Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 23, 8 December 1900, Page 8

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

I)B\R (HMSTABEL — JAPAN, the land of topsy-turveydom , as some one calls it, must be a perfect paradise for artists. Mr. Pringle, who recently returned from the Land of the Chrysanthemum, showed some exquisite lantern-slides last week to a number of friends, and converted everybody to the belief that to see Japan, and see it as soon as possible, should be the aim of all. The Japanese women are abbolutely bewitching, and look as if the worries of hired helps and the burden of unpaid calls never touched them. The temples are marvellous schemes of colour and design, in green settings of century-old trees. Let us go to Japan before its artistic simplicity and sweet naivete are spoilt by the introduction of the tall hat aod the high-pressure boiler. Even now these are gaining a footing in the and before long Japan will be mined by alleged civilisation. ♦ * » Miss McLean, whom Wellington secured from Timaru, is verily up-to-date, and knows that though a girl can chatter in half-a-dozen languages, can treat the binomial theorem with the contempt of familiarity, and can floor her opponents in an argument on political science, her knowledge is useless if her physique is weak. So that physical culture is to be made an important point in our High School, and Miss McLean looks forward to a time Avhen certificates will be granted for physical improvement and proficiency in games. Miss Parker, a Newnham pirl recently from Engl.nul, has stated that, in applying for a Home educational position, the ques tion is always asked, "Can you play games?" It is absolutely necessary that teachers in large schools at Home should not only take interest in the girls' sports, but know how to play in them themselves. * * * The sports held in the Girls' High School grounds were, then, an innovation, but a very pleasant and sensible innovation. Of course it blew. That was only to be expected. Mr. "Banjo" Paterson, when he arrived in Wellington in a gale, was told they drove the tram-cars here by wind-power! We clutched our hats — some of us our best hats, alack-a-day ! — and envied the girlcompetitors their short skirts, and their long hair that, though the wind blew it about, never seemed to get untidy. Some of our Wellington damsels have such pretty hair. «■■**■ The sports were great fun, and v a rp entered into with keen spirit, and any amount of mirth. Some of the raps were highly amusing, the one in which the competitors had to walk with books on their heads being especially funny. The lawns and terraces, with the flags waving above, the brightly-dressed visitors, and the girls in their white frocks, looked charmingly gay, and had it not been for the wind the afternoon would have been perfect. However the gale made the delightful afternoon tea dov^-

ly acceptable. The marquee, where the tables were set out, was beautifully decorated with flowers, and the girls themselves made deft and dainty waitress. Miss McLean and her staff busied themselves in making things go with a will, and, though they must have been tired, they must have felt satisfied with their efforts. Especially was it pleasant to see the many old girls who, promoted to long frocks and hair put up, came to see their old play-grounds and the np.xt generation of scholars. This mingling of past and present pupils is one of the most beneficial effects of these sports. They are intended to take place annu-By-the-bye, Mr. "Banjo" Patersor. war lecturer, is going to China ever t-'i-ally. Among other sights he is very anxious to see if the Chinese go into battle wagging their heads from side to side. This is a devotional exercise, and the Chinese believe that, if they perform it aright, no bullet can touch them. Tf they are struck, they come to the conclusion, if they are alive to draw a conclusion, that they have made some mistake in their devotions, in either the angle of inclination or the time of the movement. It must be admitted that the idea of one's mvulner ability is eminently satisfactory when bullets are whizzing round. ¥■ * * H.M.S. Mildura has, left for Auckland, and on Sunday Captain and Mrs. Bay nes gave a small afternoon tea on board to a few friends. It was a rather rough day. but the passage between wharf and ship was accomplished without any difficulty. The Mildura was brilliant with new paint and shining 1 brass-work, and some of the guests wanted recipes for the exquisite polish that was seen on every scran of metal. Afternoon tea, most delightful and acceptable, Avas served on the upper-deck under an awning. Though the 'und was fresh, curling the waves into white crests, the sun was bright, and all agreed that nothing could be pleasanter than an afternoon on a war-ship— while she was in harbour. Among the euests were Mrs. C. Izard and Master Tzard, Mrs. Quick and Miss Quick, Mrs. J. ft. Brown, Miss Kelly (from Palmenston North), Mrs Malcolm Ross, Captain .. d Miss Edwin, Miss Lucas, and Mr. Tlobison. Mrs. Baynes wore a pale blue muslin »vith cream lace frills, and a sailor hat. Shortly after the Mildura arrives at Auckland, Captain Kingsmill relieves Captain Baynes, who. with Mrs Baynes, proceeds Home. They will probably winter in Egypt, where their son, who is at present at Clifton School, will join them. Mrs. and Mrs. Rolleston, who Irw lately returned from their trip Homo looking extremely well, stayed for a short time at Kelburne, Lord Glasgow's place, on the west coast of Scotland. It is most picturesquely situated, looking out on the Firth of Clyde. It is pleasant to hear how our late Governor and his family cherish New Zealand memories and mementoes. In thoir house there is a New Zealand room, nearly every thing in it being made of native woods, and all over the fine old residence — part of which dates from 1400 — are curios from the colony. In the gardens grow New Zealand treos and flax, and even a tree-fern. < * * Miss Turnbull, of Wellington, now Mrs. J. Leigh Wood, is by this time in her new home in Pietermaritzburg. She was married very quietly in her travelling gown on the 18th October, at the English Presbyterian Church, Regent square, and afterwards Mr. and Mrs. Wood were to sail for South Africa on the 24th of November. Mr. J. L. Wood was mentioned three times in Lord Roberta's despatches in connection with the care of British, prisoners in Natal.

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Where were the Wellington people on Monday night? There were three different magnets. "The King's Musketeers,"" Miss Frazier's concert, and "Banjo" Paterson, and I heard some individuals lamenting the impossibility of being in more than one place at a time. But at none of these entertainments were there full houses. Miss Janetta Frazier's concert was certainly a great treat. There was much curiosity to hear the new singer that has come among us, and assuredly her songs were delightful. Perhaps the "May Morning" was most charming, but she put intense feeling and sweetness into "The Toilers." She will be a great acquisition to Wellington. Not a single item on the programme was otherwise than enjoyable. There was a most flattering hush while Mr Mau<jhan Barnett played Schubert's Serenade. If anyone had dared to mar the delicate sympathy of his playing by a sneeze, there would have been manifest and righteous indignation. Herr Hoppe played exquisitely, and Mr Prouse was in extra fine voice, which is saying volumes. Wolfram's Romance, " Star of Eve," was splendidly sung. The singers were accompanied by Miss Prouse and Mr Cyril Towsey most sympathetically. Altogether the concert was one that made you sorry for those who were not there. * m • * Miss Frazier wore white satin and chiffon with a white aigrette in her dark hair and a cluster of crimson roses on her

bodice. She was presented with a graceful basket of flowers and a beautiful shower bouquet. Miss Prouse was also in a white satin frock with lace sleeves. I noticed among the audience Lady Tancred, Madame Carleton, Mrs Howie, Mr and Mrs WorsJey, the Misses Halls, Mr and Miss Kirkcaldie, Mrs and Miss Taylor, Mr and Mrs Hey wood, Mr and Miss Boss, Mrs Prouse, Mrs Maughan Barnett, and Miss Fraser.