WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 1, 3 July 1912, Page 63

WELLINGTON.

June 29. Opening of the Session. The opening of Parliament is lament ably shorn of its glories nowadays, and on Thursday the scene outside the big building was hideous. Indoors there was a certain cosiness, but the cramped space meant much discomfort when one arrived, which, in itself, was a matter of great difficulty because the number of tickets was so limited. His Excellency and his staff made a gorgeous little procession, enlivening the general dinginess. An interesting spectacle was the Right Hon. James Bryce, British Ambassador to the United States, who for many years sat in the House of Commons with Lord Islington when the latter was Sir John Diekson-Poynder. A lovely bouquet of anemones and earnations was presented to Her Excellency Lady Islington, who wore black velous with wide applique of braid, a jabot of lace and a wide black hat with a single white uncurled ostrich plume. With her came Mrs. Bryce, who was wearing sand-grey souple cloth braided in grey, and a grey hat with grey plumes. Aliss Stapleton Cotton's violet hat and crimson homespun tailormade struck a cheery note, and Mrs. Guise was in black velvet and a smalt black hat. A distinguished visitor whose husband is exploring the South Pole with Captain Scott's expedition, was Airs. Wilson, who wore an electric blue tailormadc, and a blue hat with wings. She came out from Home, hoping the Antarctic explorers would return last March, but Dr. Wilson decided to remain with Captain Scott, and it will be six months or more before the Terra Nova brings them back. Mrs. Mackenzie, the new Premier’s wife, had, of course, the seat of honour. Her presentation bouquet of rose-col-oured abutillons gave a lovely touch of colour to her black velvet toilette: Miss Mackenzie, a blue coat and skirt, and a hat with wings; Miss — Mackenzie, a tailor-made costume and a t.agel hatwith wings. lecture at Government House. In honour of their guest, Mr. Bryce, who at one time was president of the Alpine Club, their Excellencies issued invitations to a lecture on Alpine climbing in New Zealand, delivered by Mr. Mai-

colm Ross at Government House. Some excellent views of the Bout-hern Alps were shown, and the ascent of the several peaks described most graphically. Lady Islington wore a graceful gown of Liberty satin, swathed with chiffon; Mrs. Bryce's charmeuse princess dress was embroidered and finished with lace. Midwinter Weddings. Midwinter weddings mean a good deal of anxiety about the weather, but the brides of last Wednesday were lucky in having a perfect day in the middle of a doubtfid week. Both Wednesday’s weddings were quite large affairs, and attracted a great deal of interest, as they were arranged for the same hour at different ends of the town. Several of the guests found it impossible to attend both, although they had accepted invitations. The legal and medical professions were strongly represented at Miss Cooper's wedding, and Dr. Gilroy's popularity was shown by ■ the number of presentations he received from those under his care at Napier. The wedding dress was a most becoming one, and the white fur had a charming effect as the day, although fine and sunny, was distinctly cold. There was special interest attached to the marriage of Miss Ethel Martin and Mr. Anderson, as both have been for so long connected with St. Paul’s ProGathedral. In addition Mr. T. L. Martin is now Chancellor of the Diocese, so it was only fitting that the Bishop of Wellington should officiate. There was beautiful lace in Miss Martin's dress, her veil was draped with a cap-like effect. The ladies of the efioir to which the bride belongs had decorated the church, the service itself was choral, the pupils of Miss Baker’s school, where Miss Ethel Martin, who holds the B.A. degree, was until lately on the teaching stall, being honorary members of the choir for the occasion. Miss Vida Bristow's wedding was man aged on lines which are rapidly growing in favour. The ceremony- itself was a very quiet- one, only relations and intimate friends being present. The youthful bride wore her travelling dress instead of the conventional white satin. Friday is an unusual day for a wedding, but Miss Bristow chose it as it was the anniversary of her parents' marriage.

