SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 463, 23 March 1909, Page 3

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

A Pioneer Lady. Auckland papers record the death at Waiwora Hotel last week of a colonist, who camo to New Zealand many years ago, and passed through some exciting experiences. Mrs. Fletcher, .willow of tho late Mr. Tlios. Henry Fletcher, was in her way greatly esteemed for her kindly. nature. She leaves a family of six. They are: Mr. Robert Fletcher, of Vaviui, Tonga; Mr. Henry Fletcher, of Auckland ; Air. Eustace Fletcher, manager of the National Bank at Wanganui; Mrs. Lionel Abbot, of Lake Takaptuia; Mr. Charles Fletcher, of Katikati; and Hon. Mrs. ltolley, of .'Wellington. Out of the Old World. The Earl and Countess'of Morton (family name, Douglas) arrived in Sydney by the Malwa last week from Scotland, en routo to New Zealand, on a pleasure tour. The carl (twonty-first) has been a representative peer for Scotland sinco 18SG, and succeeded to the title in 1884. It is interesting to recall that the fourth Earl of Morton was Chancellor under Mary, Queen of Scots, and was implicated in tho murder of Rizzio; he also became High Admiral and Regent of Scotland, 1572-78, but was executed for the murder, 1581. Tho. ninth earl was a zealous Royalist, disposing of his Dalkeith estate for £100,000 for tho cause. Tho Hon. C. Douglas, and the Hon. W. Douglas, sons of tho Earl and Countess of Morton, arrived at Wellington by the Marama, from Sydney, on Wednesday. A Pared Tea. Miss Elsie M'Lean, of Home Street, gave a "Parcel Tea" on Saturday afternoon in honour of Miss Calders, who is to bo married next month. Among those present were a number of tho ladies of tho Public Trust Office staff, from which the bride-elect has recently resigned. Much amusement was caused by tho readiug of the poems which had to accompany the parcels. Many lyoro so witty that it was a difficult matter to givo one or tho other preference, but, on a vote being taken, the prizo was awarded to Mrs. O'Sullivan for the two very appropriate verses-accompanying her gift. Cirls' Realm Cuild. The girls who form the Musical Committee of the Girls' Realm Guild, Lady I'lunket Centre, went out to tho Mental Hospital at Mount View last night, and gave a bright little concert to tho patients there. After tho concert they were entertained at supper by Dr. and Mrs. Crosby. The members who took part in the concert were the Misses Beaucnamp (2), Ward, Dean, Esme Ward, Putnam (2), and Fulton. Garden Party at tha Hutt. Yesterday'afternoon tho senior students attending the Wellington Training College were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leo at an enjoyable garden party at their beautiful home at the Hutt. About fifty guosts were present, including Mr. Gray, the principal of the college, and Mrs. Gray. Mrs. - Leo received in a handsome frock of brown silk, relieved with cream lace, Miss Ilia Lee wore a dainty palo pink frock, and her sister

,vas in pale blue. During the afternoon Miss ( Lea sang, arid soveral of the students also , lontributcd songs. It was a perfect afternoon to spend out of doors, and the guests ' spent most of their time strolling about the ' beautiful hillside garden, ' admiring the [lowers and the glorious view of valley and ' mountains. Hutt Notes. The season for picnics is nearly over, but the young people of Hutt are taking every 1 idvantage of the fine days that remain. A ! picnic, arranged by Miss Treadwell and Miss Kumfrey, was nearly spoilt last Saturday by : ;ho weather, but, as it cleared early in the ifternoon, the party started off for a long iramp over the Belmont Hills, returning at 6 j'clock to Mrs. Treadwell's residence, where fchey enjoyed picnic tea. The party them filled in the evening with' music and songs, finishing up later on by dancing on tho lawn. Amongst the number were:—Misses Foster (2), Matthews, Elliot, Johnston, Stu-art-Forbes, Humfrey, Lee, and Allport, and Messrs. Richtcr, Murphy, Sladden, Clero, Stevens, and Dr. Begg. . Another picnic, arranged by Misses Allport and Lee, for St. Patrick's Day, had to be postponed on account of tho weather. Palmerston North News. The heavy- showers of rain on Thursday made the polo-ground so soft that the opening games of the polo tournament had to be postponed till Saturday morning. In tho afternoon, two more matches were played in the presence of Lady Plunket and a largo party from Government House, and a great number of other spectators. The town is quite busy with polo players and their friends, and the hotels are full, though many of the visitors are tho guests of the local polo-plSyers. - Miss Hill (Ghristchurch) is staying with Mrs. L. A.'Abraham, who has also Mr. Tom Williamson (Auckland) as her guest." Miss Mackenzie, and Miss Miles (Wellington) are tho guests of Mrs. Walter Strang. ' Mr. and Mrs. Sydney; Williamson are. visiting Mrs. Alan Strang, who has also her sister, Miss Reid, with her. Some of the frocks worn 'on the oponing day were very pretty. Lady Plunket was in a handsome costume of black ninon; Mrs. L. A. Abraham, wife of the president, woro a smart brown costume, with largo hat to match; Mrs. W. Turnbull (Wellington), handsome white goini, embroidered with black, and large black hat with white plumes and ostrich boa; Miss Majorie Abraham; pink taffetas frock, 'and large floral hat; Mrs. R. S. Abraham, black coat and skirt, and largo purple hat. On Monday tho weather was gloriously line, and many polo enthusiasts went down in the morning to see tho match between the Manawatu A and Hawko's Bay A teams, as tho winner of this match has a very good chanco of getting the cup. Manawatu began by scoring two goals in succession, but Hawke's Bay eventually made tho pace too quick, and won by 7 to 4. A'mong those present on Monday were: Mrs. Johnston (Highden), Mrs. Baldwin, Mrs. G. N. Pharawn, in a handsome purple £own, with largo hat to match, trimmed with plumes; Mrs. \V. L.' Levin, naltier bluo taffetas, with kimono bolero,'trimmed with cord and tassels, large black hat and roses; Mrs. Stowe, >,Mrs. and Miss Monro, Mrs. J. D. Hal], aiul Messrs. O'Rourko, Baldwin, WaV son, L. A. Abraham, Tavcrner, and Wilson. Mastsrton Notes. Tho annual meeting of the Masterton Golf Club will take place on Friday, when the date of oponing and other matters will be decided upon. Tho links aro beautifully situated, and are a very popular resort during tho winter months. Tho new golfhouse was opened last season, and proved a boon' to the members and their friends. Splendid woather prevails at present, and tho season should have a merry opening. Mrs. W. Wardull returned from Wellington on Saturday, after spending a week in town. Mrs. H. Collington Swan has returned from Auckland, whero sho has been spending a month's holiday. _ Mrs. J. Buchanan, Hnwera, is visiting her sister-in-law, Mrs. D. Buchanan, of Gladstone. Mrs. Donald, "Waione," is tho guest of Mrs. Morrison, "Blairlogie." Mrs. J. Macßae, "Wcraiti," who has spent several weeks at Day's Bay, has returned to her home. Mrs. F. C. Lewis, who is wintering in Queensland, will not return until early in July. Mr. Bc-etliam and Miss Hilda Beetham leave for England by tho Drayton Grange, > which sails from Lyttelton about April 17.