WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 12, 19 March 1892, Page 278

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, March 4. The social world is very erratic, for here we are in the hottest of our hot summer weather in the midst of gaiety of every description. During the session of the Synod there was a great deal of entertaining, chiefly for the visitors, and now we have the Senate visitors, and for them all sorts of things have been given. Sir James and Lady Hector gave a large garden party—at least, to be correct, Lady Hector gave an ‘ At Home ’ at their country residence at Petone, and it took the form of a very delightful garden party. The afternoon was simply perfect—one of our balmy summer days cooled by ‘ a soft southern breeze.’ There were some hundreds of guests —I should not like to make a guess as to how many hundred, for when they are scattered all over the grounds, it is very difficult to judge as to numbers—and most of them were from town, although the Hutt and Petone were well represented. The garden, and, indeed, I might add the whole grounds, were looking so pretty, the carefully-preserved native bush, which met the eye at almost every turn, being decidedly refreshing to the visitors from the dusty town. Nearly everyone arrived by train early in the afternoon, and returned also by rail in the cool of the evening. Lady Hector received her guests on the lawn, and wore a handsome dark blue foulard figured with white, and a small black and steel bonnet; Miss Hector wore a white embroidered robe. Sir James was as kind and hospitable as ever ; it is quite a rare pleasure to have so indefatigable a host and hostess now-a days. The young people played tennis and other games, but most of the visitors contented themselves with strolling leisurely about the grounds. Afternoon tea and all sorts of good things were temptingly laid out amidst a wealth of flowers and ferns. Bishop and Mrs Cowie (of Auckland) were there, and also the Primate (Bishop Hadfield) and Miss Hadfield, Sir James Prendergast (the Acting-Governor), the Hon. Dr. Grace, the Misses Grace, Dr. and Mrs Fitchett (of Dunedin), Mrs Buckley, Mrs W. P. Reeves, Archbishop Redwood, Mr and Mrs G. Beetbam, the latter in fawn, and long black satin bodice ; Mrs Napier Bell, wearing a handsome black merveilleux edged with gold cord, and cream waistcoat covered with gold appliqufe; Mrs (Judge) Richmond, Mr and Mrs Travers, the latter in fawn check with Newmarket coat; Professor and Miss Shand, Professor Brown, Mrs Wardrop, Mrs and the Misses Cooper, Mr and Mrs Parfitt, Mr and Mrs Baker, Mrs and Miss Medley, Mrs and the Misses Menizes, Mrs and the Misses Gore, Miss Williams, Miss Pynsent, Miss Wilford, Mr and Mrs Stowe, Mr and Mrs Maxwell, and a great many more, including the members of the Senate, of which Sir James Hector is

Chancellor. A band was playing all the afternoon. But I must not tell you any more, as I should like to give a long account of the conversazione which was given by the members of the New Zealand Institute in the Museum in honour of the members of the New Zealand University Senate. It was a very large and fashionable gathering, and the building presented a very animated appearance during the evening. The programme was as follows :—

Exhibitions : The collections in Museum ; objects under the microscope, by the members of the Microscopic Society; exhibits by the Field Naturalists’ Club; the Tarawera water-boiler—in-vented by Mr VV. Aggers, of Auckland, and exhibited by Mr R. W. Barcham ; a series of photographic views of New Zealand, taken by Mr A. T. Bothamley; miscellaneous photographs and views of New Zealand and American scenery; electric light by the Gulcher Company. Music : Overture, ‘ Poet and Peasant ’ (Suppe): selection. ‘ Faust ’ (Gounod); cavatina, ‘ Lucia di Lammermoor’ (Donizetti); overture, ‘Giovanna D'Arco ’ (Verdi); selection, ‘Don Pasquale’ (Donizetti); potpourri, ‘Cavallerla Kustlcana ’ (Mascagni); melodia, ‘Il Sogno ’ (Mercadante); grand march, ‘ Tannhausfer ’ (Wagner).

