BLENHEIM.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9816, 27 August 1897, Page 2

BLENHEIM.

August 31. Progressive euchre is still in favour here and a very pleasant evening was spent with Mrs J. B. Green, last Thursday, when that game was the means of making the time fly all too quickly. Ihe first prizes fell to Miss Josephine Horton and Mr Hildreth Smith, the second on« 3to Miss Khoda Barnett and Mr A. Ward. The artistic decoration of the supper table, and the varied and dainty viands disposed thereon, excited notice and appreciation. Those present were Mrs Green, Mrs Orr, Mrs B. Clouston, and the Misses Bull (2), L. Home, Harley (2), M. No.worthy, Green (2), Ward, and Messrs H. Stovve, Ward, Mirams, L. Home, Green (2), Orr, Mabin, C. MacShane, &c. The fact of a lady opening the debate at the meeting of the Debating Society last Friday was the cause of such an augmentation of the audience that the smaller of the two rooms was inadequate for its accommodation, therefore, at the last moment, a move was made to the larger. Miss Pearce's contention that too much prominence is given by the young tnen of the present day to athletics, to the neglect of mental culture, was supported by many arguments, which she expressed in a pithy, conciao speech, her antagonist, Mr C. McShane, bringing forward many good reasons for athletic pursuits, but, in the opinion, mo refutation of her charges. Mr Jenkins and Mr Adams ranged themselves on the affirmative side, and Messrs Campbell, Hall, K. Moore, Chaplin and Ottereon on the opposition. It was an interesting debate, which also had its amueing features. A mock election will be held at the next meeting, at an interval of a fortnight, the usual one being posponed on account of the Bachelors' Ball taking place that night. We shall miss many familiar faces shortly as many changes are to like place. Mr Snodgrass is to-leave on Monday, having been promoted from the managership of the Bank of New Zealand here, to that of the bank at Ashburton. Mrs Snodgrass will first go to Tauranga, where her parents reside, before joining Mr Snodgrass in Ashburton. Miss Simpson (Tauranga) who has been visiting Mrs Snodgrass will leave at the same time for Napier. Mr Hildreth Smith, having given up his post in the Loan and Mercantile is leaving for the Thames next week, and Mr Bert Green has been promoted to the Taviuni, and proceeds to Auckland at the same time. Mies Pasley goes home to Gisborne on Tuesday, and the Misses Fell, who have been spending a few weeks here, return to Picton on Saturday accompanied by Miss Cotterell. Mrs J. Duncan, of Wellington, is making a visit to Mrs Bright, and will also go to Lansdowne to stay with Mrs G. Watta. A conversazione is to be held in Ewart s Hall, on Saturday evening, in honour of Mr and Mra Snodgrass, songs and charades being added. An enjoyable time is anticipated, as evei?y effort is being made to make it a success. A surprise progressive party invaded Mrs Carey's house last evening, but the surprise was not complete, and sundry preparations had been made. As all the lady visitors contributed to the refreshments, they were of a varied nature. Buttonholes were provided for each lady, duplicates of which were given to the gentlemen, partners being thus .\rranged. The guests were the Misses Pasley, Cotterell, Mabin, B. Farmar, Simpson (Tauranga), Bull (2), Johnston, L. Home, Pell (2), Harding E. Carey, and Messrs Mabin, H. Horton, Stowe, H. Dymook, A. MicShane, Stubbs, Mirams, B. Green, and Cjnril Carey. Later in the evening Miss Simpson played, and Mr Mirame and Mise Mildred Fell sang. Elice.