WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 7, 14 February 1912, Page 63

WELLINGTON.

February 12. Stirring Times. The tram strike, although it only lasted five days, certainly duHed things socially a good deal. People are now beginning to arrive in town for the session, and it remains to lie seen whether any festivities will be given. .Politics —in succession to the strikes is the great topic of discussion even now, but not even the wisest can say what is going to happen. 1 n any case, the session can hardly prove a dull one, and it will almost certainly be short. The political people are so accustomed to wintering in Wellington that a summer sojourn will be quite a change. The latest excitement seems to be the prospect of a scarcity of meat owing tothe strike at the Gear and other works. Housekeeping in Wellington at present is far from being a dull occupation. Bridge. For Mrs Bateson’s bridge party on Thursday, at her charming house at Wallaceville, a number of guests went out from town by the morning train, and put. in time at the golf links and club house before going on. Sweet peas and delicate scabious decorated the pretty rooms, and additional space was given by the wide verandah, which was arranged as a tearoom. The guest of honour was Mr Bateson's niece, who recently arrived from England, and is staying al Wallaccville. Mrs Bateson wore black and white striped voile, with pipings of satin in subdued orange shade; Miss Bateson was in white Indian lawn, with a soupcoil of pale blue, and face entredeux threaded with black velvet. The bridge prizes were won by Mrs Hayman. Mrs Ross, and Mrs Watkins. Church Fete. Saturday was a busy day, as on that afternoon the Star Club sports were h<‘ld in perfect weather. The absence of trains rather affected the attendance, and one missed a good many familiar faces. At the same time, at the Lower Hutt, there was a most successful garden fete at Ferngrove. The grounds were kindly lent by Mrs Riddiford, who, with her daughter, took a very active interest in the fete. All sorts of amusements and competitions were arranged, and there was great interest taken in the musical ride on decorated bicycles. All the Hutt people seemed to be at the fete, and under (he circumstances there were a fair number of visitors from town. The fete was in aid of the funds of St. James’ Church. Personal. Mrs. Harold Harding was a passenger to England by the Ruapehu. Iler visit will be a short one. and a portion of the time will be spent with her brother ( Dr. Ellis-MacTaggart, of Trinity College. Cambridge). Mrs. Stanton Harcourt and her children have left for Sydney, en route to the Gid Country. In Australia they will be joined by Mrs. Harcourt's mother (Mrs. Dean), who is to accompany them. Mrs. Dean has lately been staying with another married daughter in Sydney. Mr. and Mrs. John Duncan are off in a few month’s time for their annual trip to avoid the winter here. Miss D. Slnden (I’etone) has gone to England by the Ruapehu. Mr. Keith Izard, who is going to Eng land for a trip, is undoubtedly the best

croquet player in New Zealand, if not in Australasia. During his previous stay in-England 'in his undergraduate days) Mr. Izard distinguished himself at croquet, and one year was runner-up for the championship of all England. Mr. Izard travels by the Tainui.

The trip planned by Mr. and the Misses Miles is a little out of the usual as tliey mean to leave the Tainui at Manta Video ami spend a couple of months or so in travelling about South America before going on to the Old Wountry.

Mrs. Willie Barton ( Featherston, Wai' rarapa) is now en route to England by Sydney and Suez. With her travels her oldest daughter, and they, will spend some weeks on the Continent before going on to England, where Miss Barton’s education will he continued at one of the leading schools. The Misses Simpson (Wellington) are departing shortly for a trip Home. Mr. J. Crawford intends leaving for England soon, and will go in for studying architecture during his stay in the Old Country.

Miss Julia Skerrett, who has been revisiting Wellington after a long absence, returns to England by the Morea, by which- steamer her sister and brother-in-law (Mr. and Mrs. Conchie) have also taken passage. They were in New Zealand abniit six weeks. The Rotorua, which arrived from Home on Wednesday, brought a number of wellknown people, among them being Captain and Mrs. Rose and Miss Rose, who are former residents of Wellington. They have come out -for a short visit to see some of their many- relations in this Dominion. Mrs. Haughton came from Auckland to meet them.

There was a strong contingent of Canterbury people on the Rotorua, including Mr. and Mrs. R. Heaton Rhodes, the Misses Rhodes and Mr. and Mrs. T. Rhodes, who have all been Home for a trip. They w -nt on to Christchurch after a> Jhy or two here.

Also bound for Tiinaru were Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Le Cren, Miss Le Cren and Mr. D. Le Cren, while Dr. and Mrs. Guthrie were becked for Christchurch.

By the Remnera. which leaves London this month, Mrs. Rhodes and Mr. and Mrs. Willie Mosrhon i -e are coming back 6» New Zealand. They went Home for She- Coronation. and Mrs. Rhodes had a seat in the Abbey for the ceremony. She also received in private audience by Clneen Mary, who. by her questions, showed she retained a keen and lively interest in New Zealand affairs, and'was quite in touch with what was going on. Mr. and Mrs. J. ( Chaytor and Miss Chaytor are also returning by the Remnera, due here early in April. Miss Knox will be a passenger to England befiore long, probably by the lonic.

OPHELIA.