Wellington Gossip.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9158, 19 December 1891, Page 3

Wellington Gossip.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

;feom our special correspondent.]

Wellington, Friday. "THE MESSIAH." An exceptionally fine performance of Handel's oratorio "The Messiah" was

given at the Opera House to-night in aid of Mr Hardwick, the paralysed organist of St. Mark's Church. There was a

tremendous crowd, the building being packed to the ceiling. All tho chorupes and orchestral Movements were grandly given, far more impressively than on any previons occasion in Wellington, although the work has been given somo scores of limes bere. The solos also were specially excellent, and were notewoitby in two respects— first, for the reappearing in the oratorio of Mr John Prouse, the eminent baritone, who was in splendid voice in " Behold Darkness " and " Why do the Nations," which he sang with all his accustomed fine and artistic skill ; secondly, for the fact that the other four soloists mode their first appearance in grand oratorio on this occasion, viz., Mirses Largo and Fißher, and Messrs Williams and Mabin, all achieving decided success. Miss Large, who came from Napier expressly to undertake tho soprano solos, has a beautiful voice of peculiarly rare, sweet, and silrery quality. She sang the " Shepherd " recitative and the great airs " Rejoice Greatly" and " 1 know that my .Redeemer llveth" admirably, delivering them with deep expression and religions fervor. She was warmly appended, and is in the opinion of good judges a most promising oratorio Binger. Miss Flsber (who is a daughter of Mr George Fisher, M.H.K.). possesses a noble contralto voice, and hus evidently been well tanght. She sang "He was Dlspised" with remarkable power and pathos, winning cordial recognition. Mr B. B. Williams was formerly the tenor of the Fisk Jubilee singers. His singularly sweet voice and expressive singing were specially suited o "Comfort Ye" and "My Kebuke." He, too, scored a marked success. Mr A. E. Mabin, a most promising yonng basso, acquitted himself capitally in "Thus Saith the Lord," and " Bat who may Chide." Mr Robert Parker conducted, and was cordially congratulated on the exceptional merit of the whole performance, the best ot this oratorio yet heard in Wellington. Mr Tallis Trimnull, Mus. Baa, presided ably at the orgau. Tbe performers number over 150. It is hoped that the net proceeds will exceed £100 for the afflicted beneficiaro. FUTURE GOVERNORS. I hear on what ought to be very good authority that the English Government are not satisfied (save in the case of Lord Onslow) with the success ot the experiment of appointing young Peers as Governors, ana that tho present intention in, in view of possible complications either foreign or domestic, to appoint men of large experience, who will be specially capable of dealing with any emergencies that may suddenly arise. My informant expressly states, however, that Lord Oublow is considered the out: sxception to the rale| and he is regarded :ii being the single successful Governor aiiumr nil the young Peers who have reci'&lly been tried. THE WELLINGTON ELECTION. Mr Bell's prospects in the coining election continue very good. I attach no

great importance to his meeting last night, though that passed off very successfully, but he is receiving large promises and voluntary offers of support from genuine working men, among many of whom the present Government are very unpopular on the score both of policy and administration. Mr 801 l will no doubt have a hard fight against the strenuous Ministerial influence that is being exercised, but ho is looked on as safe to win.