MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 44, 31 October 1891, Page 540

MARLBOROUGH.

Dear Bee, October 14. As coming events cast their shadows before them, so the coming bazaars are foretold by the continual hum of working bees, the anxious faces, the deep consultations, and the hurried Hittings to and fro of the ladies, both in Blenheim and Picton. I used to be a working bee myself, and very proud I was once of a bran-pie made with niy own hands which realized over twenty pounds. But I'nr beginning to think, with many others, that those who spend the money should earn it, and take a turn at working bees and making pin cushions. I think if we have brains enough to earn a big sum of money, we are also gifted enough to understand, and ought to have a say in the government of the institution to which that sum of money is to be devoted. But satis superque of church politics for the present. I dare say I shall tell you by-and-bye how like a siren I stood behind a huge tub and acted Eve over again. The Hunt Club sports took place in a paddock off the Maxwell Road, and were pretty well attended, the advertised events attracting attention by their originality. One event was a race wherein the competitors had to come supplied with full-grown umbrellas and cigars. When the bell rang the competitors had to saddle their horses, light their cigars, open their umbrellas, mount and race over four hurdles. Mr George Seymour came in first, and Mr S. Hodson second, both with their umbrellas up and their cigars alight. The third competitor, Mr C. Earp, looked slightly astonished when he had managed to mount Rosinante, to see the other two safe home again from their perilous journey. Several other funny events were tried, but none so successful as the first, for the potatoes would roll out of the plates no matter how carefully the competitors lifted their horses over the hurdles, and the football would always go in the wrong direction—for the competitors, I mean. The Club’s fancy and plain dress ball is likely to be a success.

A musical surprise party to • St Clair,’ the residence of Mr and Mrs Hanna, was initiated by Mrs J. P. Lucas, and successfully carried out. The party left Market Square in drags. The marriage of Miss Isabella Matthews, daughter of Mr Richard Matthews, of Sunnyburn, Spring Creek, to Mr Robert Storey, of Lepperton, New Plymouth, took place at St. Luke’s Church, Marlborough town. The Rev. George Grace, assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Grace, performed the ceremony. The bride looked nice in a heliotrope cashmere, and white tulle veil and orange blossom. The bridesmaids, of whom there were three —the Misses Matthews (sisters of the bride, Gane and Lange, wore white frocks and tulle veils. A reception of friends was afterwards held at the residence of the bride’s mother, where the presents, which were numerous and valuable, were on view. The bride and bridegroom left by the afternoon train for Picton to catch the steamer for the north. The bride’s going-away dress was of navy-blue cloth, with hat to match. The Pelorus bachelors’ ball took place in the Town Hall, Havelock, and was very largely attended, quite two hundred invited guests being present. lam sorry I cannot describe any of the dresses, nor give a list of the guests, but Marlborough is such a scattered district, and travelling so expensive, that it is quite impossible to go everywhere, especially when you have to buy your own tickets as well. There has been quite a dearth of dances in Picton of late, and the young people are only kept from feeling deadly dull by whispers of a coming rose dance, whieb is to eclipse al] its predecessors, and to which the young men of Blenheim are looking forward with interest. Early as it is, there have been several picnics, one a birthday picnic, given by the Misses Grace and Belle Allen. Unfortunately, most of their young friends were suffering from the prevailing epidemic—whooping-cough, and were unable to go, but those who did go seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves bathing, ferning, and decorating themselves with wreaths of the lovely native clematis, which grows in profusion at Shakespeare Bay, the scene of the picnic, as well as the scarlet rata, and several other creepers. They walked home in the evening tired but happy, and rather anxious for somebody else to have a birthday picnic the following week. Nor were they disappointed, though the occasion was not a birthday. It was a picnic given to Miss Bowden at Laughing Bob’s Bay by her erstwhile pupils on the occasion of her paying a short visit to Picton on her way from Wellington to Nelson. Miss Bowden was staying with Mrs Duncan, Waikawa Road, and was delighted thus to have a chance of meeting her old pupils and a few intimate friends, and as a picnic is the only kind of amusement she indulges in or cares for, it was a very happy thought on the part of her pupils. Many people would turn up their noses, I dare say, at a picnic composed entirely of one sex, but occasionally that is where the fun comes in, and a merrier or a happier party could never be seen than the one met together to do honour to Miss Bowden, although they numbered thirty-two * lone females,’ with never a man amongst them. Some of the party—energetic walkers—landed on the Spit and walked down to the bay, and the rest were pulled down by some of the young ladies in the face of a strong head wind and a lumpy sea. Amongst the party were a happy family counting four generations; Mrs Duncan, her daughter, Mrs Smith ; her granddaughter, Mrs Andrews, and two little great grandchildren ; and Mrs Duncan looking young enough to see yet another generation. There were also Mrs Allen, Mrs Beauchamp, Mrs Philpotts, and the Misses Seymour, Duncan. Allen, Greensill, Waddy, Fell, Hay, Gilbert, Powell, Philpotts, and Seely at the party, and the tablecloth spread on the shingle was quite a picture in itself. Some of us hunted for pearls, and others pulled out round Mabel Island, and sailed in with dress skirts held balloon-fashion over their heads, and oars up to catch the wind. A large bon fire was made and an extra tea was indulged in, and the young people stood round enjoying its warmth till the dark shadows, thrown over the waters of Queen Charlotte Sound by the surrounding hills, told them in plain language it was time to go home.

‘Sweet are the uses of adversity.’ A young man of promise and ability, whose only defect, in the eyes of the opposite sex, was that he always declared there was only one colour, and that one colour was red, has been providentially testored to reason by an acute attack of whoopingcough. He is truly delighted with the diversity of colour now apparent to his hitherto colour-blind vision, and goes

about admiring everything in nature with a child-like enjoyment, which is quite delightful to witness. The first cricket match of the season was played on Nelson Square between the Koromiko and Picton elevens. The day was cold, and people scarcely knew there was a match on the tapis, so that there were very few lady spectators, and the few there were all wore their winter costumes. The Square is prettily planted with trees, and seats have been placed here and there, so that it is quite a pleasant resort for our sex during the summer months whenever there are any matches going on. The Koromiko men went out for fifty runs, and then the Picton men made the ball fly over our heads, under our feet, and over the fence in all directions. Mr Hamilton Baillie scored one hundred and nine runs all to himself, and was quite the champion of the day, having won the match himself. I regret to have to chronicle the death of Mrs George Dodson, one of the oldest settlers of Spring Creek. The family came to Marlborough from Nelson nearly thirty years ago, and she was much respected and beloved by a very large circle of friends, and will be greatly missed by her friends and neighbours of all classes and denominations. She came to Nelson in 1842, and some time afterwards married Mr George Dodson, a brother of Mr Joseph Dodson, of that city, and of Mr Henry Dodson, late member for Blenheim.

Jean.