SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue IX, 29 August 1896, Page 274

SOCIETY ON DITS.

'ST I 1 i I

That there is to be a large juvenile danceatGovernmentHouse this week. That the Auckland Hospital Ball to-night is to be opened with the Lancers, danced by nine sets specially arranged in fancy costumes. During the

evening a minuet will be danced under the direction of Mrs Sowerby. During these dances Mr C. E. Mackie, who has kindly given his services, will use his limelight apparatus, the whole of which he will bring from the Opera House specially for the occasion. Spectators will be admitted to the gallery. Tickets, 2s. Gallery door open at 8 p.m.

That Mrs Simpson, Wellington, entertained a large number of guests at tea and a dance in the evening last Saturday in Thomas’ Hall.

That the ladies of the New Plymouth Lawn Tennis Club have presented Mr Harley, a member of the local branch of the Bank of New South Wales, with a handsome pipe in recognition of his services on behalf of the Club. •

That invitations are out for a juvenile ball to be given by the Misses Rutherford in the Public Hall, Picton, on the 26th August. That Mr E. B. Brown has bought the lower portion of the section at present occupied by Mr C. Pharazyu, facing Tinakori Road, Wellington. Mr Brown intends to build shortly.

That the Stratford Dairy Factory Company has gained for the concern the soubriquet of ‘Gas Works,’ owing to the loquaciousness of the shareholders when they assemble together.

That changes are taking place again at the Christchurch Hospital. Miss Maude leaves at the end of the month, Mrs Marsden, the present housekeeper, is also leaving, and Miss Johnstone, of Castlemaine, Victoria, has been appointed to fill both offices.

That a repetition of the ‘ Fete of Flora ’ in Thomas’ Hall, Wellington, Friday, is offering great attraction. The proceeds are to be devoted to the cause of the aged and needy. That the organ of St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth, was used for the first time since its enlargement a Sunday or two ago. The opening voluntary displayed the full power of the instrument. There was an exceptionally large congregation owing to the presence of the Volunteer Cadets and Fire Brigade after the Church parade. The Rev. F. G. Evans occupied the pulpit.

That at a meeting of the Auckland Philatelic Society held last evening, it was decided to wind up the Society, owing to the lack, of interest manifested by the members. That an eruption of socials is imminent in Picton. The Fire Brigade, the cricketers, and the Institute Committee have each one on the tapis. That they have struck oil at last in the bore at Moturoa (Taranaki) at a depth of 2,010 feet. The petroleum is flowing freely, but the oil is darker in colour than that previously obtained, but is of a highly illuminating quality. That Mr Buick, member for Wairau, Picton, cracked a very ancient nut in the House when he dragged old Noah and his Limited Liability Company out of the Ark in the face of the world’s liquidation, ‘jest as a similitudeliKe,’ as Jemima would say.

That Miss Hislop, Wellington, gave a small luncheon party last Wednesday. Many of the young lady visitors to Wellington were present. That the New Egmont district does not give satisfaction to the electors. It is a large straggling district, taking in all the newly settled country which is sparsely populated.

That Miss Ferguson, Blenheim, gave a pleasant afternoon tea to her girl friends last week in honour of Miss Hart (Christchurch).

That it is proposed to erect a good substantial bridge over the river that runs through ‘ Stratford-on-the-Patea ’ (Taranaki).

That it should be mentioned that the juvenile fancy dress ball given at Remuera, Auckland, in aid of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society is got up yearly by Mrs Pritt, and has always been a great success. This year’s (notwithstanding the downpour of rain) has been no exception to former ones. Much congratulation must be given to the ladies of the committee who so ably assisted to carry out the arrangements, which were in every way perfect. It is to be hoped a substantial sum has been added to the funds of this useful Society.

That a large number of substantial buildings are being erected on the Tunanui Estate, Hastings, the property of Captains Hamilton and W. R. Russell. A neat shooting box and a large and commodious men’s whaie have been just completed. A handsome residence, together with an extensive wool-shed will soon be commenced.

That an unprecedented fall of snow has occurred at Takapau. In some places it was six inches deep. That Mrs Motion, Western Springs Lodge, Auckland, gave a pleasant afternoon last week for Mrs Baker, of Waitara. Unfortunately, the guest of the day was ill in bed (suffering from the effects of five months’ nursing prior to her husband’s death), and so could not be present.

