Gossip from Sydney.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 957, 14 November 1918, Page 6

Gossip from Sydney.

Lsak Chiustabel, — VM, 7"HEN the Leinster went down * * and the Recording Angel entered up another crime against the Huns, there were several Australians amongst the long list of; victims. One of these was Lieut. Frank Laracy, of Maitland, in this State. An original Anzac, he has since been on active service in France; was wounded three times, and awarded the Military Cross for vahgur.

Melba's voice remains in tone the same sweet and youthful organ which has for the last 26 or 27 years defied criticism. It is not quite so powerful, 'perhaps, as it was ten years ago. But the slight in volume, if worth mentioning, is compensated by an artistry which is so perfect that it conceals art. Nothing but the warbling of some star feathered songster —nightingale or skylark—is comparable to Melba's singing at her concert in aid of the Lord Mayor's Fund for Soldiers'Dependents. This, with Verbrugghen as conductor of the Symphony Orchestra, he has trained to a hair, made a most brilliant matinee. It was, of course, crowded to congestion, and lised £1600—possibly a record here for an afternoon performance of music, which depended entirely for financial results on the sale of seats and programmes.

Melba, herself, like all temperamental people—and she is said io be in half-a-dozen different moods in a day— is very youthful for her age, when she is in her top form. This is her concert platform personality when all goes well. And with Verbrugghen in charge of the instrumental portion of the concert, and at the piano an accomplished Belgian pianist, Mr. de Bourguignon, not long in Australia after fighting for his country, everything did qo well. In a soft shade of pink georgette—an evening dress—Melba looked so fiesh and well-preserved, that it was difficult to recal her status as grandmother to a very new little Pamela Arr . trong. The infant Pamela is to be dn Jy ehritened almost immediately, with considerable pomp and circumstance, at Coombe Cottage, Victoria. The Grovernor-General will be one godfather.

- A big_ aquatic carnival for Jack's Day, . with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Club House and grounds illuminated at night, as a finish to the day's effort, had perfect weather to help its success. This is worth mentioning. For Sydney has been afflicted lately with days of warm westerly winds. The yachts and smaller sailing craft were lucking in having just the right amount of nor'-easter toating men always pray for. The squadron, which has many wealthy members, has one of the choicest foreshores of the harbour, on Kirribilli Point, as the site for its club house. When these grounds were brilliantly illuminated at ;night, a,nd gay stalls and side shows in full swing, _ the scene was charming. The executive members of the committee responsible for the Carnival's success were: Mrs. Kelso King, Mrs. Alfred Milson, Mrs. T. H. Kelly, and Mr. Alfred Milson.

The rent problem is getting one of its periodical spring cleanings. This time at the hands of an Inter-State Commission (on behalf of the Commonwealth) with Mr. A. B. Piddington, K.C., as Chief Commissioner. Out of a tangle of questions and more or less relevant answers, which the Commission is. drawing—like tteth without an anaesthetic—come some reluctant facts. The Trades Hall has no .more loathsome name than "Landlord" to apply to the so-called capitalist. It learned (with a shock) when its representative, Mr. Morby, cross-exam-ined witnesses who might be supposed to be partial to the "Landlord," that wharf labourers cut a solid figure as

owners of small houses in congested artisans' locations. It had also tie effect 'of drawing publicity to the bleak fact that one comparatively afluent labouring man, as landlord, charged rrach more rent than the agent considered a fair thing.

Chaplain Stacy Waddy, a noted cricketer and an Australian who distingushed himself in classics at Oxford some years ago, came home recently. He has been on active sei-vice with the A.I.F. in Palestine. The former headmaster of our historic King's School is going to turn over a neiw leaf in. his virile and picturesque career. Since his return to Sydney it has been announced that he has been appointed Canon of the Anglican Cathedral, Jerusalem.

