NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 39, 26 September 1891, Page 418

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, September 11. And now for another chat, although there is not very much to chronicle this time. Of course there is not a continual whirl of gaiety in a little place like this, but we have the name of being a very light-hearted community. I hope it is not the sign of a ‘ grovelling ’ mind, but for my part I much prefer things in a small way. Don’t you think, Bee, that small dances are much more comfortable and enjoyable than large ones ? And it is the same with * evenings,’ and afternoon teas, and riding parties, and everything—to my mind, that is. Like Ibsen’s Dr. Stockmann, 1 would rather belong to a minority than to the ‘ compact majority.’ Since I despatched my last letter to you, Mr Courtney has returned with another large contingent to bask in the shadow of Egmont. Some people are very fond of speaking against the ‘invincible William,’but it seems to me that we have reason to be grateful to him. As I write I can think of many most desirable settlers who have come out by his advice, several of them capitalists, too. Of course, all the world over there are people who have not the capacity of succeeding anywhere, and if certain of this class have come out with him, I don’t see that he should bear all the blame.

At any rate, to my woman’s judgment there seem to be more successes than failures among the many who have come out by his advice. So often he brings out one member of a family as a cadet, and if this member likes the life and the prospects of the district, he writes home and persuades his parents and brothers and sisters to come out. Needless to say, some do not succeed in this ‘ Brighter Britain,’ but I’m sorry to say that that glorious and unknown country where there are no failures is as yet an undiscovered Utopia. I wish I could find it. To return to Mr Courtney, several leading citizens thought it would be nice to give him and his latest contingent a formal welcome, so a conversazione was arranged, and a great success it was. It was held in St. Mary’s Schoolroom, or Hall, as it is beginning to be called, and very soon after the doors were opened there was not standing room, even the stage being partly covered. A varied and interesting programme was gone through, several well known leading vocalists taking part. Mr Ralph Colson’s song, full of local hits, took immensely. It began ‘ Where has William Courtney gone ?’ But the feature of the evening was the performance on the harp by Miss Nielson, a bird of passage here. If you have the chance do go and hear her, Bee, and I will answer for it that you will be pleased. Besides her talent as a harpist, she is also the possessor of a veiy sweet, though not strong, voice, with which she delighted her audience, so much so that they demanded several encores. One of the new arrivals from England also recited in a perfectly wonderful manner. She is a very young child, and ought to make a name for herself. Then there was a good deal of speechifying, which was very amusing. Mr Courtney spoke very nicely, and also one of the ‘ new chums ’ and other people. Soon after ten tea and coffee, and sandwuches and cakes were handed round, and a most enjoyable evening brought to a close. Several of those who had come out with Mr Courtney on previous trips were present, which was a pleasant thing to see, as it showed that they bore him no grudge for having persuaded them to leave the dear old home across the seas to brave the hardships and dangers of an unknown country. Mr Courtney always seems a paterfamilias to all his importations, that is, until they have been dispersed among their various situations, which, fortunately, does not take long to happen. We have had two good lecturers here lately. The first was the Rev. Mr Isitt (who delivered his interesting lecture on Fred Douglas) and the second was Thomas Bracken, who delighted us all with his mixed humour and pathos. And now I must tell you about an exceedingly good entertainment we had here lately. It was the third, and perhaps the most successful, of a series, of which the proceeds are to be devoted to the finishing of the interior of St. Mary'sSehoolroom. That object has nowbeen accomplished, and the congregation of St. Mary’s may well be proud of their room. It is quite a hall, and is splendid for sound. The two preceding entertainments consisted of music and some capital tableaux, but for the last it was thought advisable to have a change, so a farce had been prepared for the second half. The hall was crowded, and the programme began with an overture by Miss Haise, who now ranks as one of our best musicians. Next came Tosti’s ■* Venetian Song,’ given by Miss Hamerton in her usual ■finished and cultivated style. Mr Clement Govett followed with a most humorous reading from ‘ Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow,’ entitled ‘ Babies.’ Mr Ellis (late of Nelson) next gave a song, "The Armourer,’ which elicited a hearty encore, to which he responded by *Joe and I.’ This gentleman is a stranger to a New Plymouth audience, but I hope we shall often hear him. His voice is a rich baritone. Mrs Hall was also heard to great advantage in the song, ‘ Dearest of All.’ Mr Hislop then followed with a most amusing reading, ‘ Jack Moser’s Dog,’ in which he nearly proved the death of the audience. More I need not say. Mr Hempton concluded the first part of the programme with the song, ‘ Anchored,’ for which he received an enthusiastic encore, but he declined to respond. Part 11. was filled by the amusing little comedy, ‘ Ici on Parle Francais.’ Toole’s favourite part of Mr Spriggins was taken by Mr Harry Penn, of Stratford. All I can say is that Toole himself might possibly have gained a few ‘ wrinkles’ had he been present. Seldom have I seen an audience laugh so much. His get up was perfect, and his acting most natural. Miss Teed, as Mrs Spriggins, also, was capital. Sometimes I think she has missed her vocation. As Victor Dubois Mr L. E. Mair (late of Whangarei) was all that could be desired, his French pronunciation being unusually good ; his costume, too, was exactly * the thing.’ Mr Fred Watson took the part of the blustering Major Rattan to perfection, while Mrs Walter Penn and Miss Nellie Webster made the very most of their respective parts—Mrs Rattan and Angelina. Last but not least comes Anna Maria, which part was taken by Miss Devenish, whose impersonation of the ‘domestic phenomenon ’ caused unfailing laughter. Her ‘ get up ’ was fearful and wonderful. Oh, Bee’, you ought to have seen her bonnet; it puts all the spring millinery completely in the shade. Talking of the spring makes me think of the gardens. They are getting to look so beautiful now. The camellias and daphne have been so lovely here this year. Ido believe this is the place of all others for these Howers. The daffodils, too, have been abundant. There is a place not a dozen miles from New Plymouth where they have literally gone wild. It is quite in‘the bush,’and is the site of an old garden. The ground to a large extent is perfectly golden with them. It makes one think of the descriptions one reads about England and the ‘ Lent lilies,’ as they are called there. Isn’t it extraordinary to think of the change that has come over our ideas with regard to Howers ? I remember the time when we all looked down with profound contempt on the homely daffodil, and as for the humble sunHower, it was hardly mentioned at all in polite society. Now there is a change come over the spirit of the dream. Even the lowly dandelion and dog daisy are allowed to possess some beauty. I believe to some extent we have to thank South Kensington for opening our eyes to beauties which we never saw before. I hear there are to be ‘ dances and rumours of dances’ in the next few weeks, so you may expect a newsy letter from me before long.

MIGNONNE.