SOCIETY ON DITS

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VIII, 14 August 1897, Page 242

SOCIETY ON DITS

’v - - Th ATnear the scene of the wreck • °f *^ e * Tasmania ’is a safe little f ■ 'TrWi 1 ’ n l et known as Happy Jack’s. J rV>w y Some twenty years ago an to' Auckland resideutsayshe visited ' i this locality, and found an old whaler bearing that title living in a whare. He had a big lamp which Captains of vessels kept supplied with kerosene, on condition it was always burning. As long as he lived Happy Jack regularly lighted his lamp, which could be seen three or four miles off. Had that light been burning on the night of July 29th, in all human probability the wreck of the ' Tasmania ’ wonld have been averted. That the Picton young men are forming a volunteer corps. About 25 names are already sent in, and if the Defence Department allow them, they will at once proceed to drill. At one time there was a splendid volunteer corps in Picton under the command of Mr Nepean Kenny, and people who remember that time hope to see the new venture succeed. That unexpectedly cold weather has been experienced in some parts of New Zealand. At the Big River, Reefton, four feet of snow fell, and in consequence work in the mines there has been suspended. Snow also fell at Greymouth and Hokitika a rather ann ual occurrence. That the Marlborough Land, and Railway League mean business. When the railway is extended to Christchurch Picton will be an important place. Everything comes to those who know how to wait, and Picton has waited patiently for its share of the spoil. That many Thames people are greatly regretting the departure of Mr H. P. Stark, who for the last eleven years has been working for the Thames branch of the Bank of New South Wales as accountant and assayer. Mr Stark is going to Greymouth to relieve one of the Bank officials there for a month. After that he goes to West Australia to a branch of the Bank there. That a country constable who was drafted into Dunedin at the time of the Jubilee, lost himself one night while on duty, and had to ask a passer-by the way to the police-station. That a handsome gold bracelet was presented to Miss Bowden, lady assistant teacher of the Kihikihi School for three or four years, on the occasion of her resignation of her position. The scholars also gave her a very nicely got up address. That the late postmaster at Feilding. Mr J. H. Stevens, has received another mark of the esteem in which he is held in that town. Fifty ladies and gentlemen met in the Council Chamber at Feilding to make the following presentations. The Mayor presented Mr Stevens with an illuminated address, which bore 70 signatures, and also informed him that he was requested to select 200 books, which would be ordered from Home at once and suitably inscribed. The Mayor also, on behalf of the local post officials, presented Mr Stevens with his own portrait, with those of the employees in the office. Mr Greenwood, on behalf of the Debating Society and Library Committee, presented Mr Stevens with a handsome copy of Mr Fitzgerald's account of the New Zealand Alps. That various little stories in connection with the wreck of the ‘ Tasmania ’ are now afloat. One of them is to the effect that a passenger, Mr Ayden (from Colombo), who landed at Mahia, was simply clad in a shirt, an overcoat, and a hat, a'l of the most fashionable and handsome material and style. His genuine cheerfulness under these trying circumstances was infectious, aud of great assistance to his fellow sufferers in the same boat. When he landed be declined to walk up to Mr Ormond's station minus an important garment. He was supplied with moleskins, aud boots to match. The incongruous appearance he now presented, with his nether limbs habited in shabby old trousers and boots, and his upper man costumed d la Poole, was so quaint that his companions laughed immensely, and he was too good-natured not to join in the merriment at his own expense. That Mrs Cromwell Tewsley gives an ‘At Home’ on Thursday, 12th, at * Sheen House,' Parnell, Auckland. That Miss Todhunter, Chrtstchurcb, goes to India to visit her brother, probably extending her visit to England.

That invitations for the wedding of Miss Gore and Mr Marjoribank are issued for August 18th. That at the football dinner on Thursday night, Jnly 29th, Mr A. E. A. Clarke’s health was drunk with musical honours, it being the gentleman's birthday. Mr Clarke, in reply, expressed the great liking he had for Taranaki ever since he came here a weak diminutive lad, who was not expected to live. Under the genial influence of the Taranaki climate Mr Clarke said he became robust and strong, and iu three years and a-half he grew to six feet in height Since that time he has been three times through New Zealand, but those first recollections of Taranaki, conpled with his past seven years’ residence here, were the brightest and happiest in his life. Mr Clarke was warmly applauded on resuming his seat. That Arthur’s Pass and the Otira Gorge are still blocked with snow, but a track has been cleared with shovels, and for that stage mails and passengers cross on horseback. That the Hon. A. J. Cadman and his sister, Mrs McShane, were in Napier a few days ago. That- owing to the. large increase of pupils at the Nelson Girls' College it is found necessary to obtain an additional resident teacher. That the rescue of the boy Hutchinson from drowning in the Auckland Harbour on Sunday week whilst watching the approach of the s.s. * Tarawera ’ with the survivors of the wreck was bravely effected by Mr J. \V. Holland, son of Mr J. J. Holland, M.H.R. That Mrs Macquarrie (Nelson) gave one of her pleasant afternoon teas last Friday. Amongst those present were Mesdames Clarke, Heaps, Robinson, Booth, Fraser, Seal, Misses Frere, Olliver, and others. That Dr. Marsack, Auckland, is recovering from his carriage accident to the satisfaction of his friends. That at Hawera Mr J. F. Martin, post-master of that place, who has been removed to Feilding, was presented with an address aud a handsome silver biscuit-barrel, with suitable inscription on it, by the members of the local post office and telegraph staff. That the fixing of the date of the Wellington Garrison Ball has been left to His Excellency, Lord Ranfurly. The committee are to wear rosettes of red, white and blue with a touch of Kharkee. That in spite of the bad weather on Thursday afternoon a fair number of shoctists were present at the opening of the New Plymouth Gun Club. Mrs J. B. Roy, the Mayoress, released the first bird, and Mr Seed, Vicepresident of the Club, had the first shot. Undoubtedly, in the near future, the Gun Club will be one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand. It has a total at present of sixty members, and from the enthusiasm manifested it promises to be a great success. That the Blenheim Poultry and Dog Show, which lasted three days, was exceedingly successful. That Mrs James Russell, Auckland, gave a large children’s dance on Thursday evening. That the preparations for the bachelors’ ball in Blenheim on August 13th are already in progress, and that it is on a scale unsurpassed before. That Mrs Andrew Hanna, of Remuera, Auckland, gave a large euchre party this week, to which there were about forty guests. The prizes given were very handsome, aud a very enjoyable evening was spent. That Mr Wigram, Christchurch, gave a most enjoyable card party and supper last week to a few of his gentlemen friends, amongst whom were tbe Hon. E. W. Parker, Messrs Rolleston, Palmer, Moorhouse, Lane, Ryne, and a few more.