WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 65

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, February 18. You must have heard the full account of the wreck of the Penguin, so I will write of it as little as possible. All other affairs were eclipsed in the wave of horror and grief that swept over Wellington, the only consolation to many being the knowledge of the bravery anil unselfishness exhibited by those on board. Especially noble was the conduct of the two stewardesses, who went steadily on with their work of fitting on lifebelts to the passengers with death staring them in the face. There was a rumour that Mrs. Symons and her daughters had rart, after all, been on board; but Oterangi beach gave the lie to that. Since the death of her husband —two or three years ago—Mrs. Symons had devoted herself utterly to the children, so it may have been a merciful decree of Providence that even in death she should not be parted from them. With Mrs. Symons and her daughters was drowned Miss Rennie, who had given to them years of loving and faithful service. Mary and Ethel Symons were to have been bridesmaids at the wedding of Miss Rawson and Dr. Matthew’ Holmes. They were due back at school a fortnight ago, but Mrs. Symons decided to stay on at Motueka a little longer, as the change was doing the younger girl so much good. Mary would have been fifteen next month, while Ethel had just had her fourteenth birthday. One of the few’ saved was Mr. Gerald Bridge, who is one of the well-known Oriental Bay family, all of whom have distinguished themselves in athletic and rowing circles. He was coming over to attend his brother's funeral, but his people, knowing he was on the wreck, only heard of his safety when at the graveside of Mr. Herbert Bridge.

The only fine day since the wreck was Tuesday, when the funerals were held. The sudden alterations of the route threw everything into confusion, and the procession was most disorganised. The flowers and wreaths were in most cases exquisite, and every possible respect was paid to the dead. The girls of the “Red Mill” Company are most energetic in selling tickets for the benefit performance, and are meeting with splendid success. To turn to other subjects, there was the HUTT VALLEY FLOWER SHOW on Wednesday and Thursday. It began by being a delightful day, but threatening clouds from the south caused great anxiety among the refreshment committee. as tea was to be an al fresco affair under tin.- shady trees. Mr Chapman, who lent his grounds for the ' show, is one of the most noted gardeners in Wellington. and people availed themselves of the chance to see his beautiful grounds. All the hothouses were thrown open for inspection. and many were the rare plants to be seen. Big marquees on the lawn held the flower show proper, and the exhibits were splendid. Cactus dahlias are in their glory at present, while the wonderful begonias, with their exquisite shades of colour and gigantic size, created a sensation. The show was opened by the Hon. Dr. Findlay, who made a smart and amusing little speech, in which he compared babies and flowers rather to the advantage of the latter! Mrs Findlay, who motored out from town with him, wore elephant grey souple cloth, Um vest being of laee and net with touches of velvet, and her wide hat was trimmed with wings. She was presented with a lovely bouquet of roses and dahlias. Mrs

Chapman, wife of the president of the society, wore a smart semi Directoire gown of ivory cloth, the hem banded with black and dull green, picture hat with big plumes to harmonise; Mrs Purdy, moleeoloured taffetas, the net guimpe outlined with handsome embroidery, picture hat of the same tone banked with flowers; Mrs Treadwell, olive green chiffon taffeta, finished with velvet, net and lace yoke, green hat with wings; Mrs. Kirk, brown-green tailor-made, and brown hat; ’Mrs. Mason, a very smart tailor-made of Saxe blue cloth, the Directoire coat being soutache in the same shade, her blue hat had green wings and foliage; Mrs, Spicer (Auckland), grey Shantung, lace yoke, black hat with roses; Mrs. Rayner (Auckland), green coat and skirt, elaborately braided, large green hat; Mrs. Stevens, tobae brown taffetas, guimpe of lace and net, brown hat wreathed with blue roses; Mrs. Adams, dull green voile, green toque; Mrs. Harvey, grey tailor made, grey and blue hat; Mrs. Campbell, green tailor-made, blue and green hat with wings; Mrs. Joliffe, pale green voile, lace yoke, green hat with roses; Mrs. Leekie, blue striped tailor-made, green hat; with her were her little twin daughters, looking bewitching in frilly white frocks and hats and blue ribbons; Mrs. Woodward, white lawn and lace lingerie costume, black picture hat; Mrs. W. Blundell, prunelle tailor-made, violet hat; Mrs. Menteath, Saxe blue Sicilian, blue hat with bronze velvet and wings: Mrs. Watkins, reseda cloth, hat wreathed with roses; Mrs. Lee, brown Sicilian, strapped with. a* ret, net yoke, brown and green hat; the Misses Lee, white lawn and laee dresses, rose trimmed hats; Mrs Eliot, grey tailor-made, black and white toque; Mrs. Hector, grey tailor-made, black hat, with white roses ; Miss Eliott, white muslin and floral hat; Mrs. Allan, brown cloth, braided, brown hat with blue wings; Mrs. Barraud, grey cheeked tweed, black toque with mauve flowers; Mrs. Hughes, brown chiffon voile, with filet lace yoke, brown hat with shaded roses. PERSONAL MATTERS. Everyone was very interested to hear of the coming marriage of Mr. Leo Buller to an English lady, Miss Ridley, who is very highly connected. Mr. Leo is the eldest son of the late Sir Walter Buller, and for many years now has resided in England with occasional trips out here. His brother, Mr. Percy Buller, is one of the most popular men in Wellington, where he has lived most of his life. At present he is also in England recruiting, after a long and severe illness. The only sister, Mrs. Madoeks, has been living in the Old Country since her marriage with Major Madoeks, but last year she was revisiting Wellington in order to nurse her brother, and when he was well enough they travelled to England together. - Mrs. C. W. Adams (Lower Hutt) is back after a trip to Auckland. Her daughter, Mrs. J. E. D. Spicer (Parnell), came with her for a visit to her old home. Mrs. Gillies arrived from Auckland to stay with her daughter, Mrs. Urquhart,

whose husband was droam'd in the Penguin, Mr. and Mrs. Hale (Auckland) aro here on account of the Penguin .lusaster, in which their sou and daughter-in-law lost their lives. Mrs. T. C. Williams and her daughters have left for Auckland, where two marriages will shortly be celebrated. Mr. and Mrs. G. Williams, Wairarapa, arc also leaving shortly for the North, to gether with other relations of the family, which is an unusally large one. Ijist English mail brought news of the marriage of the Rev. J. Llewellyn Dm to Miss Florence Dove. They are now on their way out to New Zealand, as Mr. Dove has been appointed headmaster oi Wanganui Collegiate School in succession to Mr. Empson, who has retired. Mr. Dove has spent some years in the colony, and formerly held a living in the Wet lington diocese. His first wife was a daughter of the late -Right Rev. Dr. Hadfield (Bishop of Wellington, and Primate of New Zealand), and there is one child.

OPHELIA.