FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5776, 29 October 1897, Page 3

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

" flat, Lord, /here's no miiuii g tchai one 4 hem: /hough to be sure, I hail this on my jooii an//ion7y."-JInsCANi)OUR in School for Scandal. Weimmtoj, Wednesday. A NATIVE DBrBTATION, There were groups of waiting Maoris at the corners of the streets near the tho House on Monday afternoon, but, wa on questioning them, it was some time * before we found out where and when the deputation to the l'remier was to tako place. It was a yery important deputation—that was impressed upon us, and the abolition of the Native L'inds Courts was mentioned as a possible result. At half-past three we made onr way with a throng of Maoris—men, women and children—into the church school-

room in Syducy-strect. Wo found ourj, selves the first Europeans among many natives, A row of wahinos sat on our left, with three or four children. One lady I kad often seen wandering about lanibton-quay, indeed I met her first nt the winter race meeting. She wears a black shawl rouud her head, hiding Iwr hair and casting deep shadows on the grim face it encloses and overhangs. 'Another black shawl is folded close about her, and sometimes contains a

little brown boy. She only wants a wreath of laurel leaves to look very like * Dante, uiid, sitting as she. is now, with elbow on knee, chin on hollowed palm, nnd dark eyes gazing out into a melancholy futurity, she might very well stand for "licmorse" or ''Despair." . Some of the wahines wear their mats, ,»and many arc so up-to-date as to carry .'walking sticks. On each side of the little platform which soon is to be graced by the Premier's imposing presence, arc blazoned the legeuds "Joy" and v " Peace," while in the centre is a text with a picture from a Xmas illustrated paper beneath it. On the table stands a fat little jug and a tumbler of water, and Mahupuku's tall hat is adorning the table that the reporters are using. The rows of earnest-faced Maoris are very silent, but from the women—led by a big lady in yellowish-white draperies—comes a droning croon that gradually swells and then dies away. An exclamation, a shuttle of feet, and the rustle of standing proclaims the entrance of the Premier, and all remain on their feet till the Right Hon. Mr Seddou takes his place. Mr Carroll and his private secretary are with him, and a few other members of the House have dropped in, One almost expected a benediction from the Premier as the Maoris stood waiting reverently till he wns scaled. t Someone proposes Tamahau Malmpuku should take the chair, but Mr Scddon inform; tlieni no chair is necest sary on this occasion, and the chief,who is quite willing to act, resumes his scat. Then in the silence of expectation that follows nothing is heard except the whimpering of a little child in the back scat,and the "Hush! hush!"of the mother as she stills it.

Tomoana, a Hawke's Bay chief, and formerly a member of the House, is to * present the petition. He rises, paper in hand, a strong-faced, elderly man, ami his speech is translated by a young Maori fellow, in the most correct of black coats and ties and high white collar. He, we learn, is Mr Ngata, the first Maori who has passed the baristers' examinations in New Zealand. At times lie is floored completely in his equivalent English for Tomoana's Maori and then Mr Carroll, who is sitting on the edge of the platform below him, gives him a friendly shove on in the way of the right word or a correct expression. The gist of the petition was an entreaty to preserve the native lands, and not to allow any more to be sold. Stripped of its garnishiugs, the petition would hayeoecupiedaboutthreeminutes, Then came Mahupuku—in frock-coat and with serious countenance—and lie

enlivened the proceedings by ending his remarks—which in tenor resembled % Tomoana's—with a song in which the women joined lustily, probably glad of a legitimate excuse to exercise their lungs, for they are all most quiet and attentive listeners. The leader's voice needed oiling badly, but lie gave the weird chant with any amount of will. His breath failed him now and then, but the was titled up by obliging friends until Malmpuh, leaning on his silverhandled stick, had got his wind back to "go on again. He ended in a long drawn-out wail and a staccato howl that were highly effective. After the song he became more emphatic. He told the Premier that these Maoris present were selected from the various tribes, and after an earnest plea for native lands to be preserved and a little speech of thanks to Jlr Carroll, he sat down amid great applause.

