TIMARU.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 42, 17 October 1891, Page 492

TIMARU.

Dear Bee, October 1. This week I have a quiet but pretty little wedding to tell you of. The ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Church, when Miss Bamfield, eldest daughter of Major Bamfield, was married to Mr Frederick Clissold, of Fielding. The wedding was at first arranged to be at two o’clock, but the bashful bride (or bridegroom) fearing spectators, unexpectedly altered the hour to twelve o’clock, thus considerably • selling ’ many who had meant to be witnesses of a ceremony so very rare in Timaru lately. Consequently only very few were present. The bride wore a pretty pale fawn Newmarket costume, and very becoming black hat with trails of Banksia roses. Miss Minnie Bamfield, sister of the ride, looked pretty in pale grey; and Miss Flo Bamfield, in an electric blue with black velvet panels ; they wore black hats trimmed with maize ribbon. Among the guests were Mrs M. J. Kimbley, sister of the bridegroom, in myrtle green dress, cream bonnet ; Mrs Laing-Meason and Mrs Indian, in black ; Miss Buchanan, Miss Pearson, etc. Mr Clissold was attended by his brother, Mr E. Clissold, of Otaio. The happy couple left by express in the afternoon en route for Fielding, their future home. I hope they are enjoying as beautiful weather in the north as we are down here. Really, the climate of South Canterbury is as near perfection as possible, and I heard a gentleman, who has just returned to Timaru after two years’ travel, declare that, having been almost all over the world, he had come to the conclusion that it was preferable to any other. Driving in the country the other day, I was struck afresh with the extreme beauty of the Timaru Downs. The vivid green of the grass, and the more tender green of the weeping willows which mark the meanderings of different streams, and the intense blue of the sky, together with the snow-capped hills in the background, make an exquisite picture which, in its way, could scarcely be surpassed. The crops, too, are looking beautiful after the splendid rain we had last week, which was sorely needed by the farmers, certainly, but I could not help thinking of the poor little lambs, and I fear the cold weather which accompanied the rain must have done considerable damage among them.

The South Canterbury Jockey Club held their annual spring meeting at the racecourse. There were a great many horses entered for the different events, as many as fourteen or fifteen competing in some, and the finishes were very close. I heard many say that they had never seen better racing. The ladies of Timaru are not very enthusiastic about racing, and not many were present Among them were Mrs George Rhodes, in a handsome plaid costume, seal skin jacket, and black hat ; Mrs E. C. J. Stevens (Christchurch), navy dress beautifully braided, lace mantle and bonnet ; Miss E. Rhodes (Christchurch), brown checked tweed; Mrs W. Stuart-Lindsay and her sister, Miss O'Brien, Mrs Cook and her daughters, the Misses Lovegrove, and a few others, including two ladies from Ashburton. The second day’s enjoyment was rather marred by a thick sea fog which'came up in the afternoon. A fitting close to this pleasant spring gathering was an amusing entertainment given on the first evening by the V. and B. Morecork Minstrels. The first event on the programme was a pretty little operetta, entitled ‘ Grass Widows.’ The only three characters in this were cleverly taken by Mr C. A. Jefferson, one of the Minstrels, and Mrs Smithson and Miss Connie Lovegrove, who kindly gave their services. The stage was artistically arranged as a drawing room, and the whole operetta went smoothly and well, the singing especially being much admired. Mrs Smithson looked charmingly pretty in a pale grey gown with trimmings of buttercup velvet, and Miss Lovegrove’s delicate cream and heliotrope suited her very well. The second part was a metre of songs, recitations, etc., of which Mr Morton’s banjo solo and Mr Frank Perry’s spirited recitation were quite the gems. The Moreeork Minstrels entirely occupied the last part, appearing in the orthodox nigger dress, etc. Massa Johnson, Mr C. A. Jefferson, and the Jones Brothers especially excelled themselves. The music was very good. The orchestra, consisting of the Messrs Collins and Bilton, was a treat in itself, and the singing of the troupe reflects great credit on the conductor. The Boating Club is to be congratulated on the large increase of funds which must have been the result of the good house which assembled. Last week the various football clubs had a Rugby Tournament on the S.C.A.A.C. grounds. Play was very exciting altogether, but the most interesting match was the Senior Final—Timaru v. Union First Fifteen. This resulted in a win for the latter by two points to half a point. Timaru played very well in this match, especially considering that they were playing fresh opponents, and had themselves just beaten Waihi in a hard game. It was a very enjoyable afternoon, the weather being perfect Now I have exhausted my small stock of news, so goodbye.

Estelle.