BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XXII, 30 November 1901, Page 1050

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, November 18. There has been very little stirring here since I last wrote, excepting several birthday parties for little folks. Last Wednesday afternoon Mrs. A. Mowat gave a large party for little girls, for her little daughter, Hermione, whose birthday it was, and the t ime was pleasantly spent in playing games.

The sale of work at the Church of England Sunday-school last Wednesday, in aid of the fund for a new building, was poorly patronised, though many useful things were there for sale. Strange to say, the fancy department was the most successful.

Mrs. Reid invited a number of ladies to meet Mrs. J. Bell on Tuesday afternoon, and, though the day was windy, perfect shelter was found in the pleasant grounds, where tea was served near the croquet lawn. Among those present were Mesdaiiies Anderson, Griffiths, Carey. Mclntire .Vickers, B. Clouston, Miss Clouston (Nelson), etc.

Mr. J. M. Butt, of Wellington, made a flying visit here last week, to see his mother again, and brought Miss Butt, who is now staying with Mrs. Rogers at. “Eltham Lodge.”

The Rev. Mr. Dolamore and Miss Dolamore, who have been making a short visit to Mrs. W. Bell, at "Flaxmere,” left for Nelson last week, where Mr. Dolamore will attend the Baptist Conference.

After spending a week with Mrs. Griffiths at "The Barton” Mr S. Moffitt has returned to Nelson.

We celebrated the King s Birthday on Monday, instead of Saturday, and had good reason to be pleased that such an arrangement was made, as the weather on that day was beautifully fine, whereas on Saturday there w as a bitterly cold wind. The Friendly Societies’excursion to Picton attract-

ed a large number, and at the sports, held by them there Mr. Cecil Goulter, of Blenheim, won the chief event. Besides this excursion there were many' picnics; a large one near Renwick, also at White’s Bay and nt the Bluff. By the way, though a new road to White’s Bay was to have been made for those who like to go to the sea during the summer, and, indeed, has been surveyed, nothing more has been done. The amount of time that is frittered away before necessary work is done is wonderful, but what is still more extraordinary is the equanimity with which those concerned will allow their interests to be put on one side without, taking any steps to see that they are attended to.

On Monday evening a Catholic social was held in Picton, and a large proportion of those attending it were from Blenheim, about 200 travelling on the special train that left at the end of the dance.

The Supreme Court opened here on Wednesday, and again the Chief Justice complimented the district on the absence of crime, the several cases, only one of which was criminal, taking only a few hours to dispose of. Nothing of consequence was damaged by the earthquake on Saturday morning, as beyond the stopping of clocks and overflow of milk pans, etc., no damage was done, but it lasted sufficiently long to frighten many. There is a wide divergence of opinion as to the direction of the move-

me nt,'amt the time it lasted. ’’ The Blenheim Rifles, who have been in camp for a week, attended the parade yesterday at. the Church of the Nativity, commanded by Captain Powell. In the afternoon they were inspected by Major Rogers and put through skirmishing movements by Sergeant-Major Healy, anil the opportunity was taken of presenting Volunteer Harding with the medal he has won as the best shot in the South Island. The Garrison Baud played a number of pieces during the afternoon.

Miss Horton has returned from a. visit to friends in Nelson. We have been very unfortunate in having cold windy Saturdays for some time, and the last was no exception to the rule, so that Mrs. Griffiths, who provided tea at the Marlborough tennis courts, had not many guests. Among those who were there were the Misses Greenfield (2), Todd (Starborough), J. Chaytor, D. Redwood, and Mesdames E. Chaytor, Bindmarsh, Reid and others.

FRIDA.