the Maori Girls' Home. This takes, place in the middle of October, an<J^fc. eludes all sorts of attractions in the ißc of Maori dances, songs, etc. Almost immediately afterwards, tho. Governor and Lady Ranfurly leave for Australia for a visit.- ■ .

Tho motor-car is the topic of the hour, and the excitement of the moment ia who is the last purchaser. Mr H. D. Bell has invested in one, which will prove very useful running out to his seaside place at Lowry Bay. Dr Chappell has also fallen a victim to their attractions, and other doctors here are looking covetously at the new vehicles. Mr M'Lean is jubilant over the success of his venture, having already sold seven machines, with a prospect of many more purchasers. He himself has received, or rather is receiving, for it has not reached Wellington, a splendid motor-car as a present from tho firm. It will not be long before we see these strange vehicles - flitting about our streets, and probably at -f first, causing much perturbation and many mishaps. Captain Popham, so well-known in Wellington, is selling all his stock of vehicles and horses, and ia going for a trip Home. Owing to the widening of Fraser's Lane, his premises have been taken over by the Corporation, and it is by no means an easy matter to get another suitable position for liverystables.

Mr John Duthie gave a luncheon to the members of the Opposition last Saturday, in his fine new house at the Lower Hutt. Though the morning saa indescribably bad, all the invited guqep were at the station. Brakes met thffii at the Hutt, and the party was driven to Balgownie, as Mr Duthie has called his beautiful house and grounds. There a hospitable welcome awaited them, and a most luxurious champagne lunch. Mrs Duthie being unfortunately ill, Mrs Jack Duthie gracefully acted as hostess. After luncheon, which was set out in the fine , new dining-room on long tables, ex- \ quisitively decorated with Spring flowers, the host took them over the house, from every window of which beautiful views of valleys and hills can be gained, and then to see his birds, among which is a startling gorgeous Chinese pheasant, and a very fine English pheasant. As yet the place is not nearly completed. The, great vinery ia almost finished, but the electric lights are not yet set about the house and grounds, and the fine terrace in front of the house, whioh stands on a hill and is reached by zig-zag concrete steps, is not yet gravelled. There is a billiard-rooui and a tennis ground in process ot making, and a stream, bordered with lilies and willows—some o£ them osiers, copper-gold against the misty hills—wanders through tho grounds.' Mr Duthie makes an ideal host, and his guests thoroughly enjoyed their day in tho country, albeit it was. damp exceedingly, and obstinately refused to clear up. A most interesting, and at one time, most lively discussion, took Friday evening on the subject of *3 weekly half-holiday. The labour bers in the House were in great form, scenting injury to the weal of the workers in tho Minister's amendment,, to fix some other day than Saturday as holiday for factories in town districts with a population of less than 10,000. Mr Millar was hot and eloquent, and Mr Arnold, in his solemn slow way, quite vehement, declaring that he was just beginning to find out who were the true Liberals in the house. Mr Willis , conduct *Tn some previous debate was criticized, and that worthy man resented the remarks keenly, while Mr Pirani denounced Mr G. W. Eussell, and Mr Hutcheson recounted some amusing instances of the " absent Premier's" alleged Liberalism. In the middle of Me Fisher's speech some man made an interjection. Who said " Oh!" asked the Member for Wellington sharply. "Oc was it Ho? I'm never sure. Tbo aspirates in this House are so badly treated." And those who had listened to tho wholesale dropping and indiscriminate picking up again of "aitches, ,, appreciated the remark with muoh mirth. Mr Fisher has a dry telling humour at times, and brought down the House the other evening, roplying to an attack made on his pet Wellington Dock by Mr Laurenson, the member for Lyttelton, who never loses tho chance of a sly dig at what he termed "that baro piece of borrowing of the '" Harbour Board." He even went so far as to state, amid laughter and derisive cries of " No," that the harbour was shoaling up, and he concluded by saying that' the advocates of the. Wellington Dock were deserving of a place in the Criminal Dock. This was more than Mr Fishec could endure patiently, and ho rose with the light of battle in his eye, and gave us many interesting facts about Lyttelton Harbour. It was difficult to get ships into its muddied waters, and more difficult to get them out. " Why," cried Mr Fisher, with pitying scorn, " I hear even the flounders are shaking the mud of Lyttelton off their feet! The very mussels would fly if they had wings [ To compare this mud-hole to Wellington Harbour is to compare Lombard-street to a Choyne Row orange 1 " Mr Fisher, by the way, is to be banqueted this week, together with the other promoters of the scheme—and, is to be presented with a gorgeous gold watch, chain and locket.