WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 56, 13 April 1914, Page 4

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

From Our Special Correspondent.

WELLINGTON, April 11.

To-night an event of some importanee in the theatrical world takes place, when the Gjand Opera House will be opened, the company playing being William Ander&on 'o '' Day at the Races" burlesque combination. It is an imposing theatre, this new one of ours, with peacock blue as the prevailing tone. A treble tier of boxes and myriads of electric lights give a brilliant effect.

It would be interesting to experiment with women furnishers where theatres are concerned, for men have only two colours in their miml. 'The dominant note must be red or blue. Red is cosy and warm, and of the two preferable and perhaps more durable; but blue is rather trying en masse.

Lily Brayton-Asche was very busy when the English mails left, superintending the furnishing of the theatre ir. which "Kismet" was to be revived. Every detail of the furnishing, even to the cord surrounding the cushions, was chosen by her personally. Glorious sy.nhy weather is being experienced for .the holidays, and one ,of the interesting events has been a seaside carnival".arranged by our very much alive Surfing Club. An interesting event was the life-saving display given by various teams. Mr Harty, of Dunedin, arrived with his daughter, Miss Myra Harty, and are staying with Dr and Mrs Garnet Harty. I)r and Mrs Fitchett have gone to Wanganui for a week. Lady Findlay left on Thursday en route for England. Mrs 0. B. Russell and Miss Nit a Russell left :by the same boat for Sydney and Melbourne, where they will spend the next six months during the absence of Mr Russell and his elder daughter in America. The marriage of Miss Betty Purdon and Mr J. Culford Bell, two foremost popular elocutionists, was quietly celebrated on Thursday, and they left the same evening for Rotorua.

Mr and Mrs D. H. Derry, of Auckland, are visiting Wellington. Mr and Mrs- W. E. Bidwell, who were in Christchurch for the polo tournament, have returned to Wairarapa. North Islanders visiting the south include Mr and Mrs C. L. Reynolds of Middleton, Mian d Mrs F. W. Reynolds of "Burnbrue," who intend doing" some mot'oring. Captain M'Arthur Onslow and Mrs Onslow arrived from Christchurch on Thursday, intending to go on by the Sydney boat, but they were unavoidably detained until next week-. Mr and Mrs Henry Harris are starving at the Empire Hotel here. So also are Mr and Miss Gladys Stringer arid Mr and Mrs John Clark. .. , ; One or two engagements have been announced to-day; Miss M. E. Nash, daughter of the late Mr John Nash, of Wellington, to Mr Alexander Wyiie, M.1.E., city electrical engineer, of Auckland. Miss Pattie Tennant, fourth daughter of Mr Douglas Tennant, Mar ton, Rangitikei, has become engaged to Mr Hugh Boyer, second son of Mr George Boyer, Peterborough, England. A third announcement is that of 'Miss Kathleen Bulkely, daughter of Mrs Bulkely, Austin Street, to Mr Athol Mills, son of Mr John Mills, Auckland. Mrs P. Samuel gave a small ami enjoyable farewell tea on Wednesday for Mrs Russell, only personal friends of the latter being invited. Mrs Samuel wore a gown of sage green charmense with embroideries, and the guests included Mrs and Miss Nita Russell, Mrs F. M. B. Fisher, Mrs and Miss Shirtcliffe, Mrs MacEwen, Mrs Butts, Mrs atnod Nelson, Miss Ooates, etc.