SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XXV, 18 June 1898, Page 768

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That His Excellency the Governor last Friday laid the foundation stone of the Victoria wing of the Southland Hospital. There was every element for a successful gathering, perfect weather, eight thousand people, processions of all sorts of volunteers and societies, and the Vice-Regal party. Two out of the four thousand required was subscribed at the Jubilee. That Mrs Patterson, Curran Street, Ponsonby, gave a very enjoyable afternoon tea on Friday last. That there was a good attendance at an enjoyable meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Highland Society, held last week. An interesting part of the proceedings was the reading of the copy of a letter sent to Colonel Matthias, in which a sum of more than sixteen pounds was enclosed, a subscription raised for the three brave pipers who were in the Dargai charge. A paper describing the life and character of the ancient celts, which was read by Chieftain Hector McKenzie, was listened to with great, interest and attention. The latter part of the evening was pleasantly spent, in music and dancing. That the young people of Picton are going in for literature this winter. A meeting is called by some young men for the purpose of forming a debating society for the benefit of both sexes. That a pleasing ceremony took place on Monday in the shape of planting trees on Mill Island, Hereford-street, Christchurch, under the auspices of the Christchurch Beautifying Association. The work of planting was carried out by the Mayor and lady members of the Christchurch Beautifying Society. The island was decorated with flags, and from two large willows hung the Union Jaek and the Stars and Stripes side by side. Trees were planted by Mrs Louisson, the Mayor, Mrs E. J. C. Stevens, Mrs Deans, Mrs Izard, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes (for Mrs Rhodes), Mrs R. D. Thomas, Mrs Waymouth, Mrs Irving, Miss Jekyll, Miss Cabot, Dr. Irving and Mr Cockayne. The thanks of the Christchurch citizens are due to this society for the many pretty glimpses along the banks of the river and some waste places about the city during this summer, for in place of looking like a wilderness they' have been gorgeous flower beds. That the committee of ladies who worked up the Volunteer Ball intend holding a social about the end of next month to try and pay off the debt of the former. That the proprietors of the Theatre Royal. New Plymouth, intend lighting the building by electricity, and have obtained estimates of the costs from the electrician to the Pollard Company. That as usual the Premier has been working very hard, visiting all the secondary towns possible, and either popularly lecturing or publicly speaking. At all events he was always much in evidence. That a football team went out to Farndon from Napier on a recent Saturday afternoon to play a match against Clive, but that they were unexpectedly and unfortunately lieaten by twelve points. Some of those representing Napier were Messrs Hallamore, Barclay. Cornford, Munro, Miller. Cameron. Woods.

