A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 13 April 1897, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

| Wblmnoton, April 10, 1897. Parliament was formally opened [ last Tuesday afternoon, but very little outside interest appeared to be ' taken in the ceremony. On Wednesday, however, there was a very large crowd present to witness the unvailing of the Balance statue, by the Premier, whioh took plaoe in the Parliamentary grounds at about half-past one o'clook. Mr Seddon, as usual, ably performed the ceremony, and before doing so made a very appropriate speech, so also did Sir Maurice O'Rorke and Mr Allan Ward. Afterwards, an adjournment, was made to the House, to witness the usual ceremony and to hear the speech of His Excellency the Administrator (Sir James Pr ender gast) to Parliament. Every available seat was occupied, and the galleries and passages were also thronged, chiefly, I noticed, with the fair sex. An unusually large number of Councillors were present to meet His Excellency on his entrance to the Chamber, accompanied by Colonel Pole^Penton, Major Maddocks, and Mr C. P. Knight (Private Secretary.) The Wellington College Cadets, who by the way are splendidly drilled — acted as to Guard of Honour for the occasion, and the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles as the escort.

Among the latter I believe were several of the chosen men who are to form the Record Reiga contingent from New Zealand. Some of the ladies present were Mrs Seddon, who wore a navy blue costume trimmed with velvet to match, jet and scarlet velvet bonnet with tips ; Miss Seddon, neat blaok tailor-made gown with pretty figured silk vest, and large black bat trimmed with feathers and majenta roses ; Mrs J. McKenzie, brown gow*n and mantle trimmed with fur, brown bonnet relieved with red ; Miss McKenzie, black gown and small felt hat with wings and ribbons ; Mra Captain Russell, black silk gown and jettrimmed cape, black and yellow bonnet; Mrs Fisher, black striped silk, jet bonnet with yellow roses ; Lady Prendergast was unable to be present, but was represented by ber niece, Mrs L. Reid, who wore a brown tweed costume, and Mrs C. P. Knight, who also wore brown, with felt hat to matoh with long white feathers. Mrs Graoe, neat dark grey tailor-made suit and pretty floral bonnet; Mra Reynolds (Dunedin), black crepon gown trimmed witb lace and jet, jet bounet with shaded green flowers and black tips; Mrs Larnaoh, stylish dark blue braided gown with scarlet vest, small toque to correspond. Tbe Festival Choral Society gave a very excellent concert last Tuesday nighfc in the Opera House, which was filled with a large and fashionable audience. The principal item on the programme was part of Haydon's Oratorio " The Creation," which was splendidly performed by the Society. Miss Jeanne Ramsay (Mrs Donne), Messrs Hugh Wright and R. S. Gibson were the soloists. The other half of the programme consisted of that lovely part song "Tbe Silent Land" (Saul) and Mendelssohn's concerto in D minor f)r piano and orchestra, Miss Dugdale's rendering of the very diffioult piano part causing much applause. I believe the Society are to give another concert shortly, in honour of the Queen's Record Reign. The Pollard Opera Company are again here and are having a very successful season at the Opera Hoase. I hear that the new opera " Falka " i is very good. The session ended this afternoon. To-night the Premier is being entertained at a smoke concert at Thomas Hall. Everybody is taking a keen interest in the coming Wellington Suburbs Election. Both candidates are hard at it, speaking at different places every night. I think it must be hard and tiring work, however there is an end to all things.' The retirement of Mr Kirk in favour of Mr Wilson; I believed caused some disappointment. There are Bicycle Sports going on, on the Exhibition track to-night, being given in aid of the unemployed. It is a horrid cold windy night, so I am afraid the attendance wiil not be very large. I, for one would have gono had the weather been more favourable. Signa.