LIFE IN THE CITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8275, 17 October 1905, Page 3

LIFE IN THE CITY.

Life is a journey; on we go Through many a scene of joy and woo

I "ice-Regal Fancy Dress Ball— Yum- Yum and the Chancellor—-Artistic Decorations—The Governor in Auckland —The Art Exhibition—Study in Grey—Bunsai —An Amusing Mistake—Mrs Tripes Pictures—Harrowed Feelings—A Night Off—Sudden Illness—Youthful Auditors —Tiro Recent Weddings—A Charming Trio. The Fancy Dress Ball, given last Thursday by the Governor and Lady Plunket, was an undoubted success. Of course, most of the costumes worn had been seen before at the Veterans' Ball, but they were worth looking at again — especially the lovely Louis Quatorze dresses worn by Lady Plunket's set of Lancers. A few new fancy

d/esses were to be seen, notably Mrs Wilfonl, who made a piquant Yum-Yum, and Jte- husband, who appeared as a stately Lord iJKancellor, in full-bottomed wig and goldembroidered gown of blue. The three little ■ daughters of Lord Plunket looked on with keen interest for some hours. The decorations of the rooms were elaborate and artistic. Yellow broom was much used in immense clusters in corners and over the fire-places; while great plants of azalea in masses of rose and white bloom were banked across the upper part of the ballroom. Clematis in trails and clusters festooned the silver-gilt candelabra that so often decorate the supper tables. Very soon Government House will be empty, for as soon as the session is over, the Governor and family migrato to Auckland for the summer. Some of the party are to motor. LaJy Plunket, who was to have opened the Art Exhibition, on Saturday, sent apologies by Lord Plunket, whe took her place. She was not very well, and went oil' in the motor for change of air. The Governor, in a humorous little speech, hoped the motor would not break down. This 17th annual Art 'Exhibition is decidedly the finest ever held in Wellington. Art matters are of some interest just now,

for there is an agitation afoot to get a permanent art collection here. It is a reproach to the capital of New Zealand that J& should possess no picture-gallery, and the "vlPovernor, in his opening speech, referred to this, saying there were two ways of remedying it, by some wealthy citizens donating works of art, or by the Government's assistance. In Ireland, they would incline to th) latter expedient, he added slyly. The exhibition includes some Australian and English pictures. Of course, with such a crowd as always gathers on the opening day it is not easy to examine the pictures in detail, but a few had merits that would not be denied. To many there, the loveliest picture was a partrait* study by an English painter, Thompson, an exquisitely painted half-length st i> y of a beautiful girl in grey chiffon, and wide grey hat with filmy strings tied under the chin. Perhaps the strongest touches of colour were the tiny wreaths of pink roses under the brim of the hat, and the charming dark eyes. Otherwise, all was in soft tones of pearl and grey, even the background into which the outlines of the graceful figure were lost. Next it was a brilliant portrait by Ingram of his daughter, a pretty, dark-haired girl in white chiffon. This was exhibited at last year's Royal Academy. A weirdly attractive picture was "Banzai" —sent by an Australian painter, DAt ilo Rubbo, "whose work for some years has been admired at our exhibitions.

It is the head, against a murky background starred by burst shell, of a Japanese soldier, frenzied with war-madness. Above him flpfres the Japanese flag, his head is swathsd in a bloodstained bandage, and in his hand, also bloodstained and bandaged, is a sword. The picture breathes a painful atmosphere of defiance and patriotism to the death, and, on Saturday, rarely failed to draw its small crowd of critics and admirers. In connection with the catalogue, an amusing incident occurred. The numbers of two pictures were changed, through some error, and the conseciuence was that the portrait of a wellknown lady, by a well-known artist, appeared on the catalogue as "An Old Pensioner." The President did not improve matters by pasting on, when the mistake was detected, amid much mirth, a label on the lady's picture " A Portrait." One of Howorth's landscapes, "Mount Aspiring," was bought by Mr L. H. B. Wilson, who is a vice-president, and always has taken great interest in the Society, for the coming Wellington Art collection. Lord Plunket purchased the companion picture, " Mount Bevan (from Matukituki River)," for himself. Mrs Tripe [nee Miss Richardson) has been very busy, and has a number of portraits, her mother, her husband, studies cf Miss Hurslhouse and Miss • Erica Fell, a delicious little Arab girl, and an interior with an old man reading tales of #c Maori war. Mrs Adams has some arvellously-painted birds. There are many unobtrusive gems that wait for a lengthier and more attentive search. It is impossible to give a whole-souled study to art with a cup of tea in your hand and half-a-dozen people beside you who yearn to talk to you of topics more or less inartistic. Mrs Plandyside, of Akitio, has some exhibits.

