THE HOLIDAY.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2763, 26 December 1871, Page 2

THE HOLIDAY.

The weather on Sunday evening gave promise of anything hut a “ Merry Christmas”; hut with the dawn of morning the sky cleared, and hy the time most people were stirring yesterday, there were indications that the day would bo a fine one ; and so it was, the weather being everything that could he desired. There were services in the morning at the Episcopalian Churches, and at St. Josephs, large congregations being present in all the churches. At St, Paul’s a good collection was made in aid of the Benevolent Institution. What attracted the attention of most pleasure-seekers were the steamer excursions. The Harbor Company’s boats were the first to start for their advertised destinations, and each steamer was well patronised. The Wallace, which made the run to the Maori Kaik, was densely crowded. The Samson, which started an hour later, had the ill luck to be detained off the training wall for a couple of hours, but afterwards proceeded outside the Heads. There were numerous picnics, the principal being one at Yauxhall, and .another in Mr Neill’s paddocks at Anderson’s Bay. The Dunedin Cricket Ground was largely visited in the afternoon by persons anxious to get a glimpse of the play of the Canterbury men, who arrived in the morning by the Phtcbe. During the greater part of the day a number of the Otago team went through some hard practice, under the captainship of Messrs Turton and Colliuson. At three o’clock the Canterbury men came on the ground, and Hendley having selected them a wicket, practice was commenced under the captainship of Mr J5. Fowler. The old stagers of the team proved to be iu capital trim, and if the remarks of the knowing ones as to the play of the new players—Corfe, Louglman, and Saville —are to be accepted as a guide, Otago will have a very hard battle to fight this time. Apropos of the match, v'hich commences on Thursday, we believe that the Otago team will consist of the team as chosen last week. Hendley, it appears, is suffering from a sprained wrist, and it has been explained to us that this is the cause of his not being selected. It may be so, but we are inclined to doubt it, for circumstances within our knowledge lead us to form a different opinion. As it is, his accident is to be regretted; for we feel sure that bis absence from the team will be much felt. A correspondent writes to us suggesting that some effort should be made to secure the attendance of the Battalion Band during the match ; and that care should be taken to provide seats for ladies. Wo commend both suggestions to the notice of the Match Committee, with a recommendation that better attention should bo paid to the accommodation of the scorers than was accorded to them when the match was played here two years ago. As being interesting to those who are lovers of game, we give the result of the matches since 18C4: — 1804—Otago won by 76 runs, 1865 Canterbury Avon by four Avickets. 1866 Otago Avon by two Avickets. 1807—Otago won by one innings and 87 runs. 1868—Otago Avon by nine Avickets. 1860 (February) Drawn ; Canterbury having 17 runs to make to Avin and three Avickets to fall. 186!) (December) -Otago one by four wickets. 1871 (January)— Canterbury Avon by one inning and 29 runs. In the afternoon, quite a gloom was cast over the City by it being reported that a

FATAL liOA’f ACCIDENT had occurred in the Harbor. The report received confirmation on the arrival of the Maori at the 11 at tray street wharf. The steamer brought intelligence that a man was seen pulling off from the shore at Macandrew’s Bay towards what was found to be a boat that had sunk, and which was under water, the top of the mast euly being visible. Some half-dozen hats wore seen boating on tkc water from the steamer’s deck, and one was recovered. The boat was hauled up by the steamer and conveyed to town, where it was recognised as Mr Webb’s “Golden City,” which had been hired in the afternoon (about two o’clock), by ? party of live young men, who had proceeded in her to the Peliehet Bay

