BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XII, 25 March 1899, Page 376c

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, March 13. Just as though it was for the excursion. Wednesday was a beautifully bright day, sandwiched between two miserably chilly and dull days of southerly weather, and a large number of persons availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting the Boulder Bank offered by the trip of the steamer Opawa to that place. Some were actuated by curiosity to see the new channel through the Boulder Bank, others for the pleasure of an hour or two spent by the sea. The trip down and up again, the winding reaches of the river, bordered by graceful willows, revealing glimpses here and there of prosperous-looking farms, surrounded by well-stocked orchards and clusters of stacks, was very pleasurable, and though, when reaching the bar, a good many of the excursionists landed, the majority stayed on board and enjoyed afternoon tea, the materials for which they had taken with them, as the captain announced that, on account of the tide, they could only spend a very short time there. There is little at the Boulder Bank to tempt excursionists, as it is a bleak and barren place, with only a few scraggy gum trees in the

vicinity of the two or three houses: but there is a fascination in the big waves that come rolling in, and the fresh air is delightfully bracing, so, should tile Opawa run any more trips there, she wiil no doubt find plenty of persons desirous of a ramble on the beach. A few of those on board were Mesdumes Simson. Tunnicliffe, Griffiths, Temperly. Hardy, A. I*. Green, Ching. Foster. F. Litchfield, Carey, Hubbard, E. Penney, the Misses Reid (Wellington), Hubbard (Nelson), Foster, Mclntosh (3), and Messrs Mclntosh, Temperly, F. Litchfield, Park, C. Carey. Batty, Fathers Goggan and Fahv. and many others. THE AUTUMN FLOWER SHOW

was held on Wednesday afternoon and evening, and was a remarkably good one, in marked contrast to the one hekl in the Spring. There were fine exhibits of fruit and vegetables, though the judging seemed rather eccentric, the first prize being awarded to potatoes that were black in tile centre, but the chief interest was centred in the flowers, many of which were very beautiful. For the first time proper perforated boxes were provided for the ent flowers, which were shown to greater advantage in consequence. All of the bouquets were too stiff, the flowers being rammed hard together, but the bridal bouquet by Mrs F. W. Dodson was much the best. A hand-basket of flowers by Miss L. Nosworthy was very tasteful. the colours being harmoniously blended. The flowering begonias were beautiful, and the exhibits of coleus were exquisite. In the first, Mr J. Conolly was the chief exhibitor; in the latter. Mrs S. J. Furness. A lovely gloxinia was shown by Mr Conolly, who took nearly twenty first and second prizes. During the evening Vannini's Band discoursed some lively music.

Mrs Monro has let her house to Mr Reid and will, for the winter, at any rate, live at ‘Bank House.’ and Monday was her last afternoon ‘At Home’ in town, so she had a number of visitors, among whom were Mesdames Duckworth. A. Mowat, Griffiths, Howard. Rutherford (Pieton), Carey, and others. Friday afternoon was balmy and

bright, and Mrs Griffiths’ pleasant grounds the centre of attraction to a large number of her friends, who sat in the shade on the seats under the trees, or roamed in the flower garden, which was bright with dahlias and asters, according to their inclination, or watched the tennis, which was kept going all the afternoon. Among them were Mesdames C. W. Adams, Stoney, Howard, Rutherford, G. Robinson, H. J. Howard, W. Green, Monro, Petre, Carey, Farmar, Greenfield, Hubbard, Mclntire, Moore, R. McCallum, Grinstone, A. Simpson, the Misses Conolly (Auckland), Ferguson, Horton (3), C. Farmar, Hubbard (Nelson), Dodd (Wellington), Adams, Waddy, L. Horne, McLauren, V. Robinson, anti Messrs L. Griffiths, C. Mac-Shane, Park, Stubbs, G. Horton, Mirams, Stoney, Petre, Greenfield, W. Wilson, etc.

The Golf Links were opened on Saturday afternoon, and tea and many dainties were provided by the ladies of the Committee, Mrs Howard, Mrs Cleghorn (represented by Miss Harris), and Miss A. Williams. Mr W. Clifford, ‘Flaxbourne,’ is President, of the Golf Club, Mr R. Dymock, captain, and Mr Bunting, secretary. About a hundred visitors were present. The final single in a tournament at the Wairau Tennis Courts took place on Saturday afternoon, when the best players in the Club competed. Mr Frank Bull (who won the trophy last year) gave Mr H. Burden 50 points in 110, and beat him by 3. It was a wonderfully good game, and rounds of applause greeted each exhibition of good play. A very severe accident was sustained by Mrs Graham, New Renwick Road, Blenheim, last Sunday. She had just ascended into her waggonette, and had stepped upon the seat, with the intention of getting into the back, when the horse moved on, and she was thrown heavily to the ground, fallingon her shoulder and breaking her collarbone near the shoulder joint. She was, besides, much bruised and shaken, but is now on the way to recovery. It was a miracle that she was not killed outright. It is understood that Dr. Cleghorn is about to start a private hospital in Blenheim, as the rule against admitting patients from other places is being stringently enforced at the public hospital, and so many come from a distance to consult him. He has not yet definitely settled on a site for the hospital, though many have been suggested.