WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 50, 12 December 1891, Page 682

WELLINGTON.

(Delayed.} Dear Bee, ‘ November 20. Of course you will expect to hear all about the Show. Well, to begin with, we had a glorious day, which was all that was needed to complete the perfect arrangements for the day. By twelve o f clock the Hutt Park racecourse, which was chosen for the scene of the show, was thronged with thousands of people, and during the afternoon thousands more arrived, and I am sure every available vehicle in the town must have been there, so many were there, and each, of course, was laden with gaily-dressed occupants. Each train, too, as it arrived poured out hundreds of town people. The town was completely deserted, and the show was the most successful we have ever had. In the afternoon Mrs Newman, wife of the President, provided afternoon tea for about sixty or seventy of her friends in the grandstand luncheon-room. The tea and delicious cakes, scones, etc., proved most acceptable, as you can well imagine on a very hot day, and when one is at least ten miles from town. ‘ But who was there ?’ I fancy I hear you saying. Well the whole of Wellington and Wairarapa seemed to be there, besides a great many visitors from other towns. However, that is decidedly vague, so I will try and remember a few of the thousands. Mrs Robert Pharazyn, Miss Pharazyn (Wairarapa), in pale green spotted with dark green, long flounced basque, large white hat with green foliage; her sister, Mrs Elgar, a gobelin blue phaeton cape; Mrs Charles Johnston, a very handsome bottlegreen cloth costume, turned back in parts with bright red silk, tiny gold and black bonnet; Mrs Newman, dark blue printed with white, the long basque trimmed with broad white embroidery, black lace hat; Mrs Menzies, the Misses Menzies, fawn costumes and large hats; Mrs (Dr.) Adams, black, and large black hat smothered with white ostrich feathers; Mrs C. Izard, fawn check; the Misses Izard, fawn, and black floral hats with strings ; Miss Nelson (Napier), a pretty fawn costume checked with pink and green ; Mrs Williams, Mrs Beetham, Mrs G. Beetham, fawn tweed ; Miss Johnston, grey tweed, large black hat with strings ; Miss Reeves, Miss Robison, Miss Grace, Miss M. Grace, a pretty saffron gown with broad band of white embroidery, and large black transparent hat with yellow roses ; Miss Duncan, a large checked tweed ; Mrs Richardson, black, and black and green bonnet; Miss Richardson, Mrs Buckley ; Mrs ('ooper, the Misses Cooper, Mrs Pratt, Mrs Gore, the Misses Gore, Mrs W. Moorhouse, brown costume with yellow silk vest; Mrs Maxwell, grey, and grey feathered hat; Mrs Parker, a grey costume ; Mrs Jellicoe, gobelin blue flowered with white, long basque ; Mrs Knight, the Misses Henry ; Mrs Marshall (Bulls), fawn flecked tweed, and pretty black and gold butterfly bonnet; her sister. Miss A. Hadfield, pink zephyr and white tulle hat ; Mrs H. D. Bell, a handsome heliotrope costume and white bonnet; Miss Bennett, (Rangitikei), fawn with mauve silk blouse under fawn jacket, transparent black hat with folds of white chiffon ; Miss Worgan, pale blue: Miss M. Wardell, a pretty grey costume and hat; Mrs Hutton and Miss Barton (Wairarapa); Miss Miller ; Miss K/Johnston, white pique and mauve flower toque; Mrs Parfitt; Mrs H. Crawford, in a handsome grey three-quarter cloak braided with gold ; Miss Dransfield, brown costume with revers of yellow silk, and pretty sunshade ; Mrs Wardrop, grey ; Mrs Burns, Mrs Tilly, and the Misses Barron, Willis, Smith Harding, Burnett, Fairchild, Graham, etc., and among the lady riders who entered for competition were Mrs Holmes Warren, Mrs Dan Riddiford, Mrs Joe Rhodes, Mrs Scales, Miss T. Wardell, Miss McKelvie and Miss M. Moncton. Mr Fred Pearce's jumping was greatly admired. He is a splendid horseman. Miss McKelvie had a nasty fall, but very pluckily rode again afterwards. Among the gentlemen were Dr. Newman, Dr. Cahill, the Hon. C. Pharazyn, MrC. Pharazyn, Mr G. Scales(who had a good deal to do with the management), Mr E. Pearce, and Messrs C., W., E., and G. Johnston, H. Williams, Govett, Werry, P. Hunter, Reynolds(Dunedin), Brown, Parker, Wardell, Bidwill, Vogel, Moorehouse, Wilford, Gore, Gardiner, Woolridge, Cooper, Turnbull, St. Hill, Beetham, Pratt, and Parfitt, Dr. Adams, the Hon. R. Seddon, Hon. J. McKenzie Mr H. D. Bell etc., etc. As to the actual exhibits, I really do not know enough about them to givean opinion, but the judgesseemed highly delighted with everything. The grandstand and lawn looked so pretty with all the ladies’ gay dresses, and from there could be obtained a splendid view of the whole course thronged with visitors. Swings, merry-go-rounds, aunt Sallies, a monkey on an organ, quoits, etc., besides the booths, all helped to make a picturesque scene, and a thoroughly enjoyable day was spent both by town and country folk. Two war ships have just come into the harbour, the Tauranga being one. I hope some entertainment will be got up for their officers. The night before the show we were entertained at a very pleasant little dance given by Mr and Mrs Charles Johnston at their Hobson-street residence. It was given as a farewell to Mr Earl Johnston, their eldest son, who leaves shortly for England to join the army, and amongst the guests were the Misses Grace, Menzies (2), Duncan, Richmond, Izard (2), Gore (2), Holmes, Reeves, and Moorhouse (2), and Messrs Richmond, Vogel, Brown, Williams, Woolridge, Gardiner, Gore, Cooper, and Turnbull. It was a very small party, but very enjoyable. We will be sorry to lose Mr Earl Johnston, who is already a great favourite with the ladies. Mrs Johnston is giving a series of small tennis

