NEVIS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 219, 20 January 1874, Page 6

NEVIS.

(from a correspondent.) January 9, 1874. Supposing that you take some interest in our proceedings generally at the Nevis, probably you will not take amiss my troubling you with a very slight description of our little amusements during the holidays : I say little amusements, as what I take to be the principal sporting event of every colonial community is their horse-racing, which we happily have in reserve for St. Patrick’s Day. Separately, the events may be looked upon as small, but for number and variety I will back our programme against any other. As a good preparation, on Christmas Day the host of the Shamrock kept open house ; and that no time might be lost in commencing the sports next day, the majority of the inhabitants did not go home till morning, nor even then. The sports commenced early with some half-dozen foot-races, follow r ed by quoit matches, on which a considerable sum of money changed hands. In the foot-races, Mr Edward Thompson surprised some of the youngsters. 1 believe he can run any man of his age in the Colony. Jumping succeeded, after which bell-ringing, and as I consider the locality opposite the township superior for this sport to those available generally, I am tempted to give you a description of it. The superiority of the locality consists in its being a continuation of diggers’ holes, amongst which the fortunate holder of the bell took refuge, being chased in full cry by the closely blindfolded competitors, each endeavouring to be the first to touch him, and thereby win the race. You may imagine the number of disasters which occurred to the runners, when 1 say that not one half of them were aware that they were amongst the holes until they got into them. The larger the number of such disasters the greater the amusement to onlookers, as fortunately there was no fear of accidents on account of depth; but the holes were wet and very sludgy. Several other sports took place, winding up with billiard matches, which continued for three days. In fact, continual repetitions of the sports occurred up till New Year’s Day, when, on account of new blood, a fresh spurt took place, and continued a few days longer. Work is now generally resumed. The contractors are working energetically on the track to Mr Masters’, and persons having business in that direction will soon have a good road right through.

Everything is done by water in Dun edin ; the printing machines, the lifts in warehouses, and nearly every class of machinery is worked hy this useful agent. The pressure is so great that fire engines are unnecessary, a reel of hose being all that is required, secured to the nearest turn cock. The inhabitants of the Cromwell district are sometimes puzzled to know which is the best j and cheapest establishment to purchase their I supplies of drapery and clothing at. They should | ne longer remain in doubt on that score. * If they 1 "'ill only pay one visit to W. Talboys’ London | House, they will discover for themselves that I it is not only the cheapest hut the best store at | which to deal for these articles. Mr Talhoys | b as m ade arrangements to import his stock direct ; from the Home markets, and the public can rest assured that everything will be sold by him at an advance only sufficient to repay the original ■ COR b and return a fair percentage on the outlay. I Every article in Mr Talhoys’ establishment 'is i marked in plain figures, from which no abateI went is ever made. A fuller description of the j stock will be found in advertisement in another 1 column,—[Advt,]