WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 20, 15 May 1912, Page 64

WELLINGTON.

May 11. The Baillie Pictures. A dull week leaves little to write about, almost the only entertainment going on being the collection of pictures brought out from Home by Mr Baillie. Although the temporary gallery is lather out of the way-, every day, in the afternoon especially, people collect until the rooms are well filled. The new system of picking the pictures for the national collection has aroused much interest. The progress of the ballot is announced daily, and it seems certain "The Green Gown” and "Goblin Market’’ will remain with us. Frank Dicksee’s picture, "The Mother,” very much admired by His Excellency the Governor, arrived so late that it is badly handicapped. but there is a possibility that it may be secured. Afternoon tea at the Gallery is quite a recognised social event, and the season tickets enable people to visit tiie collection as often as they please. The rooms are less crowded in the morning, and that was the time chosen by His Excellency the Governor to do the rounds. Time was necessarily brief, -as he was leaving again for Auckland by noon, but, escorted by the president and the promoter, he inspected the more important works, including those v Inch have been presented to the Domiir ion by private people. Wellington Club's Jubilee. On May 18 the Wellington Club will celebrate its jubilee by a dinner party. In order that ladies may share in the festivities due on such an important occasion. the club members are giving a I all about the middle of June, the date la ing delayed a little in order to coincide with the return.to Wellington of Lord and Lady Islington. Gubernatorial. The ball w ill take place at the end of this month, and their Excellencies will be in icsidence here for the King's Birthday, which will be celebrated by an official <1 inner party at Government House. For the short periml between that date and the opening of Parliament, also in June, Izird and Lady Islington will stay at ‘‘Highden,’’ the beautiful country place belonging to Mrs Johnston, near Feild ing, in the Manawatu district.. As Lady Islington is keenly interested

in art, the Baillie collection will be kept open a week longer at the Governor’s special request, in order that she may see the pictures before they are dispersed. _ Beneficent Leagues.

It is interesting to note the progress of various beneficent leagues in Wellington. About four years ago the Girls’ Realm Guild was launched under vice-

regal auspices, the inaugural meeting being held at Government House, with Her Excellency Lady Plunket present. The first hon. treasurer was the Hon. Kathleen Plunket; the other officials were well-known ami influential girls, and the branch was called the "Lady Plunket Centre.” For a time all went well, but in the last few years other things have cropped up, and interest has weakened, until this centre has dwindled to a very few but keen and hard-working members. They have now judged it best to combine with another local centre, which, without any ostentation, has quietly and steadily increased its numbers and consistently done good work, the combined branches being called the Wellington Centre of the Girls’ Realm Guild. A carefully planned and successful fete was arranged as a farewell by the Plunket. centre on Saturday last, the room being decorated with heliotrope and white hangings and flowers to carry out the colours of the Guild. The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs. Newman, who, with Miss Coates (who was also present) has always been a consistent supporter of th* branch. Golf. Monday saw an unusual number of golf players at Miramar, the monthly medal competition being won by Mrs. Watkins, the next in succession being Mrs. Spencer.

Miss Elsie Gray, who is one of the youngest and most popular players (she has already attained championship honours), received a surprise when she was presented with a silver hair brush and mirror engraved with her monogram. In a pleasant little speech Mrs. R. A. Holmes explained that the gift was made in recognition of Miss Gray’s work as hon. secretary, a position which she lately resigned. Bridge Party.

Mrs. MacEwau’s bridge party on Thursday was in honour of Mi s. Morris, who is leaving Wellington to live in Dunedin, whence her husband has - been transferred. There was more than a hint of spring in the decorations, each table having its cluster of freesias and violets, whiel the supper 100 m was a harmony in pink, the electric lights being shaded to match the pretty Japonic:!-like sprays set in vases of silver. The prize. quaint cup and saucer of Doulton wain in a Maori design, was won by Mrs. G. Tripe. Mrs. Mae Ewan wore coral pink charmeu.se with tinted embroideries: Mrs. Morris’ taffetas dress was draped with ninon and lace. Tennis Dance. The members of St. Peter’s Tennis Club enlivened the dullness of the winter season by a dance on Tuesday, which went off very well. The Vicar of St. Peter’s (the Ven. Archdeacon Harper) and Mrs. Harper were present, together with other leading people of the parish, and the Revs. Mutter and Raine. For those who did not dance there were comfortable sitting out places, pleasant conversation, and a card room. The supper was excellent, and the committee received many congratulations. Green and white was the colour scheme adopted in the hall, and the supper room tables were done with cosmea, a piquant touch of black ribbon suggesting the club colours. Personal. Mrs. Joseph Mandel and the Misses Mandel are en route to England, travelling by the North German Lloyd route. They were pas-engers as far as Sydney by the Ulimaroa, and their absence will most likely be for a year. Dr. Mandel, Mrs. Mandel's cider son, is already in tire Old Country. There was general regret at the annual meeting of S. John's Ambulance Association when it was announced that Mrs. Rhodes was not able to be present. Since her return from England Mrs. Rhodes has been staying with Mrs. Moorhouse, but her health is not very satisfactory yet after her illness in England. After a residence here of some two or three years, Signor and Madame Biistamente are returning to South America. Signor Bustamente has been acting as Consul for Argentina. Their two young daughters wUI aeompany them.

Miss Geraldine Fitzgerald has returns e«l to Wellington again. While in the Old Country Miss Fitzgerald was thd guest of her sister, Mrs. Levin (Surrey), and of her niece (Mrs. 11. B. Vogel), but the greater part of the time she spent in travelling. Mrs. Aubrey Barclay, who has been here for two or three months, staying with her people, Sir Edward and Lady] Osborne-Gibbes, and Captain and Mrs. Barclay, is returning to Invercargill again. Mrs. Paul Studholme (Canterbury)] was here for a short visit lately, having come to see her sister, the Hon. Mrs, Trevor Ogilvie-Grant, and the latter’s baby son. Miss Lucy Atkinson is off to England for a holiday trip, leaving Wellington! early in June for Sydney, en route to London.

Two more travellers to the Old Coun? try are Mrs. and Miss Peat, of Oriental Bay, who started for Auckland, via Wanganui. last week before beginning their longer journey. It will probably be a, year before they return to Wellington. The Misses Nathan have taken passages to London by the Ruahine. Mrs, Walter Nathan and two of her daughters have already been in England for some months. Mr. Nathan’s house in Hobsons street has just been taken by Mr. and Mrs. Elgar, who always come to Wellington for the winter when they are ini New Zealand.