MARTINBOROUGH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3841, 25 June 1891, Page 2

MARTINBOROUGH.

(From Our Own Correspondent.;

After a rather lengthened absence from here I returned just in time o te present at the complimentary ball aad sapper giyen by the residents as a token of respeot to Mr and Mrs J. Hodge, who' are leaving this locality, after residing in it fpr over nine years. The testimonial business as a rule is greatly overdone. We continually read in some journal or another of a 'testimonial gqt up to present Mr So-and«§o fjth a* of a parseof sovereigns and entertain him at a public dinner, jt ig, perhaps, not so generally known, that" in more than half the instances, particularly when it applies to Bank managers and that class of person, with lucrative salaries, the whole affair is a perfect sham. In facj jt partakes of that class of liberality similar "to .the firm that started business on a large scale in Australia, and treated; all the'smajlboys tobiins out of their shop windows;; about the Yankee for taking the palm. They can't give this much of a start. Bo with our many a la Seddon banquets, the persons receiving them pay the piper. • But with our unpretentious banquet it was different. It was the spontaneous action of Mr and Mrs Hodge's many friends to show them the kindly feeling that existed on the eve of their departure.

lam going again to digress from the orthodox groove, usually run in when writing critiques on balls, etc. The usual thing is to say they all looked very nice. I find this is not appreciated by the gentle sex, and they don't hesitate to express their opinion. They say journalists and their correspondents generally must be of a timid nature, if they have not the courage of their convictions about the ladies' appearance I feel disposed to back them up on this point Just one illustration. Suppose our Modern Vena's., was present at a ball, the beautiful Mrs Largtry, how would a general term apply then 1

Now for our ball! There were about forty couples present, and dancing was kept up to the wee hours of the morning. Thanks to the M.O», Mr Speakman, a well arranged programme was presented, and it was most succes3fullycarried out after the first part of the programme had been gone through. The supper table had been previously laid out with all the good things that the most fastidious could wish for, except of course anything stronger than good tea or coffee. It would be wise if more pretentious gatherings adopted this course. The M.C. asked Mr W. S. Wakelin if he would prdpose the toast of the evening. - This gentleman came forward and said he had been asked to propose the health of their guest, Mr and Mrs Hodge. He remarked that he hardly knew why he had been called upon to addreas them without it was that he had probably known Mr Hodge longer than -most of those present. He further remarked that brevity was the soul of wit, and that he felt sure they would all much sooner be doing justice to the good things that were waiting for them than listening to any dry speech from him. He said, howeyer,

it must be gratifying to Mr and Mrs Hodge to know that, after a somewhat lengthened residence-amongst them, they still retained the good feeling of the residents generally. He would now ask them to join him in giving Mrs and "Mr Hodge three cheers.

This was heartily responded to, and the whole company sat down to supper. The tables had been arranged the whole length of the stage, and I need hardly say full justice was done to the good thinga provided.

Miss Bryant presided at the piano I with her accustomed proficiency, assisted frequently by Mr Jackson on the cornet and piccolo. To Miss M. Henderson, ofFeatherston, 1 mast give first place, and second to Miss Harrold; ofPurutanga, as belle of the evening. Mr Hodge, in returning thanks, said he must thank them all for the honor they had done Mrs Hodge and himself. As public speaking was not his forte he would conclude by asking ail those present to do him the honor I of attending his opening of the Bush Inn.