A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 22 September 1894, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

WBLtaNcwoij, Sept. 20th, 1894. The opening of the Academy of Fine Art's Annual Exhibition has been the topic of this week. Unfortunately there appears to have been something of the nature of a ruction between the Academy and the Art Club and in Consequence of this, the latter has held itself aloof, the result being a smaller exhibition than usual. Where the fault lies, it is difficult to judge, especially when many people appear to think that there have been faults on both sides However, from tfhat 1 can learn"/ there now seems every probability of the breach being healed and I sincerely hope that this may be the Case, for art must not be allowed to suffer for personalities. There is not sufficient scope for two exhibition's during the year in Wellington and if the clubs can agree as before, to exhibit together, we shall have a fine show next year. The collection Which has been gathered together by the Academy is really an interesting one* The principal exhibitors aUiong the water tioltiufs being Miss K. Holmes, Miss Morgan, of Nelson, whose pictures are much admired, Mr Hodgkins, of Dunedin, whose productions are the gems among the water colours, Mr Noel Barraud, Mr W..F. Barraud, Colonel Branfill, E. W. Payton, etc. Among the oil paintings the most noticeable are those of Miss Tolhurst, who is a member of the society and is studying in Germany, and sends some eXflellettt Work, Mr Hi M» Gore, who has fairly excelled hlfflself in his " Taita " picture, Mr L. W. Wilson and Mr John Gibb, and for flower painting those of Mrs E. 0. Reynolds (nee Miss Edith Richardson, of Wellington), of Dunedin, Miss Nina Jones, of Nelson, and Miss Rochfort, of Nelson attract the most attention. Among the pictures that have been lent is a large portrait of Lady Augusta Boyle, painted for His Excellency by Mr Tennyson Cole, an English artist who visited us a short time ago. Another from the same brush is a portrait of Dr Collins. Two little pictures by W. H. Payton, R.S.A., have just arrived from Home, and are being exhibited, having been bought by those ladies in Wellington who are interested in Art and pre sented to the Academy as the first of what they hope to found — a permanent Academy of good pictures for the education of young New Zealanders The object is a worthy one and it is to be hoped that those who can afford it, will from time to time, present pictures for the establishment of our permanent gallery. Lady Glasgow arrived from Home last week and is being warmly welcomed by Wellingtonians. It is very nice to have her back again at the head of affairs and our only regret in the matter is that it means the almost immediate departure of Capt. and Mrs Stewart, who have established themselves such firm favourites here. Mrs Stewart has dispensed the Govt. House hospitalities in a graceful and pleasing manner during the Countess' absence, and she will be much missed from our social functions. Mrs Robt. Pharazyn gave a large musioal " At Home " last Monday, about 80 guests being present. The tea room was prettily decorated and was well patronized during the afternoon. The drawing room was full of flowers, palms, etc., and the grand piano was drawn up in one corner of the large room and songs were sung by Mrs Reynolds, of Dunedin, Miss Hilda Williams, Miss Gore, and Day, and Miss Williams contributed some pianoforte pieces. Colonel McDonnell gave quite a novelty in the shape of a Maori song, which was muoh applauded. Mr Ernest Izard also recited and this brought the programme to a close. Among the guest were Mrs Stewart, Major Elliott, the Hon. R. and Mrs Oliver, Mr and Mrs G. Hutchinson, Mrs and Miss Acland, Misa Amy Jervois, Mrs and Miss Richmond, Mrs Empson, of Wanganui, Mrs and Miss Grace, Mrs Walter Johnston, Miss Johnston, etc. Miss Buller also gave a large musical "At Home " on Friday, when the music, chatting, and an occasional visit to the tea room brought a pleasant evening to a close. Miss Mills, daughter of Mr J. Mills, M.H.R., is staying with Miss Buller and sang two songs and Miss Hilda Williams and several others also sang. The tea table was perfectly lovely with masses of white clematis and greenery and the drawing room was also prettily decorated. Sir Walter Buller received with his daughter, the latter wearing a deep green gown. Mrs Stewart wore a long fawn coat with fur and a black hat with feathers. I also saw Mr and Miss Pearce, Mr and Mrs Travers, Mrs and Miss Izard, Mrs Wardrop, Mrs Menzies, Mrs and the Misses Copper, the Rev. and Mrs Sprott, Mr and Mrs Perfitt, Mrs Barclay, Mrs Rhodes, Mrs A Peaarce, etc. Last Thursday night Mrs Sprott gave a large musical " At Home " two rooms being full of guests all the evening, there being fully 70 present. The drawing room was used for music and among those contributing were the Misses H. Williams, Gere and Gradham and Messrs McDuff-Boyd, Walters, Whit- '

tall and Day and several pari fl6ngs were sung at intervals by those ; members of the Harmonic Society who were present. Although the rooms were very crowded, a pleasant evening Was spent. Mrs Sprott wore a green Velvet Wafcteau eosturne, trained and relieved with pink. Mrs Friend gave a small dance at the Karon town hall on Tuesday nigh and it was much enjoyed by about forty people, who drove out from town iri a 'bus for it and were brought back afterwards in the BSitie way. Mrs Alfred Brandon's juvenile party was a great success on Thurs« day night,- when about 100 young people Were present enjoying them-, selves. The Misses Brandon Were* helping and also several other ladies and gentlemen, and among the little people were the Misses Richardson, Grace, Bell, "Williams, Baker. Gore, Riddifbrcl, Wilson, Sprott, Rnwson. Hislop, Fitzherbert, Joseph and many others. I have not been down to the House lately, but must go when the " cheap money " business is over, and see if I can find anything to interest you. The Hon. Mr Cadinan is still ill, and I should think, will be unable to attend for some time. Signa.