WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 8, 19 February 1913, Page 63

WELLINGTON.

February 14. A Garden Fete. Two Plunket nurses being insufficient for the demands of Wellington, the Society for the Protection of Women and Children is endeavouring to procure another. To this end a garden fete was ar-

ranged—the Prime Minister’s garden being lent for the occasion, end on Saturday it waa a gala acene with Punch and Judy nhowH, Maypole dances in fancy dress, al fresco afternoon t »aa, and all sorts of amusements. Indoors there was a series of short dramatic pieces played by Miss Maltby and Mr. Khind. The special feature of the fete was a baby show, which turned out a tremendcus success, with many infants «nd plenty of prizes. The fete was opened by Lady Liverpool, who was attended by Captain Eastwood, A.D.C. She wore saxe blue satin with an overdress of smoke grey chi ft on, and i grey hat with mauve lancer plumes; Mrs. Massey, brown ottoman silk with a vest of ninon, and a brown toque; Mrs. Algftr Williams, who is President of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, wore a white lingerie dress, and a hat with pink and blue roses; Lady Gibbes, a shantung tailor-made, and i plumed hat. The donors of the many beautiful prizes included Lady Gibbes, Mrs. Etherington, Mrs. Fitchett, Mrs. Corrigan, Mrs. Birkett. Mrs. L"ckie, Mrs. Grady, Mrs. McVicar, Mrs. Algar Wil liams, Mrs. Harper, Mrs. Ward. Mrs. Reid, Mrs. Kane, Seoullar Co., Surney Bros., Arnold and Co., D.1.C., and Walker and Hall. The Pioneef Club. Always the pioneer Club makes a point, of honouring woiu<»n of distinction, mi l on Thursday they had an “At Home” for Mrs. Massey. She was welcomed by the president and committee, and there was a big gathering oi members for the oeea sion, a musical programme being supplied by them. Miss Richmond wore black crepe de chine, and a black picture hat ; Mrs. Massey, grey ninon with silver embroideries, and grey toque with shaded pink roses; her young daughter was in white chiffon voile, with a white hat ; and Miss Harding (of Auckland) , who is staying with them, had on a white lingerie dress, and a hat with roses; Mrs Fitchett, mauve foulard veiled in ninon, black pi* turc hat; Miss Blake (England), who has come out for a visit to her aunt. Miss Richmond, was in pale blue ninon, with blue flowers on her hat. Montbretias and Shasta daisies decorated the club-rooms, and the tea tables were done with deli cutely coloured sweet peas. I’he tea was unusually well done, many of the cakes, of Viennese origin, being oniy Ifitely procurable in Wellington.

Aquatic Sports. Saturday was an ideal day for water sports, so the men of the Star Club bad a great time with diving competitions and swimming races, their prowess being watched by feminine youth and beauty from the high balcony of tlve Star Club. In between the more important events there were short jaunts in the club’s pleasure boats, when stalwart youths clad in blazers propel led boats cram full of girls. Flags hung from the balon’.es and roof, and a baud made things specially agreeable, while a special feature of the occasion was afternoon tea in the big club-room, where the tables were deco rated by Mrs. Bayfield, the captains wife, with blue and white flowers, am! were resplendent with silver trophies won bv the Star men.

Garden Party. The garden party which was given by Mrs. Moorhouse on Wednesday, was partly farewell to Mrs. Fitz.herbert, who is leaving shortly for a visit to the Ai creatine. The garden, which is one of the oldest in Wellington, was much enjoyed by the guests, who wandered about the shady paths and found something to ad mire in them all. Golf-croquet was played on the lawn. Mrs. Moorhouse wore a beautiful gown of grey charmeuse with embroideries of cut steel ami gold beads, black hat with ostrich feathers; IMrs. Fitzherbert, pile grey satin with tunic of chantilly lace, black hat with white plumes; Miss Fitzherbert. save

blue satin charmeuse, with pinafore effect, grey -tagel hat with blue flowers; Mis — Fitzherbert, white embroidered muslin, large white hat wreathed with flowers. An At Home. On Wednesday there was a very pleasant “ At Home ” given by the AttorneyGeneral and Mrs. Herdman. At the elections Kelburne voted “solid” for Mr. Herdman, and at the Kelburne Kiosk — where the party was held — Kelburne people were well represented, the guests being mainly confined to Thorndon or Wellington North, which is Mr. Herdman’s electorate. From the verandah, with its wide windows, there was an entrancing view of the eity and sea and hills, all shrouded in a haze of blue and amethyst by the smoke of distant bush fires. Sweet peas in pink and mauve decorated the tables in the reserved part of the kiosk, and the Band was judiciously placed in the big centre room. Several of the guests had been the excursion trip to Ship Cove the previous day, and had much to say of the ceremony and its picturesque surroundings. Mrs. Herdman wore blue and white figured shantung, with a jabot of lace and a lilac hat with white plumes; jWrs. Massey, black merveilleux, long black satin coat, black and white hat. Personal.

It was with the greatest grief that Wellington heard the news of the death of Captain Seott, and Dr. Wilson, with their brave comrades. Although Christchurch was the headquarters of all the. Antarctic expeditions, Wellington being the seat of Government, had several visits from the explorers, who were personally well-know nto people here. At the final lecture, given by Captain Seott, just before his departure, Mrs. Scott was present, toa, and together they said farewell to the eager crowd who thronged round Captain Scott after his speech was over. Mrs. Wilson has spent many weeks here, with friends, during her two long sojourns in New Zealand, and towards her and Mrs. £>eott is felt a deep ami heartfelt sympathy, mingled with pride and admiration for the heroic courage with which the brave men endured to the end.

Mr. T. Rhodes end Miss Rhodes, of Christchurch, have been guests at Government House this week, and accompanied their Excellencies on tire visit to Ship Cove for the unveiling of the Cook Memorial. Two other passengers by the Tutanekei were Mrs. Godley and the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher.

Miss Dorothy Harding (Auckland), is the guest of the Prime Minister and Mrs. MasseySir Robert and Lady Stout are once more occupying their house on the Terrace, which has been vacant for a year. Since Lady Stout’s return, she has been busy getting the place in order, and superintending the papering and re-fur-pi ailing." _

Mr. and Mrs. Kernot, who have been away about a year on a round-the-world trip, came back to Wellington last week.

Mrs. T. Macarthy, whose husband left ?m-h a splendid donation to the people of Wellington, is setting off on her travels quite soon. She leaves next week for Australia, where she will join Mr.

and Mrs. Ledingham for a visit to Japan and other places in the East. Miss Bateson has been paying a Jong round of visits with her relations here. She is now at Rotorua, and leaves in March for England, travelling by the Vancouver route. -Many people will be interested to hear that the Hon. Henry Butler is now, since the death of his young nephew, Viscount Newtown Butler, the next heir to the Earldom of Lansborough. Mr. Butler lived for a good many years in New Zealand, principally in the Wanganui and Wellington districts, and he married a Wanganui girl, Miss Daniell, whose people are very- well known. Mrs. Butler lost her life some years ago in a shipwreck, and since then Mr. Butler and his two daughters have been living abroad with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Abbott. This year his elder daughter is to go up and be presented at Court, and Mrs. Abbott intends taking a Loudon house and entertaining for her. A great deal of interest was aroused when announcement was made of Miss Mary Pearce’s engagement. Miss Pearce is the elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Pearce, who are such well-known people here, and she herself is a charming girl and very popular. Mr. and Mrs. Elgar are leaving for one of their many trips to England in May. Captain and Mrs. Hamilton (she was formerly Miss Elgar) are probably going Home about the same time.