NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 5, 30 January 1892, Page 111

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, January 16. Christmas festivities being over and done with for this year. I must try and work np my arrears of correspondence. The last few weeks have been very happy ones to most people in spite of ‘ King Influenza ’ making so manybow the knee before him. Thank Heaven I can at last say of him, ‘ Now lies he low, and none so poor to do him reverence.’ Have you heard of this wonderful Chinese remedy? A Mr Chew Chong belonging to these parts (the same, by-the-bye, who won the first piize for butter at the Dunedin Exhibition, and who was also stated by a well-known butter expert to possess the best managed dairy factory in the colony • says that the disease, which is a very common one in China, is entirely caused by a parasite under the skin, which is the means of spreading the fever. This is his treatment: He looks about for a pimple which is generally to be found in the back of the patient; then he breaks the skin and draws out a long thread-like \vorm, and lo ! immediate relief ensues. He is said to have cured many people. I suppose you all had gay times on Christmas Eve, and we also had nothing to complain of here. St. Mary’s, as usual, looked lovely. We have far more decorations done than in most places. I have not time to give you a detailed account, but I must mention the pulpit. It is of dark wood with panels of rich ruby plush, and almost all of the woodwork was covered with the loveliest moss, except the pillars, of which there are many tiny ones, and these were wreathed with the most delicate white Howers, such as heath and agapanthus. Miss Katharine Hamerton planned and carried out this important part. The font, too, was very lovely with its giant crown of white Howers, and Miss Florence Webster deserves all credit for her part of the work of decoration. In the evening there was a carol service, which was very pleasant, and a nice conclusion to a bnsy day. Masters Arthur Stapp and S. English took the solos, and reflected great credit on our new organist, Mr E. Brooke, who is training the boys as choristers. The town teas gay on Christmas Eve. One could almost imagine one was in a section of London, or rather in a continental town on a Sunday. There were streams of people, bright lights, bands playing, much gay laughter, flags and many decorations. It was pleasant to hear the hearty good wishes and greetings on all sides, and there was much handshaking and chatter, for many visitors have been here for Christmas. Among the many I may mention the following : Miss Percy-Smith, Miss Reeves, Miss Bella Messenger, Miss Broad, Miss Mclndo, and Messrs E. Haise, H. Fookes, W. Devenish, Graves, and Wilson. On Christmas evening the public were accorded a treat in the shape of a sacred concert, when selections from the ‘ Messiah,’ * Elijah,’ and ‘ Creation ’ were given. Perhaps the best of the choruses-were, ‘ Be Not Afraid,’ and the • Hallelujah ’ chorus, which both went with the greatest spirit. The gem of the evening to my mind was ‘ It is Enough.’ It was exquisitely sung by Mr Holdsworth, who was accompanied by Mrs Malone, Mr F. W. Richmond also playing a ’cello obligato. I sometimes marvel to think what a strange series of chances must have combined to bring a musical genius such as Mrs Malone to such a remote corner of the globe as Stratford. She would shine in any large town, and yet she seems content to shine on this humble community. .1 non nioutonx, i.e., the concert, Miss Hamerton sang ‘ The Marvellous Work ’ beautifully, in her usual cultivated style, and Miss Teed was fully appreciated in ‘ O Thou that Bi ingest Good Tidings ;’ so was Mrs Hall in ‘ O, Rest in the Lord.’ Altogether the concert was a thorough success, and Mr Brooke, the conductor, deserves all the credit which is so freely given him. There have also been several private dances and evenings during the holidays. One of the former was held at a house about a mile from town, and was one of the most enjoyable of the whole season. For one thing it was brilliantly moon light and a cloudless night; then the house is so admirablysuited for a dance; there was a perfect host and hostess, and lastly there is a large garden—tennis lawns in the middle with a broad drive all round. It would be hard to imagine anything prettier than the view from the balconies —a broad stretch of sea in the distance, the moon rising cold and white over the dark pine trees, and white figures flitting about in the moonlight. Add to this dreamy valse music, soft laughter, and the scent of many flowers, and you have a scene fit for a novel. There had also been several picnics arranged, but many did not come off, as the sun has been displeased with our levity, and has seen fit to hide his face on more than one occasion. Too bad of the sun ! but I always did consider him a selfish, inconsiderate fellow. He nearly shrivelled me up to day just because I did not take a parasol with me to town. Aucklanders will be glad to hear that the Auckland Con cert Company was greatly appreciated here. What a lovelyvoice Miss Rimmer has, and Mr Jackson, too I Indeed, there is not one weak member in the whole company, and Auckland has every reason to be proud of its musicians. Do you know what I thought was the gem of the whole programme? ‘ Excelsior.’ I thought it was simply perfect, especially when ‘A voice replied far up the height.’ ‘The Better Land,’ too, was a treat to us all. I would go a good many miles to hear it again. The second night of the con cert there was a large private dance in New Plymouth, which prevented a verg large audience assembling at the Alexandra, I am afraid. However, I imagine the company did very well here notwithstanding. I only- hope they mayvisit us again some day in the near future. Now I must conclude this letter. It has l>een rather frivo-

ious, although I have not told nlamt any • tine raiment. However, that will keep.

Mignonne