SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue IX, 26 February 1898, Page 259

SOCIETY ON DITS.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR and Lady Ranfurly have signified their intention of attending the concert in aid of the Girls’ Institute, under the auspices of the Philanthropic Society, which is to be given in Wellington next month. That the College Rifle Volunteer Corps (Auckland), under Captain Major, is now in camp in the old Bear Garden, North Shore. There is a good muster, and Sergeant-Major Carpenter is devoting much time and trouble to teaching the drill thoroughly. That the South Auckland Races, which are to take place on the sth March, are being looked forward to with great interest by a large number of Hamiltonions and others. Judging by the number of entries, a capital day’s sport may be expected. That the French warship ‘Eure’ is expected in Wellington this week, and after a few days visit to that part, goes on to Lyttelton, Dunedin and the West Coast Sounds. It is understood the warship visits New Zealand in order to avoid the intense heat of the New Hebrides at this time of the year. That a numerously attended garden party was held in the Convent grounds, Maxwell Road, Blenheim, last Wednesday evening. There were musical selections by the Garrison and Hibernian Bands, besides vocal music, and a gipsy tent, where, by the investment of a silver coin, peeps into the future were to be had. Father Goggan gave an exhibition of limelight views, which were rather marred by the wind. That an Association Francaise has been started in Christchurch for the purpose of practising the ‘graceful language,’ an art as every traveller knows, too soon forgotten. All the proceedings are, of course, carried on in French, no other language being permissible. The Hon. E. W. Parker. French Consul for Christchurch, is the President, Mrs J. Freeman and Miss Fodor vice-presidents, together with the Hon. C. C. Brown. Messrs Whitconibe and F. C. Hall. That the New Zealand Polo Tournament is to be held at Hastings on the 21st of next month, and that a Polo Ball will be held about the same date. Mr Kenny, of Singapore, who has been spending a few days in New Plymouth, has now gone to see his friends in Wellington. That the Palmerston bowlers are expected in Blenheim next Wednesday. and a tournament is arranged to take place between them, and the local players. A number of invitations have been issued to residents in the place to witness the play, and afternoon tea will be provided by the lady friends of the local bowlers.

That several yachts are exploring the Marlborough Sounds just now, amongst them are the steam yacht Gannet, the Atalanta, the Maratana, and the Waitangi, all hailing from Wellington. Pieton looked more nautical than ever, with bands of yachtsmen wandering about the streets. Mrs Holford, from Wellington, is paying New Plymouth a visit. That a pleasant day was spent last Sunday by those who visited the volunteers in camp at Napier Terrace. Captain Hughes entertained a large party at luncheon, and in the afternoon various manoeuvres were gone through by the men, much to the edification of the onlookers. That the caretaker of the Napier Bowling Green, Mr J. P. Smith, has been presented with a beautiful pair of silver-mounted bowls, inscribed as follows: — ‘Napier Tournament, N.8.A., 1898. To J. P. Smith, Esq., from Visiting Teams,’ and were given to show how the visitors appreciated Mr Smith’s careful supervision of the bowling green, and the clean and satisfactory way in which it was kept. That a concert, with tableaux vivants interspersed, will be given next Wednesday in Ewart’s Hall, Blenheim, in aid of the funds of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. That on Tuesday afternoon the Fancy Fair i n aid of the Catholic Church Building Fund, of New Plymouth, was opened in the Theatre Royal, the ceremony being performed by His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Dockrill). Several stalls were nicely decorated, most of the stall-holders being in fancy costume, and the display of articles for sale was very attractive.

That presentations seem to have been the order of the day in Auckland recently. Amongst others was one from the employees of Mr George Fowlds, who left for England by the Moana on Saturday. His gift consisted of a silver-mounted inlaid walkin; stick. The stick, which is an extremely handsome one, was made by Mr Seuffert. Near the top is inlaid a representation, copied from ; photograph, of the house in which Mr Fowlds was born, with his parents at the door. Below this picture the stick is inlaid in a regular geometrical pattern. On a silver band is inscribed, ‘To Mr George Fowlds, from his employees, on his departure for Europe, 19-2-98,’ while a thistle and a fern are also engraved on it. The mountin: and engraving were done by Mr A. Bailey. That Mr Wesley Spragg, of Auckland, also received a presentation from the employees of the New Zealand Dairy Association, of which he is maii:i ger. He received a hajidsome illuminated address, and expressions of high esteem. That Mr O. H. Taplin, superintendent for the past two years of the Citizens’ Life Assurance Company in Auckland, received an illuminated address prior to his removal to Wellington, where he is to be head superintendent. That- the English ‘Graphic,’ in speaking of the New Year’s Honours in England, mentions that five gentlemen have had baronetcies conferred upon them. The first on the list is Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., who, for for seventeen years held the important post of Agent-General for New South Wales in England. He is the son of the late Mr Samuel, of London, and was born in 1820. In 1846 he was appointed a Magistrate of the territory' of New South Wales, and was elected a member of the Legislative Council of that Colony in 1854. In 1880 he was appointed Agent-Gen-eral of the Colony in England, and on his retirement this year Mr Chamberlain sent a special letter of thanks for his services and of regret at the severance of his connection with Colonial affairs. Sir Saul Samuel married, first, in 1857, Henrietta Matilda, daughter of Mr B. C. Levein, of Victoria, and secondly, in 1877, Sara Louise, daughter of the late Mr E. Isaacs, of Auckland, New Zealand.