NELSON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 9, 27 February 1892, Page 205

NELSON.

Dear Bee, February 8. No need to coni plain of dearth of news this week. Where to begin and how to get it all in is my only difficulty. However, that may be got over by taking each day as it comes, beginning with Monday. Well, Bee, at an early hour on Monday morning we were all aroused from our slumbers by a salute of guns fired by the ‘ H ’Battery. This had been arranged as a signal for all the citizens to hoist their bunting, and before the boom of the first cannon had ceased the town was alive with flags, and not only the town, but all the surrounding hills, and, as you can imagine, the sight was a very gay and pleasing one. Shortly after eight o’clock people began to assemble on the Church Hill, and the Garrison Band took up its position at the foot of the steps and played ‘God Save the Queen.’ By nine o’clock the whole town was crowded with people, all eager to see and bear what was going on. A platform was erected on the top of the first tier of steps, upon which were the Ven. Archdeacon Mules, Bishop Julius (of Christchurch), and the local clergy, all of whom took part in the thanksgiving service which was held, and which lasted for about half an hour, when the procession formed and marched to the Botanical Gardens, and here speeches were delivered by Bishop Julius, Archbishop Redwood, Sir William Fox, Mr Seddon (M.H.K.), the Mayor (Mr Fell), and others. When these were over the procession again formed and marched to the Government buildings, and there the ■ old settlers ’ left their ranks to join in the dinner which was being given in their honour. But this would be a fitting place to tell you the order of the procession, which was a long and imposing one :—‘H’ Battery Artillery, Band, Oddfellows, Foresters, Rechabites, Good Templars, Salvage Corps, Fire Brigade, Trades, Band, ten different schools, including the girls’ and boys’ orphanages, visitors and clergy, members of both Houses of Parliament, Mayor and Councillors, old settlers Most people then either went to the sports, which were held in Trafalgar Park, or else to the tennis match, Nelson Marlborough. The day ended with a display of fireworks.

Now for a little about the tennis match, which was watched with intense interest throughout, Nelson winning rather easily. Of course, the chief match of interest was the single played by Mr Wood (Nelson) against Mr Douslin (Marlborough). Although Mr Douslin played a grand game, and a very plucky one too, our champion was too much for him. What a splendid game Mr Wood does play 1 He never misses a chance, and plays with such judgment ! He beat Mr Douslin, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. The other singles were between Messrs Heaps, Broad, and Fernie (Nelson) and Messrs Griffiths, Kennedy, and Richmond (Marlborough), all of which Nelson won. The doubles were Messrs Wood and Heaps against Messrs Douslin and Griffiths, won by Nelson, and Messrs Broad and Fernie against Messrs Rich mond and Kennedy, also won by Nelson. Then the players changed opponents, and Messrs Wood and Heaps were pitted agaiust Messrs Kennedy and Richmond, winning by 6- 60, and Messrs Broad and Fernie against Messrs Douslin and Griffiths, Nelson this time being beaten 5-4, 7- Play began about half-past ten, and after the doubles a substantial lunch was partaken of, and play resumed again about two o’clock. The day was a lovely one, so people flocked to the tennis ground during the afternoon, and Mrs Pitt, who was kindly giving afternoon tea, had her resources taxed to the utmost, but her assistants were numerous and willing. Among them were Misses Levien, Preshaw, Fell (2), Pitt (2), Hosking (Sydney), and, of course, several of the sterner sex. And now, Bee, for some of the dresses, which were all light and cool - looking. Mrs Watts, handsome black silk grenadine, lace mantle, black bonnet; Mrs C. Watts (Marlborough), becoming robe of grey cloth with white waistcoat, bonnet to match ; Mrs Percy Adams, sweet costume of heliotrope cambric with deep flounce of lace round the long basque, rice-straw hat with spray of rose buds; Mrs Levien, fawn corduroy robe, black and gold bonnet; Mrs J. Wood, pretty fawn costume with white waistcoat embroidered in gold, black straw hat; Mrs Macquarrie, flowered cambric; Mrs L. Adame, cream dowered delaine, large white muslin hat with feathers; Mrs Bunny, grey flowered pongee, small