It will be a relief, after the almost unrelieved gloom of the tragedies played by Nance O'Neil, to enjoy " Bsauty and the Barge," in which Mr Brough acts. Nance O'Neil's acting is wonderful, but harrowing, ' and everyone does not care about paying for that sort of thing. At " Marie Antoinette " there was scarcely anyone in the theatre with a dry eye, and from the first to the fifth act all was horror and gloom. In " Elizabeth" there is no brightness, but the character of the great Queen is wonderfully represented by the actress, and her death scene is horribly realistic. One is not sorry to have seen these tragedies, but it is an undoubted relief to find oneself out in the busy, noisy twentieth century of electric cars and telephones. Miss O'Neil has a marvellously expressive face, but is not beautiful. Miss Jane Narberry, who acted Lady Sara Howard, the rival of Elizabeth with Essex, is a very graceful, handsome . woman, and looked lovely in her green velvet ( white satin robes. There have been great ** eßences during the season. The Premier, Miss Seddon, and Lady and Miss Ward, were there at Marie Antoinette, and last Saturday, Lady Ward, Miss Ward, Miss Seddon and her two brothers occupied the centre seats of the circle. A number of Parliamentary people took advantage of the " night off," Mr James Allen, the Speaker, and Mr and Mrs Sidey being among them.

Early on Saturday morning Mr Kaihau the big Maori member who represents the ' Western electorate, had baen speaking "on a Native Lands Bill, introduced by Mr Carroll, and had left the Chamber. He had been resting on a sofa in the lobby, and, getting up, was noticed to - stagger and fall to the ground in a Fit. The first intimation the House got was from Mr % Massey, who, much agitated, entered the Chamber and told Mr Carroll, who was just rising to speak on his Bill, that Henry Kaihau was dying. Whereupon proceedings broke up in confusion, and many hasten?d to do what they could for the stricken man. Serious as his condition seemed at first, he is better to-day. Mr Houston, Member for ■.mL Bay of Islands,, also fell ill last week, fin, I hear, has gene home. It is a curious thing that it is the Chairman, Mr Houston, and one of the prominent members of the Native Committee who have fallen ill almost simultaneously. The House, with the exception of this sad excitement, has been ' deadly dull, though some Bill^i^ebeen

added to the Statute Book. There is hot a gleam of humour to be got out of the proceedings, and the contingents of children who lately have crowded tho gallery must think it the poorest entertainment. MiBarber, whose idea, it is said, it is to educate these infants early in politics, gave the girls tea in the tea room at four o'clock.

Two weddings have taken place last week, and one occurrs this week, of well-known Wellington people. On Tuesday—an appalling day of wind and rain—Miss Waldegvave was married to Mr Sidney Fitzherbert, son of Mr Fitzherbert of Palmerston North. A large number of guests wore invited, and the whole affair, despite the weather, was cheery and bright. Of course, both bride and bridegroom possess many relatives and connections—Richmonds, Atkinsons, Fitzherberts, Warbu'rtons, Fultons—and some had come from some distanco to be present at the function. Sir William Russell proposed the bride's health and the Mayor that of her parents. Miss Foster, of the Ilutt, was married to Mr Bennett, of Gisborne, the following day, which happened to bo Labour Day, a fact not remembered when the affair was fixed, and one that caused countless difficulties in the way of getting cabs and waiters. However, a lovely afternoon ensued after tho storm, and the many guests were able to walk in the gardens. Miss Eva Fell marries Mr Russell Dymock next Wednesday. The tall graceful bride and her two stately sisters ought to make a very handsome wedding group. The reception after the ceremony is to be held at Mrs Fitzgerald's large house and grounds in Tinakori-road.