HASTINGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 9, 27 February 1892, Page 207

HASTINGS.

Dear Bee, February 27. There hasn’t been very much going on here lately, but thanks to the energy of the Rev. Mr Hobbs, our worthy incumbent, some fun will be forthcoming next week or the week after. I think I told you in my last that we were going to have an exhibition of wax works, the rehearsals for which are going steadily on, and the whole affair looks most promising. One of the pictures, ‘The Old Woman who lives in a Shoe,’ will, I am sure, be most amusing. Given a fine night, I think I can safely predict a crowded house, more especially as I hear the price of admission is to be extremely low. Mr William Marshall preached a very touching sermon at St. Matthew’s Church the other Sunday evening. The Rev, gentleman has come from Australia for a trip, and is paying a flying visit to all his friends. He seems very sorry to have to leave New Zealand again, and would most likely stay here only the climate does not agree with him. I am sorry to have to tell you that Mr Reid met with an accident a few days ago. He was riding rather a frisky horse, when the animal started bucking and pitched Mr Reid off on to his head, and hurt him very much. However, he is recovering, as I see he is going about again much the same as usual.

What a number of accidents occur yearly through horses! I once heard an experienced New Zealander remark that nearly all the accidents that happen in this new country of ours are caused by rivers or by horses, and I think he was about right. In nearly every paper you take up there either is a case of drowning, or a death from a kick from a horse or from a fall from one. One really can’t be too careful.

From latest advices I hear that Mr Lanauze is getting on very well indeed. He is in Christchurch at present. Miss Seale has returned from the South, and is looking very well. Mr and Mrs A. C. Lewis have removed to Havelock, and are now living in the house formerly occupied by Mr Robert Braithwaite.

Mrs Von Dadelzen has been on a visit to Mrs Lowry at Okawa. I hear that she is shortly going over to Sydney for a year. Don’t you call that something like a change. Bee ?

Our Athemrum is in a very flourishing condition just now, and I think a good deal of the success attending it is in a great measure due to rhe exertions of Mrs Price. A number of new members have lately joined, and one can procure a very readable book now, for fresh supplies seem constantly arriving. We are not allowed to take the journals and papers home, but we may read theiii in the reading-room, a nice large clean and airy room, which is of itself a boon.

The Heretaunga School has re opened, and I am very glad to hear that Messrs Fraser and Robinson have a great number of new boys. Miss Rainbow is in charge of the domestic arrangements, so we may be sure everything will be properly managed, as it should be. Mrs Rainbow is staying with Mrs (Captain) Russell at present, pending the erection of her house at Tomoana. Whooping cough is going about a good deal now. I have several times lately seen children nearly choking in the streets, and have pitied them from the very bottom of my heart. With the exception of this there seems to be very little sickness about, and the influenza patients are all doing well.

The Ram Fair here has attracted a number of visitors from all parts, of course I mean men. The town seems very full, and the cabs are rushing about at a great rate. It is very enjoyable to take a walk up town when there are a number of people about. It makes one think, ‘ Well, really, our town is certainly growing,’ and growing it is. Bee, for I hear there are a number ot new shops going up, and that is a good sign.

Mrs Tyreman gave a children's party on the race course, anti the fun waxed fast and furious. The little ones seemed to enjoy themselves immensely, and were only too sorry when it was time to go home. I have noticed some pretty street gowns lately. Mrs Sheath wears a black and white figured delaine, white Tom tug hat : Miss Wallace, green and white delaine, sailor hat : Miss Seale, dark skirt, pale blue blouse, Tom tug hat; Miss Amy Seale, dark brown skirt, blue blouse, Tom tug hat with yellow band ; Mrs Tipping, dark blue figured gown, stylish hat; Miss Tipping, navy skirt, rose pink blouse, black hat with white ribbon bows ; Mrs Norman Beetham, navy skirt, white shirt, navy cut a way jacket, white Tom - tug hat; Miss Wardell (Wairarapa), stylish grey costume, white vest, white Tom tug hat; Mrs E. D. Tanner, navy figured gown, sailor hat ; Mrs Robert Wellwood, white gown, large white hat with feathers ; Miss Lisaman, dark skirt, heliotrope blouse, small black hat ; Miss Russell, very pretty pale blue and pink striped gingham, stylish hat ; Miss Raine (Christ church), navy figured gown, white belt with gold stripes, small hat ; Miss Williams, dark skirt, very stylish navy blue jacket, white Bond-street hat, with black velvet band.

Dolly.