BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XVII, 29 April 1899, Page 577

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee. A P ril 17 ' The weather for the two days of THE AUTUMN RACE MEETING was very pleasant, and the rain a couple of days before had laid the dust, which added materially to the comfort of those driving to the races. Many also went by train, which owing to the line being extended, landed the passengers just behind the course not about half-a-mile away as heretofore. There was a very good attendance on both days, though not so good as would be the case were the course m a more central position. There was some excitement on the second day. just when a race was being started on the opposite side of the course to the stand, and wonder at the delay in getting the horses off. Then someone was seen carrying a jockey, whose leg had been badly fractured by a kick from one of the horses. The poor fellow must have suffered greatly, as there was not a doctor on the ground, and he had to be driven two miles into town in a not-too-easy express, but everything that could be done to ease him was attended to. A subscription was immediately got up, and alxmt £l6 collected for the injured man.

AMONG THE LADIES PRESENT on both (lavs I noticed Mrs P. Douslin. who wore a light, fawn gown, black hat with cerise trimming; Mrs Monro, grey costume; Mrs A. P. Green, beaver-coloured double-breast-ed jacket and skirt, and becoming toque; Mrs A. Farmar, becoming brown costume, handsomely braided with black, brown hat; Mrs Howard, black merveilleux with touches of pink; Mrs Clifford, green jacket and skirt, black hat with green; Mrs Richardson, black tailor-made gown; Mrs F. Richmond, black skirt, green and

white checked silk blouse; Mrs Henry (Wellington), prune dress of-modish make, hat to match; Mrs Mullen, black satin dress, bonnet of two shades of heliotrope; Mrs Petre, cinnamon jacket and skirt, white sailor bat; Mrs A Mowat, bluish-grey cos tume; Mrs Clouston, fawn checked tweed trimmed with fur; Mrs Black, emu-egg green jacket anil skirt, black velvet hat turned up in front; Mrs Horton, black jacket and skirt, front of pale pink, with bands of pale green; Mrs B. Clouston, white dress; Mrs Corry, saque jacket and skirt, the latter trimmed en tablier with black braid; Mrs H. Jackson, black dress flecked with magenta, black hat; Mrs 11. Dodson, black dress with feather trimming, black hat with violets; Mrs G. W. Mclntosh, green jacket and skirt, stylish hat; Mrs Greenfield, jacket, and skirt of reseda blue, vest of palest pink; Miss Ferguson, dark brown jacket and skirt, red vest; Miss A. Horton, black; Miss J. Horton, fawn tweed braided with dark brown: Miss E. Carey, pink muslin; Miss Bell, navy blue jacket and skirt; Miss Harding, black dress, with flecks of royal blue, handsomely braided with black, her two sisters, navy jackets and skirts; Mrs R. Goulter. fawn dress; Mrs Griffiths, black dress, black bonnet with pale pink flowers: Miss Goulter, blaek skirt. p : nk blouse; Miss E. Goulter, dark skirt, eream blouse with stripes of palest pink and blue: Mrs J. Hodgson, crimson dress trimmed with narrow black velvet, hat to match, and many others.

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY" CONCERT. On the evening of the second race day the Orchestral Society gave its first concert, which was largely attended. many having to stand, and eminently successful from a musical point of view. The orchestral items were all most enjoyable, but particularly the overture ‘Poet and Peasant.’ by Suppe: the ‘Echo Quartette.’ by Hunnusch; and the selection from No. 7 Symphony (Haydn). Mrs Baillie (Para), played Berth-'e-rs Andante with power and sympathy and great expression. Mrs R. McCallum sang ‘La Serenata.' the obligato to which was very nicely played by Miss Dobbie on her violin, but was much more successful in ‘Softly Sighs.’ from ‘Der Freischutz,’ which she sang beautifully. Miss Rose sang ‘Alla Stella Confidents,’ with orchestral accompaniment, in which her sweet, full, rich voice was heard to great advantage: she responded to a rapturous encore by singing the latter portion over again. Mr John Rose was very successful in his rendering of ‘The Old and Young Marie,’ which he sang with great expression, and was encored. Mrs McCallum was encored for ‘Softly Sighs,’ and in response sang ‘Cherry Ripe’ very pleasingly. A cornet solo by Mr E. Rose, and a violin duet by the Misses Agatha and Nellie Dobbie were very much enjoyed. The programme was so varied that there must have been something to suit all tastes. Among the audience I noticed Mesdames H. J. Howard, Duckworth. Griffiths. Orr. Reid. Mac Shane. Carey. R. Bell, Lucas. Mclntosh. A. P. Green, Dobbie (Picton), Jackson. H. Dodson. Bright, G. Watts. Hay. F. Richmond. Clouston. the Misses McLaurin. Howard (Pieton). Greensill (Pieton). Mubin. Conolly (Auckland). Bell. E. Carey. Johnston (2), Ferguson, and Messrs Howard (Picton). W. Baillie, R. McCallum. Bell (2). C. MaeShane. Mirams, C. Hodson. A. Morton, and many others. (PEI.AYEP.) Dear Bee. - April 10. My last letter was written early on the morning of Easter Monday, and posted before the amusements of the day began. These were various, and the scene of each widely apart. THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT appeared to be very popular, and attracted the most visitors, who were interested in watching the sham light, etc., and witnessing the presentation of the Imperial long service medals by Colonel Pitt. Mr Griffiths, until lately the captain of the now disbanded Blenheim Rifles, was presented with one. and Sergeant Ching was entitled to one. but was not present to receive it. Other recipients belonged to contingents from Nelson and the Coast. The volunteer corps from other districts departed by special train on Monday evening. THE REGATTA on the Wairau River niiiknl next in

