A LADY'S LETTER FROM WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9130, 11 August 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

A LADY'S LETTER FROM WELLINGTON.

[from our own correspondent.] August 6.

THE CHINESE.

I think many people were not at all sorry when the Chinamen who were arrested for playing fan-tan—which I believe is their national gamewere discharged without any punishment. I heard someone say that the police ought to enter some private houses, where it was known that high play was indulged in, if they entered the poor Chinamen's ; but, however, this I think was very misplaced sympathy, as some other Chinamen had complained to the police that they had lost between two and three hundred pounds at this place, and that it was generally considered that it was not by fair means, so of course the police were quite justified in what they did. Just now, when there is such a feeling against the Celestials, some people cannot see that they possess any virtue whatever; and yet several things which I have noticed lately have made me think that they are not altogether bad. A short time ago a Chinaman's cart ran into another one on the Huttroad, and when the owner of the latter cart, who was a woman, sent to John for the amount of the damages, he merely asked how much they wanted, and wrote a cheque for twenty-five pounds, at the same time saying that he was very sorry for the trouble he had caused the woman. Now, I don't think an Englishman could have done it more prettily than that, do you ? "HANS THE BOATMAN." You will very soon be having " Hans the Boatman" in your Northern city, and if the public attend half as well as they have done here, Mr. Arnold ought to be satisfied. Any of you who have children should certainly take them to see this play, which is one of the most innocent and guileless I have seen. Mr. Arnold's Hans is the most charming piece of acting, and really acting it is, as all through he speaks in broken English with a German accent, and he certainly produced a most fascinating Hans, although such a husband would drive any woman to the verge of madness ; how Gladys manages to keep so calm is rather astonishing to me. The dear old dog Lion is the most daring of dogs, but it is sadly pathetic when he leads his poor blind master to the side of his fainting mistress, and will not move from her side, despite the entreaties of Hans. Mr. Arnold sings some pretty songs in a sweet sympathetic voice, and " The Lullaby" with which he hushes one of the "kiddies" to sleep, whilst the stage gradually darkens, made me feel as if I could slumber also. The piece is certainly great nonsense, but yet it is undeniably an attractive one to most people, although of course there are many to be found who " could not see what anyone could admire in it." There is only one scene to speak of, but that is quite a work of art; the mountains pinked with the rosy sunset are beautifully reflected in the calm, still lake, and the little yacht lying near the landing-place looks as if she was really causing the ripples to eddy round her. MAJOR CAMPBELL. It appears highly probable that Major Campbell, the clerk of the House of Representatives, will be called to the Legislative Council upon his not far distant retirement from this position, upon a pension ; Major Campbell is the first and only chief clerk the House of Representatives has ever had ; and his name will be well remembered in Auckland, where he lived for many years. A BIG SHARK. A huge shark was exhibited last week in one of the fish shops, and looked one of the most bloodthirsty creatures it has ever been my fortune to see. His tail was over a yard from either side of the fin, and his jaws were so enormous that they could have taken a man down easily, and only regard him as a bonne-bourhe. It made me give a sigh of gratification to know that such a fishy subject was safely hooked before the boating season began. THE POULTRY SHOW. The poultry show last week was quite the largest that has been held here, and the attendance of the public was also very large. Plymouth Rocks anil Langshans still appear to be the fashionable fowls. The latter are remarkably good layers, a hen sometimes laying as many as two hundred and thirty eggs in the year. There were a great number of White Spanish exhibited—in fact, far more of these than any other species—and there were some splendid Buff Cochins standing an immense height. The poor turkeys were rather overlooked, as there was only one pair of these shown. I wonder why these are so little reared now, as their eggs make capital puddings, although rather strong for eating alone. Nearly all the prizes were given, and some of them were very handsome ones. There was no need for anyone to ask where the poultry show was, as the cock-a-doodling from a hundred throats was quite direction enough.

THE LATE MR, BEETHAM. On Thursday Mr. William Beet-ham— father of Mr. Richmond Beetham, whose pictures you have doubtless often admired at your exhibitions— on Friday morning at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. T. C. Williams, after a long illness, at the age of seventy-nine. Mr. Beetham began life as a portrait painter, and leaves behind him two well-known works from his brush —the portrait of Dr. Featherston and that of Mr. E. J. Wakefield. Mr. Beetham leaves seven sons and three daughters. MR. C. JOHNSTON'S BALL. On Thursday night a large ball was given by Air. and Mrs. Charles Johnston, about two hundred people being present. This entertainment was really a housewarming, as a large portion of the house has been recently added. The drawing-room was for the nonce transformed into a ballroom, and the lovely spacious verandah was enclosed, and made an ideal rendezvous with couches and easy chairs. I think more non-dancing people were present at this social function than have been seen tit any of the other entertainments held during the session. Several very handsome black toilettes were worn, noticeably that of Mrs. Johnston, who was a most indefatigable hostess. Miss Moorhouse wore a pretty white dress, as did also Miss Perry. Mrs. A. Russell was in a handsome white satin robe, which became her admirably, and Miss Russell also wore a handsome white dress. There were pink and black gowns in profusion, and here and there a blue one, but this colour appears to be rather upon the shelf at present. Altogether the dance was a very enjoyable one, and old Sir Roger de Coverley was once more brought to light. THE EXHIBITION. I am rather sorry for the people who have gone over to the Melbourne Exhibition and have found it in such a very unfinished condition. The most patriotic New Zealander must sometimes weary of admiring our court, which appears to be the only one that is finished. The Exhibition has so far cost £58,000, and the French Exhibition, which is not to be opened till next year, has cost £8,000,000. If the Melbourne Exhibition is worth seeing, what will the Parisian one be ? THE RINK. I wonder when the Skating Rink will have gone through its repertoire of novelties. I see next week an apron, collar, and tie carnival is to bo held. AMATEUR THEATRICALS. The Amateur Theatrical Company have cleared over two hundred pounds by their performance of " lolanthe," so they are going to have a ball, at which all the performers in this opera will be invited to wear their dresses. Dorothy.