That there was a narrow escape from a serious accident at the Palmerston railway station last week. A young lady, a passenger by the Wellington train, evidently under the impression that the train had stopped, stepped off the carriage platform while the train was entering the station, and was immediately thrown to the ground. A rush was made by the bystanders, and she was prevented from rolling off the platform. That a petition is being prepared for presentation to Parliament urging the construction of a railway line to Merrivale, as an instalment of an inland system extending via Clifden, forming a route to the five great lakes, viz , Manapouri, Te Anau, Monowai, Hauroto, aud Poteriteri.

That the Misses Greenfield, Clifton Terrace, Wellington, gave a very pleasant little dance on Friday evening. Among the guests were Misses McGuire, McGregor, Page, Simpson, Tripe, etc.

The Interprovincial football match, Wellington v. Taranaki, which was played in the Recreation Grounds on Tuesday, August 18th, was won by Taranaki, the scores being 6to 7. The attendance is set down at about two thousand.

That Mrs Tolhurst, of Wellington, was ‘ at home ’ on Thursday afternoon to a great number of her friends, and Mrs Quick on Friday afternoon. That Miss Harband, of the L.M.S., gave an address in the Newton Congregational Church, Auckland, prior to her departure from New Zealand. That the ‘old boys ’ of the Wellington College had a most successful ball on Wednesday evening.

That the Port Nicholson Yacht Club hold their ball on Friday ; it promises to be a great success. That the new Government road through to Whakarewarewa geyser grounds, in the Rotorua district will be 16ft wide, and fit for light carriage traffic, and constructed with a view of ultimately joining the Taupo road in the Arikikapakapa Valley.

That the new electorate of Wairau-Picton will be well contested. Messis Mills and Buick have declared themselves, and Mr John Duncan (Opposition) is also considering the point ; but many of his former supporters, who now favour Mr Mills, are persuading him to withdraw.

That a floral fete will be held in the Recreation Grounds, New Plymouth, on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday under the auspices of the ladies connected with St. Mary’s Church Choir. That Mrs Elliott gave a small progressive euchre party on Thursday evening in Wellington, at which were present the Misses Devereux, Haise, Kennedy, Johnston, McKellar, Mr and Mrs Harrison, Mr and Mrs Murison, Messrs Didsbury, Hume, Wood, etc. The prizes fell to Miss L. Johnston and Mr Murison. That the members of the Church of England at Elthatn intend at once to erect a place of worship in that township.

That the Remuera Social Union was postponed last week because Auckland dancing men are so busy dancing attendance on the Exchange that they have no leisure for lighter and more frivolous pursuits. But of course they will go to the Hospital ball, for that is a duty which may also benefit themselves, as at any time they might develop the bacillus of overwork and have to be nursed in the Hospital.

That the pupils of Miss Roser’s school intend to give an entertainment in St. Mary’s schoolroom, New Plymouth, in aid of the organ fund of the church. That there is a probability of the riverboats discontinuing the running to Blenheim. Since the'Waihi’ grounded the bar has been in a dangerous state, and the wise men of the West are consulting with the Railway authorities with a view to acknowledge Picton as the port, and get their goods shipped there. That the Freezing Works at Moturoa, New Plymouth, were formally opened on Saturday, August 22nd, when there was a large attendance of shareholders and their friends present, who were shown over the works. That the Misses Greenfield gave a jolly little dance last Friday night in Wellington. That Mrs Simeon and other ladies at Rahotu (Taranaki), are making great preparations for a gift auction to take place shortly in aid of the building fund to raise a hall in that town.

That Mrs Simpson gave a large ‘ At Home ’ at Thomas’ Hall, Wellington, on Saturday afternoon, and a dance in the evening.

That the Taranaki County Council has decided to abolish toll gates and to reimpose the wheel-tax. That Dr. Macgregor’s report on the Picton Hospital is, as usual, most favourable. Dr. Scott and Mr and Mrs Bowden—the warden and matron —receive their wellmerited amount of kudos.

That there are rumours of several dances to take place during golf week in Wellington. It is hoped that they are true.