Town and Country

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 11, 24 December 1925, Page 12

Town and Country

Events and Topical Notes JOYOUS CHRISTMAS SEASON. Christmas time is essentially a children’s time. It is full of thrills for them, for holiday feeling is in the air. and possible Christmas presents loom ahead as hoped for realizations of things long longed for in vain. And the children realise that they too. in their turn crave to give presents and pleasure to others. The spirit of goodwill is abroad. Those who can do so. have sent presents to the sick and sorry in hospitals, and remember children’s homes and other institutions which rely so largely on the kindness of the public. And the spirit of giving is growing, though people may not give large amounts they help in small ways as they can, for now with telephones and good newspapers, requirements are more generally known. Christmas in New Zealand is also a time of rest and recuperation. Coming as it does in summer time the holidays are arranged at that time of year for the busy workers, whereas hi England, the month of May is the chosen time, and so, Christinas, to our people, means a happy holiday when friendships can bo renewed, and vitality bo stored up from open-air life on our New Zealand beaches and playgrounds, for the busy year ahead. It is the general opinion this year among the women that the shops in Hastings have never been more attractive. or so brimming with dainty and tempting gifts, and each day this week they have been crowded with people anxious to get just the right thing for the right person, and all ready as far as each can to show their “goodwill towards men.”

HONOURS FOR HAVELOCK

Airs Preston-Thomas, of Havelock, whos© baby girl had the honour of being one of the two children chosen by the judges during the National Baby Week in London, to represent New Zealand at Wembley, has received advice from London that the habv’s photograph has been on view in the New Zealand pavilion at the British Empire Exhibition since July. With the photograph Airs Preston-Thomas had to send detailed answers, guaranteed by a doctor, to a long and searching list of questions on the child’s fitness, health and general stamina: and as by the answers the child proved to be as nearly as possible physically perfect, the judges awarded her the position of honour. $ ak $ $

THE MARDI GRAS.

The Alardi Gras in Napier will he the big attraction on Boxing Day. 'This fete has now been held for about twelve years, and from its earliest beginning has been a success. It seemed a big undertaking when, the pioneer band of the “30.000 Club” started it. Air. H. Al. Didsbury bringing the idea and title from India, where there is a great festival on the same lines. It is a public benefit to have a general mqrry-making on a holiday like this; it gives townspeople and visitors alike the chance of forgetting lor once the English selfconsciousness, amid the fun of a general gala day. * * * *

PARKE ISLAND. A party of Hastings residents were greatly impressed a day or two ago. on visiting Parke Island. A lovely drive through the country roads and vineyards ot Greenmeadows leads to the beach behind Parke Island, and on mounting the lull there are the most wonderful views of the surrounding country. From north, south, ©ast and west the lovely plains, hills, and son coast of Hawke’s Bay stretch forth in noble panorama round th© little island.

STEAMER TRIALS. AIAL-DE-MAR AND MUSIC. Complaints are made by steamer travellers of the “piano playing fiend" who begins to play the piano loudly aiid aggressively when the early birds on the boat wish to get to sleep to avoid being ill. While sympathising with those who have to slumber to keep well, and while also being sorry for the mothers with infants to quieten, it Ln idly seems fair to prevent any harmless tun which will take the mind of the good travellers from the tedium of the journey, and it seems also just a little arbitary to agree with one suggestion that “the musical one like Jouah should be thrown overboard.” # * # # BEES. "Oh do give them a mix-up” said a small girl at a picnic a day or two ago on being shown a somnolent swarm oi bees hanging from a branch. So an obliging boy shook the bough with gusto and most of the bees fell or flow off, revealing underneath a conical piece of new comb. It is not an infrequent sight to see these swarms about in Hawke’s Bay. At a distance the uniniated would take them for a dark mass of wood or other stationary object, but those who have ever disturbed them and been stung approach the busy colonists with exceeding caution. * * JF ♦ Airs R. D. Fox-Rogers, who resided here for som© time, was staying in Hastings last week. Airs G. R. Beamish has returned from New Plymouth accompanied by her sister, Aliss Humphries. Air and Airs G. H. Lloyd motor to Palmerston after Christmas for a few days. * ♦ ♦ Afiss Alma Sandtmann (Napier - ) is going to AVaikaremoana for a fortnight’s holiday accompanied by Aliss Molly Burnett. Aliss Bogle. Havelock, is spending the summer at Queenstown. Aliss Nancy Fannin is leaving shortly for Tokomaru Bay. Air and Airs E. B. Waddington and their little son, with Airs Hyslop. will motor to Taupo for the Christmas holidays. Airs Preston-Thomas, - f Havelock, and her small daughters are staying in New Plymouth. Airs Boxer is taking hop family to Nelson for tlio holidays. Air and Airs Roger Greenwood and family, who have been lor onio months in Havelock, have taken a house at Te Awanga for January. * * • The friends of Mr and Airs Burr, of “Nctherton.” will ho glad to hear that Air. Burr is considerably better. Air nnd Mrs Holderness and family arc going to Te Awanga for a month. * * * Aliss Ramsden. of “ Kiimeron.” spent l<jst week-end with Airs (Dr.') AVilson at AVaimarama. Alis Gladys Grant i- spending 'Xma-' with hep •uster, Mrs Thorburn