Social Life.

No people can possibly enjoy social life more thoroughly than Colonials, and none know better how to appreciate holidays. It has been truly said we New Zealanders are a holiday loving people, and so it is. Indeed business men often grumble a little at the frequent recurrence of these holidays, as a cricket or football match is often made use of as a reason for a request to the Mayor of the town to declare a holiday. This is generally granted, and His Worship requests that the event be honoured as a holiday, so the shutters are put up, doors locked, and business forgotten. Trams, trains, omnibuses, and steamboats are crowded with pleasure-seekers; husband and wife, and of course all the children (even down to the baby), are included in the family party. Away they go, basking in the genial sunshine, to the park, the gardens, the seaside, or the country. And don't they have a time of it! verily a real recreation and delight, page 37 returning all the better in every way. But the regular holidays are the time to see picnicing properly. What happy parties may be seen hurrying up to the trysting place, early on some beautiful Boxing Day, laden with baskets and kits filled with good things for the day's supply. See them start off on pleasure bent, with joke and merry laugh and shout, as the coachman cracks his whip and the four-in-hand prance away with the drag containing the happy party. If we follow them, perhaps to some lovely garden grounds or green fields, we shall find them enjoying themselves, as Colonials can, with sundry games, in which the children are not forgotten (bless them), or in social conversation. But when the ladies are ready, having set out the good things that have been brought on the grass under the shady trees, the good feeling of the party culminates. Each one vies with the other to show those little courtesies and attentions which go to make up the sum total of the day's happiness. And in good feeling and healthy exercise, with music and song, the happy hours glide away. So much for a summer's holiday. But even in our mild winters we do not abandon social life, and no snow bars our progress. Then our home gatherings take place; joyous meetings and reunions are the order of the evenings. Our tea-meetings and soirees and socials, in connection with churches, Sunday schools, mutual improvement associations, &c., are quite a feature on our dark nights. Amusements, also, of varied descriptions can be obtained from time to time to suit the tastes of all; let no one, therefore, imagine that Colonials abandon all social life and enjoyment. The exact contrary is the fact.