PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VII, 17 February 1900, Page 322

PICTON.

Dear Bee. February 5. Pleasant—and in some cases amusing—letters are being received from our brave Alarlborough boys, at the front. They are gaining a wonderful experience, and it is quite an education for them. Alany others are anxious to follow their comrades, but have not the means ,to furnish themselves and,-give their quota of £lOO, which we understand is the rule in regard to the next contingent. - .-“HAREMAI XATNGA” I is a thing- of the past, but its joys will last for some time to come. A’ery reluctantly the last of the campers tore themselves away from the fascinations of that pleasant abode. The Alisses Allen came up on Tuesday, and the Vicar and Airs Sedgwick on Wednesday. PICNICS are quite an everyday occurrence. The mail-boat generally has a full complement of passengers for the Sound, and family parties are dotted about, in the different bays of the harbour, adding to the beauties of our pretty harbour. On Thursday Airs G. Kenny, Airs Welford, and the Alisses Harris (2), Western, Scott, and Philpotts, Captain Harris, etc., took advantage of the Phoenix going- to Tory Channel to pay a visit to Airs G. Kenny’s new home, at “Okukuri.” They spent a most enjoyable day. and had particularly fine weather. At Airs Philpott's AFTERNOON * on Friday were Airs Riddell. Airs Welford, the Misses Scott, Greensill (2), Western, E. Seymour, etc. Tennis was the order of the day.

On Friday evening we were all startled by hearing the church bell ring out, and there was a general rush to find out where the fire was, and a general stampede io “The .Mount,” the residence of Airs Speed, which, it was at first feared, was in flames. Fortunately the fire had broken out in the outbuildings, and owing to the water supply, and the prompt action of the fire brigade, it was kept there, but Airs Speed suffered great loss through her furniture, glass, and china having been thrown out anywhere to save it. Airs McNab, who had some boxes of goods stored away in her mother’s outbuildings, lost them all, everybody being so intent on saving the house find its contents, that no one thought of anything in the sheds. It was a great upset for the family, and really worse than many moves, for it seemed impossible at first to find anything,

JEAN.