Topics of the Week.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 22, 3 June 1893, Page 506

Topics of the Week.

SOCIETY’S SAYINGS AND DOINGS.

The Mothers’ Union meeting held in Wellington at the Wesley Church was very largely attended, there being about three hundred ladies present, with Lady Glasgow presiding. The following gentlemen also attended:—The Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Revs. W. Powell and J. J. Lewis, Archdeacon Maclean, and Rev. J. K. Elliott. Lady Glasgow delivered a very practical and able address on the subject, and pointed out how good work might be done by mothers for the benefit of their children. The members of each church should elect committees to carry on the work, and report each year to the general committee regarding the progress made, and this would be made known at the public meetings held in the different centres. Miss Hallowes was with Lady Glasgow, and played the harmonium.

The Fillis Circus Company left Wellington on Queen’s Birthday for Palmerston North. They have been very popular here, as was shown by the good attendance every night. Lady Glasgow and her family attended more than once, and seemed to be greatly amused. Since their arrival there have been an unusual number of visitors in town from the country, drawn here to see the wonderful circus, and there have been a number of Maoris also attracted by the same charm. The natives certainly are very fond of entertainments of this kind.

The Wellington Boys’ Institute has made great progress since it was opened some six months ago. It is a splendid thing to have such a place as this for the boys of the town, and deserves liberal support. Sir James Prendergast, who takes a great interest in the Institute, opened an Industrial Exhibition at the rooms on the Queen’s Birthday. The articles shown were chiefly exhibits made by the boys themselves, illustrating the different branches of trade they follow. There were also on loan exhibits, including pictures, photographs, etc., and of course music. Such gatherings as these are invaluable to the boys, imparting as they do a taste for art, literature, and all that is refined, and the boys in our towns sadly need softening down.

The Wellington people are following in the footsteps of Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch by starting sixpenny popular concerts. The shilling Thursday concerts ha 'e succeeded so well that they are induced to try how similar entertainments will answer at the Skating Rink, at the Te Aro end of the town, with the smaller charge of sixpence. It is proposed to start them under the patronage of the Early Closing Association, and hold them on Wednesday evenings, and so make a pleasant ending to the half-holi-day. Mr Salvatore Cimino is to be conductor.

Small evening parties are the fashion just now in Picton. Miss Duncan had a few friends one evening, and entertained them with music, singing, and card-playing. In addition to the home party, which comprised Mrs Duncan, Mrs Smith, and Mr John Duncan, there were Mrs Dobson (Blenheim), Mrs and the Misses Allen (two), and Messrs Haslett, H. Baillie, and T. Baillie. Mrs Andrews also had a few friends on Wednesday, Mrs Allen on Friday, and Miss A. White on Thursday evening, the amusement being table turning, when some extraordinary revelations in regard to absent friends were rapped out by the eccentric piece of furniture, which waltzed and polka’d about the room at the bidding of a young lady medium.

All the whalers of Queen Charlotte Sound are gone into partnership this season, and three whaleboats are waiting—fully equipped—for the signal from Look-out-point, to start on the exciting chase after the monsters of the deep. The watchers play marbles or cards on the point to pass away the time during the long watch from daylight till dark, in sunshine or rain, whatever the weather may be. They dearly earn what they get.

Mbs Mackenzie’s dance given at ’The Chlilet,’ Dunedin, was a delightful little affair. Several of the officers of the Ringdove were present, but very few married ladies, as it was given more particularly to girls, being a farewell to Miss Backhouse, who, after a six months’ visit to Dunedin, is returning to Sydney. The dancing was in the diningroom, and all the cosy nooks and corners about the house were utilised, as the season was too far advanced to make use of the pretty grounds. The hostess received her guests in the drawing-room, and looked remarkably well.

A very enjoyable concert was that given by the members of the Nelson Pro-Cathedral in aid of the funds of their church. Perhaps not a little was added to the enjoyment by the fact of there being three performers who were new to the Nelson public. It was certainly a real treat to hear Mrs Felix Levien’s rendering of the song ’ Schusucht ’ by Kjtrnlf, this soft German song being admirably adapted to her sweet voice. Mr Johnson is the possessor of a very powerful voice, which should certainly prove an acquisition to the future concerts. Mr Kirkwood’s accompaniment on the flute to Mrs Howie’s ‘ La Serenata ’ was very sympathetic, and showed great taste. Of Mrs Howie’s and Mrs Percy Adams’ singing it is needless to say anything ; they a-e always listened to with great pleasure. The hall had been slightly decorated, the mantelpieces looking particularly pretty with banks of chrysanthemums, as did also the wide window-sills.

The Mikado Social Club held their first dance of the season in St. George’s Hall, Auckland, last Thursday evening. A most enjoyable evening was spent, about thirty-five couples being present.

The first of the Ponsonby Social dances took place on Friday night in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Ponsonby. An unusual, but we have no doubt very agreeable feature to the fair sex, was exhibited in the attendance, there being a considerable preponderance of gentlemen over ladies. Owing to the zeal of Messrs and Mesdames Rees, Hanna, Bartlett, and other members of the committee, the floor and supper were excellent. Dancing was begun at eight and continued till about half-past twelve.

At St. Patrick’s Hall, Christchurch, Messrs E. W. Seager and G. R. Hart, by invitation of the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, gave their interesting lecture, ‘ Old Canterbury Illustrated,’ to an immense audience. This was followed by a musical programme. The vocal soloists were Mesdames J. P. Kelly and W. T. Cronin, Misses Bryant and Hayward, and Mr F. S. Funston. Miss M. Loader played a harp solo, and Mr A. C. Nottingham a ’cello solo. Miss Funston acted as accompanist. The proceeds, which were between £3O and £4O, are to be devoted to the Catholic schools.

