WELLINGTON SOCIAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1141, 12 January 1894, Page 14

WELLINGTON SOCIAL GOSSIP.

Wellington, January 10, 1594. There seems to be a little more news this week than last. When the French man-of-war arrived there was some little excitement caused by various rumours of entertainments to be got up in honour of the captain and officers, but the hopes of the sanguine ones were dashed to the ground when.it was known that their stay was to' be so short. Beyond the usual courteous formalities, there was nothing, but wo hoard from one gentleman, who met them at the Club, that they were delightful, and that they seemed charmed with Wellington.

On Saturday last a number of ladies and gentlemen combined and gave a picnic at Belmont. Some went by train, while others drove and rode, and, as the weather was lovely, a very pleasant time was spent. Among those present were Lady Campbell, who was chaperoning the party, Miss Ella Izard, Miss Brown, Miss Turnbull, the Misses Henry, Miss Menzies, Miss Bethune. Dr Cahill, Dr G-illon, Mr A. Cooper, Mr Carandini, Ac.. The bush at Belmont is looking lovely, and .many of the. guests came back laden With ferns, which, however, were the result of a long scramble, for all those which were near the station have long ago disappeared, much to the detriment of the surrounding country.

Lady Campbell has' her brother, Mr Carandini, staying with her for a visit from Australia. Lady Campbell gave a small afternoon tea a few days ago, in order that her brother might meet some of the young people of Wellington during his stay. With afternoon tea, music and chatting, the guests managed to spend a pleasant couple of hours. The. Misses Barron were there, and also Miss Brown, Miss Ella Izard, the Misses Henry, Miss Knight, &e.

Last night Dr Gillon gave a very pleasant party to a number of friends, music, dancing and several portions of an opera locally composed being the varied and delightful programme to keep everyone amused. The house was certainly made the most of, and an awning was also put up for further convenience. Mrs Gillon is away at present, paying a visit to her people at Home, but is expected back shortly.

Mr C. B. Izard, of Hobson street, leaves for England very soon, in order to undergo an operation on his eye, which has been troubling him for some time. He will be accompanied by Miss Lillian Izard, who is also going for the benefit of her health.

I believe Mr and Mrs Charles Johnston are talking of an early visit to England, and intend taking their son, Mr Harold Johnston, with them, and leaving him at college.

Mr and Mrs Pynsenfc have gone North to tho Hot Lakes for the holidays, Mr and Mrs Barry Goring are still at Castle Point, Mr and Mrs Tilley, of Wanganui, are spending a few weeks in town, and are staying with Mrs John Kebbell, and Mrs Arthur Russell, of Palmerston, is spending the Christmas holidays with her parents, Mr and Mrs T. C. Williams.

I hope to say something about the cricket match—Auckland v. Wellington next week. It begins to-day, and will be continued to-morrow.

The weather to-day has been glorious for Mr and Mrs H. D. Bell’s afternoon picnic, which took place at Lowry Bay, where Mr and Mrs Bell have a lovely summer residence. It was given to all those who helped Mr and Mrs Bell during the recent election, and their families and friends, and the whole affair was a complete success. It was, of course, a very large affair, and several steamers were kept continually going to and from town during the afternoon, conveving the guests. The journey across in itself was very pleasant. A bright sun and a light southerly breeze combined to make a perfect day for an outing, and when we arrived at our destination, both Mr and Mrs Bell and their daughters were ready to receive us, and had everything one could think of in the way of amusements arranged in order to satisfy all tastes. A band discoursed sweet music during the afternoon, and all kinds of games, races, swings, &c., were got up, and a delicious afternoon tea was laid up in the bush, the tables literally groaning under their weight Of good things, and after a delightful time, the visitors left for town, regretting that it was all over.

Mrs Bell received her guests in a handsome light costume, and the Misses Bell wore pretty pink frocks. Among those who were helping, were Mrs Arthur Pearce, Mr Gale, Miss Leek, the Misses Gore, Mrs I)r Collins, Miss Cobb and several others. Others who were there were Mr and Mrs Wills, Mrs Gale, Mrs Mason, Miss Mason, Mrs Wilson, Miss Seed, Mr and Mrs Bristow, Mr and Mrs Anderson, Mr and Mrs Van Staveren, Mrs and the Misses Andrew Campbell, Mr and Mrs Cunningham, the Misses Blundell, the Misses Halse, Miss Horner, Mr and Mrs Pethenck, Mr Ernest Bell, Mr and Mrs Edward Reid, Mr and Mrs Chambers, Mr and Mrs Haybittle, Mrs and Miss Butts, &c. Of course there were a great many more whom I might mention, but in such a crowd it was very difficult to distinguish them. There were between 1700 and 1800 people present, so you will understand that I got a little confused. „ Yiolet. At Masterton on Wednesday, Hi* John Andrew, eldest son of the Rev J. C. Andrew, of lea station, was married to Miss Morrison, eldest daughter of the late Mr