HASTINGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue VII, 18 August 1894, Page 164

HASTINGS.

Dear Bee, August 6. Will nothing come to break the monotony of this dull winter ? During the Session, when all the gay world is bent on Wellington and pleasure, we, who in this weak piping time of peace, have no delights to pass away the time, finding that reading is the one thing left with which to while away the long evenings. are, you may imagine, delighted that the library is closed for three weeks, during which time a new catalogue will be made to include three hundred books just arrived from Home. The feeling that beyond that shut door a whole field of fresh and unthumbed literature lies is, on the whole, tantalizing. Last Wednesday

was performed, under the conductorship of Mr Horace H. Hunt, by the choir of St. Matthew’s in the hall belonging to that church, which passed otF very successfully. The stage was very prettily decorated with greens, which set off the w’hitc figures of the ladies to perfection, and the hall was crowded. The cantata chosen was ‘ Under the Palms,’ the music of which is of a very light and taking order. One or two choruses were rendered by some of the school children, who were trained by Miss Percy. She deserves great credit for her care, the altos being particularly true. OUR PEOPLE. Captain Russell came up from Wellington on Saturday, staying a few days. Mr and Mrs J. B. Braithwaite and Miss Braithwaite are at home again after their round of visits. Mr and Mrs Fitzroy have returned to Ringstead. Mrs Rainbow. Miss Ida Johnston (Wellington), and Miss Keil are staying at * Flax mere.’ Mrs Grant (Wellington) is visiting Mrs Galwey at the Bank of New South Wales. STREET DRESSES. Miss Hodge’is wearing a very neat navy gown, made with frilled basque, black sailor hat with light blue band ; Miss Beamish, black dress, black cloth jacket trimmed with braid, sailor hat; Mrs I'ipping, well-fitting black gown, beaver boa. I noticed an extremely pretty costume of brown French serge the other day, the skirt made with the drape, and vandyked round the bottom showing a frill of golden-brown silk, long jacket, with doublebreasted waistcoat of the silk, a white shirt and tie of mixed browns, a dainty bonnet of gold coloured velvet trimmed with brown feathers completed this charming costume.

Dolly.