Jetty, and there taken in some friends, the number of whom is not known, although it is certain that on again proceeding down the harbor the party had increased to seven. They had gone down the harbor a little below the point past Macandrew’s Jetty, and according to the statements of some residents at the Bay, who observed their movements, had been tacking backwards and forwards in the channel, just prior to the accident. When it occurred the sail appeared to be fast, and the boat went straight down. Mr Christie, who lives just above the jetty, and a man named Edwards saw the boat sink, and five of its occupants strike out for the shore ; and Edwards at once put off in his boat, but all had sunk before he could reach them. Another account is that only two of the party made any attempt to swim, and that the rest must have gone down with the boat. It transpires that there were in the boat Alfred Prictor (plumber at Messrs Burt, and second son of Mr Prictor, George street) ; Mr Brnc 1 , another plumber in Mr Burt’s employ ; three of the Messrs Scrymgeours, painters, George street; and two brothers named Drew, sons of Mr Drew, tailor, George street. On the matter being reported to the police, Sergeants Coneys and Kcligher were despatched to the spot, and all last night and again to-daj the police, under the direction of Sub-Inspector Thompson, have been engaged dragging the harbor, but up to the hour of our going to press this afternoon had not succeeded in recovering. any of the bodies. Sergeant Bevan also made enquiries of the inhabitants of the Bay, and elicited many of the facts stated above. During last evening many absurd rumors were in circulation as to the occupants of the boats. The names of young Messrs Coxhead were freely mentioned, and it was asserted that the party comprised two lady friends of some of the unfortunate young men ; but it is now known that such was not the case, nor were the Messrs Coxhead of the party. Wo hear, however, that some of the young men called for a lady acquaintance, who was in the habit of accompanying them on their boating excursions, and, by one ,of those strange presentiments which take possession of people, although pressed to go with the party, declined to do so, thus escaping the watery grave which her friends have found. ! Much sympathy for the parents of the young men is felt in their sad bereavement. The latter were all highly respected ; and, out of respect to the memory of Mr Scrymgeour, who was a member, Jthe Fire Brigade decided to postpone until a future day their social gathering, which was to have taken place today.

THE TOMAHAWK. The country districts appear determined to no longer rely upon Dunedin for their amusements. This dependence u on large towns Avill become Avcaker from year to year. Every little centre of population, Avhile growing in numbers, Avill rely upon its own resources, and provide its oAvn amusements. The TomahaAvk district furnished an ample illustration yesterday. The members of the local Mutual Improvement Association formed themselves into a committee to get up a good day’s sports ; and it must be confessed, in vieAV of the results, that their efforts Avere eminently successful. The lagoon paddock lent for the occasion by Mr Henry Raeburn was the scene of operations. The attendance Avas large, and, while it must have been encouraging to the committee, it may also be accepted as an earnest of the success of future gatherings. The pro gramme comprised sports of a miscellaneous character, and we subjoin the results of the various events : Hurdle Race. —250 yards, 6 entries : James Henderson, 1 ; Thomas Henderson, 2. Quoits.—63 feet, 7 entries— D. Bryce, 1 ; John Patrick, 2. Standing High Leap.|4 (ntries—T, M ‘Cudden, 1 : James Henderson, 2. Height 4 feet. Throwing Hammer. —5 entries: John Smail, 1 ; Alex. Smail, 2. 55 feet. Vaulting.—Sentries : J. Henderson, Istß, feet 1 inch; A. Henderson, 2, 8 feet. Running Highj Leap. M'Cudden, 1, 5 feet 2 inches ; W. Robertson, 2, 5 feet. ThroAving the Caber. —6 entries: John and Alexander Smail, equal. Hop,’ Step, and Jump.—4 entries : John Smail, 1, 32 feet 6 inches ; D. Malcolm, 2, 32 feet. Putting the Stone. Smai, 1, 22 feet 10 inches ; Alex. Smail, 2, 22 feet 9 inches. Champion Race.—3oo yards, 7 entries: J. Henderson, 1 ; Alex. Smail, 2. Time. 42 seconds. Running Long Leap.—3 entries ;D. Malcolm, 1, 15 feet 1 inch ; John Smail, 2, 14 feet 10a iuehes. Boys’ Race. —250 yards, 8 entries :J. Landritli, 1 ; P. White. 2. Boys’ Three-legged Race.—lso yards E. and j. Bryce, 1. Ladies Race, 100 yards.—B started ; Miss M. JLaing, 1; Miss M. Sanderson, 2. Rabbit Jump.—2 entries :T. Henderson, 1, height 4 feet. The sports throughout were conducted with the greatest order, and gave satisfaction to all engaged. A ball in the district schoolroom completed the programme of the day, and dancing Avas kept up till an early hour. We may congratulate the Committee on the success attending this their first gathering. TO-DAY. In order to allow our employes to take advantage of the holiday, Ave have decided to hold over until to-morroAV our reports of the various amusements of to-day. This evening there Avill be a special performance at the Theatre ; the Diorama will be exhibited at the ,Masonic Hall; and to the charitably inclined avc Avould strongly recommend the bazaar at the. Provincial Council Hall, iu aid of the building fund of the Convent Schools for the Dominican nuns.