Topics of the Week.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 25, 18 June 1892, Page 608

Topics of the Week.

SOCIETY’S SAYINGS AND DOINGS

Ttl E weather clerk appears to be despitefully inclined towaidscertainpeople. Since the first Assembly dance

given by Miss Seymour (Blenheim) it had been almost rainless till the other evening, when the second of these popular dances eventuated. If the disagreeable person in question hoped to damp the spirits of those present, or to make the evening anything but a signal success, he must have been most thoroughly and deservedly disappointed. Miss Seymour and her aide-de-camp, Mr Griffiths, exerted themsefves to the utmost to make the affair ‘ go.’ They were eminently successful, and so was the dance. Everyone enjoyed it and themselves hugely. The floor was in excellent order, Mr Vannini played well, the supper was first-class, and the night cap of hot soup before going away both * grateful and comforting.’

Thoroughly satisfactory from every point of view was the St. George’s Rowing Club dance holden in the Choral Hall, Auckland, last week. The decorations were artistic and appropriate, there being plenty of bunting, greenery, and cunningly-displayed oars, etc. The floor of this edifice is always a thorn in the flesh of dancers, but on this occasion the untiring efforts of the committee had rendered it far better than usual. It was slippery in most places, but the sticky patches were disconcerting, and nothing can take away from the stony-hearted springlessness of the boards. Nevertheless, dancing was indulged in with undeniable enjoyment and spirit. In point of numbers the ball was a very large one, and smart into the bargain, all the well - known faces being present. Adams’ band supplied the dance music with the exception of the extras, which were played by certain wandering minstrels who are doing big business in Auckland just at present. Nearly four hundred people were, somebody told me, present, and certainly at times the floor was quite as crowded as was comfortable. The arrangements were in every way perfect, the supper being particularly good. Mr Jas. Coates, the ever-genial, ever-popular commodore, was, of course, present, looking very fit, I am glad to say, and quite recovered from his late illness. Those responsible for the evening’s success were Messrs H. C. Tewsley, A. S. Bankhart, A. E. White, H. G. Kissling, H. A. Marriner, A. G. Buchanan, J. 8. Brigham, A. Clarke, A. Howard, F. Jervis, F. Kilfoyle, A. McHardy, R. Johnson, W. Philson, and the energetic secretary, F. Hull.

The past week has been exceptionally quiet in Christchurch. There have been no social events to mark the round of days. The presence of a man-of-war in port failed to draw a festivity of ever so small a kind, and the • Goldfinches ’ must have voted us (says my correspondent) decidedly slow.

N ews of a coach accident which might have proved very serious comes from Napier. The Kuripapanga coach was going along the I’uketapu cutting when the accident occurred. A wool waggon was coming from the opposite direction, and the horses of the coach shied at the waggon, precipitating the coach down a bank some 30ft. There were several passengers inside the coach, including Messrs Cotteril and Logan, and Miss Quilter. Mr Logan was only shaken, and went on his way in another trap, but Mr Cotterill sprained his right wrist, and received a great shock, so he returnee! to town. Miss Quilter sustained a fracture of one of the small bones in her right ankle. It was a miracle no lives were lost, as the coach was smashed to pieces. The driver was not blamed at all, as he is wellknown as a most careful • whip.’ The accident might have happened to anyone, as the road is very narrow in that part. Mr Cotterill is recovering from the effects of the accident.

Rinking is again coming to the fore in Auckland, more especially in what Mr Toole would call the * hupper suckle*.' I hear that a rinking club is to be opened in Parnell next week. A strong provisional committee has been formed, and the affair promises to be the smartest of its kind ever

inaugurated in this part of the world. This evening (Wednesday, 15th) will be the first open night, and a very cheery and pleasant re-union is expected. There is no doubt that a rinking club of a more or less select character will be greatly appreciated. It is an aggravation to be knocked down by some clumsy rinkist, but insult seems added to injury when one finds it is the butcher’s boy or the grocer’s assistant with * his young lady ’ who have spilled you, and that they are enjoying to the full the pleasure of having upset * a bloomin’ brushed-up tofl'.’ At the Parnell Rink Club there is to be a band, and the number of members will be limited.

A very pleasing ceremony took place at the Council Chamber, Hastings, when the Mayor (Mr Ellis) was presented with a beautiful oil painting of himself, and an illuminated address. The presentation was made by Captain Russell, M.H.R., who made a very touching speech. Mr Ellis feelingly replied, and made a very courteous reference to Mr Burnett, and said he hoped before long to see his portrait on the Council wall. The oil painting of Mr Ellis is very true to life.

The concert given by Miss M. Vartha in aid of Herrick’s Home at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Christchurch, on Friday night, was very successful in spite of difficulties. The object is one which deserves public sympathy of a substantial kind, and the hall was well filled, though a gale of wind and rain set in early in the evening. Herr Max Hirschburg, who had promised to assist, had unfortunately to disappoint Miss Vartha at the last moment, but Miss Edith Bell proved a very acceptable and efficient substitute, the duets between Miss Vartha and this lady being most brilliantly played. The change in performers only necessitated, indeed, the altering of one piece in the programme, which was a most attractive one. Miss Vartha’s solos were delightfully played, and entirely from memory. Miss Packer gave two violin solos accompanied by her sister, and won great applause. This young lady is looked upon now as one of our best amateur violinists, and never fails to give great pleasure. The vocal performers were Mrs Jennings, Mrs McEwan, Mr Hugh Reeves, and Mr W. Izard, who all sang very effectively. Mr Bowman played a violin obligato to one of Mrs McEwan’s songs. I have not heard the amount of the cheque that found its way to Herrick’s Home, but I hope it was for a good fair sum.

