PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XI, 13 March 1897, Page 327

PICTON.

Dear Bek, March 2 The Misses Belle Allen anti Jennie Seymour gave a PICNIC up Esson's Valley to their schoolmates and a few friends. A Christmas-tree got up and arranged by themselves was a surprise for the guests, who heartily enjoyed the fun of getting the prizes. Tea was arranged on a grassy slope near the Waitohi stream, and after tea games were played till it was time to go home. The guests were Mesdames Seymour and Allen, and Misses Linton (two), Rutherford (four), Cawte, Fell, Allen (three), Seymour (four). White, Hay and Thompson. The affair had been postponed so often on account of bad weather that several others were unable to come. On Thursday evening all of the * School Bay ’ campers who are not already scattered the colony, met at the vicarage and had an INDOOR PICNIC. A new and most interesting edition of the ‘ Camp Exposer’ was brought out and read aloud, amidst applause and laughter. The edition was beautifully illustrated, and was altogether voted the best paper yet issued. Some of the advertisements were very funny, and the ‘ wanteds ’ were unique and varied. It seems almost a pity for the campers to allow such an interesting literary amusement to fall through, even for a season. The Misses Howard and N. Allen were editors for the new edition. Another party went by train to Mount Pleasant A-BLACKBERR YING on Friday, and came home laden with delicious fruit for the purpose of making blackberry vinegar, and on Saturday there were no less than three draws. AN EXCELSIOR PICNIC

to Torea Neck was given by the Excelsior Society to Miss Alice White, who was one of the first members of the Society, and who is now visiting friends in the district. The party went in the ‘ Phienix,’ and spent a long day exploring the new track round the Kenepum Sound, which boon to the settlers was obtained for them by Mr C. 11. Mills, member for the district. About thirty or forty were at the picnic, and a cup cricket match was held on Nelson Square, which many of the cricket enthusiasts went to see, and spent an exciting afternoon. There were also some rowing races pulled off, and friends of the rowers mustered in force on and about the wharf to witness the tug of-war between the various crews. Almost every evening this week has been occupied with small CARD PARTIES given to entertain Mr Fox, who is relieving here till the arrival of Mr Dobbie from Whangarei. The one at Miss Hay’s on Friday evening was particularly jolly, there being present Mrs C. Howard, Misses Hay, Thompson, Allen (three) Howard, Greensill, White, and Messrs H. Howard, Esson, and Fox A large eeling party go out to-night to Mount Pleasant.

Jean.