Topics of the Week.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 42, 15 October 1892, Page 1016

Topics of the Week.

SOCIETY’S SAYINGS AND DOINGS.

EVERYONE feels that the session has outstayed its welcome, and all are sighing for the end. The ladies’ gallery is a melancholy sight in its present half-deserted state when compared with the brilliant as semblage which was to be seen there in the early part of the session.

Wellington girls are really knocked up with the session gaieties, and many have had to refuse all invitations, whilst the wise ones have put miles between them and temptation.

Many people are excited at the proposed £5 return ticket to the Melbourne Cup, and are talking of making up parties to go ; but mat de mer is always an obstructionist to such little ‘ plays.’

A good deal of surprise was felt when, at the last Government House dance, a few of the guests were invited to remain after the playing of ‘ God Save the Queen,’ immediately after which another waltz was struck up for the few that remained.

A large afternoon * At Home ’ was given by the Primate and Mrs Hadfield, to the members of the Diocesan Synod, who are assembled in Wellington. Some solos and part songs, together with light refreshments, made the afternoon pass very pleasantly.

Sir George Grey is simply shadowed by Mr Rees, who never appears to leave his side. When the Knight comes into the House, so does Mr Rees ; when he goes out so does Mr Rees.

AN exhibition of paintings, drawings, etc., was held in Nelson under the auspices of the Bishopdale Sketching Club. Unfortunately both days were wet, so the atten dance was not what it might have been. The walls as well as three screens were entirely covered with exhibits, and the club have reason to be proud of their members, for some most excellent work was shown. Mrs Topliss exhibited a number of paintings in oil, all very good, but the pick of them was a pretty river scene ‘ On the banks of the Maitai.’ Miss Rochfort showed a splendid study of a Maori’s head, very cleverly drawn. Miss Jones, a clever young artist had several paintings on view, the one most admired, being a boy seatec on a wharf pile, although a landscape painting by the same lady claimed an amount of admiration. Other exhibiters were Mesdames W. Oldham, Patterson and Misses Eell, Harris, Cloustin, Turner and Sadd. The Canterbury Palette Club had kindly lent a number of their paintings for exhibition, and these were justly admired. Altogether the Bishopdale Club are to be congratulated upon the success of their first exhibition, and Nelson people are looking forward to a repetition of this artistic treat every year.

The funds of the Nelson Lawn Tennis Club are at such a low ebb, that at a meeting of the members of the club, it was decided to canvass for subscriptions, to the amount of £75, that being the sum required to lay down a new ground. The present courts, being only two, are inadequate for the number of members who play, so a new ground is badly wanted. As to the wiseness of the plan hit upon for raising the money, only time will show, but to outsiders it certainly seems a rather cool idea to get people to subscribe to keep a private Tennis Club. The old courts are to be used for this year, and are looking beautifully green ; the club is to be opened on Saturday fortnight. The Boating Club opens next Saturday.

The Ladies Boyle are enjoying their holidays immensely, an<l every day may be seen driving in their tiny carriage sometimes laden with yellow broom or.other spoils from the hill sides. At times, with Miss Hallowes, they take a ride n the tramcar.

‘The Little Minister,' by Barrie, has been and is quite the rage in Wellington society, and many are the dilierent

opinions as to its merits. ‘The Wrecker,’ by Stevenson, is also being a good deal read.

Censorious people, especially among the male sex, have sometimes been heard to call the session ‘ the marriage mart.’ A particularly malicious bachelor says this year’s has been a failure, ‘ as none of the lots offered found a purchaser. The bidding throughout was slow. Several lots might have been disposed of, but the offers not being considered good enough, they were passed in.’

Several ladies have joined the Hutt Golf Club, and de clare themselves charmed with the game.

The ladies of Timaru have taken up the Ambulance training with great enthusiasm. There are two large classes every week, and the private practising is a great feature. Bandaging parties are the last thing in the social way, and husbands, brothers, small friends of both sexes—everyone in short who will submit to be subjects are in great requisition. Plenty of useful work is done in spite of a good deal of fun some of the ‘ subjects ’ proving most refractory.