IHipular favour, but was very tame. The Pieton Rowing Club annexed the largest number of prizes; the Star Club (Wellington) came next, and the Blenheim Rowing Club, with becoming modesty as the hosts on this occasion, refrained from winning a first prize. I wonder when the cardinal caps and jackets of championship heroes will grace any of the members of the Blenheim Club. In the near future. I hope, for we surely have as good men and boats as in other places: but there must be something lacking, either practice or a proper coach, or they would give a better account, of themselves. It is really mortifying to one greatly interested to hear the derisive remarks from the crowd.

The ladies interested in the Spring Creek Church held a SALE OF WORK

and tea on Monday, and though the room in which the tea was given was rather far from the regatta, quite half a mile, the young ladies who were in waiting were kept busy .by a continuous relay of customers. I understand that a substantial sum will recompense those who sacrificed their day’s pleasure in working for the church. THE RACES at Renwick were but poorly patronised by the public, but were. I suppose. enjoyable to the moderate number present. The Maori entertainment in Ewart's Hall in the evening, arranged by the Rev. F. A. Bennett, was most successful. the hall being literally crammed and many turned away. The proceeds of this entertainment were for the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of an organ for the Wairau Pah, and towards the erection of a social room there, and at Waikawa, Maoris frtom both places assisting. Among the items on the programme were hakas. war cries, songs of welcome. and poi games, etc., anil the last were specially liked. A second performance took place on Tuesday night, when the hall was again filled, and a third in Picton. on Wednesday, so the object aimed at is likelv to lx- achieved.

MISS WADDY’S FIRST CINDERELLA DANCE

this season took place at Mrs Waddy's house in Maxwell Road, the hall being- engaged by the Maoris, and a very pleasant evening- was spent by those present, among whom were Mrs Waddy. who wore black: Mrs A. I’. Green, black satin skirt, evening bodice of yellow silk enriched with chiffon and point lace: Mrs Griffiths, black satin skirt, bodiee of black and white silk trimmed with black lace: Mrs Greenfield, black velvet and pink chiffon; Mrs Black, black over heliotrope; Miss Ferguson, yellow satin, the low bodice filled in with handsome lace and finished with black velvet: Miss Anderson (Christchurch), white bengaline, the bodiee finished with white net and lace; Miss Fell (Pieton) and her sister both wore pretty white muslin dresses, much trimmed with Valenciennes lace; Miss Bourne, handsome white brocade: Miss G. Reid, white satin, touches of scarlet on the bodice: Miss G. Fisher (Wellington), white bengaline and deep, soft frills of white chiffon: Miss Waddy, white silk: Miss Essie Waddy, white: Miss Ethel Carey, pink with white lace fichu; Miss A. Horton, white veiling- dress, with trimmings of white satin and gold; Miss Maclaine, pink; .Miss Rogers, heliotrope silk and white lace; a lady from Wellington wore a handsome green satin dress with pearl trimming: Miss Viva Robinson, yellow: and Messrs Lloyd, S. Fell (Picton), Fish. L. Griffiths. 11. Hodson. 11. Robinson. Hamilton (Nelson). Stubbs. Bourne. Maclaine. M. Horton. R. Mclntire. Park. Dymock. etc. This will be a gay week, beginning with tlx* Gun Club pigeon match at Spring Creek to-day: two days" racing- of the Marlborough Racing Club to-morrow and next clay; to be followed by the collie dog- trial, which will take place at .Meadowbank on Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday evening the Orchestral Society will give a concert, at which Miss Rose. Mrs R. McCallum, and Mr J. Rose will be the vocalists. We have had three or four moist, unpleasant days, beginning- with rain but ending with thick Scotch mist, which penetrated everywhere. This, fortunately. cleared off last night. This morning dawned brightly, ami tin* stirring breeze will soon drv the roads.

FRIDA.