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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2029, 14 March 1907, Page 1

happenings in the capital.

By “Ponolopo.” Wellington. MYSTERY AND MUSIC. Whatever is the romanco surrounding Madame Arral—if there bo one—she herself, apart from any halo of mystery, is charming enough to satisfy hor audioncos. Her voice is wonderful, intensely sympathetic and oxquisitoly trained, and she is something of an actress, her gosturos and! expressions ably seconding the music: of an array of ompty bonclios —the of an aray of ompty benches—the Town Hall was packed, oven the choir seats being needed. And this, too, when the weather was so oppressive that the more idoa of a crowd was distasteful, and the air in the Hall was terribly close and hot. In addition to other defects, its size and its weirdly uncomfortable seats, it is not well ventilated and it much detracts from tho enjoyment of tlio vory best concert to have to mop one’s streaming brow and gasp for breath. For Madam Arral tho evenings must have boon most exhausting, for, in addition to the effort of singing from memory, slio had the exertion of constant change of costume to suit hor songs. This is a novelty in hor programme that has proved decidedly attractive. She got some exquisite flowers, ono trophy—a lyre and a laurel wreath tied with tho' French tricolor —boing most elaborate, and a great sheaf of holla-donna lilies and soft foliage oxtromely beautiful. By the way, this has been a fino season for these same lilios. In tho Botanical Gardens they form shoots of delicious color among tho shrubs, and are alono worth the little journey. On Sundays, those close breathless days, the public avails itself largoly of the pleasant lawns and shady trees of the gardens, whore the band plays during tho afternoons, and tea can be got for a consideration at tho picturesque kiosk that crowns the hill. MEEK, YET MILITANT.

At last, after a tremendous amount of profitless discussion over innumerable tea-cups, tho mistresses have met four hundred strong. Tho assembly crowded the Syduey-stroet hall, and many panting, yet determined women had to stand all the time. On the whole it was a most polite gathering in its public utterances, though in between there was an undercurrent of vivid and emphatic talk. The fact was no mistress, oven she with the most cruel experiences, dared say much, for fear she would on her return find her girl, who had heard of what she said, ready to give notice ! The only little rift in the lute was made by an elderly lady, a business woman, who began by quite unnecessarily deploring the “petty feeling” displayed, and caused an audible sensation by alluding to tho “socalled aristocracy,” a phrase which has been much resented. Miss Holmes made a most efficient chairwoman — indeed she explained one knotty point that a lawyer failed to clear up—and Mrs Atkinson made the most excellent speech, though mauy present did not fall in with her extreme views. Except for the really desperate attitude of the housewives, which is a quite serioxis matter, there was some food for mirth during the proceedings. Mr. Quick desired a union, and pleaded for it, ancmis* uicreiwir—«.~o_riAo.lared_cariied_ by a show of hands. But another legal light, Mr. Hadfield, arose and said the meeting could not have understood what it had just done. So we most accommodatingly negatived our last motion by agreeing to an unregistered association. A lawyer told me that there is a possibility that research into the Act may find the Domestic Workers’ Union illegal, as it is impossible to consider a house iu the light of a factory. It is certain that the late Premier had no wish to include the domestic servants in the Arbitration Act. Indeed, he himself in committee objected to their inclusion, foreseeing probably the difficulties that might arise. In the meantime a conference is to be held between a committee of employers and one of the domestic workers, who are evidently quite ready to modify their claims in face of the strenuous opposition. But oven with much less aggressive demands, mistresses object, and rightly, to the law that permits an Inspector to enter their hpusps fit any hour to sSS if they are' complying with the Act. One lady is already asking for contracts from hotels to supply niefP.j, and intends having a charwoman to clean, thus dispensing with spryapts altogether. Everywhere are heard wails of households minus help, and tired wives and mothers wonder what this country is coming to. The lot qf the wife of a clerk with a large family and a small salary is certainly not to be envied under present conditions, and trammelled' by union rules she will become a slave. MORE FAREWELL GAIETIES. These are still being held—this week in honor of Mrs and Miss Blundell and Miss Coates, who leave by Saturday’s Sydney steamer en route for England. Mrs. "Vy. T. Stuart, Mrs. Kennedy, Mys Miles, and Mrs. Stott have fill been -hostesses. The latter’s tea was a very large affair, a hundred and seventy invitations being issued, but the house—one of tho most beautiful in Wellington — 13 most commodious and there was no crush. The flower decorations were exquisite, red dahlias and smilax being used in the dining-room, which is. a harmony in flame color and pale brown, and great sheaves of pink belladonna lilies being set about the turquoise and white hall. The hostess—a remarkably elegant woman—wore white embroidered muslin and pale blue ribbons. Mrs. Michie, who with Miss Coates were the guests of honor, was in a navy-blue soft silk and a white boa and hat, while Miss Coates wore a handsome plain colored cloth, trimmed with pompad i ir chine silit and heavy lace, a quaint .note o', distinction being giv m ly an emerald-green velvet collar. Some lovely frocks were worn—all of summer texture, for tho heat is quite phenomenal, and autunin gowns are not to be considered. The floral silks worn this season are always the prettiest at any function, and a girl in one strewn with tiny rosebuds was much admired. A tall brunette in pale soft reseda silk looked extremely handsome, and a. dainty little lady was noticeable ill f) graceful whito lace frock, over silk, and a Duchess of Dautzic hat of bottle green straw —this is one of the very newest shapes. A novel idea that may. be worth noting by those who are entertaining brides was carried out last week by Mrs. Fulton for Miss Blundell. It t jvsi§ a “work-box” tea. The hostess -'•vj'jnd a liberty work-bag,' on a epd pack girl guest added stand 'to the contents. One farsome thing * ' s contribution was a seeing maiden- ''HttPhS, threaded dozen trouser o. ' thread The through a reel of stout ' U PfltP els opening of the various sme. by the bride-eleet was a most iesting affair, and tho collection when complete included every requisite for a model work basket. SOCIAL NOTES. There are a number of visitors m Wellington at present. With D. Gray Hassell, at Porirua, . qro stay-

