HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2129, 11 July 1907, Page 1

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

By “Ponelopo.” Wellington. A NOTABLE WEDDING. For years there has not been so much interest taken in a marriage as in that of Mjss May Seddon to Mr. Knox Gilmer, which took place last Wednesday. The pro-cathedral was filled long before the appointed hour, and so many were the guests that the allotted space proved too small, and they had to seek seats among the onlookers and in the choir. Mr. Tom Mackenzie, member for Clutlin, and Mr. Baumc, of Auckland, in all their festal array of tall hats and frock coats, arrived rather late, and the old verger beckoned them along to the top. of the church. They followed unresistingly, anti Mr. Baumc had crossed tho vacant space and gained the altar-rails —for the attendant was loadring them to tile choir seats —when Mr. Mackenzie’s native bashfulness overcame him, and with an agitated gesture to his companion, who had one eve on him and one On the verger, he turned and fled down tho aisle, followed by Mr. Baumc. The verger could not understand what had become of them, and the crowd smiled audibly. When tlie wedding-group entered the onlookers made a stampede into the aisles, which thev crowded up, regardless of those well-behaved people who, by early coming, had gained seats only to find their view blocked out To see better, many stood —and the streets were muddy—on the cushioned pews, and hung on to the pillars. The usual babies whimpered,

and altogether the ceremony was,bereft of its solemnity. The bride wore a lovely white silk, much trimmed with costlv real lace, and on her

hair Mrs. Morice’s wedding-veil of Limerick lace, fastened with an, exquisite comb —one of her presents — of mother-of-pearl set with diamonds. Her ornaments were a diamond bracelet, brooch, and solitaire earrings—tlie latter the bridegroom’s gift. Her sister Rubi—her only bridesmaid —is one of the loveliest girls in Wellington, with exquisite coloring, pretty figure, and fine features and in her white silk frock and white hat with a magnificent white feather curling round it, she was beautiful. Her bonouot of vio-

lets was the only touch of color in tlie soft whiteness of her dress and that of the bride’s. Mrs. Seddon, whose first public appearance it was since her husband’s death, was all in black, and Miss Seddon, too, had no white about her, but the other sisters, Mrs. Dyer, Mrs. Bean, _ and Mrs. Morice, had lightened their mourning with white furs or white felt hats. But, even then, the family group, was in pathetic contrast to tho rest of the guests, whose frocks were, on the whole, very gay. THE PRESENTS.

These came from all parts and numbered between four and five hundred,

including apparently everything, tho heart of a bride could desire. Various presentations were made from the Cabinet, the Council, the members of the Liberal Party, the Dental Association, to which Mr. Gilmer belongs. I had a peep at tlie wonderful show of silver, crystal, beaten copper and china, on the wedding morning. All the six sisters, even including tho bride, were busy receiving parcels and telegrams, and superintending decorations. They had all been down that morning to have their photographs taken—an opportunity when they were all together. Among all tho beautiful gifts there was nothing more beautiful than a pendant- that . was sent from Scotland, a model of an earring of Many Queen of Scots. It was in the form of tho Scottish Crown, set with diamonds and rubies, and from it hung a large heart-shaped amethyst. Theso same jewels appear favourites of the bride, for her violet travelling gown was fastened with amethyst buttons, and in her liair, showing below her beautiful white felt hat, wreathed with purple velvet chrysanthomum, she wore an artistic comb set with large oval amethyst's. Notwithstanding the gaiety and crowd of friends, the day must have been a trying one for the family, especially for Mrs. Seddon. The houso in Molesworth Street is instinct with the personality of the lato Premier, and his life-size portrait looked down on the pretty wedding-table, decked with white flowers, satin ribbon and silver slippers. The flowers were arranged in tho solid silver side-dishes belong-

ing to the great silver trophy presented to him by the colonials in London. On the wedding morning', a letter had arrived from Sir "Wilfrid Lanrier to Mrs. Scddon, saying how much he had missed Mr. Seddon in their deliberations in London. Mr. and Mrs. Knox Gilmer are off to Australia. On their return they are to live in Boulcott street, almost next door to Dr. Herbert, who married Miss Gilmer. ,Mr. and Mrs. Clias. Ziele—the latter,was also a Miss Gilmer—came from Dunedin for the event. A WEEK OE AT-HOMES.

