THE MOKE CREEK BALL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 161, 10 December 1872, Page 6

THE MOKE CREEK BALL.

( From a Correspondent.) The success of the Moke Creek Fall, held at mine host Lawton’s on Friday last, is deserving of special notice, the more so, as all halls held in Queenstown arc more or less so-so. 1 am glad to say that such was not the case at Moke. The affair was in the hands of a committee of miners, and it is to them that all praise is duo. Everything was got up in splendid style, the music was excellent, and the supper table was supplied with all the delicacies of the season. Only one accident happened to mar the pleasure of the evening Mr Blank, of Queenstown,* having been specially invited, proceeded to Moke Creek, dressed in his “ Funchay-go-tc-meeting suit.” Mr blank being highly popular at Moke, indulged rather too freely (at the expense of his friends) in copious libations of mine host’s Glcnlivet. For some time all went “as merry as a marriage bell,” when to the consternation of all present, it was announced that Mr JB’ank was missing. Dancing for some time was rut an end to, and all hands turned to, to search for our missing friend. After a prolonged search, to the intense relief of all, Mr Blank was found by a lady, sleeping as calmly and peacefully as a new born babe, on the tussocks. Mr Blank having been safely deposited in one mine host’s far-famed four-posters, dancing was renewed and kept up till the small horns. In conclusion, T will say that all hands at Moke will always have pleasing reminiscences of the hall,—Mr Blank not excepted. /

[* Under the circumstances, wo cannot jmhlieh a more definite description of the individual referred to, however much it mi o 'ht gratify our correspondent.—K:». A ]

Amusing Horse-Eace. From the Daily Times’ report of the races ou St. Andrew’s Day, we take the follow ing. Both the horses are well-known in this district :

The most amusing part of the day’s pro* ceedings was “The Dido Race.” Shortly before the Selling Hack Race took place, two fine, stalwart, frank-looking fellows, belonging to H.M.S. Dido, requested the Stewards to lend them horses for the purpose of testing their skill as horsemen, one against the other. For some time the request was looked upon as a good joke, but on being pressed the Stewards and other gentlemen present agreed, not only to furnish horses, but also to subscribe various amounts, the total sum collected to be competed for by the intrepid tars, who are named respectively Robert Potter and Alexander Fynlason. On being taken to the weighing room, Potter weighed list. 21bs., and Fynlason list. 111b. Directly afterwards, Potter mounted Ka Ka, and Fynlason sprang, not too lightly, on to the back of the then rather restless Saladin. On leaving the saddling paddock, they were followed by the laughter, and loudly expressed good wishes, of a delighted crowd ; and when also they appeared in front of the judge’s box, they were greeted with enthusiastic cheering of a still more numerous and excited assemblage. Everybody expected that the Dido’s representatives were about to furnish means of considerable fun, because nobody thought they could maintain their equilibrium on the hacks of steeds so licet of foot. In this respect, however, onlookers were greatly disappointed, and pleasantly so ; for on the signal being given, both the horses dashed olf with their riders sitting firmly on their backs as if they had been seated in the cross-trees of the Dido ; despite also the fact that Saladin, who ran rather too close to the fence, momentarily evinced a disposition to make Fynlason measure his length on the turf. This slight display of equine playfulness placed Fynlason at a great disadvantage, but on recovering his r stride, Saladin again bounded along like an'india-rubber ball, and gained considerably on Potter, who w r as riding in true jockey style. On rounding the last bend to come into the straight it was found that Saladin had materially lessened the gap between himself and Ka Ka. On and on they came; and louder and louder became the cheers of the spectators as the competitors Approached the stand, Ka Ka, as he flew past the post, being declared the winner by several lengths. On dismounting, the rider of each horse, as may readily bo imagined, was warmly congratulated. Having received the money contributed, and after Fynlason had expressed his willingness to ride without further preparation the most frisky or fractious quadruped on the course, both horsemen left the saddling-paddock amidst more cheering, and apparently very proud of the manner in which they had dis- | languished themselves.