LIFE IN THE CITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7499, 30 June 1903, Page 2

LIFE IN THE CITY.

Life 13 a journey ; on wo go Through many a scene of joy and woo,

Symptoms of the Session—The new Members—The Vacant Spaakership — Physical Training—Sandow F.iercises—Grotesque hut Valuable—The Short Skid-Austral Clnh—A Boon lo Visitors -Inquire Here, —The Trom-ll Twins—A Large Al Home -Cood Music—Vagaries in sleeves—Shop Windows.

Tho session is plainly commencing. Even a novico could notice tho increased activity about Parliament Buildings— tho men who havo already begun to wait for members, tho telegraph boys, in their khaki and red suits, and tho tradesmen's carts supplying Bellamy's. All around Parliament Buildings the members aro finding lodgings, some in the Hotel Cecil, and more in tho many boarding-houses in the vicinity. A fow havo taken furnished houses, among these being Mr and Mrs llcaton Rhodes, who have gone to Mrs A. li. E. Brown's, iv Tinakoriroad. Every day new members aro arriving. Mr Hauine—ono of tho Auckland luen, with a charming American wife—has been hero for a week or two, | and intends to start an oilico in Wellington, his head-quarters being, of course, in tho Northern City. Mr and Mrs Massey havo arrived, and Mr Withcford. Tho hitter's first word, as was his last, last session, is a compliment on the pleasant, gontlcmanly men who form tho new Parliament.

As there are over twenty new men in the House, thero is naturally a great deal of interest and curiosity as to how they will shape. But the main topic of talk at present—and, by the timo this letter is published, it will bo settled—is tho disposal of the various Speakerships and Chairmanships. Parliament, as thero is as yet no Speaker to summon it, meets by Commission on Monday, when tho ollice is filled. Mr Guinness is supposed to bo certain to bo appointed Speaker, and Major Steward will probably bo Chairman of Committees ; while, in the Legislative Council, tho Hon. W. C. Walker's name is mentioned as Speaker. By the bye, " King " Mahuta, who is ono of tho Commission appointed to open Parliament, has not yet put in an appearance.

Wellington, judging from tho very largo number of people who attend the gymnastic classes, is firmly convinced of tho value of physical training. At an open night lately to finish the term of one of tho training schools, over two hundred pupils performed, and a most interesting exhibition was given. Many of thoso were young women and men, probably confined to shop or office during tho day. The Sandow exercises are particularly curious when seen for the lirst timo, and the dumb-bells are used by hundreds of people here who cannot afford tho time for the classes. Oiio exercise was most amusing to the onlookers. A row of mattresses was placed, and at a signal about twenty mm laid themselves flat down on them, their hands clasped behind their heads. Then first one leg had to be raised, then the other, and then both together, in time to music. Next they had to raise themselves to a sitting posture, and lastly spring to their feet. Perhaps it is owing to tho desire for physical training that our Wellington girls are noticeably carrying themselves better. There is certainly a keen revival of hockey for girls, and tho clubs practice energetically two or threo times a week. Even tho schools havo started clubs, and one sees quite small damsels carrying their sticks.

Athletics for women naturally leads to the subject of the short skirt, the t-rot.loir, or trotting skirt, as it is technically called. It was said that these wero to become general, not only for games— where they are absolutely imperative— but for walking and shopping, but as yet they are slow in making their appearance here. As the majority of women walk when they pay their calls, they carry their trains with them. Indeed, it is common to see a nursemaid wheeling a perambulator with one hand and holding up her dress with tho other— a waste of energy that the result does not certainly justify. Some of the members of the Short Skirt Society in Christchurch havo been photographed, to encourage their more timid sisters; but the picture is not very enticing. This is perhaps the fault of the artist. It is noticeable, however, that one or two still cling to the frivolity of laco collars to deck out the brief severity of their tailor-mades. According to the " Queen," tho correct length for a short skirt is just above your instep, and if well cut it will look remarkably smart. But —and this is a most emphatic but— it must be taiior-made in tailor materials, and it must not be worn in tho afternoon. Most of the trotteuse gowns in London arc pleated, either from tho waist, or from a hip-yoke—a fatal stylo for any but the tall and slim. Or the skirt may be plain, but decorated with three or five broad flat-stitched strappings, attached to the skirt only at tho upper edge, and over-lapping one another. This gives the idea of a triple skirt, and makes the edge hang out well.

