Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 32, 9 February 1901, Page 10

Social Gossip

By Christabel.

Dear Christ ujel — THE ceiemonv on Saturday was magnificent ,md touching The great crowds, notwithstanding the heat and the exertion of standing so long, weie ordeiK and silent, and the arrangements, whoever was lesponsible for them, weie excellent. Of late so badl.v have functions been managed that people have despaired of anyone in authority heie being able to ■cope with a crowd, but at the funeral service there was no jostling and no flurry, and the bands of volunteers marched into their appointed places with the utmost decoium. The sight of the silent black-garbed crowds, the files of soldiers, the groups of brilliant uniforms m front, the sombie draperies of dais and platform, the noble figure of the Bishop towenng above the pulpit hung with the Union Jack— the only scrap of bright colour- will be long remembered. Many as the pathetic strains of the music floated out, were thrilled by the giandeur of the ceremonial. It was a fitting memorial to the noblest Lad.\ of the Empire, the •Queen, who, though her private griefs were many, still ever had a heart to •comfort for other's troubles. * * * Art is a haid task-mistress. A slave of the camel a was the centie of agonised attention on Saturday afternoon In order to see above the crowd, and take his picture free from intrusive hats and obtrusive elbows, he climbed one of the lamp-posts in the Parliamentary ground*. Now these erections may be elegant, but, like many elegant things, thr- are not very substantial. Their object to give light to our politicians — and even this they fail in — I have never seen any members •climbing up them, even when they are going home after an aJI-night stonewall. So, the lamo-post quivered ominously as the man climbed up it, and shook still more when he perched on the top. He took his photographs. They deserve to be good * * * H.M.S. Archer will be here at the end of the week. It is a much-mar-ried cruiser, only one officer being single. The doctor on board is a V.C. man, getting his cross for saving a wounded blue-jacket under heavy fire at Crete. The question is whether he is the one bachelor among the benedicts. It is an interesting point. Curiously •enough, the Archer was Captain Kingsmill's last boat. * « ♦ The bluejackets of the Mildura were most admired on Saturday They marched so well, looked so trim, and stood so steadily, the blue and white sailor-collars and straw hats being in straight lines. The officers are beautiful to behold, with all their wealth of srold lace, their cocked hats, and clanking swords A naval life may be monotonous and irksome, but it has its compensations The clatter of a sw ord is much more effective than the rust'e of a bilk petticoat So says a girl who y earns to bt born a naval officer ■*■ * + Among the distinguished guests on Saturday was the baby of the ActingPremier This is the second function it has attended, the first being the reading of the proclamation The child is being early introduced into the arena of public life, where its father, in a very smart uniform, has of late been such an imposing figure. Perhaps Mr. Ward is training it up as a coming Premier, and is beginning early. » ♦ * The past w eek has been a most interesting one to the theatre-goers Fedora and La Tosca fascinated and thrilled us, Hedda Gabler was repellent and perplexing, the School for Scandal bright and cynical, but not so suited to the company as the tragedies, and Magda was magnificent. Mr. McKee Rankm's Captain Schwarze was a perfect personation of the stern old German father. Indeed, it was as fine as Miss O'Neil's Magda, and that is saying much. Thoueh the actress is always a distinguished figure on the stage — very few have been privileged to

sec her off it-- but w ht>n '•he makes, hei first entiance as Magda, she looks magnificent She has on the* famous white vehet cloak, all stuped with black \el\et and lace appliques, the high collar bordeied with feathers, and the lovely wrap lined with lose-colomed hiocade The gown she weais underneath someone has resciibed of the blue-bottle \aiiety Tt is a soft black material, that sparkles with blue stais with even movement of Miss O'Neil A tea-gown of blue and white brocade, opening; over cascades of magnificent lace w as, was a most luxurious garment, and r-viiantlv out of keeping with the quiet German household the ' star" had fallen into. (Continued on Page 11.)

