BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue II, 12 January 1901, Page 57

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, December 31. The weather on Christmas Day was more like what is considered seasonable weather in England than the tropical heat which is usually our fate at this time of year. There was heavy rain in the morning, and on the hills, on both sides of the Wairau plain, large hailstones fell, with quite a wintry effect. The rain ceased in the afternoon, but the sky was gloomy and overcast. Pandemonium reigned in the town on Christmas Eve, diabolical instruments of every kind being called into requisition to add to the noise, which makes one suppose that to children, noise is inseparable from happiness, as each juvenile countenance beamed with delight. The Garrison Band played at intervals on the rotunda in Market Place during the evening, and later on patrolled the town playing Christmas carols, also the Hibernian Band. Musical sounds

at four on Christmas morning tndievied that the bands were still ou the warpath. Boxing Day was fairly good, and there were numerous picnics to the Bluff and White’s Bay: 1! cricket match in town, when the Nelson juniors were beaten by the local players in one innings; excursion trains to I’ictoa: and the Mounted Rifles' sports at Spring Creek. Many went to Pictou expecting to meet the excursion steamer from Wellington, but owing to tempestuous weather there the steamer did not leave, and those who went through had a particularly dull tilin', as there was nothing going on in Pieton. The military sports were good, and were well attended, ami Ike tint for sale of work and refreshments was so thronged that many could not be attended to. Mrs and the Misses Cliaytor and other ladies hud the management of the tent. Thirty men have sent in their names for the Sixth Contingent, of whom, if they pass the riding and shooting test to-morrow, 24 have been chosen.

FRIDA.