parties, which have been much appreciated by her young friends.

The Thorndon Lawn Tennis Clnb could not open on Saturday because of the bad weather, but the members have been playing all this week, and the ground is looking lovely. I suppose there will be no formal opening now. We were to have had a large afternoon tea had the weather been fine enough. We are looking forward to the Athletic Club’s annual sports. The night before the Show the Harmonic Society gave an extra concert, which was well patronised. The capital programme drew all the musical people. Miss McClean sang * Bel Raggio ’ extremely well; Mr Whittali, a new singer, gave two songs, Mrs Parsons one, Mies Greig one, a lovely old song called ‘ln the Meadows.’ Mr Williams sang ‘Last Night’ and ‘The Soft Southern Breeze ’ most beautifully. Mendelssohn’s ‘ Hear My Prayer’ was well sung by the choir, Mrs Parson taking the solo. Mr McDuff-Boyd played a violin solo, and Miss Medley and Miss Hammerton played a duet for two pianos splendidly. Two trios were sung, one by Mrs Desborough, Miss Stanford, and Mr Rous Marten, and another by Mrs Desborough, Miss McClean and MrMabin. The part-songs were exceedingly well sung, notwithstanding the fact of influenza having considerably diminished the number of the performers. Nearly everyone has returned from Christchurch, where they have had a very delightful time. Mr Walrond came up for a few days, but has now returned. Most people are sorry to part with Lord and Lady Onslow, and speaking for myself, I am very sorry, for my slight acquaintance with them has been very pleasant, and I think the few who have got to know them will agree with me in thinking Government House a very charming place with Lord and Lady Onslow as host and hostess. They have certainly been most unfortunate in Wellington, too, having had so much illness, and this probably has kept them so much away from us. Let us hoi>e sc. Ruby.