Mr. Bethune (pronounced Beaton), who has discovered Alice Hollander, the jrirl contralto • and is piloting -;■ her through the colonies, is quite a distinguished personage. Indeed, he was in the Prince of Wales's tet at Home some years ago, and now counts amongst his friends King Edward YH. He is a brother of Betimne, of Bethune s Horse, a gentleman who has done fine service in the Boer war. Like many another personage, however, Ins tortunes did not run smoothly at Home, so he came out to the colonies to work for a living in fiesh fields and pastuies new. Colonial society for a time looked askance at him but Lord Hopetoun, then Governor of Victoria, took him up and his fortunes promptly changed for the better. He is very musical, and is, indeed, a born entertainer His "discover?" of Alice Hollander is likely to add Tar-- to his fortunes during the next few years. # * * Captain Kingsmill, of the Madura, is a Canadian. He has visited New Zealand before, as Lieut-Commander of one of the smaller vessels on the Australian station. One of the two medals he wore at the Queen's memorial service was the handsome bronze Khedival star. * * Captain Baynes, who was formerly in the Mildura, is, by this time well on his way toE- p t. It is whispered that he did not get on very well with ships is not worth knowing.^ The new Admiral — Bear-Admiral years He is an expert ™ Bunnery. H«5 annropriate white ribbon. His aa ashore and afloat in connection with the Australian station The departure of the Phoebe from FnJ ilnd for Australia would seem as if the Admiralt intended to increase the sfiength on the Australian station. un-third-class cruiser of about the same size as the Porpoise Mrs Greenwood, wife of the paymaster of 'the Mildura and Mrs. Ellis, wife of the nayipratiiKK officer, are at present staying m Wellington Mr- Ellis is an artist of considerable abiht> ana Airs Greenwood is a very capable musidS: Mrs. Kingsmill is also at present in Wellington Mr Charles Wilson, the new Parliamentary Librarian, received a very handsome testimonial from the proprietors and literary staff of the INew z-ea land Times," a* a social entertainment on Monday evening Progressive euchre filled up the early hours of the evening, after which refreshments and dancing en—wl the attention of the ™est" A novelty in connection with the euchre playing was that each playei Sew as a norn de guerre the name of Mime man or woman famous vi history, ua"t or present When the players began o shift from one table to another some Aery extraordinary partnerships weTe brought about. Thus General French met Maior Madocks in friendly rhX m1«1o Mrs. Shakespeare and Mr C'rome sat beside Mark Twain and Robert Burns Such anachronisms, iTowever, did not appear to distress the n avers On the contrary, they often Save rse to hearty laughter. . Miss Randall and Mr Hill sang during the evening. The piosentation from the proprietor to Air WiKon was a silver tea service vTith an oak and silver tray, suitabh mscribed. The literary staff gave him a walking stick As editor of the "Mail " Mr Wilson will be much missed, and the directors will have great di^enlty in gettincc a man to fill his shoes. Talking of iournalists reminds me that Mr P Nolan is coming back to the staff of the "New Zealand Times, f,om the Chnstohurch "Press. 1 More than one man has gone from the "Times" to the "Press," but it is not often the change is the other way about. Mr. Nolan, however, did not settle down to Christchurch His old friends will be glad to see him back again. # Young, charming, and dowered h^ the gracious Fates with a marvellous

voice truly Miss Hollander is foitrnate Her first introduction to Wellington was at an "At Home" in. the Art Gallery, organised by her picturesque manager, Mr. Bethune. The girl in the muslin frock, , with the creamy complexion and brown eyes, captmed her audience as soon as she had sung a few notes. She is so utterly unconscious, and has no platform tucks. She only stands and sings, with her pretty chin uplifted, and gives a tiny toss of licr dark head at. times to emphasize her words. Her voice is delightful — indeed, phenomenal. It does, not lose in sweetness for all its wonderful strength, and m her last sonec, a dreamy cradle-song, bv Arthur Somerville, her soft notes were exquisitely caressing. Mr. Bethune should be — as he evidently is— proud of his pupil, for she shows what a teacher he mu=t be. One of her sonps was composed by Mr. Bethune. He nlaved the accompaniment to Miss Hollander's singing, and the result was perfect. Miss Mount, Miss Vartha, and Mr. Kilburn Heron also assisted. The latter has a charming voice. A most acceptable and unexpected item on the programme was afternoon tea. Amoner those who were present were Mrs. Tolhurst, Mrs. Pynsent Mrs and Miss Stowe, Mrs. Findlav. Mrs. Stott, Miss Richmond, Mrs. and Miss Quick, the Misses Williams, Madame Mere Mrs. Prouso and Miss Prouse, Mrs. and Miss Mount, Mr. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Westmacott, Mrs. Medley, Mrs. and the Missess Stafford, Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Butt, Mrs. Parker, and Mrs. W. R. E. Brown. On Wednesday forenoon a most enjoyable tea at the D.I C. was given by Mrs. Stott, who asked a number of people to meet Miss Hollander, the youna singer that has already won such golden opinions here. The quests were Mrs. and Miss Hollander, Mrs. Findlay, Mrs. Dv^- Mr. and Miss Quick, Mr and Mrs Westmacott (Sydney), Mrs Kendall, Mrs. Hales, Mr. and Mrs. Ross, Miss Tolhurst, Miss Williams, and Mr. Hodson Mrs. Stott wore blue muslin with white lace, Mrs. Hollander black and white and Miss Hollander, grey with a wide white hat. Yours tiuly. Phillida.