ing tho two Miss Hassells from Onmaru. Mrs Itankine Brown has Mbs Tannahill with hor, and Mrs Ruclc, of Auckland, is a guest of Miss Coates, who was a school friond of hers in past yoars. Miss Jean Lusk is with Mrs Snlmond. Mr and Mrs Good are in town for a short visit, and Miss Denniston is with Miss Molly Abraham and Mr and Mrs Harold Abraham at the Grand Hotel. A marriage that was profacod by only five days’ engagement took place on Friday last, tho happy pair leaving two hours later by the Sydney boat en route for South Africa, fhebrido was Miss Brower, of Oriental Bay, and tlio bridegroom Mr. Freotli, of Pretoria, whom slio bad known for years. Of course so burl itfd a wodi ding moant groat preparations, and tlie many girl friends ol the bride -formed themselves into a sowing-bee and worked hard to help on tlie trousseau. On Wednesday Miss Millie Murdoch was married to Mr. Stanley Lambert,whose father resides in Auckland. I bear Miss May Seddon’s marriage with Mr Knox Gilmer taker, placo next month. Mrs Soddon and Wlr T. Soddon, M.H.R., arc still away at tho West Coast. Her vow house .is going up rapidly, and looks a very largo residence. It is immediately behind the Ministerial residence in Molesworth street, which they still occupy, and Mrs. Seddon has bought an extra strip so that she can have an entrance by Golder’s Hill. Mrs. and Miss Hamilton have gone south to Christchurch .to join Mr. Hamilton, tho curator of our museum. Dr. Webster and his wife left last week by tlio Rivorina. Ho is on bis way Homo, but Mrs. Webster intends to stay in Sydney. Miss Cliarlio Warburton, Mrs. Fulton’s nicco, from Palmerstom North, left by the samo boat for Erigland. Mrs. Handysido is again on her .way Homo to sco her mother, Mrs. Fosbury, who has boon ailing lately. THE NEW HATS. Thcro is a suggestion of “go as you please” about this season’s mil* linery, and one cannot help fooling that almost any shape and material would be accepted if sufficiently becoming and harmonious. For harmony rather than contrast is tho keynote of the autumn hats, and' the softest effects are got by the lavish use of mouse-color, in tulle, beaver, feathors and fur, combined' with some vivid tint, such as emerald or orange. Velvet is perhaps the favorite material, and there are shapes of it that remind ono of the becoming beefeater. These are wreathed with a twist of tulle, and have their trimming under tho brim at the back. Other velvet shapes are cavalier iu mode, tho side lifted and veiled with feathers, and others again are a variety of the mushroom, with narrow brims and larger crowns than the Old style. For knock-about hats, nothing could be better than the soft felt deerstalkers with a narrow band and a gaunty quill—the sort of headgear that suits any weather and yet always looks neat and smart. Tartan, even in straw, appears largely, and is by no means aggressive; indeed, one Wellington girl, recently from England, possesses a tartan toque that is tremendously admired when on her pretty hair. Grapes, natural and unnatural, form another prominent millinery accessory, and roses and grapes or grapes and wheat, are often seen on EHS~Sttlire~irax" —rra:r \'r-im is to be worn, and I noticed a toque wreathed with large green and purple plums. The toques that have the little curls affixed—to fill up any deficiencies in the coiffure are not on view. In Sydney they are to he seen frequently. Perhaps here tho curls are pinned on in private, and not exposed to the vulgar gaze. At any rate, they would have to be matched with tho hair they were meant to improve.