NELSON

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 11, 14 March 1891, Page 11

NELSON

( Delayed in transmission.) Dear Bee, February 21. Our little town is looking more like itself again now the holidays are over, and people have resumed their every-day life. Our two colleges are again open, and the pupils returned from their various homes with renewed vigour for a fresh year’s work. It is now quite a pleasure to walk past either of these residences at about quarter past four o’clock, for such a gay scene presents itself to the view of the passer-by. At the Boys’ College cricket is the order of the day, and at the Girls’, tennis, each presenting a very different appearance to a few weeks back, when they wore a deserted and doleful look. In writing of the Girls’ College I must not forget to welcome back an old friend. Miss Gribben. She is well remembered here as being one of the school pupils a few years back, and now she has i eturned to us again, but this time as an assistant mistress after having taken her B.A. degree at the New Zealand University. We all congratulate her on her promotion, and wish her every success in her new sphere of life. The numbers at the Boys’ College have materially increased. The excellent discipline maintained by Mr Joynt, as well as the tone of earnestness he has given to the institution, have begun to tell. Then parents appreciate the domestic arrangements, which are under the control of Miss Bell, who, as you know, is an Auckland lady. 1 never saw so many houses deserted before as there were this summer. In our small community we can ill spare many, and when it comes to one or two dozen families going into the country for the summer months the effect on the town is dismal in the extreme.

Camping out parties were numerous this year, and if the weather had only been our usually lovely summer sunshine, they would have been all most enjoyable; but, alas ! heie as well as elsewhere we are feeling to some extent the very unnatural weather which seems prevailing all over the colony for this time of the year. Our poor farmers must be great sufferers from the constant rain we have had.

We had a most enjoyable concert, given by Herr Von Zimmerman, Professor of the violin here. It was really one of the best that has ever been held in Nelson. Of Professor Zimmerman’s playing itself there is nothing to say except that it was perfect. He is a real master of his art. Mrs Adams, wearing her pretty heliotrope gown, sang, as usual, very sweetly, as also did Mrs Houlker. This lady’s singing is a rare treat, and always a pleasuie to listen to. She wore a becoming black lace gown relieved with white. Mrs Houlker and Mrs Adams sang a duet, ‘Venezia’ (C. Pinsuti), which was the gem of the evening. Mr Fell sang with much taste,‘Fair is my Love,’his daughter, Miss L. Fell,who worea pretty green gauzedress, accompanying him. Mr Houstenalso sang well. Miss Jackson, gowned in her pretty black lace dress with canary ribbons, as usual played splendidly and proved herself a real musician; her accompanying of the ‘ Keutzer Sonata,’ a duet for the piano and violin, was delightful. Miss Atkinson, too, proved herself an able accompanist. Mr Chatterton acquitted himself well, and his rendering of the song, ‘ Honour and Arms,’ was much appreciated. Altogether Professor Zimmerman has reason to be congratulated on the great success of his concert. Everyone seemed to be there. Among others I noticed Mrs Fell, Mrs Evans, Mrs Atkinson, Mrs Harkness, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Wood, Miss Sealy, Miss Pitt, Miss G. Moss, Miss Fell, Miss Johnson, Miss Watson, and several more, whom I was unable to see owing to the crush. Major, now Lieut.-Colonel Webb, has been moved to Dunedin to be the Commanding Officer there. Both he and Mrs Webb will be greatly missed by their numerous friends. A day or two before the gallant Major left he was the recipient of a handsome present in the shape of a purse of sovereigns from the members of the Nelson Ulub, whose energetic secretary he has been for some years. Another old Nelsonian, Mr Alfred Greenfield, is also awaytaking the late Mr Whiteford’s position at Rangiora. We hope only for a time, as he and his wife would be greatly missed here, where they have lived for so many years. Nelson just at present is full of ministers, who have assembled from all parts of the colony for the Congregational Union, which is being held. The meetings are all crowded. I was sorry I was unable to be present at the one when Mr C F. Fell took the chair and an able address was delivered by the Rev. W. A. Evans. The Bishop and Mrs Suter have gone to the Northern Lakes for a short time. We hope the change and rest will quite restore his lordship to his usual health. Mr and Mis Sclanders are also away at Lake Whakatipu, chiefly for the former’s health, which we are glad to hear is much improved, so we hope soon to see them home gain. Mrs William Atkinson and her daughter. Miss Beatrix, have gone to England for a short time. We wish them bon voyage. Mi's Andrew Richmond and her two daughters are in Dunedin, so there are quite a number of Nelsoninns still away. We are very busy at tennis, practising hard for the Ladies’ Singles, and for the lucky winner of which MiLedger has kindly presented a beautiful tennis racquet. The gentlemen, too, are quite (for a wonder) as energetic as the ladies, and are having doubles. One has heard and seen very little of cricket since Christmas. It seems to lie wet every Saturday, so it is hard to get a day for a match, as most of the gentlemen are unable to leave their offices to play during the week. Twice the match between the Town and College has had to Ire |srst|>oned on account of the wet.

Great excitement is prevailing over the wedding of Mias Nightingale to Mr Chase, of Melbourne. The bride lives at Richmond, and as every one seems to be going to the wedding, for that day at least the train is sure to be well patronised. We had such a jolly picnic to Cable Bay, when we again played them at tennis, and beat them, too. It was pouring with rain early in the morning, but about halt-past ten o’clock it cleared ott a little, ami we made a start, but our carriages had to be entirely closed in, as the rain came on worse than ever. The drive certainly was the least enjoyable part of the picnic. When we arrived at the Bay the sun came out to greet us, so we were very glad we had gone. The members of the Staff kindly lent us the billiard room to have our lunch in, as the ground outside was too wet. Directly after lunch a move was made to the tennis lawn, and notwithstanding the softness of the ground, play was commenced. We all thoroughly appreciated the recherche afternoon tea, kindly dis[>ensed by Mrs Browning and Mrs Buckland. A start was made for town about half-past six, where we arrived tired, but quite delighted with our day’s outing.

Phyllis.