HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1760, 29 May 1906, Page 3

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

THE LATEST ORGAN RECITAL.

(By Penelope.)

Wellington,

After the grgan in the Town Hall was opened - there seems no better expression—there occurred a plethora of recitals. We almost grew weary of our new possession, and the attendances grew smaller and smaller at each successive concert. For it must be acknowledged that two hours of a very powerful organ is calculated to wear out oven the most enthusiastic; so that it says very much for Dr Bradshaw’s reputation—Dr Bradshaw is the organist of Christchurch Cathedral that, last Wednesday, a turbulent rainy night—bo played to a large and intensely appreciative audience. From tho beginning to the end he captivated his hearers. The price was popular, the humble shilling gavo admittance, and the programme was not abstruse classical music, but included some ser lections with distinct airs, for which many of his listeners were truly grateful. Tho Cayalleria Rusticana is very familiar to us —our string bands play it charmingly—and it was rapturously receivod. The most wonderful selection was Tschaikowski’s Symphonic Rathetiquo, which concludes with a magnificently solemn funeral march that in oxquisito gradations, dies away into silence. This week the great Letnaro is to play on our organ—an event in Wellington musical history.

AT THE OPERA-HOUSE,

The dauntless hero, the deop-dyod villain, and the lovely virtuous heroine, are all appearing at the OperaHouse at present to absolutely crowded houses. The audiencos hang on every word, hoot the villain, cheer the hero, and generally show a whole-souled admiration for melodrama. “The Kelly gang” was vastly attractive and steeped in sensations, but it is quite remarkable how quietly and attentively these plays are listened to. One woman who took her boy, who, like other hoys, is having college holidays —not always exactly shared by their

ro parents—was struck with tlio hearty “ applauso that regularly followod tho 10 remarks of tho old clorgyman whoso u spotless roputation shows up in tine e relief against thoso of tho majority of 11 tho characters in tho play. Thoro fire > many moans over tho loss tho stage 0 has sustained in Mr Robort Brough s 3 doath Tho last timo ho was lioro I > mot him at a toa and was struck by , tho groat chaugo in him. Entortainmonts of this kind wore novor much to his liking, but thoro was illness as well as borodom at tho bottom of his II silonco and distrait looks. Even thon | 1 his humor showod itsolf in his aunts- * ing recital, in his dolightful draw', of 0 his difficulties in iindiug tho houso. Ho had inquired of many, and at last 0 a buxom nurse-girl said “If yor go- j t in’ to a toa, go right along tho road Q and yor’ll soo a ’ouso with a lot o’ T ladies going in.” His groy suede 01 glovos and tall hat betrayed him Ho was so ovidontly bout on social duties. pr LIVING PICT UR ELS. fot

To many of us who have no opportunity, though all tho inclination, to iravol, tho cinematograph is a fascinatng ontertainmont, when it is a good I ono. For,' many travel thousands oJ rnilos with no exertiou, and at a minimum of cost, and see the marvols oi tho world from tho vantage point of a comfortable seat. Always providing, that is to say, that the ladio3 in front have not so oxaggoratod their coiffure and their hats that your horizon is limited by a huge somi-circlo of much pad and little hair, and a forest ol dowers, fur and feathers. The welldressed women hero woar no pads if providence has provided them with a sufficiency of trossos, and as little as possible if their hair is thin. 80 the puff that looks as if it were blown out by a bicycle pump is not good form. [ Unfortunately there are still misguided females who dress their hair so, and cause many maledictions from those who happen to be behind them at entertainments. Tho living pictures that have just concluded a most sue cessful season in Wellington were well " orth seeing. They are large, clear, well-chosen, and free from that irritating flicker that is so frying to nerves and temper A railway journey through Ceylon was absolutely delightful and most realistic, and the scenes of London interesting and vivid. Nothing could be more amusing than the pranks of two'infants terrible, who rise before the household is astir, put in ink the milk, tie the cat in a bag and put it up the chimney, and generally add to the mirth of nations and the trials of their parents. The only interruption to the interesting pictures were songs, of the dramatic tender variety, by a tenor called Mr Bydney Monk. Our enjoyment of the entertainment was rather discounted by having behind us a voluble small boy, who knew everything that was coming and heralded it loudly and at length to his companions. ART JEWELLERY. One of the largest jeweller’s shops here has imported a most fascinating assortment of art jewellery, which I was permitted to admire. The designs are exquisite, some of them copyright and all most artistic, and the workmanship is fiuor than anything ever before seen here. It is a striking commentary on the wails of Wellington folk over costly living that half of tho consignment was unappod up in a very short time. The peridot—a beautiful pale green translucent gem —figures largely in these ornaments. A pendant in rose and green enamel, had one of these swinging in its centre. Blister pearls, too, are much used as drops on brooches, ear-rings, and neck ornaments, but the Queen's favorite stone, the amethyst, is most in evidence. A bracelet of four chains, alternately platinum and gold links, had mostbeautifully-cplored amethysts with pearls set [at intervals fastening the slender strands. Most of the new chains, very delicately jslender, are of platinum, which is heavier and moro expensive than gold, and does not tarnish. A charmin

