HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1838, 20 August 1906, Page 4

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL

TOE BELLEVUE GARDENS. (15Y I’KKKLOI'IO.) Wellington

This lovely place is situated at the HutL about nine miles from Wellington, ami though somewhat lav away Icom town, is visited by many toui'ists. The large, com I'ortablc house, built in picturesque Sly ir, Us ied gabled root' eonti'asling charmingly with its surrounding trees, stands in the centre of lovely gardens that are kept in exquisite order, and abound in blossoms. I'll front of the house stretches a splendid lawn bounded by line shrubberies, and Hanked by two grand tulip trees, a show in time of bloom. The camellias, ol enormous size, the rhododendrons, masses of vivid bloom, the roses of countless varieties, and the wondcrlti! spring bulbs, all are worth travelling much lurtherthan the Hull to see in their respective seasons, and in summer, spring, and autumn, Bellcvue has many visitors, cycling, motoring. driving, or by train, but in winter it isjike other gardens, somewhat desolate, and the house has lew hoarders then, though the accommodation is excellent l.t is a place much frequented by honeymanners, who can find many rural walks far from the madding crowd. For sometime there has been a great effort to get the Government to take over the gardens, hut it is quite unlikely it will do so, or that it would make the concern a paying one if it did. rt would be a thousand pities for the place to be cut up, as so many of our large properties have been of late, lor a great number of Wellington people see and enjoy these llowcrs and trees they would never sec elsewhere. Many years ago the garden was started by an enthusiastic pioneer, and since then it has grown enormously and been added to constantly Only this season a great pansybed has been planted out near the house For the amusement of the children there arc cages with monkeys and guineapigs, and a pair of wallabies live in a delightful bit of wired-in shrubbery, and come out for dainties when called. Swings, croquet, quoits, and tennis can all be had if wished, and afternoon tea is served in the wide verandahs On a summer day to sit under t lie enormous cedar of Lebanon that is itself worth a pilgrimage to see. and to look across the turf to tiie blaze of blossoms that scent the air, is a pleasure keenly enjoyed by the pentup folk in our crowded city, and it is to be hoped the demos of utilitarianism will not deprive us of that innocent enjoyment. We have other gardens about live miles further up the valley which, in their prime, were even liner and more interesting than Bellevue They arc still called Mason's, though Mr Mason, who made them and loved them, died some years ago. [ remember the picturesque old quakcr and his wife well. They both wore their delightful quakcr costumes at Lady llanfurly’s brilliant Fancy Ball, though, as a rule, they never went to functions of that kind. But our late Governor and his wife were very fond of the dear old couple, and the rooms at Government House were often made beautiful with the choicest (lowers from the gardens. For years Mr Mason had gathered plants from all parts of the world, and there was (plaint companionship in the llowcr-bcds. His Japanese maples were wonderful masses of delicate color. Since his death the garden, though still beautiful, is not what it used to be, and has been turned into a tea garden One misses sorely the courteous host who, if he found you loved llowcrs, loaded you with his choicest blooms till you could carry no more. In those days Mr Mason's generosity made many homes beautiful and fragrant, and it is sad to go through the still beautiful grounds, and remember that the man who made them has been taken away.

THE {WELLINGTON SHAKE I'EIIE CLUB. Some years ago Wellington started a

Shaksperc Club, [and the idea was taken up so enthusiastically that the room proved all too small to hold the crowd of eager students, most of whom were women. Naturally, the membership dwindled somewhat, but still there is a large number on the roll, and readings are given at intervals, to which friends arc invited. This time it was that most charming of plays l ' As You Like If,” and extra interest was felt in the entertains meat because Mrs Stanton Ilarcourt, who not very long ago came from England to marry Mr Ilarcourt, was to till the role of itosalind. She is handsome, with lino eyes, pretty coloring, and a charming voice, and she read the part with great sympathy and vivacity. Celia was Miss Fauclough, daughter of the energetic and eloquent minister, and she tilled her part with great brightness. It is by no means an easy matter to make the reading of a play interesting, and it requires most excellent elocution if no gestures are permitted to eke out the words. It is dillieult to disassociate the readers from their parts and to avoid a smile when—as was the ease on Wednesday—Oliver, the huge wrestler, was represented by a small thin man who had absolutely no chance with the big a d burly Orlando. A very pleasant interlude was the singing of Mr Carr and Mr Ballauce of two songs from Shaksperc. There was a large audience, but the entertainment was over long, and many left before the end.