Mr Edison’s latest invention in the shape of aerial machines, which can travel through the air at will, and hurl down dynamite on the earth beneath them, are likely to revolutionise the present system of warfare. Supposing a vessel to approach near a hostile town protected by a hitherto impregnable fortress ? One of these machines set afloat in the air would hover over the doomed town and blow it and its garrison to atoms, or force an immediate surrender. One or two of these dynamite armed machines would quietly drop • like a bolt from the blue ’ on an army in battle array, and send thousands of brave men in one moment to their last review. Mr Edison says these machines are not expensive. Surely with such fatally destructive instruments in their hands governments will hesitate to engage in war.

A very charitable institution has been started in Napier, namely, a home for destitute children. A house has been taken in McDonald-street, and already some half-dozen children are installed there. The ladies of Napier are to be congratulated on their really charitable work, and it is to be hoped that people will liberally respond to the call for subscriptions, as the Home will have to be entirely supported by voluntary contributions. The children are going to be clothed, fed, and educated until they are old enough to earn their own living. Their moral and mental training will be well looked after.

The Kahanga—a Ladies’ Savage Club—is now quite a Dunedin institution. The meetings are held on Tuesday

nights, which is the same evening as that on which the gentlemen Savages also repair to their club. Hence, there can be no objection raised by husband or wife to the weekly absence of either. No abuse of ‘ clubs ’ can be levelled by Madame at the head of her lord and master, whilst he, for his part, has no cause to complain that his hearth is rendered unattractive by his lady’s departure, seeing he has provided himself with that excellent substitute for a wife—a club. The second evening of the Kahanga Club was held at Mrs Rattray’s house. Particulars appear elsewhere.

Mrs Stevens’ working party inet on Friday afternoon (says my Christchurch correspondent), when there was a large attendance. A little music and short readings made a pleasing variety through the afternoon, and the numerous little garments grew apace. At present the work is warm clothes for children at the Hospital.

A Leap Year Ball at Macrae’s, Dunedin, was an enjoyable affair, and the lady promoters were much complimented on the result. The schoolhouse, which was the scene of festivity, was prettily decorated. Among the guests were the Misses Ryan, M. Ryan, Deem, Giiffin, Dippie, Connell, Gifford, J. Mills, H. Griffiths, M. Simpson, Griffin, Roy, M. Phelan, White, and Mrs Elson.

The Napier Skating Rink is a great attraction still. Some of the graceful performers are Mesdames H. Russell (Turanui), Lascelles (Clive), and several other ladies from the country. Numbers of ladies are only going on skates for the first time, and are really making considerable progress. Among these may be mentioned Mrs Balfour, who is very plucky, and ought to make a good skater. Miss Mabel Rhodes had a nasty fall lately, but is none the worse apparently. Miss Lascelles attended recently, looking very handsome.

The second series of lecture-concerts at All Saints’, Dunedin, was held in the schoolroom, • Haydn ’ being the subject under discussion. The Rev. Mr Fitchett gave the lecture. Mr J. Jago, who was in splendid voice, sang ‘ Graceful Consort ’ with Mrs Petrie, and * Softly Purling ’ and a song from ‘ The Seasons.’ Mrs Petrie also gave ‘My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair.’ Mrs F. L. Jones sang ‘ With Verdure Clad ’ very sweetly, and a string quartette consisting of Messrs J. Coombs, Catchpole, Finch, and Coombs (jun.) played three pieces exquisitely.

On Tuesday the Christchurch Musical Society had what is known now as an ‘open night.’ There was an exceedingly strong muster of members, a hundred being present, who with their friends quite filled the Durham - street schoolroom. After an hour’s practice of ‘ St. Paul ’ a nice little programme of songs and a duet by the Misses March gave much pleasure, the other vocalists being Mrs Garrard, Miss Ethel Turner, Messrs Johnson and Revell. A very interesting part of this programme was a presentation to Miss March, the honorary pianist of the Society, who for over four years has been a painstaking and efficient worker. Mr Justice Denniston, the President, made the presentation, which consisted of a gold bangle, a fur-lined cloak and purse. This little attention was from the working members only to show their appreciation of Miss March’s efforts. She certainly has to go through a good deal of drudgery, which cannot always be pleasant. Mrs Kimbell was present, and Bishop Julius, in a few well chosen words, wished her a ‘ safe and prosperous voyage and speedy return ’ in the name of the Society, of which she is an old and valued member.

Very cheery and altogether enjoyable was the dance given in the Town Hall at Clyde the other day. The cotillon was danced, and created a vast amount of amusement, Mr Fulton distinguishing himself as a driver with the ribbon re ins. The night was perfect for dancing—frosty but fine, and a clear sky with magnificent starlight. Many people came from a distance, and all thoroughly enjoyed the dance.

Professor J. M. Brown, the professor of English literature, has been granted leave of absence from Canterbury College for a visit to Europe. 111-health, unfortunately, is the cause of his application for leave, more especially failing eyesight, but after eighteen years of service it is a wellearned holiday. Mr O. T. J. Alpers, M. A., will temporarily discharge the duties of his chair. The work will not be new to him, as he has been assistant to Professor Brown for some years. Mrs J. McMillan Brown accompanies her husband on his trip also having obtained leave from the Girls’ High School, which has been conducted with such success during her term as Lady Principal. Miss Henderson will be in charge during her absence, with the usual staff of assist ants.