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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2011, 21 February 1907, Page 3

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL. By “Ponolopo.” WELLINGTON, Tuesday. FAREWELL FUNCTIONS. Tho air is full of farewells “to tlioso lucky individuals who are leaving for foreign parts,” and most of tho recent private entertainments linvo had a departing friend for their raison d’ ot.ro. This past wook Mr. and Miss Tolhurst, who loft last Saturday by tlio AVarrimoo to catch tlio Mooltan at Sydney, have boon tlio contro of over so many thus and luncheons. They will bo sorely missed, for their Grant Road house, with its beautiful gardens, was over opon to friends, and on Sunday uftornoon ono might often find twenty or thirty guosts being eutortainod in tJiis most liospitnblo residence. Mr. Tolhurst, detainod by businoss, follows in about a month. AA'hilo they aro away, tho house lias boon lot to Dr. NapiorMacloan, who is building on tlio Torrace. Tlioro is a regular gonoral post as regards houses being played at present lioro. Mr. Beauchamp has sold his houso in Tinukora Road to Mr. Maudl, and has taken tho residence occupied by Mr. John Duncan, who has bought. Mr. Maxwell’s house in Itohson street. Tho fine now houso built by Mr. Riddiford opposite Parliament gates, lias boon taken by Captain Stewart, of the Patoena. Tlioro is still a great demand for medium-sized unfurnished houses, though tho oxodus of so many AA’el—lington pooplo homewards lias caused furnished houses to bo fairly plentiful. But routs aro still at' a very high rato, and £250 was asked and got recently for a bouse, large, but not. extraordinarily convenient or luxurious. I heard, the other day that there is a project to build residential flats above the new offices to bo erected on flic site of tlio big fire. If that is so, and the servant question can be solved, tlio probability is that they will be eagerly snapped up by tlioso who can afford the high rent. But to return to our farewells. A charming tea to speed the AI iss Kennedys, who leave this week for England, was given by the Miss O’Connors. Theirs is one of tile most charming bouses in AVellington, and, by means of an outside balcony, from which a most wonderful view of tlic city and liarhour can ho gained, tho guosts can pass from the handsome dining-room through tho conservatory into the drawing-room, which was arranged with great howls of purple hydrangea and mauve asters. The largest tea of tlio weok—over a hundred guests were present—was given by Mrs. Stott for Mrs. Rliind, who, with her son and daughters, had been staying there before she left for England last week. Mrs. Stott has also a most artistic home, of delicate tones and quaintly furnished, the dining room being a wonderful harmony of brown paper with flame-tinted frieze and red-orange woodwork—a lovely setting for shining damask and silver. A progressive bridge party was given to Airs. Tolhurst by Miss Stafford. It was quite remarkable for the presence of so many pretty girls. The prizes were won by Miss Ida Nelson and Miss Ida Finch, and by Mr. Mylne and Air. Fellers, lately arrived from Auckland. DOATESTIC AVORKERS.

If at all these functions you noticed a knot of women busily talking, it was not the virtues of the honored guest that caused the eloquence. It was the question of mistress and servant and the Union. The citations have been issued—it. is not easy to find out tho reason for selection—and so far as I can discover, fow if any of those who have received the papers have signed them in agreement to tile proposals. Consequently they are asked to appear and plead their cause, and if they still take, no notice, the Union may get what it demands, though, indeed, its demands are preposterous. AA'hat weary mother, wont to look on Sunday as a rest-day, would ratlier not be without a girl altogether than one who insists on going to morning church, and then must be out again by two o’clock ? On a holiday no breakfast can be got by the girl, except for herself, unless her mistress pays her a shilling an hour, and oil Thursdays she is—must be, say some lawyers—out till midnight! It is little wonder the much-harassed mistresses are concerned, indeed, one who keeps several servants roundly told them the first to join the Union must pack up and go. It seems likely that what lias often been mooted in jest— a Alistresses’ Union—may be carried into effect in self defence. It will be interesting to see what the next move will be.

