WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XVIII, 4 May 1901, Page 850

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, Ap.il 25. The Wellington Orchestral Society gave their second concert of this season in the Opera House on Monday last. The big work of the programme was Mr .1. Maughan Barnett's Canterbury “Jubilee Ode,” for baritone solo, chorus and orchestra, performed for the first time in Wellington. The chorus, which numbered between 200 and 300 voices, was raised up at the back of the stage, the female voices, all dressed in white, on either side, and the male voices in the centre- The orchestra had a strong band of performers, and with Mr John Prouse as soloist the performance of the ode was a most brilliant success, the second chorus being enthusiastically encored. Mr Barnett must feel flattered with the reception of his splendid work. The concert opened with an overture for orchestra by Sir A. C. Mackenzie. The other orchestral pieces were a ballade by Coleridge-Taylor, which was splendidly played, and three charming valses by the same composer. The vocalists were Miss Janetta Frazier and Mr Prouse. Miss Frazier's contributions were Cowen’s “The Promise of Life” and “The Enchantress,” by Hatton, for which she was encoredMr Prouse gave “The Last Man” (Callcott) in fine style, and being loudlyencored sang a spirited little song, of which I did not know the name. The

concert was repeated on Tuesday Night, when there was again a very large audience.

Some of those I noticed present on Monday were Sir Robei t and Lady Stout, the latter wearing a rich black satin and jet gown; Lady Campbell (Hawke's Bay), in pink and black; Mr and Mrs Gill, the latter wearing black; Miss Gill, black gown with transparent lace yoke and sleeves; Mr and Mrs Enabling, the latter in black satin with jet; Mrs Finlay, white silk and lace; the Misses Hislop, black gowns with white lace; .Mrs Prouse, black; Miss Prouse, deep cream brocade trimmed with chiffon; Miss Prouse wore white; Mr and Miss Harcourt, the latter wearing a white gown: Miss G. Henry wore a long grey evening cloak: Miss Turton, black; also, Mr and Mrs Harrison, the Misses Cohen, Mrs and Miss Stafford, ets. In the orchestra 1 noticed Miss Henry, the Misses Kennedy. .Miss Gore, Miss J. Ross. Miss Holt, Miss Barber, Miss Moran, and others, all wearing black p-owns with white lace.

The annual Chrysanthemum Show of the Wellington Horticultural Society was opened to-day in the Skating Rink- There was a splendid display of cut blooms, some of them being exceptionally large and handsome. A collection sent by Mr Anderson, of Napier, obtained a first prize. They w-ere really most beautiful and must have required a great deal of attention and skill in growing. There were two beautiful collections of pot plants, some in flower, the flowering begonias being particularly fine. The entries for the table decoration competition were not nearly so numerous as on previous occasions, and the tables were not so prettily arranged. The prize is to be decided by public vote. There w-ere only two decorated bicycles, both done in white chrysanthemums. It is a great pity that more interest is not taken in these competitions, as it certainly adds very much to the appearance of the hall to have artistically arranged tables, etc, dotted aboutThe show was opened by the Hon. Mr Seddon, who was accompanied by Miss M. Seddon. Among those present I saw Mrs O'Connor, who wore a black coat and skirt and black bonnet with jet and tips; MrandMrsTolburst, the latter in a rich black satin gown and velvet mantle, black velvet and jet bonnet; Mrs T. Young, a red gown and black and red toque; Mrs Hassell, black coat and skirt, black hat lined with pink and trimmed with blaek

glaee silk; Lady Campbell, a violet cloth and toque to mutch; Mtt Heid, blaek silk gu« n and black and ci earn toque; Mrs Higginson, black gown and cape, black bouuet; Mrs Chatfield, black coat and skirt, and a cream straw toque with black rips; Miss Chatfield, black suit and white straw hat trimmed with black and white tnlle; Mrs Symonds, fawn jacket and skirt and fawn and white toque; Mrs Deans, dark grey costume, blaek toque with tips; Miss Deans, a crushed stawberry coloured gown and black bat with tips; Miss Seddon, a blue gown with cream lace collar, cream hat trimmed with black silk; Miss Moorehouse, a black coat and skirt and cream straw hat trimmed with palest pink shot silk; Miss Barroe, dark blue coat and skirt and pale blue chiffon toque with wings; Miss Core, black skirt and fawn coat, burnt straw hat with white glace ribbon; Miss McGregor, black coat and skirt and black hat with tips; Miss Brandon, black skirt and fawn coat, sailor hat; Miss Smith, fawn coat and skirt and * f ia<|iie with quills

OPHELIA.