PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XXIV, 13 June 1896, Page 700

PICTON.

Dear Bee, June 2. THE • SURPRISE * EUCHRE MANIA has broken out again this winter, the first of the series being held at an abode called Stavely Castle, which is now occupied by a popular party of Government surveyers under Mr Simpson. Quite a large party met at the Post Office on Wednesday evening and proceeded to the ” castle.* climbing the hill like a party of besiegers Our hosts were really surprised, for though our design had been mentioned, they did not imagine we would carry it out, and of course theie were no tables nor chairs, and the gentlemen had perforce to run round to all the neighbours and borrow. In the meantime, the ladies stood round the old-fashioned fireplace and talked of the ghost which is supposed to haunt the castle, but which as yet the present occupiers have not seen. The chaperones of the party were Mrs Allen, Mrs Sealy. Mrs Herbert Dobson, and others present were Misses Mclntyre. Western (four). Allen. Seymour (three). Greensill, Kenny. Millington. Philpotts, Balfour, Conolly (Auckland), and Messrs Simpson. Kelsall. Middleton. Rutherford. H. C. Seymour. Greensill. Temple, Taylor. Kenny (two). Radcliffe, Western (two), Wiggins, and Pullham. The first prizes were won by Miss Sophie Philpotts and Mr Kelsall, and the boobies by Miss Isabel Seymour and Mr Wiggins. A very jolly evening was spent, and after supper some fortune-tell-ing and speeches were indulged in.and the party took their leave. How the chairs and tables returned to their proper owners this deponent knoweth not, but entertainers and entertained all acknowledge it to be one of the jolliest parties they have ever been at. On Monday evening another large

assembled at the usual trysting-place—the post office—and thence proceeded to ' Brooklyn,’ the residence of Mr J. A. R. Greensill, where everybody is welcome, and everybody enjoys him or her self. The house was in carkness. but we soon made an entrvand found tables and chairs all ready, Miss Ethel GreensiU having received notice that the party were likely to pay them a visit. Progres*ive euchre was soon started, and the fun. which was simply immense went on all the evening without flagging. The first prizes were won by Miss K. Seymour and Mr E. Kenny, and the boobies by Miss Isabel Seymour and Mr Middleton. Miss Ethel Greensiil was wearing a tweed skirt with pretty cream blouse; Miss Nora Allen—who was assisting Miss Greensill to arrange the proceedings — wore cardinal cashmere, and cream Maltese lace: Mrs James Greensill, was in black; Mrs Allen and Mrs Scott in black : Mrs Rutherford, black ailk skirt with red satin bodice trimmed with jet; Mrs McNab, navy blue costume : Miss Clare Kenny looked pretty in a dark skirt and white Indian muslin blouse; Miss K. Seymour, navy skirt, and pink crepon blou*e with brocade ribbons; Miss Conolly. tweed skirt, pretty pink blouse; Miss Philpotts, navy skirt, red blouse with black lace ; Miss S. Philpotts, navy skirt, pink blouse: Miss Western, dark skirt, cream blouse; Miss Millington, red ; Miss May Western, navy and cream; Miss Isabel Seymour, tweed skirt and red blouse: Miss E. Western, navy and red; Miss E. Seymour, navy skirt, pink crepon blouse: Miss F. Western, dark skirt, cream blou*e. The gentlemen were Messrs J. GreensiU, Rutherford. Kenny (two). Western (three 1 . Simpson, Middleton, Kelsall. Riddell. Pnllham, Harris, and Wiggins. All sorts of dainties were provided for supper, and a pleasant hour was spent afterwards in laughing over the events of the evening. Jean.