'■ It was curious lo see how many Maoris were taking notes of procecdiuiis in their little pocket-books. One lady reporter—a pleasant lirmvn-faced tailormade Avaliine—wrote vigorously, for a time, but as a more rapid speaker rose, she strapped up her note-book with a frown and sat listening and evidently f disapproving. _ Then the Premier rose, and putting, his gold eye-classes in his pocket, began his speech. Mr Carroll translated, and It was as delightful to listen to the harmonious rush of the soft syllables as it was to watch the varying expressions—from grave to gay, from lively to severe—that llitted across his face. It is a decided handicap to be forced tn have one's jokes translated, thoiiKli, indeed, the Premier's little stories seemed to lose nothing in point by passing through Mr Carroll. But when Mr Seddon told them, there was a dead silence, which was broken by great clapping and laughter when Mr Carroll translated. There was more embroidery than original stuff about the Premier's speech, but it fetched his audience. He began by telling them they were the noblest aboriginal race in all Her Majesty's dominions, He blamed the white men as well as Maoris for past troubles. Speaking in high praise of the Maori members of the contingent, lie implored tho wahines not to turn nalc when he

told lliem that the English ladies fell in love with the Maori troopers ("A r ery 1 likely" said a man at my back) and that man had two weeping fair ones when ho left London, who clung to him, declaring he should never come back. This brought down the house, and there were roars of laughter and rapping of sticks. The Premier told the people at Home that the Maoris in the contingent jvere only small in number and small in size compared with their countrymen in New Zealand. " They have men like me," he told them, and as lie said this, he slapped his chest proudly. By this time afternoon tea was a vanished regret, and dinner-time seemed to loom near, Wo wondered if any one had brought sandwiches, and if there , was any chance of getting home before the shades of night fell. At last the Premier came to the meaning of all this " gathering—the Native Lands grievance —and spoke at length on it, urging the natives to preserve their lands, hut he gave them no definite promises. However, when he stated that in the Financial Statcmept they would notice that the days dßthe Native Lands Courts were numberwl, and that they will soon be abolished, there was great enthusiasm, the tailor-made wahine joining in vigorously with her stick, fßy this time Mr Carroll was wornut, and, wiping his fevered brow, he -sked the interpreter to come and " take a spell," but when Wi Pere got up Mr Carroll still went on translating, Wi Pcre was dissatisfied with the Premier's answer, and wanted those who sold or bought native lauds to be hauled away for instant execution. It put me absurdly in mind of the bloodthirsty . Queen io" Alice in Wonderland." He urged the Premier to act in this matter at once. "How do you know that the ♦next day may not see your downfall?" he asked, adding, "Do not say keep jour lands, but you pass Act to prevent tii£ sale of them, Do not delay. Di's. «ard the word Taiahoa, Taiahoa, Taiafco&r which, being interpreted, is " put ■off" or "delay," The proceedings were •ended by a request from Tomoana that 4lw Premier's speech be printed in gilded

Idlers, and given to him to bo hung up in his hall. A Lip, hip, hurrah followed, ami we loft Mr Sctfdon surrounded by a dozen or two Maoris, men and women, and gaily shaking hands with all of them. THE OBCnESTHAL CONCERT. The Wellington Orchestral Society's coacort on Tuesday was a decided success, both as regards the audience and the performance. It was not too long, which is a great merit of Mr Maughau Harriett's concerts, and the whole programme was over before ten, though those luckless ones who had to go Tiiorndonwards in tlio trum were forced to sit in it for a quarter-of-an-hour before tliero was the slightest inclination on its part of a move. The rice-regal seats were prettily draped with liberty muslin and scarlet, but we all shuddered as we pictured the. Countess in her favourite rose-pink. T!ii) back of the seats was raised quite high—at least a foot above the heads of the occupants—and draped with red and white. Consequently when the unfortunate ones, who, when booking their seats, had flattered themselves tliey had secured the yery best and the closest to vice-regality, arrived, they found, to their horror, the barrier only just allowed lliem to look over at the stage nud no more It was pathetic to see the tops of the heads and (he melancholy eyes of that row of people, It was hopeless to try mid get another seat, for every one was eugaged, so, though the situation was annoying, they had to possess their souls in patience. The Countess wore black silk, with nn opcra-cloak of accordion-pleated cream silk, with much soft lace about the throat and front. In her hair-quite at the back—were jewelled white lace wings rising straight up from the coils. The effect was quaint and effective. Lord Kanfurly, the utiles, mid Captain Alexander were with her, and they all seemed to enjoy the concert. The most- appreciated items wore perhaps not those performed for the first time, though the Wedding March was received with enthusiasm, l'robably to many there, of the feminine persuasion, it brought up recollections or expectations. The merry clang and clash of its march seems the musical embodiment of all hope, joy, mid faith. Oue girl behind me said she did so like the Wedding March. "Most girls do," said her male companion cynically. " Hut," she said," I /ore the Dead March. ] shall insist on having the Dead March played immediately after the Wedding Murcli when I am married!"

