Wairarapa Jottings.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 55, 20 July 1901, Page 15

Wairarapa Jottings.

LAST week <l public meeting of those interested in the Patriotic Fund — a fund subscribed by the residents, of Masterton and the immediate bin roundings, with a hundred odd subscribed by Eketahuna, with the view of aiding possible accidents, or worse, to the Wairarana members of the various Contingents. This meeting, called by His Worship the Mayor, was for the sole purpose of considering the advisability of offering the returned troopers from the war a suitable welcome. * ♦ • Of course, another question for the meeting was should the trust money of the Patriotic Fund, or any portion of it, be used for the purpose of a symposium. The meeting, very properly, decided the funds should not be so used. But the various speakers showed a tendency to launch into criticism on the funds with accompanying dissertations on the evils of smoke concerts, etc., etc. The Mayor, however, firmly kept the verbosity within limits. * » * Rip Van Winkle, alias His Highness Governor Balrymple, was the most sensible man of the crowd. Jumping into the chaos of verbiage, he swept away the useless litter, and came forward with a practical motion to entertain "the boys" at a "social," for which outsiders were to be charged a fixed sum. This motion was carried, and a committee of gentlemen appointed, nominated by Mr. F. Sheath. * • • At a meeting of the Committee, comprising the Mayor (in the chair), and Messrs. M. C. O'Connell, J. C. McKellop, R. K. Jackson, H. Marsh, J. C. Ewington, J. Ewart, F. Hill, J. Skyes, D. Caselberg, J. D. Cruickshank, and Mesdames R. K. Jackson and J. Ewart, Mr. W. Vicie was elected secretary, and it was decided to hold the "social" six days after the arrival of the troopers. ** * » One of the most remarkable and praiseworthy institutions in Masterton is the Technical School, and in that centre of culture the most notable feature is the enthusiasm with which the pupils have gone m for art. Mrs. Boffin was never a higher-flier after fashion than borne of the artistic souls of Masterton have been after art. The week before last one of the great artists of the institution initiated a public "view" of the work of his pupils for the past quarter. On the Saturday afternoon the rooms at the Technical School were lavishly decorated by Mr Irvine's pupils, and nothing that willing and artistic hands could do^ was left undone to mark the event as a crimson day in the annals of Master torn an art. * • • The Exhibition was opened by Mr. Hogg, M.H.R. In one of his happiest moods, the member showed a surprising acquaintance with the masters and masterpieces of antiquity and modern days, and he impressed on the fashionable audience the desirability of giving scope for latent talent in art among the young. One of the best exhibits on the walls was an unfinished painting or a mill scene, by Miss Connie Prior. Miss Eva Hooper had a delightful little study of a child and her toys. Mrs. Edward, in several pictures, showed undoubted talent. Her beagles, both in lepose and full-cry, were marked by sterling ability. A study of a Scotch fishwife by B. Munro, was simply delightful. f Mrs. Mowlem's exhibits were characterised by excellent taste and keen mastership of detail. Mr. R. J. Lyttle must be congratulated on his painting of a lady on a rampart. Mrs. Arthur Vile'b lions were simply so inimitable that they should have been placarded 'Dangerous!" Right and left of the king of beasts were two paintings by the same gifted lady— one a charming bunch of poppies, the other a marvellous group of clematis. Miss Israel's work had a finish about it that all admired. * * * Miss Richards had a realistic study of an Egyptian scene, which was most deservedly admired, while a study, in black and white, of a lady, by Miss Gillespie, was, though badly "hung," quite a work of art. Mrs. Mowlem and Miss Israel each contributed "A Pair of Nippers." Both studies were full of merit, though, perhaps, in technique Mrs. Mowlem's would better satisfy the eye of the connouseur. Miss Beeres study of Loch Lomond was a fine performance, and again Miss Gillespie showed unmistakable artistic ability in a similar stud> . A very young lady. Miss Kathenne Jones, gained no end of admiration for her beautiful lake scene, and Miss De Lisle delighted everyone with a r harming piece of English north country lake scenery. Perhaps, the most ambitious undertaking was by Mrs. Morrison, in her tudy from Raphael's Madonna. Tt is not too much to say it was a splendid effort. Mrs. Israel's

studies from Nature were capital — her group of boots was a masterpiece. Another young lady artist from whom great things will yet be heard is Miss Wallace Pinkerton. At the Masterton Borough Council's, usual bi-weekly meeting last week, the ordinary cul>and-dry business of municipal affairs was pleasantly varied by the following pleasing incident. His Worship the Mayor, at the request of the district representatives of the Royal Humane Society, presented Cecil Dixon with a letter of commendation for gallantly rescuing a comrade from drownAn old settler passed over to- the ever-increasing majority last week, at Carterton. The name of Edward Morgan has been almost a household word in New Zealand for nearly sixty years. In 1843 he settled at the Upper Hutt, where he carried on saw-milling, building, and farming. Twenty years ago he came to the Wairarapa, and started dairying at Belvedere. He held many important official public positions, and the Belvedere Dairy Factory is a monument to his activity and professional skill. Mr. Morgan was a native of Plymouth, England. The funeral, which took place on Thursday week, was a most representative one — the Oddfellows, of which the deceased was a member (indeed, he founded the Loyal Lodge of Sharon, 1.0.0. F., M.U., at the Upper Hutt) — forming a procession. * * • The Trust Lands Trust has been requisitioned to make a grant to the Masterton Gymnasium. A deputation, consisting of Mr. Jones, S.M., The Very Rev. Dean McKenna, Mr. W. H. Jackson (headmaster of the school), and Mr. M. C. O'Connell (late licensee of The Club Hotel), put the claims of the Gymnasium in the strongest possible light before the trustees. There should be no hesitation in the matter. The funds of the Trust are designed to foster education, and what education is more important than the physical? If that is neglected, all the mental culture in the world is not worth a cent. * * * A most influential meeting of citizens took place on Thursday week, at The Club Hotel, to make valedictory presentations to Mr. and Mrs. O'Connell. The Mayor, in presenting the late landlord and his charming lady with a massive liquor stand and an elegant dressing case respectively, spoke in the very highest terms of Mr. O'Connell and his wife — not alone as caterers for the comfort of the travelling public, but as sterling, worthy, estimable citizens, whose loss, should they go for good, would be severely felt. Mr. O'Connell, who was completely unprepared for the presentations, replied in a few admirable sentences. The remainder of the evening was given over to vocal and musical items.

The British Bull-dog rules the wave, Undaunted tar is he, And angiy billows oft his grave, Can't turn him from the sea. The hardships of a sailor's life He can so well endure, When coughs and colds are always life With Woods' Great Peitekmim Cuke.