Capping Day. It was a bold, but successful, move on the part of the University students to take the big Town Hall for their Cap ping Carnival, but they were justified by having an excellent audience- Fun and fooling—some of it clever, and some not—kept everyone amused, and the students showed a lively imagination and a good deal of audacity in the way they dealt with College celebrities. Several professors and their wives were present, looking on. and after the audience had departed there was a most cheerful little dance for the student, and their friends. In th>* morning there was a comic procession through the. town. Capping Day attracted a big audience to the Town Ball, ami proceedings were a good deal more decorous than usual. Ills Excellency the Governor was present, and also the Right Hon. James Bryce, whose speech was listened to with exceptional interest. The girl graduates were fifteen in number, and each received a posy of freesias tied with ribbons'and a congratulatory message from her comrades. Under their gowns they wore white dresses. On the platform with the dignitaries and the professorial staff were a few ladies, wearing academic gowns, over white blouses and tweed skirts. A Dance. The bride-elect. Miss Vida Bristow, was the most important person at a. dance given on Tuesday by Mrs. Bristow. So many entertainments have been given as farewells, that it was an excellent plan for the hospitality to be returned before the wedding day. so the bride could be present among the friends whom she would so shortly be leaving. The big dining room and drawing room were cleared for dancing, and the adjoining conservatory made an ideal place for the band. All the rooms were, decorated with autumn leaves, berries and foliage, and the supper table had spring flowers and violets. The hostess wore pearl grey ninon with handsome embroideries over charmeuse of the same tonesMiss Vida Britow looked well in lotusblue ninon over ivory satin, and lifer ’younger sister wore a pretty debutante's frock of white souple satin and lace.

Among the guests was Mrs. Anderson, who had come up from Christchurch for her son’s marriage, and was staying with Mrs. Bristow. She wore black crepe de chine draped with lace; Miss Anderson’s dress was of changeant charmeuse in tones of opal and electric blue. Among the near relations present were: Mrs. Milward (Wanganui), black ninon embroidered in jet; Mrs. Napier (Auckland), ciel blue taffetas, the coloured embroideries enhanced with paillettes. Farewell Teas.

Several teas wore given as farewells to Miss Cooper, but one o.f them, where Mrs. Turnbull was hostess, the bride-elect was suffering from a severe cold and was unable to be present. Violets, narcissus, and daphne decorated the rooms, and as each guest brought a contribution of linen, Miss Cooper received many charming gifts. Mrs. Turnbull wore black ninon inlet with lace over white satin, with embroideries in pale blue. Her daughter, Mrs. Arthur Cooper, was in floral taffetas veiled in pale blue ninon; Miss Turnbull had on a lingerie robe of lawn and lace; her two younger sisters had picture frocks of pale blue eharmeuse with quaint fichus of muslin. Personal.

Three important weddings during the week brought a good many visitors to Wellington. Staying with Mrs. Bristow for the great occasion were Mrs. Anderson (Christchurch) and Mrs. Napier, from Auckland. The Misses Anderson were guests of Mrs. Ewen. Then for the same purpose came Mrs. and Miss Bowen from Napier (who stayed with Mrs. Seed). Mr. Justice Cooper had a large house party for his daughter's marriage, including Mrs. Gilray (Dunedin), Miss Seed (England), Miss Neville (Blenheim), in addition to his son, Mr. A. Cooper, and the latter’s wife, who had come from Hamilton, and Mr. B. Cooper. As Mrs. Theo. Cooper and the Misses 'Ella, and Hilda Cooper are still in England, Mrs. Gilroy, sen., . nd Mrs- Turnbull, who is Mrs. Arthur Cooper's mother, assisted their host in entertaining. Mrs. Barnett (Wanganui), who is the bride's aunt, was also in Wellington for the wedding. Mrs. Ballance (Wanganui) and Mrs. Milward (Wanganui) came to Wellington specially for the marriage of Miss Martin and Mr. Anderson. Lady Findlay, who with her two younger sons has gone to England for the boys’ education, had many friends to sec her off on Thursday morning, and her cabin on the Ruapehu was fragrant with farewell posies of violets and freesias.