SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue IX, 21 August 1897, Page 276

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That a novel feature of the welcome extended by all classes of the community to His Excellency the Governor and the Countess Ranfurly was the greeting of the wahinet, who in

the shape of a good-looking body of Maori women and girls formed themselves into an extra guard of honour to the carriage, making vigorous remarks in their native tongue during the whole progress of the procession. That H.M.S. * Pylades ' will probably remain in Wellington for the coming festivities until about the 20th, when she sails for Auckland and Campbell Islands, and she afterwards returns to Lyttelton to be docked.

That an enjoyable little euchre party was given by Mrs Carlile, of Napier, last Thursday night. That a considerable exodus will take place from Blenheim at the beginning of next week. Miss Cottereli will accompany the Misses Fell to Picton, where she will stay with them for a few weeks. Mr Mirams goes to Dunedin on a three weeks’ holiday ; then Mr and Mrs Snodgrass and their guest, Miss Simpson, leave on the same day ; and Miss Pasley will also leave for Gisborne about the same time.

That Mr and Mrs H. C. Seymour’s Picton visitorshave real good times rabbitting and gorse-burning at Tyntesfield.

That Mrs W. K. Macdonald and her son gave an ‘ At Home ’ at their residence, Gloucester-street, West Christchurch, for Mr and Mrs Brough. That Mrs Wade, senior, of Taranaki, was one of those who were present when the celebrated Blondin crossed the Falls of Niagara for the first time on August 17th, 1859-

That Mrs Tyerman is to be congratulated on the success of the children’s fancy dress ball, which was held in St. Matthew’s schoolroom, Hastings, on Tuesday night, and that the gavotte, cachucac, and several skirt dances were very gracefully performed by some of her pupils. Limelight views, which were much appreciated by the young people were exhibited by Messrs Tyerman and George. That quite a crowd of Picton people met in Blenheim on Saturday last. They made the pretty little town look quite busy.

That much pleasure is expressed by the many friends of Mr John May, of Mount Albert, at the news that he is recovering from his severe accident. It appears he was mounting his horse, which was rather • fresh,’ when the animal suddenly reared and threw him on to a stone wall. He received a cut on the back of his head, and sustained partial concussion of the brain. Under the able care of Dr. Somerville, he is doing very well.

That Mrs Stndholme gave a reception at Warner’s Hotel, Christchurch, when the bride and bridegroom, Mr and Mrs J. Studholme, were present. That Mr Bertie Green, who has been for a considerable time in the Union Company's office in Blenheim, has received notice that he has been promoted to one of the Company’s boats that trades from Auckland to the Islands. He will be assistant purser, and intends to leave Blenheim this week.

That a conversazione in honour of Mr and Mrs Snodgrass, who are about to leave Blenheim for Ashbnrton, was held in Ewart’s Hall on Saturday evening last. That great preparations are being made for the Garrison Ball, which is to be held in the Wellington Drill Shed next Thursday night. The conversazione is to be on the 18th, and the Port Nicholson Yachting Club ball on the 20th.

That many Picton people are looking forward to the Blenheim bachelors’ ball, which is to eventuate next Friday. They expect to have a good time, as from all accounts the bachelors are intending their affair to outHerod Herod in the ball line.

That Mrs (Dr. Morton) Anderson gave a pleasant little dinner party at her residence, Worcester-street, Christchurch, on Wednesday evening. The guests spent a very enjoyable time, having a little music after dinner.

That a peculiar coincidence in connection with the fatal fire at Hawera some two years ago, and the recent one at Motnroa, is that two persons lost their lives in each case, and the name of one of the victims in each instance was Turner.

That Mr Snodgrass intends to leave Blenheim to proceed to Ashburton early next week, whilst Mrs Snodgrass will leave at the same time, but go northwards to Tauranga to stay with her parents for a time before settling down in her new home. That the Epiphany Chnrch, Auckland, is taking up in earnest the question of Women’s Church rights. At the annual meeting of parishioners the other week the ladies gained a victory, it being carried ‘ That the time has arrived when the women of the parish should have the privilege of voting at parish meetings, and that the Synod members be instructed to bring the question up at the next meeting of the Synod.’ The two Synod members, it appears, are not very gallant, and refuse to sacrifice their principles of the innate superiority of man, and rather than carry out the wishes of the meeting they have resigned their seats on the Synod. That the Taranaki Farmer’s Club has been formally opened.

That Wellington Society during the coming sessional festivities will be unusually favoured in the matter of models of pretty gowns. Lady Ranfurly’s wardrobe is said to comprise some dreams in evening dresses, and the Court and social functions which Mrs and the Misses Seddon have attended in connection with the hospitality showered upon the Colonial Premiers while in England have involved repeated, and, I suspect, pretty costly visits to fashionable costumiers. I notice in the English papers that at the Mayor's reception in Manchester Mrs Seddon wore rich black silk with pink carnations; Miss Seddon looked charming in soft white silk, to which a cluster of crimson roses lent a touch of colour; Miss M. S. Seddon, white satin veiled in silk embroidered gauze, spray of scarlet and white bovardia blossoms in her hair. That in Edinburgh at the reception by the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council Mrs Seddon wore a handsome black satin effectively trimmed with jet and lace; the Misses Seddon both looked pretty in frocks of blue and silver and pink and silver brocade, respectively.

That the bachelors of Hampden gave a most successful ball at the Oddfellows’ Hall in that township on Friday night, when in spite of the unsettled state of the weather there was a large attendance, and excellent music was supplied by a string band from Waipawa.

That Mrs Bush, Auckland, gave a large euchre party on Tuesday evening, concluding with a dance.

That the following appointments to the new Governor’s staff have been gazetted :—Captain Alexander, to be private secretary and aide-de camp ; Hon. Hill Trevor, assistant private secretary; Lieutenant Ward, to be aide-de-camp.

That Dr. Wolfenden, of Victoria, an eloquent preacher, is now on a visit to New Plymouth.

That Mr Seddon is to arrive in Melbourne on the 6th of September. He will not reach New Zealand until about the 20th, as he will need nearly a fortnight in which to acquaint himself with the history of New Zealand politics during his absence. Quite a large mass of official information has been or is being forwarded to Sydney ready for bis attentive perusal. To the ordinary onlooker th re is not much to tell the Premier, but to the initiated there is a great deal to be read between the lines.

That Mr R. A. Miles one of the members of the St. Alban's C.C., Auckland, was the recipient of a beautiful carver set last week. On the p’ate was engraved, ‘ Presented to Mr R. A. Miles by the members of St. Alban’s Cricket Club as a token of respect and esteem.’