Lady Davis, wife of Sir Matthew Davis, whose affairs are engaging so much interest in Melbourne just now, possesses one of the daintiest boudoirs imaginable. The ceiling is composed of fluted fancy silk, and the heavy mouldings are covered with several shades of art plush. The walls are also covered with silk drawn down like the fronts of oldfashioned pianos. The dado is of plush, and the door is of the same material, save the panels, which are covered with exquisitely embroidered silk. The blinds are of thicklygathered salmon pink silk.

The Napier bowling green has been opened by a match and afternoon tea. The green will be ready for play on Saturday afternoons and holidays during October, as the young grass will be spoilt if too much play is indulged in at once. The courts are looking lovely.

OUR Napier letter has the following passage : ‘ There are terrible slips in the Gorge, and the express is late every evening in consequence, but I expect things will shortly be put right. I believe the passengers by one train were imprisoned for seven hours, which would be no joke, especially if they had no food. I think if I take my usual quarterly trip to Wellington I shall go by steamer, I am rather scared of the Gorge after all the rain we have had.

Here is a commendable idea. One of the favourite Napier bachelors gave a large afternoon tea the other day, when all his fair visitors declared they * enjoyed themselves immensely.’ Miss Garstin, Miss Rhodes, Miss Locke, Miss Taylor and Miss Cotterill were among the guests.

The re-organisation of the Hawke’s Bay Horticultural Society is on the tapis. At a recent meeting the following gentlemen were elected as a committee :—Messrs E. P. Platford, J. N. Anderson, H. J. Gilberd, J. G. Caw, W. Yates, J. P. Hamlin, H. Williams, A. P. Sheath, C. A. Fitzroy, B. Chambers, W. H. Smith, and G. Tanner.

Mrs Tyerman gave a delightful little dance in St. Matthew’s schoolroom, Hastings. About thirty couples graced the room. The decorations were very pretty, and the supper was exceedingly good. Mrs Tyerman made such a good hostess, she looked very charming in a black net gown with pink trimmings. Amongst the guests were the Misses Roach, Luckie, Wallace and Garry, who all looked very smart. Miss Luckie, in the opinion of most of the guests, was decidedly the belle. Mrs McEwan looked very nice, as did a young lady from Napier.

The Napier Rowing Club has sustained a great loss, just nt the commencement of the season too, which makes it all the more aggravating. The boathouse at the Western

Spit, with all its contents, was burnt. These consisted of five boats of the Napier Rowing Club (three of which were four-oar boats), a sculling boat owned by Mr Charles Kennedy, and two new boats which belonged to the Union Club, and which were only landed about a fcrtnight previously. The ‘ Wave Queen,’ one of the sailing boats,-was so badly charred as to render her almost useless. Nobody can trace the origin of the fire, it seems shrouded in mystery, but the Rowing Club have certainly sustained a very severe loss, for which everyone is most sincerely sorry. A strange thing happened on Sunday morning, a nearly new set of sails on a boat at the Western Spit were cut up, and rendered quite useless. Taken altogether, the thing looks very suspicious, to say the least of it.

There is scarcely a Christchurch social event in the whole week to chronicle, for what would have been worth seeing and recording was completely washed out by a deluge of rain. This refers chiefly to the opening of the boating season. Great preparations had been made, as usual, for the Saturday afternoon sports, and even a larger number of boats than usual were to take part in the procession. 11 was decided to hold it wet or fine, so as not to interfere with the opening for the sailing boats next Saturday at Sumner. A very large afternoon tea was prepared by the members in their pavilion, to be presided over by a number of ladies. About sixty people put in an appearance, so with tea and cake and a little dancing a not unpleasant time was spent once you got there. Outside everything was dismal in the extreme. The procession of boats was pulled off and one or two races, but instead of the banks of the river being thronged with bright-coloured dresses and sunshades till it looked like one large flower garden, a dark object might be discerned here and there with a streaming umbrella, making rapidly for the nearest shelter Miss Hicks had issued about a hundred invitations for afternoon tea and witness the proceedings from the terrace in front of her house Avonside, where an admirable view of the whole thing is to be had. About twenty guests arrived during the afternoon to condole with her and one another, so with a bright and cosy room, tea, chat and music, an otherwise gloomy day was ended most cheerfully. But as far as the Show was concerned, the opening of the boating season for 1892 was a dreary failure—a ‘ watery waste.’

