NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVIII, 31 October 1903, Page 51

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, October 23. A very pleasant function took place at the wharf on Monday last, when the Northern Steamship Company celebrated the arrival of their new steamer, the Rarawa, on her maiden trip, by a lunch to a representative gathering of about sixty residents, to mark the event. The chair was taken by Captain Norbury, with Mr W. D. Webster as vice-chair-man. The visitors were conveyed on board by a special train, and sat down punctually at one p.m. to a sumptuous luneh in the spacious saloon, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. After lunch the toasts were, “The King,” proposed by the chairman, and loyally responded to; “The Northern S.S. and Co.” (coupled with the name of Mr W. D. Webster), proposed in a felicitous manner by Mr O. Samuel, and responded to by Mr Webster; “Captain Norbury and the Ship s Company,” by Mr Quilliam; “The Harbour Board,” by Mr E. M. Smith and “The Commercial Interests of Taranaki,” by Mr Buckleton, all duly honoured and acknowledged, which brought the pleasant gathering to a dose. Among those present were:— Captain W. F. Norbury, Messrs W. D. Webster, E. M. Smith, M.H.R., W. Bewley (President Chamber of Commerce), J. B. Connett (Chairman of the Harbour Board and Moturoa Freezing Works), 0. Samuel, Newton King, F. D. Holdsworth (Chief Postmaster), J. H. Hempton (Collector of Customs), Lieut.-Col. Ellis, Col. Hume, Messrs Grey (Station Master), Morgan (Union Steampsliip Company), Paton (New Zealand Insurance Co.), H. Bauchope (South British Insurance Company), Captain Grant (Acting-Harbour Master), W. J. Tenn (“Taranaki Herald”), E. G. Allsworth (“Daily News”), J. E. Wilson, J. Paul, J. S. MeKellar, A. Goldwater, M. Fraser, F. P. Corkill, C. Weston, Dr. Leatham, G. Ramson (Sargood, Son and Ewen), J. W. Wilson (A. Clarke and Sons), A. Oldham (L. D. Nathan and Co.), 11. Okey (Chairman County Council), H. Buckleton (Bank of New Zealand), MacDiarmid (Bank of New South Wales), Mannering (Union Bank), Wasrney (National Bank), Mclntosh (Australasia), J. B. Roy, J. H. Quilliam, S. W. Shaw, W. L. Newman, H. Dempsey, J. C. Webster, Ken. Webster, J. S. S. Medley, D. Berry,

H. Bedford, D. K. Morrison, H. Goodacre, Collins, D’Arcy, Robertson, Robbins (Mayor of Hawera), Wilson (Hawera), Sargent (Hawera), Paterson (Hawera). AMERICAN COMEDY. The Stine and Evans* Company paid a short visit to New Plymouth last week, and although their stay was brief, their pieces staged were thoroughly enjoyed by the theatregoers. On the lirst night “Mamma’s New Husband” was staged, and although there is not much plot about it, it is full of mirth and amusement, without being in any way vulgar, everyone being easily entertained with the humorous dialogue, witty repartee, good singing and charming dancing. The Bicknell’s dancing was doubly encored. The company concluded with “Brown’s In Town,” which is also very amusing, as well as being full of good music, singing and dancing.

NANCY LEE.