I have, this week, received some interesting details about tho Austral Club, iv New Bond-street, whoso chairman is Mrs Hirst Alexander, a well-known writer, who, at one time, lived iv Australia, and had much to do with tho Austral Salon. The list of vice-Presi-dents numbers most of the wives of the colonial Governors, and the Committee includes some very familiar names. To visitors from the colonies, who must, by the way, be accredited by letters from well-known people in Australia or New Zealand, such an institution must be most useful. Its aims and objects are manifold—social, literay, educational, aud industrial. To the guileless stranger it recommends a hotel, or a boardinghouse, to suit her income, it supplies names of professors, schools, publishing (inns, dress-makers, and it does shopping on a fair commission. It is proposed to add lady guides and au art department to its many sides. At present, a temporary club room has been taken in New Bond-street, where meetings can be hold, and luncheon and afternoon teas obtained. To the bewildered stranger such a refuge must offer many advantages.

The second Trowell concert was as pronounced a success as tho first, and tho Sydney-street Hall was crowded to the doors with a most enthusiastic audieuco, who demanded encores, aud refused to be put off with simple bows of acknowledgment. The boys played splendidly, tho 'cellist especially enthralling his audience, and convincing it that it was the wisest wisdom to send him to Germany to pursue his studies. The concert was organised by Mr Parker, and tho Glee and Madrigal Society, of which he is leader, assisted, while Mr E. Hill sang "Where'er She Walks "most charmingly. At the end of the programme, Mr Dean, after thanking Mr Parker and others, mentioned that they had gathered enough money to keep the two boys abroad studying for four years, all but iso, and ho was sure that small amount would speedily be supplied. The boys themselves aro quietly delighted at the prospects before them, and propared for any amount of hard work. They leave very soon.

A very large At Homo was given last week by Mrs Mills —the wife of the Minister of Customs. Their house in Tinakori-road is admirably suited for entertaining in, the drawing-room being two rooms divided by a wide arch. A hundred and fifty invitations wero sent out, and over a hundred guests wero nresent. Most delicious refreshments wero set out in tno uiiJiiig-iCCII!, "Hithere was somo excellent music during the afternoon in the drawing-room, Mrs Webb—Mrs Mills' sister—and one of tho Miss Mills', singing. Thero is a Miss Howard, from Auckland, at present staying with Miss Coatcs, who has a very lino voice and has been delighting those who have been fortunate enough to hear her. She sang twice at Mrs Mills' At* Homo, Among the guests was Mrs James, from iu„-tC.t-_:.

are tho feature of the new frocks that arc' making" their debuts at the largo teas, and they wax wider and quainter every week. No one is wearing them tight at the wrist, unless a wide over-sleove requires a little under-sleeve, and some women havo them cut so long that thoy aro unwieldly and perilous to tea-cups, iv one of the large shops here there is a tailor who makes a specialty of sleeves. Ho designed and made a number of tho striking frocks worn at the recent ball, and his latest creation is on view to-day, and is certainly a work of art. It is a long black coat, with ! white fronts, elaboratoly embroidered in turquoise blue, a deep whito collar coming to a point at tho back, and very wide sleeves escaping from wido white hands at the elbow, The coat is most effective and exquisitely finished, An amusing incident occurred tho other day. Ono of the big shops was displaying a delightful array of " Japanese goods at Japaneso prices," so tho flaring labels announcod, and wo all ga_od and fell victims to tho

bamboo and lacquer tables and fcrn-B-r* stands. Two days after, a rival estab- ™ lishment filled a largo window with the same class of goods, and labelled them "Locally Made," dispelling the glamour of tho East that hung round our purchases. Window-dressing, by the way, is becoming quito an art in Wellington. Kirkcaldio's displays have recently been most artistically arranged,and the D.I.C. has engaged an American windowdrosser. So wo can look forward to wholesome livalry and delightful artistic harm_nies.