SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue VII, 15 August 1896, Page 211

SOCIETY ON DITS.

I

That there was a smart reception at Government House on Saturday night.

That several Picton people, who have received invitations, are looking forward to the enjoyment of the masked and fancy dress ball to be given by

the lad'es of the Wairau in Blenheim on Wednesday. That Miss Harcourt gave a very jolly little dance last Saturday night. Among her guests were the Misses Douglas, Burnett, Quick, Baker, M. and B. Douglas, Higginson, McTavish, and others. That prior to the departure of the very Rev. W. J. Madden, who left Auckland for America by the mail steamer on Saturday, an illuminated address and purse of sovereigns were presented to the Rev. Father from the parishioners of St. Patrick’s.

That for the first time this winter the weather in Picton is cold, and a sprinkling of snow lies on the hills surrounding the town. That last week at the meeting of the Waitemata County Council, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Hon. E. Mitchelson for his successful efforts on behalf of the Waitemata County ratepayers. That there is some talk of f orming a bowling green in Picton. Mr R. Leary, of Wellington, who is erecting a summer residence in High-street, has offered to give the ground if a club be formed.

That there is another lady sharebroker in Anckland. Mrs Florence Anderson has joined this popular profession.

That last week a very heavy snowstorm was exnerienced at Ormondville. The snow, which commenced falling at about four a.m., lay in most places from four to five inches deep, and in some places drifted much deeper. The fall was only over a limited area, between Danevirke and Takapau. That the Picton Excelsior Society held a very enjoyable social on Friday evening, about thirty members being present. There were no visitors and no supper, but nevertheless a very pleasant evening was spent That quite a large number of workers put in an appearance at Hamilton at a bee held by the Presbyterians on Thursday, for the purpose of putting in order the grounds surrounding the church. They have made great alterations in the appearance of the place, which now looks smart and tidy. Refreshments to the workers were supplied by the ladies during the day. That the Gisborne wharf was invaded last week by a swarm of large brown beetles of a kind quite unknown to the district. They were fully an inch long, over an inch in girth, and came in thousands, the decking of the wharf being literally covered with them. Where they came from is a mystery. That the social, held in Hamilton last week in the Sunday-school room, suffered little from the very bad weather. It was in aid of St. Peter’s Anglican Church. A long and excellent musical programme was rendered, many of the items being recalled. The result will be a substantial addition to the church funds.

That the work of preparing for the Auckland Hospital ball is progressing most satisfactorily. It is to eventuate in the Choral Hall on Wednesday, August 26th, at nine o’clock. The tickets are very reasonable—gentlemen 7s 6d, ladies ss. They can be obtained from the excellent secretary, Mr R. Goring Thomas, or from Mesdames J. J. Holland, T. H Lewis, Baldwin, Charlton Dawson, A. Clark, Bedford, A. Devore, H. C. Tewsley, J. L. Bloomfield, Goring, and Roberts, Misses Bleazard, Isaacs, and Wilkins, Mr C. E. Purchas, Dr. Erson, and Mr Graves Aickin. Both the supper and decoration committee are composed of well-known and indefatigable workers, whilst the proposed dances in fancy costume should attract a good deal of attention.

That the new dredge employed by the Wanganui Harbour Board in clearing the river bottom near the wharves, has lately been turning up such things as a clock, silver bracelet, gold pin, watch, iron enamelled

plates, cups and saucers, English and foreign coins, knives and forks, pocket knives, besides a collection of old iron, one piece evidently being the cross from one of the up-river churches.

That a memorial is to be raised to Mrs Alexander, the gifted authoress of many well known beautifnl hvmns, including ‘ There is a Green Hill far away,* and ‘ We are but Little Children Weak ’ —great favourites in our Sunday Schools. The Duchess of Abercorn has written to the Governor, asking His Excellency whether he thinks New Zealand people will contribute to a Shillingsubscription Fund for this purpose. The proposed memorial is to take the form of Alms-houses at Londonderry. The Bishop commends this Fund to the consideration of the clergy and church-officers of the Diocese ; and will be happy to receive, and to forward to the Duchess of Abercorn, the shillings that may be sent to him for the memorial.