Owing to the unfavourable weather the attendance at the annual exhibition of the Elam School of Art, Auckland, was smaller than might have been anticipated from the estimation in which this useful educational institution is held. The studies on the walls gave evidence of skill and patience on the part of both master and pupils, and were unanimously agreed to be a decided improvement on the work of the previous year. The students availed themselves of this opportunity to present Mr Peyton, their art master, with a slight and suitable tribute of their gratitude and esteem, in the shape of a gold engraved pendant and a tastefully illuminated address mounted as a palette and framed.

Golf and Gaiety have been the order of things last week in the City of the Plains. But golf has considerably outrun gaiety, for early every fine morning a few enthusiasts are to be seen in the park. The two days a week hitherto devoted to practice has been found quite insufficient. The ultimate goal of this hard work is, of course, Captain Hunter-Blair’s proffered medal.

All are not on gaiety bent in Christchurch, and a few of the working ’ women ’ keep the distresses and ills of their fellow citizens before them. At a meeting of the economics department of the Women’s Institute last week some important business was got through. The Rev. Isitt’s proposal, re judicial separation when drunkenness interferes with home happiness, was discussed at length, and great sympathy expressed with it. Mrs Grossman and Mrs Wells were deputed to draw up a lette r be forwarded to the Hon. E. C. J. Stevens and Rev. Isitt on the question, and the next meeting will be looked forward to with great interest.

A ’ Gordon Home ’ for boys has been opened recently in Christchurch something on the lines of the Boys’ Brigade, which, after a short life, fell through. Mrs Packe takes great interest in the homeless youths of the town, and her absence, through illness, on the opening night was very

much regretted. Mrs Newton, with one or more members of the Prohibition League, sailed down on one of our hotelkeepers the other day for selling drink to a man who was already drunk, and eventually got him fined_ £10; while Mrs Cunnington confused them all in Court with many tears, pleading for some boys who were first offenders.

’ If I really thought that the women of the colony wanted the suffrage all my opposition would cease.’ One after another the opponents of woman suffrage have risen in the House of Representatives and given utterance to the above remark. Well, we think they ought to be getting pretty well convinced by this time. The efforts of the women of New Zealand to make them realise the fact have been too much in evidence during the past year or two for them any longer to plead, with any pretence of sincerity, the rather remarkable ignorance affected by them in the past. Day after day we hear of progress in the women’s cause. Week after week comes news of the formation of new societies whose sole raison idetre is the determination among women to prove to all the world not only that they want the Franchise, but that they mean to have it. The latest news comes from Wanganui where a Suffrage League has just been formed under most encouraging auspices. Canvassing for signatures to the monster petition designed for presentation to Parliament next session is also going on vigorously in that thriving little town, and so general has been the interest shown on the subject that it is estimated that ninety per cent of the adult female population will affix their signatures.

The Ponsonby •At Homes ’ began with a most triumphant opening last Friday. The weather was dry, clear, and sharp—an ideal night for dancing. Thanks to the energy of the Committee—Messrs and Mesdames Devore, Hanna, Macindoe, and Tole—the floor and supper were all that could be desired. More particularly is credit due to Mrs Devore, who tastefully decorated the windows for the occasion with red curtainsand gold bands. Mr Adamsandhis band of efficient musicians supplied music almost unequalled in the annals of Auckland dances. The position of M.C. was ably fulfilled by Mr Macindoe, who seems more popular every year. Dancing was kept up with spirit until about half-past one, when the last strain of the last encore died away, reluctant good-byes were said and friends walked home in the bright moonlight, talking of the enjoyment they had had. This account would be incomplete without a word of praise to Mr F. A. Clarke, the honorary secretary, who has worked and is working with indefatigable energy and goodwill to make the season a complete success. Judging from the first night’s result, we are confident his efforts will be rewarded.

Juvenile' parties are always interesting because the young people seem to enjoy themselves so thoroughly, the blase state being, as a rule, unreached. Mrs Waller (Mount Eden) has rather a reputation for a successful method of entertaining the younger generation. She has a genuine sympathy with them, and displayed it at her charming little dance the other night. Everything that could conduce to the enjoyment of the juvenile guests had been provided. The verandah was covered in, and really formed an excellent ball-room, the floor was in capital order, the music—furnished by clever amateurs—all that could be desired. The Chinese lanterns shed a soft light, the night was fine, and the supper good. With plenty of partners of both kinds, what more could young people want ’

At the Tuamstreet Hall, Christchurch, the sixpenny concert was more crowded than ever, the promoters having it on the holiday night instead of Thursday. It is said 2,800 people were in the hall, and numbers could not even find standing room. Miss Marguerite Johnson, of Wellington, again delighted her hearers with her sweet singing. Miss Spensley, Messrs Woodhouse, Robarts and Weir besides other attractions were all good. The limelight views exhibited by Mr T. Crook of events connected with the Royal Family during the reign of our Queen were very interesting.

It is said that Bishop Julius, who is enjoying his wellearned rest and change in England, proposes to bring out with him a deaconess from Mildmay. This order of ladies in London, has been productive of an immense amount of good, and the Bishop hopes to establish a similar order in this colony. The lady whom he is introducing to the colony, has been very reluctantly spared by the Bishop of London, who speaks very highly of her services. There is evidently no fear that the very popular Christchurch Bishop intends to resign his see. He says that Bishop Cowie, of Auckland, will be the next Primate.

We are getting somewhat tired of Benefit Concerts as a general rule. Bega-Bits they ought often to be called, but an exception must be made in favour of Mr W. H. Webbe, who takes a well-deserved benefit next Monday. Mr Webbe has been good nature itself in supporting others ; we hope he will now reap his reward and have a bumper house.