A LADY’S LETTER FROM WESTPORT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 933, 17 January 1890, Page 20

A LADY’S LETTER FROM WESTPORT.

(from our correspondent.) January 8. The old year died and the new year dawned—in Westport at least—amid wildly, tempestuous weather ; so cold was it, indeed, as the fierce south-west squalls of wind and hail swept over the town, that one gladly donned a fur coat before venturing forth' into the bitter night, wondering as we did so whether a few stray icebergs had drifted down from the South Pole iu the direction of our shores, chilling with their icy breath the summer warmth into almost arctic coldness. And surely nothing more weird could well be imagined, when, as the last stroke of midnight died away, the fire-bell rang loudly, lightning flashed, the thunder roared, the band played, and above all the clangor of strange commingling sound, there came at intervals the swift rush and sharp resonant crack of the guncotton rock ets. And amid, all this wild uproar the glad New Year was with us, and Ave knew that the griefs, joys,, and disappointments of the past had vanished Avith the departed year, a renewed faith in the future coming to us with the advent of the new. Let us hope that the present year may prove one of steady progress to the Colony at large, and of prosperily to all the deserving ones who have made for themselves a home in these fair isles of the Southern seas. The holidays have passed pleasantly enough Avith us, and people are now settling doAvn to steady work again. A large number of Westportians have visited the Dunedin Exhibition since the opening, and a fair sprinkling of tourists from various parts of the world have recently revelled . in the beauties of the Buller Valley, which, as it becomes better known, will undoubtedly prove one of the great attractions of New Zealand. Among other eutertainmeuis last week may be numhered a short season of two nights given by (bo P.i.yno Family at the Princess Theatre. Of course they had croivdt'd houses, and, after the second night, bade farewell to the West Coast. An amateur concert Avas given during the holidays in aid of St. Canice’s School fund ; but, unfortunately, on the night appointed, the Aveather Avas one of our Avorst “ samples,” and after a walk of about a mile through sloppy streets, with heavy showers falling at intervals, one felt that the singing of seraphs would hardly compensate for the discomfort of sitting for a couple of hours in damp clothing, jyl.oreover, a huge building, constructed entire! v 0 f corrugated iron, and unlined, is not the best possible place in which to enjoy a musical entertainment, especially when the sounds of I'Q.in create such a terrific uproar upon the roof qf the theatre that you cannot even hear the Rounds proceeding from the piano, on iv.hich & ypung lady battles bravely with her number, jin defiance of the demoniacal clatter created by the storm. However, the singing of the remarkably well-trained school children was in itself a treat. little girl, after singing a duet with a boy friend, came out and sang a solo, •‘• s Tlje fisherman’s child,” so sweetly that she was promptly recalled, and although some of the best local amateurs in the town sang at intervals —when the weather per-

mitted them to be heard—still Miss Heffernan’s pupils were the great attraction. I have lately received from the author, Miss Isabel M. Broad, of Nelson, a copy or a capital cookery book, containing for the most part excellent recipes adapted to the materials obtainable in the Colony, especially dealing Avith the cookery of New Zealand fish and birds. It is dedicated to Lady Onslow, and as the Countess no doubt appreciates dainty cooking quite as much as her untitled friends, she will, 1 am sure, approve Miss Broad’s serviceable little volume. And speaking of books reminds me that a valuable addition of about 540 strongly-bound and carefully selected volumes has just been made to the very meagre stock of standard literature which previously adorned the shelves m the library of our new Athenaeum, Avhich, by the way, is a handsome structure, containing a fine reading room, free to all Avho care to occupy their leisure hours in studying the best newspapers and periodicals of the present day. There is a school of mines and a chess and draughts room also in connection with the Athenaeum, and Avorks by the best authors iu the various fields of history, biography, science, philosophy, poetry and fiction, all now find a place upon the list of books. The public have therefore every indue ment offered them to become subscribers to a most useful institution, the success of Avhich is mainly due tc the efforts of the able and energetie Chairman of the Committee (Mr John Marshall). Social gaieties in the Avay of private entertainments have recently included both dancing and linking parties, the changeable Aveather admitting the indulgence in both forms of amusement Avith perfect ■ comfort. And now we are all looking forAvard with something very like a flutter of anticipatory delight to a special celebration party, to be given near the close of this month by members of a family long resident and highly esteemed in the town and district. But, there, I dare not say another word about it at present, as the invitations are not yet out, although, in spite of that, the ladies have, for weeks past, been eagerly whispering to each other the fateful q Uer y ; —“What are you going to wear on the twenty-four li ?” St. John’s Church bazaar Avas such a success, realising over L 270, that tAVO other churches, St. Canice’s and Sc. Andrew’s, are already in the field, announcing their intention to hold similar entertainments next Christmas in connection Avith their respective establishments. It is a pity though, for two bazaars Avould be one too many for Westport, and would probably lead to the partial failure of both.