Topics of the Week.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 9, 4 March 1893, Page 194

Topics of the Week.

SOCIETY’S SAYINGS AND DOINGS.

THE Vice-regal party have apparently had a good time travelling round, and to have given great satisfaction to those good people who delight to honour the Queen’s representative. A capital account of the gubernatorial visit comes from my clever Picton correspondent—a very treasure amongst contributors—who delivers thusly :—Monday last will long be remembered as a • white letter ’ day in the annals of Picton, for on that occasion the representative of Her Majesty, Earl Glasgow, Governor of New Zealand, paid an oflicial visit to our port and town. The Mayor (Mr Fell) and the City Fathers had arranged an elaborate programme of events which were to eventuate in a picnic and lunch at Torea Bay, but ‘ the best laid plans o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley,’ and the gubernatorial dictum combined with the irascible disposition of Jupiter Pluvius upset all His Worship’s arrangements. At quite an early hour all Picton turned out in holiday attire in defiance of the rain to welcome the Vice-regal party—for Picton is nothing if not loyal—and were met with the announcement that the Hinemoa had not left Nelson. Dire consternation reigned in the bosoms of our city fathers, and the faces of all the city mothers—and children, who were to take a very prominent part in the reception—visibly lengthened. Picton folks, however, have a very happy knack of casting off an incubus, and it was very quickly resolved to make the best of everything and welcome His Excellency when he did come just as if onr lamps were always burning. At 6 p.m. again the wharf was crowded, when the Hinemoa steamed up. The Public Hall was taken up with arrangements for the banquet, which should have been the lunch if the picnic had come off, so the goods shed on the wharf was transformed into a reception room, where the Vice regal party were received by the Mayor and Council, and a beautifully illuminated address from the corporation was read and presented to His Excellency by the Town Clerk. The Borough school children, arranged on a raised platform, sang ‘ God Defend New Zealand,’ ‘ God Save the Queen,’ and • Ring out, wild Bells,’ very nicely, the headmaster, Mr Howard, being congratulated by His Excellency and Lady Glasgow on the success of his teaching. The children presented bouquets to Lady Glasgow, the Duchess of Buckingham, the Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle, and Miss Hallowes, also copies of Mr Howard’s poems, ‘ On Queen Charlotte Sound,’ and • Captain Cook,’ lately published in the Christchurch Weekly Press. The copies were printed on white satin. The Councillors and a few ladies were then presented to His Excellency and party, and all those fortunate enough to obtain tickets adjourned to the Public Hall, where about sixty people sat down to an excellent repast. Amongst the ladies were Lady Glasgow, Lady Augusta Boyle, Mrs (Lieut Col.) Baillie, Mrs Allen, Mrs Sedgewick, Mrs Rutherford, Mrs Fitzgerald, Mrs White, Mrs Younger, Mrs Philpotts, Mrs Mclntosh, the Misses Hallowes, Baillie, Greensill, Allen, Speed and Philpotts. Amongst the gentlemen were His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, the Mayor of Picton (Mr Fell), the member for the district (Mr C. H. Mills), Lieut.-Colonel Baillie, Mr Gillington, Mr Clayton, the Hons. J. McKenzie and Cadman, Mr Buick, M.H.R., Mr Chavtor, Rev. Mr Sedgewiek, Mr Christopher, Mr Rutherford, the Town Clerk (Mr Younger), the councillors, and several prominent citizens. The proceedings terminated at an early hour (10 p.m.), the visitors being tired after a very rough passage from Nelson. A few short speeches enlivened the proceedings, the Mayor dilating on the ‘ what might have been ’ had Picton been chosen instead of Wellington for a settlement in those days gone by, which are fast becoming history. His Excellency declared himself delighted with the port and scenery, and gave a resume of his own views in regard to populating the country, which seemed to amuse his hearers, who think the country is being populated quite fast enough. Mr Chaytor and Mr Clayton also made speeches, but, alas ! for all the other brilliant flashes of wit and wisdom so carefully prepared, they remain in the possession of the authors till the ariival of another party of distinguished visitors gives them an opportunity of being aired. The vice regal party proceeded to Blenheim by special

