SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XII, 11 September 1897, Page 368

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That the Countess of Ranfurly is a contributor to the Wellingi ton annual exhibition of the Academy of Arts, opened on Saturday by Lord Ranfurly. This artist, whose three watercolours were extremely admired,

promises to be a great addition to art circles in the colony. Some of Lady Ranfurly’s pictures have already been seen by Wellingtonians; they are mostly Irish subjects, and are decidedly pleasing, the subdued colouring being delicate and restful. They form a pleasant contrast to our rather too monotonous range of New Zealand subjects. Lady Ranfurly is also literary and mnsical, so that she is bound to be in sympathetic accord with very many people who do not care merely for the common social round. Whilst for the usnal society people, her well-attended ‘ At Home,’ proves she will have no ordinary attraction.

That the Nelson Volunteers are busy making preparations for a welcome to Colonel Pitt, who is expected back next week.

That the practice of choruses of the • Pirates of Penzance ’ will begin on Wednesday next in Picton under Mr Dobbie’s conductorship.

That Mrs Dando, of Onehunga, fractured two bones of her left arm on Sunday. She fell on the kerbstone whilst alighting from her carriage in front of the Congregational Church.

That the new Picton volunteer corps will be called the Waitohi Rifle Volunteers. All the Picton ladies are pleased that the old name for Picton will thus be held in honourable remembrance.

That the large audience at the Opera House, Wellington, on Tuesday night were considerably alarmed by the two sharp shocks of earthquake which took place during the performance of ‘ Fedora ’ by the Brough Company, but Mrs Brough and Mr Plimmer, who were on the stage at the time, plnckily went on with the performance as if they had not noticed the occurrence, which averted any approach to a panic. That the Spring Exhibition of the Auckland Horticultural Society was unfortunate in its weather, Friday and Saturday proving two very wet days. Some of the exhibits were lovely, and the attendance, considering the weather, was good.

That Lady Ranfurly is said to have passed much of her early life in Dublin Castle, her father, Lord Charlemont, being one of its veteran household officials. That the young ladies of Picton intend forming a troupe of ‘ Snowball ’ minstrels. Miss Allen and Miss Flo Western are arranging matters, and a performance is to be given on the Prince of Wales’ birthday for some benefit, most likely the Rowing Club. That it is proposed to commemorate the life and labours of the late Rev. Canon Bates by erecting a memorial window in his church (Holy Trinity), Devonport.

That euchre parties are still popular in Wellington, Mrs Rotheram and Mrs Marchant both giving one of these hospitable functions this week, the one on Tuesday, the other on Thursday. That to fittingly mark the popularity of the late lady organist of St. Benedict’s Church, Auckland, Miss Nellie O’Neil, a musicale and dance were arranged by the past and present choir. During the evening a complimentary address was presented to Miss O’Neil. That at Waipukuran, on August 26th, in a champion football match, Waipawa beat Takapau by 12 points to nil.

That the Waitaki River is extremely low at present. The deluges of rain which have fallen in many parts do not seem to have visited its watershed.

That the Rev. R. Scott-West, of Auckland, has been presented with a very handsome silk gown by members of his congregation and friends. That several afternoon teas have been given for Mrs Frazer, of the Bank of New South Wales, Napier, who leaves in a few weeks for Adelaide.

That wood carving is becoming very fashionable among ladies in Wellington, and that numbers of sweetly pretty drawing-room nick-nacks are constantly being • turned out ’ by dainty fingers. Many ladies go in for larger work too, such as brackets, panels, stools, tables, etc , and very useful and ornamental they are. It seems an excellent employment when one perhaps has not the energy or inclination for bicycling golf, etc., and I fancy a good deal will be done during the summer months, when it is too hot for tennis, and so on.

That Mr and Mrs Charles Johnston issued invitations for a large ball on the Bth, and there were to be several debutantes, among the number being Miss Alice Johnston, Miss Isobel Coleridge, and Miss Una Williams. Mrs Johnston’s second daughter. Miss Alice, will also make her debut in the dancing world.

That Mrs Fitchett, Wellington, gave a large afternoon tea in honour of Mrs Brough, and that Mrs Menzies gave a five o’clock tea in honour of her daughter’s wedding, which was to eventuate on the 7th. That the drowning fatality in the Pelorus Sound, when two young men lost their lives the other day, was caused by carrying too much sail. A neighbour of the two young fellows—who were much liked and respected —states that their sail was tremendously large for the size of the boat. The names of the young men were James Hansen, and Franz Pettersen.

That the annual Rugby Union Ball is to be held in th the Garrison Hall. Napier, on the 10th of September.

That the Rev. J. D. Russell, who is at present In the Bulls parochial district, has accepted the vacant parish at Petone.

That in St. Mary’s Schoolroom last week a meeting of the New Plymouth Phonetic Society was held. During the evening Rev. F. G. Evans was elected President, Messrs J. Quilliam and G. H. White Vice-presidents, and Messrs A. Canning, V. Elliott, W. Yates, and Miss Wrigley a Committee. That Mr John Gell is the new officer-in-charge at the Government Telegraph Office at Wakapuaka. He has had thirty years’ experience in that line. That St. Mary’s Church Committee, New Plymouth, had a meeting last week, and have decided to hold a Floral F€te in the Recreation Grounds on November 9th. That the Venerable Archdeacon Grace is at present in Nelson, and preached at the Cathedral on Sunday evening. That Mr C Deck (Nelson) returned from the West Coast this week. TO DARKEN GREY HAIR. Lockyer’s Sulphur Hair Restorer, quickest, safest, best; restores the natural colour. Lockyer’s, the real English Hair Restorer. Large bottles, 1 d, everywhere—(Advt)