MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue III, 18 July 1903, Page 200

MARLBOROUGH.

Dear Bee. July 8. The Steele Payne Bellringers have been with tin fur a season, allowing us for the first time the eake walk fad, which hitherto we have only known by descriptive articles and pictures in the illustrated papers. Good audiences greeted the company, both in Blenheim ami Picton. Mr Walter Seymour, of South-east Bay. Pelorus Sound, has had the misfortune to have his newly erected house burnt down during his absence. It was just furnished, as Mr Seymour was shortly to be married.

The borough schools have had rather a funny experience. The committee cut down the winter holiday to one week, and the teachers went off to enjoy themselves. On tlie day the Blenheim schools were to open there was only one under teacher and one or two pupil teachers present. The steamers had not arrived with some, flooded rivers prevented others from getting into town, another had met with an accident, and so on. In Picton the master had gone to the Croixelles, and couldn’t get back owing to floods and landslips, and the two lady teachers had to do all the work.

The annual railway social is to be held in Picton on Friday. No sooner were the tickets issued than a rush was made and the whole number, which was limited, was bought up in four days. People are dreadfully disappointed, as the social is nlnetys so well managed and so popular that everybody would like to go.

A VALEDICTORY SOCIAL was given in St. Paul’s (Presbyterian) Sunday school, Picton, on Thursday to Air and Mrs Bathgate and Mr and Mrs E. Blizzard, who with their families are leaving the district for the North Island. Hymnals and other books were presented from the teachers, and Mr Bathgate was the recipient from the choir of a set of goM sleeve-links with his initials engraved on them. Speeches were made by several members of the congregation, and at intervals the following items were

rendered: Mrs Bathgate., “Logie o’ Buchan’; Aliss V. Edwards, “Violets”; Miss It. Edwards, “Only Me’’; Mr Wolfe, "They All Love Jack”. Air Batligate gave a recitation, anti a delicious supper concluded the ceremony of “speeding the parting guests.” Both Air Bathgate and Air Blizzard have proved themselves excellent citizens and taken their share of work on committees, etc. MRS STOWS EVENING on Thursday at the Bank of New Zeahind was not so largely attended as usual owing to bad weather, but was pleasant nevertheless. Those present were Mr and Mrs Stow. Airs and yij sa Allen, Mr and Aliss Riddell, Misses Philpotts (2), etc. On Friday evening Aliss Elsie Gregg gave a BIRTHDAY PARTY to her school friends at Miss Alien’s Collegiate School. Tea was laid out in the dining-room, and a long round of games kept things lively’ till ten o’clock, when the little ones reluctantly went home. They had a “lovely time” jdaying “Up Jenkins,” ’'Moths,” “Airs McKenzie’s Dead,” “Dumb Crambo,” “Musical Chairs,’ and “Charades,” with its charm of dressing up. A lovely supper was provided for them by’ their young hostess. Among those present were Miss Gregg, Afisses Stuart (2), Thompson (2), Greensill. Borlase. Millington, Kenny, and helping them Airs and Aliases Allen (2). 1 here is some talk of Picton having electric light shortly. A bridge to the Victoria Domain will be shortly commenced, and many other improvements are being carried out. all through having an up-to-date and go-ahead Alayor. MIRANDA.