MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIII, 26 March 1904, Page 51

MARLBOROUGH.

Dear Bee, March 15. Our hospitals are attracting our attention just now. Picton has a brand new one, clean, up-to-date and well managed. The Havelock people have a branch Cottage Hospital, also up-to-date, which is to be opened shortly with a flourish of trumpets in the presence of the Pieton Board, the Mayor, etc. In Blenheim we are behind the times, but that reflection will not worry us much longer. A new hospital will soon be ours, with all the very latest appliances, a children’s ward, and annexes for consumptives. Our old hospital* is a disgrace to the colony, and the sooner it is cremated the better.

The Exhibition flourishes apace. A meeting held in Haveloek was most successful, and an enthusiastic committee was appointed to work up matters there. Pieton, so far, is the only favoured spot where' men are’ advanced enough to put ladies on the committee. A party of about twenty residents of Blenheim went off for an excursion down Queen Charlotte Sound in the s.s. Waitohi, which- is now the favourite excursion boat, being new, roomy and fast. A splendid haul of fish rewarded their efforts, and the party are looking forward to still another outing before the weather breaks.

Picton people are busy getting up various shows, for which half the ladies in the town and a good proportion of gentlemen are canvassing for subscriptions and contributions.

A regatta is keeping all the men folk on the qui vive for subscriptions, and a Hospital Ball is interesting all the weaker sex, who daily perambulate the town with pencil and paper, a purse, and a fancy Maori kit. No one is safe.

The Horticultural Show' is also being well advertised by its particular committee, who let ferv escape; but, indeed, that particular hobby meets with much sympathy and financial help from all parts of the colony. Pieton people have reason to be proud of their horticultural shows, which are famous throughout the colony. u ■ , ...

The Friendly Societies held their annual pienic this year at Double Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound. A good trainload of Blenheim residents went down to Picton. a?’d thence down the Sound in the s.s. Waitohi. A most enjoyable time was spent, and all returned home well pleased With their outing. The Rev. A. H. Sedgwick and Mrs Sedgwick, who are expected back from Rotorua, where Mr Sedgwick has been tnk-ino- the baths, will be welcomed home

taking tne oatns, win oe at a social.

MIRANDA.