SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XXI, 13 November 1897, Page 659

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That very peculiar weather has prevailed in the neighbourhood of Picton lately. At Te Awaite, Tory Channel, the hailstones broke nine windows in the school, besides denuding the fruit trees of their leaves. Large hailstones also fell at Koromiko, and the cold in Picton has been intense. That the weather has been very unpropitious in New Plymouth during the early part of the week ending November 6th. On some days it rained incessantly from morning till evening, and often through the night. All the rivers were much swollen. The Waitara races had to lie postponed, and several social arrangements were abandoned in consequence of the wet weather. That the Flying Jordans’ Company may probably play a short season in New Plymouth on their return trip through the colony shortly. That a brave effort was made by some ladies to induce the Auckland City Council to allow the present wooden building, St. Paul’s Sunday School, to be removed to Abercrombiestreet from its site in Emily Place. It will be remembered that to oblige the City authorities and general public St. Paul's Church was pulled down, and, some years later, a new one of stone built in Symonds-street. This makes the school and church too far apart ; hence the earnest request of the ladies—on behalf of the parish • —to the City Council. However, that important body was obdurate, no more wooden buildings could be erected within city boundaries ; in fact, too many permits for wooden structures had already been given. And, vanquished but not dismayed, Mesdames Judd, Howard, ete., bowed sadly to the Council’s decision, and retired. The Council heaved a relieved sigh as the last skirt rustled through the door and proceeded cheerfully to other business. That the committee for the Whiteley Hall exhibition are working very hard to make it attractive and a success. That Mr S. Percy Smith, the surveyor-general, who is one of the best authorities in New Zealand on Maori names, says that the correct name of Lake Manapovri is ‘Manawapopore’ (‘anxious heart',, and that Lake Hauroto is correctly ‘Hauroko’ (the Southern equivalent of ‘Haurongo'), which means ‘the wind of fame’ or the ‘wind which brings tidings.’ That an At Home is being given this (Wednesday) afternoon in the Social Hall, Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Auckland, by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. That a gentleman writing from Kimberley says, ‘All the New Zealanders 1 know of mean to get back to New Zealand as soon as they can. All hopes of making fortunes here are evaporated. We wouldn’t take advice or believe what we were told ; we wanted to see, hear, and do for ourselves, and we’ve done it, and now we can but look forward to getting back by hook or by crook.’ That a splendid lunar rainbow was visible in Picton on Monday. The phenomenon completely surrounded the moon and was of the most brilliant colours. That the annual Children’s Flower Show, held in the Drill Shed last Friday and Saturday, was a very pretty affair indeed. It was opened at. three o’clock by Professor Thomas, who, it is well known, has the cause of flower cultivation by children much at heart. The entries numbered over one thousand, and the district school children sent some five hundred bouquets. The Grammar School Orchestra assisted with musical items, and, owing to the great interest taken in the show, and the hard work of the secretary (Mr Cranwell) and committee, the affair was very successful, and the promoters must be congratulated on the result of their labours. That the following are the officers of H. M.s. Mohawk, to be commissioned for the Australian station : — Lieutenants A. Farrington, P. A. Robarts, A. C. Scott, Sub-Lieut. J. W. S. Miller, Staff-Surgeon John Moore, M. D., and Paymaster C. E. F. Webb. That the other day Mrs Percy Adams. Nelson, gave an afternoon tea. Amongst those present were Mes-

dames Watts, Sweet, Houlker, C. Watts, R. Kingdon, Harris, Burnes, Booth, Pitt, Batchelor (Dunedin), Fell, Richmond, the Misses Jones, Monro (New Plymouth), Oldham, Richmond, Batchelor, Fell, and others. That the Floral Fete, which is to be held at Hastings next Tuesday, promises to lie a great success, and that provision is being made for three thousand visitors. That great preparations are being made for the Auckland Floral Fete, to be held at Ellerslie on Saturday, November 27th. That this season visitors to Rotorua will be able to drive by the new Rotorua - Te Teko Road along the shores of Lakes Rotoiti, Roto-ehu and Roto - ma, through very beautiful scenery, ineluding some fine views of bush and lake. This is expected to be a very popular trip with tourists. That the hitherto almost inaccessible extinct volcano, Rangitoto, is now opened for the public convenience as another attraction to the many pretty places of interest to lie visited round Auckland. Instead of wearing out one pair—at least—of boots by climbing over rough boulders. a neat, clear path has been made to the summit. Perhaps the glory and honour of the ascent has departed, but it. is now so much the propel - thing to shorten all hours of labour, that it would no longer do to toil up the old volcano for four or five weary hours when the time could be diminished to a fifth of that period. Probably the ascent of the Southern Alps will speedily be made possible for invalids and cripples. That the late heavy gale had a peculiar and disastrous effect on two fine draught horses belonging to Mr Harding, Kereru, Hawke's Bay. Last week they were ploughing, became frightened by the storm, and were actually blown over a steep cliff and killed. That the governors’ prizes (watches) presented for competition by points to the boys who took part in the annual sports of the Auckland College and Grammar School have been won by the following : —Senior : Te Paa, 34 points, 1 ; Walker, 13 points, 2. Junior : Sharland, 17 points, 1-, llbert, 13 points, 2. The school cups go to : —Senior : Syme, 10 points, I ; Gresham and Te Paa, each 6 points, 2. Junior ; llbert, 13 points, 1 ; Sharland, 9 points, 2. That there is a strong feeling amongst society people in the colony that in view of the large increase in the population since the erection of the two Government Houses, an addition of proper rooms for entertaining should be made to each building. A ball-room has been added to each, but there is a great necessity for a proper supper-room, capable of seating at least one hundred persons. Even with this addition the plan which has been lately adopted by successive Governors of admitting guests to the supper-room in detachments would still have to be carried out. With the meagre space at their disposal the present Vice-regal party have had to make most careful arrangements and go to a very great deal of trouble in order that their very numerous visitors should be able to enjoy the particularly excellent menu provided for them without receiving champagne on their clean shirt-fronts, or trifles on their new satin frocks. If His Excellency the Governor is expected—as he is—to entertain, it is absolutely necessary and right that sufficient accommodation for this purpose should be provided both in Wellington and Auckland. In the latter city Government House is a disgrace to the colony and especially to the Auciiland members.