train at 10 a.m., returning at 3 p.m. The Picton ladies were anxious to entertain the visitors by taking them to the Maori pa at Waikawa, but the Mayor decreed otherwise and entertained them himself at his own house. The Hinemoa left for Wellington at midnight. If ‘ brevity is the soul of wit,’ Mr Clayton, the Governor’s private secretary, is to be congratulated upon being Toparch in that line. At the banquet, given by the Picton folk to the Vice-regal party, Mr Clayton’s name was coupled with the toast of * The Army.’ In rising to return thanks he said, * Ladies and gentlemen, I thank yon all for drinking my health. That’s all,’ and he sat down. A SOUVENIR of his visit to Picton was presented to the Governor on his departure by Mr R. Cragg in the shape of a frozen lamb. Experts say it was a veiy fine specimen of the genus lamb and likely to give his Excellency a very good idea of the quality of the local produce. The illuminated address, presented to His Excellency the Governor on his arrival in Picton, was executed by Mr G. A. White of the Railway Department, who is undoubtedly facile princeps of Marlborough art. The words are done in old English text, and the address is surrounded by a bordering of views of Picton, the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound, the old •Endeavour’ rounding Jackson’s Head, a modern cruiser, nikau palms, fern trees, wingless birds, and other pretty things which make it a thing of beauty, and, it is hoped, a joy forever. At Blenheim the weather was also unsatisfactory, but the Vice regal party were well received, and held an informal levee in the Court House. As may be seen by a letter from my Blenheim correspondent, this function was unexpected of the fair sex, who feel that being unprepared they did not show to the best advantage. There was in all probability no cause for regret. Doubtless everyone looked better than if specially prepared for the occasion, especially as the day was wet, for even a man’s temper will suffer in these hard times under the consciousness that his best hat is being ruined, and that bis frock coat will be none the better for its damping. While for the women, but there, they would smile and look pleased though their tortures should be those of the Inferno. Socially there is little going on at present in Wellington, but everyone hopes for brighter times next week. There is a little entertaining going on—several tennis parties given by Mrs Brandon, Mrs T. C. Williams, and Mrs W. R. E. Brown ; a very small dance by Mrs Quick, at which were the Misses Quick, Miss Mcßae, of Nelson, Miss Babbington, Miss Henry, Miss Friend, and Messrs Hartmann, Wratt, Andrews, Withers, etc. A small musicale and dance at Mrs Richmond’s, and also one at Mrs Fulton’s make up the list for the week. Lady Kintore passed through Wellington the other day accompanied by her two daughters, and was the guest during her short stay of the Hon. Charles and Mrs Johnston. The distinguished visitors were shown the local sights, and were also taken over the Government House grounds before leaving by train for the North. Very representative indeed was the gathering of professors, clergy, and laity with their wives, sisters,, and daughters, as the case might be, who assembled at Bishopscourt, Auckland, in answer to Mrs Cowie’s invitation to meet the members of the University Senate. The members were there in full force, and were by no means wrapt up in abstruse problems, scientific theories, or classical quotations. Instead of an ‘At Home’ the evening might aptly have been termed a conversazione. There was, very wisely, little music. That can be enjoyed at any party, but one does not have the opportunity of hearing really clever men talk every night. Still, when Mr Towsey played, everyone listened, and Mr Hartwell also gained a fair audience. The dining room was transformed into a second drawingroom, made attractive by books of all kinds, illustrated papers, etc. The balcony afforded a delightfully cool retreat where the magnificent view of the Waitemata Harbour, calm and smiling in the soft moonlight, with Rangi-

