WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 42, 17 October 1891, Page 490

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, October 2. We have, strange to say, for we expected no moreuntil next session, had two dances this week, and, unfortunately they both fell on the same night. One was given by Miss Emily Johnston, daughter of the late Hon. John Johnston, at her house in Eitzherbert Terrace, and the other by the Misses Tuckey in Spiller’s Hall, Boulcottstreet. Miss Johnston’s was a very enjoyable affair, all the appointments, as you may imagine, being perfect. It was an *At Home,’ and was especially given in honour of Mr Earl Johnston, her nephew, who has come out to visit his family from England. His brothers, Messrs Guy and Featherstone Johnston, were both there. Among the guests were Mrs C. Johnston, Mrs W. T. L. Travers, Mrs Coleridge, Mrs Grace, Mrs Williams, Mrs (Dr.) Newman, Mrs (Dr.) Collins, Mrs Barron, Mrs W. Moorhouse, Mrs Izard, Mrs Robt. Hart, Mrs J. P. Maxwell, and the Misses E. Richmond, A. Hadfield, 1. and M. Grace, H. andE. Williams, Brandon, E. and L. Izard, Russell (Hawke’s Bay), Baillie (Blenheim), Holmes (Dunedin), Duncan, Harding (2), Menzies (2), and Medley, and Messrs C. Johnston, Maxwell, Moorhouse, Travers, Walrond, Buller, Richmond, Brown, Tripp, Kemp, Avise, Butterworth (Dunedin), Barron, Bethune, Anson, and Dr. Grace. The dance began at 9.30 o’clock, which I cannot help thinking too late for the colonies. Ours —I think I may safely speak in this general way, as there are so few exceptions—is such a busy life out here, that it does not do to allow our pleasures to interfere too much with our daily occupations. It seems unkind*to say so after having enjoyed our kind hostess’ hospitality, but"! do think it was a wee bit inconsiderate, and I think everyone shared my humble opinion. We did not get away until 2.30 o’clock, and this is most unusual nowadays. I would like you to have had just a glimpse of the house as it looked that night, for it was exceedingly pretty. Everywhere the eye rested there was something to please it. Huge branches of yellow broom, heaps of flowers, pot plants, ferns, etc., intermingled with fairy lamps, drapery and beautiful shaded lamps helped to give the artistic result. We danced in the drawing room, and had delicious little screened-otf nooks for two, besides an awning to sit in, and had supper upstairs, and altogether it was one of the best private dances of the season. There were no new dresses, but one could hardly expect that at the end of the session. The Misses Tuckey must have had about eighty guests at their dance. Mrs Werry and Mrs Friend chaperoned the party in the absence of Mrs Tuckey. Miss Tuckey wore a soft creamy gown with gold trimming, and her younger sister wore pale blue. Among those present were the Misses Morrah, Haise, George, Friend, Barron, Fairchild, Heywood, etc. The floor was beautifully polished, and the music good, so that a splendid dance was the result. I have not heard of any more gaiety, and think it must be all over. Mr Prouse, our baritone singer, who has just returned from the old country, where he has been taking lessons, is to give a concert in a few days. We naturally watch his progress with interest. We are to lose the Rev. Mr Still and Mrs Still this month. Mr Still has lesigned the incumbency of St. Paul’s, and has accepted a living at home. The family leave almost immediately, Mr and Mrs Still following a little later. St. Paul’s parishioners, of course, wonder who they shall have next. It is a large parish, and needs a good man for so responsible a position, but up to the present nothing has been decided. The Rev. Mr Walker has lately been appointed curate in St. Paul’s parish. Mr Walker has quite recently been to Christchurch to be married to Miss Cottrell, and has now brought his bride to live amongst us. Town seems so dull now that all the session people are gone. Amongst the last to go were Mrs and Mr.-s McKenzie, Miss Seddon, Miss Russell, Miss Baillie, and Lady and Miss Hall. Sir John Hall has gone home lamenting. He has worked hard for the Woman’s Franchise and almost succeeded. I firmly believe that we will have our ’rights ’ next year, but afterhearingthe Hon. Dr. Grace’sspeech on the subject, 1 do not feel nearly so anxious for the right to vote, and I always strongly objected to the thought of women entering Parliament. Dr. Grace said he opposed it because he thought so highly of women, and the Hou. C. C. Bowen’s gallant speech also won my heart, and was very much to the same effect. But I must say it does seem very hard that women with property, and who have just as much stake in the countiy as anyone else, should not be allowed a say in the matter of governing the country. One night during the latter end of the session the ladies in the gallery of the House got very enthusiastic, and sent down a long list of names headed, 1 believe, by the Premier’s wife, Mis Ballance, thanking Sir John Hall for his energy and sympathy in their cause. It has, of course, been the discussion of most interest to us during the session, and whenever it was expected to come on the gallery was crowded with ladies. We had the jolliest little dance imaginable at the end of the week. It was quite an impromptu affair given by Mrs Charles Johnston in honour of her son’s (Mr Earl Johnston) birthday. There were very few besides relatives present. Mrs Grace was there, and Mrs Newman, and the Misses Grace, Izard, Menzies, Richmond, Gore, and Barron, and Messrs Tripp, Richmond, Williams, Vogel, and many others.

Ruby.