PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XXIII, 9 June 1894, Page 547

PICTON.

Dear Bee, May 29. A DANCE arranged by some Blenheim young men for Wednesday evening was of course a freeze, only twelve ladies and twelve gentlemen being present. Dancing was kept up. nevertheless, till the early hours of Her Majesty’s natal day. As I was not present I am unable to give any of the dresses worn. The ladies were Mrs and the Misses Waddy (two), Mrs and the Misses Fell (two), Miss Carey, Mrs and Miss Mellish, Miss (A.P.) Seymour, Miss Scott, Mrs Richardson, Messrs S. Hodson, Pasley. J. H. Smith. Conolly, Richardson, Adams, Hogg, White, Speed, Wynn-Williams, G. Waddy, and Hawkins. There was some idea of postponing the CHRISTY MINSTREL PERFORMANCE in aid of the Rowing Club out of respect to Mr White, who is the hon. secretary, but hearing of it, he specially requested that matters should proceed, as the Club are sadly in need of funds for the purchase of boats, and only on a holiday can a really good audience be got together for an amateur performance. There was a full house for the performance, and an appreciative one too. Everything went off well, the gentlemen for once, taking the cake for smart attire, the corner men, Messrs Rawle and Dodd, being befrilled and ‘ done up,’ out of all knowledge. The other men wore scarlet trousers, white shirts, neck-ties to taste, and black faces, and wigs. The girls wore black crape masks, scarlet blouses, and white frocks with scarlet stripes, and all looked exceedingly smart. Messrs Rawle and Dodd were the life and soul of the niggers. The conundrums were mostly local, and much appreciated, especially those about the Tennis Club, and the ‘ Torea ’ and ‘ Phoenix ’ loading out at Mabel Island to save coming up to the wharf. Only a few of the songs were strictly Christy’s, but the choruses of all were exceedingly well rendered, all owing to the skilful teaching of Mrs Millington, who is patience and perseverance personified. Of the soloists Miss Linton takes the palm among the lady singers, though nervousness prevented her singing as well as she did at the rehearsals. Miss Mary Seymour ana Miss Evelyn Linton also sang well, and all three had bouquets thrown at them, as also had Messrs Dodd, Brown, and Rawle. Never since we were visited by the PalmerBeaumont company have we listened to such delightful singing. Mr Dodd is known, I believe, to the musical world of Wellington, but Mr Brown is local talent, whose light has been hidden under a bushel so far, and who has a most charming tenor voice, which is being brought out through Mrs Millington. Those taking part in the concert were the Misses Duncan, Linton (two), Seymour (two). Allen, Fell, Carey, Phillpotts (two). Nickless (two), and Messrs Fox. Baillie, Rawle. Dodd, Brown, Gomez (two). Masters, Fisk, Greensill, and Philpotts. After the concert, the Domino dance was gone through, by special request, by the Misses E. Seymour, E. Waddy, M. and J. Linton, and R. and L. Greensill. Then came a demon dance by Masters C. Waddy and C. Macshane, who were got up to represent skeletons. and did so in a most realistic manner, and after that came an original farce, which was written for the occasion by Mrs Millington After a series of misunderstandings, light is thrown on the subject, and the two love-lorn couples, and the old couple as well, embrace, and dance THE KANGAROO DANCE backwards and forwards across the stage, whilst bouquets are showered upon them by the audience, who are in convulsions of laughter. Those taking part in the farce were Mr Fox and Miss Isabel Seymour (Mr and Mrs Sprightly), Miss E. Linton (Miss Sprightly), Miss Millington (Miss Georgina ). and Messrs Broun and Dodd (the twin brothers about whom all the bother was). Mrs Millington played the accompaniments, and, assisted by Dr. Millington, managed the whole affair, and carried it through to the end without the slightest hitch. She, too, was the recipient of a couple of bouquets, testifying to her excellent management and her devotion to the good cause. After the entertainment another dance was initiated. THE DRESSES. I noticed Mrs Waddy in black merveilleux veiled in chenille spotted net; Mrs Richardson, black with yellow roses; Mrs Allen, black with white Maltese lace; Mrs Mellish, black, with cardinal plush opera wrap ; Mrs Fell, black ; Mrs H. C. Seymour, brown costume with deep basque ; Mrs Scott, black ; Mrs Duncan, black silk ; Miss N. Beauchamp looked very nice in black velvet, cut square and finished with white lace: Miss lA. P.) Seymour wore navy blue velvet; Miss Clare Kenny in white ; Miss Mellish, pink silk veiled with Brussels lace ; Miss Beauchamp, white satin, gauze, and green Liberty silk sleeves and sash ; Mi-s K. Seymour, dark red silk ; Miss M. Seymour, pale green silk with dark green sleeves ; Miss Laura Beauchamp, saffron lustre t Miss E. W addy was also prettily dressed in soft creamy material, which suited her; Mi«s Fell, white: Miss Scott, black; Mias S. Greensill, cream; Miss E. Greensill, dark frock; Miss B. Greensill, dark costume. The rest of the girls wore the dresses they performed in. Miss Millington looking very nice in red lustre with hat to match, and Miss E. Linton in cream with pink frills, and hat also en suite. All the others had their scarlet and white short frocks, and were the Misses Duncan. M. Fell, Allen. Linton, I. Seymour, Philpotts, etc., the gentlemen present being Messrs Simpson, Woodhead, Hodson. Pasley, Hogg, Smith, Hawkins, Greensill, Baillie, Rawle. Dodd. Richardson. White. Waddy, Wynn-Wil-liams. Adams. Fox, Philpotts, and Dr. Millington. On Friday, the weather being glorious, A PICNIC was held at Laughing Bob’s Bay. and some of the young people made up their lost opportunities at the dance. On Monday following

A PRESENTATION OF SILVER was made to Miss Bowden, in the Sunday-school room, by her old pupils. Miss Bowden, who is about to be married, is a daughter of the Rev. Bowden of the Waimea. Nelson, and is visiting Mrs Sedgewick in Picton. The presentation, consisting of silver napkin rings and a preserve spoon, was made by the Misses R. Seymour, S. Greensill and N. Allen on behalf of the pupils. After the business was over, coffee, and cakes were han Jed round, and then pnpils and friends proceeded to enjoy themselves. Jean.