HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1849, 1 September 1906, Page 3

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

THE OL’EXINT! OF TAIII.TAME.N'J (By Pkkklopk.)

Wellington, August 28,

This lias been a very full week, for, besides various social events, our “ talking

shop ” lias opened, and, with a now Premier and an improved Cabinet, is exciting more than usual interest. Very few Wellington women take any interest in politics, and 'the crowded galleries arc tilled with visitors to the city. Hostesses, desirous to give guests an inexpensive treat, generally manage a night—and sup per in the tea-room —at the House, and people passing through make a point of “doing” Parliament, just as they do the Museum and the Botanical Gardens To the opening of Parliament crowds go, and an hour before the time the railings around

ie grounds are thronged. The standing .tractions, irresistible to women and cliil•cn, arc uniforms, a band, guns —(ornately stationed at some distanco, as ev used to smash the windows—and the

newest styles in frocks and hats. To these ordinary points of interest was added this year a new Premier and Ministers, and a member whom, two months ago, we had looked upon as a charming boy. The Go-

•ernor, in his handsome uniform, is most

imposing, and Capt. Braithwaite, brave in scarlet and gold, and Mr Waterticld, very straight and slim in his dark uniform, stand on cither side of Ilis Excellency,

and the knot of Consuls and military personages on the left was Ranked on the right by tlio gaily dressed ladies Tho vice regal group was most effective and very smartly hatted and trucked. Lady

Plunkct’s lovely gown was of mauve broad-cloth, her hat a small mauve straw, tilted forward and trimmed with two long

violet feathers. Her sister-in law was in pastel blue, her little coatee having tho eaped sleeves ; and Mrs Watcrficld wore a graceful ivory cloth and a crimson hat with one long white plume. The two little girls, in white lace frocks, red coats, and flapping leghorns with feathers, came with their governess, Miss Almond, The elder has her arm in a sling. Lady Ward wore black, with white lace vest, white furs, and a smart feathered hat, and Miss Ward a heliotrope cloth frock and a cream French sailor hat. The sunshine had brought out many smart frocks, but perhaps the loveliest was worn by Mrs Ilcaton

Rhodes, of Canterbury. It was a sapphire chiffon velvet, tho little vest of lace embroidered with gold

To a mere woman who cares not at all for politics there are various features of

j;he ceremony that are fascinating, tho on ■ try of tho Councillors—one man, a cripple, leading a blind member—the procession of Governor and suite, the huddled mass

of Commons, headed by the Sphinx like Speaker, the backward marching, gravelybowing Black Rod, the solemn manner His Excellency lifts his plumed cocked hat, at certain words in his speech. It is not a lenghty function —it. was over by three o : clock. and the ayomcn rushed to the Upper House to see tho members in their seats, particularly Mr Seddon, who did not appear in the Council Chamber.

In the House a little routine business was done, and then the day's ceremony was over till next year. A noticeable and cxtromely distinguished figure at this function who will then he missing was General Jjabmgtqn, whoso very outspoken report is being much read and talked about.

CUE LEGISLATORS AT WORK

Generally the first week of the session is deadly dull, but this has been a grateful exception. There are various reasons for this. The office of Chairman of Coins liptteos is still vacant, arid four men are expecting, each having his coterie of supporters. Sir William Steward, the stately veteran, the father of the House, has many claims and vehement advocates. Mr Wilford until recently, when Sir William gained on him, was hot favorite, and really last year he filled the post temporarily witJi great dignity and firmness. The Senior Whip, Mr Flatman, it is understood, lias a desire for the office, and quite lately Mr Roderick McKenzie, a fiery Highlander from Motucka, has appeared, and is considered to be a very probable man. Mr McKenzie— I “Roddie,” as his friends call him, is an expert at points of order, and the first thing lie did when he entered Parliament was to learn the Standing Orders by heart. In the vacation, instead of Fergus Hume or Dick Donovan, lie studies May, the authority on Parliamentary procedure. If Mr M’Keime does not get the position, ;m<] an inefficient man is appointed! this expert knowledge, may prove troublesome—to the Chairman ! The formation of committees, too, has led to infinite discontent, and Auckland will be furious when she learns she has not one representative on the Lands Committee. If a mere woman might judge from the wails and complaints of members, she might imagine the Cabinet allotted these' positions by shut-

g its eyes and dabbing at a list of mem

bcrs, tor so limny men are on committees they are not interested in and left out of those in which they arc experts. Of course always there arc growls over Committeeframing, but there is an exceptional amount this year. A MAIDEN SPEECH*. The galleries were packed the night when Mr Seddon was to move the Ad-tlrcss-in-lieply, and when the youthful figure in evening dress —the mover and seconder always wear dress clothes—rose in his seat, there was a silence that could bo felt. Diliicult as it is for even the hardened public speaker to give his maiden speech in Parliament, circumstances nado it doubly hard for Mr Seddon, and none thought the worse of him when his yqice trembled and faltered as he spoke of his dead father. He has a pleasant voice and manner and acquitted himself well The seconder, Mr l’oolc, is an orator in voice, delivery and gesture, and lias a quaint American drawl that intensifies a welcome touch of humor. It was he who rebuked the Canterbury member so trenchantly. The latter had been making himself a niiisancc all the afternoon amj evening, and after some interruptions, Mr Poole took the matter in his own hand?. Long ago the leader of the House should have put a stop to the vagaries of this particular member, for it is not a matter of to-day but began years ago. Asleep, he is not beautiful, and awake be is troublesome, and the galleries are tired of him.