BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XIII, 1 April 1899, Page 415

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, March 18. If the' weather had been specially ordered for the occasion it could not have been better than what was allotted to us for St. Patrick’s Day. Brilliant sunshine, the gentlest of zephyrs from the east, and a large grassy field, free from dust, in which the annual sports were held, inclined all who were present to amiability and enjoyment; added to which was the excellent management, the programme being completed before six o’clock; and the lively music played by the Hibernian Band in its usual tasteful manner. There was a large number of officials, and Mr P. Meehan was judge, and Mr A. McAllister an admirable clerk of the course. The strictness of the latter in enforcing the rule that men should not crowd into the ring added to the enjoyment of the feminine portion of the spectators, as hitherto these chivalrous lords of the creation would stand in front of the ropes and intercept all view of some of the competitions, quite oblivious of requests to move away or sit on the ground. A. B. Melford, of Masterton, won all the heats of St. Patrick’s Handicap, and the hurdle race, also the maiden race. A capital luncheon was provided by the Catholic ladies, in a tent on the ground. Very few of the spectators were known to me, but I noticed Mrs J. Wragge, who wore a handsome black dress and becoming heliotrope toque. Many white dresses were worn, though some in delicate shades of blue, pink, and heliotrope were to be seen. The day was finished by a concert, got up by the Hibernian Band, and most of the songs partook of national character. Miss Clare sang ‘The dear little shamrock,’ Mrs F. Hale, ‘Kate O’Shane’; and Miss A. Morrison. ‘Kathleen Mavourneen,’ very pleasingly indeed; but ‘Dove’s Request.’ sung by Mrs Marks, and ‘Killarney’ in response to an encore. were delightful, especially the latter. Time seems to have little effect on this lady's voice, which is hardly impaired, in spite of many years’ singing. As may be supposed, after a holiday comic songs were more appreciated than those of a sentimental kind, and rapturous applause greeted Mr Gerald Otterson, who was encored twice. Mr S. Conolly, Mr R. Hay, Mr Watson, and Mr Edwards received their meed of approbation in the shape of encores for their songs, and the last named gentleman, who has only recentlyarrived here, possesses a fine voice, and will no doubt be in great demand for future concerts. An exhibition of club swinging was given by Mr A. Jackson, and was very clever and interesting. The comedietta ‘Box and Cox’ filled the second half of the programme. Mr S. Conolly being Cox, Mr J. Fitzgerald Box, and Mr H. Mears made a capital Mrs Bouncer. Friday being Mrs Conolly’s afternoon for tennis, a number assembled in her pleasant grounds, amongst whom were Mesdames Gard, Greenfield. Black, Stace. Stoney, Horton, G. Robinson, P. Douslin, G. W. Mclntosh, Currie, Hubbard. J. Mowat, Griffiths, the Misses Conolly (Auckland). Mirams (Nelson), Stace, A. Horton, Mabin, Hubbard (Nelson), Ferguson. Waddy; and Messrs. Stubbs. L. Griffiths. Mirams. Black. Stace. Stoney, Greenfield, D. Chaytor. Harris. Bunting, Fish. C. Hodson, etc. The visitors were arranged in a group and photographed by Mr G. W. Mclntosh. whose photograph of the visitors to the Golf Links, a week ago. was a remarkably good one. Miss Gard is suffering from a slight attack of pleurisy, so neither she nor her sister were present at Mrs Conolly’s. They- are staying with Mrs .1. Mowat for a short time, till they can move into their own house.

FRIDA.