HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2069, 2 May 1907, Page 1

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

B.y “Penelope.” Wellington. COMING EVENTS. As regards social gaieties, we are living in blessed expectation of good things to come, for this week the squadron arrives and various functions aro arranged in its honor. The Club Ball is the event of the week, and crowds seem to ho going. New frocks are to he in great evidence, and dressmakers wear a worried look. There is certainly a fascination about a uniform, and it says a great deal for naval men that they arc not more spoilt. Admiral Dawson's son, who is an officer of the Powerful, and married a week or so ago a Sydney heir r ess, Miss Mitchell, gave heaps of good advice to the comrades who supported him on his wedding-day, recommending them to break up their bachelor league and become benedicts. One man took his advice so literally that lie proposed and was accepted before sunset. So there is no knowing what interesting results may come from the visit of the squadron. The Navy League is entertaining the men at a concert and dance some timo this week. This ought to he a rather fascinating affair. Tho Exhibition Orchestra is to give some concerts this week, and Mr. Prouse—who is always intensely appreciated—is to sing at the Opera House. We have 'a hot and strong drama entitled “The Yellow Peril.” SOCIAL NOTES.

By the Athenic —which had every berth taken- —left Miss Payne, the lady superintendent of our Hospitals. There is a lull in the exodus of Home goers now. Mrs. Seddon’s new house —a most imposing residence, with its gabled roofs covered with Marseilles tiles —has become a very prominent feature in the landscape of Molesworth street. It will he some time before it is ready for occupation. It commands magnificent views,-but, situated as it is in the centre of other properties, and at the back of the Ministerial residence, has scarcely

mi ideal position. Mrs. Fulton paid a week-end visit to her Palmerston Noft.h relative's, and Mrs. Stallord, who Shad been in Palmerston North for the races, returned on b riday. Miss AVark, from Sydney, who has boom staying with Mrs. Moon,, in Dunedin, and Mrs. Kinsey, in Christchurch, is a guest of Mrs. Cecil •Tones. Airs. Snlmond is expecting MissiAlabel Snlmond, her sister-in-law, from Dunedin to stay with her. Captain Erie Johnston and his bride —whA was Miss Morn a Fell —left on Satufchiy via Sydney, on their way to Indict Airs. Chas. Cowpor, of Christ-' church, and her little son, are staying with Airs. Ilislop, her mother. ATissTames, sister of Dr. James, has returned from Christchurch, and Air. and Airs Husking have gone hack to Dunedin. A MUSICAL “AT HOME.” A month ago there-were Innumerable “At Homes,” mainly fiffewells to departing friends, hut lately our cngit'fttmout books have been almost blank, so that Airs. Harold Beauchamp’s tea was much looked forward to. Only two weeks ago they moved —for three years—into Air. John Duncan’s house, feeling, after they came back from J lonic with their three daughters, who had been educated there, that tlie.ir own house was too small. A large number of guest, v ere present, hut the rooms and halls are commodious, and there was plenty of room. Tho hostess, in a pale green voile and a black picture hat. received ill tile large drawing-room which has been newly-decorated, and is hung with soft rose moire curtains. Her three daughters were in white not and lace, tussore silk with crimson silk pipings and Rusts, and palo blue foulard. ATiss Temple Perkins, who has also recently returned from an English school, wore palest grey voile over pink silk. Some handsome winter frocks were worn. A pale sage green cloth was worn with one of the new soft felt hats, turned up all round like a turban, one long feather lying across the crown. A deep claret cloth gown, with trailing skirttucked from the waist to knees, and revers and cuffs of crimson velvet, ruffled with silk, was most graceful A girl in palest pastel blue and s blue fel that with big roses, looked extremely well. A noticeable gown was a silver-grey taffetas with much lace applique and Roots of pale cm ernld velvet, worn by Airs. Samuel and Airs. Firth’s heliotrope chiffon velvet was most effective. The most delightful part of tlie “At Home” was the musical programme by the daughters of the house, assisted by Air. Trowell, who, though a clover violinist himself, is chiefly known as the father of the famous twins who, as ’cellist and violinist, are making names for themselves at Home. It ; s seldom we find a girl ’cellist, hut Aliss Kathleen Beauchamp is as accomplished on that instrument as her elder sister is on the piano, and the trios, with Air. Trowell as violinist,, were intensely enjoyable. Aliss Chad Beauchamp sang, charmingly some quaint songs, one, taken from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Children’s Verses, and sot to music by Liza Lehman, being particularly delightful. A new ono to most of us was a bright ballad by German, “When Alaidens go AAlaying.” The sisters have been most excellently taught, and will bo a great addition to the rather meagre musi--o*il society of Wellington.

