SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XXII, 28 May 1898, Page 670

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That at Hawera it is proposed to establish public baths, and it is suggested to have them in the Recreation Grounds. That in the absence of the Permanent Artillery at Rawene in connection with the recent native disturbance there, the members of the Police Force are doing night and day duty’ at Government House now that the Governor has returned to Wellington. That the erection of the Taranaki Club buildings is to be proceeded with at once, the designs supplied by Mr J. Sanderson being accepted, and .Mr J. Coleman is the successful tenderer.

That a presentation of a silver mounted Malacca cane has just been made by the directors of the Wellington Bowling Club, to Mr P. J. Nolan, recently chief reporter of the Wellington Times, for his trouble in reporting our matches. That a very enjoyable smoke concert was given on Thursday evening, 19th inst., to Mr A. E. Manning,

Hamilton, on the occasion of his approaching marriage. During the evening he was presented by his gentlemen friends with a case containing a very handsome set of carvers. In a happy manner Mr Manning thanked his friends for their handsome gift, and all the good wishes for his future which were showered upon him. That the morning after the recent earthquake at Rotorua, a lady engaged a special train to convey her to Auckland at the cost of £5O. That the Whist Club met at Mr Oldham’s last Monday evening. That a floral fete, under the auspices of the New Plymouth Recreation Grounds, will take place on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday. That a bazaar will be held at the Tariki Town Hall next week, in connection with St. Philip’s Church. That Deputy’ Grandmaster Brother Arkwright was entertained on May 11th by’ the Mount Egmont Lodge, No. 670, E.C., in New Plymouth. In course of the evening he said no word had been received by him concerning the recognition of the New Zealand Constitution. That Misses "Smith and Hewson, of the Pollard Opera Company, sang in the Catholic Church, New Plymouth, on Sunday, May 15th. Mr Gardner also played a violin obligato on that occasion. That the premier strike at the Wellington Parliamentary Buildings eventuated last week. The Hon. R. J. Seddon was accidentally hit by a falling brick. Fortunately he sustained no serious injury. That Lady Ranfurly was present at a ‘Farewell at Home’ in Sydney, given to the Hon. Airs Ferguson, when a large album of Sydney photographs was presented to the latter. Mrs Ferguson wore a lovely chine silk, beautifully trimmed with crystals and diamonds.

That rainbow trout are now beginning to be caught in New Zealand rivers. Pheasants are scarce, owing to bush fires. On the AVairarapa Lake there is a good supply of ducks and swans.

That ample provision has been made by the Railway Department for the widow and children of the late engine driver, Mr Barker, who met his death on the line near Helensville by the buckling of the rails. Mrs Barker has received £5OO, and has been appointed post-mistress in the Taupiri.

That milking by machinery’ is very popular in the various dairy resorts round Taranaki. Strange to say the cows do not seem to resent the innovation. Perhaps it hurts less than inexperienced hands. That flags at half-mast throughout the colonial chief towns, more or less eloquent references to the loss sustained, in various pulpits, and the mulsical or unmusical tendering of the Dead Alarch in many churches, testified to the universal feeling of regret at the death of the veteran .statesman, the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone.

That H.M.s. Tauranga arrived outside Napier Breakwater on Saturday, and is expected to leave on Friday. Many people have been out to look over the warship. That football has begun in deadly earnest. Two accidents are reported on the Auckland ground on Saturday. That at Coromandel a football player had two ribs broken. That the price of milk as well as of bread has been raised in Christchurch. That the Primate of New Zealand reminds his diocese of the advice of Mr Gladstone re international arbitration, which would, if acted upon, have prevented the present deplorable wars. That at the Rangitoto (Auckland) Domain Board’s last meeting It was decided that the Fire Brigade be asked to erect on the summit of Rangitoto, on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, the new seat presented by the Fire Brigade Association to the Board. That the District School Committee be asked to grant the children of the public schools a holiday on the Bth of June in lieu of Arbor Day, to enable the elder scholars to do some planting of shrubs and flowers to assist the beautifying of Rangitoto Island Domain. That in New Plymouth a Parliamentary Debating Society for young men is being organised.

