WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue III, 18 January 1896, Page 70

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, January 9. The Christmas season has again passed over us and taken its place beside all former Christmases in the dimming turned down pages of our lives. Each period, be it of joy or sorrow, passes thus and is gone, in itself fleeting as a shadow." but leaving in its trail memories which shall cling to us as long as life itself. In town the holidays have been dull and uneventful, or rather the events were chiefly those which drew everyone out of town. Steamer excursions to Picton, brief pleasure trips across the harbour, picnics by rail, or drives to the various suburban gardens, which, to judge by the advertisements, had bloomed forth in all the beauty and charm of Eden itself—all these attractions there certainly were, and each met with a patronage both numerically and pleasurably, which proves the universal spread of Christmas cheer and goodwill. One of our favourite picnic bays on the other side of the harbour, viz.. Day’s Bay. has been recently purchased privately, and is now undergoing the transformation necessary to convert natural scenery into the orthodox ‘ Recreation Ground.’ The initial step toward that end is already visible in an unclimbable fence and a life-sized notice claiming one shilling as the price of admittance. The old lady with her apples has also found her way there, in company with the inevitable vendor of ginger beer, lemonade, etc T he enterprising owner has built a small and convenient wharf, and naturally steamers and other craft take advantage of this long needed means of landing their passengers, so altogether Day’s Bay bids fair to be the favourite resort in future, and then we’ll bid a long good-bye to its natural beauty and uncivilised charm. At Lowry Bay there was a large and merry party, increased daily by casual visitors. Mr and Mrs John Duncan have been there for some weeks, and entertained numerous friends during their visit. Mr and Mrs Arthur Pearce also shared their charming Bungalow with friends, and Mrs Bell had her house full with a succession of guests. Another favoured resort has been Paikakaiiki, whjch is fortunate in possessing a very comfortable hotel. On Christmas day there were. I believe, about forty guests at the dinner table, and since then the number has fluctuated with a kaleidoscopic change of immates. Among the number have been Dr. and Mrs Adams. Mrs Anson. Miss Butterworth, Mr and Mrs Ferguson. Miss O’Connor. Mrs and Miss Tolhurst, etc., etc. Mr and Mrs Alfred Brandon have been staying at Pahautanui, and Mr and Mrs Spro’t are also spending a few weeks there. I hear that Miss Elliot’s marriage to Mr Murison takes place next week. Miss Elliot has issued a number of invitations to a farewell tea. which she has on Friday afternoon. The Golf Club at the Hutt have changed iheir colours. Their warm red blouses were always attractive and bright-looking on a cold winter day, and now I am sorry to say they shall no more be seen, for it is decreed that the ladies shall wear white serge blouses, with ties and hat bands of a triple hue—black, red, and green—a supply of which have been specially ordered, and will arrive before the season opens. Our minds are at last set at rest and curiosity stilled about the long-deferred appointment to the Agent-Genera ship. We must congratulate Mr Reeves on having been chosen to fill so high and responsible a position, and trust that the mantle he drops on leaving the colony—the mantle wrought with Ministerial design and Government workmanship—will fall on worthy shoulders, able and ready for the burden. Mr Otho Fitzgerald intends to go to the Old Country shortly to pursue his clerical studies, and will be absent probably a year or two. The Midland Railway Arbitration has at last terminated, and the visitors drawn hither on its account are gradually dispersing. Most of them have taken advantage of being in the colony to travel about and see something of it. and we hope will carry away favourable impressions of this distant Isle of the Sea. Mr and Mrs Charles Johnston celebrate their silver weddingday on Saturday, and hate issued a number of invitations to an • At Home ’ in the evening. Dr. and Mrs Collins are expected back by the ‘Gothic,’ which will arrive shortly. Mr and Mrs E. J. Reid were among the ‘Tainui's ’ passengers today. A party of Wellington folk have gone for a driving and riding tour down the South Island. They took steamer to Picton, from whence they go to Christchurch, and as much further as the spirit of the hour may move them. Given fine weather, this should prove a delightful excursion. The Misses Chapman (Melbourne) are paying a few week’s visit to their uncle, Mr Martin Chapman. Me ye. (Kindly put orange blossoms and engagements on separate pages from the letter.— Bee 1 Dear Bee, January 9. There is not very much social gossip for you this week 1 am sorry to say, in fact for some time I think we will be in this state of dullness: however, there are the races on the 22nd to look forward to, and I expect by that time a great many people will have returned to town life, and so will, I hope, set the ball rolling again. l>ast Saturday afternoon a number of ladies and gentlemen assembled by invitation on board the ship ‘Oamaru ’ to witness the

