WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 24, 14 June 1890, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

JUNE 5. Dear Bee. AA'e have had rather a gay time in AVellington. First there was the (Governor's levee on Friday last at 5 o'clock. It was undress, or rather gentlemen's morning costume, except in the case of A’olunteers or Militia officers, who appeared in uniform. There was a very good attendance, but not a crowd. Those admitted to the private entree were received at a quarter to five, and the general public punctually at five, and as soon as there was a break in the line of visitors the Governor left the chamber, and many gentlemen who arrived a little late were not pre -ented. This was rather di.sap|>ointing to those who arrived • •nly a few minutes after the appointed hour, many having some distance to come from their places of business. A dinner was given on Saturday evening at Government House in honour of the Birthday, to which only the ministers, judges, and one or two high ami titled officials were invited. Of course it was a gentleman's dinner party. On Monday we had a general holiday instead of on the 24th, and the weather was splendid. ’ There were excursions by train and steamer, picnic |>arties and riding j-arties, and the harbour looker! unusually gay with yachts ard boats. Numbers of jeople went across the harbour to the different Irays to wander

about and enjoy themselves. In the afternoon there was a review by the A’olunteers, and rhe Royal salute was fired by the artillery and the feu-dt-jov by the infantry. Altogether AA’ellington had a very gay apj>earance. and numliers of visitors came from all parts ot the country and took the ,q>portunity of attending the performance of ■ La Mascotte ' at the < )pera House in the evening. The piece went splendidly, and the house was crowded to excess. This is certainly the rm*** successful opera the company have given here. It has always been the best attende*!. The ( tpera Company have lately given a most amusing little after-piece called • < harity begins at Home.' a musical proverb written by B. C. Stephenson, and the music by Alfred Cellier. It is immensely tunny and pretty, the chief part being taken by Mr Elton, who makes people laugh to a painful degree. They have only two more nights to appear, and then go on to Napier and Auckland. They must have done extremely well here, for the house has been well filled. • >n Tuesday. Lady Onslow gave a garden party to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday. It was not precisely the ideal ~ort of day for sueh an entertainment, for though’ it was fine overhead it was wet underneath, and there was a rasping northerly wind. ‘ Nebulous masses ’ of white muslin. • dreams ’ of blue gauze, and • fairy creations ' of pink tulle were not to be seen. Gossamer hats with land-scape gardens on the top were absent, and delicate cAonsywrc-* gave way to strong waterproof walking boots. Ladies wore furs and men wore overcoats. A band under a tree sent shivering raise music over the gardens ; there was also a tent for refreshments. Had there been a charcoal burner's hut rat sixpence a head>, or a witch's eave with glowing brazier in aid of the hospital, that institution would have thought of the advisability of building a new wing. A hot potato man with some variety in the way of chestnuts and popped corn would have made his fortune. It is also safe to say that if the entertainment had been anywhere else than at < Government House no one would have gone. Later on in the evening the guests went inside, and it was more comfortable. This is hardly the time of year for an open-air gathering. Lady Onslow received" in the large ballroom, and wore a dark dress with fur cloak and small bonnet trimmed with black and white ; indeed manv of the ladies had warm wraps, especially while walking in the grounds. It was a pity that the party hail not been held the previous day, which was simply lovely, amt almost like summer. I should like to have described some of the dresses worn by the ladies, but as so many had cloaks or wraps on. it was not easy to see the costumes, and many left early to escaj>e the very cold night wind. There must have been about 300 persons present, and had the weather been favourable the i-arty would have been more enjoyable. The Governor and Lady Onslow generally go over to Lowery Bay on Saturday, and remain until the following Monday, spending the time with their children, who reside there. It is no doubt a delightful place, and most enjoyable and healthy in fine bright weather, and I am sure the children must like being there. In the summer quite a number of families spend a month or so either in Lowery Bay, A’ork Bay, or Days Bay. The scenery is very fine, and there are numbers of pretty spots to visit and hold picnics in. It is becoming quite a favourite seaside resort. In Auckland they are well off for summer residences in and about the eity. I know there are many delightful places within easy reach of the town where people go to enjoy themselves for a few weeks' rest in the hot and trying weather. The charming locality of AA’aiwera is in itself sufficient to attract not only those who live in that neighbourhood, but all who visit New Zealand. All who know the Hon. Mr Waterhouse and Mrs Waterhouse will be sorry to hearthat they do not intend returning to New Zealand on account of the failing health of the former. They are now residing at Torquay, in England. Mr Waterhouse finds the climate suits him so well that he has purchased a residence there. His beautiful house and grounds in Hobson Street, AA’ellington. will be sold. Mrs AA’aterhouse had many friends, and was greatly liked, and we are sorry to lose her from amongst us. The following are some of the ladies I noticed at the < >pera last evening and the dresses they wore :—Mrs Coleridge. black satin : Mrs Hislop, black satin dress and peacock blue plush opera cloak ; the Misses Hislop, pretty white dresses and pale blue sashes : Mrs Barron, black dress relieved with red, and handsome dark red cloak ; Miss Barron, white dress and fan with orange coloured tips ; Miss AL Gore, white dress and white plush cloak with tur ; Lady Buller, rich black silk : Miss Buller, black lace dress, V --haped body, and red plush cloak : Mrs W. Mantel), black lace dress and red plush opera cloak ; Miss L. Krull, soft whitesilkdresscutsquareandwhiteplu'hcloak: Misst Garrett, pale blue, and her sister a pale pink dress ; Mrs Dr. Gillon, dark red silk dress with white front. Miss Hadfield wore a handsome dark red plush cloak; Mrs Robert Pharazyn, black silk dress and white silk shawl ; Miss Swainson, a sapphire blue <qiera cloak. The ojera performed wa~ ‘ Patience,' and the dresses of the ladv performers were very handsome. The company repeat this piece this evening for their last night, so that they will soon visit Auckland, and 1 hope the o[*era season will be as much enjoyed there as here. Ruby.

A very interesting competition took place the other .lay let ween some of the girls of the North London Collegiate School for Girls, in order to try and determine the vexed question of the effects of corset wearing and non-corset wearing upon the general health and strength. There were sixteen on each side, and one side wore corsets while the other side did not. Unfortunately, however, for the cause of science, the results in each ease were almost exactly eoual, a trifling advantage in the matter of pulling (in tugs ot war) on the part of the corsetless maidens being fulTv counterlxilanced by an advantage in the matter of leaping on the j>art of the corset-wearing ones.