HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2105, 13 June 1907, Page 4

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

By “Penelope.” Wellington. SOCIAL NOTES. By the last Sydney boat, tho Moeraki, left Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rhodes, for a four months’ visit to Australia. Mrs. Preston, too, went by the same boat, and will stay some time in Sydney, and Miss Lukin, elder daughter of the Evening Post editor, is on a holiday trip to New South Wales and Western Australia. Mrs. Milner, of Timaru, is visiting her father, Mr. Georgo, of Kelburnc. Miss Fenwick, of Dunedin, has been staying in Wellington just now, and Mrs. Greenwood and her daughter, Mrs. Jack Wright, of Dunedin, aro in town. Miss Nancarrow is another Christchurch visitor, a guest of Miss Harcourt’s. Mrs. Wylie has returned from her visit to Rotorua, but Miss Skerrctt—who is a guest of Mrs. Lyons, Parnell—and Mrs. Prouse, are still enjoying the milder climate of the Northern City. There has been much natural interest in the names of the two new aides to tho Governor, and thoir names have just been announced—tho Hon. Nigel Gathorno-Hardy and * Lieut. Lyon. Wo are thankful for the Honorable, though we would have preferred a larger titlo. There was a time when, in attendance on Lord Rnnfurly, there was a real Viscount, who now has developed into a Duke. But—apart from titles, which for a democratic community we dearly love—the aides can make an infinite difference to Government House functions, and there are exciting possibilities in two fresh samples. The Hon. GathornoHardy has already a small connection with New Zealand, for his elder brother married one of Lord Glasgow’s daughters. Mrs. Burnett and one of her boys went South to Dunedin last week. Miss Linda McLean is in Auckland visiting her aunt.

THE WEEDING OF THE WEEK. This >yas undoubtedly that of Miss Jessie Hapjiali, who married Mr. Haslam, manager of the Jarrah Timber Company, Though the ceremony took place at the house of Mr. Hannah, who owns a large hoot shop business, has a very large and handsome house on one of the Terraces—all the arrangements were most elaborate, and file frocks exquisite. The lovely -wedding-gown worn by the slender, tall, golden-haired bride, was of finest .crepe de chine, inset with costly Irish point, a court train of brocade hanging from the shoulders by silver cord and tassels, and the soft folds of crepe and lace on the bodice being caught by tiny silver buttons and a large rose of silver gauze. The three bridesmaids were charming in lilac silk gauze over glace and white hats, with mauve roses and ospreys. The bride and bridegroom wont to Sydney for their honeymoon. The wedding of Miss May Seddon to Mr. Knox Gilmer takes place next month, when Mrs. Seddoif jnovcs into her new house, which is a most prominent and picturesque feature of Molpsworth Street. It looks very large, and has many gables and quaint windows, and a roof covered with the vivid Marseilles tiles. It is said the Hon. Dr. Findlay may probably move into the late Premier’s residence. MUSIC AND POETRY.

Those who aver that Wellington is hopelessly unmusical might have reconsidered their verdict last Friday evening, when our Town Hall—the largest hall here, which is, as a rule, sadly difficult to fill—was crowded to listen to Hiawatha, Longfellow’s melodious words set to quaint Indian harmonies, by Coleridge Taylor. The soloists included Madame Emily Briggs, of Wanganui, whose clear soprano was overweighted by tlie orchestra, and Air. Hamilton Hodges, the negro baritone, from Auckland. Tlie latter is a great favorite here, and merits all praise. His solos were exquisitely sung, especially tlie farewell of the Chief to the dead Minnehaha. Mr. Parker wielded the baton over a most imposing chorus and orchestra of 250 persons. Mr. Andrew Black, Premyslnv, the wonderful violinst, and Rosina Buckman, made a fine trio, arid yet failed to draw large audiences. For one thing they managed to strike most appalling weather, when evon Carreno herself might fail to tempt folk from their own fireside. This most captivating and famous pianisto will soon be here. In-Australia she has created quite a furore, and charmed as much by her personality as her genius. She is a Spanish South American with a delightful Italian husband, and three daughters. The

younger two go to school in Melbourne,'and the eldest, who is iiiso an accomplished pinnisto, travels with her mother.

A RED INDIAN. CHIEF. - Apropos I 'of Tl'iiiwhtha, T had ■ tho pleasure 'of drinking-afternoon tea a day or two ago with a chief of ono of tho most important Indian tribes, 110 was dressed in a tweed suit, tan boots, and tho latest in groou ties,' instead of bead-embroi-dered buckskin, waiupiiii, and leathers, and we called him Dr. Bell, and knew him us-the head of tho Geological Survey Department, v Dr. Bell claims a descent from tho Princess Pochontas, and has boon installed with all Indian ceremony into tho chieftainship of his tribe. In his magnificent Indian costume—tlio full dross of a brave is much moro imposing than that of a colonial Governor —ho looks splendid, his slender erectuoss, and clear-cut features enhancing the picturosquc costume. On tho walls of his study hung various Indian curios. A buckskin jerkin was decked with most wonderful boadwork in patterns that date from tho time when tho Indians migrated from tho Aleutian Islands. Next it hang -an elaborate garter, also exquisitely embroidered, and a gun-case of soft leather, fringed and decorated. A strip of warnpun—l had a misty idea before that warnpun was “dried meat —came next. This is bead-embroid-ery on leather, and each bead, of minute size, is made from the whorl ol a shell. This used to represent money in the good old days of the noble savage. Close by was a beautiful tobacco-pouch, still filled with Indian tobacco, which, by the way, is minbled with the dried leaf of the red willow.

Dr. Bell has a well-known brother-in-law, Mr. East lake, tho Royal Academician, and his younger sister married Mr. Lowe, the alpine climber who nearly lost his life in our mountains. This month Dr. Bell goes for a trip to Canada. Ho takes with him Mr. Jack Clark, who was tho wellknown guide at the Hermitage, and who was ono of the party of three New Zealanders to first ascend Mt Cook.

THE JULIUS KNIGHT CO. This is doing as great business with its second play, “Raffles,” as it did with Robin Hood. Indeed, most prefer the former for its modern setting and exciting plots, and let it be whispered as woman to woman —for its ravishing toilettes. Notwithstanding the really lovely gowns that are worn by the women, Air. Julius Kflight’s own up-to-date costume has been more noted. For the benefit of those men who aim at being welldressed, but are not aware of what is really being worn at London, I append a catologuo of his garments. A grey flannel-striped suit was made with a bob-tailed coat, very accented as to the waist, and very full as to tho skirts, which fell in pleats. The waistcoat was chamois leather, the tie lavender, and the shirt pink linen, while the tan boots completed a striking color-liarmony. A most lovely opera cloak of green chiffon velvet was worn by Miss Elbert-Ort-on. It had embroideries of an ermine collar, and was very full, one end being tossed across the opposite shoulder, and the clinging material falling in graceful folds.

THE BRITISH PICTURES. I had the pleasure of meeting Air. Longdeu last week. He was the director of the British- art collection, and he is leaving New Zealand delighted with the sales effected, the country, and the people, who—as ho puts it,, have given him a “rattling good time.” Fifteen thousand pounds worth of pictures were sold during the Exhibition, and fifteen hundred pounds’ worth since—a record for our little colony. Mr. Longdeu is a most fascinating talker ,with a keen sense of humor, and the gift of telling an excellent story. He is himself a fine artist, and has secured various sketches of New Zealand scenery which lie hopes to make pictures of later. He arrived in Wellington on Sunday —just too late, to his huge disappointment—for the earthquake, an experience ho longed to add to his memories of New Zealand.