PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue I, 7 January 1899, Page 26

PICTON.

Dear Bee, December 19. The English laxly tourists, who have been here for about ten days, left us on Friday night by the Rotorua, Miss Laidlaw to spend a few weeks in Wellington and Dunedin, and the Misses Percival to spend Christmas with Mrs Acton Adams in Canterbury. While they were in Picton they had a real good time, from a tourist’s point of view, and visited the goldfields and all places of note by the way. They were delightexl with everything, and gave great pleasure to everyone they met by enjoying everything set before them, and by cleverly entertaining others. They astonished the miners at Cullensville by walking down and up the shaft, nearly two hundred feet, in perfect darkness—a feat which had tried the nerves of several men. Most of their time was spent exploring and sketching, but they were also entertained privately by Mrs J. Greensill, at Waikawa, Mrs Allen, Mrs Duncan, and the Misses Greensill, "Brooklyn.’ The arrival of the Waimate, the largest vessel which has ever been in Picton. and the lonic on the same day made an exciting break in the monotony of our lives. All the world and his wife —of Picton —congregated on the wharf, and really what with the train on the wharf, and trucks on both sides, steam winches, and men running about to assist in the loading of the two huge strangers, and the Rotorua, the wharf was none too safe. However, we flatter ourselves that all the men of Picton are gentlemen, and strangers generally take their cue from them, so that women and children are generally well looked after. Among those I saw on board both ships were Mrs Scott, Mrs Allen, Mrs T. Cawte, Mrs Stow, Mrs Farmar, Mrs IVelford, Mrs McCormick. Mrs Lloyd, Mrs McNeil, Mrs Robertshaw, Mrs Cummings, etc., etc., ami the Misses Allen (3), Harris (2), Scott, Hallet, Greensill, Cummings, Lloyd, McCormick, who were all shown over both vessels most courteously by the officials. On Thursday last Mrs Allen and the Misses Laidlaw and Percival (2),'were invited to go down the Sound to Watamonga by Mr and Mrs McCormick. A pleasant trip in the Phoenix, and a few hours spent Operculae hunting, and a musical evening ended an all too short day. It was intended to take the strangers to see the lions of Port Underwood, but the "powers that be’ sent rain to put a ‘stopper’ on that expedition, and the party returned to Picton via Waikawa on Friday. The same evening they left per Rotorua. Compliments of the season to the ’Graphic’ staff.

JEAN.