DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 48, 29 November 1890, Page 11

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, November 13. The compositor will get me into trouble if he is too funny. When he makes me say, * And now to return to my sheep,' instead of subject, and then gives a long list of names, I rejoice that a num de plume shields me. Our weather has been rougher and more tempestuous than it was in the very middle of winter. All last week was terrible, every gutter was a rivulet, and the creeks were rushing, roaring streams. Hail and snow mixed itself with the rain, and everyone looked shivering and cold. It spoilt the public holiday, for although it did not rain in the bountiful sheets of water we are growing accustomed to, the wind was high and cold, the sky stormy, and frequent showers put a damper on outside enjoyment. The opening of the new Tennis Court at Roslyn met with the same fate that doomed Carisbrook and the Otago Club—■ it had to be postponed. These things are very trying to lady correspondents, for we are at the mercy of the weather as far as the costumes are concerned.

In my last letter I omitted to mention, in regard to the Catholic Literary Society’s evening, that Mr Holly, the secretary, who has worked very hard in connection with it, was the recipient of a handsome album of New Zealand views and the photographs of the members, which was presented to him previous to the social. Messrs Schoular and Chisholm kindly provided the handsome furniture for the occasion.

The Harvey Brothers are doing very fair business, but after the treats of the immediate past one feels disposed to be critical.

The Otago Art Society have a very good display of Sictures this year, a number of ladies being on the list, liss Wimperis comes first with a pretty little bit of natural scenery, ‘Neat Akaroa.’ ‘The Hen Wife,’ by Miss F. Hodgkins, depicts a woman standing at the door of her cottage feeding the poultry. A more ambitious attempt is by Mrs Davidson, ‘ Blueskin Bay,’ in very delicate ■colours. There are some pretty apple blossoms by Miss Hodgkins, ‘ The Interior of a Welsh Cottage ’ by Mrs Morice, and a lovely purple Iris by Miss Kenyon. Mrs Joachim exhibits a cliff at Long Beach, Purakanui ; Miss J. Wemperis, Mount Ernshaw from Glenorchy ; and Miss Hodgkins, among the flower exhibits, has some very natural wallflower, also some Christmas roses. A portrait by Miss G. J. Joel, a ‘ Bend of the Waitaki River ’ by Mrs Davidson, and a dear little ‘ Bend in the Road ’ (Surrey) by Mrs Morice. There are some very natural Japonicas by Miss M. Bauchop, and an exquisite bunch of Primroses by Miss Salmond; also a bunch of blossoms by Miss Flora Ross ; some Chrysanthemums by Miss Flora Ross; and a large picture, ‘ God Knows Best,’ by Miss G. J. Joel; ‘ From My Window,’ by Miss McDougal; some pretty conservatory blossoms by Miss M. C. Edmond ; ‘An Old Man’s Head,’ by Miss Grace Joel ; ‘ Waiting for His Mates,’ by Miss Hodgkins. Miss Kenyon has also exhibited some pretty Marguerites. There is a lovely decorative panel by Miss A. Beal ; ‘ Sunset on the Sands,’ by Miss M. W. Horne. Mr J. H. Scott and Mr A. Colquhon are among many other gentleman exhibitors. There are close on ninety working members, and a large number of exhibitors, and ■among the men there are some large and handsome pictures. The catalogue in itself is a small work of art, got up by J. Wilkie, the lithographs being specially well done. Mr Arthur McKinnon was presented by the railway goods officers of Port Chalmers with a very handsome clock on the occasion of his wedding, Mr A. Dale, the stationmaster, making the presentation. Another little ceremony was the closing for the season of the Cargill Road Mutual Improvement Society. The Rev. J. Spence added greatly to the evening’s enjoyment, and among other contributors to the general fund of amusement were Miss Palmer, the Misses Sears and Rainsforth, Messrs Laing and Paque, Cole, Battons, Miss Woods, Mr Beideman, Miss A. Tily, ana Mr S. Garland. Some of these sang and some recited.

St Andrew’s Church was crowded on the occasion of the organ recital by our old favourite, Mr A. J. Barth, the proceeds of which were for the organ fund of the church. Mr Barth contributed five organ solos, each of which was admirably played. Other items were furnished by Messrs A. L. N. McLean, A. Hunter, and H. G. Chinn, the choir also assisting. Mr McLean contriluted a beautifully played violin solo, which won for him a double recall. Arthur Gounod’s ‘ Nazareth ’ was greatly appreciated, as it deserved to be. Also ‘To the Great God ’ (Rossini), ‘ Kyrie Eleison,’ and ‘ Praise ye Jehovah.’ The bazaar at the Young-street Congregational Church was held a day or two ago, and was as pretty qs bazaars generally are. There were three main stalls bearing evidence of plenty of willing hands combined with good taste. The ladies who presided were Mesdames Wallace, Bain, King, Daniels, Grey, Barnett, and Manley, and Misses Donkin,

