WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XXVI, 24 December 1904, Page 52

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, December 16. Wellington is experiencing quite a wave of enthusiasm over musical affairs, and THE MUSICAL UNION has had a splendid season. “Hiawatha” was their best piece of work, and so great was the interest in this that the Town Hall was all to® small to hold the people who wanted to hear it. It was a remarkably fine performance, and the soloists cxc-lled themselves. Mr Frank Graham received an ovation for bis singing of

“Onaway, Awake!” Mr Hamilton Hodges’ dramatic and poetical rendering of the baritone music was a feature which evoked much appreciation. Miss Amy Murphy’s beautiful soprano filled

the hall without an effort. She looked very well in a graceful dress of pale blue savin mousseline with a fichu and flounces of tinted Alencon lace. Among the audience were: —Mrs Pynsent, who wore blaek crepe de chiue and laee; Mrs Tweed, esprit net- and lace; Mrs Biss, black satin and blue coat; Miss Gore, black soie de chine and lace fichu; Mrs Stuart, black brocade; Miss Stuart, black lace and net; Miss D. Stuart, white soie de chine; Miss Nation, poppy-red silk; Miss Taylor, white voile and black laee; Miss L. Swainson, white net and silk; Miss Coleridge, black dress and brocade coat; Airs Bright, black crepe de chine; Mrs Butt, black brocade; Miss Blackett, black silk and lace; Miss Quick, white muslin and pale blue choux; Miss D. Quick, blaek net and lace berthe; Miss Harding, pale blue silk; Miss 11. Harding, white soie de chine; Miss Stowe, black satin and laco fichu; Airs L. Wilson, black voile de soie: Miss Brandon, black dress and grey coat; Mrs Edwin, black satin and red coat; Miss Edwin, black lace and net; Mrs Brown, black dress with sequins ; Mrs Purdy, black satin skirt and blouse of white crepe de chine and lace; Mrs Moby, black satin; Miss Hoby, white muslin and laee; Miss James, white silk and rod coat; Mrs Rawson, blaek brocade; Misses Rawson, white muslin ami lace dresses; Miss Bannister, white voile de soie; Mrs Jameson, dark green velvet; Mrs Richmond, blaek voile de soie; Miss Lee, blaek silk and lace berthe; Mrs Buchanan, champagne crepe de chine. On other nights I saw: Mrs H. Parker, wearing aprieot brocade; Mrs Cachemaille, white crepe de chine and lace; Miss Swainson, black velvet; Mrs Barron, blaek satin; Airs Fitchett, cream brocade; Mrs Young, black satin and lace; Miss Murphy, white lace and net; Airs Johnston, black crepe de chine; Airs Lougbnan, black satin and red eoat; Aliss Louglman, pale pink sill:; Aliss Macdonald, white crepe de chine; Miss Williams, pale blue silk and lace berthe: Aliss Brandon, white satin and blue coal; Aliss Miles, black satin; Miss O’Connor, pale pink dross and grey coat; Mrs Wilson, black bengaline; Miss — Wilson, white muslin; Aliss Parsons, yellow' satin. Sueh a rare event as A FLOWER SHOW in Wellington excited a great deal of interest, and (he small but enterprising club that promoted it must be congratulated on its success. The society is mainly devoted to the rose and carnation, but there was a gay and varied collection of other flowers. From as far North as Napier and New Plymouth exhibits were sent down, and among the prize takers were Airs. Tosswill (Hawke’s Bay), and Airs. J. G. Wilson (Bulls. Rangitikei). The latter won the distinction of displaying the best rose in the show —a magnificent bloom of Frau Karl Druschki, a white hybrid perpetual. There were not so many carnations a.- expected, but among local growers Mr. C. 11. Izard had some fine specimens. The display of roses was exquisite, ami the variety of colour and form quite bewildering. A fairy-like pagoda was composed of wired lycopodium, and suspended from the arches were the quaintest little figures cut out of fern root, the green fronds making tlie most delicate contrast with the dark brown body. A junk in full sail was a particularly clever example, while a grotesque little man was very captivating. Wellington has many enthusiastic gardeners, laough the gardens are now lamentably few in number. Among the visitors I noticed: Mrs. A. Crawford, wearing a white voile with a faint design in mauve, and a blue and mauve hat; Airs. O'Connor, in black poplin;

