SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue I, 4 July 1896, Page 20

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That there was a large afternoon tea at Government House on Friday. That Major Elliot is absent from Wellington on pleasure bent with gun in hand. We wish him good luck.

That the heavy fogs in the mornings last week have considerably delayed movements of vessels in the harbours and along the New Zealand coast.

That the surveyors, at present camped in Picton, think that the suppers at all the functions in that lively little town are Al.

That when Lady Glasgow was at Rotorua, she evinced much sympathy in the sufferings of an aged native named Keepa Ngakau, living on Mokoia Island, and sent him a case of cordials. In return for this, his relatives have handed to Mr Macdonald, for transmission to the Countess, a quaintly carved toki or adze, and a very old piece of Maori carving, taken from an ancient pataka or storehouse.

That the third annual Otago Reunion has been arranged to take place on the 3rd July, when a very attractive programme will be presented. That Tutanekei (the legendary lover of Hinemoa) is the name of the new Government steamer to replace the • Hinemoa.’

That Lady Augusta Boyle has gone to stay with Mr and Mrs Dan Riddiford, and Lady Alice Boyle and Captain Preston to stay with Mrs Walter Johnston, to attend the well-known * meets ’ of the Rangitikei Hounds. That it is estimated that over /3,000 worth of damage has been done in the Ohinemuri district by the floods. Other parts of the country have suffered severely, both in the North and South Islands, from the recent heavy rains.

That there is on exhibition at the Waverley Hotel, Auckland, a wonderfully carved model of a waka tana or Maori war canoe. It is without doubt the finest sample of native carving ever seen in the colony. It has been carved by Patara te Tuhi, one of the chiefs of the Ngatimahuta tribe, and it has taken him six years to complete it. This model is a representation of the canoe called ‘Tainui,’ the first that, according to Maori tradition, arrived in New Zealand about twenty-two generations ago.

That the work-meeting arranged by Mrs G. G. Stead in Christchurch on the Dorcas principle continues its successful career, the members attending very regularly. Already some of our deserving institutions have benefited by large parcels of clothing, and through them, the unfortunate poor.

That a whale, disporting itself in the Picton harbour the other day, caused much excitement in the town. The creature, which was chased by the whalers from the station, managed to escape. That Mr and Mrs Jan Duncan are expected back in Wellington this week after a fuil month’s ‘ honeymoon.’ They are to be * welcomed ’ by a dance at ‘ Uplands ’ on Tuesday evening, given by Mr and Mrs J. G. Duncan. That Mr Wiggins (Bank of New Zealand) has been moved to Blenheim from Picton, and now the young ladies sing, * We Shall Meet, but we Shall Miss Him,’ at the euchre parties, etc.

That the performance of ‘ Our Boys,’ for which Lady Glasgow has so generously offered the use of the Wellington Government House reception-room, has been fixed for the 29th and 30th of July.

That last Saturday the Mission schooner ‘ Southern Cross ’ left for her second cruise this year to Melanesia. She is due back in Auckland in September, and it is expected that Bishop Wilson will be a passenger.

That there is plenty of gaiety forthcoming in Wellington, as Mrs Robertson, Claremont Terrace, intends to give a large children’s dance in the Masonic Hall shortly, and Mrs Mills has issued invitations for a euchre party next Wednesday evening.

That a dance at Bulls is on the cards in honour of the Ladies Augusta and Alice Boyle. Mrs Walter Johnston and Mrs Willis are the chief among the organisers. That the Masons of Blenheim have been very liberal with their invitations to their annual ball, and many Picton ladies have accepted the invitation and intend to go to the ball to-morrow (Wednesday.) . That Mrs McMillan gives a large ‘ At Home ’ on Tuesday, July 7th, at her residence, ‘ Ardstrath,’ Remuera, Auckland.

That ‘The Door of Hope’ Night Refuge and Home for Women in Auckland, is to be opened next Saturday at 3 p.m. by Mrs Holland, wife of the popular Mayor, J. J. Holland. Esqr. A reception and afternoon tea, with musical selections by the brass band of the Helping Hand Mission, is announced, and all true sympathisers with rescue work should aid the same by their presence. Sister Francis deserves every credit and encouragement for her energetic work in this direction since she arrived but three months ego. The house purchased is well known as the property at one time of Mr Fisher, Cookstreet, Freeman’s Bay. It is detached, and contains 12 rooms, which are now being gradually furnished for inmates.

