CHRISTCHURCH ROAD NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 August 1901, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH ROAD NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent)

No small amount of excitement was . caused on Friday, August 2nd, by a re- \ cepton dance given to Trooper J. J. ( Cunningham, by Mr and Mrs Mclnorncy ( at their residence, Taipo, Christchurch ; road. Invitations were issued a week prior and sent far and wide, to give ; all 'Trooper Cunningham’s friends an opportunity of bidding him wel- < como to his New Zealand home. Towards evening the rain came down in a deluge, and it was clear to all, that those wholiad not then arrived, would not then be able to do so. Telegrams were kept at work all day with such questions as these, “Is ’t raining there ? ” “ Are the rivers high ? ” And last but not by any means least the message “ Unable to como ; ’ but the greatest disappointment of all was the fact of Trooper Cunningham’s absence. He had been taken suddenly ill at his brother-in-law’s residence, Kokin, and was unable to come. This, of course put a great damper on the festivities ; but notwithstanding this, a goodly crowd arrived and made merry. The room was prettily decorated with lycopodcum, red, white, and bine flags and lettering, and when lit, presented with, all the youth and beauty of the road present, a striking contrast to the black and murky night outside. Early in the evening Mr J. Fitzgerald, Wainihinihi, Ch road, on behalf of Trooper CanKingham’s relations, apologised to the B»uasts for his unavoidable absence through Rlness, and thanked those who bad como ■to join in welcoming bun home. Mr ■Fitzgerald said ‘‘he bad c me there to ■perform a peasant duty, that was ■to make a presentation, but as the ■recipient Tro >per Cunningham, was ab ■sent, he was sorry to say, that pleasure ■must be postponed, but added, that any■one wishing to seethe presents could do ■so. The presents were very handsome, ■and took the form of a gold ivy-leaf tie ■ pin set with a large diamond, and a gold ■ medal suitably engraved. I Refreshments in abundance followed. I The light fantastic was then tripped till ■ the morning, when many of the guests 9 took their departure, quite satisfied with their nights amusement. During the evening songs were contributed by Miss MTntosb, Messrs T. Baxter, T. Jackson, and J. Evans. Music was supplied by Mr T Baxter, (Kokiri) assisted by Messrs Dyer and Haset. Miss Garland, assisted by Mr J Shel y (junior) acted as M.C. The singing of “Auld Lang 8yao” brought a most enjoyab'c evening to a close, and all the guests departed wishing Trooper Cunningham a speedy rccov cry,