Mrs. James Ashton lias gone to America with her husband this week on a few holiday. Both have been leading members of the Red Cross Executive. A week or two ago Mrs. Ashton and a number of pretty V.A. •girls got up a fishmongermg raid in some of the fashionable suburbs. The proceeds went to Jack's Day. These enterprising society fishwives went from door to door. As fast as they sold their fern-lined baskets full of delicious fresh "All-alive-oh's," they received more supplies from their base. The fish was given. Sold at top prices, it brought a handsome cheque for the Sailor-men's Day.

Lady Davidson opened the Sydney Arts' and Crafts' Annual Show this week. Most of the members are women. A new phase has been introduced into these exhibitions since the war. Several patriotic Arts aid Crafts girls give up most of their leisure to teach—just for 1 ovo —returned wounded soldiers during the er.nui of a long convalescence. Many partially disabled men have become most promising pupils. The best of tteir work is sold for them at shows of this kind. Melbourne and Brisbine Craftswomen have also sent good strulf a?ong this year, and the war news has put new vigour into the exhibitors. Miss Ethel Atkinson, Miss Hanlon, Miss Mildred Creed, Miss Spowers of Melbourne, and Mrs. Spring, who is, like the first-named a worker of Sydney, had samples of their skill purchased yesterday by the trustees, of the Gallery.

Professor Wilkinson, the tall young Englishman recently appointed to the new Chair of Architecture in Sydney University, takes a great interest in things aesthetic. He made an Interesting little speech on the cult of beauty at the opening of the Arts' and Crafts' Exhibition. One scarcely follows his idealistic theory, however, that something in the way of a panacea for Labour Unrest might be supplied by giving, for instance, textile workers more beautiful designs. Whether fresh interest in their daily work can be stirred by aesthetic patterns in a carpet or a new vogue in chair-legs, is an abstract question more easily answered from the heights of a University professor's lecture desk than from the dusty arena of a factory work room.

A new war tax has just been born to the Commonwealth. The little stranger is of a dark chocolate complexion, and worksi overtime as an extra half-penny postage stamp. Postage is a very just form of taxation. Though it hits up the small income-tax man and woman, will also, one hopes, get an extra half-penny fairly often from the person who pays very little—not even his tram farei—to the State. I refer to the average Australian politician. It will be inteersting to see whether this astute individual wriggles out of this tiny tax-baby's clutch, on the ground that nis. letters are of "national importance." * * ■ it •» The late Major Clive Dangar, A.1.F., who died as the result of ill-health following wounds, was a New South Wales grazier, whose big estate has iol m? n v ?-lued for probate at £328,oSS. Though not a strong man, Major ±>angar returned to the firing line after been patched up in hospital with

wounds that should have necessitated a long rest. His health gave way, . and he lived just long enough to reach Melbourne on his return from the Front. He leaves a widow and several children.

The anniversary of the birthday of William Chai'les Wentworth, Australian statesman, scholar, and poet, was celebrated at his old home, Vaucluse House, on October 26. This is now, with its beautiful grounds, the property of the people of New South Wales. Situated on the shores of a pretty little cove, near Watson's Bay, and therefore not far from South Head, at the entrance to the harbour, it is an ideal spot for a pleasure resort. Many memorials of the great Wentworth are carefully preserved in the handsome old house. The Governor, Mr. W. A. Holman, State Premier, and Dr. Ward, formerly editor of a Sydney morning paper, and now carrying on similar duties in Brisbane, were the chief speakers.

Miss Frances Hodgkins, the wellknown New Zealand artist, has sent from England for sale and exhibition, 35 oils and water colours. That so fine an artist should be temporarily carried away by the impressionist school, is a matter of regret. Brilliant splashes of colour, that may mean anything, do not convince the lover of nature that "God's in his heaven —all's well with the world." Judging by some of Miss Hodgkins' present fantasies, landscape is a chaotic whirl of trees, flowers, human beings, brooks and hills tossed together by a mad haymaker with a gigantic wooden rake. This, of course, is not the whole of Miss Hodgkins' exhibition now attracting many Sydney visitors. Some very bold and clever paintings, even if slightly audacious, are included in the show. Sales at satisfactory prices are good. (Miss Hodgkins is a sister of Mrs. W. H. Field, of Wellington.) Yours discursively, "SONA.