BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXIII, 3 December 1898, Page 734

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, November 14. Truly royal weather was accorded to us on the Prince of Wales’ Bij-th-day. though the day preceding and the one after it were abominable, and various were the ways in which it was spent.. As has become the custom now. the Friendly Societies—Oddfellows and Foresters—held their annual sports in Picton. and a great many persons went there by the excursion trains which were run at suitable hours. There were innumerable picnics. too, to White's Bay. the Bluff, the Bar. Tua Marina. I’ukaka Valley, and other places. And besides all these drains on the population there were still sufficient left to make a goodly throng at the CYCLING SPORTS held in the Football Ground on the recent ly-rna<le track. A professional cyclist from Wellington and three amateur riders from Nelson competed, brut our local cyclists were not com-

pletely eclipsed. A. J. Maclaine winning the Marlborough Wheel Race. 2 miles, the Marlborough Cycling Club's championship, 3 miles, and making a good second in the Birthday Handicap. 5 miles, which was won by W. Tait, of Tua Marina. In nearly every race during the forenoon there were accidents, whether owing to careless riding or defective track I do not know, but ten of these fook place, and in one case the rider was thrown against a post which partially stunned him and inflicted a wound which had to be stitched by the doctor. Apparently the cyclists rode more cautiously during the afternoon, no accidents occurring. It is a great pity that terms cannot be made with one of the local bands on an occasion like this; even an indifferent band is better than none, to many persons at any rate. An organ-grinder was the sole enlivenraent at the racing club's meeting on November Ist and 2nd. and on this occasion there was nothing. Among the few who were known to me were Mesdames C. H. Mills. Orr, G. Robinson. Cleghorn, Corry. Griffiths, S. J. Macalister. Clouston. Mac Shane, Carey, A. P. Green, the Misses Ball (2), Clare. E. Carey, C. Farmar, Redwood (2) Mills (4). Jefferies (2). Seymour (3) N. Allen (Picton). F. Nosworthy, M. Nosworthy. Wrigley. A. Williams, McCallum (2), Grady (Wellington). K. Mitchell. Archbishop Redwood. Dr. Cleghorn, and Messrs Howard, Black. A. Green. Adams (3), H. Thompson. Lloyd. Bourne. C. H. Mills, Griffiths. C. Carey. Redwood (2). Burden. F. Seymour. J. Greensill (Picton). H. J. Howard. Vavasour, and many others. But I must not omit to mention that the Havelock races took place on the 9th. too. and a party from here drove to witness them, amongst whom were Miss M. Douslin. the Misses A. and J.

Horton, Miss M. Ewart, and others, who declare that they never enjoyed anything better. They were also present as spectators at

THE BALL that was held in the evening. The Blenheim Volunteers are encamped near town, and yesterday there was a church parade, in which the Cadets joined, and in the afternoon a review. The showery weather must have made camping out the reverse of pleasant, though it was most welcome to the farmers, and the crops in every direction are looking splendid. The next function to look forward to is the Agricultural and Pastoral Show on the 23rd, and as a prize has been offered bv Mr E. F. Healy for the best decorated lady's bicycle no doubt there will be many fair competitors. Mr J. Bell as manager for Mr T. Carter, at ‘Hillersden.’ has been very successful at the Christchurch Show, having taken five first, three second, and two third prizes for sheep exhibited by him—a very satisfactory result where there must have been great competition.

FRIDA.