Minor Matters

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XVI, 22 April 1899, Page 527

Minor Matters

lied deer are very plentiful in the Wairarapa this year, and are said to lie in splendid condition. ♦ + + Messrs Williams and Beetham gathered no fewer than 26,000 pounds of grapes from their Landsdowne vineyard in a single week this month. + + + According to a Nelson scribe. Stoke must take a ‘back seat’ to Toi Toi Valley in the matter of big gooseberries—we mean, big apples—til it ean beat the latest record. A monster apple from Stoke weighed 21oz but Mr C. Large, of Toi Toi Valley has one weighing 23joz. and 15Jin in circumference. It was the largest picked from the tree within the last day or so, but others as large have been obtained. and several are yet on the tree weighing from 13oz to 16oz. The 23. V oz apple is still green, ami probably had not quite, done growing when its career was nipped in the stalk.

While on the. subject of big things in the fruit and vegetable line, it may be mentioned that a cabbage grown bv Mrs Davis, of Makotuku, was cut last week, and when trimmed ami dressed turned the scale at the modest figure of 201 b.

An amusing incident occurred at the Napier theatre the other evening during the very realistic pourtrayal of the burning mill. A young man. who had been enjoying himself at the wings, apparently imagined that the fire had caught a real hold of the scenery, and rushed forward to the rescue, much to the amusement of the audience, who had complete faith in the management to extinguish the mimic flame when the curtain fell. + + + The Dunedin ‘boys” sham fight this year was probably the best in Xe« Zealand, and is still the absorbing subject of conversation down South. Our good friend the ‘Star’ observes: ‘The more that is heard of the sham fight at Abbottsford the deeper becomes the impression on the layman’s understanding that the attacking party in piercing the centre of the defence completely mastered the situation. Much, however, ean be said on behalf of the defenders. For one thing, they had si very large extent of country to cover; hence the need for rapid movements, which here and there led to forgetfulness. There was the incident at the mouth of the Kaikorai. The defenders blew up the bridge, and left the enemy si safe ford almost alongside. Then it is said that Captain Price’s squad in making for the Chain Hills found available and promptly used a temporary bridge, which the defenders had constructed for their own use and failed to destroy. These and other experiences of the day's work are sure to be well threshed out before the parties concerned are done with the subject, for the battle is being fought over and over again sit the street corners, and, we may add. all who were there agree that the men did si lot of hard work in the true military spirit, thus testifying to the efficiency and reliableness of the force.

A number of Auckland debutantes are looking forward with great expectations to Government House ball in June, when they put off the insignia of girlhood and come out in all the glory of long frocks and an artistic coiffure.

A very enjoyable enertainment was given on the loth inst at Ormondville. Hawkes Bay, as a farewell to Milne k. Mr 11. Alexander occupied the chair, and the programme was very well arranged. Mr Wright sang with much feeling- He Wipes the Tear from Every Eye.’ and Mr H. W. Collins was much applauded for his contribution

•The Song- that Will Live For Ever.' Miss Castles and Mr Forbes also con tributed. Refreshments were provided by the ladies, and the singing of ‘God be With You till We Meet Again’ brought the gathering to a close.

All through the past week ‘Dorothy' drew large audiences at Christchurch, among whom were the Mayor and Mrs Louisson. Mr and Mrs Burkas, Mr and Mrs Waymouth. Mr mid Mrs Izard. Miami Mrs Bloxiim. Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes. Mr ami Mrs Walter Stringer, Mr and Mrs W. ('. Walker, Mr Brittain.