M’lntyre,Freeman,Manly, Paul, Abraham, Sharp, Mitchel, Swan, and Barr. There was an electric stall under the care of Mr R. C. Jones, which proved a great attraction. Mis Sinclair and Mr Binney superintended the shooting gallery, and during the week the following ladies presided at the piano :—The Misses Evans, Brown, Mitchell, Swan, Abernethy, Nicholls, Thurqarland, Jones, Messrs Nimmo, Faulkner, Eberhardt and Searl. At the meeting of the Jubilee Convalescent Committee Mrs Dymock was voted to the chair. This Society is for sending patients who are too jroor to afford it to the country for change of air. The Hon. Mrs Oliver, Mrs A. W. Monies (who left for England some time ago), Mrs Woodhouse, Mrs (Dr.) Colquhon, Miss Barton, Mesdames D. Ross, Carew, Webster and Miss Brodley, all have taken an interest in this humane object. Cricket is to receive an impetus in Dunedin, Mr J. C. Lawton, the ‘ coach ’ engaged by Mr Harper while in England, having arrived, and the Clubs are pieparing to put themselves under his instructions. The Taieri Races were only attended by those who could endure anything in the way of weather. It really was a terrible day, and out at the taieri there is no shelter of any sort. Some men, however, for the sake of proving how very very little their best and most private ‘ tips ’ amount to, will put up with anything in the way of weather. I was not there. I knew better. I went once, just such another day, and three kind-hearted gentlemen wrapped me in their coats, one coat above the other. Only my eyes and nose were visible, yet my teeth chattered. However, to have been in the dividend that was given, over £9O, I would have endured more. Mis Rose, Misses Ethel and Dolly Jones, and Mrs W. Mill were among the ladies present on the course. I was at the opening of the Kaituna Bowling and Tennis grounds. There was a great crowd of visitors, and Mr J. Roberts, the Mayor, presided at the opening ceremony, making an appropriate speech. Mr G. P. Farquhar is president, and Mr R. S. Williams secretary, Messrs Willis and Butts being vice-presidents. The grounds are situated in Serpentine Avenue, near Mornington, and present a charming appearance, nestling in a sheltered nook at the foot of a hill. The bowling green and courts were of the loveliest green, and the grass being in perfect order after the rains. There are broad smooth promenades and comfortable committee rooms, and a marquee had been erected for the ladies, where the nicest possible tea was dispensed with other delicacies. There was a good show of dresses, but lighter costumes would have been worn had the weather permitted. Mrs Moody wore a long red cloak with pale green bonnet; Miss Smith, blue serge, and pink floral hat ; Mrs Hales, French grey with black velvet sleeves ; Mtss Hales, very effective red, with black velvet sleeves and yoke ; Mrs Twopenny, green costume; Mrs Stock, black cashmere with large whitehat; Mrs Bachelor, very handsome heliotrope silk ; Mrs Matthews, long mantle of golden brown plush ; Miss Amy Roberts, very stylish grey tweed ; Miss Gilehrisson, French grey with red spots, and black velvet sleeves ; Mrs Oatway, lovely gown of heliotrope with cream lace bertha, cream and heliotrope hat ; Miss Hubert Le Cren, very stylish heliotrope gown with velvet sleeves ; Miss Webster, fawn and brown check, with brown velvet shoulders and sleeves ; Mrs Wells, pale green gown, black silk mantle and black and white bonnet; Mrs Macdonald, costume of brown ; Miss Popplewell, green ; Mrs Hislop, pale green and grey check with green sleeves; Miss Baird, fawn, flecked with grey ; Mrs Scott, heliotrope gown ; and Mrs Hornsby, shrimp pink silk ; Miss Baxter, blue velvet ; Mrs Fulton, brown and blue tweed, with bonnet of blue forget-me-nots ; Mrs Rattray, very handsome long mantle of black brocade; Miss Turton, pretty light check ; Mrs Moor, handsome costume of black ; Miss McNiel, black gown and floral hat of pansies. At the Foresters’ Sports there was a baby show, which, of com se, proved attractive. There were fourteen entries. The first prize. £2 2s, was carried off by Mrs O’Brien ; the second, a cloak and hood presented by Messrs A. and T. Inglis, was won by Mrs M. Quillan, Mrs Cameron taking third.

At the Protestant Alliance Sports there was another baby show. The proud and happy winners were Mrs Holland, Mrs Gevde. Mrs Jordan, and" Mrs Harrison.

Maude.