LATE LADIES’ LETTER.

New Zealand Mail, 8 February 1900, Page 32

LATE LADIES’ LETTER.

LADIES’ TOPICS (BY “ERIE.”) We are getting quite conceited about our Volunteer Battalion and its sayings and doings. While it was in camp last week they must have been flattered at tbe interest the public took in them, and the number of visitors they nad. The officers were exceedingly hospitable and kind in showing the various points of interest of the camp. The evening drills were often watched by hundreds of peopldl who. were amazed that- our volunteers were so clever and up-to-date and altogether military. It is an amusing novelty to see life going on, not by orders, but bugle calls. ihlhesoon “droppedtolsome^pflfhe mean-,; jags. “ Fall inwas obeyedyvith leisurelydignity; “Come to tbe cookhpiuse door,, boys,” met with an entirely opposite' response, for obvious reasons. It Was generally admitted that though a week’s camp is not all beer and skittles (to wit, getting up at half-past 4 o’clock), yet there is a lot of fun to be got out of it as well as the value of the experience the men have had. « * * * * The Saturday’s finale of sports were carried out with immense spirit. Though no notice had been giveu that the soldiers would carry their hats round, yet they collected over £8 for the “Mpre Men Fund” amongst tbe spectators. The sack race had twenty entries, and was extremely exciting and funny, and was much enjoyed by those who were not in it. The Eanfurly Race caused shouts of laughter from the audience. Competitors (in uniform) ran fifty paces, stopped and took off their hats, coals and boots, and ran back to the startingpost. While they were doing so their friends rapidly mixed up their garments as much as they Could. When the competitors came'back theirobject was to sort out their own things, put them on,and get back to the starting-point first. Their boots developed wonderful - obtsinacy in the matter of. not finuing their mates. It was very funny to watch the indignant demands of. owners of stray boots which had already been laced on the wrongful foot, etc. Coats and hats were far simpler matters to adjust. * * * * * On Saturday the ex-pupils of the Convent had a most delightful picnic to the new cottage which has been built at Porirua for the use of the Convent Sisters. It would be a surprise to most people to see what a lovely spot on the t-op of a promontory overlooking the eea had been found for this pretty home. The Rev. Mother and several Sisters accompanied the picnic, and were very charmed with this new and much-needed possession. A coach and several other vehicles conveyed the party to and from the station, and every arrangement had been made for the pleasure of the day. A tired but very happy lot of people returned to town by the evening train, having had altogether a most charming day. No need to add the inevitable photogranher turned up. . . » n * The French warship in the harbour is an object- of considerable interest. Of course all the official visits have been duly and courteously exchanged with the captan and officers. It is a pity the Governor and Lady Ranfurly are absent just while thev are here. ***** The French Consul and the Countess de Court e are to entertain the officers of the Eure at an At Home at their residence:, Fitzherbert terrace, on Wednesday. There are a great number of invitations issued for it. **. # « Mr and Mrs Rolleston lately visited Wellington in the Mokoia on their way to England. * * * * Miss Sybil Maude has gone Home to enter a London Hospital for another year’s training in nursing. Sister Dora (Cotterill) who has been visiting friends in Napier and Wellington, returned to Christchurch on Mondav. * » * - Mrs Halcombe left for Urenui with Mrs R. Beetham on Friday.

g 11 . - . ~ 1 ... : t News was brought to British Columbia by the City of London on her last passage that the position of Britain in the Far East is now being gravely menaced by a collusion on the part of France and Russia in regard to further encroachments in China, while Britain is engaged in the Transvaal. France is extending her boundaries in Kwangchouwan, and, at the same time, Russia is further encroaching in Manchuria and the north. There is also news by the liner of the prospect of war between Russia and Japan. Her officers say that all Japan is now of the opinion that hostilities will break out between these two nations in the spring. Before the steamer left Japan the insular kingdom was buying up great quantities of rice, and even going so far as to make arrangements for transports to make a demonstration in Corea. Great activity prevails on all sides in Japanese circles. A Shanghai report says that Russia has dispatched a fleet of three warships to Masampo, the bone of contention that is now causing the strained relations between the two nations.