HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2191, 21 September 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

(By Penelope) WELLINGTON Sopt 17. THE DOG SHOAV. This was a most successful affair, with many entries, and an excellent attendance, which included Vice-Roy-alty, and a large party from Government Houso. This particular kind of entertainment it is well to take homoopatliically for tho exhibits aro exceedingly turbulent, and tho various canine noises—from the deep bay of the hound to the peevish whimper of the lap-dog—aro bewildering, not to say headachy. Ah opening speech —doubtless to tho Governor’s great relief—was out of tho question, but tlio distinguished visitors wandered round and admired liberally, having tea later—in a little room where the noise of tho show was only faintly heard—with Dr. Arnold Izard, the President of the Kennel Club. Tho small son, in naval dress, was with Lady Plunket, who wore a grey fur coatee over a dark frock, and a liat laden with sapphiro-Blue feathers. The latest aide, tlio Hon, Gathorne-Hardy, in gorgeous cocked hat and uniform, was quite as much a focus of admiration as any of the prize animals. By the way, the irreverent college students, on the evening of tho contest for tlio Plunket medal—given for tho best debater—yelled in chorus, “Who looked beastly bored?” and the answer came, “The A.D.C.’s” Probably, they had good and sufficient reason for their expressions. A debating contest must bo tho most stodgy of entertainments. There were a number of pet dogs among tho entries, and they looked pathetically lonely. One devoted mistress spent the three days of the Show beside her little Skye, so that ho should have companionship, and care. By the time she had spent three days in the canine pandemonium, she must have been a mass of lacerated nerves. A.little black Schippeik—the only one, I believe in New Zealand, tlio property of Mrs. Hammersley, of Christchurch—carried off the prize in the variety show that had for some years fallen to Sir Joseph Ward’s fine Esquimaux dog. A pair of black pug puppies wore immensely admired, and a pure white hound was another exhibit that,- drew a small crowd. NOTES ON PEOPLE. Mrs. Hammersley and her daughter, from Christchurch, have been in Wellington, and left last Saturday for the South with Mrs. Ruthe'rford, who lias gone to Christchurch to see her daughter, who has been ill. Miss Ammie Rutherford is in town at present.

Miss Ammio Whit-claw, from Auckland—a fine violonist—is a guest of Mrs Nbrman Dalston. Miss Sise, from Dunedin, is staying with Mrs. Watson. Miss Stafford has returned from Auckland where she was a guest of Miss Horton. Mr, and Mrs. Costello, from Timaru, aro with Mrs. Clias. Tringliam, who gives an At Home next week in honor of hor guests. Mrs, Mason, and her children, and Mrs. Bunny and her family leave shortly for Napier for a holiday trip. Lady Ward gives a large At Home next Monday, and there is a dinner and dance at Government House the same evening.’ The wedding of Miss Ella Adams, —daughter of Mr. C. W. Adams, late Chief Surveyer for Marlborough—to Mr. Spicer, of Auckland, takes place next week at the Hutt. Dr. and Mrs. Leacock left for A'uckland last Wednesday. They intend to take a flying visit to Rotorua before they start for Sydney. Miss Ella Cooper, daughter of Mr. Justice Cooper, left by the Athenic this week to stay thee years in England with her brother. Mrs. Helmore, from Christchurch, is in Wellington, and Mrs, SawfordCox, from Marton, on her way to Canterbury where sho is paying some visits, is staying a. few days with Mrs. Maegregor, lier mother. Mrs. and Miss Widdop returned by the Corinthie. They, have been in England some years. Mrs. James Allen, and Mrs. Lewis, wives of Parliamentarians, have teo.i in Wellington this week. THE VICTORIA LEAGUE.

