A NEW ZEALAND AT THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1893, Page 1 (Supplement)

A NEW ZEALAND AT THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

A Wellington gentleman in England writes to us as follows : — Ah a change from tho monotonous topic of Home Rule, the opening of the Imperial Institute on May 10th came as a most welcome relief. It helped to give our papers now food to digest, and other matter to write about; and anything of interest outside of politics was certainly refreshing to everybody. Tho opening of the Institute was a very grand affair from all accounts, and, as it was opened by the Queen iv person, the general public rolled out in great force. On "Wednesday, 17th May, tho Prince of Wales, Provident of the Institute, and tho Executive Committee, held a reception, which was attended by Prince George and his fiancee, Princess May, and other Royaltioe. I was among the thousands invited, and as it proved to be one of the grandest and most unique gatherings of the sort ever held, and also being anxious to spend a pleasant evening, I went, proud to think I was one of the guosts representing Now Zealand. Before touching upon the beauties and magnificence of the reception itself, I must devote a few words to the important matter of getting there. Living in Kensington itself, and only a matter of half-an-hour's walk from the Institute, one would naturally suppose it would bo an easy matter to accomplish, but as it happened, it proved a very long journey. If in Wellington, starting say from the Terrace to attend a reception at Government House you were driven first to Kaiwarra to form into line with other carriages — three deep by-the-byo — and then at walking pace turn back, and so move towards Government House, you would do very much what we did in our drive to the reception at the Imperial Institute. We enjoyed the pleasure of passing the very turning wo were destined to go down, the Queen s Gate, and went nearly as far as Knightsbridge, and from thero proceeded slowly towards our destination. Owing to the dilatoriness of our progress, we decided to walk the remainder of our journey, aud following tho example of many others, left our carriago and walked to tho went entrance. It was well we did so, as tho carriages kept rolling up to tlie entrances for an hour or so afterwards. At .v leception such as this it was impossible to critically exiimiue any of tho exhibits, etc., in the corridors; the crowd was too treat, there being about 23,000 guests Howevor, I managed to find my way to the Now Zealand Court, and was agreeably surprised to see the solection mude, which was well arranged, and attracted a lot of attention. Jiiflt at present it is as well that New Zealand should be brought well under notice, which, by-the-bye, I thmk our Agent-General is doing in a very practical manner, so that the British public may clearly understand that New Zealand is hardly a part of the continent of Australia, which so many people here— in other respects well educated — aro inclined to consider so. To return to the reception. Passing slowly along the corridors, I made my way to the gardens, and here I must say the greatest enjoyment was to be had. Owing to the large number, as I said before, it was impossible to give anything like an inspection of the different Courts, but in the gardens everything was fairyland. Here one might sit down, and enjoy not only the cool air, «but bo charmed by the bands and enchanted with the beautiful scenes around. Every part of the outside building and garden was hung with variouscoloured fairy lamps and Chinese lanterns tastefully arranged. Tho garden is divided into two, and in each was a band-stand, and most exquisitely illuminated with the lamps, yellow, blue, red, aud green. The ground under foot was asphalted, while here and there beech trees and lovely gra<-s made the whole scene most picturesque. I must admit it was here I spent moat of the evening. At 10 o'clock the Prince of Wales commenced his tour of inspection. When H.R.H. saw the British public rush as they did to stare at tho Royal party he must hare giren up any idoa. he may have entertained of conversing with his guests. He was literally mobbed, and though some ti2je before he appeared I tried to pass into the upper parts of the building by tho main staircase; 1 was obliged to give it up owing to the crush that waited to see the Royalties. Some of tho papers'-* "° very hard in their criticism next day upon tlfo- " manners of the gentlemanly party," and if all they said really happenod, I must admit their strictures were well deserved. For my part, enjoying tho pleasures of tho gardens as I was, I cannot say from per- , sonal observation what happened. One thing is admitted by all — Some of the people so far forgot themselves as to hiss the Prime Minister who was in company with H.R.H. , even though he was a guest like themselves. I am certain, though, that Mr. Gladstone's name is far too honoured by friend and foe in New Zealand to admit of anyone connected with our colony being among the number. Of course it was a distinct mar to tho enjoyment of the evoning to those who hoard it, for, though the snobbish crush to see Royalty was hardly in accord with good breeding, it might have been forgiven, as probably the offenders jn that instance, to put it as the Daily Chronicle said next day, "wero not accustomed to see Royalty every day," but tho hooting of Mr. Gladstone was inexcusable, and I am happy to say all respectable newspapers of both political parties deplored the ill-mannered insult. Under tho heading of " How last night's Lions were fed," the Westminster Gazette givos some Bturtling statistics concerning the commissariat department :- What an army it was that had to bo fed at the Imperial Institute reception last night will be apparent from tho description of the festivities which we publish elsewhere. A buffet of truly Gargantuan proportions had been sjt up iv the North Gallery, which runs from end to end of the two enclosed gardens. Behind the scarlet counter there were 400 attendants, all in black dresses and white collars and cuffs, save 40 waitresses at the two oud sections, which wore reserved for the service of tea only, who were attired in grey with pretty white French caps and aprons. It was calculated that 1000 people per minute could be coinfortly served in this vast refreshment-room. Such a triumph of organisation must have entailed upon tho caterers extensive preparations. The bar itself, divided into 16 sections, was nearly 300 yards long. Standing at the one end, the other was almost Tost in what artists term "the vanishing point." From east to west one saw an apparently endless succession of candelabra, glittering tea and coffee urns, fruit epergnes, floral decorations interspersed with fairy lights, and piles of light refreshments arranged with an eye to tasteful effect. A closer examination disclosed that there was an abundances of fresh fruit, preserved fruit, sandwiches of every kind, confectionery, cake in extensive variety, and other dainties. As fast as the mointiins of delicacies disappeared they wore replenished. Nor were the public kept waiting for clean glasses, cups, or spoons. The arrangements were to overstock, if possible, the buffet with utensils ready for uso. Thus, there were provided 40,000 glasses for light wines, claret cup, and champagne cup ; 30,000 cups and saucers for tea, coffee, and chocolate ; and 35, 000 plates for the cdiblos. With this material ready to hand, and no money having to be taken or change given, the attendants were fully prepared to meet the demands of the visitors. Huge quantities of ices were consumed, tho first instalment alone consisting of 10,000 ; aud in the making of the claret and other cups, 600 dozen of soda-water were used. Gigantic as this buffet was, it was supplemented by others in the gardens under the verandah, and it was entirely distinct from the indoor table d'hdle supper accommodation.