At Kirwee (Christchurch) the members of the Tennis Club on Friday evening held their annual fancy dress ball, which, in spite of the very unfavourable weather, was enjoyed by about fifty couples. Visitors were present from Christchurch, Ashburton, and surrounding districts. Mr Gough’s large grain shed, kindly lent for the occasion, was prettily and effectively decorated with flags, evergreens, and Chinese lanterns. The ladies supplied the refreshments, and Mr Rossiter (Christchurch) the music. Dancing was kept up with much spirit till daylight, the company joining hands and singing ‘ Auld Lang Syne.’ Some of the dresses were much admired. Among the best were Miss Seager, Euchre ; Miss L. Davies, Harvest ; and Miss Evans, Highland Lassie. A notable dress was worn-by Mr John Brett, who represented the Rajah of Kirwee in a costume taken by the late Colonel Brett at the storming of that city in India. Cricketers, tennis-players, men •o’ ■ wars • men, volunteers, etc., were all there, but many appeared in evening dress.

*To every action there is always opposed a certain reaction,’ and to the gay society people in Wellington this re action has now come. Our correspondent thus bewails the state of affairs : *As regards social matters, we have come to a full stop in Wellington, for there has been absolutely nothing going on this week. The only things that have kept us alive are the Italian Opera Company, Holloway’s Dramatic Company, and Wirth’s Circus. All three companies have chosen the very best time of year, and have had crowded houses in consequence of the prevailing dullness. As for the Italian Opera Company, they were just splendid, and they had a capital season. Signora Cuttica and Miss Brabazon were prime favourites.’

Amateur theatricals, when well done, are a delightful way of passing an evening. Mrs Walker, Green Hills, Ellerslie, must be congratulated on the success of the performance held at her house last week. The piece selected was * Boots at the Swan,’ and the various parts were ably taken by the Misses Walker, Forbes, and Elliott, and Messrs Walker, Summerfield, and Crombie. Mr Walker's representation of the policeman was excellent; indeed, each of the pel formers deserves praise. Happily, also, no prompter was needed. A stage was nicely arranged on one side of the room, ferns and flowers liberally decorating the

remainder of the apartment. After the play, an enjoyable dance brought the evening to a close. The floor was perfect, and.the excellent champagne supper much appreciated. Various couples, it is said, took advantage of the lovely moonlight, and soft, spring air, to wander about the shelled paths of the garden.

The jubilee gathering of Old Colonists in the Choral Hall took place, unfortunately, too late to be dealt with as it would merit being dealt with this week. Such a gathering has never before been seen in Auckland. Over 1,100 tickets were taken at the doors and there must, with performersand committee men, have been 1,200 persons crowded into the Choral Hall. Such an audience, too, has seldom listened to such a speech as that of Dr. Logan Campbel) —the speech of a man who has done his life’s work to those who are beginning. It was a stirring and inspiring sight, and few there-must have been whose souls were not profoundly moved. Next week we propose dealing with the subject fully and exhaustively, endeavouring to suppy a souvenir worthy of so memorable an occasion. There will be pictures galore and suitable letterpress.

The Christchurch Musical Society gave their last ‘ open night ’ of the season in the Durham-street schoolroom, when by 9 p.m., after an hour’s practice of ‘ Psyche,’the room was comfortably filled by the members’ friends, and a very pleasant hour was spent. A very pretty piano duet opened the programme by the Misses Packer, Miss Packer playing two violin solos later accompanied by her sister, and narrowly escaping an encore. Songs were pleasingly sung by Mesdames Garrard, Hacon, Mitchell, and Miss Bennington, Messrs Re v ell and H. Weir, and a duet by the Messrs Meers. These ‘ open nights ’ have been so much enjoyed that it is a very generally-expressed desire that they may be carried on next year.

The Hastings races were very well attended, the great improvements which have been effected iu the course, causing everyone to express much pleased surprise. The additions to the Grand stand were very much needed, and provided a great deal of extra accommodation. The ‘ Guineas ’ was won by St. Hippo. I believe he hails from Auckland. He is a splendid specimen of a ‘ racer,’ and looked superb as Mrs Herbert Russell decked him with the blue ribbon.

