WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XX, 16 November 1901, Page 952

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, November 7. Our dull season is evidently about to commence, as we have been very dull this week, and there do not seem to have been many social functions. All the gaiety is, of course, centred in Christchurch during the carnival week there, so that Wellington and other towns seems quite deserted. The visit of Sir Hector Macdonald caused quite a stir of excitement here last week. He arrived on Thursday morning, and was received by Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, and others, the Hon. C. Hilf-Trevor representing His Excellency the Governor. The Major-General was received with much enthusiasm and cheering; he was escorted straight to Government House, where he was the guest of Lord Ranfurly during his stay in Wellington. On Saturday Sir Hector had a very busy day, starting in the morning by an inspection of the Public School Cadet Corps in the Athletic Park, being attended by Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, C. 8., Captain Lomax and Major Brandon during the inspection. There was a muster of 328 boys, under command of Major Foster, who put the battalion through several company’ movements, etc. The distinguished visitor and party were received by’ the Messrs. Brady and J. Young (of the Education Board), Dorset, Fleming and Bakewell. His Excellency the Governor. Hon. C. Hill-Trevor, the Premier, Hon. C. H. Mills, Lieutenant-Colonel Hume and Mr. Hogben were also present. Later in the morning Sir Hector Macdonald drove to Wellington College, where on their own splendid ground the College Cadet Corps (No. 1 Company) were inspected, and went through a number of movements, physical drill, manual exercise, etc., in a manner that won for them and their instructors very high praise from Sir Hector, and on his departure from the grounds the company gave him some ringing chcerA. Lord Ranfnrly and others, who had attended the former

inspection, were preaent, also Jieadmaster (Mr. Firth) and Mrs. Firth, Lady Stout, Mr. and Mrs. Ward,Mrs. Mills, Mrs. and Mies Brandonand others. On the same day General Macdonald was entertained by the members of the General Assembly at a luncheon at Bellamy’s. The Right Hon. Mr. Seddon was at the head of the table, having the guest of the day on his right, and Sir Henry Miller on his left. The Hon. Captain Russell was also present, and the hosts numbered about fifty altogether. Tljq Premier received Sir Hector at the entrance to Parliament House, and the whole party then proceeded to the dining hall, headed by two pipers in the Highland costume. There were only two toasts proposed, “The King” and “Our Guest,” both proposed by the Premier. Mr. Seddon made a pleasant and appropriate speech in proposing “Our Guest.” Sir HectorMacdonald, on rising to reply to the toast so enthusiastically responded to, said: “Mr. Chairman, sir and gentlemen: Since my arrival in New Zealand the resources of the country, which have been placed at my disposal, have enabled me to see a great deal in a very short space of time. You have now done me the crowning honour of entertaining me here. I am but a feeble representative of His Majesty’s army. When the opportunity offers I shall not fail to make known to the rank and file of that army the manner in which I have been received here in honour of them. This country, under the watchful eye of her mother, has thriven very well indeed. . I have taken an enormous interest in it, for the reason that a great number of my people, Highlanders from Scotland, settled here in the early days. I am astonished at the progress that has been made. Those old pioneers must have been very long-headed men. They planned out your towns and your reserves in a way which reflects the greatest credit on them. It behoves you, therefore, for your own credit, to guard jealously the great possessions which have been left to you. lam sure that you are doing everything in your power to do so. I am certain also that no country could be better placed for obtaining the best means for guarding its possessions than you are now. You have all the countries in Europe to draw upon. You can get what is best, the most scientific and the most advanced things, and you at'e not the people I take you for unless you take advantage of the' means now made use of by the countries of continental Europe for their own protection. Scientific appliances must be recognised by a young people. The best rifles procurable, the best guns procurable, and the best talent that is to be had in the way of engineering, are

all at your disposal if you ehose to make use of them. Sir, I thank you very much for the kind manner in which you have made use of my name, and you, gentlemen, for the very cordial manner in which you have received it.” Sir Hector sat down amidst great applause. In the afternoon the distinguished visitor was taken out by train to the lower Hutt, the party visiting Bellevue Gardens, where afternoon tea was partaken of. There were several ladies among the party, and a most enjoyable time was spent. The visit of the gallant soldier caused no little excitement in the small township of the Hutt. In the evening Lord Ranfurly gave a dinner at. Government House, in honour of his guest. The guests were: The Mayor (Mr. Aitken), Hon. Captain Baillie, M.L.C., Hons. J. Carroll. T. Y. Dunean, A. K. Guinness. A. W. Hogg, W. Hall-Jones, C. H. Mills, R. McNab, J. McGowan, George McLean, H. K. Taiaroa, VV. C. Walker, Captain Russell, Sir Henry Miller. the Premier. Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Justice Conolly, Mr. Justice Cooper, Mr. Justice Denniston. Mr, Justice Edwards. Sir Robert Stout, Major Steward, Mr. Justice Williams, Dr. Collins, Sir James Hector, Colonel Hume, Colonel Messenger, Dr. Mason, Dr. McGregor, Colonel Newall, Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Major Owen, Sir James Prendergast. Messrs. H. Beauchamp. H. D. Bell, Coates, Embling, D. McLean, Tene Parata, Smith, and Te Heulten Tukino. The weather was beautiful on Friday for the Wellington College sports. and there was a large attendance of spectators at the College grounds. His Excellency the Governor and Sir Hector Macdonald were present. All the events went off well, and Mr Firth is to be congratulated upon the success of the sports. Mrs Firth very kindly provided delicious afternoon tea in one of the large class rooms of the college, and it was greatly appreciated. A few of those I noticed on the ground were: —Mrs and Miss Seddon, Mr and Mrs Ward, Mrs and Misses Blandon. Mrs and

Miss Bell, Mrs and the Misses Rawson, Mrs Adams, Mrs and Miss Tregear. Mrs and Miss Kirkealdie, the Misses Reid, Mrs Fulton. Mr and Miss Harcourt, Mrs and Miss Prouse, Mrs and Miss Quick, the Misses Miles, Stuart, Simpson. Haseldene, Hislop, etc.

OPHELIA.