SOCIETY OF DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XXII, 28 November 1896, Page 116

SOCIETY OF DITS.

That the Auckland Industrial Exhibition arranged by the Sunday School L T nion, and opened last Tuesday in the Drill Shed, will well repay a visit. A hospital cot will be a great attraction, as the net pro-

ceeds of the exhibition are to go towards a fund for a Children's Hospital, which is much needed in Auckland. The exhibition is to be open for some days. That much regret was expressed in Christchurch that the illness of the Countess of Glasgow had prevented His Excellency the Governor from attending the Show and festivities. That the ladies at Opunake are busily engaged in preparing for a bazaar, the proceeds of which are to be devoted towards the erection of the jetty there. • That the Agricultural and Pastoral Association in Blenheim held a show in their grounds in Maxwell road on Wednesday, the 18th. That the Taranaki Agricultural Society’s Show will take place in New Plymouth on Thursday, November 26 th. That a small epidemic of ' fires ’ has broken out in Picton again. That they generally occur between Sunday and Monday, just when people have successfully • woo’d nature’s sweet restorer.’ Seward’s ‘ George Hotel ’ was the victim this week, and was burnt to the ground. That during some very vivid lightning flashes last week, the residents of Castlecliff, Wanganui, were startled by a loud boom, which some took to be a signal from a ship in distress. It was found that a detonating rocket on the bridge of the * Moa,’ which was lying at the Heads Wharf, had been exploded by the lightning, the report being as loud as that of a cannon. That a garden party in aid of the convent schools in Blenheim will be held in the grounds surrounding the house lately occupied by Mr Park, Maxwell Road, next Wednesday evening. The Hibernian Band will contribute several pieces, and there will also be vocal solos, quartettes and choruses. Refreshments are provided, in which are included strawberries and cream. That the Championship Regatta is to be held in Picton again this year under the auspices of the New Zealand Rowing Association, and that the spirits of the Picton people have risen considerably since the incubus—prize money—has been taken off them. That Bishop and Mrs Nevill have let their pretty Dunedin residence, as they intend visiting England shortly. That the junior cricket (cup) match, Awaruas v. Waitohis, played at Picton on Saturday, was won by the Waitohis with an innings and several runs to spare. That before Mr Harden leaves New Plymouth for Wellington a presentation will be made him by some of his numerous friends. That at the Wellington Show Lady Augusta Boyle won the first prize for tandem team, and His Excellency the Governor was awarded first in cobs. That the Children's Flower Show in Auckland last week was a very successful affair, and that there was an excellent committee. The two who inspected the gardens for competition did their work most courteously and carefully. They were Mrs Thomas, wife of one of the University professors, and Mr Goldie, Superintendent of Parks under the City Council. That an elector at Roslyn is rather in a quandary as to what electorate he is in. His house is on the boundary of two electorates, and his front rooms are in the Dunedin city electorate, while his three back rooms are in the Taieri. He sleeps at night in the Dunedin electorate, and has breakfast in the Taieri. Like the fellow in the song, • ’E dunno where ’e are.’ That Tamahau Mahupuku intends cutting up his property at Papawai into 400 small sections, and allowing the Maoris to erect a residence on each section, so that the crowded state of the pahs may be done awav with. This is a step in the right direction. That all frugal Blenheim housekeepers regarded with dismay the advertisement of the local bakers that bread would advance in price from 6d the 41b loaf to yd, or if booked, Bd, from the beginning of this week. It is really outrageous, for no matter how cheap flour is, bread is never less than 6d there, whilst at the same time in other places it is 4d. This action of the bakers will only recoil

on themselves, for already there is talk of establishing a co-operative bakery, and if that does not come to pass many will make their own bread at home, so say the Blenheim ladies. That an artist would find interesting subjects for his pencil at some of the Picton fires. . That the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association had magnificent weather for their Show, and though the exhibits were altogether not quite so numerous as last year, the display was up to a very high standard. The Show was well attended, as usual, there being a large number of the fair sex on the ground. That the Atbenseum, speaking of the portraits which exist of Robert Louis Stevenson, mentions the one painted in Samoa in 1892 by Signor Nerli, a poor production of which appeared in the Cosmopolitan Magazine for last July. Signor Nerli, who has a reputation as a portrait painter, is now resident in Auckland, where, in company with Mr Perett, he has opened a studio.