HAPPENING CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1813, 20 July 1906, Page 3

HAPPENING CAPITAL.

OUR LATF'ST MEMBER. (By Penelope.) Wellington, July 17. It scorns passing strange, to those who have seen “ Tom ” Seddon—no one ever called him anything else grow up from a boy to a lad and from a lad to a young man, to realiso that now he is the chosen representative of tho people of Westland, and can add M F.R. to his name. There was very little doubt here that if anything was needed to turn tho scale in young Mr Beddon’s favor it would be his appearance and address, both of which are pleasant and even charming.. He has much of the personal magnetism of his father, and no one knew bettor than

the late Premier how to ingratiate himself, even with those opposed to him in many respects. Perhaps the youngest member —the Parliamentary baby —will introduce a little fresh air into the House. Mr Tom Seddon is an athlete and may persuade some of our stuffy legislators to use the excellent tennis grounds provided for, but never used by them. It would counteract to a small extent the bad air and the long hours, and possibly might result in saner legislation. Mr Bedford, who last session occupied the proud position of youngest member, is politically non est, and Mr Tom Seddon takes his place. His election will certainly add to the interest of the coming session. It is a big jump for a joung fellow from athletic college sports and young dances to a seat in Parliament, but Mr Seddon has shown both grit and resource worthy of elder years. If people desirous of seeing him elected—and many of his best friends were not among these—have 3aid once “ Well, Pitt was Premier about the same age,” they have said it half-a-dozen times. The implied comparison is a handicap to our latest and most youthful representative. AN EPISCOPAL AT HOME. Everv year, when the black-coated gentry gather from far and near in the solemn Conference called the Diocesan Synod, the Bishop and his wife give a large reception, inviting all the visitors and Wellington folk. Bishop Wallis is the cheeriest and most enthusiastic of men, and with his wife delights in long walks. Mrs Wallis is classically handsome, and wears her dark hair, guiltless of curl or ripple, parted, drawn loosely back, and knotted low on her neck On Wednesday she wore a soft black dress with very beautiful lace on the bodice and sleeves, and her charming white bouquet was given to ber bj the country clergy. The reception was hold in the Town Hall concert-room, which was gaily lit, set with tin] tables each with a posy of wattle. A band played most inspiriting music making the more frivolous long t< “ shaue a fuf’ on the shining floor and very delicious refreshments wer handed round. The clergymen wer most deft in manipulating laden trays and one very tall man, who hold hr burden above the heads of lower folb was quite a feature of the function Yerv interesting were the Chines missionary and his wife. Tho latte: a charming little personage in vex quiet tailor made frock and hat wit white feathers. Various Maori ciorgj men were present. It was a raw afte: [ noon, and most of the women woi furs and heavy coats, so that—in poii of color —tho gathering was dull. Bi there was an exceptional number m 0a g a rule, meu fly these afte noon tea-lights—and many visitors meet aud greet. Mr and Mrs Barto from Hawera, wore guests at Biahoj: Court last week.

DEADLY CREAM HORNS

This dslicecy—beloved by youngar palates who dread ro ufisr ifliotB —must dow bo plaood in tho index aspurgatorias that is being constantly added to with almost every f.-eah oa-:o of ptomaine poisoriing- A Wollicgton men went to Napier to bo married, and took hia best man with him, The last night of hia baohelordotn was given up to festivity, and cream horns figured on the menu. Fortunately their delights did not tempt the bridegroom, but tho beat man and four others ate and wero ill, very ill. Indeed, it required a doctor and much stimulant to enable the best man to Bland baeida tbe bridegroom tho next day, and then ho looked more dead than alive. Afterwards he collapsed, Rl) d * ,r Bn extrotnoly bad time. For some time, at least, those who koow the sutferers or heard the story will avoid cream horns.

A CHARITY CONCERT,

There is absolutely no doubt as to tho enthusiastic approval that Wellington expresses of the splendid work done by Mother Mary Joseph Aufcott in her Homo of Compassion. Tho tremendous attendance at her benefit concert last week proved that, though the Mother is a devout Catholic, hot wide charity admits all creeds or nono nt oil, and in hot Home she has waifH and strays of all nationalities and faiths. I have already written of her quaint and sweot personality, w hich is loved and admired by many, It was worth watching her radiant face when, befoco the couoert, they brought her word the huge hall was nearly fall. Before tbe (first item was over it was psoked, and £4OO was takeD, the oxpenses, thanks to so many paoplo’s igenergsity, boing only about iio. 1 Two

