HERE AND THERE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2089, 24 January 1896, Page 5

HERE AND THERE.

The present week has been a particularly festive one. What with picnics, banquets, and the Govenor'a atrival, our lime has been fully occupied. On Tuesday the Church of England held their annual Sunday school picnic at Bench Bay. The weather was simph glorious; it was, I believe, the finest day of the season, and quite a number of people embraced the oppoitunity and had a capital day's outing. The Presbyterian Sunday achool picnic, which followed on Wednesday at Bob's Cove, was not so well patronised as usual, on account of its being too soon after the preceding one, as few care to undertake the fatigues two days in succession. The morniog was very unpleasant, and a boisterous gale arose just before the boat left, which prevented a number going aboard at the last moment; but notwithstanding threatening aspect, a goodly crowd braved the difficulty and set sail. However, as the day advanced the wind fell, and it became very pleasant, soYhat the proceedings went off quite briskly. An abundance of good things was provided by the mothers. At the sports keen competition was shown for the various prizes. The married women's race was very exciting and keenly contested, and the victor was in exuberant spirits for the rest of the day. The youngsters were in their element, and returned very tired, but thoroughly satisfied with their day's amusement. Sufficient cakes, etc. were left over to give the children a spread on Thursday afternoon in the church, and quite a little army rolled up to get rid of the superfluous dainties. By the way, the Freemasons have been having a big time of it this week. It is customary with them, to give something in the way of an entertainment after the installation of the Worshipful Master every year. Last year it took the foru of a ball, and this year of a banquet. It is said that lookers-od see the best of the game. Perhaps that is true —it ought to be in a sense, as onlookers are generally freer from the prevailing excitement attached to any particular game than the partakers—besides, being an onlooker tends to make description easier and recollection clearer, to my idea. There is certainly less fear of abfuscation of the brain. About nine o'clock on Tuesday evening the commodious dining room at Mrs M'Bride's Family Hotel presented quite a brilliant spectacle. Walls were tastefully decorated with pictures and mirrors prettily draped with delicately tinted art muslin that clung softly to the frames and had a charming effect. Here and there were decorations of green branches, amongst which were almost hidden choice flowers and grasses. Tiny brackets with dainty little illusion lamps also gave the walls quite a brilliant appearance. The table, with its beautiful large centre-piece of flowers, fairly groaned beneath its burden of delicacies. There was almost everything that one could imagine to tempt and please the most capricious. I declare I quite longed to be a mason—for the time being at least. The hearty manner in which the repast was partaken of was sufficient guarantee in itself as to its quality. Amongst the numerous compliments I heard the hostess receive, wesone to the effect that everything tasted as well as it looked, and that was certaiuly saying a good deal. The after-dinner speeches were a well, I was just going to say a novelty, and think I w ill leave it at that, for they really were a novelty. Not being a mason myself a great portion, spoken in an unknown tongue as it were, was lost upon me ; but that which 1 j did understand was pithy, witty, and highly amusing. Mr Geisow (or should I say Bro. Geiiow ?) proposed the health of the hostess in a few delicate and well suited remarks, and Mr W. Wilson responded on her behalf. Ido not know who proposed the health of the ladies, but Mr (I beg pardon Brother) Brernner, of Brackens Gully, responded, and I am sure if the ladies had only heard him they would call down numberless blessings upon his good old head. He handled his difficult subject so skillfully that he trod upon nobody's corns. Numerous other masonic toasts were given and wittily responded to. The singing part of the programme was splendid. A number of visiting members were present, two of whom were hosts in themselves. One was a gentleman num§d Bree from Gore, tbe other a Mr Carrol tvnayor of Stony Creek) a broth of a boy, teeming with Irish wit and good humour, and an abundant supply of good old Irish songs. Bro. B's first contributisn was a huge success and was very suitable, being thoroughly masonic. I don't know its title, but at the conclusion I was quite convinced that as " Daddy is a mason we need never fear thed-il." Bro M'Gregor was heard to advantage in " Marguerite" and another characteristic song. Bro. C. Dagg dutifully assisted his " lassie tae biing hame the kye." But on the whole, I fancy the local members were fighting shy of the talent displayed by their \is ting brethren, as they left them n-os- if the work to do. Br). Jopp fiom Arrow, begged to be excused on the score of having forgotten his music, and he made it a point, he said, of never singing without it. Bro. G. F. Gibb and " Tim Flaheiitee "fell foul of each other lately, so that he was obliged to tender his apologies. Bro. Gilmoui's intentions were good, but unfortunately another brother unknowingly jumped his claim, so that he also had to be scratched for his little event. Bro. Bree's second song, another masonic production, was a gem entitled "Give me the sign, John." I needn't say anything of the song the 'title speaks for itself. Bro. Carrol's original discriptive song of the Irish chastening was very droll and sent everyone into convulsions of laughter ; it was so long and so rapid, that it reminded me of an organ grinder running it out. Bro. Bree's sweet tenor voice quite cipti vated us all with his capital rendering of "The dear little Shamrock." The meeting closed at quite a respectable hour with " Auld Lang Syne," and "God save the Queen "'—Bro. Bree pronouncing the benediction—is that a masonic term for it, I wonder ? if not I must beg to be excused and ask the Graud Superintendent, for the future benefit of the public, kindly to "give me the sign." On Wednesday afternoon the Masonic contingent, manfully snaking off the effects of their previous night's disipation, departed in one of Mr Dagg's waggonettes, drawn by three beaatiful greys, for Arrowtown, where they held another meeting—not a banquet, simply a business arrangement, I did not hear the particulars, but I ce. ta uly did bear their return in the early hours. I am sure theQueenstown Gorge reverberated. Never was "Marching thro' Georgia" sung so lustily. I reluctantly came to the conclusion that " Mason's in their pleasures had some dealings with tbe deil," and could not help thinking of the tight fitting tin hat each of tbem would w ear is the morning. And so our streets have not been Bwept in vain. His Excellency the Governor has arrived. The towns-people, with the valuable assistance of the band, gave him a very nice reception. Still there wis little or no excitement visible. In the olden days the visit of a governor was bailed with delight {it served as an excuse for having a real good time). The moat intense excitment would prevail mothers pressed babes to their breasto and fathers pressed—whisky to their lips, and sallied forth in shoals at the advent of a governor, much less a real live lord to boot. Bat we are becoming more matter-of-fact in these degenerate days. So, with the exception of cleaning up a bit and making things look ship-shape, and decorating io the way of flags, it would never strike a stranger tbat any thing unusual was going on. We must hope, however, that providence will deal kindly and give us something better in the line of weather than we have had lately so that our many attractions for the tourist may be seen to advantage, thus making bis Excellency's visit an enjoyable and beneficial one. Willow Wasd.