SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XXII, 30 May 1896, Page 633

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That Government House, Auckland, will probably be vacated the first week in June, much to the regret of Society people and others in the fair Northern city. The present Governor and his family take a keen interest in all that is going

on, be it a patriotic concert, the proposed bazaar for the girls working in shops and factories, a meet of the hounds, a dance, medals for the Ambulance Corps or children's flower show, etc., etc., which kindly interest renders them deservedly popular. Few people realize the constant demand on strength and cheerfulness all this implies.

That the concert given in the Costley Home, Auckland, by the members of the Mount Eden Amateur Harmonic Society, under the conductorship of Mr G. A. Paque, R.A.M., was exceedingly enjoyed.

That the natives of Whangaruru believe that the recent severe gales were caused by the death of a very old native chief in that district, this being one of their cherished superstitions.

That the promotion of Mr N. Carless, who has occupied the positibn of purser of the Huddart-I’arker steamer •Tasmania ’ during the time that she has been on the New Zealand-Sydney trade, to the position of inspector of the Company’s business on the New Zealand coast, is very popular. His headquarters will be in Wellington. That on the ‘Orlando,’ Mr E. G. Chamberlain has

superseded Mr F. C. V. Brown as Captain's Secretary, and two of the midshipmen went Home in the ‘ Endymion.’ On the other warships there is no change. Messrs Davis and Reid, two midshipmen, came across by the • Orlando ’ to join the ‘ Rapid.’ That Miss Hitchings and Miss Una Hitchings, of Napier, have gone to Sydney for a few weeks. That Mr George Dyer has discovered two hot springs in the Otira Gorge, about a mile up the Otira River. That the arrival of the Australian Squadron will be very opportune for the Birthday Ball.

That the H.M.s." Orlando ’ and the cruisers," Wallaroo,’ ‘Katoomba ’ and ‘Ringarooma,’ arrived in Auckland Harbour on Wednesday afternoon, having had a very rough trip from Sydney.

That the ‘ Orlando’ was docked in Auckland on Tuesday morning, and after overhaul will leave on June 13th for Suva. Thence she proceeds to Fitzroy Island and Thursday Island, and is due back at Sydney on August 14th.

That the ‘ Wallaroo,’ ‘Ringarooma,’ and ‘ Katoomba ’ leave Auckland about the 30th instant. Their destinations are not settled, but they join the ‘Orlando’ at Suva between June 18th and June 26th. That the ‘ Wallaroo ’ leaves Suva on June 27th for Noumea for mails, and rejoins the ‘ Orlando ’ at sea. That H.M.s. ‘Katoomba’ will probably be shortly on the New Zealand station and will dock at Lyttelton.

That Mrs Niell, the Assistant Inspector of Asylums, has been up from the South and visited the Auckland Asylum. The patients are much in need of good games to play during the winter evenings—chess, cards, etc.

That the brave act of George Morris, conductor of one of the Ponsonby cars, in plunging into the Auckland Harbour on a recent stormy night and saving the life of Mr Thomas, has been rewarded. Mr T. W. Leys, on behalf of the 100 subscribers, presented him with a purse of Zio-

That the settlers at Waingaro and the vicinity, in the Raglan district, are in much need of a bridge over the Waipa to connect them with Ngaruawahia. That Mrs Fraser and the Misses Churton, from Auckland, are at present the guests of Mrs L. Rees, Gisborne. That the Rev. T. Crombie, from England, is staying at Mr Bradley’s residence, ‘ Riverslea,’ in Poverty Bay.

That Lady Alice and Lady Dorothy Boyle, who have been visiting Mr and Miss Williams at the Bay of Islands, returned to Auckland by the ‘ Clansman ’ on Friday morning. That a fish, which might have been a whale, but is, according to Sir James Hector, who noticed it from the steamer ‘ Grafton,’ a rare fish of the cetaceous order beluga, has been playing about a small bay near the Pelorus sound. Sir James says that there is no specimen of it in any colonial museum, though the skull of one was secured from the Maoris some years ago. That the Countess of Glasgow on Thursday afternoon presented Misses Lilian Phillips and Ruth Utting with the medals they had won at the late Flower Show. Lady Glasgow received the ladies and children in the drawing-room at Government House, and kindly invited them to partake of afternoon tea. Heavy rain fell, which rather limited the attendance.