black bonnet ; Mrs Renwick, black silk grenadine, small grey bonnet ; Mrs J. Sharp, blue-spotted pongee, white hat with blue cornflowers; Mrs R. Kingdon, grey costume with vest embroidered in silver, white straw hat : Sirs Broad, black cambric with chenille spots pinked out with gold, black and gold bonnet ; Mrs Pitt, black cashmere, bonnet to match ; Sirs Fell, blue spotted muslin, white straw bonnet ; Mrs Ledger, green flowered cambric, small bonnet Mrs Thornton, white muslin relieved with red silk vest, white hat with feathers; Mrs Andrew (Masterton), grey costume, white straw bonnet ; Miss Mackay, cream flannel embroidered in gold, black and gold large hat; Miss B. Atkinson, fawn corduroy trimmed with brown silk, brown hat; Miss Catley, ecru flowered muslin, cream hat ; Miss Fell, cream flowered muslin, large cream hat ; Miss L. Fell, also a flowered muslin, white muslin hat ; Miss G. Pitt, cool-looking white robe, large white hat ; Miss Hosking, who is staying with her from Sydney, becoming soft white robe, white rice straw hat; Miss Levien, grey alpaca, large hat ; Miss Esther Atkinson, cool-looking white flowered cambric ; Miss Wood, dark green robe with white pique vest, white hat with ostrich feathers ; Miss Heaps, black robe, with grey aerophane hat; Miss A. Oldham, fawn costume and hat; Miss Curtis, blue flowered muslin, large white hat; Miss Jones, pretty heliotrope nun’s veiling, hat of black lace ; Miss G. Jones, pink muslin with a grey flower running over it, white muslin hat with pink roses ; Miss Munro (Wanganui) green flowered muslin, soft straw hat with green aerophane trimming ; Miss Norse (Wanganui), fawn robe, Bond-street bat ; Miss Marsden (Stoke), fawn cloth costume with white vest ; Miss Mcßae (Richmond), cream delaine, sailor hat with band of black velvet ; Miss Watson, black and white striped zepyhr, black lace hat ; Miss Kissling (Auckland), white pongee silk, white straw hat; Miss Johnson, (Wellington) white muslin, white lace hat. I alsosaw Mesdames Preshaw, Heaps, Tomlinson, Mackay, Ronalds (Christchurch), Atkinson, and Misses Pitt, Ledger (2), Broad, F. Sealy, and Atkinson (2). And now for the names of some of our Marlborough friends, a great many of whom are at present in Nelson. Mrs Griffiths, fawn costume and bonnet; Mrs Clouston, black flowered cambric, hat with white feathers ; Miss Seymour, peculiar shade of heliotrope flowered muslin, straw hat with trimmings to match ; Mrs G. Watts, white costume with a narrow pink stripe in it, large hat. Tuesday was again a lovely day, and soon after ten o’clock people began to wend their way to the port to watch the Regatta. All the yacht races took place in the morning, and the rowing races in the afternoon, but owing to a strong breeze which was blowing they were not able to start the first until nearly four o’clock, necessitating a postponement of three races for the following morning. The Champion Races were won by the Canterbury Rowing Club, the Star Boating Club (Wellington), and the Wellington Rowing Club. There were not many people at the Regatta that one knew, owing, I suppose, to the attractions offered by Mrs Richmond, who was having a garden party for the benefit of the Cathedral, most people just driving straight there, and not remaining at the wharf at all. So, Bee, for yonr sake I had to climb that dreadful hill, only to find that most people were wearing the same gowns they wore to the tennis match. However, I will give you the names of some of the people I noticed. Mesdames Watts, Percy Adams, Levien, R. Kingdon, J. Sharp, C. Watts, G. Watts, Richardson (Blenheim), G. Wood, Blackett, Cock, Pitt, Sealy, Bunny, Preshaw, Sclanders, Cloustin (Blenheim), Mackay, L. Adams ; Misses Watson, Catley, Mackay, Oldham, Broad, Pitt, Levien, Johnson (Wellington), Munroe (Wanganui), Morse (Wanganui), Curtis, Pitt (2), Hosking, Richmond (2), Jones (2), Fell (2), Hunter-Brown, Sealy, Seymour (Blenheim), Boor, Lightfoot, and Atkinson (2). The great event of Tuesday was the Jubilee Ball, to which, I think, nearly everyone went. It was held in the Provincial Hall, and that and the jury room were both packed with dancers—in fact, over three hundred people were present. The hall was decorated with flags and photographs of the old settlers, and a large marquee had been erectedoutsidefor the supper-room. The music was very good, and as the floor also was in good condition, we had every reason to enjoy ourselves, and the Committee are certainly to be congratulated on the excellence of all their arrangements. Some of the gowns, Bee, were lovely, so I know you will like to hear of them. Mrs C. Saunders, a handsome gown of yellow silk covered with brown net, and sprays of roses ; Mrs Percy Adams, becoming brocaded pink silk and chiffon with long spray of pink poppies on the skirt, gold band in her hair ; Airs C. Watts, who looked exceedingly well, wore a coral pink robe, pink heath in her hair; Mrs G. Watts, white silk ; Mrs Watts, black velvet, with panel of pink silk embroidered in gold ; Mrs Broad, heliotrope satin with black nett and feathers ; Mrs R. Kingdon, a very sweet robe of pale pink, the front of the skirt being almost entirely covered with white jet trimming, the same appearing on the low corsage : Mrs H. Glasgow (Wellington), looked well in thick white silk; Mrs A. Glasgow, rich black silk, the front of corsage being covered with black ostrich feathers ; Mrs Bunny, yellow silk and net; Mrs Richardson (Blenheim), becoming gown of heliotrope silk and net; Mrs Moreton looked well in pale heliotrope silk ; Mrs Walker, rich white silk and lace ; Mrs Trask, handsome gown of black satin and lace; Mrs Seddon, black merveilleux; Miss Trask, rich cream brocaded silk with deep flounce of lace ; Miss J. Pitt, pale yellow brocaded silk ; Miss Hosking (Sydney), yellow silk with black lace on the long corsage ; Miss Levien looked very well in black merveilleux with deep lace flounce and spray of buttercups, the corsage having a thick spray of the same flowers, large bouquet of sunflowers; Miss Johnson (Wellington), cream velvet robe braided with gold ; Miss L. Fell, very pretty gown of green