That there are some Auckland ladies who have been working quietly all through the winter making garments for poor people. They meet every other Monday at Mrs Lonsdale Pritt's house in Remuera. Each lady pays a shilling, and many give small pieces of material, which, combined with some ingenuity, make warm and welcome clothes, delighting the heart of some poor mother, who does not know where to turn for garments for her little ones.

That the Wellington dramatic students are rehearsing ‘ The Magistrate ’ for performance early in October.

That the Picton Railway Station has been vastly improved of late by the reclamation works, and the yellow gravel from Long Beach with which the ground is covered is much admired by travellers. A handsome brass bell and a new lamp also embellish the station.

That the Rev. Canon and Mrs Haselden have met with a very warm reception in Onehunga. A social gathering and tea, followed by a good musical programme, was given them in the public hall on Friday.

That the Picton Reading Society intend to start their weekly readings in the Literary Institute on Friday. That the H.M.S. ‘ Rapid ’ is in Auckland harbour.

That an entertainment was held in St. Mary's schoolroom, New Plymouth, on July 31st, in aid of the Church of England choir fund, which proved financially a great success.

That Mrs Sargood, Dunedin, entertained a number of friends at a luncheon party last week, the table being very pretty.

That Mr E. B. Brabazon has been appointed to the post of landing waiter at Napier, vacant by the death of Mr Provis.

That Mrs Nevill, of Dunedin, has nearly recoveicd from the nasty fall she had at Bishopsgrove a few days ago, when, slipping on the polished floor, she fell so as to cut her head on the edge of an open door. That Mr H. S. Fenwick, who now lives in Auckland, is paying Christchurch a short visit.

That Mr and Mrs C. W. Rattray have gone into a house in Upper High-street, Dunedin. That a bacon-curing establishment has been erected for Mr A. Drake at Fitzroy, at which operations will be started immediatelv.

That Miss Murdoch is at present in Dunedin, and is the guest of the Misses Cargill (The Cliffs).

That they are still boring for petroleum at Moturo, but no fresh developments have been reported. That Mrs Wells, of Amberley, left Christchurch last Tuesday for Australia, whither she has gone on a visit.

That the New Zealand Iron and Steel Company now being formed in London intend erecting a blast furnace, rolling mills, as well as an ordinary foundry for cast iron in New Plymouth.

That Mr and Mrs Alison Brown were in Christchurch last week, having arrived by steamer from the South.

That Mrs Frank Moeller has gone on a holiday trip from Napier to the Australian colonies.

That August opened with exceptionally fine weather in New Plymouth. The days were bright with sunshine, but each night there were sharp frosts.

That during the month of July rain fell in New Plymouth on twenty-five days, the total for the month being 8’26 inches.

That petty thefts, such as meat safes being rifled of their contents, still continue to be prevalent iu New Plymouth.

That Mr William Smith, who is establishing fish freezing works near Oatnaru. has decided to go in for trawling. He is having built in Sydney a steam launch 40 feet long, with a beam of 10 feet, and 4 feet draught, with a guaranteed speed of 10 knots.

That the dredge, ‘ Thomas King,' which has been fitted up with a sand pump apparatus, is now at work, and doing good service in clearing the silt from the New Plymouth Harbour.

That hares were at one time like sheep for number in the Hakateramea Valley, but they are getting much scarcer. About 900 were shot on one property in the valley this season, and at this rate their numbers are bound to decrease.

That an entertainment in aid of the Public Hall Fund was given at Oakura (Taranaki) on July 31st, for which the Criterion Concert Company prepared the programme. The receipts totalled about Z 10. That the Town Hall at Inglewood (Taranaki) was crowded on the evening of July 28th, when an entertainment was gi'-en in aid of the Church of England School Building Fund.