RECEPTION AT PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10996, 20 June 1901, Page 5

RECEPTION AT PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS.

A BEILLIAHT SUCCESS.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, June 19 The Government reception at Parliamentary Building? to-night was certainly one .of the most sueces&ful of all the functions yet held in connection with the Royal visit to Hew Zealand. Jndeed, always the blaee of vaiforms to be sesn at' similar gatherings, it was quite on a par wjtb most of the Melbourne receptions. The Government hsd spared neither trouble nor expene-3, and the buildings, which Unt themselves admirably to such a reception, had been handsomely decorated. Although the invitations were for a quarter f> tea, tha guests began to arrive before eight o'clock, and by ten o'clock the many rooms and corridoFS , of Parliament House were filled with people 'of many creeds and nationalities. The Ariki* of Raratonga, wearing their gold medals presented by the Duke, rubbed shoulders with* statesmen and bishops, and even Chinamen, in faultless evening drees, vended their way through the throng. The gusete were received by the Bight Hon. the Premier and Mrs Seddon, and by 1030, when the Duke and Duchess piade their entrance, the great lobby where members ere wont t* congregate and crack their jokes during tedious debates, was filled with ; guests in evening dress, while naval and ■ military officers in gold and bine apd scarlet gave gleams of colour that took away all idj*i of scmbrenew from tte fscene, Tha i arrangenuots were perfect, and. there, were Jno fewer than six rooms in which a delectable supper was sirred. '.Their Royal Highnesses pante 'do«FR tire main lobby between the lines oi people, with the Governor and the ,Countese of ilaflfjuiijy, a«d accompa-nted by their suite theyn^ade..their Way to tha ! council chamber of tjw of JitippcsgnUtifes, whefp a Stat* concert w held. It Wißts jippossible to reoogntee the dusty fusty chamber in the brjllia»t h»JI last night, cc transformed w»s it. l>elio«t«ly tinted hangings fell frem the gaUeries to the floor, tha casting and woodwork were handsomely Eainted and gilded, ei?d large purrars reected the brilliant scene. The hall was crowded vritii gueete, who filled the doorways and peeped eagerjy o?er one anather's shoulders. Only at one end of the Chamber, where the Speaker from his throne used to dispense justice, was there a clear space, and there the 'Ladies-irtrWaitifig, in their graceful black rob&s, ttovejnw , and his aidea, the £Joußte£s of Ranfurly in her Seautiful black frock and diamonds, the Premier debonair* and imposing in ljis gold-lao£d coat, made » most impi-eesive and splendid group, in keea contrast to the habitues of tha Chamber. The reporters' gallery and all the; cither galleries were fjllpd with gaily<• wQinen, tljejadjes! gallery 'being, re? se-ryed for the orchestpa. Everywhere wpr-e----signs of infinite labour and exojellent taste. Surrounded by the miniature Court sat the Duke Duchssfc" : Nev«r perhaps had her Highnese Ippked mor« charming. Across Her 3>rea£fc she wore the white ribbcfj ;,of he? %der, brilliant diamond stars flashed yon thejjjjettsd silk of her bodice, h?r exquisite npoklace and coronet were pf diamonds. It was a memorable scene. foliagp plants were set about. Each room was a and indeed it was difficult even for those* members who had had, as it were, grown up in 'the House, to find their* way about. Tbe supper rooms wen> well managed, the suppar excellent., champagne being supplied without stint, and the very menus were artistic and appropriate. Outside the band played, and rows oi curious pgopl? \ratchsd the hundreds of carriages roll up to the rtiznson carpeted portico, deposit their burdens, and roll away. The great facade of the building plowed with a myriad jpwels, across ths .foliasre" of Qpverament Housa grounds ross the illuminated city. It was a marvellously 'beautiful introduction to a supremely successful function " .