WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 43, 24 October 1891, Page 515

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, October 9. We are having the queerest weather you can imagine. First it is beautifully warm and a few days later we have it just as cold as winter, and a week or so ago we saw the distant hills which surround ns covered with snow. Some of the grass Tennis Courts have opened again, and we have had some excellent play. It is very early, but singularly enough, the ground is in splendid condition, probably owing to our exceptionally mild winter. I think, as usual, Mr and Mrs Charlie Johnston were the first to open theirs, but next month all the clubs open, and we shall soon turn our attention towards tournaments. The late Mrs D. Biddiford’s Tennis Court will be greatly missed during the next winter. I have not heard who is to take the house. Dr. Newman has lately bought that valuable property in Hobson street, which belonged to Mr George Schultz, and the family intend residing there. Dr. Adams has also just made a new purchase of that fine residence on the Terrace which belonged to Mr Godfrey Knight. We have had absolutely nothing going on of interest this week except Mr Prouse’s concert. This took place at the Opera House, and attracted a large audience. The programme was a very popular one, including ‘Nazareth ’ and ‘ The Wanderer’ (Schubert), sung by Mr Prouse, and • Bel Baggio ’ (Rossini) by Miss McClean. Mr B. B. Williams sang * An Evening Song,’ and ‘ Smile and Bid Me Live,’ and the Misses Hammerton played the Sclavonic dances. Miss Grady sang a serenade very prettily. Mr Prouse gave the concert as an announcement of his return from England, where he has been receiving lessons from the best masters. The improvement in his style and voice is great, but I should imagine he hardly allowed himself time to accomplish all he intended with his powerful voice. He will be warmly welcomed back among his brother musicians, for he used always to be so good in helping at concerts, etc. Miss McClean was in capital voice, and sang beautifully, the flexibility of her powerful soprano voice being especially noticeable in ‘Bel Baggio.’ Mr Williams was just as pleasing as ever. His quiet, sympathetic tenor voice is always listened to with pleasure, Mr McDuffßoyd played a violin solo, and a trio by Miss McClean, Mr Prouse, and Mr Williams was, I think, generally considered the gem -of the evening. Miss McClean wore a beautiful black velvet gown made with high pulled sleeves and a very long train, the front being of soft white material laced across with black. Miss Grady wore mauve with bands of dark velvet. The Misses Hammerton, respectively, wore black with white sash, and white with maize sash. Altogether Mr Prouse is to be congratulated upon the evident success of his first concert in Wellington. Mr Parker conducted. Miss McClean had two bouquets thrown to her, and Miss Grady one after her song. Mr Prouse was greeted by prolonged applause on his appearance. An excellent entertainment tendered to Mr Barcham has just taken place at the Opera House. The first part was musical, and consisted of songs by Miss Trehair-Osborne, Mrs Parsons and Mr Nairn; violin duets by Misses Cable and Pilcher, and Messrs McDufi’ Boyd and Maginnity ; a zither solo by Herr Theo Geyzer; pianoforte pieces by Miss Louise Wilson (late of the Boyal Academy of Music), and a sketch by Mr C. Hale. An overture was then given by Jupp’s private band, and then came the second part, which consisted of a farcical comedietta called ‘ A Happy Pair,’ which was acted by Miss Moeller (Mrs Honeyton) and Mr A. S. Patterson (Mr Honey ton). Mr J. Maginnity accompanied the vocalists, and Messrs Patterson and Stansfield acted as joint secretaries. Next week you shall hear of the Harmonic Society’s concert. They are to have ‘ The Revenge ’ again. The soloists are to be Mr R. B. Williams, Miss Stanford, Miss Grady, and Miss Upham. Mr Parker, as usual, will conduct. Let me think of some of the new spring dresses 1 have seen lately. Mis E. C. Reynolds, who is visiting us from Dunedin, and staying with her mother, Mrs Ed. Richardson,

is wearing a pretty silver-grey tweed with white shirt front, and black hat with feathers, and a Huffy grey fur boa. Mrs C. Pharazyn and Miss Pharazyn have also been visiting Wellington, the former wearing a handsome fawn Phaeton cloak with silk hood looped with gold cord, and a large brown hat. Mrs Newman is wearing a handsome fawn tweed made with a long basque, and bonnet to match ; Miss Medley, a light grey tweed, with Newmarket coat, and black hat with light feathers; Mrs Travers, dark blue, the sleeves and trimmings brocaded with large dull red spots, and jet bonnet ; Mrs Wardrop, terra cotta cloth braided with black, and tiny jet bonnet ; Miss Kemp, fawn three ■ quarter cloak, and fawn hat with feathers ; Miss McClean, a handsome Scotch green and blue plaid, and black jet bonnet with bright green velvet ; Miss George, a grey tweed; Miss M. George, a pretty fawn gown, and small fawn hat; Miss Dransfield, a dark blue gown and shirt front ; Mrs G. Knight, black three-quarter cape, and jet bonnet; the Misses Harding, fawn threequarter capes, and large hats. The Star Boating Club opens with a large afternoon tea at the sheds. There is also to be a procession of boats. It is always a fashionable gathering. The Wellington Football Club have just had their annual sports at the Basin Reserve. Unfortunately, the weather was unpleasant—cold and windy—but there were still a great number of people present. The Ladies’ Bracelet Race was won by Mr Morrah, and amongst others who distinguished themselves were Messrs Barnett (2), Pownall, W. Turnbull, Heywood, Anderson, Hume, and Cruickshank. We were most hospitably entertained with afternoon tea by the Club. It was served in the grandstand, an' l most acceptable.

Ruby.