PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XII, 11 September 1897, Page 372

PICTON.

Dear Bee, August 30. the reading society gave a miscellaneous evening on Friday, which was very successful and well attended. Mrs Allen began with ‘ Muckle Alick ’ in * Cleg Kelly,’ the engine-driver’s broad Scotch being much appreciated ; Miss Howard then read ‘ Grim Rutherland ’ from ‘ Sweetheart Travellers ;’ Miss Hay, a critique on * Shy Men ;’ Mr Wilson, ‘ A Chapter on Girls.’ The Rev. W. G. Baker, of Nelson, then gave a short but interesting sketch of * British Rule in India * from his own personal experience. Most of us would like to have listened longer, but the time for each reader or speaker is limited by rule, and no one likes to exceed the limit. Miss Mildred Millington played a banjo solo, * Grand Avenue March,’ which delighted everybody, and she was asked to play again at the close of the evening, when she gave ‘ True Love Gavotte.’ Miss Thompson read * Advertising for a Wife,’ and Miss Rosalie Williams, * The wooing of the Lady Amabel.’ Mr Howard finished the readings with • Lawler’s Love Letters.’ Among the audience I noticed Mrs Masefield (Manaroa), Mrs H. Howard (Tua Marina), Mrs Sealy, Mrs Howard, Mrs Millington, the Misses Greensill, Harris, Seymour, Scott, Allen (three), R. and L. Greensill, Sealy, etc., etc. On Saturday Miss Fell held her breaking-up DANCE in the Public Hall, which was prettily decorated with ferns, gege’s, flags, and Chinese lanterns. Miss Fell put her pupils through their calisthenic exercises, and afterwards through all the different dances. Missand Master Gerald Fell, the Misses Nora and Grace Allen, Miss Ethel Seymour, and Miss Isabel Rutherford danced the ‘Washington Post’ for the first time in Picton. The music was very good, Mrs and Miss Fell, and Mrs Dobbie playing the piano, Mr and Miss Dobbie the French horn and violin. Among the novelties was a sailor's hornpipe, danced beautifully by Mr Dobbie. Mrs Fell wore black brocade trimmed with jet; Miss Fell, black velvet skirt with cream lace bodice ; Miss Mildred Fell, black velvet and white chiffon ; Miss Cotterill (Sydney), pale blue veiling with ribbons and sash ; Miss Morna Fell, pale blue veiling; Mrs Dobbie, black silk dress, white lace fichu and cap; Mrs Stowe, black silk and white lace ; Mrs Speed, black satin ; Miss Speed, dark dress ; Mrs Philpotts, French grey costume; Miss M. Philpotts, navy skirt, pink blouse ; Miss Howard, black and yellow ; Mrs Sealy, black with white trimming; Miss Mackenzie, black ; Miss Cummings, navy blue ; and her little sisters in white ; Miss Ethel Greensill, while silk ; Misses Rutherford (four), two in blue and white, and two in red ; Miss Eileen Sealy, white with pink sash ; and her sister in pale blue ; Misses R. and L. Greensill (Bullerstreet), white muslin ; Miss C. Godfrey, white muslin ; Miss Nora Allen, dark costume ; Miss Grace Allen, navy skirt, cream blouse ; Miss Ethel Seymour (Tyntesfield), navy skirt, rose pink blouse ; Misses Philpotts (four), two in white and two in pink ; Miss Ada Wynn-Williams,

white ; Mias Blizzard, peacock blue velet; MissesDobbie (three), one in black velvet with blue trimmings, and the other two in cardinal velvet. Mr Dobbie and Mr Seymour Fell were also present, and Masters Fell (three), Blizzard, Stowe (two), Linton, Scott, Cummings, Millington, McMab, Sealey (two). The supper was very dainty, and laid out ou the stage, with jonquils and daffodil decorations. Needless to say it was done full justice to.

Jean.