YESTERDAY’S HOLIDAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3656, 10 November 1874, Page 2

YESTERDAY’S HOLIDAY.

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ FETE. The Societies’ grounds at Leonard’s were well patronised yesterday, the weather being so fine, and this fete offering more attrac” tions than any other arrangement for the day’s enjoyment. 'Jhe various societies represented in the procession to the railway station were the L0.0.P., M U.1.0.0.F., the Foresters, and the Volunteer Fire Brigade, headed by the Provincial Brass Baud ■ hese left town by the 10.30 train, and were followed by crowds of people during the day—every train being loaded. It is calculated that there were upwards of 3.000 pe -pie on the ground j throughout the day. lu ad - dition to the usual amusements at these excursions, each as dancing, etc , a programme of sports had been arranged, but this) owing to bad management, was carried out in anything but a satisfactory manner. The people were allowed to crowd round the cornpetitors, instead of being kept outside the rinL', and therefore the various feats were wit uessed by only a favored few. The 250 yards foot race was won by G. W. Henderson, 1 ; W. J. Burke, 2; Alex, ‘ ay, 3 The Boys’ race resulted in John Mallard being placed first; F. Miller, 2 ; P. Stohr, 3. John Murdoch won the first prize for hop, step, and jump, H. Carey beiug second. Ibe wrestling match was a complete fiasco, and it is impossible to say who took the prizes. J. M'Gregor won the two-miio walking race easily, G. Beamish second. A new game, breaking a flower-pot blindfolded, caused some amusem nt, 11. Gourley takiim the fit at przs ; & Leith, 2 ; J.>. WMUak-r” W. lit nderson won the picking up sto.-.es raa'ch, W. Hutchison beiug second. A number of prizes were to have been distribute;! afterwards, but there was such confusion through ihe presence of a lot «f rowdv characters that the committee had hard w rk to get through the large minAer of tickets. There was a great rush for the trains, especially as evening drew on, and many people got rather roughly handled. For a future occasion the co umittee will be wise to maee better arrangements, so that the programme may be got through in an orderly manner.

AQUATICS. Brief reference was made in yesterday’s issue to the match for 1.5 a side, between the Excelsior c cw of Dunedin and the Pioneer crew from Port Chalmers. The combatants were—Excelsior: w, Eyre, bow; James Welsh, No. 2; J. Finch, No. 3; W. Hogg, stroke, and J. MM.aren, coxswain. Pioneer: E. Jsbister, bow ; P. Thomson, No. 2 ; J. Isbister, No. 3 ; W. Is bister, stroke, andG. Tonkin, coxswain. Each crew has now scored a victory, and the conquering match will be rowed shortly, when the amount of the stakes wiilbe doubled. CRICKET. There was a first rate turn-out, and some excellent play was shown on the oval. Strong sides were chosen by J. C. Fulton and Mac” farlaue. For Macfarlane’s side, L. E. Reade, of Oamaru, did excellent service, contributing 40 and 29, which were gob by real cricket” he trundled with equal effect, getting six wickets for the small number of 20 nans, and got three wickets in three successive balls ! orrison, Kettle, and Sampson also got well into double figures. For Fulton’s side, Allen played a remarkably fine innings of 39, and Glen astonished himself when the stumps wm\j drawn. Fulton’s side required 70 to win,|aud seven wickets to fall. EXCURSIONS. The Ocean Preach, the harbor side, and the suouibs of Kaikorai and Waikari were largely patronised by excursionists. At Portobello the attraction was horse racing, none of which, however, the town visitors were able to see, as they had a four miles tramp from the landing place to the course, and on arriving at the latter found it was ‘‘all over.” Mr G. Wilson carried off the hurdle race, of live aovs, with Major Kemp, and tne consolation race, of three sovs., with Waieri; while Mr George Robertson, with Taupo, secured both the saddle, which was the chief prize in the Maori ladies’ race, and the Portobello handicap, of seven sovs. Among the many pic-uics to the lovely spots on the Peninsula was one of a character worthy of special notice, viz., that of i.he choir of fci. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, accompanied by a number of friends, who selected a very picturesque spot rn the lower siac of Broad Bay for their camping grout d. vVe are informed that the treat was provided by the gentlemen ot the choir, who invi ed the ladies of the same and a number of thier friends, and, we must add, provided a more than ample supply of creature comforts, as well as archery and other amusements for them. The ladies spiritedly competed, personally or by substitute, for pr.z.-s, did a little boating, and sang very nicely some of Sankey's beautiful hymn?, ably led by Mr Denovan, their conductor. Mr Denovan also contributed much to the enjoyment of the company by singing one of his humorous Scotch songs in a style peculiarly his own,

The party seemed all there for enjoyment, which their es'eemed pastor, Mr Cow, very heartily entered into, and, after a day most agreeably, and we believe profitably spent, wended their way back to the jetty. On board the steamer, on their return trip, the choir also sang two or three choice hymns, to the surprise and apparent satisfaction ot the numerous excursionists present. THE EVENING. At the Theatre, “The Woman in Red” was played to a crowded house. The Fire Brigade held their social gathering at the Masonic Hail, where a company which conveniently filled the hall enjoyed themselves to the music of Messrs Council and Moss ; while Mr Hudson, who had charge of the refreshment department, gave every satisfaction. The Alliion Cricket Club gave a ball at the Water of Leith drill-shed ; and at Bt. George’s and the Friendly c-ocieties’ Halls, the dancing assemblies wore largely attended.