PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue VII, 18 August 1894, Page 163

PICTON.

Dear Bee, August 7. The annual meeting of the parishioners of Holy Trinity (Anglican) Church has resulted in a step being taken towards giving women certain privileges in church government now only bestowed upon men. WOMAN’S power in church. Mr John Duncan, who is a staunch supporter of progress in every form, brought a resolution before the meeting to the effect that at the next meeting of the Diocesan Synod the representatives of this district should bring before the Synod the unanimous desire of the parishioners that women should have the power to vote, and also to act as officers of the church. The applause which greeted Mr Duncan’s resolution plainly testified to the feeling of the meeting. After the parish business was done the meeting resolved itself into a pleasant little social gathering ; tea, coffee, and cakes being provided by some of the ladies. The yearly visit of THE MEMBERS AND THEIR WIVES is quite an oasis in the desert of excitements here, and Saturday ’s visit was no exception to the rule. The Hinemoa arrived soon after 10 a.m.. and the party were welcomed by Mayor Philpotts, Mrs and Miss Philpotts, Mrs Allen, Miss Duncan, and Messrs John Duncan and S. C. Allen being also on the wharf, prepared to show as many of the lions as a limited time would permit.

NEW ZEALAND’S FAMOUS LADY MAYOR, Mrs Yates, of Onehunga, was of the party, and was promptly taken possession of by your correspondent, conveyed to the sacred edifice wherein the borough laws are written down as they emanate from the powerful brains of our City Fathers, and installed in the mayoral chair, from whence

SHE DELIVERED A HOMILY ON TOWN COUNCILLORS AND GAS. Some of the party visited the church, and others were taken to see the debatable land of the tennis court, {and were asked the latest Picton conundrum, namely, ‘How was it possible for people playing on the court during the afternoon to interfere with the slumbers of an individual ever so far away?’ The members couldn’t see it. and promised to heartily support the club in their efforts with the Government to retain possession of the court till it was required for building or other Departmental purposes. A special train conveyed the party to Massacre Hill, where they visited the monument erected to the memory of those unfortunate individuals who were massacred there more than fifty years ago, and from thence proceeded to Blenheim where they were entertained right royally by the Blenheim folks, driving around the country, and at a banquet in Ewart’s Hall, where Mrs Yates, of Onehunga. set an excellent example to prosy men by saying all that she had to say in less than five minutes. I heard her being afterwards complimented on the force, vigour, and the absence of all tautology in her speech. We a'l think the Onehunga ratepayers ought to be proud of their lady Mayor, and certainly they are to be complimented on their march in the van of progress. The party returned to Picton at 6 pm., and the gentle men were entertained by the Mayor, City Fathers, and all the males interested in such mat ters, at a banquet and smoke concert at the Terminus Hotel. Songs were sung and speeches were made, and, according to report and the washed-out appearance of many next day. ‘ the lords of creation ’ thoroughly enjoyed them elves.

Mrs Philpotts, THE MAYOR’S WIFE, ENTERTAINED THE L/DIES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY’ PICNIC PARTY at her residence during the evening, and a most enjoyable time was spent, some of the young ladies being adepts in the art of playing well and singing divinely, and all willing to give pleasure. Miss Carnelle, of Napier, played some selections, and Miss Scddon and a Wellington young lady whose name • am sorry to have forgotten, sang several songs very well indeed. Misses M. Seymour and M. Philpotts sang ‘ Sweet Chiming Bells,’ their voices blending together beautifully. The Picton ladies were Mesdames Allen, Gudgeon. Fell, and Miss M. Seymour, and the visitors. Mesdames Yates, McGuire, Carncross. Flat man, Pirani, Fairchild, Misses Seddon, Holm, Carnelle, Green, and several others whose names I cannot remember. Mrs and the Misses Philpotts' hospitality was greatly appreciated and much enjoyed by all present, though many of the guests would have preferred a something in which both sexes could have joined, not a smoke concert. On the arrival of the late train

A DEPUTATION OF LADIES connected with the Picton Tennis Club, wailed on Mr T. L. Buick, member for the district, with a request that he would lay before the Minister of Justice the Club's side of the question in

regard to their eviction from the court. Mr Buick. however, was totally opposed towhat he called "a precedent.’ though it was pointed out to him that a like precedent already existed in the Parliamentary grounds in Wellington. Mr Buick evidently does not believe in the old saying. * What’s good for the goose, etc., and so I'm afraid that the Pieton lawn tennis club will be a de to net body unless our late visitors will carry influence enough to batter down the stone wall of Mr Buick’s obstinacy.

Jean.