MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue II, 10 January 1903, Page 120

MARLBOROUGH.

Dear Bee,— December 30. Tin- end of another year has come, and we all think we have progressed considerably since the new century began. Still another section of the central railway connecting us with Christchurch has been opened, and we are all hoping that shortly the line will be extended right through. The country is altogether more prosperous, and various industries are being established in the district. The freezing- works at Picton, and the fishing industry, which is doing a great thing by sending supplies to Wellington, dairy factories, cheese factories, and all sorts of farming, fruitgrowing aud other matters are increasing our population, considerably. The Union Company, keeping pace with the times, have established a ferry service, and still the cry is, we want more, we want to cross the Straits in three hours instead of four.

The CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS passed off very successfully. The churches, of course, take first place on Christmas Day. The decorations were well done, and the in all well attended. On Boxing. Day the town of Blenheim was pretty well emptied, the trains carrying away loads of holiday keepers to various places where amusements were to be had. White’s Bay for picnics, Spring Creek for the Mounted Troopers’ Sports, and Picton for preference. There were the two excursion boats—Rotomahana and Zealan-

dia —steam launches for the Grove, where rival factions had set up rival sports at either end of a three mile read, and where coaches and four plied between the two end-s, earning fees from people who no sooner got to one place than they wanted to return to the other. At Pieton boats had been hired weeks before, so that Iznak Waitonians might go out and sit in a wobbly boat and fish for what they could get; and I am bound to say the sport was good, even if the wash from the passing steamers made some feel sea-sick, and filled one boat with sea water to the detriment of luncheon baskets and the mixing of brine with the tea. Some of us looked rather’ dilapidated on our return to the city of Picton, and the muslin-clad, spick and span ones eyed us askance. Picton we found full of strangers, who looked quite at home. The hotels are full to overflowing, and at Oxley’s new hotel the influx of visitors had to be stopped. The accommodation was still insufficient.

The Wairau Hospital was the scene of a very pleasant function on Christmas Day, the patients, nursing staff, etc., being treated to a CHRISTMAS DINNER in the convalescent ward, which was artistically decorated for the occasion. An impromptu concert, a Christmas-tree, and several speeches by the secretary, Mr C. J. W. Griffiths, and Mr J. B. Green, a member of the board, and others, were all much appreciated. A SOCIAL was tendered to the Rev. R. J. Allsworth, Presbyterian minister of Picton, by his friends, in the Public Hall, Picton, last week, and a purse of sovereigns was presented to him during the evening. Songs by Mrs Riddel, Misses Gibb, Wilkins, Cragg, Mr Riddell, and several others, music, speeches, etc., enlivened the proceedings. All denominations took part in the valedictory, desiring in this

way to exprees their appreciation of Mr Allsworth’s services to the district. Mr Alls worth preached his farewell sermon at St. Paul’s Church on Sunday last to a large congregation. Mrs Love, of Waikawa Pah, gave an afternoon tea at her residence on Christmas Day to celebrate the occasion of her sponsorship to Mrs Glover’s baby boy. The infant was named, after Mrs Love’s father, formerly Maori member in the House of Representatives. Among Mrs Love’s visitors were Mr and Mrs Glover, Mrs Grcensil, Mr and Mrs Sedgwick, Miss Greensill. The Maoris of the pah were also entertained by their chieftainess.

A party of. Wellington Navals, who arrived by the Haupiri in Picton on Saturday last, are enjoying their annual holidays cruising in Queen Charlotte Sound. Their boat was also brought over by the Haupiri. The Tutanekai, having on board the Premier and Mrs Seddon, the Hon. C. 11. Mills, etc., called in at. Picton on Christmas Eve. They arrived just in time to be serenaded by the new Pieton band, who were giving their initial performance in the town.

Picton is to have a regatta on New Year’s Day, with the usual excursion boats from Wellington, and other seaside attractions for the inlanders’ amusement.

The home party at “Tyntesfield” had a good time at Christmas, finishing with loading up the wool-wag-gons. Mr Seymour has had a magnificent clip this year, and feels satisfied with the world in general, and himself in particular.

MIRANDA.