THE WEEK IN WELLINGTON

Southland Times, Issue 16839, 15 September 1911, Page 3

THE WEEK IN WELLINGTON

(By Mrs Malcolm Ross.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 11. About People. Miss Mair, daughter of Major Mair, is a guest of Mrs Frank MacKenzie. She is a cousin of Mr Leo Buller. Mrs Triggs who has been visiting her daughter, Mrs Hardwlcke Smith has returned to Christchurch. Mrs Miles is back from Napier. Miss Miles’ wedding is :fixed for the 21st of this month. Mr and Mrs W. Beetham, of Masterton, and Miss Cameron, of Greytown, -were passengers to Sydney on Friday. Mr and Mrs J. A. Pike also -went to Sydney by the Friday’s boat. Colonel and Mrs Chaytor paid a flying visit to Wellington on Friday, and went to Mrs Leo Buller’s ball in the evening. Miss Vavasour, of Blenheim, passed through on her way to Waverley, where she stays with Mrs lan Johnston. Miss Effie Williams, of Auckland, is a guest of Mrs Algar Williams. Miss Day, of Gisborne, who has been a guest of Mrs McVilly, leaves to-morrow for Hawera, where she stays with Mrs Nolan. Mrs J. C. Thomson, wife of Mr J. G. Thomson, M.P., and Miss Galloway, have arrived in Wellington from Southland, and will stay till the session is over. Mr and Mrs Marchant- are at Rotorua. Mrs Webb, wife of Colonel Webb, of Nelson, is visiting her daughter, Airs G. G. Hodgkins. Airs Rolleston, who has been with Mrs Sydney Johnston in Hawke’s Bay, is a guest of Airs Grace. Airs Robinson, of Picton, is with her parents, Air and Airs Tregear. Aliss Dora Booth arrived from Napier, and is a guest of Airs Leonard Reid. She will be one of Aliss Reid’s bridesmaids. Dr and Airs Holmes, Dr and Airs Harty, Dr and Airs Alason, Dr and Airs Webster have all gone to the Aledical Congress at Sydney. Aliss Rawson goes with Airs Holmes, her sister. Airs W. Kebbell is staying with Aliss Kebbell, and Aliss Ina Kebbell with Mrs Cleghorn. Aliss Alolly Antill, of Woodr vllle, is with Aliss Holmes. ' Air Aleredith, of Masterton, who has been in Christchurch has returned to the Wairarapa. Mrs Alander, wife of Air Alander, AI.P., is back from Napier. Miss Buick has come to Wellington, and her sister has returned to Palmerston North. A Strenuous Week. This has been a week of many functions, and Lady Ward and Lady Findlay, have been the centre of a number of them. Besides small private affairs, there have been welcomes from the Arts Club, the Women’s Social , Political League, the “Our Girls’ ” branch of the Victoria League, a great reception at Airs Field’s, and a small tea at Government House. 'So that to these two the end of the week came as a time of rest and thankfulness. Hockey' too has been going on steadily at Day’s \ Bay. and hundreds have gone across to see the really fine play. The tournament is not quite finished, but was supposed to close on Saturday when a dance was held. Big functions during the week included a tea at Mrs Duncan’s, an At Home at Mrs Hubert Nathan’s, and a dance given by Air and Airs Leo Buller. This makes up—to one who has to go to each affair —a pretty busy week! The Various Welcomes. Airs Field’s At Home was-charming— a great crowd, but so well managed as not to be uncomfortable. Lady Ward and Lady Findlay met and were greeted by many friends, and both looked —as was expected—extremely smart. The, former had on black nlnon over white, the black trimmed with wide black and white insertion. Lady Findlay was in dark blue, with lace and embroideries, and wore beautiful black fox furs. ,Of course, there were many Parliamentarians present, and later on the Premier and Sir John Findlay arrived in the best of spirits. Wonderful violets and bulbs came from Levin—as well as a number of the guests—and on the teatable was the beautiful silver service presented recently to Airs Field from her husband’s constituents. In the evening the Women's Social and Political League welcomed the Premier and Sir John Findlay and their wives at a great gathering in the concert-room of the Town Hall—very enthusiastic, although mostly feminine. Speeches, songs and dances filled the bill. Lady Ward again looked charming in Cornatlon blue satin, with a tunic of grey silk net embroidered with grey pearls. Lady Findlay was in black satin and jet. On Wednesday the girls’ section of the Victoria League whoso President is Airs Corliss, sister to Sir John Findlay, and a very clever and energetic lady—tendered their welcome in the Pioneer Club. A charming fiower-decked room, an interesting programme, sweets and supper, all the work of the girls, and the most fascinating gathering of fair young faces, fresh and enthusiastic. This is a most interesting League and doing fine work in music and literature. The two honoured guests were much impressed with their charming entertainment. The ladies of the Arts Club gave a well-arranged welcome on Thursday to Lady Ward and Lady Findlay, and this was the last of these semi public functions for the week. They are not yet over, however. Both ladies seem quite delighted with the warmth of their welcomes and with being back among friends. Lady Findlay had a very bad illness in London, and for a month was quite out of all the gaieties and functions. But tire voyage lias set her up again, and though thinner, she looks well. Naturally their hats and gowns are matters of interest, and it is pleasant to note that they have never worn anything outre in the shape of tight skirts or bizarre hats. The large black picture hats with lovely plenitude of plumes seems to be much worn, and black and white is still in great vogue. Coronation blue is the colour of several frocks of Lady Ward’s a beautiful deep tone and most becoming.