The musical portion was especially interesting, being performed by the Truda Brothers, the new musicians. They have lately arrived from Christchurch, and should prove a valuable acquisition to Wellington. The people crowded round them and seemed delighted. There were only four performers (violins Ist and 2nd, flute and harp), but it was certainly the attraction of the evening. The Chancellor (Sir James Hector) and Lady Hector received at the entrance, the latter being handsomely dressed in black satin with a long train and front of white lace. The ViceChancellor (the Rev. Mr Andrews) and Mrs Andrews were also there, and also in connection with the Senate Professor Brown (Christchurch), Professor Brown (Auckland), Dr. Fitchett (Dunedin) and Mrs Fitchett, Professor and Miss Shand, Professor Scott, Professor Sale, Dr. Giles (Auckland), Bishop of Auckland and Mrs Cowie, Archbishop Redwood, Mr and Mrs Maskell, Mr and Mrs Gore, etc. Amongst others were Mrs (Judge) Richmond, in black and white striped satin ; the Hon. Charles and Mrs Johnston, the latter in a handsome tan-coloured lace gown striped all over with cream moire ribbon, tan shoes and gloves ; Mr and Mrs A. de Bathe Brandon, the latter in white silk trained ; Sir Norman and Lady Campbell (in pink satin, trained) ; Mrs Buckley, black, trained, and trimmed with red roses; Mrs W. P. Reeves, a pretty cream gown; Mrs and Mrs G. Fisher; Mr and Mis Travers, Mrs Coleridge, Mr and Mrs Stowe, Mr and Mrs Tolhurst, Mr and the Misses Menzies, the Rev. Mr Habens, and Mrs Habens, Mr and Mrs Jellicoe, the latter in orange satin veiled with black lace ; Mrs Collins, black velvet; Mis Cooper, Miss Cooper, in black velvet and white chiffon frills ; Mr and Mrs Parfitt, the latter in black, with panel and sleeves of mauve ; Mr and Mrs Firth (of the College) Mrs Firth in turquoise blue draped in Grecian style ; Mrs VV ardrop, Mr and Mrs Mantell, the latter in yellow silk with frills of same ; Mrs Leckie, Mrs Napier Bell, in a handsome black gown ; Mr and Mrs VV. Ferguson, Captain and Mrs Edwin, Captain and Mrs Barclay, Mrs Knight, the Mayor (Mr H. D. Bell), the Rev. Dr. Watters, Mrs Maurice Richmond, Mrs Gordon, Mrs Rose. Mrs and Miss Gibson, Mrs and Miss McGregor, Mrs Knight, black striped moire and velvet ; Dr. and Mrs Pollen, and most of the Councillors and Consuls, General Schaw, Dr. Fell, Dr. Evans, Mr E. Reid. Mr Percy Smith, Mr J. R. Blair, Mr VV. R. E. Brown, Mr Pynsent, Miss A. Moorhouse, black and crimson opera cloak ; Miss Hector, white ; Miss Izard,

black trimmed with mauve chiffon ; the Misses Gore, sapphire velvet trimmed with cream lace ; Miss Robison (Christchurch), cream and red cloak ; Miss Krull (Wanganui), pale pink ; Miss Henry, white; Miss Coleridge, white ; Miss Hamilton, black ; Miss Quick, black ; and her sister, fawn velvet and white lace ; Miss Elliott, pale green and mauve chiffon ; Miss Fisher, black ; and her sister, cream ; Miss Harding, red velvet; and her sister, white Liberty silk ; the Mieses Haise; Miss Fairchild, cream ; Miss Gillon, black velvet ; Miss Stowe, white ; Miss 'Hammerton ; Miss Johnson (Hutt), blue ; and Messrs Cooper, Vogel, Chapman, Jackson, Baldwin, Richmond, Gore, Gardiner, Woolridge, Knight, Hector, Todd, Brown, Anson, Hodson, Brooksmith, Leckie, and many others. It was a very brilliant affair, and a great success. Supper was served in the south wing of the Museum, and the microscopic exhibits were shown in the lecture room, which was so largely patronised that the heat became intense. Just another line to tell you about Mrs Buckley’s dance It was given as a farewell to Miss Lakeman. who is shortly to be married to Mr Colbeck, and was a delightful affair, a drag taking visitors out from town. Amongst those present were the Misses Lakeman, Fairchild, Johnston, and Messrs Field, Colbeck, Richmond, Vogel, Atkinson, and many others. Next week you shall hear of Lady Prendergast's ‘At Home ’at Government House. It is to take the form of a garden party, so we are hoping that the weather will be dine.

Ruby.