That the many friends of Miss Mabel Tucker (Gisborne) will be sorry to learn that, owing to an accident a few days ago, her shoulder has been dislocated. However, in a week or two she will probably be about again. That a presentation of a silver hot-water jug was made to Mrs Hislop by the members of the Knox Church

choir, Dunedin, on Thursday evening, on the occasion of her silver wedding. Mr A. J. Barth spoke in the highest praise of the valuable assistance Mrs Hislop had been to the choir for many years.

That Miss Florence Stewart, daughter of Mrs Andrew Stewart, of Home Bay, Ponsonby, Auckland, has been appointed to the position of probationer nurse at the Waikato Hospital. Miss Stewart leaves for Hamilton early next month to take up her duties.

That it was noticed last week at Rotorua that the large pool of boiling water known as the Kuirau, has been undergoing some changes. The water had cooled in a remarkable manner, and at six o’clock in the evening it was down to about 90 degrees. Several times in the course of the day the water rose and fell most peculiarly, and the outflow from the main pool, which is calculated at a million gallons per 24 hours, almost entirely ceased. Such rapid changes in the temperature and level are only known to the oldest residents, who state that about 15 years ago, the pool was used for bathing in. A slight shock of earthquake was felt by persons living near the Kuirau, at about three o’clock on Tuesday morning.

That there is some talk of the Maori Parliament holding their next meeting at Hastings. It is to be sincerely hoped that such will be the case. The last—or, rather, the first—Parliament held there some years ago is still fresh in the minds of the business people. Trade fairly boomed ; in fact, the natives are the main support of the town, and without them the storekeepers would have to close up. That a pleasant working party for the Melanesian Mission was arranged by Miss Larkins at St. Luke’s Vicarage, Mount Albert, last Thursday, to meet Mrs Fookes, wife of the present Medical Superintendent of the Avondale Asylum, and her sister, Miss Huxtable, of Wellington.

That Mr W. Baillie, Bank of New Zealand, son of Lieutenant J. W. Baillie (Picton) has been moved to Taranaki. He will be missed.

That the Rotorua-Te-Teko Road is now open to vehicles as far as Tapuacharuru, at the head of Lake Rotoiti, about eighteen miles distant. The first buggy went through on Saturday, returning here in the evening. The road is a good one, and is bound to be a favourite route with tourists next season, as it passes through Tikitere and along Hongi’s track between Rotoehu and Rotoiti.

That Mrs T. Cotter, Auckland, gives a large dance on Wednesday, July Bth, in the Remuera Hall.

That at the usual quarterly speed examination of the Auckland Shorthand Writers’ Association, last evening, in the St. George’s Hall, the following candidates obtained certificates: —Mr W. H. Leece, 80 words per minute ; Miss E. Jones, 100 ; Misses H. K. Smith and A. Tarry, 120. The examiners were Messrs Jarrett and McLean.

That an exceptionally beautiful meteor was observed in Auckland last Wednesday night at about half-past ten. It appeared about half way between the horizon and the southern cross in the eastern sky. It was visible for two or three seconds (some people describing its appearance as round rings of fire, then it burst in magnificent fiery sparks.

That the proposed cookery classes in the Napier High School have been abandoned, only eight pupils and two outsiders evincing any desire to cultivate this very important branch of science.

That the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Society much appreciated Mr Theo. Cooper’s able lecture on ‘ The Religious Beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians.

That the proposed mortuary chapel at O’Neil’s Point Cemetery, North Shore, Auckland, shall be deferred building until next October. That the silver wedding of Mr and Mrs Tapper, of Longburn, was celebrated on the anniversary of their son’s birthday. The young people were entertained at an excellent tea in the Oddfellows’ Hall, and later on in the evening the adults enjoyed a dance. A few Maori friends were present. That Miss Grant, the fiancee of Mr Robert Fraser, is one of the wealthiest heiresses in Victoria. She is a cousin of Mrs Crosby Graves, and a niece of Mr David Blair the Australian litterateur.

That the Wellington Diocesan Synod will meet in September. The triennial election of lay members takes place next month.

That at the Brisbane Diocesan Synod a resolution was adopted, suggesting to the Australian Board of Missions that the time has come for the appointment of a Bishop exclusively to the New Guinea mission.

That the popular winter excursions to the South Sea Islands will commence with the ‘ Ovalau,’ which left Auckland July Ist.

That the river Wairoa. Nelson, has the reputation of being one of the brightest and purest rivers in the world.