- tluy children —iucurablos, poor little sen’s, though cue would inner havo guessed, so bright wero their pretty faces —pro'Otifed i n bouquet of violets unit spring flowers to Lsdy Pluukot. 'Tho anxious rehearsal e aul'd got the childish tongues no no nr or hor ladyship's name than 11 Pumpkin, but tho roucivor of tho houquet is always sweet to children, and would forgive any mistakes. The little girl prooeniod the bouquet last your, and directly sho had put it into Lady Pluukai’s hand, said : “ ’Ook at my o'oes,” dirooting attention to hor very smart new slippers. Among tho porformois woro Miss Amy Hyde, Miss Lilian Irvino -quite a young girl with a wonderful voice, Oonvonl-lroiucd —Miss Pnlaford, Mr Carr, Mr BtHaoco, Mr E. J. Hill, Mr Towooy, and Mr Arthur Hill. Tho latter aoooiupaniod ono of bis own songs, which his namesake sung. By tho wry, ho has bom appointed director of tho music at tho Exhibition, to tho dolight of a largo number of ponplo. Laly Plnnki t —it was her first public nppoaranoo ainoo her illness—wore palo imuvo tulle, cmbroidored with sequins, and a grey furs trimmed coat. Wuh hor woro tho Hon. Ivutbloou riuokot in white, with a long blue, much ombroidorod coat, and Captain Bingham Mrs Hislop, Iho Mayoress, sat with tho vioo rrgal party. THE WEEK’S GAIETIES,

This has boon a very gay woek after a period of absoluto uooial torpor. It began with iho Bishop’s "At Homo tho same evening Mrs Biddiford, of tho Hutt, gave a moss beautiful danco. Her house is delightfully suited to Buch functions, and the flower decorations (in this flowerlos3 season) wnro wondorful, masses of red and white rhododendrons boing used, and on tho supper fable hundrods of trumpot daffodils, rairod under glass for tho oooa’ sion. A largo contingent of relations carno to Wollmgtou for tho dance, which was in honor of young Mr Biddiford’s twenty-first birthday. Among those woro Mr and Mrs Dan Biddiford from Marton, Mrs Fred Riddiford and Misa Topsy Ewitt from Palmerston North. In tho house party was M ss Thoruo George, oi Auckland, Some of tho frocks wero

lovoly. Tbo hostess wore a handsoaia mauve taffetas, with some diamond ornaMrs Dan Riddiford’s lemon tinted ■ „oade, with ita rosea end old leco, was much admired, A quaint net freok, frilled with white tafL-tus, was worn by pretty Mias Thorne George. Races were hold in fine but cold weather on Wednesday and Saturday Lady Plunket end her sister-in-law were there. ‘The former wore a tailor made, with pale-green revers andoollar.her hat being black with aigrotto and rosettes of biscuit-color, Her wrup was of black olotb, tbo whito oollai- and onffs embroidui'ed rv th gold. Miss Piunket wore a manvo, many oaped coat over her dark frock, and a round toque of violets. Ooe of tho prettiest dresses was worn by Mrs lan Dunoon, ai d was of brown doth, tbo skirt beautifully-cut, and the short bolero, with the now cape sleeves showing the brown silk skirt. Tho Raan Bell took place on Thursday, with a wonderful suppor and decorations suob as havo nevor been oqua'led in WtlliDgson. Lady Plunket’s beautiful gown was of peach ohiffon velvet, absolutely plain except for the bertbo of lace and the diamond orna« meets. Miss Plunk-A wore apricot crepe do ohine and lace- Two aotioeablo frocks woro worn by two handsome sisters, Mrs Ken Danoan and Mrs Jack Abbott. Both WBie Princess robes and quite plain, except for a twist of tulle about the bodioo. One of the new shaded satins —a puoeoolor—was worn by Miss Skerrett. Among the ottier gaieties have been bridge-parties, given by Miss Una Williams and Miss Johnston, a large after-noon-tea at Mrs lan Duncan's, and dinner parties, all in honor of the many oloricnl and racing visitors in our midst. VISITORS TO WELLINGTON. Mr G G. Stead and Miss Stead have come up for the races. Colonel and Mrs Gorton, from Bulls, are guests of Mrs Harding in Hobson street. Mr and Mrs John Duncan and Mr Miles have returned from Australia. Miss Grierson is staying with Mrs Michie, and Mrs Herbert Rawsou has Miss Jennings from Motueka, and Miss Eawson from Masterton with her. Mrs Dcnuiston from Christchurch has been in Wellington. Her husband, the Judge, and her youngest son, are both in hospital here, but are getting well. Miss Hathall has loft on a visit to her Auckland relatives. Dr. Douglas, from Queenstown, and his niece, arc here, the latter being one of the Race Ball debutantes. Mrs Vavasour and Miss Redwood, of Marlborough, are among our visitors. A number of entertainments have been given by those who are hero for the races. Mrs David Nathan, who is noted for her charming house and hospitality, gave a largo luncheon-party. Tho table was exquisitely decorated with an ivory chiffon liberty scarf, embroidered in violets, and all the low vases and cornucopia were filled with the same flowers. Mrs lan Duncan’s tea was a pleasant affair, the rooms being beautiful with tree-lucerne and spring flowers. Mrs Grace gave a large dinnerparty on Saturday, and on Friday Dr. Grace gave one for girls and men, tho guests going to Dullen’s lecture afterwards. Our visitors have certainly had a busy week. i D > 7 ti o it Lt A y 10 h