Anything and Everything.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 71, 3 December 1891, Page 1

Anything and Everything.

Let those who delight in political speculations, wise and otherwise, exercise their fertile imagination in reading Lord Onslow’s secret motives for leaving us before the expiration of his term of office. We do not trouble ourselves about the cause, but sincerely deplore the fact. As might be expected of an old Oxonian and a member of “ Brave old Exetaire ” College, Lord Onslow enjoys keenly sports and pastimes of every kind. Whether racing, hunting, shooting, fishing, driving tandem, rowing, cricket, or athletics happened to be on the tapis, His Excellency, often at some personal inconvenience, with unfailing punctuality lent the £clat of his presence and watched the proceedings with genuine and sportsmanlike interest. From our own point of view, therefore, we regret the approaching departure of a true sportsman and a genial and kind - hearted gentleman.

Lady Onslow will also be regretted and missed, especially in musical and charitable circles. In matters musical the Countess is an enthusiastic and competent critic. It was pleasant to see her at our choral concerts with score in hand closely following every note of the oratorio or cantata. Then too her musical parties at Government House with Herr Carl Schmitt and his Young Ladies’ Orchestra to assist, always delighted her guests. As a further proof of Lady Onslow’s love for music we have the gift of prize medals for competition among the senior students of the Auckland School of Music. In matters charitable this large-hearted lady showed herself full of sympathy. The Onslow bed at our hospital will remain as a perpetual testimony of her generosity and goodwill. Speaking on behalf of Auckland it is needless to say that everybody hopes to see once more and bid farewell to Lord and Lady Onslow, and to wish them good-speed and a prosperous and happy future.

The Auckland Academy of Arts, of which that accomplished artist Mr. L. J. Steele is President, opens its annual exhibition at the Choral Hall bv a conversazione on . the evening of December 9th. One of the features will undoubtedly be a very fine scene from Ralph Boldrewood’s “ Robbery Under Arms.” The picture represents the famous Captain Starlight at bay. Sheltered behind the magnificent horse Rainbow, Starlight is aiming his rifle at an enemy whose shadow is projected into the foreground —splendidly painted gum trees, the dying adherents, and the attacking mounted police complete a scene which will greatly enhance Mr. Steele’s fame as an artist. Mr. Kenneth Watkins contributes, among other good pictures, a very fine painting representing a wild boar bailed up by dogs, which is sure to attract attention and command admiration. Mr. C., F. Goldie, whose splendid' study of schnapper won him so much praise last year, has an equally meritorious still life subject,

“ Native Birds,” in which a wild duck, ka-ka, quail, etc., are faithfully and beautifully painted. Messrs. J. Gibb. O’Keefe, Wilson, Perrett, and other distinguished Southern artists will be represented. By special request Mr. Steele will also exhibit “The Story of a Saddle,” which carried off the ist Order of Merit at the Melbourne Centennial and Dunedin Exhibitions. The membership of the Society has largely increased. The competitions have attracted numerous entries, and a very successful exhibition is anticipated.

Messrs. Patterson and Co., who are now running the trams, deserve a pat on the back for the improved condition of those patient and indispensable animals —the tram horses. They are allowed an unstinted run of their teeth, and in their glossy and sleek coats show their appreciation of the change. Moreover, they seem to do their work with comparative ease and a jaunty air of independence. We were astonished the other day by coming across a lusus natures in the shape of a tram-horse who actually shied ! The incident reminds one of Oliver Twist, who, on being boarded out, was fed on a generous diet of scraps, which so raised his spirits that he actually punched the boot boy’s head. Mr. Bumble, to whom this atrocious assault was reported, wisely declared that “it was the meat as done it! ” As the change from skilly to gravy scraps made a man of Oliver, so has a well-filled corn bin transmuted a lean and sorry nag into a proud and prancing steed. Bravo ! Mr. Patterson —the merciful man is merciful unto his beast.

The New Zealand Wine Depot in Karangahape Road has now been transferred from Mr. C. J. Moses to Mr. J. H. Parish. This is the only New Zealand wine licensed shop in Auckland, and Mr. Parish is doing an excellent business, which may be expected to still further increase now that the summer weather has set in. From the price list we learn that unfermented dark grape wine (specially prepared for invalids), New Zealand port, sparkling champagne, quinine, grape wine, etc., etc., can be had at 2s. 6d. and 2s. per bottle or 255. or 225. 6d. per dozen, while half glasses and glasses may be had at the clean and excellently-fitted shop and retreats at 3d. and 6d. per glass We recommend our readers to pay Mr. Parish a visit.

Mr. Leon Driver is now giving pianoforte recitals in Christchurch, and contemplates taking up his permanent residence in that city.

We regret to hear that Mr. T. Morrin has lost his colt foal by Nordenfeldt—Frailty, who died soon after being foaled from inflammation of the intestines. This is not only a great loss to Mr. Morrin but to all those that take an interest in Auckland breeding, as he was own brother to Zalinski, the winner of the Toorak Handicap (not Strathmore, as was inadvertently published last week), and the colt that Mr. Gollan gave 2,025 gns. for, also half-brother to Trenton, Niagara, Cuirassier, and Cissy His loss will greatly reduce Mr. Morrin’s average next year, as all Frailty’s stock can race.