WELLINGTON NOTES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9812, 23 August 1897, Page 6

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(By Telegraph.)

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) WELLINGTON, August 22. The Seddon Reception Committee have incurred the displeasure of quite a number of Wellington citizens, by putting their names on the Committee list without asking their permission.

The report of the Private Benefit Societies Commission is evidently giving the Ministry a great deal of concern, and it would seem as if it is not at all to their liking. At all events, the Press have great difficulty in getting a sight of it, and its contents have been jealously guarded. It was considered by the Cabinet some •weeks ago, but no decision -was arrived a.. Then it was passed round from Minister to Minister for more careful perusal, and finally it was discussed at another meeting of the Cabinet. It is probable, however, that it may be given to the Government papers to-day or to-morrow; or, on the other hand, it may be held over pending Mr Seddon's return.

Lady Ranfurly held her first reception on Saturday, and numbers availed themselves of the opportunity to pay their respects to our new Governor's wife. She received from 4.30 to 6, and there was a continuous stream of cabs and carriages during that time. The drawing rooms at Government House were converted into one, and very artistically decorated. Over the lounges and chairs were thrown handsome brocades and piece 3of Oriental tapestry exquisitespeeimensof ail needlework covered some of the tables, one piece on the grand piano being a mass of silken embroidery ana a marvel of patient skill. Everywhere were flowers and plants. Two great bamboos stood sentinel on either side of one of the fireplaces,which was entirely invisible under masses of foliage ; a row of lovely flowering primulas set in among the green outlining the mantelpiece. A huge banana tree towered to the ceiling cheek by jowl with a baby cabbage tree and wattle was here and there in great perfumed clusters. Everywhere were visible signs of artistic taste, and in nothing so much .is the fine water colour paintings which bear Lady Ranfurly's initials. These possess a delicacy and purity of treatment, broad yet dainty, that is often lacking in the slap-dash style of some of our modern colourists. Lady Ranfurly was dressed in a black velvet skirt and pale green silk blouse, and little Lady Aileen in the quaintest of pink silk frocks with many rows of insertion let in round the skirt and ou tho body. Lady Kruifurly looked tired, which was hardly to lie wondered at after such a week of work under the name of pleasure. Lord Ranfurly had not long returned from seeing the football match, Auckland v Wellington. No cards were needed to be left, and no names were entered m the visitors' book, the duty of signing one's name being left till next week, when a formal call is to be made for that purpose. The rooms were crowdtd, though there were continually many leaving. The scene from one end of the tea room down through the two drawing-rooms iuto the conservatory was extremely pretty. The Governor and Lady Ranfurly attended divine service for the first time in New Zealand at St. John's Presbyterian Church this morning. The Rev. J. Paterson' preached.