That the Countess of Glasgow has generously offered to give prize medals and prizes for the Children’s Flower Show next year, and promised to leave duplicate prizes behind for competition the year succeeding her departure from New Zealand.

That Mr and Mrs Samuel Heath, who were living in a whari at the Marlborough settlement between Opanake and Taheke, had a very narrow escape recently. During a gale a rimu snapped off and fell across the fireplace, breaking Mrs Heath’s collar-bone, bruising her head, and inflicting a flesh wound on her right arm. No doctor was available, but some neighbours attended to her injuries. A new house is being built on Mr Heath’s section.

That Mr W. J. Barclay, 8.A., has gained at the University of Edinburgh, a Van Dunlop Scholarship in Physiology and Surgery of Z 100 per annum, tenable for three years. Mr Barclay, who is the son of Mr Adam Barclay, of Mangawhare, gained a Junior University Scholarship from the Auckland College and Grammar School, and studied afterwards in the Auckland University College, and at the University of Otago.

That the Picton footballers are non est in the cup matches this year, removals and promotion have walked off with the seniors, and the juniors are not strong enough to compete.

That Miss Williams, of the Bay of Islands, returned to Auckland with the Ladies Alice and Dorothy Boyle, and is now staying at Government House.

That the children’s party at Brooklyn was the jolliest for years past in Picton, and that the Misses Ethel and Nina Greensill are facile princeps as hostesses. That two of the dances were leap year dances, and the young ladies were very polite to their partners.

That the old Oxonians’ and Cantabs’ dinner at the Northern Club on Thursday night was a most interesting function. An Oxford and Cambridge Association is to be formed.

That there is a rumour that the Wellington Chess Club is to be open to lady members, some of whom have expressed a wish to join. Granted the franchise, of course, a woman is free and eligible for everything that man goes in for.

That the Bishop and Mrs Julius, of Christchurch, have been spending a few days at Akaroa. Bishop Julius has now almost recovered from his recent severe indisposition. The Misses Julius are still absent holiday making.

That much regret is expressed in Blenheim because Mr Lewis Jackson, travelling agent for the Loan and Mercantile, has decided to give up that position and go with bis family to the North Island, where he intends to farm. It is sincerely hoped the change will be to his advantage. It is not known yet who will take his place.

That it is whispered in gay Wellington circles that Mrs Tolhurst may give an evening reception within the next few days as a welcome to her son and his bride. That Mrs Grace has issued a large number of invita tlous for a reception on the occasion of Miss Grace's marriage to Mr J. Duncan next Thursday afternoon. That Mr J. Curtis (Blenheim) has had to undergo another operation. He is progressing favourably so far. Much regret is felt at his illness.

That Mr and Mrs Sprott leave Wellington next Wednesday for Hay, New South Wales, where Mrs Sprott spent some months last year, and in consequence of the benefit received from last visit the doctors have recommended a similar change for this winter.

That several new engagements from Picton will shortly be announced.

That Miss E. Curtis (Blenheim), who has been staying with Mrs Crawford, of' Langar, ’ Newtown, and also with Mrs Stevens, of ‘ Ellensville,’ Oriental Bay, has just returned, and is looking well after her visit to the Empire City.

That Mr and Mrs Balcombe Brown, of Wellington, have returned from their distant visits. Armed with bicycles they come, the fascinating machines without which the generality of Britishers think life is not worth living.

That the Rowing Club’s social held in Picton on the Queen’s Birthday was to be the most popular social of the season. Being for the purpose of paying for the boat purchased by the Club for the use of the popular young sculler, Mr Hugh McCormick, all the world and his wife studied to make the affair an unqualified success.

That the cup that cheers is to be improved by one of its devotees, for Mrs Margaretta Lichfield, of Greymouth, is applying for letters patent for an improved tea infuser.

That a valuable gift was made last week by the Young Women’s Bible Class at the Auckland Tabernacle to Mrs Blaikie, who for three years has been their instructor. The presentation was made at a social, and consisted of a pretty cake-basket, cream and sugar stand with silver tongs.

That a handsome legacy has been bequeathed to Mr H. Driver, of the Horse Shoe Bush Estate, a relative in the United States having left him /'io,ooo.

