PICTON.

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

PICTON.

Dear Bee, y[ ay n. The Picton “khaki girls” are greatly en evidence just now preparing for their dance, which takes place this evening. Great preparations are being made for the occasion, and the girls are receiving assistance from many residents of the place. They all hope to hear of the relief of Mafeking to-day. The Marlborough ‘ HORTICUI..TUKAI. SHOW, though late, was a ninth greater success than was anticipated by the society. Miss Dart was unable to enter any exhibits, as her blooms were all past their glory, so that Mrs Conolly, Mrs Griffiths, and Miss Norgrove carried off the prizes and the honours. Miss Norgrave had a corner all to herself, where 1 he “Queen of the Autumn’’ in all shades and sizes were arranged, and were the admiration of all beholders. Bad weather also militated against the flowers and the show, and the damp atmosphere and muddy streets kept many people away. Very little improvement is made year by year in the style and designs of bouquets anti sprays, which in spite of the severe criticisms of the judges still retain stiff and formal appearance. There were seven deeorated tables all looking pretty and bright. Two emblematic- of the times dressed in red, white, and blue. Mrs Griffith’s table, however, was the prettiest table by far. 'The centre piece of deep cream silk bordered with autumn-tinted leaves and flowers, pleated across and under each end of the. pleat nestled a dark red chrysanthemum with an autumn leaf. The vases were low and lightly filled with golden-brown flowers and brilliant autumn foliage. Tiny bouquets to match were laid on the snowy damask. Miss Clare’s table was also much admired and trimmed with red. white, and blue narrow ribbons. Miss Clare gained the greatest number of votes for her table. The children’s school exhibits were not as a whole up to those of last year, a want of originality being apparent, the exception being- a Maori whare quaintly thatched. made byMrs Chaytor’s children at the “Marshlands" school. The judges had some difficulty in awarding the buttonhole prizes in the children’s exhibits. There were a great many of them, and all were really better than the grown-ups’ exhibits, so the judges awarded extra prizes. The volunteer shooting prizes were on view during the day, ami were presented during the evening, and so were an extra attraction at the show. Old friends met who had not seen each other for a year—in some eases more—so that these exhibitions are to be commended as pleasant reunions, if nothing more. The craze for fishing is still extant, and in addition to edible fish the disciples of fzaak Walton haul up from the depths of the Sound some most curious specimens—sharks of various kinds, skates, conger-eels, and the other day “Jean” landed a large elephant fish. The creature was furnished with a trunk ami a formidable spear in its dorsal fin. It was a large and Iwantiful specimen, and at first we thought we had captured the famous white fish of the French Pass, known as “Pelorus Jack.”

JEAN.