Our Wellington Letter

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 92, 9 February 1889, Page 2

Our Wellington Letter

Wellington, February 7. This morning, while Copeland, the amateur champion sculler, was taking a spin in his outrigger up Evans Bay, a large shark attacked his boat. The monster made several rushes at the frail craft, and it was only after half a mile had been traversed at " record " pace, that the shark, much to the sculler's relief, left him, evidently considering the pace too hot. Copeland says he does not want another experience of the kind. What was admittedly the pre tiest site in the city — to wit, " Mount Cook " — is becoming anything but pleasant to the eye as the gloomy walls of the new central prison come more prominently to view. When the idea was first mooted to build a prison there, a great hue and cry was raised against it. A long controversy took place between the Stout-Vogel Ministry and the City Council, the latter desiring the site for a recreation ground. Sir Eobert Stout, the then Premier, said that it the actual expenses, for work done, were recouped to the Government, he could not see anything to prevent the ground being handed over to the Council. Unfortunately, the Premier counted without his host. The Minister of "Justice felt somewhat indignant that he had not been consulted in a matter which was under his direct control, and so when the proposition was put to him, that gentleman en revanche asked such a price for the convict labor that the Council felt they would not be justified in giving. The good people of Feilding have a treat in store for them. I have it on the best authority that several of the more prominent members of the Wellington Dramatic Club, among whom are Messrs Lyon, Prouse, Haybittle, and Widdop, intend paying your township a visit at Easter. Their programme is to give a sacred concert on Good Friday night and a miscellaneous concert on the Saturday night, after which they journey to Sanson where, on Easter Monday evening, they take part in the opening celebrations of the new hall. The proceeds of the entertainments are to be devoted to some local charity. From personal experience, I can confidently guarantee for the members of your community an entertainment of the choicest character.