NEW YEAR'S DAY AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 4010, 3 January 1876, Page 2

NEW YEAR'S DAY AMUSEMENTS.

FRTENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE. Tho f6te at St. Leonards, postponed from Boxing Pay on account of the inclemency of the weather, had to be again put off. After waiting a considerable time it was found that owing.to the strong counter-attractions the attendance would ba very meagre, and as the committee intimated that it was impossible they could award the prizes promised for the various events, those who bud intended to take part in ihe proceedings left for other scenes. The sports will be held on some future occasion, when it ia to be hoped that the society's efforts lo obtain more . uitable grounds wheron to hold their sports will be attended with better buc. cess. aHE WAIKAUI BANGEHS picnic w»r held in Air Alex. Frier's paddock «vt Woikari lu the morning the company met at their butts and competed for tho company's belt and some valuable trophic. The ranges were 400, 500, and (> 0 yards, five shots at each. The following were prize takers:— Vol. J. Fra*er, 47; Lieut Marshall, 46; Vol. M'Millan, 45; Litut. M'Kenz'e, 42 : Vol. J. Stewart, 42; Vol. W. Jones, 41; Vol F. Fraser, 41; and Vol. Ellis, 40. Messrs Eraser, Marshall, and M'Kenzie etarted at scratch, the others received pints. was therefore adjudged th. winner of tho belt and of the eecuu'l trophy, Vol J. Fraser taking tho fiist. The competition for Captain Flexman's cup and afield-glass 00k place on Chtistmuß Day, both prizes being won by Sergt. Whyte. The picnic pioved thoroughly enjoyable. OTHER riCNICS. The Baptist Church ab ath-a. hool chi dron held t heir annual re-union at the > orth-Eaßt Valley on -Saturday. In the Drill-nhed the Wesieyan school children, with thtir teachers, wer* etiteitainod, atd in the afternoon they proceeded to tue T.avu Belt, wiieie . ut door games were indulged in.

1 he annual pic nic of the All Nations' Lodge, T.O.<-M\, took place on fcatuiday, in Mr M'Dcrmid's pwddok, Sawyer's l<ay. There were between thr<.e and four he ndiel persons pres nt, who an.used themselves with swings, quoits, cr elect, racw, and other Byoi ts. After being regaled with a good repast, t; ey returned to the Masonic Hall, wheie several excellent Boiigp, readings, an 1 recitations were given by several of tliH members. BTEAMTKUT TXCDBSIONS. The Union Co. \ fi;ie ss. Taupo mado a trip -to AJoeraki on Saturday, conveying over 200 excursionists. .She left Port Chalmers at a quarter to ten, and after a three hours'urn dropped anchor off Moeraki jrti.y. The party was then landed in 'he ship's boats, the gentlemen managing o scramble up a i.eipcndicular ladil! r st the end of the jetty, while the ladies were carried through the surf to the shore by the boat's crew Bi<le landing steps on the jetly would i.o a great convenience, especially as tie traffic is likely to increase. After a few hours' stay, timing which various amufceinents were indu'ged in, the patty embarked und the s'earner was headed for Po*t ( halmcrs, where phe arrived at 7.30 p.m., the passengers being convoyed on to town by train. The trip was a very enjoyable one, the weather proving fiae and the sea smooth. The Taupo'a engines excited special attention, and the smooth way in which they worked was fireatly admired. We must not emit to raeution that an excellent cold luncheon was provided by Mr Bennct, the piovid;>ro to the company, cud was done amis justice to by those who w« re not sufftt i'.jr from mat dc mcr. ihe Golden Age conveyed some 400 chiidrcn belonging to the Congregational Church to Macaniirow'n Hay. and there were various other trips down the harbor < miug the day.

IHE PANTOMIME Is certainly proving a good thing for the management at t'<e Queen's Theatre, and it is msny a long day Bince any amusement has drawn bo well here. Although aturday wit* nesseithe eighth peifoimuioe of " Bobinson Cnißce," the house was packed in all parts, and the local hits eeomed to take as well as ever. Mr Keogh &\ peaied as Clown, and considering the < short notioe at which he took up the part, his representation was certainly, a creditable one. THB CIROUS was well attended on bi.th Friday and SatuN day the tent on New Year's l>ay being packed in all i arte. The r .ling !>y Young Noma wag particulaily admhed. On the occa*iou of Mr Uardener'B benefit on Friday a large number of prizes were distributed. TEMtEBANCE HALL. The Ooaibination Troupe drew excellent homes on Friday and Saturday, when the programme, already noticed, wbb received with evident satisfaction by those [resent. To-night r-c-veral noviltl r will be Introduced.