Government Souse Teas. His Excellency has instituted some charming little teas, sometimes with only about a dozen guests, in order to get to know people better. On Tuesday li£ gave one for the Ministers’ womenfolk, and on Friday a slightly larger one at which Miss Thelma Peterson was asked to sing before her concert, which takes place to-night, and which Lady Islington regretfully is unable to attend as it is the birthday of her little daughter, and the event is being commemorated in Featherson. The music took place in the ballroom, in which, though not an ideal room, for singing In, Miss Petersen’s fine voice sounded well. She received many compliments from both the Governor and Lady Islington. Lady Islington is charming at those little functions and makes a delightful hostess, for as well as a most attractive personality she i talks brightly and takes keen interest in matters of the day. Her frocks, too, are Quaint and artistic and suit her to perfection. On Friday she wore a black satin skirt with double skirts of nlnon hemmed with satin falling over it and a rose-pink bodice veiled with ninon, A lovely walking frock of hers this week was of thick white satin, with collar and cuffs of dark fur, worn with a wide black hat heaped with pale pink plumes. In November the Governor and the vice-regal household move to Christchurch, where he has taken Mr A. E. A. Rhodes’ house for two months. I believe they are contemplating taking a house in Palmerston North, their Featherson one having been sold. Mrs Geo. Boiler’s Dance. This was quite the best private dance given here for a long time. Carte blanche was given to caterer and decorator, and the result was something quite exceptionally good. The hall looked lovely, hundreds of hanging baskets filled with flowers being used, and innumerable yards of green and white drapery, while great screens of wattle, bronze birch and daffodils flanked, the stage. The front of the stage was the feature of the decorations. It was made into a parterie, being covered deep with exquisite mosses and out of this seemed to grow snowdrops, daffodils, and freesias in lovely disorder. It was absolutely charming and so cool and fresh looking. The hostess looked most distinguished in white satin and a ninon overdress embroidered in white china beads, the latest form of decoration for tunics. Both she and her husband are vastly popular and will leave a large circle of friends, old and new, behind them when they return to England, where she has left her little daughter in charge of her mother. Among the visitors to Wellington at the dance -were Colonel and Mrs Chaytor, Mr and Mrs' H. Beetham, Miss Mair, and Miss Vavasour. Two “At Homes.” This is a very frivolous letter —full of dissipations and social diversions — but it is the fault of the week. At other times any two of these entertainments would have sufficed to make an interesting week. Mrs Hubert Nathan’s tea was beautifully arranged. Her house is so charming 1 ; the flowers were wonderful, and the baby quite a feature of the afternoon. Mrs Duncan’s tea was noted for the glorious flowers — masses of anemopes from Mr lan Duncan’s gardens at Waikanae, and great bowls of violets from Lowry Bay. Mrs and Miss Duncan are great flowerlovers, and the latter is an enthusiastic gardener. Parliamentary, Notes. The Budget has been read and took nearly three hours, clearing the galleries and inducing blissful slumber' to fall on those that remained. On Sunday, the copies were all taken back dgain, presumably to correct errors. On Sunday Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward were both at Heretaunga—with different parties—enjoying the lovely views and getting some fresh air before going back to the pestilent atmosphere of the chamber. Sir Joseph spent Monday listening to the woes of deputatlonists. They arrived in droves, this being the annual holiday of the deputationist. They get their expenses paid by leagues of some sort or other, or some public body, and, no doubt, enjoy the outing ; but the wasteful practice is being greatly overdone. One deputation from Culverden about the extension of the railway filled the cabinet-room to suffocation, yet there Were only three speakers ! The others simply looked on ; and, as a matter of fact, all they said had been said before at other deputations and could have been better stated on three sheets of foolscap or by the member for the district in Parliament. Both this deputation and another about the Tuapeka Mouth railway made out a good case ; but, just at px-esent, New Zealand railway progress is being blocked to some extent by the unnecessary and costly Midland railway.