This is an association intended to foster loyalty and patriotism, and to knit the colonies to the Motherland. Members going to England will find ready-made friends and many advantages otherwise denied to them. One Wellington girl told me that thanks to the League, on her last visitt’o England she and her sister secured the entree to all sorts of places and functions that they would never have been able to go to, but for the kindness of the members in the Mother Society in London, of which Lady Jersey is the head. The Wellington branch gave a charming At Home last week in the Art Gallery, now, by the way, a most attractive interior with the nucleus of our picture gallery. At present they form a single row, but very soon a second collection is expected, which will help to cover the walls more closely. The committee had decorated profusely with (lowers, wonderful violets and daffodils from Mrs. W. Beatson’s gardens in the Wairarapa, and Lady Ward presented Her Excellency with a posy of violets tied with purple ribbon. Judging from the number of bouquets of this color handed to Lady Plunket lately, she must be getting a little tired of purple ribbon. It is not a color one can do much with. She looked fragile, but bright, and wore a three-quarter Empire coat of blue cloth over her dark frock. The Hon. Kathleen had on a similar wrap, but of reseda green. Lady Ward looked most' distinguished in pastel-blue cloth, falling in exquisite folds, and harmonising ad-

mirably. with her black picture liat with its sweeping plumes. Sir Joseph— notwithstanding tho worries of politics—was in excellent spirits, with a word and a joke for every friend or acquaintance. lie brought with him the elaborate address presented to him in London by the Victoria League. The signatures lie had left at home, as they would—he explained—have readied quite round tho hall. Short, bright speeches, a report that did not bristle with dull facts and figures, an interesting little concert —which included a ’cello solo from Miss Beauchamp, a charming song by Mr. Carr, and a humorous recitation by Mr. Malcolm Ross, and thetmost dclifciious tea-cakep, (filled up the afternoon delightfully, and the guests went away quite happy. A substantial result was the' addition of a large number of subscribers and mombors. There is a considerable amount of etiquette required when vice-royalty is present. In this case they—with a few of' tlio ladies of tho League. Mrs.

Wallis—tho Bishop’s wife—and the Mayoress—drank their tea within a screened enclosure at one sido of the stage, and they did not mingle at all with the rest of tho guests, some of whom thought that the cause of tho Leaguo might have been furthered had Lord and Lady Plunket strolled about and chatted with a few people about its objects and aims. However, the divisions of society in Now Zealand are not nearly as immovable as they are in England, and it is perhaps necessary to surround our Governor with all ceremony. There are some democratic spirits who might take advantage of any loopholes in the barrier. There was a dear old lady in Dunodin who began a conversation with the Duke of York by saying, “And ’oiv’s yer ma ?” ALBAN I. The groat singer has been a gnest at Government Houso, where a dinner party was given last week in her honor. Sho is marvellous still as regards her voice, and indeed her entire concert company are artistes of a very high order. Naturally, curiosity was strong about tho great prima donna, and in point of appearance, she was certainly quite satisfying. Rich satin, white priceless lace, and wonderful jewels made up a really magnificent touf ensemble. A chain of diamonds—the Duchess of York wore a similar one—made a rippling loop of light from her throat to below her waist', orders and stars massed the lace on her corsage, and a large tiara of emeralds and diamonds, from which spang a tall, white osprey, was worn in her elaborate black hair. But- it was her quaint gestures, and her little run "on and off the stage that fascinated her audience. The contralto, Miss Mildred Jones, is “a daughter of the gods, divinely tall, and most divinely fair.” She is over six feet high, and very elegant, resending one of Du Maurier’s stately girls, and her voice is delightful. On the whole, Madame

Albani had fair houses at her concerts. Wo have yet to get the artist who can crowd to overflowing our Town Hall. Perhaps Clara Butt will be able to do it. MR HOPICINSON. This play by the Willougliby-Ward Company has charmed Wellington, and the Opera House has been crowded every evening.: It is really a biting satire on London manners and morals—or the want of them—and though Mr. Ward declares it appeals rather to clever people, our audiences here have seen every point and been wildly enthusiastic, which argues that in "Wellington wc must be considerably above the ordinary mental calibre. Miss Palotta—charming and vivacious as ever—is a regal young: Duchess, and wears the most fascinating trio of frocks, which I must describe in my next letter. Mr. Ward as the nouveau riclio is a magnificent character. His very feet and hands act the part. Mr. Willoughby is the dyspeptic prospective father-in-law of the mean little millionaire, and is admirable. Indeed, there is not a weak point in the play. Miss Palotta is privately a charming persona go. She loves fresh air, simple frocks, and rises early. The weather has been attrocious, but she might have been seen any day walking briskly along in coat and skirt and the plainest of i hate—but then she looks charming | in any costume—enjoying the fresh j keen breeze, and the exorcise. To j know her is really to be charmed, for she is altogether fascinating, with no artificial airs and graces, and a thorough enjoyment of life generally. I