WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 26, 29 June 1910, Page 64

WELLINGTON.

June 24. His Excellency’s Arrival. \Ve have all been quite excited about the arrival of His Excellency, and I am sure you will be glad to hear how well it went off. Everyone is pleased to see jL’aptain Shannon back again as one of the Aides, and his experience is sure to be invaluable to the staff. Of course, Mr. Kerr - Clarke, His Excellency's private secretary has also had a great deal of colonial experience. Lady Beatrice KerrClark —whose marriage was only a year ago—arrived with her husband, and at the present they are staying at the Grand Hotel. She is a sister of the present Earl of Drogheda. The Parliamentary Buildings had quite a gala look on Wednesday, very different to their last appearance in public, when the portico and windows were all heavily draped in crape, and flags hung drearily at half-mast. Now everything is gay and bright—weather all that the heart of man could desire; long lines of flages waving gaily overhead, and the dais filled with rank and fashion, all dressed in their best, although half-mourning was very generally worn. Tile procession was a most representative one, comprising as it did, small girls belonging to a temperance band, quite an army of scouts, Navy Leaguers, and —crowning joy to the children, at all events —a select little band of Druids, clad in snowy white, beards and all, the Arch-Druid (presumably) being a brave figure in scarlet. The Volunteers were, of course, in khaki, but occasionally an officer clad in scarlet made a vivid clash of colour. Carriages full of frockcoated, silk-hatted City Councillors M.P.'s, etc., although a very necessary part of the programme, do not add to the gaiety of the scene, so that when the Mayor drove past, an imposing figure, in his robes, there was quite a little flutter. iSir Joseph Ward, looking quite gorgeous in his Privy Councillor’s uniform. was the next object of interest; soon after this came the carriage of His Excellency the Governor, and no one would see anything else. His Excellency wore an entirely new and smart uniform, said to have been specially designed by the late King to be worn by Colonial Governors. Themost noticeable part of it is the heavy silver epaulettes, which give it quite a distinctive look; the fronts of the eeat also seemed to be thickly crusted with silver. All admired his smart soldierly appearance, but were surprised at his looking so milch older than his age! If it were not that Debrett"— like George Washington, presumable—cannot tell a lie, he could easily be credited with ten or fifteen years more than his official age. Lined up in front of the dais where the swearing in took place were the veterans, who made a goodly muster; behind them again, the different volunteer corps, or territorials as they are now. With his Excellency were Mr Kerr Clark (private secretary), Captains McGill-Criehton-Maitland, and Shannon, (aides-de-camp). There was much cheering from the crowd, and an enthusiastic welcome from a large party of Maoris as his Excellency took his seat. Among those present on the platform were Lady Ward, wearing a black gown, sealskin coat, huge black hat, with plumes, and ermine furs. Sitting next to her was Lady Beatlice Clark, black velvet gown, sealskin coat, black hat, massed with ostrich plumes, pointed fox furs; Mrs Wallis, grey Direetoire gown, black hat, with plumes; Lady Steward, black tailor-made, black and white toque; Mrs Fitchett, petunia coloured gown with sable cape, toque with violets; Lady Maclean, black poplin, and black and white toque; Mrs Findlay, black velvet gown, sealskin coat, black toque,

with jet cabochon and plumes, her furs were sable; Mrs McKenzie, black tailormade, large black hat; Mrs Carroll, grey checked tweed, black hat; Mrs Head, black tailor-made, black hat, with ostrich feathers; Mrs Ngata, tabae brown coat and skirt, brown toque; Miss Seddon, mole cloth, with black satin facings, black picture hat; Miss Bauchop, black coat and skirt, large velvet hat; Mrs Chaytor, black tailor-made, black picture hat; Mrs Luke, grey coat and skirt, blaek hat; Mrs Knox Gilmer, black serge, black hat. At Home. Most other events have rather paled into insignificance on account of His Excellency’s arrival, but there has been a certain amount going on. On Friday, the Wellington Bowling Club held its “At Home,” which grows yearly a more important affair. First of all came a capital little concert (some of the best vocalists are members of the Wellington Club), and then there was an adjournment for supper, which was an excellent one. The rest of the evening was spent in dancing or playing cards, and it was with great reluctance that the party broke up. The rooms were decorated with chrysanthemums and narcissi, together with bronze autumn leaves. Mrs J. Geddes and Mr Bennet won the prizes for progressive cards. Mrs Hamilton wore black crepe de chine and laee, with a coat of petunia cloth; Mrs J. Blundell, ivory silk veiled in black Chantilly lace and net; Mrs Geddes, mauve chiffon taffetas, with pastel embroideries; Mrs O'Shea, ivory satin and lace; Mrs Boyd, black satin charmeuse and green charmeuse coat; Mrs Speed, brown erepe de chine and ficelle lace; Mrs Hamilton, apricot chiffon taffetas, with a cluster of violets; Mrs Cohen, amethyst charmeuse, with velvet and jewelled embroideries; Mrs O’Sullivan, pale blue chiffon taffetas, with a berthe of laee: Mrs Gibbons, cream satin, with laee sleeves and vest; Mrs Hill, black peau de soie, with jet and lace; Mrs Grady, black chiffon taffetas and lace: Mrs Bush, black crepe de chine; Miss Lockie, petal pink charmeuse en Princesse; Miss Donaldson, cameo pink mousseline de soie, with touches of satin; Miss M. Donaldson, ivory satin, with paillettes in subdued shades; Miss Hill, black velvet and lace; Miss Templeton, mauve peau de soie, with lace vest; Miss Collins, black velvet. with lace sleeves; Miss Wollerman, white soie de chine, softened with lace; Miss Cohen, black crepe de chine, with a trail of pink roses; Miss Geddes, white chiffon taffetas, with silver galon; Miss Grady, pearl grey Liberty satin and chiffon: Miss Smith, pale blue paillette, relieved with palest pink; Miss McGregor, white chiffon taffetas. A ’Well-merited Honour. The warmest congratulations are pouring in on Mrs. Rhodes, who has attained the honour of being a Lady of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. As

