HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1862, 17 September 1906, Page 4

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

BAN LIAM tiNTABY ' I’ENCILLfNGS

(By PuNur.oi'ic.) Wellington, Sopt. Li. 'l'llo two main excitements to the galleries—now that the now Oliaimmn, Mr Koderick McKenzie, has boon appointed —are, lirst, tlio Seddon grant, and second, tho behaviour of one of the Canterbury members, which at any time may lead to a crisis and definite action, far 100 long delayed, taken by tho House. For years this representative of a prohibition district has been anything but an ornament to Parliament —quite apart from his utility, which may also be questioned and visitors, who see and hear him, cannot fail to be disagreeably impressed with an assembly that permits such behaviour in its midst. I believe tho first move must bo made by the Loader of the House, and then the Speaker lakes action Consequently, llouso and galleries aro on tiptoe for the first definite defiance of tho

rules of tho House, and its consequent results. This may occur at any moment, and provided things do not improve, tho sooner the better. As regards tho Seddon grant, intense interest is being taken in this outside tho House, and inquiries as to its probablo time of discussion, and requests for tiekots, aro already being made. It will be brought forward on the Estimates on a Friday, probably of this week, i and it is feared the Ministerial request for i XIiOOO, though it will be carried, will not i be passed without what may probably i prove to be a painful discussion. TILE TOTALISATOK

Mr Ell—tho earnest and persevering member for Christchurch South— desires to abolish the totalisalor, and with that purpose, brought forward a Hill, which resulted in an interesting debate with some humorous touches, Eventually Mr .Ell’s motion to read his Bill a second timo was so mutilated that only tho word “ that ” remained, and a motion to insert some ollior words was lost, Now “ that ” may be a most comprehensive term, but it is vague, and so poor Mr Ell’s laudablo and oft-repeated attempt to reform the world is again frustrated Naturally we had tho totalisator defended by country members who belong to racing clubs Mr I lorries made an excellent speech, and Mr A. L. H. Eraser waxed wildly lluont and gesticulatory, Fixing his glittering eye on placid, plump Mr Aitkon opposite, lie advised him to get a racehorse It was not too Into for him to try a little gamble. The mere idea of Mr Aitkon putting “ his little bit on ” convulsed the llouso. But Mr Eraser persisted. “lias the lion, member never gambled ? ” “ No, ’ said Mr Aitkon, with calm virtue. “ Has he never bought land?” “No.” “Have another guess,” said Mr Fisher, encouragingly. “ Has lie never bought shares? ” persisted Mr Eraser, and there was a silence, broken by Mr Ait-ken’s remarking that that was not gambling. According to one man, our very existence is one prolonged gamble, and it is a pure toss-up whether we’ll bo alive in the morning if we make an appointment over night Mr McLachlan — in some discursive remarks —told tho House ho never gambled. He married once, “ But that’s all over ! ” Another rather humorous discussion was about the typewriters, mentioned in the Estimates as costing a certain sum. The House wanted to know where they wore. Mr Tanner, in his most didactic vein, was inclined to believe the machines were like Mrs 'Arris, and didn’t exist, and alluded to them as mythical typewriters. Amid an iin.ressivc silence, Mr Ituthcrford stated he knew where they were, and if Mr Tanner and Mr Barber—another wailing member minus a typewriter - wanted to know he would have great joy in showing them where tho girls were ! The new Minister for Lands speaks well, with a welcome touch of humor, and a clear delivery. Whether from earnestness or nervousness, lie is most restless when speaking, coming out of his seat, and walking backwards and forwards in tho narrow alleyway, emphasising his points by a forward spring, and recoiling to get ready to make another. About his land theories, or rather the theories of tho Cabinet, for it is believed they are not entirely acceptable to Mr McNab—l leave wiser minds to judge—but his personality is an interesting one, and there is going to be no Tailioa method about his administration. He lias already shown energy and thoroughness. Mr Fowlds, the other new Minister, did not get such a grip on the House An interruption to him was not a spur—as it is to many. MISS TITTELL BEENE.

The arrival of this tragedienne, with her handsome leading man, Kingston, who makes most admirable love, has been much looked forward to, and it was hardly to he wondered at that there was a phenomenal sale of tickets—five hundrod scats booked in half an hour. As yet she has only played in one piece “ Dorothy Vernon, of Haddon Hall," but she has delighted her audiences as the charming, high spirited, contradictory, and altogether loveable girl round which the plot gathers, Miss Brunc is thinner and oven more gracefully supple than of old She reminds one much of Nellie Stewart in her sudden changes of pose and mood, but she has an individuality of her own. Ono of her frocks - a heavy ivory brocade, strewn with roses —is entirely becoming and with her red hair—“the vernon hair ” —banded with a blue ribbon and falling in thick masses on her pretty shoulders, sho makes a most picturesque centro for the minor characters. l'ho dress worn by Queen Elizabeth, a gorgeous white satin, trcllised and embroidered with gold, the huge leg-o-mut-ton sleeves a mass of glittering needlework, was one of the handsomest ever seen here; Miss Willis, daughter of one of the Government officials, is in the company, but not playing in this piece. Her sister married Mr Will Samson, who writes very good poetry. A party from Government House was at the play the first night—Lord and Lady Plunkct, Captain Braitliwaite, Miss Aimond, and Captain Hughes, who lias been recently staying at Government House, recovering from a slight illness. On Saturday evening the same seats were occupied by the Premier, Lady Ward, Miss Ward, Mr Vincent, and Miss Prouse, Lady Ward wore a most exquisite coat of oystor-whito satin with pink roses patterned on it, the sleeves very full, gathered into the seam, and frilled with lace, while threo narrow bands of sable outlined the deep yoke, Her frock was a white brocade, patterned with irises and leaves, with a berth© of lace and a deep folded belt of violet velvet Both she and her daughter wore their hair vory high, piled in coils above the front puff, and botli wore elaborate back combs and clasps to match, the latter catching the loose hair low down, l'he little son, Pat, is recovering, but lie lias been very ill, ancl still requires great care, THE VICTORIA LEAGUE.

A meeting was held hero last week for the purpose of starting a branch of the Victoria League, such as exists in Dunedin, as well as in many places further afield. A member,j if she goes Homo, possesses many advantages. If a student of art or music she finds waiting her advice as to the best masters and lodgings, given by English members of the League who hold themseives ready to help colonial'women in every possible way. A society woman going to England from the colonies is much more likely, if she belongs to the League, to meet her English sisters, for entertainments, to which colonial visitors arc asked, are organised by English women of position, and at tho Empire Club, new friends are made and old ones met. For the children, too, the League offers attractions, for maps, pictures, lectures, and correspondence ail are utilised to bring the colonics and tho Home Country closer together. Prizes, too, are given to be competed for. The proposed subscription here is lialf-a-crown. Mrs Grace has been chosen President, with Lady Plunkct as Patroness, while Lady Ward, Mrs Wallis, and Mrs Ilislop are vicc-Presidents, and Mrs lfankine Brown is secretary. It seems likely to prove a success and the advantages are obvious, and much greater to colonial than English women.