WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 14, 6 October 1909, Page 64

WELLINGTON.

October 1. The Art Exhibition. Saturday was a bu«y day, as the rowing season was opened, and it was also the first day of the Academy Art Exhibition. Nearly everybody, however, man- • ged both, and there was a constant stream of people going backwards and /orwards. Toe Art Exhibition is a particularly interesting one this year, and the Mayor’s outspoken comments created

a mild sensation. It was difficult to pay sufficient attention to the pictures, when there was so much to be seen in the way of spring frocks and wonderful hats; and then, of course, afternoon tea—delightful as it is—was an added distraction. There is much the usual thing to be seen on the walls, and the hanging committee has come in for some severe criticism; but they must be quite accustomed. Some clever portraits by Miss Baldwin-Warne are noticeable, one being of Miss Hilda Chapman, who is always so much admired. Miss Bendall’s fascinating studies of chubby childhood are hung in a good position, and Mrs. J. Tripe has a delightful sketch of her small son. Exceptionally good are some miniatures by Mrs. Godden —who has not long been out from England—one of a dark-haired girl in a flame-coloured dress, being very fine. There are many sketches "of Silverstream and the country surrounding the golf links. At the opening Mrs. Newman (Mayoress) wore dark blue cloth, soutache in black, with a lace blouse, and a black hat garlanded with tiny flowers; Mrs. Fowlds (Auckland), gendarme blue tailor-made, and mole coloured hat with blue plumes: Mrs. Pearee, blue tailormade. and blue and brown hat: Mrs. Fell, black chiffon taffetas, and black and white toque: Mrs. Field, pale brown cloth, chinchilla cape, bordered with heavy applique work, black picture hat with gold buckle and plumes: Miss Bald-win-Warne (England), mole coloured doth, with long coat of the same shade; Mrs. Alec Crawford. Beauvais blue cloth, witli Eastern embroideries on the lace guimpe, blue hat with flowers; Mrs. Wilson, green tailor-made and black hat; Miss Chapman, pastel blue doth, en Prineesse, elaborately soutache in the same shade, guimpe of tucked net, and pale blue hat; Mrs. Howarth, blue tweed and blue and brown hat: Miss Richmond, black voile, and black hat with purple roses; Miss Bendall, who was receiving many felicitations on her engagement, which has not been long announced, had on a most becoming white linen faced with geranium colour, and her hat repeated the same vivid shade; Miss Richmond, taupe cloth tailor-made, pale blue hat with black plumes and jet cabochons; Miss Fell, biscuit cloth en Prineesse, with a Directoire sash of black, and a black hat; Miss M. Fell, grey tweed, and hat wreathed with roses; Mrs. C. Wilson, white serge tailor-made, petunia hat with shaded flowers; Miss Bauchop, white linen, long Directoire coat of handsome Irish crochet, black and white hat with roses; Mrs. Fell (Nelson), blue coat and skirt, and laurel green hat; Miss S. Johnson, blaek eolienne, lace guimpe, and black picture hat; Mrs. Maearthur, Atlantic green tailor-made, braided, green hat with plumes; Mrs. Chapman, grape purple cloth and velvet coatee; Mrs. von Haast, rouge cloth with a lace guimpe, and a black picture hat : Mrs. Bendall, black and white voile, and black hat; Mrs. Clarke, grey cloth, braided with black, black hat with roses; Mrs. Corrigan, brown eolienne, soutache in the same shade, rustic hat of black; Mrs. Etherington, blue cloth, and black and white hat; Mrs. Young, saxe blue voile, and blaek hat; Miss Atkinson, white serge coat and skirt, and black picture hat.

The Rowing Club's Opening Day. Very gay was the scene at the Rowing Club s skids, where boat-races were the principal excitement. The gallery was crammed with onlookers, some of whom had arrived over an hour too soon in their anxiety to get a good seat. Viewed from a distance, the gallery was a flower garden of colossal proportions; as nothing could be seen but closely’ packed rows of flowery hats and pretty faces. There was a sprinkling of spring frocks on the skids also, the wearers being undeterred by an occasional splash or a trickle of water as the outriggers were carried backwards and forwards and launched. Cheerful music, including all the pantomime airs, was played by a brass band, and strings of bunting flapped gaily in the breeze. Yellow and white daffodils and bronze birch, set in silver vases, decorated the tea tables, the centre-piece, of pale blue and white flowers, representing the Star Club's colours. Dr. Newman (the Mayor) made a terse little speech declaring the season open, and throwing out a suggestion that a rowing team from New Zealand should travel in search of fame.

