PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue II, 13 January 1900, Page 81

PICTON.

Dear Bee, — January 1. A very Happy New Year to you. This seems to me to be the best way to begin my letter on the first day of the new year. BOXING DAY was spent very pleasantly here. Friends came from Blenheim to visit friends here, and besides that pleasure there was the fun and excitement of seeing excursionists land from the “Tarawera.” There were about one thousand, counting those who had free passes. Some as usual went on by train to Blenheim, but the majority scattered about the shady spots of the town, anti picnicked. Our beautiful double-flowered manuka was in full bloom, and appeared to be the admiration of all the excursionists. On Tuesday evening a goodly crowd assembled on the wharf to bid adieu to the second' MARLBOROUGH CONTINGENT, who are off to South Africa. They had a good send-off. with cheers for the New Zealand Contingent, three times three for the Marlborough men. and three each for Captain Chaytor and Captain Spence." ■'Soldiers of the Queen" was also sung by the people on the wharf and steamer. A party went down to Te Awaite. Tory Channel, on Thursday. by the steam launch "Phoenix.” and spent a pleasant day. They were Mrs and the Misses Fell (2). Mrs Fitzgerald and family, Mrs and Miss Mclntosh (Wellington), and Mrs Carey (Blenheim). Several Wellington yachts are cruising about the Sounds, among them are the “Ngaire." the “Greyhound," and the “Mokan." A very tiny yacht was brought over by the "Haupiri” on Saturday to take part in the regatta to-day, and several new boats built in the Queen Charlotte Sound are also going in for the sailing races. Quite a little fleet of yachts embellished the harbour. The Blenheim Garrison Band came into town by break, and played selections on Nelson Square, and during the evening near the wharf. The proceeds of the sacred concert on the Square, amounting to £2 '/, they handed over to the ladies who are canvassing Pieton. NEW YEAR’S DAY was simply a perfect day. bright, warm, and sunny, with just enough of a breeze to make the yacht races enjoyable. The locally built boats came well to the front. More than ever Picton was a favoured resort, and a bigger crowd than ever on championship day arrived from all parts—the Sounds, Blenheim. Spring Creek. Tua Marina, and over a thousand by th e “Rotomahana” from Wellington. Some excursionists, as usual, had to be left behind lamenting on the Wellington wharf. THE REGATTA. st far as the sailing races were concerned. was well contested, and a pretty sight in the harbour. The skiff races were all won by outsiders, Wellington being well to the fore, an 1 Picton nowhere. Mr Scott, of the freezing hulk "Edwin Fox" (flagship), hoisted a white flag, in token of the surrender of the prestige of the local rowing club, who simply took no interest in the regatta, leaving it to a few energetic townspeople, and the owners of sailing boats to keep the annual regatta afloat. Mr C. D. Stuart, the secretary of the regatta, worked very energetically to make the affair —what it was—a success.

THE PATRIOTIC CONCERT in aid of the War Fund was as great a success as holiday concerts usually are. when everybody is tired to death will; sight-seeing and entertaining visitors. The Blenheim Garrison Band, though tired out with playing all day in the broiling sun. besides celebrating Hogmanay for the benefit of the townspeople, again came to the fore cr.d played outside the hall to attract atuntion to the concert, a kindness which Picton people will not readily foigx I. Mr A. P. Seymour. Mayor, opened the proceedings with a patriot:e speech, which was received with cheers and applause. Other items were:—Overture. “The Siege of Paris," M'»s L. Fuller: “Soldiers of the Qv.een." Mr Wilmot: “The British Fing." Miss Allen: recitation. “The T.vceum Theatre." Mr Freyburg: song, “Alone on the Raft." Mr Riddell;

“Apart,” Miss E. Lloyd; “The British Lion.” Mr Robertshaw: "Rafferty Won the Mile." Mr Edwards; recitation. ‘How We Saved St. Michael’s." Mr Houusel; song. "Scarlet and Blue," Miss V. Fuller; "Truth in Absence." Miss Gibb; "At the Empire’s Call." Miss Howard; "The Skipper." Mr Wilmot; "Half-Mast High." Miss Mclntosh; "Our Boys," Mr .1. Price; "Britannia. the Pride of the Ocean,” Mrs Flcod; recitation, "The Absent-Minded Biggar." Mr W. Esson; "Ting-a-Ling." and "Meet Me at Half-past Nine," Mr Eduards; duet, "Life’s Dream is O'er," Miss Mclntosh and Mr Hawthorn; and by special request of the audience, "The Death of Nelson.” Mr Wilmot. Mr Cheek volunteered his services as stage manager. Mr A. T. Card did all the advertising free gratis, and Mr Cragg gave the hall free, so that there was absolutely no expense, and the promoters —Mrs and the Misses Allen. ->liss C. Nash, and Miss Cragg—have to acknowledge kindness and courtesy from all sides. Mr Card also printed neat copies of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, which h e gave to the collectors for sale for the cause. Among some of those present at the concert were the Rev. A. and Mrs Sedgwick. Misses Greensill (2). Mrs Lloyd. Mrs Stow. Mrs and the Misses Fell (2). Miss Mclntosh. Miss I. Seymour. Mr and Mrs Farmar. Mrs and Misses Cragg. Miss Campbell. Mr and Mrs D. Fuller, Misses Fuller (3). Mrs and Miss Price. Mr Andrews, Mr Stableton. Mrs Hardy. Air and Misses Card (2). Misses Allen, and hosts of strangers.

JEAN.