HASTINGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 50, 12 December 1891, Page 682

HASTINGS.

Dear Bee, November 22. I am sorry to tell you our lovely weather has again broken, and lo and behold, it is quite cold, and is raining heavily. Isn’t it tiresome? But I suppose the farmers want rain, so we mustn’t grumble. Mrs Grimwood and her daughter, Miss Violet Bogle, have returned from Tasmania looking so well. They have been away about two years, and they have certainly grown younger during their stay. Mrs Grimwood is such a dear old lady. Everyone is pleased to see her again, and our only regret is that she is not going to remain in Hastings. However we hope to see her sometimes in this quarter of the world, as she is not going very far away, only to Petane to her daughter, Miss Bogle, who has charge of the Petane school. Miss Violet Bogle is, I believe, going to take charge of Mr Vigor-Brown’s little ones. Miss Maud Grimwood is residing with Mrs Joe Williams at Waipuna, about a mile out of Hastings. Judge Richmond, Mrs Richmond, and Miss Richmond have been staying with Mrs (Captain) Russell for a short time. The two former came to Hawke’s Bay in order to be present at their son’s wedding. He was married to Miss Rochford, a Napier young lady. You see, Bee, after all none of Mr Gollan’s horses won the Cup. Oh, well, we mustn’t expect too much all at once ; perhaps next year he will have better luck. I don’t think he can grumble, as they won two other races—the ‘ Oaks ’ and another, which is very good for a beginning, as the horses have not been very long in Australia, and may be a bit home-sick, if horses ever are taken that way. Mr Gollan’s trainer, Mr Percy Martin, and family have gone to Melbourne, which looks as if the horses were not going to return to New Zealand just yet. I am sorry to have to tell you that Mr Nat Beamish met with a nasty accident the other day. He was fencing, I believe, and the wire strainer flew up and cut his lip right through, besides knocking out several teeth. lam glad to say he is getting on very well after such an unpleasant experience. He ought to be thankful it is no worse. . I don’t think tennis has started up here yet, although a little bird told me that Mrs Russell is thinking of starting shortly. The lawns at Flaxmere are very lovely, and tennis is always looked forward to there. We have no lawn tennis club at Hastings, but there are so many private courts one hardly wants a club, except in winter time, when an asphalte court would be a great boon. Now that Hastings is becoming such a large town perhaps something will be done in that way before next winter. In the meantime we have all the summer before us, and let us enjoy it while we can.

Mr Barnard, of the Union Bank, has gone for a holiday to Gisborne. Mr Brooke Taylor has taken his place for the time being. Mr Barnes, of the Bank of New Zealand, has been removed to a country district. I haven’t learnt the name of the gentleman who has taken his place, but will tell you in another letter.

Before I close, Bee, I must tell you that Messrs Fraser and Robinson have bought Mrs Rainbow’s school. They start under the new regime after Christmas. Mr Fraser is such a capital master ; he is so energetic he deserves to succeed. He has the boys in such peifect order both in and out of school, and they are all so fond of him that it speaks a great deal in his favour that it is so. The school is a capital one. Amongst other things the boys are taught carpentering, which is a very useful accomplishment, and many are the pretty knick-knacks turned out by the Heretaunga boys made in spare hours. lam told Mrs Rainbow' is going to reside at Tomoana. We had a very novel entertainment here this week. A Mr and Mrs Gibson have been showing us how things are managed in Fiji, and they went through the ceremony of marriage in full Fijian dress. Mr Gibson gave an account of the Islands from his own observations, and illustrated his narrative with dissolving views. The lecture was held in the Wesleyan Church, and was most interesting. It is needless to say the church was full.

The Rev. J. Hobbs is giving a series of interesting lectures in St. John’s schoolroom, which are very well attended. I was sorry to hear of the death of Mr T. W. Lewie. He had gone to Sydney for a holiday, and caught the muchdreaded influenza, which ended in inflammation of the lungs,

and quickly carried off the old gentleman. He was a great favourite, being such a genial cheery man. Much sympathy is felt for his two sons who reside here. I believe the body is to be brought back to New Zealand, and is to be interred in Wellington. I have noticed some pretty spring costumes lately. Mrs C. Howard is wearing a pretty amethyst gingham trimmed with narrow velvet, bonnet to match ; Miss Tipping, pink summer tweed gown, large white hat with pink ribbon bows ; Mrs Henry Mason, fawn gown, pretty dust cloak, boatshaped hat ; Miss Annie St. Hill, fawn gown, sailor hat ; Mrs Loughnan looks well in a cream delaine, long basque, black Bond-street hat; Mrs Joe Williams, grey gown, black bonnet with forget-me-nots ; Mrs Vickerman wears a very becoming pale pink brocaded gingham, white sailor hat Miss Nelson, grey figured delaine, grey chiffon frills, black hat with heliotrope.

Dolly.