BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 66

BLENHEIM.

Dear Be*, February 17, GARDEN PARTY. On Wednesday afternoon last Mrs A. Rogers entertained a large number of her friends at •’Eltham Lodge” at a garden piirty, and, needless to say, a very pleasant time was spent in the pretty and sheltered grounds surrounding the homestead. During the afternoon a dainty afternoon tea was dispensed by the blisses Rogers, assisted by some of their young friends. Tennis was played during the afternoon by some of those who were, feeling energetic enough. ,blrs Rogers received her guests in the garden walk leading up to the house, wearing a pretty white silk blouse and black voile-skirt,

and her guest (Mrs Pulleine. Auckland i looked well in 'black voile. The Misspi

Rogers wore white dresses. Some of those present were: Mrsdamrs Corry, purple taffetas, and hat to match; Brittain. white linen amt blue hat with Ida* k tips; Bennett. cream striped voile and black hat: B. Clonston, white embroidered muslin ami black hat; .1: Alowat, blue voile, relieved with cream; Guard, black silk ; Ensor, grey muslin, black hat ■ Clonston, navy tailor-made costume and black hat; Wolferstein. black and white spotted muslin, trimmed with insertion: Neville, grey Bengaline, relieved with cream; Walker, navy blue chiffon taffetas, hat trimmed with lilac; Misses Pulleine (Auckland), white Finen: Monica Grace, black ami white muslin, black hat; Farmer, white China silk, largo white hat: Maclaine, white linen hat, trimmed with blue Howers; J. Chaytor, navy blue cloth, hat trimmed with pretty flowers; B. Griffiths, white embroidered robe, black hat: E. AFowat. white dross, white hat trimmed with flowers: Neville, white silk; C. Leslie, white linen: Curry, white linen: Messrs Bogers (3). Churchward. Stace, Webb and others. Quite a gloom was east over our little town on Saturday morning when the news of the wreck of the Penguin came tn hand.. AFany of us had relations and friends on board. Very few’ turned up on the Atariborough lawn tennis grounds or on the howling green for their usual games. We feel very much for Mr J. White and his family in the loss of their bright son and brother Noel; tor AFr Brittain and family in the 10.-s of wife and mother; and for Air ami Airs Holrroft in the loss of their son. Mr S. Holcroft. A SAD AND DEJECTED TOAVN. A well-known Alarlhorough teacher sends the following pathetic description of tin* feeling on the Pict-on side of the Strait when the news of the wreck became known: — “(her here, on Friday night, we knew that the Penguin had difficulty before her. Was not the Sound the shelter of many vessels that evening, telling us of the terrible weather in the Strait? Picton was a sad town on Saturday, and has been sadder every moment since, for we had hope at one time of better news. AVe have many here who have had very narrow’ escapes—names not mentioned in print. In the house in which I am staying.* a mother and two daughters are now; boarding, who by tin* merest accident did not leave this shore in the Penguin. ‘‘The first think J looked for an Saturday morning from my window, which-is only a chain or two from the wharf, was the Penguin, hoping that she had not

sailed on Friday evening. I had scarcely seen the vacant berth at the wharf when the house telephone rang, and the sad news came— ‘ Penguin wrecked." 1 knew so many of those drowned; my duty causes me to travel between Pict on amt Blenheim. On Friday afternoon the carriage T was in was full or those passengers, all bright and happy,' who were to travel that night across the Strait. L sbe their faces now. If the gale at sea was anything like as strong as one of the gusts that struck the train. 1 can well understand the helplessness of the Penguin’s situation. Some Tn the carriage 1 ’knew intimately, some by sight, and others 1 knew were strangers likely to

be going away. Noel White, is tine a. young man a* one could wish Io meet, t hatted brightly with me all the way along in the train, several times devoting his attention to my little boy. whom he played with, and I* ft with a merry ‘ goodbye.' By White’s side sat Ala Mer Matthews who owts his lite to th.it brave woman. Air-. Ilannam. Mr. Bone, with hi- frir.xd- (Mr. and Mrs. Hale. 1 think), sat opposite me in the train the day before. Mr. Bone J had not seen for years, and the last thing he did was to show me photographs of his sons, one of whom he was anxious to meet in Wellington, bvcau-e th? son would be passing through to Haw era. Coming back again io Friday afternoon's train .nearly opposite to mo sat Mr. Tlolcroft and his friend, and behind them sat Mrs. Brittain. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Downes were among the fortunate ones. It was a sad ride the next day I sat in the same carriage. So sad a time has it been in Pieton that 1 hope 1 may never be in a port again at the time a vessel goes to her doom—-especial! v in such a brief interval. '■ Feelings here are strongly in favour of a daylight departure always to Wellington. ami many think that it could be managed easily enough. Speaking for myself. 1 shall never leave here al night, when theie is liad weather in the Strait. Poor Captain Naylor! If over there was a * apt ain I would trust it was he. and 1 would trust him again any time.” PERSON AL ITEMS. Mrs Renwick and Air T. Renwick ( Nelson) are staying at •’Dumgree." Dr. and Airs R. Adams and Mr E. Parsons, ••Waipori." are all visiting Mrs E. Parsons at Kaikoura. The Misses Ormiston and Gordon ( Dunedin) are tlie guests of Mrs A\ . Bell at “Flax mere.” • Mr and Mrs D. Strachan have returned from a most enjoyable visit to \\ elJington and Nelson. Mr L. Clouston has been for a short visit to the Empire City. Air G. Schrowder (Alasterton). who was visiting Blenheim, has returned. Air and Airs R. AlcCallum are visiting Hamilton. Miss E. Ball and Miss 11. McCallum are visiting Auckland. Airs T. Carter, •• Burleigh,has returned from a trip to the “North Island. Airs T. Redwood, accompanied-by her daughter. Airs E. Parsons, are visiting the Empire Vity.

JEAN.