MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 8, 20 February 1892, Page 184

MARLBOROUGH.

Dear Bee, Feecuary 2. Picton put on gala attire on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the new Presbyterian church. A large assemblage, which included a number of visitors from Blenheim and Tua Marina, were gathered on the site, and took a lively interest in the proceedings. The stone was laid by Mr J. G. Aitkens, of Wellington, who is, I believe, the oldest elder of the Presbyterian church in this district. He is certainly worth listening to as a speaker, and after hearing him, as well as the Rev. Mr Patterson and the Rev. Mr Ogg, we can only regret that the churches do not secure eloquent men as well as good men to preside over the religious part of our education. Mr Aitkens was presented with a very handsome silver trowel, which he promised to keep in remembrance of the pleasant duty he was then performing. I am afraid some of the ladies standing around were actuated by feelings of envy towards the recipient of the trowel, and — judging others by myself—many of them would have been willing to lay the stone for the sake of the presentation trowel. After the ceremony was over the whole gathering proceeded to the Public . Hall, where a sumptuous tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation. Presiding at the tea-tables were Mesdames Smith, Lloyd, Peek (2), Blizzard (2), Frazer, Mouat, and Jenkins, who were assisted by quite an army of young ladies. At the tables I noticed Mrs H. C. Seymour, in a pretty navy blue dress with biscuitcoloured spots, biscuit-coloured silk vest and ribbons, and hat to match ; Mrs Marten (Wellington), Mrs McCormick, Mrs Allen, Mrs Draper, Mrs Barr, Mrs Nosworthy, Mrs Cruickshank, Mrs Fuller, Mrs Card, Mrs O’Donnel, and the Misses Speed (2), Fuller, Lloyd, Greensill, Smith, Peek, Macauly, Baillie, (Para), Renwick, Western, McCormick, Falconer, Campbell, Wemyss, Greig, and Galbraith. During the evening some felicitous speeches were delivered, and two young ladies from Wellington sang very nicely. The proceeds from the tea and collections brought in nearly fifty pounds for the little band of workers to add to their building funds. Stanley has been and gone, visiting Blenheim only, at which some of our Picton dignataries are slightly irate. • What have we ever done ?’ they ask, • that we should be passed by, or made to pay double by having to go to Blenheim to hear anything worth hearing.’ I am sure the people here would have turned out en masse to hear so celebrated a traveller, as they did not do in Blenheim. A short time ago the Dobson-Kennedy Company agreed, with fear and trembling for the financial result, to play in Picton for one night only. They played for three nights with a crowded house, and promised to play again on their return, to which the Picton people are looking forward. Mr Stanley was, I hear, highly delighted with the Sound scenery, and only regretted having left Mrs Stanley in Wellington. It seems a harum-scarum way of flying round the country, but I suppose when they have done that and gone home again, Mr and Mrs Stanley will wrap themselves up in the belief that they

have seen New Zealand and everything worth seeing m it. Mr and Mrs Andrews have returned to Picton from the Grove, where they have been spending the holidays, Mrs Andrews looking all the better for her long rest. Half Marlborough seem to be going to the Jubilee, some by steamer, some by coach, some riding. Mr Richardson, I hear, is taking a party up in his yacht, Captain Fisk another in the Torea, and I guess, as a late American visitor would say, there will be quite a procession from this part of the country alone. There are so many old Nelson settlers located in Marlborough. . We are all glad to hear that Mrs Charles Redwood is slightly better, and her friends have hopes uow of her ultimate recovery. We are having the oddest weather for summer weather, cold south-easters being the prevailing winds. We really require fires half our time, and can seldom go out without our winter wraps. Stale jokes about the clerk of the weather and the presiding genius for New Zealand, Captain Edwin, are continually being dished up afresh ; bnt there, what would some people do if it were not for the inconsistencies of the weather, which has a broad back and a thick skin, and can bear any amount of * last straws ’! Mr C. J. laggings, of the U.S. Company, late of Blenheim, was married to Miss Minnie Bull, eldest daughter of the Rev. H. Bull, Wesleyan minister, Blenheim. The bride, prettily dressed, was attended by her five sisters — the Misses Eva, Mary, Irene, Jessie, and Mildred Bull, and the bridegroom by Mr W. H. Penny, H. T. Bull, and Walter Bull. The bride’s uncle, Mr Tonks, gave her away, and the marriage service was performed by the Rev. H. Bull, assisted by the Revs. — Murray and Heteraka Warihi. The bride and bridegroom’s friends were afterwards entertained in the schoolroom, which was artistically decorated for the occasion. Toasts were proposed and speeches made, and the Royal Family were loyally remembered and sympathetically toasted amongst the general rejoicing. The National Anthem terminated the proceedings. Many handsome presents were received by the bride, who as well as Mr Laggings is much respected in Blenheim. Mrs Goodall, of Kaikoura, has been spending a pleasant little holiday with her mother, Mrs Duncan, of Waikawa Road. It is nice to see erstwhile Picton girls wandering back to their old home, and thoroughly identifying themeolvoe with f.hp nrncrroea crrtinor on.

selves with the progress going on.

Jean.