HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1832, 13 August 1906, Page 3

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

S> ; ' AJiTISTJ C J'llOTOGliAi’in

(13y Pnxi-LOi'K.) Wellington, August 0 The most charming photographs ever taken here are being shown now in Bartlett's studio ii Maimer-' street ..mi the cnuancc whore i-pctimens are hung is rarely without admirers. We have excello' t photographers in Wellington, but Mr Bartlett makes a picture as well r~. a portrait, ami the very best of his model

Some Wellington women who have recently been Home had their photographs | taken by the famous Alice Hughes, they having enough good looks to pass heir standard, for it is said she cares to take no one who is plain. The result was a pretty picture, exquisitely mounted, but most disappointing, for all the character was smoothed away from tho face, and with it the likeness. Air Bartlett makes a specialty of character studies and there tvrti some portraits of elderly men that are

splendidly strong ami lilV-liko. Go 'nts •in ovi' for a graceful and n lmturul ]>osc ami for a lighting that makes Iho most-I one's good points, although ho is not like Iho celebrated b’rom-li dressmaker who rot in ires Ids clients—ho says voporL-to spend a dav with him before lie nin decide on what should bo their imrlieular

l si,vie I . . , .... | i Tho platinum prints uve most liomitilui, i especially those in the brown tones, ami lie gets ' wonderfully artistic effects by printing thorn vory clolioatoly, iuul work* itig in background, dross, but, ole , wdli pencil. Sometimes color is used, and tbo portrait rosomblos an exquisitely dainty wulor-oolor drawing. In some bo imitates miniature work with grout-success. Among ih oliarming porl-nuts sbn'vn us wore some of Am-kbmd people—Mr BartloU is well-known in Auoklaml—throe or lour vorv handsome women are among these. Already Mr I’.aitletl has been busy here, and some pictures ol a low ol our many pretty girls arc to be seen in bis studio. Among the pictures lie brought from Auckland is the port rail ol a Maori gu-l in a riwi unit, iuul with u tiki on 11 roul about her neck. It is I lie very finest, picture of Maori beauty 1 have ever seen, the rich brown tones of the platinum print making the vory most ol the really lovolv model.