silk with gold girdle ; Miss Fell, black lace over white silk ; Miss Broad, pale green merveilleux with white jet trimming; Miss Worsp t Auckland), brocaded heliotrope silk; Miss B. Atkinson, peaeh coloured cashmere trained : Miss Watson, white silk covered with gold spangled net ; Miss Mackay, heliotrope cashmere with chenille spots; Mrs Thornton, pure white silk with thick girdle : Miss Jackson, pretty white silk and lace: Miss Curtis, blue silkand chiffon; Miss Seymour (Picton), very handsome gown of bright red silk braided with gold ; Miss Richmond, white net and silk ; Miss C. Richmond, apricot silk and net ; Miss Jones, heliotrope cashmere ; Miss G. Jones, white silk ; Miss Preshaw, pink cashmere. The gentlemen, of course, were very numerous. Among them were Messrs Pitt, Trask (the Mayor), Seddon, Macdonald, Macquarrie, PercyAdams, C. Watts, Thornton, Oldham (2). Kirkby, Broad, Kennedy, Douslin, Griffiths, Atkinson, Fell, Richmond, Glasgow (2), Kingdon, I'urtis (2), Duncan, Levien, Andrew, Wiggins, Newton, Johnston, Colt, Maclean, Symons, and Dr. Collins and Lieut. Stansfield from H .M.S. Ringarooma. Dancing was kept up until an early hour in the morning. Notwithstanding this, no one seemed at all tired on Wednesday, but rolled up in hundreds to the races, which were held at the pretty course in Richmond, an easy driving distance from town. From about half past ten o’clock carriages were leaving town laden, and the train was also packed. By twelve o clock the grand stand was crammed with an eager and expectant crowd of onlookers, the bright dresses of the ladies all adding to the beauty of the scene. Everything went off well, and the delay between the races was only short, so that they went with a swing, and did not, as they sometimes do, drag. The first day was lovely, with just a gentle breeze from the sea, but Thursday was very dismal, pouring with rain the whole day. However, a good many people faced the elements, and I should say the good sport they had well repaid them for any little inconvenience regarding the dampness of the weather. As I have only ten minutes to catch the mail in, I will leave the dresses worn and the other items of news until next week. I find I have also omitted to tell you about the Art Exhibition, which was opened by Sir William Fox last Monday, but this must also wait.

Phyllis.