PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XI, 14 March 1896, Page 297

PICTON.

Dear Bee, March 3. The Misses Greensill invited a large party on Wed nesday to AFTERNOON TEA AND TENNIS. but a downpour of rain put a stopper on the tennis, and only a few were adventurous enough to brave the elements for the afternoon tea. which was served in the drawing room. It was a very jolly little party who met there, and included Miss May Greensill, who looked very pretty in a pale green cloth costume ; Miss Ethel Greensill, fawn skirt, and a fashionable blouse of soft cream crepon ; Miss Bessie Greensill, in black; Miss Howard, fawn tweed trimmed with brown velvet: Miss Nellie Allen, brown: Mrs Allen. Messrs Greensill, J. Greensill, and Howard, etc. Small affairs are the order of the day. As I said last week, meetings are so prevalent just now that ladies are too busy to attend anything else. Most of us are on committees for bazaars, balls, concerts, and other amusements for Easter, so that only a few can meet at society affairs. On Friday Mrs Duncan (“The Knoll ’). who, I am glad to say, is able once more to receive her friends had A SMALL AFTERNOON TEA for Miss Nellie Allen, who returns to Christchurch on Thursday next to continue her studies at the University. Those present, were Mesdames Duncan, Smith, Hazlett. Alien, DucKworth, and Misses Nellie Allen, Eyes, Speed, and Marion Speed. Another small afternoon tea on Friday was given by the Misses Seymour (three* at ‘Cam House,* those present being Mrs John Conolly (Blenheim), Miss Conolly (Auckland). Misses Gard (two), Philpotts, Greensill (two), etc. On Saturday afternoon Mrs and Miss Philpotts entertained a very merry party at ‘ Ascham.’ tea and tennis being the order of the afternoon. Mr and Mrs Stowe. Mrs John Conolly (Blenheim), Misses Gard (two 1 , Miss Conolly. Misses Seymour (three), Messrs Mirams. Wiggins, etc., were present. The Presbyterian Sunday-school fete, postponed from Wednesday on account of the rain, eventuated on Thursday up Esson’s Valley—the ever-favoured spot for picnics—and w as. as usual, a success, the ladies of the congregation and teachers working in their hearty way together for the benefit of the little ones. On Friday evening the Countess Wachtmeister lectured on THEOSOPHY in the Forester’s Hall. You will smile w’hen I say there were only five present, three of them being ladies, but the Countess was so pleased at the interest taken in the subject by those three ladies that she gave her lecture and much interesting information on the science cf Theosophy for their benefit alone. The weather again, I must say, was accountable for the sparse attendance. ODDS AND ENDS. A party consisting of Mr McCrorie. of the Union Company’s office (Dunedin), Mrs McCrorie, family, and Miss Stoneham, are camping out at Torea. They say that no description they ever heard or read of equals the reality in regard to the beauty of the scenery of Picton and its surroundings. Mr J, M. Hickson, clerk of the S. M. Court, Havelock, has been promoted, and will proceed to Paeroa, Thames, shortly. Mr H. G. Hoddinott. of Wellington, takes his place in Havelock. Mr Arthur Fisk, eldest son of Captain Fisk, second officer of the ‘Rakaia,* writes an interesting account of his adventures after the steamer went on the rocks. His people suffered much anxiety when the first news arrived. The Easter ball and other entertainments are for the benefit of the Literary Institute this year. We all hope it will be a ‘bumper benefit,’ so that a new building may be erected ere the winter gales set in. The present building is the most ancient in the town, and the young lady who acts as librarian fully expects her remains will have to be collected from among the debris some stormy evening unless something is done. Jean.