That the New Anglican Church, called St. Saviour’s, was consecrated last week by the Primate, Dr. Cowie, The site was given by Mr G. Whyman, and the building is opened free from debt.

That the Committee arranging for the celebration of the Premier’s birthday, on June 22nd, has decided that it should take the form of asocial and dance, and during the evening the Premier will be presented with an illuminated address.

That there has recently been celebrated the 57th anniversary of the wedding of Mr B. C. Rodd, of Five Dock, the oldest solicitor in Australia, and one of the oldest residents of Sydney.

That the Northern Railway League is anxious to impress on the Auckland Representatives before their return to Wellington the great desirability of pressing on the overland connection between Auckland and Taranaki. This would, indeed, fill a long felt want.

That Miss Stevenson’s marriage to Mr Robert Rose, of Auckland, takes place in her mother’s house, ‘Glen holm,’ Remuera, Auckland, and is an extremely quiet affair, only immediate relatives being present. There will be a small dance for young people in the evening. That many hearty congratulations from various parts of the colony were sent to Wellington last week by the many friends of the Rev. T. and Mrs Hamer, who cele brated their golden wedding. The couple came out to Auckland in 1851, Mr Hamer being one of the first Con gregational ministers who arrived in the colony. They are still in fairly good health. That it is proposed by the Wellington Acclimatisation Society to turn out a number ot deer on the Waterworks Reserve at Wainui-o-mata, if the City Council will give its consent.

That on Monday, the 25th, in Auckland, many people imagined that there had been a very late cold water party at some Club on the Saturday night, and that those entertained thereat had only sufficiently recovered before one o’clock on Monday to scatter to their several homes, as numbers of Society men in evening dress were seen flitting about, desperately bent on eluding observation. It turned out that they were going to or from the levee at Government House, in regulation dress 1 That a number of friends assembled at the Napier wharf to bid au reroir to Miss Lanauze, who left on Thursday by the s.s. ‘ Waihora.’ Miss Lanauze has endeared herself to all, and her friends will be most happy to anticipate her return, for she has decided to per manently reside in Hawke’s Bay.

That a proposal is on foot to start an ironsand smelting works at Patea. Some two or three tons of sand have already been sent away to Onehunga for experimental treatment.

That Mr J. A. Endean, son of Mr and Mrs Endean, of Auckland, who was one of the medical passes in the recent examinations held in the colony, has left for Australia and the Old Country to gain experience in his profession. The many friends of Mr and Mrs Endean will wish the young Aucklander every success in his studies.

That a suggestion has been made to set aside a section in the forthcoming exhibition at Wellington for school works and home industries. A committee of ladies have taken the matter in hand.

That an effort is to be made by certain temperance enthusiasts to open a coffee palace in Masterton, where young men could play a game a draughts and spend their winter hours.

That most energetic and thorough are the preparations being made for the opening of Parliament. The Buildings appear to be undergoing a spring and autumn cleaning rolled into one, and no doubt the result will be highly satisfactory. Government House is also receiving careful attention in anticipation of the early return of His Excellency the Governor, Lady Glasgow and party. That Wellington Society is looking forward to Miss Grace’s wedding. A large number of invitations have been issued to the afternoon reception at the brideelect's home, ’ Aruhi,’ Hawkestone-street. That the ’maids are to dress in coloured couples—two in pink, and two in green.

That in honour of the Queen’s Birthday, the Newton Band plaved a selection of musical items in the Albert Park, Auckland, on Sunday from three o'clock to four The music was much appreciated by a large number of the public, who enjoyed the somewhat unusual pleasure of a promenade concert.

Miss Marchant had a very enjoyable dance the other night in Wellington, among her more intimate friends, which went off with great spirit.

That Mr John Gillies, of Te Horn, intends taking over the management of Mr Russell’s station in the Wairarapa. His son, Mr Percy Gillies, will be left in charge of the station at Te Horo.

That a good many invitations for the Wellington Hutt ball on Friday 29th, have been sent to town residents, who always seem to enjoy these dances so much. Their being a little different from those in town lends special enchantment. The ladies ot the committee bear the highest reputation for skill in arranging these matters. They include Mesdames Fitzherbert, Pearce. Pearson, Riddiford, Scales, Treadwell, Wilford, and Miss Burnett.