■Dear Bee, November 27. I mean to tell you something about the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club’s annual sports this week, for they had a capital meeting, the largest, I should think, they had ever had. The ground looked very pretty, for it was a glorious day, and everyone had donned their best. The grand-stand was crowded in no time, and those who arrived the least little bit late had no chance of a seat. During the . afternoon we were all most thoughtfully supplied with delicious tea, scones, cakes, etc., by the Misses Gore, assisted by the Misses Menzies, the Misses Izard, Miss Bennett, and Miss Cooper. It was greatly appreciated, especially late in the afternoon when it began to get cold. Now, who was there? Dr. and Mrs Newman, the latter in a handsome brown tweed, made with a very long basque, and a small black lace straw hat ; Mrs F. Pratt (Palmerston) wore black gown and long jacket, and white shirt, and Bondstreet hat ; her sisters, the Misses Cooper, the same ; Mrs Charles Johnston and her little girls, in pretty cream dresses, and cream hats trimmed with peacock ribbons ; Mrs G. S. Cooper, three-quarter black cloak, and jet bonnet; Mrs Dan Riddiford, black, and toque hat with poppies ; the Misses Menzies, fawn, and large hats with flowers; Mrs Menzies, black ; the Misses Gore, grey, and sailor hats ; Mrs Gore, brocaded mantle, and black and gold bonnet with yellow tips ; the Misses Izard, fawn, and black lace hats writh cornflower and strings; Mrs L. Reid, dark fawn with long basque, and brown feather bonnet ; Mrs G. Knight, black three-quarter cape over a black spotted silk dress, and a very pretty jet and flower bonnet; Miss Dransfield, brown costume, boat hat with yellow and white ribbon ; Miss M. Grace, blue skirt, and white blouse, and sailor hat; Miss Rose, grey ; and her sister, crushed strawberry cashmere trimmed with narrow bands of black velvet ; Miss Una Hitchings, cream delaine spotted with mauve, the long basque trimmed with violet velvet, and mauve toque ; Miss Holmes, a pretty blue and white print with frilled bodice, and small blue and gold bonnet with tips ; the Misses Tuckey, dark blue with scarlet lapels, and sailor hats; Miss Medley; the Misses Harding; Miss Kemp ; Miss A. Haise, dark green flowered with white ; Miss Henry ; Miss E. Richmond ; Miss Morrah, gobelin blue striped with white, large white hat; Miss N. Reeves ; Miss Marchant, grey corduroy, black lace hat; Miss Elliot, grey; Miss Fairchild, blue flowered print trimmed with white lace ; Mrs Taylor; Mrs King, fawn with white waistcoat embroidered with gold ; the Misses Brandon, Miss Brock, Miss Malcolm, the Misses McLean (Dunedin), Miss Knight, Miss S. Graham, in a grey three-quarter cape braided with black, white hat; Miss A. Bennett, cream delaine figured with mauve, flower toque ; and the Messrs H. D. Bell, C. Johnston, Earl Johnston, H. Williams, D. Riddiford, Pratt, A. Cooper, Gardiner, Woolridge, Brown, Todd (2), G. Williams, C. Cooper, Anson, W. Turnbull, and Dr. Newman. A good many of the officers from the Tauranga and Ringarooma were there enjoying the keen contests, for such almost every event resulted in. The ladies’ bracelet was won by Mr P. Nathan, Mr N. Gurr being 2nd, and Mr G. St. Hill 3rd. Amongst other successful competitors, and I am sure you will know most of them, were Messrs Guy Johnston, Ross, Gore, C. Gore, Gurr, H. Batger, W. Turnbull, Morrah, Tripe, Kirker, Harley, Heywood, and Howard. It was a most successful meeting, and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day’s outing. We are very glad to welcome Mr H. D. Bell as our future Mayor. He got in by a large majority. Mr Worth was the only other candidate. Sir Dillon and Lady Bell and Mr Ernest Bell have just arrived by the last direct boat from home. Sir Dillon suffered from gout on the voyage, but is quite well again now. Lady Bell is looking wonderfully well. They were warmly welcomed by their large circle of friends and relatives.

Mrs and Miss Duncan leave for England in a few days, and also Mr Earl Johnston, eldest son of Mr Charles Johnston. Mr Gwynne Williams, son of Mr T. C. Williams, also leaves us shortly to go to college at home. We will miss them all very much, but hope to see them out again in a few years. There has not been much entertainment for our naval visitors beyond tennis. Mrs C. Johnston has entertained them at tennis, and several supper parties have been got up

for them, and they are to be met frequently at the Thorn don Lawn Tennis Courts.

Influenza is still with us, and some cases have terminated fatally, while others are left very weak and ill. It is quite a common thing to hear of six or seven in a family being laid up at the same time, and yesterday I heard of a family of thirteen, ten of whom were confined to their beds, including the cook and housemaid. Dr. Grace is just beginning to get about again after it. Dr. and Mis Kemp have recovered, but Sir J. and Lady Hector, Mr Robinson, R.M., Mr W. R. E. Brown, Mr and Mrs C. Izard, the Misses Izard, and many others are very ill with it. It has affected trade greatly, dozens in some cases being absent with influenza from the large warehouses. I hear that Mr Thomas M. Wilford, son of Dr. Wilford, of the Hutt, and Miss Georgie McLean, daughter of the Hon. G. McLean, of Dunedin, are to be married next month, and intend residing in Wellington. I have not heard of any more weddings, but probably the next will be that of Miss Maude Wardell, daughter of our late Resident Magistrate, of Masterton, and Mr George Pearce, son of Mr Edward Pearce, of Wellington. The weather is so warm we cannot find anything cool enough to wear. We seem suddenly to have jumped into the heat of summer.

Ruby.