The Hawke’s Bay Amateur Athletic Club held their spring meeting on the Recreation Ground, and the weather was all that could be desired. The track was in first-rate condition. It was laid down by the Wanderers’ Bicycle Club. The Ladies’ Bracelet, of course, was the most interesting event, and was won by Mr Armitage, Mr Rudman coming in second.

‘ Pepita,’ which succeeded the ‘ Old Guard ’ for the last week of the season in Auckland, is a pretty opera so far as music goes, and gorgeous in scenery and costuming, but beyond these has little to recommend it. The plot is absurd , dialogue there is none, and the action drags in the most lamentable fashion. The first production in Auckland was somewhat disappointing. The music and ‘ Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay’ aloneaverted failure. Magnificentdressesalso helped, but the constant changing of frocks seemed to demoralise the company, for the action dragged abominably. Miss Graupner and Miss Varley with Mr Vernon and Mr Lauri were all admirable in their respective parts. The less said about the rest the better. Mr Deane had the excuse of severe indisposition, but he should never have attempted to make his appearance. He was manifestly very ill. Mrßosevear, who was cast in a comic part, was apparently in rude health, and had therefore little excuse for the suffering be inflicted on the audience. His funniments were puerile and silly, and unpossessed of the shadow of humour. He overplayed the part, and in attempting to be too funny became feeble. As we have said there is no dialogue, the jokes and puns have not the merit of freshness, being the refuse of nigger minstrel shows, but from their very antiquity they were entitled to better treatment than they received.

To Miss Graupner and Miss Varley belong the honour of having made the evening passable till the third act, when * Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay ’ took the house by storm. To describe the song and dance would be impossible—it is absolutely indescribable. To mock before at the folly of Britishers in their worship of the idiotic refrain was natural enough till one had also seen it ; now one understands why they raved. It is the most wildly exhilarating and exciting dance imaginable, and to miss seeing and hearing it would be to miss one of the events of a decade. This is the year of ‘Ta-ra ra-boom-de-ay.’ ‘Pepita’ will run several nights anywhere for the sake of * Ta ra ra.’

All sincere lovers of art will be sorry to learn that Mr L. J. Steele, whose work is now well - known throughout Australasia, has determined to leave the colony. When he goes he takes with him his works with very few exceptions. Nothing will be left excepting a few sketches, and minor works, and a tradition that such a man once lived here and did some honest work, which some people, strange to say, think shows a creative power equivalent to genius. It is needless to say, because everyone knows it, that this artist’s presence here has not been an unmixed joy to certain persons ; nor has he received that recognition of his talent, which some eccentric people think he deserves. When we analyse the causes of this fact we remind ourselves of Lord Bacon’s classification of the fallacies of the mind, and agree with him that the idols of the cave and of the tribe are among the chief causes of disagreement in social life as in science. The prejudices formed by our geographical isolation, a factor in inexperience, and by our early traditions imbibed from the people who are onr earliest friends, relations, and acquaintances, insensibly mould our characters. It is so difficult so to influence the amateur artist sufficiently to make him understand the shortness of life and the length of art. The hours spent in learning manipulations upon which bread, glory, and honour depend are cut short by other avocations, and shorter still by that dread and dislike of recreation transformed into labour which we all fear so much.

Alas ! for poor human nature. Is it not natural that a man who has done nothing but study art for thirty-six years aided by the instruction of the three greatest schools in Europe should become restive at the criticism of local amateurs? On the other hand the amateurs who would grow into artists are afraid that their penny dip should be eclipsed by this blaze of artistic learning and technique. Hence these tears ! Again we have a proof of the manner in which character crystallises into definite shapes, and produces the same act under similar circumstances.

Throughout the history of mankind, these phenomena recur. Thus are the lives of men of talent, who have the faults of their qualities embittered by what a great French writer calls the petty teasing of petty minds. But surely the soft and easy environment, which should soothe our minds to charity and forgetfulness, will modify harsh judgments. Auckland is famous for its climate, its position, and the easy good-nature of its people as exhibited in the social, and more particularly the commercial relations of its inhabitants. It is impossible that they should not respond to the gentle influences of art. Have they not a treasure house filled with books and pictures ? Have they not china and armour, medallions and enamels on which they may feast their eyes ? Surely they do not refuse to remember with gratitude the men who made these lovely things, as well as the man who gave them.

