MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 37, 10 September 1892, Page 909

MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE

Foli seems to have surprised Dunedinites in a moment of indifference. Certainly the weather was awful, and Signor Foli has not had an encouraging opening in New Zealand. Although the audience upon the first night was not so large as might have been expected to welcome one of the representative singers of Great Britain, no more enthusiastic welcome has ever been accorded a vocalist, cries of 1 bravo ’ and cheering following the rendering of his solos, which were magnificent. His first solo was the aria, 1 Qui Sdegno,' from Mozart s ‘ Il Flauto Magico.’ His grand singing throughout the concert was a revelation to many. Miss Bertha Rossow, now on her fourth visit to Dunedin, was accorded a very warm greeting, and has throughout the season riveted her claims upon the music-loving people. Miss Emilia Wood, the pianiste who was here with Madame Patey, was also warmly received. Madame Tennyson Cole is a stranger, but made herself liked from the first. Her voice is well trained and sympathetic. The foremost Liberal in New Zealand was the happy title which Mr Fergus gave to Sir George Grey, adding that he was ‘ the highest constitutional authority in the House.’ Sir George Grey made a long speech upon the Electoral Bill, and, of course, had an admiring audience. If it was announced that he would speak on the advantages to be gained by chipping an egg at the round end, he would no doubt have an immense number of listeners. Listening to him, one is always reminded of the description of I lysses in the Iliad. • But when he Speaks what elocution flows! Soft as the fleeces of descending snows. The copious accents fall with easy art. Melting they fall, and sink into the heart.' Miss Sutcliffe is about to resign her position as one of the governesses at Government House. It is rumoured that the daughter of a well-known doctor is to obtain the vacant post. A sad drowning fatality is reported from Hastings. A partv consisting of Mrs G. Naumann, Mrs Alexander and child, and little Flossie Alexander left Mr Willie Conner's Station to come to Hastings. The late heavy rains have caused the rivers to rise considerably, and as the current

appeared very strong at the usual fording place, the driver took the horse and buggy a little lower down the stream. When nearly in the middle of the river the trap capsized, and all the occupants were thrown into the water. Two or three people saw the accident, and at once launched a canoe and went to the rescue. They succeeded in saving everyone except little Flossie, who was washed down the stream. Her body was subsequently recovered by a man named Pilcher. Very great sympathy is felt for the bereaved mother. People cannot be too careful in crossing these Hawke’s Bay rivers, the fords are so treacherous they are constantly changing. Mr Bicknell, the popular accountant of the Union Bank, on leaving Napier for pastures new, was presented by Mr J. H. Kerr, on behalf of himself and staff, and also on behalf of Mr Vickerman, the popular manager of the Hastings branch, who was unavoidably absent, with a very handsome travelling bag, as a mark of their esteem. All the officers of the Bank are sorry to lose Mr Bicknell, and hope he will prosper wherever he may chance to be stationed. Mr Bicknell made a neat little speech, thanking his brother officers for their kind thoughts of him. Our Napier correspondent says : ‘ I regret exceedingly having to tell you of the death of Mr Archibald Bryson, which took place in Hastings-street while he was conversing with a fiiend. It was terribly sudden, and was due to apoplexy. He was standing in front of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company’s offices at the time the fatality occurred. Very great sympathy is expressed for his widow and children. Mr Bryson was an exceedingly fine man, nearly six feet five inches in height, broad shouldered in fact, massively built. He had been in Napier over thirty years. He came out to New Zealand in 1859 in company with Mr John Dinwiddee in the ship “ Caducis, " landing in Auckland. He was fifty-seven years old at the time of his death, and one of the best known men in Napier.’ Doctor Mackay and Mrs Mackay, of Nelson, have been spending a week in Picton. Unfortunately the bad weather prevented any outings, but the Doctor enjoyed his rest, which was the principal object of his visit. An excellent organ recital was given by Mr H. Fenton, at Maheno. Of the organ solos, Dunkler’s well known reverie, ‘Au bord de la mer,’ and an andante and largo by H. Farmer seemed to afford the most pleasure to the congregation. This talented young player was warmly applauded and congratulated on his wonderfully expressive and successful manipulation of the organ. He plays seven different instruments. Mr Fenton also played for matins

and evensong on Sunday. At the latter service, which was full choral, there was a surpliced choir of twenty-two. Mr H einrich Von Haast has returned to Christchurch after a visit to England of about eighteen months. He brings news of many old College boys and other Canterbury friends, and has had a hearty welcome back. Mr Joseph Rhodes, of Springhill (Napier), has met with a very nasty accident, which will keep him confined to his room for some considerable time. He was riding about his run when his horse backed into a barbed wire fence. On feeling the barbs, the animal turned and dragged her rider s leg against the barbed wire, over about a dozen of the barbs tearing and lacerating the flesh terribly. Mr Rhodes is doing as well as can be expected. The strange part is that Mr Rhodes experiences very little pain, and yet the flesh is torn just as if it had been sawn.