NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue III, 20 July 1895, Page 83

NAPIER.

De ar Bee, July 8. Whilst every other town in the colony has been badly treated by Captain Edwin, we have been most fortunate all t he winter. The oldest inhabitants never remember such an ex-hila-ativo winter before. Cold it certainly is. but no fogs or snows or rains to growl at, and people do like to growl, do they not I THE PARK RACE WINTER MEETING held on Wednesday was largely attended in spite of a bitterly cold wind. Buses and cabs of all descriptions plyed all day very busily from town to the course. Ladies wore very sensibly dressed in warm tweeds and jackets. Mrs F. Fenwick© wore a Gobelin blue silk with large sleeves, and shoulder cape edged with pink plush, small toque of same colours ! Mrs Gore, black, stylish black and red toque; Mrs Moeller, black serge, neat vest, black velvet hat with plumes ; Mrs Gordon, brown, pretty brown hat; Miss Fernandez, grey tweed, brown velvet trimmings, golf cape: Mrs George Swan, navy hopsack, grey cape, white felt hat with navy bows: Miss Glendinning. black serge with yellow silk vest, stylish yellow tonne; Miss Rhodes, blue with brown jacket, black toque; Miss Hallett, black velvet: Mrs Jago. dark red with mantle; Miss Beamish, dark green: Mrs 11. Tylee. grey tweed : Mias A. Ormond, grey with white hat with grey wings ; Miss VV’att, dark green with thick fur jacket; etc., etv. THE ANNUAL CALEDONIAN BALL. as usual, was a splendid fixture. the Scotch element prevailing. The procession of pipers was an interesting one. and a varied programme was gone through with the greatest enthusiasm. Mesdames R. Douglas McLean. P. S. McLean. Morris. Kettle, Wenley, Dewes. Ormond. Lockie. Lowry. Gordon. Bear. Milne Thomson. Von Dadelzen, Misses Hall. Kennedy. Dymock (two), Sutton, Ormond, Lowry. Cornford. Campbell. McHardy. Knowles. Hughes. Hltchings. Simcox. Watt (two) I heard were present. 'Auld Lang Syne ’ concluded a jolly ball. ILM.S. RINGAROOMA is lying at anchor under the lea of the breakwater, ami each day

she is thrown open for inspection from 1 till 4 p.m . large numbers of people availing them selves o' this opportunity of visiting this man-of-war. Captain Johnson. Lieutenant Munro. Mr Masters. Lieutenant Balfour Macdonald, the Doctor and Mr Allan wero present at the Caledonian Bali on Tuesday evening, and seemea to thoroughly enjoy themselves. On Wednesday they were driven out to the Park Steeplechase Club Meeting and entertained at luncheon by the stewards of the Club. On Monday next a Christy Minstrel entertainment is to be given by the Ringsroonia talent at the Theatre Royal in aid of the Napier Hospital. Tuesday evening the local Liedertafel have invited them to their initial concert of the season. Mrs N. Kettle entertained the visiting captain and officers on Friday evening at a srnUl dance, which was most enjoyable. Mr and Mrs P. S. McLean. Misses Dymork (two), Balfour, Rhodes Cotterill. Kennedy, McGowan. Lyndon, cc.. were present Mr J. Maginnity was happily successful in the first of his POPULAR BALLAD CONCERTS. which took place on Friday evening at the Theatre Royal, the dress circle and stalls being crowded, and a most enjoyable pro gramme was listened to attentively. Mrs Miller, who hails from the Empire City, and who is known there so favourably in con nection with the Operatic Society, of which she is primti (fonit't, was encored for all her numbers. Her voice is of a rippling mellow capacity, and in ‘ Sing Sweet Bird ’ she executed the trilling passages with great ease. She wore a pretty blue skirt with puff sleeves of the same colour, and lemon satin bodice. An orchestra of nineteen performers, under the concert-giver's baton, rendered some choice selections, the music of * Gondoliers' and ‘ La Cigale ’ being especially pleasing ; Mr Davidson gave the ever welcome ‘ Queen of the Earth ’ in his usual happy style. Mr I »eanc chose ‘ The Storm Fiend ’ for his item. Mr C. Boosey was heartily encored for his • Holy City’ and ‘The Carnival.’ and he shared in the honours of the duet from ‘Maritana’ with Mrs Miller. Mr Maginnity sang ‘ My Life for Thee ’ with great feeling, and in response to a pronounced encore sang ‘ Bid Me to Love.’ He rendered excellent service to the singers by his pleasing accompaniments. Miss Maloney was encored for her piano solo. Mr George Swan, whose recitations are always well received, gave * The Whistler.’ and was encored of course. Amongst the numerous audience I noticed Mr and Mrs Swan, the Misses Williams. Mrs Faulkner and her daughters. Lady Whitmore. Mrs Dixon. Mrs Norman, Miss Matthews, and the boaiders of Girls’ High School. Mrs De Lisle. Misses White, Mrs Anderson. Mrs George Swan, Mrs and Misses Dinwiddie, Miss Hobbes, Miss Henn. Mrs and Miss Jago, Misses MeV ay. Great preparations have been made for the steeplechase at ‘Gwavas ’ to-day. and a DRAG HUNT TO HAMPDEN has been also arranged. Visitors from the surrounding districts will be in great force, it is expected. HERE AND THERE. Mr W. E. Griffen, of Frascrtown, Wairoa. has gone Home via I*, and O. line, and intends being absent from these shores four months. Mrs Griffen is meanwhile visiting Mrs Bell of Napier. Miss A. Binney, of Auckland, is staying with Mrs Heath. Mrs Pilcher is staying in Wellington. Miss Miller has returned from Gisborne. Mrs R. T. Walker has gone to Sydney for a holiday. Miss Russell <Flaxmere» is staying for the session gaieties with her sister. Mrs (Colonel) Fox. Miss Scott is staying at the ’ Manse.’ Miss Gertrude Hughes, who has been on ale *■ - J -- Napier, has left for her home in Wellington.

Gladys.