NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 48, 29 November 1890, Page 12

NAPIER.

Dear Bee, November 15. Before I begin my letter I wish to apologise for the badly-written and badly-worded epistle I last wrote you. The ‘ truth,’ like * murder,’ must out. I left it till the last minute, or rather half-hour, and then had to scribble to catch the mail. The Amateur Athletic Association have held their sports, and most of the beauty and fashion of Napier were there. The country people, however, were conspicuous by their absence. Mrs Carlile, who gave away the prizes, was attired in brown cashmere, the bodice of which was trimmed with three narrow rows of gold braid, brown hat with Howers ; Miss Chapman, broad checked grey gown, coachman's cape of the same material, black hat; Mrs George Williams, brown braided costume of cashmere, grey Henley jacket and black hat ; Miss Ormond, pretty fawn gown : Miss Cotterill, terra-cotta, black hat ; Miss Rhodes, grey; Miss Frazer, blue ; Miss Hamlin wore a very pretty flowered delaine, cream ground with a pattern of pink and blue flowers over it; Mrs Logan was gowned in her latest Redfern (grey checked tweed), black hat covered with pale pink roses. The Rowing Club have opened their season with the usual procession and races. It was blowing a regular gale at the time, so that perhaps accounted for the fact of so few people being present. Betore the races were over the rain came on heavily, and everyone rushed to the shelter of their cabs and other vehicles, and made for home as quickly as possible. Miss Donnelly wore a terra-cotta cloth, tailor-made double breasted bodice with chamois vest, hat to match ; Mrs Charles Ellisoneuavy blue serge, white chic hat and veil; Miss Hitchings, striped pink and gingham, floral toque; Miss Flossie Bell, wide checkedterra-cottanun’sveiling, whitefancy straw hat with bows of ribbon of the same shade as the dress ; Miss Weber, grey beige, with two bands of black ribbon velvet coming from under the side seams, and fastening with bows and ends of velvet at the waist ; Miss Taylor, pink flowered pongee silk, trimmed with white Vandyke lace round the edge of the skirt, and also the front of the bodice, very pretty black floral toque. Afternoon tea was provided by the Committee for one and all, and being such a blowy, thirsty day, was very acceptable. But 1 am wandering, for I still have one or two more garments to mention. Miss Dicky wore a new flowered gingham of a pretty tint of old rose, bonnet of the same colour trimmed with ribbon to match ; Miss Burden, very stylish costume of green cashmere, vest of velvet to match, and black hat ; I noticed a lady, whom I did not know, in a very becoming sailor costume. I suppose this pretty style of dress is again coming into vogue. Tennis is in full swing now all over Hawke’s Bay. The Farndon Courts have been opened for some time. Yon must know that Farndon is the Club here, and everyone congregates there on Saturday afternoons from all parts of Hawke’s Bay. By the bye, I hear that the present owner of the champion tennis cup of New Zealand (Mr Minden Fenwicke) is in grand form, and tit ‘ to fight his battle o’er again,’ and win it, too, or I am much mistaken. I, for one, hope he does.

The Scinde lawn was behindhand this year in opening, but has made up for lost time by the good condition of its courts. A strong westerly gale sprang up on the day appointed for the opening, but did not appear to affect the attendance in anyway, for nearly a hundred people were present. Amongst others I noticed Miss Lyndon, pink ; Miss Shaw, brown : Miss Bower, light brown nun's veiling, silk sleeves and yoke ; Mrs Joshua, black : Miss Roy, the Misses Hitcliings, Mrs and Miss Hamlin, and Miss Carter. Mrs Joshua has presented the Club with a new flag embroidered with the colours. Of course tea was in great request, and you will know that the cakes came up to the required standard when I tell you that the Committee picked up of the fragments that remained no baskets full.

We have lately lost two of our most popular members of society, Mr Macdonald (who has been removed to Christchurch), and Miss Thomson. They will both be greatly missed. Indeed, I know of no other family in Napier whose absence could be more regretted. However, as Christchurch is not quite at the other end of the world, we will tiy and look forward to the time when we may welcome back our old friends for a longer or a shorter interval.

Talking of old friends reminds me—Has anyone heard lately from Mr James William Black, formerly of th e National Bank in this town, and latterly in Dunedin ? D this should meet his eye I hope he will please understand that his welfare is being earnestly inquired after by his numerous friends here, not the least amongst whom is his sincere well-wisher.

Charity.