Mrs. F. Bridge wore a black tailormade and a black and white hat; Mrs. 8. Wheeler, eaxe blue cloth, blue hat with flowers; Mrs. Hume, heather tweed

snd brown hat; Miss Head, white coat and skirt, pale pink hat; Miss Chapman, pale blue cloth, blue hat; Mrs. Campbell’ brown tailor-made, ivory Ottoman hat with black plumes; Mrs. Fulton, mole tailor-made, brown hslt; Miss Fulton, white linen, and hat with flowers: Miss Barnett, black and white shepherd’s plaid, made en Princesse, and braided in black, black hat with eluster of violets; Mrs. MeVilly, tweed tailor-made, and hat with flowers; Miss Finch, olive green taffeta, lace guimpe, and green hat; Miss D’Oyley, navy serge, and hat with roses; Miss Reid, dark blue cloth, and pale blue hat; Miss Rapley, grey cloth, soutache in grey; Miss Simpson, heather tweed, and hat with roses. On Weddings. Under “Orange Blossoms” will be found a short description of the PorterThackeray wedding. I forgot to mention last week that the bride is a descendant of the celebrated author, and many of his possessions are now treasured by her people. Apropos of weddings, it is probable that there will before long be another to describe, as Miss Rubi Seddon’s return from England is to gain her mother’s consent to an engagement with Mr. Camm.

A Charming Little Tea. Miss Duncan, Hobson-street, was hostess at a eharming little tea, given for Mrs. Goring Johnston (Palmerston N.), who has been staying with Mrs. lan Duncan. In the drawing-room there was a profusion of spring flowers, the colours being mostly yellow, ranging from faint primrose to tawny orange; in the conservatory (adjoining) there were masses of cinerarias; the whole effect was most artistic. Tea was laid in the cosy hall, on small tables. Miss Duncan wore pale grey ninon with guimpe of eream net and appliques of lace; Mrs. Goring Johnston, violet cloth Princess gown, black plumed hat; Mrs. H. Crawford. black voile with striped lines of cream insertion, black and white hat; Mrs. lan Duncan, navy blue tailor-made much braided, mole hat, trimmed velvet and quills; Mrs. Collins, blue and white foulard, vest of cream lace, finished off with folds of emerald green chiffon, black picture hat; Mrs. Grace, black cloth tailor-made effectively braided, black bonnet with white ostrich tips; Mrs. Dalziel, white cloth coat and skirt with faint braiding in black, and small black velvet buttons, white hat; Mrs. A. Pearce, black coat and skirt, white fox furs, large black hat; Mrs. C. Pearee, white cloth coat and skirt, green hat with shaded roses; Mrs. Moorhouse, brown voile mauve and brown toque; Mrs. T. Reed, violet cloth gown with cream vest, violet hat with quills; Mrs. Algar Williams, blue cloth skirt, lace blouse, blue hat; Mrs. Head, brown eloth, fur cape, brown hat with shaded brown feathers; Miss Lucy Brandon, saxe blue frock, blue and brown hats, brown furs; Miss Cameron (Featherston), cream serge coat and skirt, white hat.

St. John Ambulance Bazaar. Much interest is being taken in the forthcoming bazaar in aid of the St. John Ambulance. A large meeting was held in the Mayor’s Room, Town Hall, to discuss preparations. Mrs. Newman presided. It was announced that her Excellency, Lady Plunket, had kindly

consented to open it on the Ist November. Stall holders and assistants are to wear nurses’ uniforms.

Welcome Home. Mrs. Brandon’s tea was to welcome back Mrs. Collins, after her long absence. The guest of honour wore a soutache tailor-made of dull electric blue made with a long eoat and revers, which disclosed a lace blouse, and her toque was heavily jetted and finished with a jet aigrette; Mrs. Brandon’s grey ninon was relieved with black and white, and had a tiny inner vest of palest blue; Miss Brandon was in white cloth with a lace blouse, and her sister was also in white; Miss Vida Collins had a white coat and skirt smartly braided, and worn over a lace and net blouse, and her picture hat was white with plumes; Mrs. Larnach wore electric blue souple cloth made in semi-Directoire style with braided revers and a knotted sash; Mrs. H. Crawford, black crepe de chine and lace, and black hat; Mrs. Dalziell, white tailor-made and smart hat; Miss Moorhouse, ;vhite coat and skirt and black hat.

OPHELIA.