BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XX, 19 May 1900, Page 948

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, May 7. The Garrison Band played in Seyour Square yesterday’ afternoon, and, as a matter of course, all those out for a stroll bent their footsteps thither, and, we will hope, responded liberally when the collection was taken up, for the money is for the Indian Famine Relief Fund. The day was bright and pleasant, ami the tastefully - played music gave real enjoyment. One drawback was the noise made by a number of boys, who kept racing round and round the Rotunda, and by’ their shouting annoyed both the bandsmen and the audience. Steps should certainly be taken to put a stop to such a nuisance.

The Mission Service at St. Mary's Church last night, attracted an immense congregation, additional seats having to be brought, in to accommodate those who would otherwise have had to stand. Father Ainsworth preached an eloquent sermon on “The Church —What is the True Church?” A Confirmation Service was held in the afternoon, and a large number of children were presented.

Special services were held in the Wesleyan Church yesterday morning' and evening, to mark the re-opening of the Church since its renovation, and the Bev. Mr Carr, of AVakefield, preached on both occasions to large congregations.

Several I’icton ladies spent the day through here at the end of last week, to visit friends, or, perchance, to do a little, shopping. Among these were .Mrs Slow, Airs ami Aliss Scott, Mrs Wei ford, ete.

AVe have a special inspector and a policeman on the warpath, whose rather disagreeable duty is to see that none of us have a nuisance, calculated to encourage a visit from the plague, in our baek yards. In making their report to the Borough Council, or, rather. I should say, in the published account of their report to the Council, the names of delinquents were suppressed. but it has been suggested by » correspondent in the evening paper that that should not be, as if it were understood thnt. names would be published that very fact would ensure that greater cleanliness would be observed and nuisances abated. I am not sure, but, at any rate, I don’t, see why those whose premises are a menace to public safety should be screened. Steps have already been taken to ensure that the. Volunteer Ball, to lie held on the Queen’s Birthday, shall be a great success. It invariably is, and even more interest than usual is likely .to Im* taken in this one. Valdnrvs' Circus is advertised to ap]sar here for two nights this week in

(Ewart's Hall, and are sure to have good houses, though a circus in anything but a huge tent is a novel idea. The news of lieutenant Chuy tor’s illness in South Africa has made his parents very anxious, and as they have not had any news about him since the cablegram was published, they cabled to him, or about him, on Saturday, but, when I last heard, had not had a reply. However, in sueh eases, I should think that “no news is good news,” and hope so sincerely. When the firebells rang out on Thursday evening many of us hoped that the news of the relief of Ma-fe-king had arrived, but, alas! the clangour only denoted the destruction of a stable, and not that Brave BadenPowell and h's beleaguered garrison had been relieved. How we shall rejoice when the news does come.

FRIDA.