Gossip from Sydney.

Free Lance, Volume XVII, Issue 920, 1 March 1918, Page 11

Gossip from Sydney.

v Dbah Christabel, — ~/\UR new Governor, Sir Walter Davidson, has already confirmed "the enconiums that reached us from far off Newfoundland. He is a big, kindly, and very genial personality. Herein, of course, he,- is likely to need the advice of those who know the ropes. The complications of being •everybody's friend fall heavily on unwary new Governors. * * * * Having arrived on Sunday, His Ex. had only an abbreviated landing ■ ceremony. The Premier and Mrs. Holxnan, and other Cabinet Ministers and their wives went out in a launch to meet the voyagers, whose steamer ■ came in at an unconscionably early hour in the morning. It was decided to cancel all the previous arrangements for the picturesque ceremony at Farm Cove. For obvious reasons, you ■cannot land your big fish as it were on Sunday and let him slip the line for the purpose of getting him on the hook • again on Monday. It was inevitable that the original method of welcome liad to be cut out. * * * * There remained the State swearing :in at Government House. Though not nearly so large as Melbourne's Federal residence, it is eminently a handsome -and old-world environment for an oldfashioned tradition. His Ex., clad in the gorgeous Windsor uniform, stood behind the State table with carved gilt legs behind which' a'long line of' G'overcnors have taken the oath of office. On the broad staircase at his back stood Lady Davidson, with Lady Culleii (wife -of the Chief Justice) and Mrs. Holman -on either side. The great hall in which the ceremony took place .is hung with magnificent pictures, notably a very :fine oil painting of Queen Alexandra in the days of her youthful beauty, with the late King, then Prince of Wales, -.near by in the uniform of Commander-in-Chief of the Forces. Thronged with -a brilliant assembly of Judges and prominent officials and their wives, tlie •scene must have been a pleasing one to .a man so keenly interested as Sir Walter in his new surroundings. * * * * Lady , Davidson has been found as as the most optimistic could "hope. She is tall and slight, with soft grey hair —prematurely whitened — "handsome features and a sweet- and gracious manner. As Sydney women have had for the last six years an invalid making a brave tat pathetic struggle to take her place as social head -of the State, the relief is great. Lady "Edeline Strickland, very naturally, perliaps, could not bear to acknowledge Tier physical inability to preside at the numerous women's meetings of which ■she was, by courtesy, president. It would have seemed a life in death to ■the sufferer to have folded her hands,

sat back, and watched lier clever eldest daughter, admirably fitted for the task, reign in her mother's stead. So the tragedy went on. In war-time the advent of one who was the practical head of every patriotic movement amongst the women of Newfoundland will be a real advantage in New South Wales. * •* *•■*■" The coat frock is holding its own; and so long as it is designed by an expert is a grateful garment. Lady Davidson's first public appearance in Sydney was in just such a costume —all in one piece. Made of grey georgette, there was a simulated vest and narrowed front panel of sage green silk muslin. This relief touched up the sleeves and showed in a little sash-like belt. The grey material was very cleverly made up in flat pleats about an inch wide. The open v-shaped neck was in the style which is dying hard, in spite of threats of high collars. ♦ # » e Over 13 years ago our new Governor's wife was. as Miss Feildiiig, here on a visit to the then Governor-General's wife.Lad.y Northcote. But 20 or more years ago, a brother, Captain Feilding, was A.B.C. to the State Governor, Sir Robert Duff, who eventually died in New South Wales. Lady Louisa Feilding—a visitor to Australia at that time —is still remembered as a woman of great personal charm: Therefore, the pleasure of seeing her daughter in old Government House has added another link to. the chain of the local chronicler's tales. * * * * One almost feels inclined to speak of our brilliant but apt to miss l the bull's eye Prime Minister, as "Poor Mr. Hughes!''; Such wonderful opportunities when he returned from London last time. All lost, and even tossed away! Since then two Referendums and the gibes of those who'were never asked to vote on conscription. Poor Australia! And now there seems to be another trip to England for him. Probably in May or June. Is it "poor" Mr. Hughes, after all? - » « « The Y.M.C.A. National Field Secretary, Mr. J. J. Virgo, has arrived via America. While the daily cables lead us to believe that the unhappy Russians are committing every excess except cannibalism, the ever-cheerful Y.M.C.A. Secretary has told the Sydney press that America is still hopeful. U.S.A. public opinion builds its faith on the genius of Kerensky. As the news is too conflicting for the ordinary mind to piece together, and most of us had believed the great Russian to have been "spirited away," Uncle Sam's opinion is worth quoting. ■» ».■ • » After about 2|- years on war service, Dr. Scot S'kirving, a leading Sydney surgeon, has come back. .• ' •■' •''* *.«.„.. ** ' A very well-known-Methodist ■ chaplain came back with this batch of soldiers. He is Rev. James ; Green, C.M.G., a decoration given to him in the New Year's Honours. One of the

