SOCIETY ON PITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XXV, 11 December 1897, Page 783

SOCIETY ON PITS.

That the Primate of New Zealand was plunged into hard work the day after his arrival in Auckland, and has during the last week been much engaged with the annual session of the Anglican Synod. That a verdiet of accidental death was given at the inquest on Mrs Tidey, who met with her death in an omnibus accident at the North Shore, Auckland, last week. That the Picton mayoral election was void, owing to the absence of the only candidate for that honour, Mr T. Philpotts. An extraordinary election will have to take place. That a site for His Excellency the Governor’s camp in the Wairarapa has been selected. Lord Kanfurly intends to spend some days in fishing there. That during their Sunday in Auckland. Viscount Hampden and partyattended divine service at St. Paul's Church in the morning. The afternoon was devoted to visiting Mount Ellen and One Tree Hill. That the Wanderers Bicycle Club intend holding their annual sports very shortly, when one of the most interesting items on the programme will be a half-mile 'road skate race.' That freezing operations are in full force now in Picton. the hulk Edwin Fox being moored at the wharf. That apartments have been taken at the Masonic Hotel. Napier, for Lord Hampden, Governor of New South Wales, and |xirty. who will arrive in Napier about the loth of December, by way of the Hot Lakes District. That Mr A. McHardy, of Hawke’s Bay. was at a committee meeting of the Manawatu A. and P. Association. presented with a gold pendant with the word ‘President’ engraved on it. The presentation was made, bv Mr George Wheeler, anil is a recognition of his services to the Association, as well as a token of esteem. That Picton people so thoroughly enjoyed the visit of the members and their lady friends this year, that they hope the excursion will be an annual one. That the station master at Napier. Mr A. Graham, who has lately been moved to Balclutha. was entertained at the Orange Hall on Wednesday night and presented with a handsome diamond ring from the officers of this section of the Railway Department. I hat there is every likelihood of the Blenheim Choral Society collapsing altogether. Since the members took up :m opera for practice, less interest has been taken in cantata and other music, and the weekly practices have been so poorly attended that last Tuesday the conductor announced that unless there was a better muster the next night, he would give up the whole affair. It is a great pity, us considerable trouble has already been taken with the cantata. ‘The Crusaders,’ but it would be impossible to produce it with the present number of voices. That there is quite an epidemic of meetings in Pieton just now. Bowing cricket, regattas, library, and general. That there is a strong feeling amongst many Anglicans in Auckland that it is quite time the Venerable Archdeacon Dudley hail a thorough holiday. This clergyman has been working very hard during the absence of tin l Primate, ami being a muchloved and highly esteemed cleric, the calls on his time, strength, and sympathy are far too numerous. It is suggested that his very many friends should collect the wherewithal to enable him to take his much needed change. That Mr W. T. Sharp, organist of the Napier Cathedral, gave an enjoyable organ recital for the members of the Synod last Friday night. That. Mr J. C. Chaytor. Marshlands and Picton. who had to visit the Old Country on business, may be expected back shortly. A cablegram received by Mrs Chaytor states that he left England by the Oroya last week. That an enthusiastic committee have taken the New Year’s Day Regatta in hand, at Pieton. and intend to make it a success. That Miss Johnston, has presented, or intends to present, a racquet, to be competed for by the ladies of the Marllsirough Tennis Courts, Blenheim

A series of tournaments will shortly be arranged. That the Operatie Society, of Blenheim, being defunct, or in abeyance, an effort is being made to establish a new operatic society. That the Horticultural Society of Blenheim has at last given signs of revivification, and arranged to hold a show on December Bth, which will be a spring and summer show combined. That, the contest for the Mayoral Chair, between Mr Horton, the outgoing Mayor, and Mr Purser, in Blenheim, was a very close one, the lastnamed gentleman winning by four votes. That Mrs Cheesman, of Marunui, Remuera, Auckland, holds her moonlight evening at home on Wednesday instead of Thursday, as the Remuera Musical Club give an at home on Thursday evening. That the Misses Stevenson, of Glenholm, Remuera, gave a large at home to their Auckland girl friends on Monday, December 6th, from three o’clock to six. These functions are always looked forward to with great pleasure. A description of the same will be given in next week’s issue. That at King’s College, Auckland, the Principal and Mrs Ashton Bruce give a large at home on Friday, December 17, when the prizes will be distributed, and a Baden-Baden concert will be held. That Mrs Donnelly, of Crissoge, Napier, who sent some valuable Maori curios to the Queen by a relative, Kiirupu Tareha, who was one of the native contingent at the Jubilee, received an acknowledgment when she was in Wellington a short time ago. This consists of a book of photographic views of the procession through the streets of London. A picture of the Queen, with her autograph and pictures of Mr and Mrs Chamberlain, and Mr and Mrs Seddon, all with autographs underneath. That, the lay synodsmen appointed by the Pieton parishioners were unable to attend the Synod held in Nelson. Apparently their failing to attend made no difference to the mission for which they were appointed, for though the majority of the meeting was in favour of women being allowed to vote, the Bishop negatived the resolution. That Mr Robert Parker’s eighteenth annual eoncefrt takes place in the Theatre Koval. Wellington, on Monday night. That a Nelson Schoolmaster has adopted the plan of sending round his senior pupils on bicycles to hunt up al>sentees. It goes without saying that the young cyclists greatly enjoy their ride. That Dr. Alexander, now of Blenheim, is going into partnership with Dr. Scott, of Pic-ton, and that Dr. Alexander intends to apply for the charge of the Pieton Hospital. That an interesting story of a needle is Ix-ing told in Palmerston. Mrs Cavell. of that city, had a needle embedded in her wrist, ami much difficulty was experienced in extracting it. Mrs Cavell was advised to try the effect of a dynamo with a view of drawing the needle to the surface of the wrist. With that object in view, she visited Messrs Richter. Nonnested. ami Co.'s flour mill on several occasions. By continually laying her wrist on the dynamo, the electricity gradually drew the needle to the stirface. and it was finally extracted. That croquet seemSrto have quite siqx-rseded tennis in Wellington this summer, and during the week croquet parties have been given by Mrs Maxwell. Mrs C. Johnston, ami Mrs Tolhurst. the games in every instance lx-ing very keenly contested. That as usual there is a good deal of comment alxmt the award of the Champion Banner in collection with the recent Auckland Floral Fete. The voting was conducted by means of voting papers sold in books, so that any one could procure any quantity of (capers who cared to purchase them. It has been suggested that if a half of the entrance ticket were left blank, this could lie utilised for voting on. By this means duplicate votes would be avoided. That there will be another exodus of Christchurch residents to England the lieginning of next eyar. Mr atid Mrs Bloxam and family intend taking a trip. Mrs John Williams and family,

Mr and Mrs Alan Scott, Mr and Mrs George Gould are amongst those mentioned. That a banana tree in full bearing was exhibited at the New Plymouth Horticultural Show on December 2nd. That Miss Hardy-Johnston intends visiting Wellington and organising a class for dancing. Her fame is well known in the art for grace and style, and she already has a number of pupils waiting.