MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue VIII, 20 August 1904, Page 52

MARLBOROUGH.

Dear Bee. August 8. EXHIBITION is the sole topic of conversation jusfj now, and will be. no doubt, till some time after that affair is over and done with, when all the battles will bd fought over again. The schools are taking a keen interest in all the cmupetitions, and people are working hard to win some of the many prizes offered by the committee. Even when it was only a local affair, the past exhibitions held in Blenheim and Picton elicited great praise from visitors to Marlborough, and gave as great pleasure to the residents. The only other incident ot particular interest has been a fall of snow —quite an unprecedented event in our province, except, of course, on the back ranges. Snow-balling was indulged in to a great extent, and some of the country children coming in by train to attend the High School had to fairly fight their way to school. Both sides enjoyed the fun. 'The weather in the Straits was exceptionally severe. A heavy gale, accompanied by rain, and tremendous seas, made it difficult to negotiate the passage, and on one occasion the. Penguin almost foundered. The officers and passengers quite thought it was a case for them. However, the steamer was

turned round, and she managed to rO turn to Wellington in time to prevent other steamers from risking the trip. The annual railway social, held in th< Public Hall, Picton, on Friday evening, was a pronounced success. A very, large contingent of visitors went down by special train from Seddon and Blenheim. picking up small contributions at stations by the way, which made quite an excursion of it. The management at Pieton end had worked wonders, and the hall was quite a fairy place with nikau palms, red and green lamps, flags and masses of daffodils, jonquils, etc. The supper was laid in a large tent opening from the hall. The table was a mass ot green nikau and yellow flowers. A delicious supper was provided by the ladies, whose husbands are connected with the railway. Mr Edwards (railway manager) made a charming little speech in welcoming the guests to still another of the popular socials. Dr. Redman replied on behalf of the guests, and spoke of Mr Edwards’ perfect management o£ the line, his exceeding courtesy to everybody, and expressed the thanks that were due to him for initiating these pleasant socials, to which everybody looks forward as to an oasis in th# desert. Mrs Edwards wore black, relieved with white lace; the Misses Edwards (2), white silk with red sashes; Mrs Jones, black and w'hite; Miss Jones, white silk; Mrs Masters, black; Mrs A. France, black skirt and white silk blouse; Mrs Haddock, black skirt and

►7>ltr silk Llousr. Some of the Others R'sent were Mesdames Riddell, H. Gody, Parfitt, teary, Oxley, Shoesmitb, Stuart, Misses Sutherland, Wilkins, Cf«gg, Seymour, Wright, Philpotts, Fuller (4), Be atson, Walsh (2), Bragg, Kodfrey, Stuart, Price, Searle (2), Dryden, Bowden. Among the Picton men were Messrs Edwards, Masters, Wolff, Maddock, Parfitt, Jones, Mclntosh (2), France, Stow, Wright, Madson, Nicol!, •Taylor, Oxley, Bowden, Dryden, Price. Another Anglican Church SOCIAL Was held in the Sunday-school Picton, on after having been post [Mined from the previous Wednesday, when, owing to bad weather, only about halt U dozen people ventured out. The attendance on Thursday was only a little better. We had Christy minstrel songs; “Ten Thousand Miles Away,” by Mr Price; a violin trio, which was very good indeed, by Miss and Masters Bush; and p elever solo on the bones by Miss Belle Allen. A very good supper was served, •nd the affair passed off well. Miss Speed and the Misses E. and N. Greensill were the hostesses. Others present .were Archdeacon and Mrs Wright, Mesdanies Allen, Riddell, Stow, Williams, JdeNab, Gillies, Misses Wright, Allen, Philpotts (3), Stuart, Macalister, Roberts, Messrs Price, Stow, Madson, Nieoll jfind Bush. MIRANDA.