present was a chain bangle, with a dainty blue enamel shoo with a bow buckle of diamonds hanging from it. Anothor bangle had a gold sea-shell,

winkle, with a pearl set in its opening Round a diamond crescent writhed a green enamel snake, holding a pearl in its mouth, and a green tortoise, set with tiny rubies, waggledits diamondencrusted head knowingly. For a “doggy” woman there is the most charming bull-terrier’s head, forged out of a solid pieco of 18 carat gold, its diamond oyes glittering, and enamel and gems are pressed into the service to represent Jail sorts of animals and birds. To the artistic mind there is something much more attractive in these exquisite quaint novelties that are not likely to be duplicated than in a diamond brooch wor h perhaps ton times more,' whose copy may be brought in tho draper’s for half-a-crown. In the same jeweller’s shop I was shown a very handsome clock framed in fumed oak, designed and made by Mr Isaacs of this city. He has set into the oak panels of silver in a design of “ honesty ” seed vessels, those shining white disks that ornament old fashioned gardens. The effect is very fine.

SOCIAL DOINGS,

There have been various enteitainmerta this week. Mrs A. R. Hislop gave a girls l t' a for her goes*, Miss Darling, from Dunedin, at which a oompitition, guessing the namts of tunei by hearing them phyei, was won by Miss Arthur. These oorppetitions sorve to pass the flms, and are ofien most amus’ng. At Mrs Maloalm Ross’d tea, to whioh about fifty girls were invited, two competitions resulted in much fun. 000 was to guess what song particular pictures or at tides represented. A man endeavoring to octioe an unwilling ■goat stood for “ Nannie, wilt thou gang wi’ me,” •* 8.0. 40 ” meant “ Lodr, loDg ago," and three conversation lozenges represented “ Sweet an! Low.” Mies Tolhurst guessed nearly all corroetly. Tfle other competit'on was a sories of quostions to which the answers were names of newspapers or magazmes. For instance, '■ Wbo got married 11 Mr Harpor and M'is Pearson.” 1 What did tho bride wear 3” " Blaek and White,” and « What dress did she go away in ?” !' 4 Pink ’ud.” A little ingenuity can essily frame suoh a set of questions. Miss Francis wod tho prize for ihis contest.

This week a young dance was given by Mrs Montagus Laiog, aDd lha children have had parties on two days running. Mrs Clayton giving the first, and Mrs Stott, wfe of the Inspeelor of the National Bank, the seoond. The latter was quite a large affair, with a ball-supper tea, a hrau-tub, and a ball, The ohildren had Ihs loveliest time, and w,nt home at the very wise hour of eix with the most flaltoing r. fluctance. Nxt week Mrs T. Young gives a children’s danoo. plain and fanoy dress, whioh ought to bo a charming affair. As yet tbero have boon no grownop daneoß, and bridge pariiss are still the only amusement for tbo eldors. Mias Johnston, of Fitzherbert Terraoe, gave a largs bridge party last week.