SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XXVII, 25 December 1897, Page 847

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand is advocating' the importance of natural science as a school subject for the higher education of young New Zealand. Practical chemistry, Lord Kanfurly says, in a country like New Zealand, with its hidden wealth is especially useful. That influenza is prevailing in Wellington to quite an alarming extent, nearly every house having been attacked by it, and in many cases all the inmates are prostrated at once. Some of the large business firms in the city are seriously hampered in their business arrangements in consequence of the many absentees from this cause, ami nurses are everywhere in request. The Hon. T. Mackenzie Minister of Lands, has l>een quite prostrated by it for some days, his condition causing considerable anxiety to his friends, and more than twothirds of the members have been laid up with it during the last fortnight. That a number of gentlemen, invited by the owners of the steamer Pania, left Houston & Co.’s wharf for a fishing excursion to Port Underwood yesterday morning. After a most enjoyable day, the party returned to Blenheim about midnight, bringing with them a quantity of fish. That Mr ,L It. Hoy. the late Mayor of New Plymouth, was complimented by the Borough Council on his retirement for his past, services, and replied in felicitous terms, hoping that the same, good feeling that had subsisted between himself and the Council would be extended to his successor Mr E. Dockrill. That the friends of Mr Frank Ross. Christehurdh. will lie interested to hear he has, after a delightful tour through America, settled down to work in the Ixindoii office of Messrs Sargood, Son & Ewen, with the idea that the sooner he learns the ways of doing business in the great ware-

houses of London the sooner he can return to New Zealand, t>he best country in the work! liar none, the ’none’ spelt large. That Mrs Linton, who is leaving Pieton soon, is to be presented with a testimonial by her pupils. That the ‘Messiah’ which was performed iu New Plymouth, under the auspices of the Orpheus Society, given in the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening, was a great success. That Mr Wilson, the New Zealand representative of Carter and Co., the great seed merchants of England, has presented the sum of t’2 2/ to the Blenheim Horticultural Society, to lx* divided into prizes for flowers ami vegetables grown from Carter and Co.’s seeds, for next season’s show. That an English magazine gives the following account of the Earl of Seatield: There is no romance like that of old families. Take the case of the present Earl of Seafield, who having attained his majority, is coming to this country from New Zealand to see the ancestral estates in the North of Scot la ml. The Seafields, to begin with, were originally Ogilvies, who were created Earls of Findlater and Seafleld. But. When the Earl of 1811 died, the first title expired, and the second passed to a cousin. Sir Lewis (.rant. Since his day there have been six Earls, of whom four’ have died within the last 16 years, while three dowager Countesses are still alive, The present Earl is the eleventh, but. the family estates are held by the willow of the seventh, who was his great uncle. His Lordship has been born and bred in New Zealand, where his father, who was once in the navy, emigrated, becoming in turn a labourer. farmer, and a member of the Legislature. That the Garrison Band left Blenheim for Havelock on Saturday afternoon. where they held a social in the evening, which was attended by about 80 persons. They also gave an al fresco concert on Sunday afternoon.

That Dr. Alexander has finally made up his mind to practise in Blenheim. That Prolxisco’s circus arrived in Blenheim on Friday, and gave an entertainment on that and Saturday night to good audiences. A matinee on Saturday afternoon was well attended. Some very clever exhibitions of shooting were given by Mr ProIxiseo. That Mr Allanson, Anglican niissioner. held an open air service in Pieton elose by the wharf. The spectacle was an unusual one in Picton, and collected a large audience. That last, week Searlxirough was in great danger from the large bush fires which were raging near the Paliiatua township. Great assistance was rendered in fighting the flames by a large band of settlers. That the breaking-up of the Sacred Heart High School, of New Plymouth, took place on Thursday afternoon, in the large schoolroom of the Convent. There was a good attendance, including the Revs. Fathers Gallagher and McKenna, and His Worship the Mayor, Mr Dockrill. That, there is a great demand for rain in Auckland, only the intending holiday-makers being satisfied with the present dry weather. That several of the successful competitors at the Blenheim Horticultural Show last week have presented their prize-money to the society, a kindness which is specially felt just now when there is a debit balance of £39. However. as with the new secretary, there is renewed interest in the society, and increased membership ; no doubt the society will soon be in a flourishing state. That, many masters and teachers in the public schools near Auckland are taking more than the interest required by the ‘Board’ in the welfare of their scholars, in the way of concerts and picnics, etc. An excellent entertainment is to be given by the Point Chevalier school in the Parish Hall. Mount Albert, on Wednesday

