NEWS JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXIV, 10 December 1898, Page 758

NEWS JOTTINGS.

Great interest has been taken ih the shooting competition for the trophies presented by Air Vigor Brown and Air T. Parker to the Napier Rifle Club, and the last of the matches was finished on Saturday. Air E. Storkey, who comes first in the competition, wins the trophy given by Air V. Brown, and Air C. Robson, who comes second, is the winner of that presented by Air Parker.

On the evening of the Blenheim Agricultural Show, Cowan’s Dramatic Company gave a performance; Barnard’s circus had a good audience; and the dinner for the members of the A. and P. Society was largely attended and was very enjoyable.

There were no nominations made on the appointed day for the Alayoralty of Picton, and in consequence the election lapsed. No one seems anxious to fill the chair of office.

The Roman Catholic garden party, held in Blenheim on the evening- of the A. and P. Show day, was most successful, over £5O being taken. Several small shows to amuse were provided, besides the open-air concert, and delicious strawberries and cream could be purchased. The tournaments have begun at the Hawke’s Bay Lawn Tennis Club’s courts, and that great interest is being taken both in the combined doubles and the men’s singles. The lawns are in good condition, and owing to the frequent rains, are still looking very green.

The Borough of New Plymouth has the smallest area of any town in New Zealand, being (including some two hundred acres set apart as reserves) only eight hundred acres in extent. It has a population of 4,081. The Blenheim Borough Council does not take action without duly considering the matter, as is shown by the prostrate firebell tower in Grove road, which is still lying where it fell, exactly seven months ago. If it ever was, or is likely to be. of any use, it should have been repaired at once; if not required, it should be removed altogether, as it is very unsightly.

The Ahuriri Lawn Tennis and Bowling Club held a large ball on a recent Friday evening at the Spit, Napier. The building where it took place was the new warehouse belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company, and kindly lent by them both for the dance on Friday, and for the children’s fancy dress ball given on the following evening. The ball-room was decorated with the usual number of flags, lanterns, and ferns, and on both nights presented a very gay spectacle.

The crops at Spring Creek and Tua Alarina, Alarlborough, are looking first-class, and the farmers hope to have another good harvest this year.

An orchestral society has been formed in Blenheim, of which Air Dobbie, of Picton, has been elected conductor, and Aliss AlcCabe pianiste. Practice will begin this week.

The College Rifles, Wellington, numbering over 50 men all told, went into camp on the Hutt Park Racecourse from Saturday afternoon till Sunday evening, when they broke camp and marched into the city. Captain Brandon was in command, having with him Lieutenants Hutchinson (College Rifles) and Lewis (Civil Service Corps). Guards were on duty, and sentries posted and kept on the alert all night. On Sunday morning practice in attack and defence was thoroughly entered into; in the afternoon musketry instructions and company movements kept the men going till camp was struck at 4 p.m. Good useful work was done, and so well thought of and much noticed is this corps that applications are constantly being sent in for admission.

Air Burton, advertising agent for Pollard’s Opera Company, arrived in Auckland on Afonday to make arrangements for the Company’s opening on Boxing night. ‘The Gay Parisienne’ and ‘The French Alaid’ are the two pieces to be produced.