toto, the dark, stern, extinct volcano, outlined against the sky. Refreshments were served in the Cathedral library, the large room being taxed to its utmost capacity. It is a good sign of the libera), healthy, Christian feeling existing amongst our clergy, to see an Anglican bishop welcoming representatives of all denominations in his own house, as equally interested with himself in the education of the young colony. Archbishop Redwood, Monseigneur MacDonald, the Rev. D. VV. Runciman, M. A., most of the Auckland clergymen, Rev. David Ruddock, late Melanesian missionary, with the representatives of every form of learning and many leading citizens, made up a most interesting assemblage, who gracefully expressed their thanks to Mrs Cowie for a very pleasant evening. The good people of the Empire City are delighted to have the Vice-regal party back again, for Government House looked very gloomy during their absence. There was a large crowd on the wharf to witness the arrival of His Excellency, Lady Glasgow and suite, who were accompanied by the Dowager Duchess of Buckingham, and Miss WolfeMurray. The Countess of Elgin and her daughter, Lady Marjorie Bruce, arrived the same day from Home by the Rimutaka, and are to be the guests of Lord and Lady Glasgow during their stay. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Glasgow were especially delighted with the magnificent scenery of the West Coast Sounds, eight of which were visited, a landing having been made by some of the party at each. Professor and Mrs Thomas gave a large garden paryt at their charming residence, ‘ Trewithiel,’ Mount Eden, to meet the members of the University Senate. About one hundred and fifty guests were present, including Sir John Thurston (Governor of Fiji) and Lady Thurston, the Hon. W. Rolleston, Archbishop Redwood, Bishop Cowie, and other members of the Senate. The house is prettily situated on a knoll, the grounds surrounding it are covered with native shrubs, through which pretty little paths are made, furnished with rustic seats. The band was placed among the shrubs and gave some delightful music during the afternoon. Piofessor and Mrs Thomas received their guests in the house ; they then passed out for a stroll down their pretty paths. Delicious tea, cakes, fruit of every description, and ices were provided for the visitors from tables artistically arranged within the bouse and on the verandah. The afternoon was pleasantly bright and cool, and the time sped all too quickly'. Lord and Lady Hopetoun and party spent a few days at the Levels Station, seven miles west of Timaru. Their object was chiefly to see the conntry, and their excursions were planned accordingly. Timaruvians, therefore, did not see veiy much of them. It was announced in a certain Ponsonby Sunday School on Sunday, that the collection should be devoted to the increase of the Queensland Relief Fund. The intimation met with a variety of youthful comment and criticism. * Supposin’ ’ argued a sturdy reason of eight, with eloquent force—‘Supposin’ the floods goes on and gets bigger an’ bigger an’ our money’s all drownded, w’ot then?’ Another mite was heard to instruct, with severe solemnity, a smaller edition of himself —‘ Stick to your copper, Bill, they ain’t no good over there, or God would ha’ sent them a Noah’s ark, for sure.’ Mrs Stephenson gave a most successful dance at her residence, Conisborough, Dunedin, to celebrate the debut of her youngest daughter, Miss K. Stephenson. Over a hundred guests were present, and a great many were strangers. Everyone looked exceptionally well. Large velvet sleeves were the most noticeable feature of the evening dresses, nearly every girl having large sleeves of a contrasting shade. The rooms were a little crowded but it did not seem to take from the spirit of the enteitainment. Miss Kempthorne, Brighton Road, Remuera, gave a large afternoon tea to all her girl friends. Their house is prettily situated on a knoll which overlooks the bay, and a splendid view of the sea is gained. Music was the chief amusement, those who contributed being Misses Kempthorne, Hay (two), Jones, Worsp, Coleman, Gorrie, Buddle, etc. During the afternoon the girls wandered about the garden, and partook of the delicious tea and cakes provided by their charming hostess. y The Auckland Liedertafel Society, assisted by the Orchestral Society, intend giving a moonlight excursion by the s.s. Eagle on Friday evening at eight o’clock. As moonlight picnics are perhaps the most popular form of summer entertainment in Auckland, when Sunday-school ffites and currant buns and merry-go-rounds have ceased to delight, this little social endeavour of the Liedertafel Society will probably receive a large amount of patronage. Amongst the oichestral pieces to be given are Dankler’s *Au Bord de la Mer;’ gavotte, * Pas de Fascination;’ gavotte from * Mignon ;’ * Pandittenstruck,’ and other pretty morceaux. Part songs by Sullivan and others will be sung by the Liedertafel.