WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XVI, 16 April 1898, Page 484

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, April 7. We are still as dull as ever in Wellington. It seems weeks since there was anything in the way of a social function: I conclude everyone is ‘saving up’ for the session, which I suppose will begin in or about June. The alterations and additions to the Parliamentary Buildings get along very slowly, and owing to the bad weather this last week work had to be stopped altogether for a time. I believe the Premier is to lay the foundation stone of the new wing next Saturday, if things can be got ready by then, so that I should think there will be a great rush to get all finished ami cleared up by the time the session meets. Everyone is anxiously watching the weather, and wondering what sort of an Easter we are going to have this year. It certainly is time we had a fine Easter, considering the last three have been dreadfully wet. Excursions of every —description

have been arranged for, bicycle, driving, and water picnics, as well as the usual camping parties, etc., so that great will be the disappointment if the holidays are spoilt by bad weather. I have seen a few stylish costumes about town lately, among them being Mrs (Dr.) Newman’s, of black cloth, made in the Eton style and with a high turned back collar of white silk braided with black, white chiffon vest, and a black straw hat trimmed with black and white chiffon and blaek tips: Mrs Hopkins (England), very stylish gown of black silk canvas trimmed with narrow black satin ribbon bands, and the bodice lightened with open ecru lace, small black straw hat with high tips; Mrs EyreKenny, handsome claret coloured brocade gown, trimmed with narrow eeru lace, smaU blaek bonnet with pink flowers, cream chiffon rosetes and ospreys; Mrs Strang (Rangitikei), neat black costume, with Russian bodice bound with black satin, black velvet toque trimmed with black and white wings and bunches of violets’ Miss Buller, black tailormade suit, white vest, finished with a bright green neck band, black straw hat with large loops of green ribbon: Miss Turnbuß, grey check coat and skirt, black straw hat with black and white chiffon and white lilac; Mrs Menteath. black cloth coat and skirt with tight-fitting waistcoat to match, small brown felt hat with wings; Miss Fraser, blaek tailor-made suit, white vest with a satin neck band, black velvet hat with plaid ribbon loops; Miss Quick, black crepon skirt, and grey silk blouse trimmed with narrow blaek ribbon, green straw toque with violets and ospreys; Miss Pharazyn, light grey costume, and brown straw hat trimmed with long brown and white shaded feathers; Miss H. Moorehouse, neat navy blue tailormade gown, and black straw beefeater hat with red and black tips at the back; Mrs Derry, a pretty pale green figured gown, trimmed with white lace and black ribbon, white straw boat-shaped hat with white ribbon loops and quills; Miss Grace, light green lustre jacket and skirt, light blouse, and sailor hat. Frank Thornton and his company open their season in the Opera House next Saturday with “The Strange Adventures of Miss Brown.’ I hear this talented actor is drawing very large audiences in Christchurch, and I think that he will also be appreciated here.

Mr and Mrs Bertie, the popular custodians of the Wellington Thorndon Baths, had a most narrow escape while driving on the Hutt Road on Sunday afternoon last The horse, becoming frightened by an approaching train, bolted, throwing Mr Bertie out of the buggy on to the road, and, after attempting to run up the side of the hill, upset the vehicle upon Mrs Bertie and her little niece, and pursued its mad career to Petone, where it was finally captured. Beyond a sprained thumb, and a .severe shaking, Mr Bertie escaped uninjured, but Mrs Bertie received several cuts upon her face and head, and was much bruised and shaken. Her escape from more serious injury was wonderful, as the trap passed over her as she lay on the road, and the onlookers in the train fully expected to hear she had been killed. Bishop Vidal, of Fiji, accompanied by five priests and nine Fijians, is at present in Wellington, en route for the Solomon Group, to resume missionary work there. The party are through passengers to Sydney by the Aorangi, and purpose continuing their voyage from there in the island steamer Jirito. On Sunday evening the Bishop and his party were present at St. Joseph’s Church. At the monthly meeting of the committee of the Wellington Racing Club a most important proposal was suggested at the meeting by the secretary, Mr H. M. Lyon, who suggests increasing the stake of the Wellington Cup to 1,000 sovs next year, the second horse to receive lOOsovs from the prize, and the third horse ■>osovs.. the race to remain at the present distance —one mile and a-half. The proposal was most favourably received by the committee, who ultimately decided to refer it to the finance committee for report on the 14th instant, at the special meeting of the Club. Mr J. H. H. Jack (Wellington), the owner of the yawl-rigged yacht Ngaire, had a most sensational yachting experience on Sunday last. Mr Jack left Wellington on Saturday

afternoon, intending to go for a fortnight’s cruise in the Marlborough Sounds, but met the full force of a northerly gale while endeavouring to enter Tory Channel. A tremendous sea was running, and the sails were all either torn or blawn away, and the yacht in a helpless state. Early on Monday morning the steamer Wainui, bound from Picton to Wellington, fortunately appeared in sight, and in response to signals of distress, with great difficulty took her in tow, and brought her safely into Wellington, great difficulty being experienced in keeping her in the wake of the steamer owing to the tremendous sea running. Mr Jack’s escape was a wonderful one, as on one occasion he was swept overboard, being with great difficulty rescued by Mr Kininburg, one of the crew, and, owing to most of the crew being prostrated with seasickness, Mr Jack had to be at ’the tiller the whole time, and he, and the other occupants of the yacht, Messrs Kininburg, Alex. Wighton, and Robertson were much bruised and knocked about. GOLF. On Saturday, the 2nd, an American Tournament was begun at the Golf Links, Miramar, Wellington, by the lady golfers. In this competition each player meets every other player, and the winner of the greatest number of matches wins the tournament. During the Easter holidays there was to be a competition among the lady players for a beautiful gold and pearl brooch, presented by Mr E. Pearce. Mr Pryde was the winner of the St. Andrew’s Cross Competition at the Hutt Links on Saturday last. OPHELIA AND CLARISSA.