most .popular, of he is also' one who has seen a most varied service. He was a chaplain to our Forces in the South African War. In the present struggle he has tended the wounded and soothed the dying in Gallipoli, Egypt, and France. Whether he will be content to stay at home while our Crusaders are cantering their steeds through Palestine, remains to be seen. * «■ * # Amongst the first callers on Lady Davidson were Mrs. Nolan, life-presi-dent of the W.C.T.TL, and Mrs. Strang and Miss Bowes, of the same teetotal body. Her Ladyship gave them a very kind reception. Later on, when shoals of women's organisations begin to- pour in their loyal addresses, it may be more difficult to receive them with the same. enthusiasm. Or perhaps- this is the outside point of view. Governors and their wives must expect to be bored, and: take the thick with the thin as it comes. - .- ". e- # * . ■ ■* • ' Amongst the chaplains who have died, if not of wounds, at any rate on duty, is- added the name of the Rev. J. K. Bruce. He was a member of Glasgow University and, coming here many years ago, was well known in New South Wales. News conies that this sterling Presbyterian minister died at sea on a, transport that is bringing liome wounded soldiers. * * * * The revival of. the black satin hat appears to be ah autumn certainty. One hopes it will not be so hard and shiny as its predecessors of a few years ago. In any case it will not be likely to outbid in feminine favour the small round velvet hat, with a rather high crown, which is predicted for first place in Easter festivities. ' : * » « « Sir Walter Davidson holds his first levee this week. The old rigorous rules about the dress in which our male citizens shall appear at such functions have long been obsolete. In war time uniform will be preferred. On such occasions we can still depend on our judges to add to the "dressy" nature of the function. Their antique wigs always give an air of medieval solemnity to "the usually drab appearance of a merely male gathering. * * * * A recent English mail brings word of the engagement of Lieut. A. E. Arkell. another Aucklander, to Miss Nora Gething, of Cirencester. * * * * During the recent holidays, an interesting scene was to be witnessed for the trouble- of going to Victoria Barracks. A number of country • women teachers in the State schools gave up a fortnight of their playtime to qualify as instructors to junior cadets. This has become a necessary item in their routine owing to the shortage of men —from the war and other contingent circumstances. The country lady peda-

gogires being thus trained. to teach the 3'ounger lads had as instructors Miss JEUa Gormley, 8.A., an expert in physical culture; Captain Flynn, and Ser-geant-Major Radborn. Every morning the enthusiastic school rnarms turned up at 9 sharp in the long barracks' gymnasium to qualify for their certificate. Their keen attention to the business in hand made them so proficient, that bush lads will find the woman drill-"master" equal to the best ser-geant-major who has ever thundered " 'tention!" in their listening ears. There recently passed through this city four notable Australasians on their way back to the Front , . They can already claim to be veterans of war, for they have fought long in the Balkans, in. Russia, and in other battle zones. Oiie was S.' J. Hanna, a_ New Zealander, who has. won the: Lt-.S.C. and the I>eicqration of. the Order of St. Stanislaus. The other three—all decorated for , . their services—were N Lieuts. P..Waiford and Lefroy, of. West Australia, and liieut. G. Gawler, also from the West Australian State. One hopes, indeed, that this gallant band will be spared to return. * * * * To women who have every male relative of military age at the Front, the sight of sleek elig-ibles strutting across the stage, is apt to get on the nerves. Now and then there is a happy exception. At the Tivoli just now is Lieut. Guy Magley, an American dancer, who has had a year on active service with' the French' Flying Corps. Invalided out of the army for a heart trouble, he has gone back to his old profession behind the .footlights. The same vaudeville theatre has just got as new blood —there was room for a fresh infusion—Miss Nellie Leach. Well known in society circles, she is too clever to be satisfied with the empty life soi many well-to-do girls led before the war. Her big soprano voice has been trained in London and Par,is, in the latter city by the late Madame Marchesi, and she has made some lic appearances in America. Since then she has been living ' quietly at home in Sydney with her parents— waiting, as we all wait, for a victorious end to the war. « # •» «• Two of the most brilliant amateur, assisted by professional talent, theatrical matinees, have had Miss Leach as honorary organiser. One was France's Day last year. The most recent, for the Women's Hospital, I have told you about. Mr. H. D. Mclntosh is apparently so impressed with the versatile singer's ability that he has secured her, not without difficulty, for an engagement under his management. But for the war-time problem the young singer had visions of a career in grand opera. Yours discursively. RONA.