TIMARU.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 52, 26 December 1891, Page 729

TIMARU.

Dear Bee, December 8. I am afraid I have only a short letter for you this week. Really nothing has happened in Timarn lately, the only attempt at dissipation being a picnic, which was arranged by a few for the holiday. The party was to drive to Kakahu, a lovely bush about twenty five miles from town. The weather wa« splendid right up to the day before, and all anticipated a delightful day. But, alas : a disappointment was in store for the intending picnickers, for the morning broke cold and wet, effectually putting a stop to any out door festivity. The next best thing to a picnic being’a dance, it was decided to have one instead that even ing, and all the public halls being engaged for lectures, etc., a private house wa« kindly lent for the occasion. Extra invitation* were quickly sent out, and a most enjoyable dance resulted. Have you not often noticed that anything got up in a hurry in that sort of way always proves the most enjoyable? I'm sure it is always so, and perhaps the reason is that one has all the fun without having anticipated it for days or week*. At all events, the ‘impromptu’ dances, gicoics, or whatever they may be, are universally voted the

The engagement of Miss Annie Cramond to Mr H. Morton, of the Bank of New South Wale*, has lately

been given out. Miss A. Cramond is a great favourite in Timaru, where she has always lived, and I am sure all her friends join in hearty congratulations, and wish her every happiness. Miss Le Cren had another very pleasant tennis party. The day was warm and fine, and the tennis was very much enjoyed. There is a good deal of tennis here this season, and it does not seem to be dying out, as rumour used to foretell. Such pretty blouses, too, are worn by the lady players. Indeed, all the dresses this summer, are very pretty and stylish The soft shades of grey are beautiful, I think, and suit almost all complexions. The dreadful influenza is raging here just now. I think we are all more anxious to avoid it this year, for it seems to be carrying off so many, especially of those who are old or weak, and unable to battle against it. Ido not wonder at the general alarm, do you? Or course you have heard of the sad death of Mr Baber, who was married to Miss Elworthy a few months ago. He died in Napier after a lingering illness, and his remains were brought down by express, and buried in the Timaru cemetery. Deep sympathy is felt for poor Mrs Baber in her great sorrow.

The gardens are all looking lovely now, are they not ? I noticedin ours to-day that the Christmas lilies are almost out. I hope they will not be over before the 25th. It would not seem like a proper Christmas without the lilies, would it ? I cannot realise that Christmas is really so near. This year does seem to have flown so fast. Each year goes faster than the last as we grow older. What a grand year this will be for fruit, or rather, I should say, next year, since this year is so nearly over. The fruit shops are all displaying placards to the effect that * strawberries and cream are to be obtained within,’and I would be ashamed to say how many plates I have consumed. By the way, have you ever tried the French recipe for strawberry salad ? In case you have not, I will give it to you now. After having removed the stalks from a quart of strawberries, you place the fruit in a deep glass dish and sprinkle them with a quarter of a pound of castor sugar. Now add two wineglasses full of any white wine and toss lightly together. The dish should now stand on ice, if possible, for about a couple of hours before serving. Of course, if ice is not procurable, the salad must be put in the coolest place at your disposal. lam sure you will agree with me that this is a most delicious way of serving strawberries, or in fact, any fruit. Bananas and peaches in particular are very nice prepared like this. For children’s parties it is better to omit the wine, and use in its place either the juice of lemons or fruit syrup. I hope you will find this recipe useful. Estelle. [Recipes are usually excluded from these letters, but if yours had to wait its turn in the already too full recipe column, it would be of no use for this season, so I admit it under protest.— Lady Editor.]