NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XIX, 4 November 1899, Page 833

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, October 27. During the last few weeks quite an epidemic of FIRES has taken place in our usually wellordered community, and almost a system of terrorism has been established, timid women and nervous old men being almost afraid to retire for the night for fear of the fire fiend. Altogether five attempts have been made to burn down our principal thoroughfare, Devon street; and that the wretched attempts did not succeed is mainly owing to the prompt action and splendid efficiency of our local Fire Brigade, wi.-out whose efforts there is little doubt that our main street would have been in ruins. Two separate and deliberate attempts have been made to burn down the Bank of New South Wales and the “Herald” office, the latter being so nearly successful that it was almost a miracle the whole block escaped. As it was, the stock and plant were greatly damaged, but fortunately the machinery escaped with but trifling injury, owing to the well-directed energy of the captain and officers of the Fire Brigade, who turned their attention to saving that part of the building first. It is to be hoped that the miscreant, who seems to have deliberately planned all these disasters, will be brought to justice. At present the police have one man in custody on suspicion, but there will be a much greater feeling of security when the real culprit is found out and punished with the utmost rigour the law will allow.

THE OPENING OF THE CRICKET CLUB

was h'eld last Thursday afternoon in the Recreation Grounds, but owing to the showery weather there were not so many ladies there as were expected. Afternoon tea was provided by the Club, and was dispensed by Mesdames A. H. Holmes, S. Teed, and Misses A. Teed, B. Knight, B. Rennell, aud E. Rennell. Amongst those present were: Mrs Oswin, navy costume; Miss Curtis (Wellington), black, relieved with white; Miss Teed, royal blue, braided with black; Miss Knight, black costume, white hat; Mrs D. Teed, fawn costume; Mrs A. H. Holmes, royal blue blouse trimmed with white insertion. black skirt, hat en suite; Mrs S. Teed, brown costume; Miss Knyvett, black; Miss Rennell, green costume; Miss E. Rennell, green and black.

The Drill Hall was a seene of gaiety last Thursday evening, as the City Baud held a most ENJOYABLE SOCIAL

there, and the former was tastefully decorated with bunting and arum lilies. In the centre of the hall was a raised platform, on which sat Mr McKinnon Bain's orchestra, whose music was a feature of the evening. The supper table was a very pretty sight, it being daintily arranged with a large epergne of yellow “broom” in the centre, with smaller vases of jonquils and ixias dotted among the appetising dishes, all of which was due to Mrs H. Cottier and Miss J. Cottier. This dance was the first that was held in the Drill Hall since it has been altered. The walls are now lined and suitably finished off, and there has also been a gallery put up for on-lookers, from which are very commodious dressing - rooms, obtainable from flights of steps at either side of the gallery. Amongst those there were Mrs C. T. Mills, handsome black satin, with passementerie trimmings; Miss M. Morey, cream, and scarlet flowers; Miss N. Moveriy looked pretty in eream; Miss Pierce, white muslin and pink flowers on shoulder; MissTreeby, white, and pink sash; Mrs A. Fookes, pale bine; Miss Loveridge, white and pink; Miss Way, white, and lavender sash; Miss Page, pretty pale bine silk frock; Miss —. Pierce, white muslin, blue sash; Miss Niery, pink, and black and pink chiffon trimmings; Mias Treeby, pink blouse, black skirt; Miss Christensen, white and scarlet; Miss

Jackson, black, and satin bodice, red flowers on shoulder; Miss Edgcombe looker! very pretty in pale gold, trimmed with frills of blue chiffon; Miss L. Wood looked well in white, with pink satin and chiffon trimmings; Miss —. Abbott, green, and cream sash; Miss Loveridge, pretty white muslin; Miss B. O'Donnell, yellow and scarlet flowers; Miss L. Carthew, white silk; Miss Abbott, pink, and cream lace; Miss I. Hill, white and heliotrope; Miss —. Trigger, pale primrose blouse, with flowers on shoulder, dark skirt; Miss Hart, white, and golrl sash; Miss Weller, blue and cream luce; Misses Skelton (2), black; Miss Bellringer, white muslin, yellowsash; Miss Martin, gold; Mrs Johnson looked well in black and scarlet; Miss Bosworth, cream blouse with red flowers, black skirt; Miss Clarke looked striking in a dainty dress of black, bodice of black and blue chiffon, rucked sleeves of the same; Mrs Gillespie, black satin and pink; Mrs Jury, grey and pink; Miss Moon, pale blue and silver; Miss Allen, pale pink; Miss Eva looked pretty in white; Mrs W. Russell, black;* Mrs H.Cottier, black, and pale blue blouse; Miss J. Cottier, green silk blouse, dark skirt; Miss Arnold, rose pink; etc.; and Messrs Fookes, Mills, Messenger, Thomson, Haise (2), Brash, Woodhouse. Parker. Cottier (2). Gillespie, De Silva, Birch (2), Loveridge, Way, Tunbridge, Treeby, Skelton (2), Peddy, Ford. Hoskin, Abbott, Edgeeumbe, Carthew, Bellringer, etc.

NANCY LEE.