PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue VIII, 24 February 1894, Page 187

PICTON.

Dear Bee, February 13. A most delightful excursion was initiated on Thursday last to THE ANTIMONY MINES at Endeavour Inlet, the s.s. Torea having her full complement of passengers, and everybody, like John Gilpin's better half, on ‘ pleasure bent..’ We were full three hours steaming down to that historical and beautiful spot, and lunched on board when we entered the Inlet bay. so as to have all our time on shore for explorations. A dozen or more of the young people wont off at once, on landing, to climb the mountains and explore the tunnel whence the antimony is procured. After a steep climb they reached the tunnel, but candles were scarce, matches non est, and without a guide the black darkness of the dripping tunnel was unnavigable, and reluctantly the girls had to give up all idea of coming out at Port Gore and getting a view of Wellington hills, and boasting of their wonderful exploits to the rest of the party, some of whom went a-ferning, and others of a scientific turn of ’mind visited the works and got some information anent crushing, and smelting, and hair-raising accounts of the money buried amongst the elaborate machinery of the antimony mines. The inlet was quite a gay scene, and the residents came out in their Sunday attire in honour of the occasion The only gentleman of our party—for sad to say. dear Bee. the fates in the different guise ot accident, sickness, * bosses,’ etc., had put a veto on the attendance of our swains—boiled the ‘billies’ for us, and afternoon tea whs as ‘nectared sweets ’ after our exertions on the mountains and in the valleys of the inlet. On our return journey wc met several boats, their occupants pulling home from various points. In one were three women doing a pull of about twelve miles to their home near Duffenbach. It was their misfortune that they were going the wrong way. as Captain Fisk is always good for a tow. Our party consisted of Mrs Smith, Mrs H. C. Seymour, Mrs Allen, Mrs Western (The Lindens), MrsC. Western. Miss Speed, Miss Hanger (England). Miss Mclntyre. Miss Crawford (Wellington). Miss Duncan, Miss Bessie Grcensill (Brisbane), Misses Mary. K., and Isabel Seymour, F. and E Western, May, 8., and E. Greensill, Nora and B. Allen. M. Maclaine, and Mr Rutherford. The Misses Greensill gave another of their delightful TENNIS TEAS at Brooklyn on Friday afternoon. In view of the coming return match with the Blenheim players some good practice sets were tried, and our people hope to give a better account of themselves than they did at Blenheim. Messrs Greensill (President of the Club) and Rutherford are working up the players, and pitting the best players against each other, so as to choose the best for the match. Tea was laid out on small tables under the trees, and much pleasant fun and laughter went on during the al fresco meal. Boating on the lagoon was ir dulged in when the light became too deeply shadowed for tennis. Mr Greensill and his daughters (three) were perfect host and hostesses, and everybody declared they had a most delightful afternoon. Those present were Mrs Smith, the Misses Bessie Greensill. Philpotts (two), Seymour (three). Duncan. Allen. Mclntyre (two), Crawford. Hay, Messrs Fox. Maling, Racliffe, W. B lillie, and J. Greensill. OUR FOLK. The Rev. Mr Kempthorne took his departure for Nelson on Wednesday, Mr and Mrs Sedgewick returning on Thursday. Miss Hanger, a young lady touring in the colonies, is staying with Mrs Rutherford, and is much pleased with the climate ana scenery of New Zealand. Mr and Mrs Waters, and family (Wellington) are spending their holidays at Anikawa. with Mrs Beauchamp, who has just returned from a month’s visit to Christchurch. Mrs Kenny has returned home to ‘ The Rock,’ greatly improved in health, after a long sojourn at Marshlands, where she has been under Dr. Cleghorn’s care, and indefatigably nursed and tended by her kind friends, Mrs and the Misses Chaytor.

Jean.