THE YICE-REGAL BALL. It was an absolutely horrible evening when the first ball this season at Go\emment House took place. A bitter wind blew perpetually, and brought icy squalls of rain that made tho muddy streets muddier. Indeed, at half-past nine, tbo hour fixed, manv did not dare lo laco tbo cold and wot, 'but the brilliant warmth and bounty of Government House was only intensified by the tempest without, and the moment one stepped on to the crimson carpet of tho hull, the winter was forgotten, for the scent of spring from many (lowers was in the air. The ball-room lias a quite perfect lloor, with such springs that, as one stands at the end when the lloor is full, the surface sways quite alarmingly. "It is a beautiful honey color with assiduous polishing, and rcllocts a vivid frock charmingly. The pure white walls and white framed mirrors were un* decorated, but the mantle-shelves were laden with blossoms, and the fireplaces massed with foliage and (lowers. Oil one chimney-piece sprays ol a delicate scarlet llowor were set in greenery, and oil another exquisite daffodils were relleclcd in the mirror, their pots hidden in a bank of wattle, tree lucerne tilling up the fireplace. In the drawingroom wore set tho magnificent palms, with artistic arrangements ol bronze and silver Japanese plum, and against- huge clumps of bamboo, on tho staircase, blazed the gorgeous scarlet stais of the poinsettia. The supper was ,err ed on a number of small tables, each with many candles in candelabra and clustcis of rhododendrons. Tile music was excellent, though King’s band is perhaps a shade too rapid in its waltzes. About four two-stops, two polkas, and two sets of lancers diversified the perennial waltz. ; Still about the correct way of danemg the two-step there seems much variety of | opinion. Lady L’lunket danced in the official lancers,' and only took one turn later on in a waltz to test the lloor. Mr Water-field does not dance, and Captain Braithrvaite, who has been ill with pleurisy , since last season, is at present forbidden ( the exorcise, but Miss Plunket and Captain j Bingham are indefatigable, SOME SMART FROCKS. Lady Plunket wore one of the hand- j sourest gowns she lias yet been seen in, the material, a rich cream satin, that was capable of ” standing by itself, so lich ( and thick was it. Exquisitely cut-, with a ( short square train, the skirt was bordered ( with a Wide gold embroidery in which lave gold roses were set at intervals ; the draped bodieo was finished with the same lovely trimming, and diamond ornaments ( wore* worn, a tiara necklace, and long carrnms. These suit Lady Plunket ad- i mirably. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket was in tomato-red chiffon, with lacc berthe, over white silk, and Mrs Water- - field wore palest pink crepe dc chine, the skirt made with many cowlings, and the high, draped waist bolt ol silk. Mrs Wallis was in white silk draped with lovely old laco and finished with clusters of roses and pink tulle, while Mrs Collins’ white hair and dark eyes wore admirably suited to the pale blue satin with lino lacc appliques that she wore. .Perhaps the most effective frock in the room, setting_ aside Lady l’lunkct’s, was Miss Duncan s. It was a moire velours of blush rose tint, the skirt opening over a petticoat of tulle frills, each hennnod with silver tissue, the short sleeves being all silver-edged 1 rills, and the bodice bordered with exquisite crystal and silver embroidery. Mrs David Nathan is always a nqticcqbly y/c.b dressed woman, anil wore at the' ball a pink silk made after an old picture, with long stoics and draperies of jewelled net. Her diamonds are splendid and most becoming to her beautiful coloring and dark abundant hair. Miss Zqrd was m pale m-ey crepe, with a coronet of white HovVors hi her dark hair. Miss Thompson, fronr Auckland, who is a guest ot Mrs T. 0, Williams, wore white, ancj had a wreath of gold wheat ears in her hair. A wonderful frock of silver-embroidered tulle was worn by Mrs Wilfrid. Some of the black silk dresses were extremely smart, and nearly all had wide lain skirts, all the ornamentation being reserved for the bodice. The latter always had a lacc ol* chiffon tucker, the silk itsclC only coming to the shoulders, Two guests who ■ wore handsome frocks of this description w:erc Mrs Ranlunc Brown, wife of the [ Professor, and Mrs Arthur Young, q r handsome daughter _of the handsoiqe Simpson family. Quito young girls wear l these samc'black silk frocks.’

They lire nil buck willi f lic cxc< ptieii ul' ('veil. the eldest, who is remaining in I'higlund I'ur a year or so, nml limy look ns iflimir trip had iloiio them much gond, The secoml son is brown inul much stronger in appearance 111,-ill when he went, away. Miss Ward is slighter ami looks charming. Inileeil limy are all thinner with (he travelling anil the rush. I,inly Wart I herself looks younger, ami as fascinating as ever, anil Sir Joseph is still as cheery ami pleasant, though ilestiny has weighted him with fresh vosponsibilitics At present Mrs llemlersou, from .Invercargill, Liuly Ward's sister, is staying with them; she took charge ol little Put while they were away. Her likeness lo her sister is remarkable. ‘ THH KKCKL’TION.

The great Town Hall was parked lo overflowing with all sorts and conditions of men and women on Thursday evening lo welcome Sir Joseph back. Hacli Ministrr received a round of applause as he Look' his seal, and if was noticed that the enthusiasm that greeted Mr llallJoues was nearly as emphatic as that which told the appearance of the guest of the evening. The contrast between the ex —, •mil wlmt will he when this letter is printed, the present Premier, is very marked. I n color, in size, in weight, they 1 differ widely, and flic hollow-cheeked blondencss of Mr Hall-Jones, and his attenuated ‘length, is the antithesis ol Sir Joseph's plumpness, and dark hair, and sturdy, broad-shouldered figure Hoth were nervous, which did them credit, lor the greeting of the huge audience must luive touched them deeply. Sir Joseph Ward's lip was trembling as he rose to speak. The .Mayor, 100, accustomed as lie must he to public speaking, was nervous, and was on the point several times ol sublituting Sir Julius Vogel for Sir Joseph i Ward! Jle also paid Sir Joseph many compliments on being born in New Zealand - a fact he declared, owing to the