This has been unite a record week for teas, six being given in tlueo (.lavs, and- many women going from one to the other. Lady Ward was the first hostess. She has admirable tact and an infinite capacity for setting her guests at ease, and her “handkerchief and d’oylev” tea, given for Miss May JSeddon, was altogether delightful. .Songs were given bv Ladv Ward and Mrs, Dyer, Mrs. Ben Wilson, Mrs. Boyes (Lady Ward’s sister), and by Miss ivubi Seddon, who has a pretty contralto voice. Mrs. Malcolm Ross recited. In the centre of the tea-table stood a miniature bride and bridegroom in orthodox array. Lady Ward’s lovely gown was of white silk, embroidered chiffon over silk, and Miss Ward wore one of her English frocks a pink and white silk of tiny checks, made in pinafore fashion, over a lace and muslin blouse, Other teas during the week were given by Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Amelins Smith, Mrs. Nelson, Miss Watson, and Mrs. Eichelbaum. The latter was notable for exquisite table decorations —pale pink-be-gonias with maiden hair, tall silver candlesticks wit]i rose shades fringed with crystal, anil ropes of sunilax festooned along the front of the table-cloth. The newly-decorated room was all pale brown paper and a frieze in tones of rose and deep reds. The curtains were holland, with panels set in to match the frieze. At Mrs. Amelins Smith’s tea, Misses lilsie ltawsou, 'fiola Ilaybittle and Stuart sang, and Miss Kelson—-niece of Mrs Horatio Nelson —recited charmingly. Miss Nelson has only recently arrived from England.

On Saturday there was the usual At Home given during tlio Synod to visiting clergy and tlieir friends by the Bishop of Wellington and Mrs Wallis. This was held in the concert room of the Town Hall, whore little flower-centred tables, laclon with dainties, were set out, and a string hand played gay music.* All the varieties of clergy were represented, and the guests included the Premier and Lady Ward, who had come from the football inatcb in which the New Zealand team proved so victorious. Mrs Wallis, wearing a white lace frock over silk, carried a lovely bouquet of white lilies, presented to her by the visiting clergy.

ABOUT PEOPLEMrs Morico, who came from Greymonth for her sister’s wedding, went back on Thursday. Mrs Seddon is moving into her new house, and 1 hear the Ministerial residence is to he occupied by tho Hon. Mr l’owlds Hint the Hon. Mr. McNab. Mrs. and Miss Hall-Jones have gone with tile Hon. Mr Hall-Joncs ; Mrs Donald Robertson has hafl Miss -Macdonald, from Dunedin, with her. Mr a (id Mrs J. A. Pike intend leaving for England in about- three weeks. Their little

daughter and her nurse go to Dunedill in their absence, to ho near Dr. and Ill's Nesbitt, her uncle and aunt. Mrs Edwin Dean has issued invitations for a dance next week, at which her daughter is to make her dehut. There are two dances this week, one given to celebrate the 20th

birthday of Miss Chad Beauchamp—at which cotillons are to he danced and another, a. charitv hall, in aid of St. Mnrv’s Home, at Karori. The Race dill) hall—always a gorgeous affair —comes elf in about a fortnight.

PA RLI A M ENTA RY SCRAPS. The Address-in- Woply is dragging its weary length along, and nothing very remarkable lias taken place. Indeed, the ejecting of a tipsy and garrulous man from tlie gallery seems to have been thy most exciting event so far. Mr'. Flalnian, who is often most humorous when unconscious that he is mirth-provoking, produced roars of la lighter thy I) is casual re-

marks on unions and other matters. He informed a smiling House that lie was not going to join any union. “1 joined one when 1 got married, and I’m not going to join another.” Wo looked along the gallery for Mrs. Fiaimnn, but fortunately she was not present. Later on, in tlie midst of a description of the amiable terms lu and his employees always stood in relation to one another, lie turned to the Speaker, and said, cheerfully, “AVhv. you know, sir, old Jim Noble on tho Const. He won’t say one word of bad of me, and a good man he was, too!” The Sphinx-like Speaker was constrained to smile, and the House roared. The other incident that broke tlie dull monotony of the debate was Mr. Rutherford’s reading of a letter referrinif adversely to a .Gisborne mail, now dead, and Mr. Carroll’s fine speech in rebuke. The Native Minister is indolent —Air. Rutherford snvs he is suffering from the sleeping sickness, and his laissez-faire attitude is often remarked noon —hut he is an admirable s baker, and rises to

actual eloquence at times. His dignified remonstrance was listened to with marked attention. ' Unfortunately. the man who had called it forth had gone home. A GREAT VIOLINIST.

It says, presumably, little for the good taste of Wellington that Marie Hall should fiddle divinely to miserable audiences, and that hundreds of pounds should he turned away from

Rickards’ Vaudeville Company, because the Opera House was packed. Vet this was the case last week. Mario Hall is wonderful, and those who have heard her are. most enthusiastic over her wonderful technique and expression. She is so frail-look-ing that it seems marvellous she should plav with such passion and force. Her pianiste, Miss Louie Bnsche, is quite as astonishing on her instrument.. She has extraordinary execution —one lady declared she slapped the piano—and has made a great impression on those who have heard her.