A-HUNTING THE DEER. A tuny mighty hunters are passing through Wellington at present, and there is much talk of stalking. Then’ is also considerable grumbling owing to the limited area to shoot over, the postponement of the season, and the increase of the cost of the license. ’Nevertheless, those who have- had tlioir first stalk this year arc enthusiastic over the sport, and eager lor an encore. Years ago 1 took a mouth's trip, together .with some hundreds of other misguided folk, among the South Sea Islands. Our experiences were varied. AYc dashed about tropic islands whenever we got a chance, and nature revenged herself when wo got on board by our being very ill indeed, for the ship with no cargo and coal lessening every day, danced like a cork upon the mipacific, ocean. One passenger —an old major-general — never went ashore till wo got to Noumea, tho Mecca of his pilgrimage, where he had been promised deerstalking. In tho grey dawn lie passed our deck cabin, and we heard the throb of tho oil-launch that took him to tile wharf. Ho returned iu the evening a wrathful man. His account of his experiences was most amusing. His French sporting frieuds drove him miles towards tho hills, and then went into a forest, where they allotled cadi man his station. The shooting was fast and furious. “It, was worse than any battle I’ve been in. sir,” said tho major-general, “much more dangerous. One lunatic shot a branch from above my head. I never saw a deer the whole day.” He fell asleep at last, and a deer—so lie avers —walked over his chest! His French tried to persuade him, in vain, tc ‘flake on hoard a hind they had shot as an addition to the commissiarat.

MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS. Tho elections took place this week for these, and an unusual amount ol interest was evinced. The question of the Mayoralty seemed decided from the first, though Mr. Wilford Mr. Hislop’s opponent, considered In had a good chance. He, however took his boating in excellent part, il great crowd of interested blit most orderly people gathered outside the New Zealand Times office, from the balcony of which the candidates were to speak when the final results were known. In the room opening on to the balcony were Mr Hislop, bis wife, and two daughters, one of whom is Mrs. Chas. Cooper, of Christchurch, The contest was then virtually over, and the Mayor elect was receiving

con gra Dilations. Mr. Wilford was absorbed in sketching his own and Mr. Hislop’s portraits, to be thrown oil tlio liniclit. screen outside. He is an excellent sketchor, and his caimatures are often handed round in tho House. Mrs. Hislop is a most energetic. Lady Mayoress, and a very clever, well-read woman, while her unmarried daughter is an extremely pretty girl of - the petite DresdenChina style. New blood has been infused into the Council, and a lather interesting election was Mr. Fisher’s. The son of “the people’s George” bids fair to emulate his father. He is already, young as he is. Councillor apd member lor Wellington. ami will doubtless he Mayor eventually. There were no less than thirty-six' candidates, only fifteen being required. HATS, ETCETERA.

Tho new felts of small size, with the brim turned closely up to tho crown all round, have become very popular, and to those who suit sand’ hats,. they are most becoming. only ornament is a knot of velvet and a quill, or for dressier purposes, a feather either across the ciown oi drooping over one side. A peculiar hat worn by a rather pretty girl was of white felt pinched into a threecornered shape, and set on with one corner over the hair at the back. It was very small, and was a mere incident on a mass of prettily-arranged brown hair. The newest mushrooms are small, with soft tam-o’-shauter

crowns of the straw. Indeed tho small shapes far exceed the large hats in number.

Tho throw-over knitted silk scarf is also seen constantly. 2\s a rule, it is one-colored, though sonic hate fancy borders, and it is useful as well as rather ornamental, for it protects the throat, but. does' not make it delicate as furs arc apt to do. We noticed a man at the theatre the other day with a .dark-blue one twisted round his neck. Ho had walked across from his hotel, and had not troubled about hat or overcoat. The artificial flowers have never been more beautiful, and one of .the milliner’s windows —filled with nothing but roses, was a sight to admire. The deep wine-tint-ed kinds aro most in favor, and ono of tho prettiest hats at the last largo tea was a navy blue mushroom, wreathod with damask roses. But the newest lmts all turn up at the front and down at tlio back, and certainly, in point of stylo, they havo the advantage. Some of them are slightly KpujiM)-shaped and filjed -ifiTivft'fp ivjjan-. dean ill lYbufc — : iiot '"fkilffrid—of tail'd or flowers, ill faint reminiscence of flic Dolly Vardcn, which is lost well nigh in tho mist of ages. Hall pins are growing larger, and the latest aro quite two inches across. Cameos —imitation, of course—often form the- head of the pin,* or large pieces of vivid enamel set in silver. But these ultra-big hat pins will not probably bo much worn by tho bestdressed women, especially as their artistic appearance and price aro not on the same scale as tho pins aro themselves. Tho person who invents a safety hat pin, by tho way, will be a benefactor to tlio race. Tho present one adds a great danger to a crowd.