PEOPLE IN THE CROWD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 32

PEOPLE IN THE CROWD.

SOME TYPES OF VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION. They were an ordinary holiday crowd, for the most part, dressed in all sorts of fashions, some bordering on incongruity, with a few quaint-looking characters of eccentric manners, and wreathed in gala smiles thrown in, as it were, to add originality to the restless, moving throng. The crowded streets at the outset proclaimed festivity ; the mixed mass strutted round with a wo are-glad-we-are-in-Wellington air, having nothing in particular to observe, and taking care to observe it. However, all were in deadly _ earnest about witnessing the official opening, and they succeeded in their fell purpose. The only qualification for entrance was payment in advance, and the fence was too high to scale. A man isn't obliged to be ill at sea unless he chooses, but payment for entertainment is compulsory if one indulges in frivolity. The observant meanderer, who doesn't take any stock in exhibitions or things of that sort, can obtain a lot of mental recreation by studying the efforts of his fellow-mortals in their frantic attempts to enjoy themselves. The well-dressed dude, whoso whole time i 3 spent in endeavouring, vainly or otherwise, to amuse his fair who-is-to-be or a bevy of them ; the every day common Bill and his blushless beauty; the vast aggregation of people whose name isn't Bill, and who haven't any biushless beauties ; and the assorted and ill-assorted married couples of all lengths and latitudes, with junior following* or otherwise, who are intent on getting tired before tea-time or knowing the reason why. Yesterday the crowd who poured in from all parts "'did" the city first, and it was quite obvious in some cases that although they poured in they were adepts at " pouring out," i'or some of them held up the hotel bars with a parched appearance in the vicinity of their collars, and a sixpenny look in their pleading eyes. One strangely-dressed individual walked down Willis street in a top hat which appeared to have been recently kicked by a horse. Another, who wanted to know the way to the " 'S'bition," had on a huge necktie, a compromise between a halter and a poultice. An aggressive-looking personage, who sauntered along twirling a fierce moustache, glared at a policeman, who returned the glare and threatened to " cell" him. Not only was his facial appearance in total opposition to orthodox sobriety, but he had on two odd boots, one tan and ono 'tothor colour. But excuses generally have to be made for visitors.

As the crowd increased femininity formed a large proportion, and there was a wavy fringe of colour in the irregular stream, the distinctive plumes in moving head-gear of fashionably dressed women adding interest to the pretty panorama. There wero certainly a number of the poorer class, who boasted no colour or plumage worth speaking about, but they no doubt enjoyed themselves just as well, if not better, than their sisters. Until the opening, people stalked around aimlessly, swopped "good days" and introductions, and smoked the all-inspiratjng pipe, good and bad cheroots and Chinese cigarettes until their brains became nicotised, and tbe soothing whiff became disagreeable. The pomp and ceremony subsequently was a relief from monotony. The black-coated gentlemen of importance who shone conspicuously before the great throng Government House and private house, and houses that are obliged to keep open at all hours to visiting society—■ all wero represented in the concert hall. There were plenty of politicians there, and would-be politicians, and people who want to be but never will be of that class, and their unusual affability rmzzlcd those of dull comprehension. The banked-up track was a marvel to country lads, who had never seen the like ; they couldn't understand bike locomotion on the side of a hill. They were a peculiar lot some of those suburban people. One fat boy appeared the most unconcerned of the crowd. He couldn't walk much, and didn't appear to want to. He was attired in a suit which reached only to the top of his boots, and which had obviously done duty on previous occasions only on holidays and at funerals. Deficiency in length of dress, however, was made up to a certain extent by a brand now pair of tan boots, and on these his vision was constantly fooussed. Then there was a scientific person endeavouring to explain unscientific things to an unscientific wife. lie has a local reputation for his celebrated papers on " Lhe Probable "Weight of a Butterfly in the Stone Age," and " The Peculiarities in the Temperaments of Bull Ants," read before the F.0.rf.5.1.L. Moa, Bone Soeiety some years back, and printed in the annual records of that learned institution.

The variety of faces and the different expressions on each provided a rich study in physiognomy. A Wellington lady cast disdainful glances at a former cook of hers who was attired in a dress of similar make and colour to her Well, it is a frea country ; everyone can bedeck themselves in what colour they like. You cannot copyright the rainbow, ino one could have looked more disgusted, however, than a young lady, who has not yet arrived at the dignity of hairpins, whose pretty frock was spoiled through the dislodgemsnt of a cup of tea from its perch. Juvenility seemed to enjoy itself greatly. The executive will no doubt be pleased to learn that their entertaining efforts have pleased at least two youths from the bush. " 1 say, Tim, this is or! right." '" Yes ; it's bctter'n speudin' 'olidays >iuin' in the cemetery, ain't it?" A no doubt very popular form of urban dissipation ! The large army of masherdom was greatly in evidence, an 1 condescended to look at some of the exhibits like the re.st of interested respectability. One lean and lanky youth wore a kurnaierbnnu, and gave himself away at once as a Sydneyite. Family parties lost and found each other all the afternoon. In fact, they did not seem to be doing anything else. But it was reserved for a burly couple from the back blocks to kick up a row. The husband wanted to go and see the " locomoter " again. But his more emphatic and talkative

half wanted to go the other way ; she felt "So 'ot," and desired fresh air. People stood round to hear them call each other Christian names, until someone interfered. But it recommenced immediately. Eventually they went different ways. There weren't any secluded nooks aboat the building for chats about the exhibits, but one amorous couple were most noticeable. They were nervous-looking, and obviovsly didn't belong to the city. Phyllis leaned pensively against a wall listening attentively to the honeyed words of Corydon, who spoke rather loudly. They were talking about pigs ! Happy pair i Which reminds the writer that a Masterton farmer wandered restlessly about looking very much out of joint. His wife had beguiled him in, and he spent the whole of the day wandering if his stock had secured any prizes at the Agricultural Show. The organ selections and children's songs seemed to captivate a couple of Chinamen who had determined to see and hear everything. "Me teaehee my lille girl sing " confided one smiling heathen to a faultlessly dressed personage who had the honour to be located alongside the sovereign - coloured patrons of music, and who made some unchristian remark in an undertone. The other Chow coincided with the sentiment. After elbowing through the noisy, critical mass that surged hither and thither and rubbing Shoulders with all sorts and conditions for an hour or so the writer adjourned for afternoon tea.

And the public continued their holiday