BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XXII, 25 November 1899, Page 975

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee. November 13. A popular concert was held iu St. Andrew’s schoolroom last Tuesday evening, which was well attended, the. room being quite full. Every item in the second part of the programme was Scotch, the first being miscellaneous. The overture was “L’lnvitation.” played as a piano duet by Miss Al. McArtney and Mr Check. The other instrumental pieces were a trombone solo by Air R. Logan, accompanied by Aliss Healy on the piano; a trio, of flute, violin and piano, by Messrs Taylor, E. Hay, and Cheek; and some Scotch reels played by Aliss Hutcheson. Mr Sturrock was successful in both of his songs, “The Seven Sisters.” and “Battle of Stirling,” receiving an encore for the latter, for which he repeated the last verse. Aliss Wemyss sang “The Flight of Ages,” and Miss Simson “For All Eternity,” and to the latter Air Cheek played a violin obligato. Airs Mclntosh's clear, liquid notes were heard to special advantage in “Roses, Happy Roses.” which she sang beautifully, and being recalled sang “Nea.” The Alisses E. and K. Ball were not able to attend, on account of the illness of tbeir mother, consequently their duet had to be omitted. “Star of Aly Heart” was pleasingly sung by Air J. Rose. The two Scotch quartettes, “Flowers of the Forest,” sung by the Alisses Hutcheson and Healy and Messrs Orr and Sturrock. nnd “A Wee Bird Cam' to Our Ha' Door," by the Alisses Simson and Healy, and Messrs Orr and Sturrock, were very much liked, particularly the latter. Mr Orr received an encore for “There was a lad was born in Kyle,” and repeated the last verse; and Mr Alclntosh being similarly honoured for “Scotland Yet,” sang “When the Guidsnan Came Hume at E’en.” “The Bonny Banks o' Loch Lomond” was sweetly sung by Aliss Ferguson, who sang “Leezie Lindsay” in res-

ponse to an encore, and afterwards joined with Atr Orr in “Come Under My Plaidie." An old Scotch man in the audience was so -rutraneed with his national songs .that he eould not refrain from joining in. though fortunately in such low tones that, only those near could hear. Among the audience were Mesdames Orr. Waddy, Black, R. Bell, Macalister. Pond. Malcolm. Reid, R. MeCuliuqi. J. Watson. B. Clouston, Logan. ‘ C. Harris, the Misses Nurse (Christchurch). Bell, Wastney, At. AlcCailuni. Waddy. E. Millington, and Messrs R. Bell. Black, Logan, Harris. Pond, and others. Thursday, the. Prince of Wales’ Birthday, was a lovely day. and the majority of the townspeople went by train to Picton, only a small number being left to attend the cycling sports. The excursion steamer Westralia, from Wellington, only brought G5O passengers to Picton, and a few old Blenheim residents were among them. They were: Miss E. Carey, Aliss Walsh, Air F. Carey, etc. White's Bay and the Bluff' each attracted parties of picnickers, and the excursion trip of the Opawa to Port Underwood was, I believe, well patronised. As most of those who went to Picton from here intended to go to the Friendly Societies’ picnic in Shakespeare Bay, they were greatly disappointed to find that the means of reaching their destination by water were inadequate, as the Customs officials were od the warpath, and restricted the number allowed on the two little steamers, and forbade the towing of boats laden with picnickers. There are stories of some families being iu one bay, and their hampers and baskets in another, and small disasters of a like nature, sufficient disagreeables to make them eschew such festivals in the future.

Saturday was the most lovely day that we have had this season, so a large number of members and friends assembled at the Marlborough tenuis courts, and partook of the dainty comestibles provided by Mrs Orr. Entries are being made for tennis and croquet tournaments, which will begin a little later.

The Blenheim liifies have gone into camp for a week, beginning last Friday, and their while tents show up effectively from amid the willow trees in the large field, a short distance from the Alarlborough tennis courts. Church parade was held in the Church of the Nativity yesterday morning. Afiss Nurse, who has been staying with Miss Ferguson, has gone to visit Airs Bond, in the Pelorus Sound.

The Rev. J. and Airs Crump, of Nelson, are making a visit to Blenheim, and Mr Crump preached in the Wesleyan Church yesterday. The latest accounts of Mrs Ball’s illness are more reassuring, and she is making slow but steady progress towards recovery'.

FRIDA.