evening next. Great excitement and mystery prevails amongst the various children taking part, some of whom are to wear very quaint costumes. That should. Parliament be prorogued liefore Christmas, it is the intention of Captain Russell, leader of the Opposition, to leave for England. That many Auckland citizens are extremely desirous of immediately obtaining a pure supply of water from the Waitakerei ranges, which is considered by a large section of tin* community as the best available |x*rnianent source, always supposing- that a sufficient area of land by the Falls Is* kept as a water shed reserve. I hat Mr ,1. M. Hutcheson, of Blenheim. though over 81 years of age. is an enthusiastic player of Ixiwls, and plays in capital style. That earthquakes are becoming too common in this colony. A smart sh<x*k was experienced in Waiau (Christchurch) on Saturday. That the breaking up of t.he Girls' College. Wanganui. was specially favoured this year by t.he presence of Bishop Wallis and Viscount Hampden. Tin* latter made a.n amusing speech, adding now that women have the vote he would give them a bit of advice :—‘Be sure and ask your male relations whom you are to vote for.’ Bishop Wallis chose ‘Samplais* for the subject of his speech, and Mrs Wallis gave away the prizes. That a dinner was given at Government House on Wednesday night. The guests included Lord Hampden, the lion. Dorothy Brand. Miss Darley. the Right Hon. R. .1. Seddon anil Mis Seddon. Bishop and Mrs Wallis, ('apt. Russell, Mrs Rhodes. Colonel and Mrs Pole-Penton. Miss Hozier, Sir Walter and Miss Buller, Major Kemp. Count ami Countess Jouffroy d'Abbans. Col. and Miss Pearce, "Major Mad<x*ks. Hay. Sir Ralph Thompson, and others. Hay. Sir Ralph Thomson, and others. That Captain Fielden is a guest at Government House in Wellington.

That Pictou people are nvukiiig great preparations for friends and relations who intend spending Christmas at their old homes this year. 'That Mr and Mrs Carlile, of Napier, intend leaving for England early in the new year. That Mrs .lames Greensill and Miss <iii. .lan have returned to Pieton from an enjoyable, visit to friends at The Grove. Queen Charlotte Sound. That Mrs unean, Wellington, gave a large afternoon reception at her charming residence in Thomson-streel on Wednesday afternoon, upon the occasion of the arrival of her daughter (Miss Duncan) from England, where she has been staying for the last nine months. 'That Mr Robert Scott, eldest son of Dr. Scott, of Pieton. is to be married on Wednesday to Miss Laura Farmar. of Blenheim. All his old Pieton friends congratulate Mr Scott on obtaining so estimable a wife. I’hat Dr. Cleghorn’s partner, Dr. Anderson, of Dunedin, will arrive in Blenheim at the beginning of the yea r. 'I nat some. Pieton lioys, now in South Africa, have taken the gold fever badly, and are desirous of trying their luck at Klondike. Their Pieton friends are writing to beg them to come back to happy New Zealand. 'l’hat it is curious that with all the complaints of the scorching sun and drought from most places there was a sharp frost on the night of the 9th inst. and morning of the 10 th in.st. in Wairarajxa. Potatoes, dahlias, tomatoes ami other tender plants were cut down by frost. 'l’hat. Mr F. Andrews, Pieton. has gone camping down Queen Charlotte Sound for a week or so.