WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 92, 25 May 1914, Page 4

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

, r GRADUATES/ GOLD BRAID, AND | GOLOSHES. j From Our Special Correspondent. i WELLINGTON, May 24." I must confess I share with "Mary Jane" the love of a uniform, therefore I paddled through torrents of rain and faced the Antarctic winds to get a few glimpses of the Inspector-General of the Overseas Forces and his attendant staff. It was worth it! You have all seen him and heard his words of wisdom —delivered with all the accompanying humour which intrudes itself into every Other sentence. Sir* lan's first appearance was at the students' gathering at the Town Hall. He the New Plymouth express about 8 p.m., and wa& due at Government House at.9p.m.; but having accepted J;he graduates' invita,spent half an hour on the platform and brightened the proceedings considerably with a little talk on "Disthe subject being greeted with much laughter by the students. On Friday afternoon a civic reception took place at the Town Hall, and was attended by about one thousand citizens, and again there was a great displafy of uniforms and one recognised also a great many " old,- contingenters,'' who have an affectionate memory of Sir lan ever since the South African days. At the conclusion of yesterday's reception the official * guests were entertained to tea !by the Mayor and Mayoress. Mrs W. F. Massey and Mrs H. D. Bell were amongst the ladies present." One thing has persistently accompanied, the distinguished soldier throughout his New Zealand - tour—fiendish weather. We always used to say that when a man-of-war came into port the weather immediately beeame ; but 1 one can: safely ; say that in the last ten days the elements have broken all previous records for bad behaviour. The graduates tried to enthuse yesterday when they" held their '' Capping Day',' but who could keep smiling when draped rather less than more with white .butter-cloth, and the temperature near freezing point. However, they were very amusing, and the I "tango dito" looked as though they really were having a good time dancing on the trolley. There was a great gathering of professors and their wives and others,interested in the students at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening- Lady Stout.wore a gown of grey brocade and long fur coat; Mrs Massey wore blue silk and velvet cloak; Miss Massey had a pretty opal-shaded satin coat over a cream ninon frock; Mrs Luke wore grey, and her daughter a pink ninon dress; Mrs Easterfield looked.well in ivory lace and brocaded crepe de chine; Mrs David Picken, white silk jarid lace ; Mrs Mactavish wore black crepe de chine., The graduates' names were called, with the degree to which they' were entitled, axrd one by one they walked on to the stage and were presented to the Premier and the Hon. James Allen (Minister of Education), and then they came down the hall and were greeted according to their popularity by the students. Very quaint and becoming were the caps and gowns, with hoods of different shades. At the conclusion there was a dance, which was keenly enjoyed. On Friday the Corinthic left for England, and as ujmal this popular boat carried a long list of passengers, amongst whom were the Rev. Llewellyn Dove and Mrs Dove, of Wanganui, who intend residing in England; Mr, Mrs, and Miss Denniston, of Peel Forest, Canterbury; Mrs Anderson and Miss S. E. Morley, of Christchurch; Mrs and Miss Hay, of Timaru; and Mrs W. H. Reynolds and the Misses Reynolds, of Dunedin. Mrs Lindo Ferguson has been the guest of Mr and Mrs William Ferguson. Miss Christine Smith, of Bothnia, who has been Spending six . weeks .With Mrs Ledingham at . Melbourne, returns to Wellington pn Wednesday next.