THE WEEK IN WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9838, 3 July 1914, Page 7

THE WEEK IN WELLINGTON.

ißt Mbs MiLOOLk Ross.) Juixa 29. ABOUT PEOPLE. Captain Marshall, of H.M.S, Psyche, and Mrs Marshall, have arrived from Auckland. Mist Dorothy Harding, who has been staying with the Prime Minister and Mrs Massey, left to-day for Feilding, en route j for Auokland. Lady Ward has arrived j from Christchurch. Miss H. Hall-Jones, returned last Wednesday from Sydney. Cable news has been reoeived of the arrival in England of Dr Alex. Wilson, and Mrs Wilson, of Wanganui. Dr and Mrt McGavin arrive from England next month. Lady Stewart, who has been staying in Palmerston North, left on Friday for Waimate. THE OPENING OP PARLIAMENT. This did not differ muoh from the usual oeremonial, though Lord Liverpool has introduced several picturesque touches whioh oertainly add to the, effect. In former days, Her Exoellency used to come into the room unattended and take her seat with the Ministers' wives. Sinoe Lord Liverpool has been Governor, she enters with him and occupies an armchair on a slightly lower level than his seat. Her Excellency's beautiful gown of tomato-tinted •ilk, with black furs and smart black velvet hat, a charming dash of colour, though it was quite put out of oourt by the brilliant group of soarlet clad offioers, with snowy helmets, feathers and gloves, on Lord Liverpool's right. Among the distinguished' women on the right was Lady Godley, her first publio appearanoe sinoe her husband received his title, Ladv Stout, Mrs Marshall, wite of Captain Marshall, and Mrs Nicholls, wife of Colonel Nicholls, of Auckland, and. Mrs Logan, wife of Colonel Logan, of Auckland. The latter four, with Sir Hartmann Just, and Mr Guy Russell, of Hawse's Bay, were gueste at Government House. The usual bouquets, from the Speaker of the Upper House, presented to Her Exoellency and Mrs Massey, reaohed their destinations after some trouble, for apparently they had been forgotten at first. Very few Ministers' wives were present, onlv Mrs and Miss Massey, Mrs H. D. Bell and Miss Bell, and Mrs Herdman. Miss Fraser is in Sydney, Mrs Fisher is not well, Mrs Rhodes is in Christohurch, and Mrs Poinare had not arrived from the Islands. ; Outside the scene was really gayer than within the Chamber, for there was the music of a band, sunshine, soldiers, and a great crowd who found the pleasant slope* of the new grounds delightful vantag* points to view this scene.

PARLIAMENTARY TEA. I/ast year Mrs M aß9e - V , r9 H. D. Bell—wives of Prime Minister and Leader of the Council —entertained the members' wives after the opening, and this year also there was a similar function, the Cabinet room being transformed with flowers and china, and gaily-frocked women, into a different interior to what it usually presents. Her Excellency arrived with her house party, and met many of the visitors. Lady Ward, who occupied a seat as exPremier's wife, at the opening, was present, wearing saxe blue velours, and a hat wreathed with white plumes, and Miss Seddon was picturesque in black velvet and heavy white guipure. Later on Mr Massey and Mr Rhodes came in, and ohatted to the guests. PARLIAMENTARY AMENITIES.

We plunged straight away on Friday into the usual quips and oranks, retorts courteous and interjections mora or lees apropos, that are so general a feature of Parliamentary discussion. But, on the whole, there was no ill-feeling, and even Mr Russell smiled. Sir Joseph was up constantly—which, as he was frequently at fault in his statements, was a mistake from the point of view of his party. Everything points to it being a very hot and bitter session, for many men must fight for their political existence, and pull every string to that end. All disinterested attempt* to improve one's constituency will be regarded with a critical eye as electioneering dodges, and every word uttered by members will be taken into account. Even Mr Seddon's pathetic appeal on behalf of the West Coast floods victims was heard with cold amusement by many, and received with some annoyance by the Hon. Mr Fraser—who is doing all he can for tta sufferers, and resented the constant ad▼ioe and remonstrance tendered him. TINTED COIFFURES. On show in a local shop are examples of fashion's latest freak—coloured hair to match the frock, and there is usually in front of the window a knot of folk commenting and criticising. There is a lady with emerald-green tresses and eyebrows to match, one with daffodil-coloured hair, one with myrtle green locks, and another

with tomato-tinted curia. All hare brilliant complexions. How these innovations would look with the ordinary complexion of the ordinary woman is quit* another matter, and even with a perfoot akin, the idea is too bitarre and grotesque —as well as expensive—to be entertained, We are to see, I hear, this latest fancy worn by Mis* Era Gaulthier, the charming Canadian singer, who is coming with Misoh* Elman, and then we may be able to judge, j A peculiarity of these wigs is their dead jioofc. They have none of the life and j Iwtra of the local proauei