NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue II, 14 January 1899, Page 56

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, January 4. The year 1898 has passed away very peacefully and quietly with its joys and sorrows, and its cherished memories. In the streets during the evening the Town Band played numerous selections, between 8 and 9 o’clock, and shortly after 11 the City Band rendered some very delightful music. As the hands of the clock began to draw near midnight the church bells began to sound the year’s death knell. A very beautiful night, with the moon shining in its splendour. surrounded by the many bright and twinkling stars, lent great solemnity and peace to the occasion. At midnight there was another peal of bells, ‘Auld Lang Syne’ was played by the band, and was taken up by the people in the streets; thus the year 1899 was ushered in. A midnight watch service was held in St. Mary’s Church, and wps largely attended, Rev. F. G. Evans officiating. On New Year’s Day a party of us went to Haw-era to witness the CALEDONIAN SPORTS held there. We left New Plymouth by the 7 o’clock train and arrived at our destination about a quarter to ten. After we had had a late breakfast at the Commercial Hotel, we set out for the sports ground, arriving there in good time so as to secure a front seat on the grand stand. While seated there I noticed some very pretty and dainty gowns; the wearers of many I did not know, but those whose names I could secure were: Mrs Howard, in a pale yellow blouse, veiled in black lace, dark skirt, pink and green in bonnet; Miss Young, navy coat and skirt, pale blue front, sailor hat; Miss Offield, grey costume; Miss Wordsworth, white blouse, dark skirt; Miss O. Wordsworth looked bonuie in pink and white costume; Miss Hillis, white; Mrs Stephens, pretty fawn costume; Misses Eccledale looked studies in green and pink blouses, veiled in white muslin respectively, dainty hats en suite; Miss Bond, white blouse, red tie. dark skirt, sailor hat; Mrs C. Bayly looked well in white, with red trimmings, hat en suite; Mrs McGuire, black silk; Miss Hayward (Inglewood), dainty white muslin and lace blouse, dark skirt, sailor hat; Miss M. Perry looked pretty in pink; Miss J. Lawson (New Plymouth), cream, hat with feathers; Miss Bedford, white and pink blouse, green skirt, sailor hat; Miss B. Webster, pale blue and white stripe costume; Miss Glynes, black: Miss Siggs looked distinguee in fawn and cream, sailor hat; Miss L. Siggs. fawn, trimmed with a darker shade, dainty cream hat, with ostrich plumes; Miss B. O’Donnell, pretty yellow blouse, black skirt; Mrs Wilson, striking costume of fawn and heliotrope, hat to correspond, dainty green and pink shot parasol; Mrs Cook, black and white costume, sailor hat; Mrs Hudson, black and cream; Miss Washer, black and electric blue, trimmings, picture hat en suite; Miss —. Washer, green costume, cream hat, and her sister wore black hat, trim-

med with violets; Miss M. O’Donnell, green and white stripe blouse, dark skirt; Miss Kelly, chocolate colour costume, pretty pink and cream hat; Mrs Kingwood, black, white hat, with feathers; Miss Murch, white and green blouse, black skirt, sailor hat, and her sister wore a fawn shot costume; Mrs Whitehouse, black, very pretty picture hat, trimmed with pink; Mrs Caplen, dainty grey costume; Miss Caplen, pink blouse, white skirt; Miss Nolan, green blouse, dark skirt, sailor hat; Miss Brett looked pretty in a pale blue costume, sailor hat; Mrs F. Livingston, fawn and blue costume; Miss Livingston, grey, trimmed with pink; Miss O’Carroll looked extremely well in a brown costume, relieved with white, hat trimmed with feathers and magenta roses underneath brim; Miss Day, pale green, hat with pink flowers; Misses Duffell, cream and yellow respectively; Miss Richardson, pretty yellow blouse, dark skirt, sailor hat; Miss Lyall, white, with yellow sash; Miss —. Lyall, cream and yellow trimmings; Miss Kelly looked charming in a . fawn coat and skirt, picture hat, with pink trimmings; Miss Morrisiey, fawn and heliotrope, hat en suite.

NANCY LEE.