SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue VIII, 22 August 1896, Page 243

SOCIETY ON DITS.

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That the Hon. R. J. Seddon is a fortunate man. When the accounts of the Seddon Birthday Testimonial Committee were made up it was found there remained a considerable cash balance. This amount was

expended in the purchase of a valuable diamond ring for MrSeddon, and a large family photograph for Mrs Seddon. That the Government House party are taking great interest in the Golf Tournament. Wellingtoniansexpect to have a very gay week with the influx of the clubarmed visitors.

That several children’s parties are on the tapis in Picton, and the little folk are much excited in consequence.

That the Ponsonby ‘At Home’ (Auckland) on Friday night is to be a very attractive one.

That a rumour floats by in Wellington of a Golf ball in the near future. Another rumour, founded on a more substantial basis, breathes of a bread-and-butter ball in connection with Kindergarten matters.

That there has been quite an exodus of families from Picton of late, owing to Nelson Brothers having ceased operations with freezing works. Several cottages are awaiting occupants.

That there are some attractive new pictures in the Auckland Art Gallery, in the Mackelvie collection. The names of the pictures and the artists are as follows :— ‘ldyl,’ by Alex. Rhodes; ‘Summer: Sunshine and Shadow,’ J. Donovan; ‘A Border River,’J. W. Johnstone; ’ Glencairn,’ James Paterson, ‘The Cotter's Saturday Night,’ William Hole ; ‘ Rowans,’ George Henry ; ‘ Coming Events Cast Their Shadows Before,’ R. P. Reid; ‘The Haven Under the Hill,’ Arch. D. Reid ; and ‘ A Border Ballad.' The pictures have been selected by Sir George Reid, President of the Royal Scottish Academy, and will form a valuable addition to the Art Gallery.

That Oscar Ludwig Conrad Stahl, who in ISS9 represented himself in New Plymouth as an army doctor, and married a young lady in that town, has since committed bigamy, and been sentenced to two years hard labour in Bathurst Gaol.

That there was a narrow escape from a serious fire at Norsewood on Thursday evening, a kerosene lamp being capsized in the Rev. Mr Randerson’s residence, igniti;.g the carpets and the sofa. Fortunately Mr Ran.lerson was at home, and he immediately caught up the lamp and ran outside with it, afterwards turning his attention to extinguishing the fire.

That the Hamilton fortnightly euchre party, which was to take place last Friday, has been postponed until Friday next. That Mr Dutbie (Wellington) is celebrating the defeat of the no-confidence motion by a dinner to the vanquished band of 22 Oppositionists.

That the Hospital Ball at Jiamilton to defray the expense of furnishing a sitting-room for the nurses is fixed to take place on the Bth October.

That the mummy of a sacred cat, found at Beni Hassan, in Egypt, of the date of B c. 900, is to be given to the Wanganui Museum. The donor is Capt. G. Burton. R.N.R , of the steamer ‘ Rangatira,’ which has just been docked in Auckland, and the mummy was given to him by the original finder, the Rev. Henry Brass, of Redhill. Surrey. Considering its antiquity, the mummy is in a wonderfully good state of preservation. One'special feature is the quality of the linen in which it is swathed. Linen manufacturers in England have examined it, and are unanimous in declaring that, in spite of all the machinery and appliances of the present day, such beau tifullv fine linen cannot be manufactured now.

That all the sixteen Picton ladies and gentlemen who went up to Blenheim to attend the fancy dress ball enjoyed themselves immensely, and returned to Picton full of their exploits, and with glowing descriptions of the humours of the scene.

That amongst the presents given to the gift auction at New Plymouth in aid of the St. Mary’s Organ Fund were forty Bank of New Zealand shares.

That the Oamaru Musical Society is to ‘ go into recess indefinitely ’—a pleasant way of saying that it is to die for want of public support.

That Miss Tuckey gave a dance on Saturday evening in the Wellington Art Gallery, partly an exhi'bition by her pupils of skirt and step dancing, concluding by a general dance.

That the new re-distribution of seats gives Picton people more scope for their electoral rights and privileges. and that Mr C. H. Mills, the present memlrer for Waimea-Sounds, will, in all probability, contest the new seat, which includes the Wairau, Picton, Havelock, and the Sounds against all comers.

That a native woman named Nga Parani was buried by a fall of earth, owing to a laud slip at the White Cliff, Taranaki, whilst she was gathering mussels on the beach.'

That the Feilding electric lighting scheme has collapsed, as the Council is unable legally to borrow sufficient money to carry out the necessary work.

That a civil servant at Christchurch complains that he has been called on to subscribe to seven testimonials iu five weeks.

That on the last night of Pollard's Opera Company at Hawera. Mr W. Percy and Miss Eily O Sullivan sang the latest Home Craze, ‘ Sligo,’ between the acts of ‘ Black Cloaks.'

That the Wellington Floral Fete is to be given again. The proceeds are to go to the Convalescent Home.