Mrs. Grace, black tailor-made costume, and black and white bonnet; Aire. T. C. Williams, black crepe de chine, and black bonnet with pink roses; Mrs. Pynsent, black voile de soie; Aliss J. Wilson(Bulls), pale blue batiste and dark blue liat; Aliss N. Wilson, ccru spotted muslin and cherry sash, red hat with clusters of cherries; Mrs. Wallis, cigar-brown cloth, and brown tulle hat; Aliss Dalrymple, white and black spotted muslin; Aliss Turner, blue voile and royr.l blue hat; Aliss D. Turner, grey voile, with insertions of lace, black tulle hat; Aliss Dransfield, marine blue canvas and blue hat; Aliss Harding, brown dress and champagne hat with roses; Airs. Wilson, dull green tailor-made costume; Aliss Wilson, rose pink voile, with Victorian yoke of cream laca and black velvet bows; Mrs. Burnett, invisible green cloth and guipure lace; Aliss Burnett, white muslin and green sash, pale green tlule hat with cluster of lilies of the valley; Alis( Brandon, black voile de soie; Aliss Seddon, champagne voile and black hat; Airs. Macdonald, black voile and caracul coat; Airs. Izard, black canvas and black toque; Aliss V. Alacdonald, biscuit linen with pale blue embroideries; Airs. Pearce, deep blue cotli and smart hat; Alias Johnston, grey liaon de sole, and black and white toque; Airs. Al. Ross, black tailor-made and furs; Airs. Fitzroy, dark blue canvas; Aliss Grace, deep brown cloth and picture hat; Airs. Campbell, black silk, with white motifs; Airs. Ecclesfield, blaek voile; Aliss Ece’esfield, pale pink delaine and pink tulle hat; Mrs. Gorton (Bulls), black tailor-made costume and black and white toque; Airs. Menzies, black cloth, and velvet mantle; Aliss Willis, grey tailor-made and black hat; Aliss Russell, white serge and white picture hat; Airs. Rhodes, black brocade; Lady Onslow and her party, who are on their way to Wellington, are fellowpassengers with Dr. and Mrs Collins, who also came out in the Ophir. During part of their stay here Lady Onslow and her son and daughter will be the guests of Dr. and Airs Collins. It will be remembered that the Hon. Huia Onslow was born in Wellington, and his connection with the Maori tribe at Otaki is well known. In addition to his dusky kindred (’), he has another sponsor in Wellington in the Hon. Charles Johnston,, AI.L.C., of “Homewood,” Karori, who was Mayor of Wellington at the time of the Hon. Huia’s birth. Lady Dorothy Onslow will be remembered principally as one of two little golden-haired girls who were rarely seen in Wellington. Alost of their time was spent across the harbour at Lowry Bay in company with a governess and staff of nurses. Colonel Wenham-Coke and her two nephews, Lord Anson and Lord Lewisham, arrived by the last Sydney steamer for a two months’ stay. It is the fishing

that principally attracts them, and after that the scenery. Lord Anson, who is the eldest son of the Earl of Lichfield, has relatives in the colony, among them being Dr. Anson, who Is at present away from Wellington on a trip to England, and Mr J. 0. Anson, who also lives here.

Mr and Mrs and Miss Michie were here for a day lately. After spending a short time in Auckland they went on to Rotorua. From there they started on the overland journey to Wellington via the AV angaaui River. Unforeseen circumstances brought some rather exciting adventures en route, but the party arrived at Wanganui none the worse for their experiences. They have now returned home to Dunedin.

Air and Airs Wylie and their family !’, a Y, e 8 0ne to their seaside house at laikakanki for the holidays. The Misses Wilson paid Wellington a flying Visit this week on account of the Hose and Carnation Shew, for which they brought down exhibits. Mrs Wilson has a notably good garden at Bulls, in the Rangitikei district, and her roses in particular have gained honours at many shows m widely-separated districts.

The jolly camping party which every year about Christmas-time embarks for Port Underwood, has set off in great spirit. As usual, Airs Butt chaperones the young people, who include Aliss Butt, Miss Stuart, Aliss Ewen, Miss Watson, Miss Blundell, Dr. Napier Alaclean, and Messrs Butt (2), Watson (2), Blundell, in addition to a contingent from Bienheim.

A further step towards the big bazaar to provide funds for the furnishing of tlie Victoria Home for chronic invalids, was held a few days ago. Lady Plunket is to lie asked to be president, and Alesdames T. C. Williams, S. A. Rhodes, Lady Ward and Miss Coates are the vice-presidents. In addition to these ladies the stallholders will Include Mesflames. Cravyford, Pearce, Wilford, Buehanan, Edwin, Brown, Luke, Barber, Sprott, Coleridge, Biss, Fitchett, Payne, Hislop, Stafford and Samuel. Next July is the date of the bazaar, so a good many things have yet to be settled, but directly after New Year work will be commenced in earnest. Airs Pollen is acting hon. secretary.

Air and Airs Herbert Rawson, and the AHsses Rawson intend paying one of their periodic vists to Alount Cook during Hie holidays. They will probably bicycle a good part of the way. Air and Airs Ewen are among the many people who have taken rooms at Day’s Bay for Christmas and New Year. Day’s Bay House has become very popular, and quite a number of people reside there indefinitely.

OPHELIA.