(From our Timaru correspondent.)

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 25, 27 October 1898, Page 4

(From our Timaru correspondent.)

A decided innovation in the way of socials was recently given by the Timaru Aloysinn Society. The programme announced ' A ILu-d-up Social,' and none but bogus 'dead beats' were admitted — white collars or shirts or any ' Sunday ' apparel were strictly excluded, and nothing contradictory to the idea of the social was permitted. The members rolled up in good numbers and their dress and style baffles description. Tin pannikins and pocket knives were very much in evidence, and the manner in which the • dead beats ' manipulated their provisions was truly astonishing. The costumes were not at all esthetic, but it was a novelty to see the revolution in the appearance of many respectable citizens garbed in plebeian costume. It was an original idea of the secretary (Mr. H. Stapleton)

to get up this social, and it is a plensing fact that it was a financial and social success. • The St. John's Tennis Club is now showing some signs of returning vitality. From what I can learn their energetic secretary, Mr. J. P. M'Gowan, has issued invitations to several lovers of tennis to attend on Thursday, the 27th inst., to assist at the opening of the season. The subscription has been reduced from 10s to m (per annum) to encourage support, and this concession should result in a large increase in their roll of membership. The shingle question is still the all-absorbing topic here. The annual picnic of the Aloysian Society, to be held on the 9th , of November next, promises to be a pronounced success. The roll of membership being over 65, it is expected that it will reach dimensions this year hitherto unattainable.