MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XX, 14 November 1903, Page 53

MARLBOROUGH.

Dear Bee, November 3. The forty-fourth ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROVINCE OF MARLBOROUGH passed away successfully. We had glorious weather, and excursions were arranged to suit everybody. The races at Seddon attracted a great many, as races generally do. and the bulk of the excursionists went in that direction, though a goodly number travelled Pic-ton-wards. the Blenheim Presbyterian Sunday-school seeking that favoured — of picnic parties—spot, Esson's Valley, to enjoy -themselves in. and a very good day they spent. Some went off to Tore* by steam launch, and Pieton people celebrated the anniversary in a way of their own. by family gatherings, amongst which was the gathering of friends and relatives at Watamonga. the hospitable homestead of Mr and Airs 1). McCorjnick. The Waitohi Lawn Tenuis Club gave afternoon tea on their court in Scot land-street, and nearly everybody else went a-picnicking in some fashion or other. The Afarlborough (Blenheim) Lawn Tennis Club opened the season on Saturday with a pleasant afternoon's play, and of course afternoon tea, which men pretend to despise, but of which I notice they eonsuiqe an enormous quantity. The Wairan courts were opened the week before, so that now the athletic season is in full swing. Afr Vai Vonsden. the clever ventriloquist and comedian, gave performances in all the centres, and they were largely attended. A social, held by the H.A.C.P. Societv en Thursday last, was very successful. The programme consisted of vocal items and dances. Aliss AfeCabe played the accompaniments in her usual finished manner. and the dance rausie was supplied by Vannfnni's string band. The supper was also very good.

The last of a sereis of WINTER SOCIALS, held by the ladies of Holy Trinity (Anglican) Church, in the Sunday-school. Pi<-ton. on Friday last, was as successful as its predecessors, or rather mere so, as a much more popular programme was given, the popular taste being consulted by having items not too classiiul for the performers to accomplish. Among the items rendered were several plantation songs by Aiisses Gibb and Webster, and Messrs Wolfe and Alasters. and the old. but ever verdant, “Ye shepherds Tell Ale/’ rendered in good style by Mrs Williams and Messrs Williams ami Howard. “Pulling Hard against the Stream” was sung by Air Morris. “The Link Divine,” Air J. Mclntosh: “The Outlaw.” Mr Le Coeq. The Waitohi Brass Band gave several selections. An excellent supper was provided. The company intend shortly to give another social in aid of the band, who have given such ungrudging aid to the fund of the church’s debt. The ATalaakipawa Ride Club held A SHOOTING COMPETITION for prizes donated by the residents and friends of the club on Saturday last. Among the prizes was a very unique piebald lamb, which was vfon by Air NeaL and a gold nugget from the Cullensville mines was non by Afr R. Beauchamp. Tlie ladies provided afternoon tea. and quite a picnic was made of the occasion- As the two schools—Cullensville and the Grove—were trying conclusions in a juvenile cricket match, the youngsters were fortunate in the way of unlimited tea and cakes. Chit of 17 pigeons belonging to a fancier in Napier which were let loose in Picton the other day. only six arrived home. Those six did the journey in a very short time.

The eviction of a man who goes by the name of Fisherman Hans, took place in Picton the other day. He had been living in a dilapidated shed on the Spit, which the authorities considered unfit for human habitation. As he took no notice of any of the notices to quit, those in authority ordered the roc-f to

l>e taken off. Now when Fisherman Hans is not plying his vocation, he draws his boat up high on the beach and lives in that with the sail for a roof, and flics an ensign on the mast and sticks to the Spit like a barnacleA fishing party which went down the Sounds on Monday made a tremendous haul of hapuka. On their return in the evening crowd* of people were seen staggering under the weight of a tremendous fish. The parly gave to their friends ad. lib., and the remainder were sold by Air Perano, who owns the launch they were caught in. for the benefit of the Picton Hospital.

MIRANDA.