BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XII, 22 September 1900, Page 558

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, September 10. The last of the series of Catholic socials for the season took place last Wednesday evening, and was not one white less successful (than its predecessors; in fact, it was even more crowded, and all the arrangements were remarkably good. The supper was on the stage at the back, but when the time arrived to partake of the dainties provided, and the curtain was raised, the crowd was so dense that I could not g-et a glimpse of the table and its decorations, but if the sense of sight was not called upon, the sense of taste was, and was amply satisfied. No long pauses were allowed between the dances, consequently everything went with spirit, Vannini’s orchestra playing lively music. As this was the last of the series dancing was kept up to a later hour than usual, and did not end till 2 a.m. Cards and tables were set out on the stage, and those who did not dance joined in the game, euchre suiting the popular taste, though one young lady, who by means of cards was supposed to divine the future, always had a following. Among those present were: —Air and Mrs Corry, Air and Airs AfcCabe, Air and Mrs Alorris, Afr and Airs Afeehan, Mr

and Mrs H. V. Browne, Mrs Ryan, Mrs Turnbull, Mr and Mrs Byford, Miss Cotterell, Misses Redwood (2). Miss Carkeek, Misses McCabe (2), Misses Keating (2), Misses Watson (2), Miss Morrison, Miss Bottrell, Misses Broughan (2), Mr and Mrs Leahy, Mrs Cranston, Mrs O’Leary, Mrs Wooster, Mr and Mrs A. Mason, Mrs (SergL) Mason, Misses O’Sullivan (2), Miss Brosnahan; and Messrs J. Barry, who was a very efficient secretary; L. Redwood, Bartlett. Broughton (2), Smellie, Shaw, W. Morrison, Herd, Wooster, Mitchell, F. Muller, Father Servajean, Father Fahy, and hosts of others whose names I could not ascertain. Before the close of the evening Mr Mitchell gave a clever recitation in the Scotch dialect.

Miss Ferguson, who has been away in Wellington for a week or two. has returned to make arrangements for leaving here altogether, and taking up her residence in Wellington, where she will, I believe, take up the study of massage, etc.

Miss Bourne left here last Tuesday for Wellington, where she will pay a round of visits before leaving for England, in the Gothic. A! I her friends here regret that she is leaving us altogether. Miss Suisted is spending a week or two here with her relations, on her way from Wellington to Westport.

A representative football team from Nelson played here on Saturday afternoon, and after a close game defeated our men by 3 to nil. “Olivette” is to be given here by the Operatic Society for three nights this week, and we hope that it will l>e a great success. Mr J. Reid’s residence, “Holmdale,” was burnt down on Saturday morning, owing, it is supposed, to a defective chimney, and though the furniture was insured they have lost many things that can not be replaced, amongst others Mr Reid’s valuable Highland costume, on which he set great store. Most of the furniture was saved, but all the house linen and a good deal of the children’s clothing- was burned. Mr Monro's

loss was covered by insurance, the will build again for Mr Reid, but in house being insured for £ 700. He the meantime the family is scattered —Mr and Mrs Reid and children with Mrs R. McCallum; the Misses Smith and Anderson have taken Miss Innes; and two of Mrs Reid's children with Mrs Armstrong. FRIDA.