SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XIX, 30 October 1897, Page 596

SOCIETY ON DITS.

r|t HAT the Countess of Ranfurly I takes a great interest in scientific and art subjects. She, with a party from Government House, was present at Sir James Hector's lecture in the Wellington Art Gallery, the subject being ‘Antarctic Exploration.’ The lecture was excellent. If Mr Frank R. Stockton had heard it, he might have gained some hints for his fantastic Polar exploration story now running in ‘Harper's Magazine.’ That the Speaker of the Legislative Council, the Hon. H. J. Miller, entertained His Excellency the Governor in the Council Chamber on theevening of Monday, Ist of November, at a dinner. The members of the Council will be present. That teachers of the Picton Anglican Sunday-school are getting up a garden party, Christmas tree, and other ‘draws,’ in aid of the school funds. That Mr Bollard, M.H.R. for Waitemata, gave his ultimatum at the Charitable Aid Conference, Wellington, lately: —‘I won’t agree to the appointment of any more Government inspectors. Every third man you meet is a Government inspector, and it is said that if they all got a coat of luminous paint they would make the night as light as the day.’ That Miss Teed, of New Plymouth, gave a very enjoyable musical evening on October 20. That the Poverty Bay Rowing Club presented their well-known sculler, Mr Rees Jones, with a match-box and handsome sleeve-links on his departure for Wellington. That on Thursday evening the New Plymouth Golf Club’s closing season’s ball, held in the Foresters’ Hall, attracted a number of invited guests, ami was more especially intended for the enjoyment, of the unmarried portion of the members, who, needless t< say, fulfilled that expectation to the utmost.

That a Parliamentary dinner was given by lord Kanfurly on Wednesday night. The following received invitations: —Hons. W. J. Hall-Jones (M.H.R.) and J. Carroll (M.H.R.), the Hon. R. H. J. Reeves, W. Kelly, W. IL Reynolds, J. Rigg, IlScotland, J. Kerr, L. Walker, W. Rolleston, W. Swainson, G. Jones, T. Kelly, W. Jennings, and B. Harris (M.L.C.’s), Sir Robert Stout, Messrs M. S. J. MacKenzie, R. 1). McLean, W. Symes, C. I’arata, H. Kaihau, J. Bollard. 11. Brown, G. Carson, H. A. Field, G. Fisher, M. Gilfedder, W. Herris, J. Holland, J. Hutchison. C. Lewis, R. M. McKenzie, J. A. Miller, T. E. Taylor, J. O’Meara. R. Monk, and R. Moore (M.H.R.’s), Messrs Fison, Friend, and Willis.

That the bridge over the Waikawa (Picton) River was washed away by the last fresh, and the lady missionaries who intern! to hold Sundayschool at the pah will have to wade, unless the Government re-build it. The bridge was only built a short time ago. but everybody who saw it prophesied its speedy destruction, so slight—only stones placed upon each other—were its approaches.

That Mrs Edwards gave a large afternoon tea on Friday iu Wellington.

That many hope that the present variable weather will wear itself out before Saturday, when the MarlImrough Tennis Club will open for the season at Blenheim.

That Constable R. Oliphant, of Auckland, was presented at the meeting of the City Council last week with the Humane Society’s Medal for saving life.

That the Hibernian Band intend to hold a social in Blenheim next Wednesday in aid of the uniform fund. That the Auckland School Children’s Jubilee Address to the Queen was presented to His Excellency the Governor last Wednesday for transmission to England. Lord Ranfurly greatly admired the address. That, the Garrison Band will hold a Garden Party in Blenheim on Noveml>er 9th.

That Captain Spence of the Brunner, is to be transferred to the Corrisina. and Mr Shaw, chief officer of the Wainui, who is under orders to proceed to headquarters, will, it is understood, have charge of the Brunner. Captain Gibb came over from Australia by the Monowai to take command of the Talune. Messrs Westwood (chief engineer of the Mawhera), Young (third engineer of the Poherua) and Jordan (late second officer of the Oonah, who came over by the Monowai from Sydney) are under orders to go on to Dunedin for instructions. Mr Rochfort, second officer of the Wainui, is promoted a step, while Mr Dawson, formerly of the Flora, has joined the Wainui as second officer. That a special trip was made up the river at Wanganui on the occasion of the extension of the steam river service. The trip extended over two days, reaching the mouth of the Tangarikau tributary. Several members of the House of Representatives were present. .This now opens up about 650,000 acres. Wanganui will be rapidly going ahead. That a Maori Princess, supposed to be Tono Marenau, daughter of King Paul, or Lumumonosas, is in search of a white man for a husband, who must be of good character, good habits, etc., and who will, therefore, help her to raise the status of the Maori race. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr Dignan, is now trying to find the princess, as an English suitor, nowresident in America, has appeared for the hand of the dusky maiden. That the question is being raised in Wanganui whether the present outbreak there of typhoid fever is due to the peculiar Chinese methods of forcing vegetables. This is a serious matter, and requires careful attention on the part of the health authorities of all New Zealand cities. That the members of the old Picton Tennis Club—defunct for the want of a court —have received a cordial invitation from the Blenheim club to attend the opening of the latter’s court on Saturday next. That Lady Douglas has worked very hard in getting up an entertainment which is to take place on Wednesday next, in the Opera House in aid of the Boys' Club in connection with St. Paul's Church, Wellington. I hear that tickets' are selling rapidly. That a good deal of excitement was caused in Pieton this week when it became known that, an old Picton boy —now in the Telegraph Office, Wellington—was one of the lucky pair who drew ‘Amberite’ in Tattersall’s Sweep. Heaps of congratulations were sent him.

That the Synod, in Christchurch, opened on Tuesday, and the town is full of clergy. The Bishop gave his opening address after evening service at the Cathedral on Tuesday night, which has become the usual thing now, enabling a very much greater number to hear it.

That large and very smart afternoon teas have been given during the week by Mesdames MacKenzie, Pynsent, ami Edwards, and several informal little dances have taken place, with the object of practising the ‘Washington Post,’ two of the most enjoyable having lieen given by Mrs Williams and Mrs Travers.