HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1993, 31 January 1907, Page 3

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

SUMMER RACES. By “Penelopo.” , WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Almost ideal weather prevailed for the Summer Meeting at Tronthani. Ihe only drawback was a triflo more wind than was agroenblo on tho openmg day ,but it was a calm on tho course compared with Wellington. In tho city gales of wind and whirlwinds of dust prevailed, and it was altogether a tiny that confirms a stranger that tho popular idea of tho empire city is a correct one. It is a pretty course, set close to the mills, and at every some improvement is noticeable. Wisely, the powers liavo left clumps of native hush that give shelter and variety, and tho gardens and tho lawn wore looking their very best. When the women in soft color arrived, tho finishing touches wero given to a very gay scone. Tho frocks wero notablo this week for their delicate tones and materials. White gowns wero in tho majority, and those of broderie-Anglaiso—which it is still difficult to disassociate froin-curls,bluo ribbons ,a coral necklace—wero tho loveliest. Mrs Robert Levin, who generally wears white and always looks charming, had on a pretty gown of tiffs material, and Miss Macon, whoso marriage to Mr Pharazyntakes placo in March, was also in a dress of white embroidery. Mrs. John Abbott looked radiant over her husband’s victory in a beautiful pink flowered chiffon and a hat with many roses. Mrs. A. Casolberg wore a beautiful cream silk with Irish lace anil touches of rose panne, and Mrs. J. Casolberg a green and blue shot silk, with laco and bands of blue and green pan. Mrs. Elgar, one of tho • best dressed of women, was in muslin, with Irish picturesque hat having white plumes. Among the interested onlookers wero Mr., Mrs., and Miss Stead. On the second day (Thursday) the weather was absolutely ideal. POTATOES AND THISTLES.

I came away from tho Rose and Carnation Show last Wednesday much impressed with the charms of two exhibits—neither roses nor carnations, hut potatoes —that appeal to my utilitarian side, and thistles, admired, specially for their artistic beauty. Both were shown by Mr. Peterkin, once belonging to our Railway Department, now retired, and an enthusiastic amateur gardener, who lives at the Lower Hutt. The potatoes —their name Early Flukes —is not half beautiful enough for them —are enormous —some a foot long —and as good to eat as to look at. They were surrounded by an ever-shifting group or admirers. Tho thistles are natives of South America, and wero lent to Mr. Peterkin by Lord Onslow. They are most handsome flowers. One variety bears a great ball of the purple blossoms ; the others flower is set in an exquisitely-shaped cup of dull purple. For table" decoration they would bo most effective. Mr. Peterkin goes Homo on the same boat as Sir Joseph Ward, who, with Lady Ward, was at tho show. Someone suggested that Mr. Peterkin should take with him, for tho good of the passengers, some of his many superior exhibits. “Thistles or potatoes ?” queried the Premier, drily. Lady Ward, who has not been very well lately, looked charming in pastel blue cloth and silk, hep blue hat having large pink rcses oil it. With .her came Airs. I3oves, her Napier sister, who is remarkably like Lady Ward, and very nood-looking. She wore a long cream coat and skirt, and a French sailor hat with white feathers and tulle. She is to take charge of little Pat while his parents arc away, and Air. A inceht Ward is to stay with Mrs. Prouse Gladstone, who is Here just now, but goes hack to his Sydney college in a week. The flowers at the Show were not remarkable either for quantity or quality. But considering the hot weather and the scarcity of water, the display w r as wonderful. Our gardens —and we have so few in Wellington have suffered sadly of late, for wo have not been allowed to use our hoses, except through meters, which we cannot get, as the supply lias run out. Some householders rise m tho darkness and water by stealth, having as keen a conscience in cheating the corporation as some folk have in evading the Customs. But they run the risk of being pounced upon by a vigilant inspector, and having to pay a fine. The orchid sw-eet peas, at the Show, were much admired, and some exquisite Malmaison carnations were exhibited. It is a mistake, by the way, to imagine these beautiful carnations are difficult to grow, for in some of the smallest gardens here they do well, and I have seen them growing excellently in jiots.

AN AMERICAN ACTOR. The famous organist, Mr. Lemare,, declared that Mr. Waldron was a most charming specimen of the best kind of young American, and one can readily endorse the opinion. His acting is so natural and simple, and the character of the Spuaw Man, in less capable hands, might be easily made ridiculous and melo-dramatic. But “Jim” is fine in his manliness and straight-forwardness, and the audience is captivated by him. Next to Mr. Waldron, who, supple, slender, and fair-haired, makes a goodly figure as soldier and cowboy, comes ‘Bill his cowboy chum, one of the most clelightful characters I have ever been introduced to. Tho role of the little Indian maid is filled by Miss 1 lorence Gleeson, who, perhaps may be remembered as the boy Stephanns in the “Sign of the Cross.” She lias a beautifully clear-cut profile, and is very slim and sinuous, and altogether makes a marvellous Indian girl. Miss Gleeson’s great chum was Miss Lane, who died suddenly in Sydney of pleurisy Grief for her friend s death made Miss Gleeson herself quite ill for a time. Miss Humphrey, the leading lady, is tall, graceful, and handsome, with a quaint American drawl that is odd on the lips of an English Bishop’s daughter, who is a Countess. She has a restrained stylo that may not suit everyone, but at times she is finely pathetic. Her frocks are perfect Her first is chifton, laden with ribbon embroidery in trails of roses and foliage; the skirt bordered with a deep hem of silver tissue and opening in front over a panel of pleats. Tho bodice was all jewelled lace. Another lovely frock—worn in the first act bv an American widow— ..vis blue chiffon and silver, with big P nlk ™sos on the bodice and in the fail nan. Miss King, the Sydney 6 ir *» who is said to add wealth to her good looks, and wlio is engaged to -Ur. Waldron, is in WeHington just now, staying at tho Grand with her aunt. The wedding is to take place m Sydney in March. On Wednesday night Miss Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Boycs, and Mr Vincent and Gladstone Maid wore present. Mrs. Ward wore cream lace and roses, and her dark hair piled very high on the top of hei head. Other visitors to V ellington at the theatre were Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hunter and their son and daughter. The Opera House has been packed every night, and quite as good business should bo done with the \ uginian, a character that might have been created for Mr Waldron. We are soon to have a feast of good things, including the Exhibition Orchestra, and Madame Arral, the piquant prima donna, m her costume songs. FAREWELL TO PREMIER.