A slight extension of this feeling to this man, who has worked his best amongst them, and has given them a little pleasure, might surely be the result of these refining influences. Although among the books many classical writings, and great works of reference useful to students of modern language are conspicuous by their absence, and learned men of all the nations have not yet subscribed to the Auckland Free Library as a new outburst of the Pierian spring, still the influences are sufficiently intense, methinks, to have some effect ! The stores of art treasures are eclipsed by dozens of private collections in older countries, but are sufficient to be the glory of a young community. The emotion of gratitude must have been experienced by a certain percentage of the human race, else how should the word be found in the dictionaries of so many languages, both ancient and modern ? It is, occasionally, too intense to find suitable means of expression. The emotion of a whole population for benefits received from a defunct citizen can be articulate only by an act in which a large number of citizens participate. The act of a few may proceed from the friendship, the jealous or the factious spirit of a few. But where all men of all opinions join to perform a public act, prompted by acommon motive, the baseremotions sink into insignificance, and, actuated by the desire to rise to higher things on the ghosts of their dead selves, they may possibly perform an act of great good taste and public spirit. We dare to suggest quite boldly that a public subscription, headed by the names of the Mayor, Councillors, Harbour Board and leading citizens be applied to the purpose of purchasing a portrait of the late Mr Mackelvie now in course of completion by Mr L. J. Steele.

Seated at a table made by the famous Boule, the benefactor of every citizen of Auckland writes upon a parchment, and dips the pen which will give pleasure to unborn millions by its vigorous benevolence into an antique Renaissance inkstand made of silver. Mr Steele is acknowledged by his enemies to be a skilful draughtsman. Those who say that he cannot paint a portrait are advised to look at this, to consult with Mr Mackelvie’s surviving friends, and to remember that a photograph has been the artist’s model not the living man. Those who do not like high finish, care-

ful modelling, and an intelligent appreciation of flesh tones, will of course turn away from this picture with disgust. The rest will acknowledge this attempt to give the citizens of Auckland an opportunity at once of acquiring a thing of beauty, which is a joy forever, and of performing a solemn liturgy of gratitude. The cynic is robbed of his poor satisfaction. The thanks can only be for past favours. Alas ! the dead hand has no more to bestow.

We are all more or less painfully aware that a prophet has no honour in his own country, but the fact must have been brought home with special emphasis to the joint authors of the ‘ Life and Times of Sir G. Grey.’ The publication of the book in this colony created but little stir, but in London, where books are published daily by hundreds, it has been made one of the books of the season. All the great dailies have not only criticised at great length, quoting long passages therefrom, but in most cases the volume has also formed the foundation of a brilliant lead ing article. The Pall Mall Gazette devoted two whole pages to its consideration, and the Pall Mall is famous for the brevity with which the most important subjects are treated. Nor is the interest confined to London, for all the most influential provincial journals have devoted a large amount of space to the consideration of Sir George as sketched by Mr Rees and his clever daughter. It is rather a pity that the applause should have been so much stronger at Home, but it must be eminently satisfactory to the authors to have the seal of a London success set upon their work.

We give this week some pictures of the late lamentable yachting disaster at Whangarei taken from sketches by the well-known artist, Mr T. L. Drummond. The picture of the ill fated yacht Minerva is from a photo by Mr Barlow, of Auckland.

~ T , HKRE 18 ever y probability of another hunt being held in Gisborne as a compliment to Mr and Mrs Langdale Sunderland prior to their leaving the district. When the last was held, thirty or forty friends assembled bv invitation at Lavenham for a forty minutes’ ride over country. Mr bunderland acted as master and the cjoing was surprisingly good, all the horses jumping well during the run which was a very fast one. Several slight mishaps occurred, and Mrs Sunderland—who was not in her usual form at starting—was thrown, but remounted, and with the other ladies present (Mrs Donner and the Misses Reynolds), rode to * Repongarei, Mr Chamber’s residence, where the hunt finished I he gentlemen repaired to ‘ Lavenham,’ there to partake of Mr Sunderland’s hospitality before leturning home.