WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 28 April 1906, Page 23

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, April 20. The one topic of conversation here is the terrible catastrophe at Sati Francisco. An interview with the Government Geologist Jias elicited the fact that Wellington is situated exactly on the line of “fault” that runs through New Zealand, so nervous people are already imagining earthquakes on the slightest, provocation. Quite a number of Weilingtonians went Home this year by the 'Frisco route, and there is a good deal of anxiety felt by their friends. However, the Sonoma’s passengers had a week from the day of landing, so that ought to have seen them clear of the Golden City. Mr and Mrs E. Fulton and Miss Fulton, Mr aud Mrs Gould, travelled by the Sonoma. The following steamer had quite a large party from Wellington on board. Among them being Mr and Sirs Godfrey Pliarazyn (Feilding), Mrs W. Pharazyn and her niece Miss Stowe. Then Mr and Mrs J. M. Izett have l>een living in San Francisco for some years, and Miss Rebe Richardson, who went with them for a visit married and settled there. Mr H. Stephenson Smith, the agent for the New Zealand Government, in California, is a brother of Mr S. Percy Smith, New Plymouth, the late Surveyor-General. To turn to a more cheerful theme, the big "ALL NATIONS” FAIR in the Town Hall is proving a tremendous success, and Catholic charities should profit largely by it. It is very well arranged, aud the tableaux and poster competitions are excellent, while the children’s dancing is really charming. Every night the gallery is crowded with onlookers in addition to those who go in to the bazaar itself. On different days there have been present— Mrs Burnes, wearing cream cloth and a black picture hat; Miss Kennedy, dark green tailor-made; Mrs O’Connor, black taffetas and mauve toque; Miss O’Connor, grey tweed coat and skirt and floral hat; Mrs Johnston, blaek voile and lace; Miss Johnston, dull red cloth; Mrs Loughnan, grey voile and black toque; Mrs Dunean, brown cloth dress with white revers, brown velvet collar; Mrs Grace, black glace and handsome coat; Mrs Butt, blaek tailor-made.

VICTORIA COLLEGE is a very up and doing institution. Not long ago the students had a conversazione which resulted in a profit of £2OO. Last week two of the students, Messrs Kelly and Fitzgibbons, carried oir the challenge shield at the Inter-Uni-versity Debating contest: aud at the recent tournament, in Christchurch the representatives of Victoria College covered themselves with glory at tennis. APROPOS OF TENNIS. the Easter Tournament in Wellington was a great success. Mr If. Gore’s win of the Men’s Championship has been, very popular. Easter Monday is an unusual day FOR A WEDDING; but it was the day chosen by Mr and Mrs Arthur Ballance for theirs. You will find a description of it. elsewhere, but I cannot resist telling you here ihow well it went off. Both bride and bridegroom are very popular. Mr Ballance’s fine bass voice is often heard and always appreciated at concerts, white Miss Holmwood is quite one of the prettiest girls iu Wellington. She looked so well in her wedding dress; its simplicity suited her classic features and petite stature, aud the little tiara of orange blossom iu her dark hair was most becoming. News has just readied me of THE MARRIAGE of Miss Crowther to the Rev. L. York, at Westport. Her many friends in Wellington were very pleased to see her here for a day or two eu route for England, where the honeymoon is to bo spent. I seem to have nothing to write of but weddings; but it is generally the case at Easter when the matrimonial microbe runs rampant. Next week Miss Mabel Mee sets off for England, where her marriage to Mr Cooper, R.N.R., will be celebrated. Her mother accompanies her for part of the voyage. Mr Cooper, who was formerly on the Corinthie, is now doing a year’s service in the Navy. Miss West and Miss Finch, who are both shortly to be married, have been guests of honour at several teas lately.

OPHELIA.