THE BROUGH-FLEAIAIING CO. It must be intensely sad for Airs. Brough to return to the places which she and her husband visited not so long ago, and when they had so many friends. Hard, too, she must find it to act her own parts with another in her husband’s roles. Off the stage, though still strikingly distinguished, she has changed a good deal, but her acting is as charming as ever, and she disavowed the enthusiasm caused by her re-appearance.. Her gowns in tiie various pieces are lovely, particularly one tea-gown, a Princesse robe of electric-blue satin, lined with black, and opening over a petticoat of lace. Aiiss Day is a huge favorite, and her charm and grace is acknowledged by all. Off the stage she is exactly the same, evidently making up for the theatre very little, and nearly always wearing her hair in the same style. I noticed her and Airs. Flemming dining at the Grand Hotel one evening last week. .She wore a graceful gown of soft cream material, with lace and many frills, and looked charmingly animated across tho beautiful roses that decorated their table. The English cricketers are also slaying there, and seem to be far from dull. AVell-mado, and well-groomed they are, and geo i looking, the l eauty of the team being ‘Mr. Fox; a very handsome man with crisp waves o ( ' grey hair, -hough lie is onlv ii mty-seven.

THE BESSES O’ TH’ BARN. Our Town Hall was never crowded to hear these musicians, but they got very enthusiastic audiences It is a marvellous performance, but ono who is not an enthusiastic musician finds it a strain to sit through a whole programme of band selections, An item that was marvellously like a scrap from an oratorio played on an organ, and that was rapturously encored, turned out to be a Honolulu air. It attracted the attention of the loader, Mr. f)won, when the band W'as at Honoluhi, and he wrote out the different parts. The next’ day, to the delight of the natives, they played it, and it formed one of the most charming selections on the programmes here. The men look remarkably smart in their dark uniforms, with touches of red and gold, and they play, curiously, sitting down. The conductor alone wears regulation oveijing dress. It may have been the high price—the circle was five shillings—that caused the crowd not to be so largo as expected, or perhaps many waited for a reduction in prices, or for the open-air concert that never came off, although earnestly hoped for. A THUNDER CLAP.

On Saturday morning early lho city was visited ' by’ ii tremendous thunderstorm. Lightning came in vivid sheets of flame, and the reports wore terrible. But one in particular terrified almost everybody. It followed an extra vivid flash, and was an extraordinary sound, as if a bolt bad struck the house, and it were falling in rijjns about your ears. Everyhiie Imagined its force was specially directed against his particular dwelling-—indeed a man in the Hotel Cecil declared he looked for the thunderbolt in his bedroom! But the same effect was experienced by people living 15 miles apart, sq the explosion must have been stupendous. In the hotels 'and clubs the lights were extinguished for a time, and crowds of scared inmates, in picturesque disarray, filled the passages, and waited for results. PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mrs Graves, of Auckland, is staying with Mrs Butt, who is at present not very well. The two Misses Reynolds, of Gisborne, who liqye been at the Hermitage for some weeks, passed through Wellington last week, delighted with their trip. Miss Lilv Edwin’s marriage to Mr Gorton, son of Colonel Gorton, of the Rangitikei, takes place shortly, and Mrs Edwin is giving a large farewell tea this week. Mrs Collins, who is leaving for Home with her son and daughter next month, has issued invitations for a garden party next Wednesday. Mrs Wilford, who lias been Seriously ill in Dunedin, is now convalescent at Mount Cook, Her aunt, Miss Holmes, is staying with Mr Wilford and the children. The new Rhodes scholar, Mr Colin Gilray, is in Wellington. He is the third Otago boy to gain the honor, and looks, ljke a person who will make excellent' use of his ehanees. He is short, sturdy, dark, and determined, : a brilliant scholar, and a fine athlete. He was proudly introduced last Saturday to various people by his whilom teacher, and present editor, of the New Zealand Tames, Sir Alex. Wilson, who naturally feels some reflected glory in Mr Gilray’s success. Mrs Scddon, with Mr Tom Secldon, iu.H.R., has gone to the West Coast. Mr Seddon lias just been notified of his success in his law exams. Mrs Dyer—who lias been visiting the South—has come back much the bettor for the chance.