11l the concerto of Beethoyeu Mr Maughan Burnett played the pianoforte part exquisitely. It is a positive pleasure to watch his hands on the instrument, and lie has no ungainly tricks or manncrisius that many musicians affect, Mr J. \V, Hill was the vocalist, and sang well, but why should ho not sing songs with sensible words? I don't complain of the German songshegaveas encores. lam quite ready to take it for granted that they were the very finest poetry, but in the first song '' Angel's Guard fliee," the third line is: "Her sweet eyes prisoned now in their soft silken vows." J suppa.se " vows" means eye-lids, but by wlmt poetical license the writer uses the substitute, oue fails to guess. It is a pity that a good singer should not choose good words, for—the finer the music is-the more it is desecrated by wedding it to unworthy words. The Madrigal by Chaminadc—that Mr Hill sang—is very sweet, and this composer has taken decided hold of her public, though most of her songs are over-dilliutilt for all save thorough musicians.

Theseleetion" ToreadoretAndalouso" which was delightfully familiar to ut«, and tjie Hungarian Dances ended a most successful programme. GOWNS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. I was quite unable—through " press of other matter," as the editors say—to write anything at all in my last letter about the dresses at Government House Ball. It may not be too late now. White was the favourite, and some of the handsomest gowus were of that colour—or want of colour. Of course there were some tlektantcs there, but girls uow-a-days do not " como out "in white muslin with a single rose in their hair and a sash round their waists—as girls did in real life and novels half-a-century ago. They may wear muslin -but it is momsdine ik soie-a glorified form of the material, as different to its ancestor as cream is to skim-milk. And this softsilkened fabric must be worn over silk or satin under-skirts, so the humble heroine whose purse is slender is debarred from donning it. There were many girls at the Ball who had lovely white satin and brocade frocks—simple and plain as to skirt, but elaborately trimmed with chiffon, pearls, babyribbon or feathers on the bodice. One girl—lately from Home—had hersquarecut thin silk bodice overhanging the belt back and front, and horizontal rows of insertion were set in right round. This is fashionable m London now, and is exceedingly effective in irasbinc materials.

Black and white was worn by mauy of the elder ladies, one having over her low bodice a white satin embroidered bolero that fell in long points below the waist, while another bodice was covered with aecordion-pleatcd white chiffon. It was diliicult to particularize among so many lovely gowns, but there was one extremely preity fair-haired girl whose whole costume was artistically perfect, felic had little colour, hut a creamy complexion, and dark eyes, which with her fair liair made her an attractive and uncommon style of beauty Her frock was pale green satin-lhe green Of a . lilac eat—and made quite simply, uilli little trimming, save groat t. I !ustcrs and trails of violets, and she carried a trail bouquet of the same flowers, Another prutly gown was pink brocade, with smart revers of violet velvet and violet flowers. It does not sound harmonious, I confess, but given the right shade of colours, the effect is very good There were mauy loiv-necked gowns made with the niched or frilled lone chlltoi) sleeves. They are very charmnit! and like many other charming things, very expensive and not warranted to wear well. There is always the difficulty about the gloves to be got oyer. If the gloves are short they look paltry, if long, the effect of the transparent slceyo is spoilt. The very latest in opera-wraps covers the whole frock, and falls from a yoke and has large, bishop sleeves. I saw one at the concert, of some soft white corduroy material, with a handsomely embroidered yoke, and bands at Hie wrists. The Countess' wrap was black satin, fur-lined, with crimson velvet yoke mid sable bordering, I heard that agown she wore at one of the recent dinner-parties at Government House was very beautiful. It was of white brocade, patterned with pale-pink roses, and from the shoulders to the hem of tlio skirt fell broad scarves of pink chiffon, tucked across the bodice, and theu flying loose,

SOME HOOKS TO HEAD. Have any of you read that fascinating uook, "The Jfaulkha" written con* jointly hj Bud yard Kipling and Wolcot Ualestier? It is interesting from start to finish, and the combination of Yankee smartness and matter-of-factness with Eastern indolence and conservatism is delightful. Through it runs a very pretty love-story, that ends-as all lovetales should—happily, Guy Boothby's novels arc in great demand, _ and I hear his latest—"The Fascination of tho King"—is as good as any of his former stories. And though it is not brand-new Harold Frederic's Illumination " is decidedly a book to be read. The hero is a young Methodist clergyman, eloquent and gifted, but utterly unsuited by temperament to his position. How his illumination took place 1 shall leave you to find out. Fobbest Eoss.