WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 348, 8 August 1885, Page 6

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

[by telegraph.] (from our own correspondent. ) Wellington, Thursday. The Exhibition is a complete fraud. The opening ceremony was an utter failure, the arrangements being totally inadequate. Hundreds of invited guests were unable to gain admittance, including the Chief Justice, the Consuls, and the Ministers^jftrho were outside praying Callis to let them fvn. Callous to all entreaty, Lady Yogel was shut out till the Hon. Mr Eichardson, Minister of Public "Works, came up and ordered the Secretary to open the door, when the crowd rushed in without tickets. Yogel made a good speech, and three cheers were called for him, yet here and there there was a general ' sniggle.' N"o catalogues are to hand yet, and consequently nobody knows where to look for anything. On Monday and .Tuesday hardly anybody was there, and all those who were there were 'dead-heads.' The show is generally considered here a complete failure. The Auckland exhibits are much admired, also the Auckland fruit exhibits. Judging will not begin for some days. Saturday's music has been unfavorably criticised, many instrumentalists growling at Parker's management, and at his absence. Lady Jervois got so knocked about in the crush that she was unable to hold her reception on Tuesday. The Resident Magistrate for Wellington got in the way and would not get out again, contending that he had as much right there as the Governor himself. Callis did some calisthenics, but could not move His Worship. The Art Gallery is closed at night. The Exhibition ,is only open two nights a week. People won't go there in the day time, and can't get in in the evening. The Evening Press is in trouble. Mr Wakefield is reported to have told Mr Larnach that he deserved horsewhipping. A southerly buster has been raging during the last three days. Steamers cannot leave the port. The electric light masts have been blown out of shape. There has been a row with the Salvationists. The City Council are going to stop their band playing. The band say they won't be stopped. . A fancy dress ball took place thVother night. All the girls were glad , of the opportunity to show their pretty ankles. Ninety per cent of them were in short dresses, but nothing new or striking was noticeable in costumes. The first examination for volunteer officers took place on Monday. Eleven locals went up. The spelling is said to have beea very bad, but this is not strange. All the candidates were Government clerks. There has been no fun in the House lately. The hearing of the libel case, Dr Stuart (of the Christchurch Hospital) v. Juvening Press, is fixed for the 12th inst.* ; The defendants are very sanguine. Stuart is very sanguinary.