That a meeting of Women’s Political Societies was held last week in Auckland Y.M.C.A Rooms. The meet- . ing was called for the purpose of allowing the local delegates to the reeent Women's National Council in Wellington an opportunity to explain what was done at the Conventibn. This very necessary explanation absorlied some time.

That another bush felling accident case, which happened to Mr Jeffs, of Whangamomona, was taken to the New Plymouth Hospital for treatment on. Sunday afternoon. Mr Jeffs on the previous day was cutting a tree when it fell on him, and fractured his leg. The ease is rendered more unfortunate, as Mr Jeff’s wife is also in the hospital. That Miss Benjamin, ‘the full-blown barrister,’ wrote a paper on the ‘Equalities of the law' regarding men and women.’ But as she did not sufficiently bring out the terrible wrongs under which her sex groan, the paper was rejected by the Council.

That Aucklanders can now indulge in the luxury of private baths,and that <furing Thursday night, when the first heavy rain fell, several citizens thought of going outside and securing a elean douche, for fear the waterworks committee would not deem the supply sufficient to warrant turning on the bath taps in the morning.

That a feature of the concluding performance by the Pollard Company in New Plymouth was the number of floral contributions handed to the various performers, two or three bouquets being passed up at a time.

That the Basket Fair to be held in S. Sepulchre’s Schoolroom, Auckland, on Thursday, June 2nd, and two following days, promises to be an extremely attractive affair. Mr Boult has charge of Thursday evening, and his very inviting musical programme comprises several unique items, such as a quadrille from ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ Red and White Queen, Duchess and Carpenter, Tw'eedle Dum, Tweedie Dee, Alice and Mad Hatter. Tableau, Dream Faces, w'ith verse of song. Tableau, Ten Little Niggers, with song. Mr Cecil Sharp’s three sets of Nursery Rhymes in four part harmony. These were written for the Adelaide Cathedral Choir whilst it was under Mr Boult’s charge, and were performed by the choir at the Adelaide and afterwards at the Melbourne Exhibition, with immense success.

That, on Thursday, June 2nd, a social will be held in the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth, in aid of the Cricket Club.

That the flagship H.M.s. Royal Arthur arrived in Wellington on Thursday morning. The usual salute w-as fired by the Permanent Militia, and a guard of honour for His Excellency the Admiral of the Australasian Squadron was furnished by the Wellington volunteers, accompanied by the Garrison Band, on his landing in Wellington. H.M.s. Torch, from Onehunga. and H.M.s. Tauranga, from Napier, are also in Wellington, and will remain until after the Birthday Ball on the 26th.

That a very enjoyable social was held on Thursday last in the Inglewood Wesleyan Church, to welcome the Rev. H. Williams, who has taken the place of the Rev. Blamires. That a shooting party from Christchurch was entertained at Mount Grey by Mr and Mrs Ensor in their most hospitable manner. Aihongst the party were Messrs G. Humphreys. Turnbull, J. J. Kinsey, J. B. Fisher, I. Gibbs. Jameson, Ensor (Temuka). and several more. Capital sport was found and a thoroughly enjoyable time was spent.

That the arrangements for the New Plymouth Volunteer Ball, held on 24th May. are progressing favourably, and the Drill Hall Committee have decided to line the ball, which will make it more comfortable, and will be much appreciated by the dancers.

That the Birthday Ball at Government House is to be on a scale of unwonted luxuriance. Rumour says there are to be three ball rooms, and a large marquee erected in the grounds as a supper room, and with no less than three men-of-war in the harbour to furnish additional partners, and such a perfect hostess and organiser as Lady Ranfurly at the helm, the lucky 600 guests who are invited can surely find no just cause of complaint.