MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue II, 9 January 1904, Page 50

MARLBOROUGH.

Dear Bee, December 28. EXCURSIONS have been the order of the day all through the holidays. Excursion is our hobbyhorse, and we ride him—if not to death —certainly a good deal. There are weekly excursions, school excursions, and holiday excursions, all equally well patronised. During the Christmas holidays Blenheim was an empty town, left to excursionists from Wellington, a few stick-at-homes, and dust. The water-cart is not perambulating on a holiday, because the driver is excursioning, so there is an extra accumulation of dust. Locally, no accident marred the pleasure of the holidays, but at the Wangamoa an unfortunate woman going home to spend Christmas with her relations in Nelson was killed, through the horse falling and throwing her out of the sulky she was driving. The Waitohi Lawn Tennis Club, Ticton, turned their court into a real holiday picnic ground for themselves and visitors during the week. Afternoon tea on Christmas Day, and morning and afternoon tea on other days, and play going on all the time, has made it a pleasant rendezvous for all. Tieton is crowded with visitors for the holiday season. Every house has its quota of friends and relations, and the hotels are full to overflowing. Passengers by the Penguin on Monday night who were too late for the usual trains had to get a special one, as it was utterly impossible to get a bed in the town. On Monday evening big swear words w r ere flying around on the Picton wharf and the steamers lucky enough to get alongside. The big boat Kurnara took up the whole of one side of the utterly usoless-in-these-go-ahead times wharf. Three other steamers, the Penguin lead-

ing, proceeded up the harbour almost at the same time seeking berths. The Penguin, being first, got one. The second steamer stood off signalling, while the trucks were dodging about from side to side of the wharf, driving waiting passengers frantic. The finishing point to utter chaos and confusion came with ths Haupiri, which was whistling madly and signalling for room, when there was no room. Luggage was knocked over by trucks and people getting out of the way, and altogether confusion reigned supreme. Passengers to Wellington scrambled over the Penguin to the Haupiri, mail bags were pitched about, theTc wdre protests from the officers and “cheek’ from the carriers, and presently the other steamer, which we were told was the Hinemoa, seeing there was no chance of getting near the wharf, steamed away. We all piously hope the Premier was on board, and had urgent business to transact in the town. The wharf is a mc,e plank, and, considering the importance of the harbour and the business done, a perfect disgrace to any Government. On Christinas evening, at the conclusion of the service in the Church of the Nativity, Captain E. C. W. Powell, of the Blenheim Rifles, who is giving up dentistry to join the ministry, was presented with a purse of sovereigns, subscribed by a number of friends. The Ven. Archdeacon Grace made the presentation. Mr. Powell, after being ordain-

ed on Monday by Bishop Mules, has been appointed to minister to the religious requirements of the Amuri district. The Mounted Rifles’ sports, held on Messrs Redwood Bros.’ property at Spring Creek, were well attended, and passed off very successfully. The church booth was well attended, and did a good trade in refreshments. We may safely congratulate ourselves on spending a Merry Chistmas, and hope for a Happy

New Year to follow.

MIRANDA.