That the Maoris at Parihaka have just completed metalling two miles of road from the main road to their village. The finishing of the work was celebrated by festivities, to which Europeans were invited.

That afternoon tea in Wellington still flows in a stream of daily refreshment —Mrs Gavin on Monday, Mrs. Harding on Wednesday, Mrs Friend on Thursday. Mrs Quick on Friday, all generous with the cheering beverage which appeals so strongly to the feminine mind, and is so rapidly gaining popularity among the gentlemen.

That two head of cattle were frozen to death on August 9th in Hawera district.

That on the evening of the Grand National, Mrs Wason, of Corwar, is giving a large ball in the Art Gallery, Christchurch, which is sure to be a brilliant affair. And on Friday the Merivale Tennis Club ball comes off at the same place, and is always a much anticipated dance.

That there have been exceptionally heavy frost during the beginning of the week 19th to 13th) in the Taranaki district.

That the social gathering given to Dr. Wright, Parnell, Auckland, by the members of the combined Fountain of Friendship and Parnell lodges of the M.U. Oddfellows, with their wives and friends was very successful. Dr. Wright, who has been connected with the above lodges for over thirty years as medical officer, has resigned from his position owing to advancing years and ill health, and the members of the lodges determined to show their appreciation of the doctor 's past services An ample spread was provided by a committee of the lodges, under the supervision of Brothers Stillwell and Nairn, and the tables were nicely decorated with pot plants, etc. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. J. Holland) presided, the guest of the evening being on his right. Mr Holland and Dr. Dawson made excellent speeches.

That the question of re erecting the monument to the Rev. John Churton, in either the Albert Park or old St. Paul’s site, is before the Streets Committee of the Auckland Citv Council.

That St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, held a large audience on the occasion of the solemn dirge in memory of the Right Rev. Dr. Luck, on the anniversary of his consecration and the unveiling of the tablet to the Bishop’s memory. After the singing of the office for the dead, the marble tablet, an offering from the clergy of the diocese, was unveiled, showing the crest of the Bishop, with the motto, ‘ Tuus sum ego ’ (I am Thine), and the following : —' Pray for the repose of the soul of the Right Reverend John Edmund Luck, 0.5.8., fourth Bistop of Auckland. Burn 1840; monk, IS6I ; priest, 1565; bishop. ISS2 ; died 23rd January, 1596. May he rest in peace. Erected by the Auckland clergy.’

That intense cold was experienced in Central Otago last week, the thermometer registering 10 degrees below freezing point. A pot of ink in the office of the Mount Ida Chronicle was frozen hard after the fire had been burning for an hour and a half.

That the Auckland Hospital Ball, to eventuate in the Choral Hall on Wednesday, the 26th of August, is attracting great attention froy its novelty, and from the various reports of particularly well-worth-seeing sets of Lancers danced in delightfully designed and differing costumes. The supper—to which contributions are specially asked—promises to be a very rteherchi one indeed. Butter and eggs can be sent to Mrs T. HopeLewis, Karaugahape Road ; Mrs Ernest Roberton, ‘ Cotele House,’ Symond-street; or to Messrs A. B. Wright and Co., Customs-street, any time this week or Monday. They should be specially labelled ‘ Hospital supper.’ Poultry, hams, tongues, etc , could be sent on Tuesday, or Wednesday morning early, also cakes, sweets, fruit, etc. The tickets are very reasonable— 5s for ladies, and 7s 6d for gentlemen, and can be obtained from anv of the advertised committee.

That Picton society regret the departure of the Government survey party, who have been catnp-ed for some time in Stavely Castle. They have been a decided acquisition to the winter s amusements, and though their professional duties keep them still in the district, they will be too far away to enter into the amusements still to come. That there is another Remuera Union dance next Thursday. These dances are very popular with Aucklanders. That Mr and Mrs Thorne, who are leaving Ponsonby, Auckland, were farewelled at a church social in St. John's Wesleyan Schoolroom, presided over by the Rev. H. Bull, who handed Mr Thorne a handsome complimentary address. Appropiiate remarks were made by Mr W. Beaumont on behalf of the congregation, Mr S. Scott for the Gymnasium Club, Mr James Heron for the trustees, Mr Horsley for the choir, and also by Mr Thomas Jackson. M.A.. on behalf of Prince Albert College Mr Thorne suitably replied, expressing his thanks for their suitable souvenir. Refreshments were then served round. During the evening solos were rendered by Miss Tonkin, Mr Harold Blomfield, and two anthems by the choir. That Mrs Balcombe-Brown has issued a number of invitations for a dance. Unfortunately, it is the same night as that of the Hutt ball, and I hear that a good many gentlemen from town were already pledged to the Hutt before receiving Mrs Brown's invitation. However. I expect there will be found enough and to spare for both entertainments.

That the Waitohi (Picton) footballers won another cup match against the Albions (Grove Town) on Saturday.

The Independent theatre of London has refused to act several plays submitted to it on the ground that they were not sufficiently moral in tone.