That boarding-house terms are very high in Christchurch as a rule. That the whaling season has commenced and several whales were sighted the other day outside Tory Channel by a pssing steamer. That on Saturday a golf match, in which only men took part, was played at the Petane links between Petane and Napier, and that the former proved easily victorious. Thart heavy frosts have been experienced in most parts of the North Island, and snow in the South. That there was a very large Napier attendance at the farewell tea given in St. Paul’s Schoolroom to the Rev. J. G. Paterson, who will soon leave Napier for Gisborne, and at whose departure much sorrow is felt by the Napier people. The evening passed very pleasantly, and speeches, in which regret was expressed at Mr Paterson’s removal to Gisborne, and at the same time good wishes for his future happiness were delivered by Mr J. W. Craig, the Rev. G. D. Cox. the Rev. W. G. Parsonson, Messrs Morrison, H. Miller and others. That Mrs Rabone, an old Picton resident, is being congratulated on receiving a legacy amounting to several hundred pounds. That Mrs Rhind, Wellington, and family have moved to the house in Hill-street, lately occupied by Sir Arthur Douglas, and that the large house on the Terrace which Mts Rhin 1 has left is taken by Miss Malcolm. That at the Napier Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon Clive was badly beaten in a football match by Te Aute, and that the victors won by' about twenty points. That preparations are already begun for the Marlborough Lawn Tennis Club’s ball, which is to take place on June 10, and which it is expected will be largely' attended. That Mr and Mrs C. C. McMillan, Remuera, Auckland, are about to give a ball for the coming out of their voungqst daughter,! Miss, Kathleen McMillan. That the second annual ball of the Hawera Cycling Club, recently held at Hawera, was a pronounced success. Between fifty and sixty persons were present and dancing kept up to an early hour in the morning. That Mr Andrew Collins, Wellington, was entertained at a banquet at the Post Office Hotel on Saturday' evening by’ the leading members of the Liberal party, prior to his departure for England. The Hon. W. C. Walker presided, and the Hon. T. Thompson, J. Carroll, and J. Rigg, M.L.C.. were also present. A telegram was received from Mr Seddon, W’ho was absent from Wellington, apologising for his non-attendance and expressing his great pleasure that Mr Collins’ services to the Liberal party were being so fittingly recognised. The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones also sent an apology for his absence. That the health of the guest of the evening was proposed by the Chairman (Hon. W. C. Walker) and enthusiastically honoured by the company. It was suitably responded to by Mr Collins, who was then presented with a purse of sovereigns as a slightmark of esteem and the high estimation in which his services to the Liberal cause are held by the Liberal party. After many other toasts, including ‘The Queen,’ ‘Our Colony,’ ‘The Legislature.’ ‘The Liberal Party’ (proposed by Mr H. J. Williams, and responded to by the Hon. W. C. Walker), ‘Labour,’ ‘Absent Friends,’ and ‘The Ladies' had been duly honoured, the gathering dispersed shortly' after midnight, Mr E. Wilson being much complimented upon the excellent menu provided for the banquet. That the social held in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Parnell. Auckland, last week, to celebrate the recent additions thereto, was well attended, and Mr R. Leslie Hunt’s musical arrangements were much appreciated. That in the Napier Railway Libraryon Saturday a very pleasant little concert was held. All present spent an enjoyable time, and the evening was brought to a close with the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ That the winter classes for first aid in connection with St, John Ambulance Association, Auckland centre, commence with a large ladies' class to-night (Wednesday). Dr. Parkes kindly consenting to be lecturer. The men's central class requires only a few more names to enable these lectures also to begin.

That owing' to influenza, the Taupo public school has had to be closed for a week whilst teacher and pupils recovered from the attack of this treacherous foe. That at the Auckland Industrial and Mining Exhibition it is proposed to light the cycle track with four clusters of light, each comprising thirty-six burners. It is also intended to have rows of burners along the corridors of the buildings with clusters of three and five burners throughout the various courts. At the main entrance a light of thirty-six burners will be placed. That one of the winterdancesheldin Napier is to take the form of a Fancy Dress Ball, which will take place in the Gaiety Theatre on the last Wednesday in June. Alternatives for those who do not wish to appear in fancy dress are powder and patches and the Windsor uniform. That not long ago Mrs Stanford, of New Plymouth, gave a very pleasant euchre party, and last week Mrs Thomson gave an enjoyable card party for her daughter, Miss Bertha Thomson, who is leaving shortly for the Bay of Islands, where she will live with her sister, Mrs Greatbach. That on Wednesday (Arbor Day) the Upper Standards of the Devonport (Auckland) Public School, with a number of other people were conveyed to Itangitoto for the purpose of planting the mountain with flowering plants and shrubs. It is hoped that by next spring this desert will blossom as a rose. That prior to their departure from Taupiri, Mr and Mrs Melling were, tendered a farewell social. The ehoir regret Mrs Melling’s departure, but she will be welcome at Te Kuiti. That the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club (Auckland) have resolved to form a Croquet Club. That the Takapuna Gun Club has commenced its season, and last Saturday a good deal of interest was taken in its proceedings.

That Mr Orton Stevens, who has left Brisbane to act as resident secretary to the National Mutual Life Association in Wellington, was at a Brisbane smoke concert presented with a testimonial and handsome gold watch. That the flag to be hoisted at Akaroa by His Excellency the Governor, and part of the flagstaff, are interesting historical relics. They are the same that were used at the proclamation of the Queen's dominion over the South Island. These mementoes have been presented by some residents of the Chatham Islands, named Clough, in whose keeping they hare been for years. That a curious hailstorm occurred at Terrace End, Palmerston North, recently. The hail assumed the shapes of fish-bones, daggers, and crystal crosses.