HASTINGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 1, 2 January 1892, Page 15

HASTINGS.

Dear Bee, December 16. Our pretty town is getting very gay. A walk along the principal street would soon convince one that Christmas is coming, for the shop windows are simply groaning under their weight of pretty things. There is a good time coming for the youngsters if for nobody else, and what a blowing of trumpets there will be on Christmas Eve. A trumpet seems to have a special charm for a small boy or girl. We are still going ahead, Bee. Another draper has set up in our midst, and many are the pretty things displayed in the windows. Last year some beautiful fireworks were let off from the top of the fire-bell (a grand place foi the display). I hope we shall be treated to the same exhibition this year. I believe numbers of people go to Napier on Christmas Eve, but I am sure they needn’t, for there is just as much fun going on up here, and every bit as many pretty things to buy, so why go away instead of spending one’s money in the place where it is made ? I say I think some go to Napier for the sake of the outing. That certainly is an attraction, but I think we ought to try anil spend all we can here, as the shopkeepers go to so much trouble to make their shops attractive. We have had two or three cricket matches since the open ing of the season, but afternoon tea has not put in an appearance yet. I suppose it will come all in good time ; it is such a boon to the thirsty players. Very few ladies have put in an appearance so far, although I believe numbers go to Farndon to witness the matches there ; but, of course, at the last named place one can have tennis, too, which is decidedly an advantage. The weather lias not been very nice the last two Saturdays, which possibly accounted for the poor attendance of the fair sex. We have had a splendid exhibition of tennis up here lately. A match was begun between the Hawke's Bay county and Napier, and the

latter have made over three hundred runs. < >ne of the Napier men, Mr Woolstenholme, actually made considerably over a hundred himself. The match has yet to tinished, but I hardly think the county can possibly catch up, the other side has scored so heavily. Tennis is going on at Captain Russell’s place, Flaxmere, at Frimley, the lovely country seat of Mr and Mrs J. N. Williams, and at Waikoko, which place I told you about in my last letter. The favoured ones invited to these tennis parties are fortunate, as it is a charming way of passing a summer afternoon. Last summer those generally seen playing were Mesdames E. Tanner, Vickerman, Loughnan, Carlile, and Norman Beetham, and Misses Russell, St. Hill (2), Lowry, Hewson, Beamish, Nelson, and others. I am glad to be able to tell you that Mrs C. Loughnan is decidedly better, and has been able to drive about a little. Mrs Henry Mason, too, seems much improved in health since she came to reside in Hastings. The air here is beautifully pure. Mr and Mrs Robert Braithwaite have removed to then new house near Ringstead, the residence of Mr and Mrs Fitzroy. It is nice to get all the bother of moving over before Christmas. Mrs Fitzroy has returned from Wellington, and has brought her little daughter home who was laid up with a slight attack of that arch fiend—the influenza. Mr and Mrs A. C. Lang are expected back shortly. lam told Mr Lang is much improved in health. I see that Captain Russell proposed at a meeting recently that members of the Jockey Club shall have the privilege of four ladies’ tickets instead of one, as at present. It is a capital proposal, and if it is carried every lady will, I am sure, feel indebted to Captain Russell. It certainly makes things much pleasanter if there are a number of the fair sex about ; besides, some of us cannot afford to go and shall appreciate the present of a ticket. We shall anxiously look forward to the proposal being carried. If it is, I feel sure that the Jockey Club will benefit by it in the long run. Miss Williams (Frimley), who has just returned from England, looks very nice in a flowered blue gown, white sailor hat : Miss E. 'Williams (Wellington), who is staying with Miss St. Hill, wears a black skirt, white shirt, black jacket, black chic hat ; Miss Annie St. Hill, grey gown, grey felt hat, grey feathers; Miss Nelson, green and pink plaid gown, black hat ; Miss Tipping, navy skirt, white blouse, white cA/c hat; Mrs Fitzroy, an exceedingly pretty fawn gown, exquisite white bonnet ; Miss Russell, navy skirt, grey blouse, grey sailor hat ; Mrs Herbert Russell, navy spotted gown, black hat ; Mrs (Captain) Russell, grey brocaded gown, handsome black cape, large black lace hat; Mrs N. R. Williams, handsome black gown, exceedingly pretty pale pink bonnet ; Miss Gleeson looks nice in a grey gown, black hat, yellow flowers; Miss Beamish, very stylish navy spotted gown, white waistcoat, cut away jacket, white chip hat trimmed with blue ; Mrs Vickerman also wears a very stylish navy blue costume with tightfitting white waistcoat; Mrs Tipping wears a very becoming blue gown with zouave of black velvet, black hat with yellow flowers. No time for more, Bee, so will wish you a very merry Christmas and good bye till next time.

Dolly.