A tremendous crowd —far more than the buildings could hold, and hence ensued much discontent—assembled on Thursdav evening to do honor to Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, who leave this week for Home and the Gonteience. Four thousand tickets were issued, and all sorts and conditions came in a variety of costumes, non the tailor-made gown and featheieu hat to tho elaborate evening frock ot white satin and jewelled trimming. But those who wore evening dress wore fervently thankful, tor the atmosphere in the lobby, packed from end to end with a dense throng, was almost insupportably hot, and it was a wonder no women fainted. Men wiped their streaming faces and women fanned themselves with anything that came handy, but the air grow closer and closer, and it was with fervent thanksgiving from all that the speeches ended, and a move was made for cool drinks and a fresh atmospliero . There were three speeches—none luminous —by tho Mayor, Mi. Skerrett and the Premier, and two songs, “Off to Philadelphia, chosen most appropriately and snug most splendidly, by Mr. Prouse. and Rule Britannia,” given with immense spirit by Mr. Hill- The Native Min ister is verv fond of music, and could not resist joining in the refrains, and soon the whole crowd was giving vent their feelings in various keys. Ul course the names of the new Councillors were, eagerly, parted for reived with varied feelings. Robert Loughnan, over whose appointment these is nothing but satis faction, was the on y turn lord I noticed, and he and his wife, who is partly French and very piquant and bright were receiving many congratulations. Dr. Collins was not present. After the programme, the crowd dispersed into the various rooms for an hour, shaking hands and saying good-bye. Later on a very

pleasant little party mot in the Cabinet room, Alinisters and a few members and friends, and said a more private farewell to Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. The Premier’s days liavo been nil plea snntlv full of late. After tho social, which was not over till halfpast eleven, lie lnul a three hours’ Cabinet mooting. On Friday morning tho family wore photographed before tho Premier caught tho Now Plymouth A NEW oEDDON PORTRAIT.

This was hung for the first timo in Bellamy's, and was the subject of much criticism . It is by Van dor Volilon, the Dutch painter, is of very large size, anil is not yet finished. It represents the Into Premier on a platform, liis burly black figure against a murky sky, addressing an audience, suggested by some figures at his foot. It is evidently a democratic crowd, for a digger and a laborer are prominent. But tho artist has fixed such a truculent, distressed expression on tho speaker’s face that it is on tho whole an unpleasant, though it may be a powerful picture. By tho way, Air. Illingworth, tho sculptor, whoso bust of Mr. Soddon at the Exhibition is much admired, has just completed a charming bust of Aliss Ward in evening dress. It is said to bo extremely like her. SOCIAL ITEAtS. The latest Wellingtonians who aro migrating, and permanently, to England, are Colonel and Airs. Wood, who was Airs. Travers before she married tho Colonel. They go to Nelson for a month or two, and then leavo for England, whore they intend to settlo somewhere near a golf link, for Colonel Wood is an ardent golfer. Airs. Prouso, who is keeping better, is going to Christchurch lor a few weeks. A lato engagement is that of Aliss Ella Gill, younger daughter of Air. William Grill, to Air. Fratcr, of Auckland. Quito a crowd of visitors aro in town, bent on race, polo or theatre. Among those aro the Steads, from Christchurch, Air. and Airs. Waltor Strang, from Palmerston North, Airs. Gils Coates, Airs. Thorne George and her young daughter, from Auckland, and Air. and Mrs. Al'Rae, from Palmerston. Airs. Seed has Airs, and Aliss Seed, from Sydney, staying with her, and Aliss Gossett, from Ashburton, is a guest of Airs. Piko’s. Aliss Violet Macintosh, from Invercargill, is with Mrs. Riley. I hear Aliss Alay Seddon’s marriage with Air. Knox Gilmer —who is one of tho newly-created lords—takes place in a few months. Mrs. Sedilon, who has been away at Featherston for a change, has returned. With Airs. Riddiford at the Lower Hutt aro staying Air. and Airs. Oliver Bunny, and Aliss Beatrice Russell, of Christchurch. Airs. Gilruth and her children went bouth last Monday. They stay first at Airs. Patullo’s," .at Hampden, and later on go to Mrs. Alitcliell’s, of Cl.vdovale. Mrs. Ewen has her sister, Aliss Sutton, from Napier, with her.