you know, this Order dates back to the Crusades, and it was revived in Queen Victoria's reign, and since then Royalty, has always taken a keen interest in it. Lord Ranfurly and Lord Brassey were sponsors for Mrs. Rhodes. About a year ago Mrs. Rhodes was granted a distinction for her splendid work, which has been untiring for many years, and she has always given most generously to the cause. * At the Kink. Rinking continues to be a wild attraction, and every few days one hears of a new party. On Thursday the hostess was Mrs. C. Crawford, and quite a host of well -known people assembled at her, invitation. By this time most people are able to skate more or less, so the onlookers were fewer in number than on previous occasions; hut they had a thoroughly amusing and interesting time. Afternoon tea was greatly enjoyed, as skating is such thirsty work, and from overhead came the strains of a band, which played cheerful airs from the latest musical comedies. Mrs. Crawford wore petunia simple cloth with a net blouse and a blaek picture hat; Miss Anson was in blue with a blaek hat and fox furs. The guests ineluded Lady Ward, in black ninon and a seal eoat, blaek picture hat; Mrs. Johnston, blaek tailor-made, heavily, braided, blaek plumed hat: Mrs. C. Johnston, dark cloth dress and long coat, brown toque: Mrs. H. Crawford, petunia cloth and blaek hat; Mrs. Head, black tailor-made and smart blaek toque; Mrs. Turnbull, green tweed and green hat; Mrs. Dunean, blue cloth and net blouse, black hat; Miss Dunean, brown cloth and blaek and white hat; Mrs. Williams, blaek and white tweed and blaek hat with white marabout mount: Mrs. Abbot, blue Russian costume and black and white hat; Mrs. Pearce, dark green tailor-made and green hat; Miss Brandon, beige cloth and brown hat; Miss L. Brandon, navy serge and black velvet hat. Pioneer Club. The Pioneer Club took advantage of Millie Dolores’ enforced stay in Wellington to entertain her at an afternoon tea. Pink camellias and violets decorated the common loom, anil the tea-room.-; were fragrant with narcissi. Millie Dolores wore blaek crepe de chine and lace, and a blaek picture hat; Mdlle Vandour, who travels with her, was in black cashmere de soie, with a laee guimpe. and blaek hat; Mrs. Prouse, with whom Mdlle Dolores has been staying while in Wellington, wore a very dark brown tailor-made and a black hat. The guests were received by Mrs. Findlay, a: vice-president of the Club, who wore black velvet with a smart black toque. Very shortly the Pioneer Club moves into its new rooms on Lambton Quay—a more central position than its previous one.

Afternoon Tea. Mrs. Tewsley's little tea was a »e.y cheery affair, the guest of honour being Mrs. McOooh Clarke, from Auckland. It was a eold, wet day, but it did not deter people from coming, and once inside everything was warm and cosy. The tea table was done in a delightfully novel fashion. The black polished oak was shown to perfection by the abscene -of a tablecloth, and reflected clearly the silver and crystal vases with their sprays of pink camellias. The hostess wore a Princess gown of pastel cashmere de soie with a net collar; Miss Tewsley was in eolienne en Prineesse; and Mrs. McCoeh Clarke had a smart gown of Liberty satin cloth and toque with tips.

OPHELIA.