ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 33

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

By

Pencarrow.

(Special foh the Otago Witness.) May 10. Wellington is enjoying perfect autumn weather. Walking is a (Relight and motoring a joy. Yesterday I was driving past the beautiful garden which surrounds the home of Sir Charles Skerrett at Lowry Bay. The house is set well back, but the grounds come down to the road, which runs round the waterfront. Never . has the bay seemed more beautiful to me, never that sheltered garden more peaceful and secure. But the owner is ill in a private hospital, and though there is every hope that he will now recover, it will be many weeks before he can regain his strength after the strain and severe shock.

There is. probably not a man or woman in this city who does not know the Chief Justice by sight. This just judge is a good citizen and a very good friend to youth. In boys he takes a kindly practical interest, never forgetting the trials and difficulties of his own youth. Throughout the country there is warm sympathy for Sir Charles Skerrett in this time of trouble, but nowhere can it be more in evidence than here, where he has lived and laboured and risen to the heights of fame.

Miss Maud Royden spent a few days m Wellington this week, and was awarded a civic reception. In the afternoon of the same day Mrs Sprott gave an ‘ at home ” at Bishops Court, where the clergy of all denominations, and members of all women’s societies had the opportunity of meeting this distinguished visitor, who occupies a whole chapter in the book “ Painted Windows,” by “ A Gentleman with A Duster.” The lady’s charm of manner is irresistible, and her modest, deprecatory way of speaking is typical of an English gentleman. Listening, one realises at once why “ A Gentleman with A Duster ” described her as “ a true woman and a great man.” She is returning to Wellington after a few days in the South Island, and we are looking forward very much to her public addresses, which ought not to be missed bv men. women, or children.

-Miss Royden declares she has come cut here to learn something, and that Englishwomen are grateful to New Zealand for several laws, including those which affect the adoption of children. I have been reading “ Painted Windows ” again. The author says- —

“It is this perfect balance of the masculine and feminine in her personality which makes her so effective a public speaker, so powerful an influence in . private discourse, and so safe a writer on questions of extreme delicacy —such as the problem of sex. She is always on the level of the whole bodv of humanity,, a complete person, a veritable human being, neither a member of a class nor the representative of a sex - .” Also he says: “Miss Royden had been prepared by a long experience of pain to feel sympathy with the sufferings of other people. * Her mind had been lamentably ploughed up ever since the dawn of memory to receive the divine grain of compassion.” Miss Royden, long ago, was convinced that woman s influence in politics could have a eleansing effect in natural life. She became an advocate of the women’s (says “A Gentleman with a Duster”) Gentleman says, “ She is an advocate who always based her argument on religious grounds, and she has been one of the most effective advocates in this country (England) of personal religion.” Hers is a life of service. She is a social reformer, a scholar, a highly intellectual woman, “ whose earnestness ” (says “A Gentleman with a Duster) ‘ is of the highest and tenderest order, but also the convincing authority of one who has found the -peace which passes understanding.” Truly we shall be foolish who, having the opportunity, fail to hear her speak. She is approachable, friendly, and kind. “ A Gentleman with a Duster ” says she has that spirit of communication which distinguished La Bruvere, a philosopher “always accessible,‘even iii his deepest studies, who tells you to come in, for you bring him something more precious than gold or silver if it is the opportunity of obliging you.” * » * The battle of the sites is on, though the parties are still sparring for position. The Citizens’ Memorial Committee maintains its somewhat obstinate attitude. It wishes to place the Silent Symbolical Memorial on the parliamentary site, which, of course, it believes is the best and proper place. Mr Hurst Seager, the eminent town planner consulted by the Government, is equally convinced that the proper site is that near the Basin Reserve, just below' Mount Cook, that hill which is to be devoted to memorial purposes, on whose summit will be placed the National Memorial, including the Dominion Museum and Art Gallery, also the tower which is to house the memorial carillon.

Public opinion is behind Mr Hurst Seager. All Wellington wanted the parliamentary site till he opened our eyes to greater possibilities. The difficulties in connection with the other site are not insurmountable, and were we not all anxious to avoid controversy, the voice of the public would make itself heard very loudly. Personally, I

do not believe the memorial will ever be placed on the parliamentary site. Discussion, which used to be very quiet, is now becoming heated. Some conclusion must be reached, and soon—but there is an impasse which requires wisdom and tact in the handling. ** * ° Having no other accommodation, we house our national pictures in the gallery in Whitmore street, where this week the annual exhibition has been opened. Though small, it is a bright place, the v.alls overcrowded, of course. As usual, the gallery has been the meeting place for friends during the last few days, and a considerable amount of interest is shown in the pictures, especially of the local artists, some of whom have recently returned from Europe. Mr Murray Fuller while on his picture-buying tour visited his friend, Mr Sydney Thompson, who makes his home in the south of France at the little village of Grasse. Mr Fuller also spent some little time in Brittany and in Cornwall, and at this exhibition shows some charming sketches. Miss Helen Stewart, a young local aitist who recently spent several years studying at Home, in France, and in Italy, is exhibiting work which attracts more than a little interest, and is considered excellent by the critics. It certainly pleases most of us, and we are beginning to take quite an intelligent interest in art these days, and are soon to form ourselves into committees and set about raising £lOO.OOO for the art gallery and museum. In this effort wc shall, of course, receive assistance from the rest of the Dominion, for this is a national concern. .Meanwhile we are backing our city missioner. Canon Feilden Taylor, who is after £3OOO this very week,‘is running a mixed sort of fair in the Town Hallbaby shows, nursery rhyme parade, tableaux, etc. He has taken the hall for a week, and is confident of success in his effort. He has reason for his confidence, his work having the sympathy of the whole community, and nionev forthcoming almost always. We have seen the Diomede depart this week with pennant flying from her mainmast, a long trail of it—a sign that the ship is going Home to be recommissioned. Friends gathered near the " harves, and there was sadness in this farewell. “Rolling Home” the band on deck played, but “ Goodbye for Ever ” was the song throbbing in the hearts of some who stayed behind. When Jack’s ashore he maxes, many friends who sometimes believe he remembers them when seas divide. However, there are other ships.