ARAWA YACHTING CLUB’S RACES. The ever acceptable cup of tea and sweets of all kinds were thoughtfully provided and duly appreciated. Mr and Mrs Wardrop were there (the former is the Commodore of the Club), also Miss Palmer, of Christchurch, who wore a black skirt and hat, and black and white blouse; Mrs and the Misses Lingard. the latter wearing pretty white frocks; the Misses Tuckey, Rose, Aubrey. Reid. Moeller, and others. The Misses Wilford, of the Lower Hutt, entertained a number of their friends at a PICNIC on New Year’s Day. A large drag and several smaller vehicles conveyed the party to the Upper Hutt, where a very jolly time was spent. Among those present besides Mrs Wilford and her daughters were Mrs T. M. Wilford. the Misses Hector, Fitzherbert, Riddiford, Broad (Nelson). Burnett. Lee, and Messrs Wilson. Burnett, Fitzherbert. and Hector. Mrs Levin and a few of her friends drove out to McNab’s Gardens one lovely moonlight night last week. On their arrival there the guests sat down to a very dainty supper, and after a stroll round the lovely grounds returned to town between eleven and twelve o’clock. The Wellington AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY. opened their season of ‘Princess Ida’ last night in the Opera House, which was only moderately filled. On the whole the opera went off very successfully. The choruses were rather weak at times, however, and I thought the orchestra was too loud throughout, especially when accompanying a weak voice, which at times could not be heard at all. On the first night I fancy there are frequently defects of this kind, which as the season advances disappear when the performers gain more confidence. Madame Carlton made a splendid Princess Ida. This was her first appearance as an actress before a Wellington audience, who soon showed by the loud applause that they were as pleased with her in that capacity as they were with her as a vocal soloist. Princess Ida first appears in a lovely white satin robe, much trimmed with beautiful jewelled embroidery. and the long train from the shoulders was partly lined with crimson, and on her fair curly hair she wears a glittering crown. In the last act the March of the Amazons was very good. The uniforms worn were short dull green skirts, over which hung a silver network ornamented at intervals with large spangles, and corsets and helmets of steel—at least, what was meant to represent steel. Princess Ida wore a similarly-made costume of gold and green, which became her admirably. The parts of Cyril and Hilarion were taken by Messrs E. J. and J. W. Hill, whose singing and acting were excellent. Mr G. Parsons, as Florian, was also good. Miss Jessie Newton took the part of Lady Blanche, Miss Mabel Hill was Melissa, and Miss Curtice made a very good Lady Psyche. The parts of King Hildebrand and King Gama were taken by Messrs Lyon and Levi. In the audience I saw Dr. and Mrs Adams, the latter wearing old rose pink silk: Mr and Mrs Rhind, the latter in black ; Mr and Mrs T. M. Wilford. the latter wearing a pretty pale pink silk gown ; Miss Rees, grey and black striped silk trimmed with steel; ner sister wore black ; Mr and Miss Blundell, the latter wearing a black gown with pale blue silk sleeves; Mr and Mrs W. Ferguson. Miss Holmes, black silk and lace gown ; the Misses Lee, wearing soft white gowns with lace frills: Mr and Mrs Travers, the latter wearing a pretty black gown with pale pink bodice trimmed with white lace; Miss Coleridge, white silk with berthe of lace ; Miss J. Richardson, pretty white gown ; her sister wore a soft red frock with white chiffon frills; the Misses Rose, white silk; Mrs (Captain) Grav (Lyttelton l , becoming while silk gown trimmed with chiffon ; Miss Gore, cream silk with shoulder frills of lace ; Mrs and Miss Turnbull, the latter wearing white pompadoursilk trimmed with bright pink ; Mrs Levi, pale pink gown with pale green sleeves and frills of white lace; Miss Leetham, white figured muslin ; Mr and Miss Duthie, Mr and Mrs E. W. Mills, Mr and Mrs Gibson, the Misses Gibson, Miss B. Hamerten, the Misses Barber, Mr and Mrs Geddis, Miss M. Fisher. Miss Newton. Mr and Mrs Parsons. Mrs E. W. Mills gave an AFTERNOON TEA last week for her daughter, Mrs Gray (Lyttelton), who is staying with her. The guests included Mr and Mrs R. M. Simpson. Mr and Mrs Russell. Mrs Fitchett. Mrs and Miss Seddon, Mr and Mrs C. Milward (Wanganui), Mrs and Miss Seed, Miss Stafford, Mrs Bristoe. Mrs Vennell, Miss Simpson, etc. Mr and Mrs E. J. Reid and family left this afternoon in the ‘ Tainui ’ for London. Mr Reid was manager of the Colonial Bank here for a number of years, and recently retired, having decided to return to his native land, much to the regret of his many friends in New Zealand, many of whom assembled on the wharf to wish Mr and Mrs Reid and their children bon voyage. We will have Dr. and Mrs Collins among us again very soon now, as they are passengers by the ‘Gothic.’ which is expected to arrive either next Saturday or Sunday. I am sorry to see that Dr. Collins is among thejheavy losers by the wreck of the ‘ Halcione,’ which occurred at the Heads on Wednesday night. Mrs Rhind gave an afternoon tea last Tuesday. Miss Fancourt has gone to Nelson to pay a long visit with friends there. Ophelia