Anything and Everything

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 74, 24 December 1891, Page 1

Anything and Everything

AUCKLAND TANDEM CLUB. On Friday last, at the invitation of Dr. Arthur Purchas, the first meet of the season took place at the Albert Park Gate, Princes-street, at 4.30 p.m. A large gathering of spectators assembled to criticise the teams and witness the start. Shortly after the appointed hour Dr. Arthur Purchas led off an imposing procession in the following order: ■ L Dr. Arthur Purchas: a grey and a roan. Mrs. Purchas, in a neatly-fitting gray tweed jacket, with bonnet to match of gray poppies and velvet; and Miss Ida Pierce, in a handsome black frock, relieved. by a posey of Marguerite daisies worn, in her belt, accompanied the doctor. 2. Mr. John Ansenne, driving a black and a chestnut, was accompanied by his charming wife, who looked her very best. 3. Mr. R. Garrett : a fine pair of browns. Mr. Garrett was accompanied by the Missus Yonge. ' 4. Mr. Fred. Yonge drove a grey and a bay. With him were Miss Tisey Gray, in a gray frock and Tom-Tug hat, and Miss Yonge, in an electric blue and white hat and feathers. 5. Colonel Carrd: a dark brown and chestnut. Mrs. Kilgour, who accompanied " the Colonel, wore a handsome black ' silk with, jet trimmings, and fawn hat , and feathers. 6. Mr. Chatfield : a grey and a roan. Mrs. Chatfield looked extremely well in a , cream delaine, with hat and feathers to match. ; 7. Mr. Stewart: two nice bays. With him . Mr. Stubbing, and Miss Nellie Kilgour in a very pretty pale pink gingham and j; bonnet of pink briar roses. 8. Mr. Hollgate drove Mr. Stewart’s handsome bays, winners of the first prize at the recent Show. 9. Mr. J. Wansborough, .with Mr. Noble, drove a bay and a brown in a neat cart built by the owner in his leisure hours, and a piece of workmanship reflecting great credit on an amateur coachbuilder. 10. Mr. Walter Lawry : a dark and a light bay. With him were Mrs. Lawry, in a very becoming dress of dark blue silk i with white spots, and Mrs. Thiele, in fawn silk faced with olive-green plush and bonnet of pale pink rosebuds. u. Mr. Lockhart drove his compact polo ponies— a chestnut and a grey. Miss Mowbray, who accompanied him, looked exceedingly well in a neat frock of fawn tweed, brown hat and feathers. 12. Mr. Walker drove a grey and a black, and by his side was seated Mrs. Walker, in black, looking handsome and elegant, as is her wont.. The route was vid Panmure to St. Helier’s Bay, which was reached at about 6 p.m., after a delightful drive, the teams going splendidly.

Host Smith having provided for the nags, conducted the party into the roomy and commodious hotel dining-room, where a sumptuous dinner and capital wines, ordered by Dr. Purchas, was thoroughly enjoyed by his guests after so appetising a drive. Pleasant badinage and witty speeches enlivened the meal, and all spent a happy time until about io p.m., when the trumpeter sounded “ boot and saddle,’ 1 and a brilliant moon rendered the homeward journey a romantic and delightful one. Everyone voted the jaunt “ quite too lovely,’’ and Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Purchas have every reason to be gratified with the success of their hospitality and excellent management of the open ing drive of the season.

The other day, by falling off the wharf, Mr. John Abbott received an involuntary baptism by immersion. With his happy fecundity of quotation, he must have murmured, “ There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood leads on to fortune ! ” At anyrate he acted upon it, for having quickly made his pile he tenaciously clung; to it until Constable Kelly descended to the rescue. The officer doubtless would have quoted from the Village Blacksmith, “The muscles of his brawny arms are strong as iron bands,” had the stringer-mussels not proved too strong for his garments. Probably he quoted Shelly without too much sibilation. Mr. Abbott fortunately escaped with a ducking, the teredo navalis offering him hospitality as a man and a brother button-holer 1

The Auckland Academy of Arts Exhibition closed on Saturday evening after a triumphant success. On Friday the afternoon tea and con cert was quite a brilliant affair, and attended by a gay and happy crowd. Miss Elsie Chew, accompanied by her sister, played a very sweet solo on the ’cello and Mr. Milligan-Hogg sang two songs very nicely, “ The Old Wherry ” and Packer’s “ Listening.” Other good items were contributed by friends of the Society. By the plebiscite of members —an excellent and ingenious system —Messrs. Kenneth Watkins and O’Keefe were elected associates. In the competitions Mr. T. Ryan was awarded the silver medal for the best New Zealand landscape, and Miss Wright and Miss Bull, and Messrs. C. F. Goldie and F. S. Best, carried off bronze medals in their several classes.

BOXING. The National Sporting Club of London entertained Slavin at a banquet on the evening of the sth December. In the forthcoming “ bout ” between Slavin and Jackson it eventuate) most persons fancy Slavin. Certainly Slavin is a “ tiger,” and usually knocks his man out in a few rounds. He will find Jackson as tough a nut as he has had to crack yet. Melbourne notes to hand apprise us of the fact that Murphy and Grifio have accepted Foley’s offer to fight fora purse at the Olympic Club, Sydney. Great interest will attach to the result. “ How are the mighty fallen ?” Jem Mace, an 1 erst-while champion, is now instructor at the San Francisco Olympic Club and receives a salary of 150 dollars a month.