superior intelligence of his parents ! At which we smiled widely Unfortunately, as he explained later, lie is a Victorian by birth. Lady Ward looked charming. She wore deep mourning, hut with beautiful white furs, and carried a wondcrlul bouquet of orchids, presented to her by the Committee Her hat, boat-shaped, small, and well tilted forward, of black straw and trimmed with two long plumes, was so much admired that 1 heard of three ladies who next day tried to get that particular shape. Miss Ward was also in mourning, hut her french sailor had. a very large bandeau at the back of white mile ruches. Of Sir Joseph's speech you all know Ho revealed no political secrets, but his announcement that, in ionning his Ministry, self-abnegation was necessary, 'produced a visible clloet on his audience, who gazed keenly at Mr Mills and Mr Duncan to see if resignation was written on their faces. A short programme of music gave ehccvlul diversity to the proceedings. Miss lfosina Buckmaim, who is vocalist at Mr Leslie-Ilarris delightful recitals, received u rapturous encore. To everyone’s surprise the distinguished entertainer himself appeared for a live minutes’ turn. lie was amusing a large audience in the adjoining concert room, and most generously occupied his interval by telling us two of his inimitable stories. Altogether it was a cheery gathering, and over in quite reasonable time.

THR NKW MiXiSTLIIS. The suggested trio, l-’owlds, McNab and Millar, I have watched lor years from my evric in the gallery, and though a mere woman must speak dillidcnlly as to political opinions, she lias a keen eye for physical peculiarities or beauties. Mr Millar is a big burly man with reddishhair fast turning grey and falling, and from our top-view wc notice with sorrow that lie belongs to the misguided class who imagine that if they festoon a long lock of hair across a vacant space, people will think they arc not bald. He is Chairman of Committees and has lmd some trying times keeping his unruly flock in order, but in that position and as expert on shipping and labor details, lie commands great respect. Mr M'Nab is, needless lo say, Scotch, and is also reddish and bald, but wears his baldness unaffected. At present lie is delightfully brown from his travels, and his blue eyes look absurdly vivid in tiio tan of his face. lie is the most eligible party of the House, and consequently of much interest to the Ladies (lallery, but lie appears to take more interest in historical records, and does not 11 find his books in woman’s lonics ” However, there are possibilities about Mr M’Nab that render him an important figure in the Chamber, and if ho gains a portfolio, in addition to his prestige over his researches, his money, and liis pleasant personality, one is tempted to exclaim—in the words of his native bard “ Wha' cud resist the laird v.T a’ that?” Mr Fowlds has the pleasantest of faces, and the smartest of voices which at times smacks of the preacher. He is tremendously in earnest over various hobbies, but appears to have a calm equable tem perament that should serve him in good stead as a Minister. All three men strike one as solid, steady, thorough-going individuals with no exciting possibilities of revolt or eccentricity about them such as gives food for copy. Sir Joseph Ward himself is the very pleasantest and most tactful of men. In his own house lie is a perfect host, and not only makes his guests enjoy themselves, but ho enjoys

himself us well. He can sing, dance, and tell a good story. Lady Waad as hostess is quite as charming, and Miss Ward is a nioSl- accomplished musician with a lovely contralto voice. Altogether the house hqld of the new Premier is a very attractive one.

A BUSY WEEK. This has been a week of many gaieties. Beside the Governor's Ball, Mrs T. C. Williams gave a powder and patch ball for Miss Zard and Miss Thompson who are her g.tests, and Miss Plunkct had. a small dance for younger people on Thursday. Miss Coates gave a large tea for girls on Wednesday —a book-title tea — and Mrs Walter Nathan a girls’ tea on Friday for her Auckland niece, Miss Boio Nathan, who is much admired here. Cards have been issued by Mrs Cecil Jones for ; u At Home this week.