LIFE IN THE CITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7243, 26 August 1902, Page 2

LIFE IN THE CITY.

Life is a journey; on we go Through many a scene of joy and woe. Our Latest Poscssion — The Dauntless Four — Exciting Reminiscences — The New Schooner — Hank Holidays—Racing and Gambling—A New Saint—A Bright Concert — Milts and Chiffons—An Admirable Gown—Daffodil Tea—Spring Club Ball — Chrislchurch Pollard Benefit.

Tho most interesting debato this last week was that on the Cook Islands, our latest and most unprofitable possessions. Mombers recalled vividly the afternoon two years ago when the annexation was carried, and the Premier, calling out " All upstanding," led the House in the National Anthem. Only four men voted against tho motion, Hemes, Monk, Atkinson and Hutchison, and all four . gave sundry reminiscences on Tuesday evening, many of these being exceedingly uncomplimentary to the Premier's excited eloquence on that occasion. Mr Hutchison has not yet forgot the names he was called, and Mr Atkinson still resents the reflections cast on his loyalty because, being against the annexation, ho did not join in the chorus. Nature, besides, had not gifted him with a voice. The general opinion of tho speakers appeared to bo that the Cook Islands were an expensive luxury. No revenue is procured from them, for two years no official despatches from their Commissioner have been laid before members, and the new steamer, the Countess of Itanfurly, is costing j>7oo a month, and has proved a failure. Mr Tanner declares she goes sideways to the wind, like a pig going to battle. She takes her time, too, going to the Islands, and fights shy of hurricanes. somo of the members desire to go to Rarotonga and spy out the land for themselves, they refused to go in the Countess of Ranfurly. **

There was much debate en the question of Bank holidays, many members believing Bank clerks to be hard-work-ing and ill-paid officials, deserving of any relaxation a kindly Providence might send them. From holidays, the members got on to racing, and "we had various dismal recitals of' young men, unable to withstand the temptations of the totalisator, using money not their own, and ending in disgrace and ruin. Mr Symo did not see tho necessary connection between racing and gambling. He had been thirteen years Secretary of a Racing Club, and never put a shilling on a horse, and he averred—amid disbelieving ejaculations—-that- hundreds ot thousands had done the same. Mr G. W. Russell was another who enjoyed racing from an aesthetic standpoint. Few objected to the Bank clerk's holidays. Indeed, Mr John Hutchison wanted more Saints' days to be added, and asked the House what was tho matter with St. David that he should not be with a holiday. Someone suggested " St. Richard," but it fell flat. -T* An excellent and bright concert was given last Monday by Mr Robert Parker's Glee and Madrigal Society, which has a large membership, and includes some of our very best singers. Apart from the music, the whitc-frocked girls against the dark suits of the male singers make a pretty sight, and Mr Parker's skilful and enthusiastic conductorship is worth studying. An Irish ballad—a variation of Lochinvar—filled the first half of tho programme, and was not only a novelty] but deeply interesting, the variety of emotions being cleverly expressed by the singers, In .the second part, a younger Miss Parsons Bang charmingly, and especially in her encore, " Love has__ Eyes," which she gave in a most" coquettish and dainty manner. The talented Parsons family was well represented, for beside Mrs Wilson, whose sweet voice was heard in all the con, certed items, and who sang in a very* taking trio, Mr W. Parsons contributed. Miss Tolhurst sang a solo, and Miss Stuart played, while a flute duet t by Mr J. Hill and Mr L. Cohen, was one of the gems of the evening. It was an invitation concert, and the hall was crowded to the doors with a very smart audience, who thoroughly appreciated the musical fare provided.

Anything lovelier than, the new silks would be hard to imagine. The patterns are exquisite dainty garlands and posies of blossoms on pale grounds, ing loops and bows of colour Riding in and out the designs. The foulards would make ideal garden party frocks to sweep over velvet lawns, far from dust and dirt of cities. Here, in Wellington, one gets few opportunities of wearing such delicate gowns, and the high winds we get in summer are also a deterrents The price of these foulards is not high. A new silk has a chessboard pattern in tones of one colour, and another has thfe* background to its lovely floral designsspotted with satin dots. Some voiles and silk muslins are captivating, bub require costly linings and very artistic trimmings. A lovely frock of grey green voile was worn recently by Lady Ward. It was made over silk, and had trails of honiton lace in pale yellow tones upon the graceful skirt. The bodice, with broad collar and revere of lade, opened over a whito glace vest, crossed by tiny bands of flame-coloured velvet, secured in the centre by tiny brilliant buckles. The vivid tint was repeated iv the lace collar and the cuffs,

Mrs O'Connor's teas are always de. lightful functions, and her house the very pleasantest for being entertained in, This was a " Daffodil At Home," and the lovely Spring blossoms, got from the Wairarapa (a favoured spot far ahead of Wellington), were set about in every room, ami stood in great sheaves and clusters on-every possible standpoint. Especially fine were the deep jrelloi* blossoms with the orange far more intense in colour than those chat grow here. Mrs Arthur Martin ia staying with Mrs O'Connor just now, Two rooms were set apart for tea, and the tables were beautiful with spring flowers, violets in quaint little shoes and daffodils in white vases of various shapes. A band played during the afternoon. Some new Spring hats made their debut at this tea. One in particular was of black chip, rolled up all round and more at the back. Good lace draped the brim, and straps of velvet, fastened with round paste ornaments, appeared to keep this lace in its place. At the back were great roses—blush, vivid pink and crimson— with exquisite foliage. A large black velvet bow, with long ends that drooped over the hair, also adorned the back, where a rose and leaves fell almost to the neck of the wearer. On every second hat appoared this lace drapery, and most bocoming it is to most faces. Some one who has just arrived from Sydney saya the long draperies or velvet ends at the back of the hats reach to the wearers' X waists, and very unmanageable thoy become in a high wind.

The Club Ball in honour of tho Coronation was a very brilliant affair, tho floral decorations being most elaborate. Yellow was the principal colour, and greas crowns of daffodils mingled with yioleta —imperial gold and purple—were suspended from the ceilings. "WattWwas set about in profusion, and the of the ballroom —the dining-room recently enlarged—were festooned with camellias and foliage. The supper was excellent, as is always the ca.se at the Club fuge- ' tions, and tho only drawback appeared to be the dearth of dancing men, and the consequent wall-flowers. That, howover, is a natural consequence of Club dances, for tho members are not, themselves, keen on dancing; and most of the outside tickets go to girls. Dr Collins is President this year, and he and Mrs Collins received the guests, her dress being white silk veiled with Irish point. The Governor was present, and with him came Lady Constance in white "**x silk with a crimson Coronation sash. Any amount of preparation had been made to enteiuain the guests, A large refreshment marquep erected Qμ the tennis ground, and a covered way made to it from the building. The porch had boon canvassed, so that visitors could step at once into cover. The night was a most exquisito one, keen but clear as day, with a magnificent lqoon.

The Governor intends to take a house, if he caii get a suitable one, in Master, ton, after the Session, and spend some time in that district. Qα Friday evening he, Lady Constance in Lady Ban. fuyly's absenoo acting as hostess," entertained the College lads up for the football match. Ten of them with ajßKter stayed at Government House, and TRI of them dined there; a ping-pong and a billiard tournamont—with prizes—being oi'ganisod. Lady Ranfurly is still ill in Clirisfcohurch. She has an attack of inrluen/.a, and will probably not be up in Wellington for a few days. The benefit performance by the Pollards for tho Veterans' Home, takes placo on >- Monday, when the Governor and a large \ party from Government House will attend. Tho box plan, is being rapidly filled up. f *