PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XXI, 21 November 1896, Page 86

PICTON.

Dear Bee, November 11. This has been quite a gay week for us. The weather for the PRINCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY was perfect, luckily for the excursionists who came into Picton from Blenheim and the country districts, making our shipless port look quite gay. Several brakes came in from Blenheim with picnic parties, and the charming and comfort-able sun-bonnets were greatly en evidence again. The Friendly Societies of Marlborough held their annual sports on the football ground, and the crowd who were sportingly—not sportively - inclined fluctuated between that ground and Nelson Square.'where a Cup cricket match between the Wairau and Waitohi juniors was being played. The Picton boys were no match for their opponents, who beat them easily. In the evening A PLAIN AND FANCY DRESS BALL was given for the benefit of the Literary Institute, and. thanks to the exertions of the Hon. Sec.. Miss Hay, w’as a great success financially and otherwise. Comparatively few went in fancy dress, but among the best of those who did were Miss Di vena who looked charming as a Spanish Gipsy; Miss L Beauchamp, Old Lady; Miss Biddle, Russian Peasant: Miss Hilton, Milkmaid; Mr Hugh McCormick, Champion Sculler: Mr O’Conner, Turk; Mr J. Esson. Nigger; Messrs Wilson and Williams, Clowns ; Mr G. Waddy. Cricxeter: etc., etc. A few fresh dresses were : Miss Birch (England), black lace skirt, pink broche bodice ; Miss Helen Beauchamp, pretty frock of pink broche ; Miss Conolly. black lace with pink roses: Mrs Stow looked well in black velvet; Mrs Andrews, cream satin with red; Miss Howard, black lace with Sink sleeves; Mrs J. Duncan, black skirt with red silk bodice; Its T, Fisk, fawn silk with green velvet sleeves: Mrs Oxley, black and gold ; Mrs Howard ; Mrs Barr, in black. Others present were Mesdames Fell. Philpotts. Matthews. A. Duncan, and Misses Seymour (four), Connor. Hay, Fell, Kitto (Christchurch), Western (two). Greensill (two), etc, etc., and Messrs Duncan (two). Rutherford, Greensill, Lloyd, McMahon, Henderson (three), Harris. Oxley, Miles. Waddy, Mac Shane (two), Fisk (four), Jeffries, Broughton, Beauchamp (two). Western (two), Kummer, etc., etc. Dancing was kept up till 4 a.m.. Mrs Price supplying the music. The extras were played by Misses M. and K. Seymour, Miss Howard, and Mr McMahon, whose playing was much appreciated. An excellent supper was provided by the ladies. A good many strangers were present, whose names I was unable tojget. During Monday afternoon Mrs Rutherford gave AFTERNOON TEA to all her friends who chose co tear themselves away from the sports and cricket, and a goodly number availed themselves of the privilege extended to them.

Jean.