NEW YEAR’S DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2139, 3 January 1881, Page 3

NEW YEAR’S DAY.

LYTTELTON REGATTA. Commodore, Harry Allwright, Esq., M.H.R.; Vice Commodore, E. PnfLtt. Hon. Treasurer, Frank Cransfield; Hon. Secretary, 1 hoa. L. Smith ; Judges, Captains Gibson and Milman, P. Cunningham, H. R. Webb, and T. W. Maude ; Starters, Captain Reid and W.Packard; Timekeepers, Thos. Wright and C. Leys ; Flagship, City of Tanjore, Captain Dow. The Lyttelton Regatta of 1881, held at Port on Saturday, will be remembered by the many thousands of people who patronised it as one of the most successful of the many successful regattas which have made that annual Lyttelton demonstration so celebrated in this colony. The winds and the waves on which the success of the regatta so largely depends were almost as perfect for the occasion as the weather overhead was. A fresh sou’-wester refreshingly cool held throughout the day, and though heavy clouds foreboding mischief to gaily dressed spectators of the events, who crowded the wharves, were on the fore part of the day brought up by it, and the sea became rather too lumpy to permit the four-oared outrigger and four-oared inrigger races to be pulled, yet a more suitable breeze for the sailing events outside the breakwater, and a finer day for the pulling races inside and for a holiday could not have been chosen were a choice possible. Considering the inducements which the weather on Saturday possessed for holiday making, it is a little surprising that the attendance, large though it was, was not more numerous. The tickets issued at the railway office here are reported to have been 5400, to which are to be added the pleasure-goers from the_ other stations north and south. The trains, twenty-seven in number, that went through to Port during the day were all of extra length, and were well filled with passengers, particularly those that left towards noon and later, and it is creditable to the railway management that the pressure was met by a sufficient supply of accommodation, and no accidents of any kind whatever occurred. The programme of the regatta, to which the committee had invited entries, when first issued comprised eight pulling races and six sailing, with an aggregate prize list of £312, exclusive of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s silver cup, the Mayor’s cup, and one given by Mr George Ayers. The work of collecting the required cash was a more arduous one this year than in the post—not a surprising fact, taking the depressed state of business into consideration ; yet it is a pleasure for the committee to be able to state that though an extra effort, involving some anxiety, had to be made, a sufficient amount to cover offered prizes and expenses was subscribed. When the entries closed last Thursday night the committee found that, owing to the absence of shipping just now in port, both the ships’ boats pulling and the ships’ boats sailing races must fall through, there being but one pntry for each event, that of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s ship’s boats Rangitiki. This the committee much regretted, as these events have in former regattas been very successful. An offer was sent in from the American brigantine J. W. Parker the following day to make a post entry of a boat belonging to that vessel, but it was declined. The night of entry also brought but one contestant for the £SO and cup offered in the Champion Sailing Race for trading vessels under 150 tons, the entered vessel being the Maud Graham, owned by Messrs Cuff and Graham. The committee much regretted this, especially as they were aware that one or two schooners would have competed had they been able to reach the Fort in time to enter. The continuous spell of hard southerly weather, it was felt, had in this case spoiled a most keenly contested race by keeping the boats out of harbor. An old f riend, Captain Grundy, and his vessel, the Tores, on which it was known a considerable outlay had been incurred by Mr Mitchell, her owner, in preparing her for the race here, was particularly missed, and it was feared the race would fall through The brigantine Annie Hill came into port on Friday laden with timber, and by a praiseworthy display of energy and liberality on the part of her master, Captain Arndt, a sufficient portion of her cargo was got out that day, and the vessel got ready and entered the first thing on Saturday morning. Offers were also made to enter the schooners B. U. Cameron, the Zior, and the T. B. Taylor, and were accepted. The race, it will thus bo seen, was pretty fairlv represented in five entries, and, as will be found below, four vessels competed well for the prizes. The commiftoo were surprised that no entries were made on the night of entry for the Firewood Tenders and Ballast Boats Race, and regretted having to strike That event off the programme. As the day turned out this would, had the vessels which it was expected would have entered done so, have proved an attractive and really an interesting contest. Leaving thus out of the list the Champion Sailing Race for schooners, the original programme as issued was shorn of three events—two sailing and one pulling—that would have added greatly to the day’s pleasure, as the weather was so admirably adapted to their requirements. The “correct card,” though thus deprived, was, however, an excellent one, and left little room for improvement. The management of the events, the starting by those incomparable flagmastera Messrs W. Packard and Alex. Reid, the painstaking of the judges, and the steady hard work of the gentlemen who manned the starters’ boats, could not be spoken of too highly. The signalling and firing on board the committee ship were also performed most satisfactorily, and the work of the officers of the regatta, the duties of the active commodore and the energetic vicecommodore, the courteous secretary, and the careful timekeeper, Mr Thomas Wright, were carried out in a manner at once complimentary to these gentlemen and satisfactory to the public. The Lyttelton Harbor Board placed their fine tug steamer at the use of the officers, as last year, and the captain of the City of Tanjore gave up his ship for the day, and spared neither trouble nor expense to make her a flagship. Mr James Hill, caterer for the flagship, prepared a very tempting spread on board, which was not, however, patronised to the extent his enterprise deserved, owing to the fact that comparatively few people wont off to the ship. On the committee ship a lunch was provided by the Commodore. Leaving out the events numbered respectively eleven and twelve on the programme of the regatta—the Duck Hunt and the Water Derby—and for which was substituted a greasy pole put out from the side of the ship British Sceptre, and was well patronised, there were eight races either sailed or pulled during the day. The first started was the four-oared whaleboat race for youths under eighteen, at llh 35 min 25sec. There were three entries for it of boats belonging to clubs. The Lyttelton boys had been training hard for the event, and were in good form. Matthews’ boat, however, posEe3sod more muscular, and it is protested by the Lyttelton youths much older, material, and though the Lyttelton boat showed well in the lead at the start, at the turn of the first buoy Matthews had them two lengths astern. On passing the committee ship the second time it was apparent Lyttelton must rest content with a second place, and not make too-certain even of that, and such proved to be so, as on the homo pull

the Eaiapoi boat pressed them hard for it, the race finishing at lib. 47min lseo, as follows : Poce-oabkd Whaleboat Rack, for youths nnder eighteen years of age. Entrance, 10s. Firit prize, .£lO ; second, .£3. Four to start or no second prize. The race to be rowed in licensed watermen's boats, or boats of similar class. Rifleman, Matthews ... ... J Venus (L.E.C.) ... ... 2

Maori (Cure Boating Club) 3 The coxswain of Venus lodged a protest against Rifleman with the judges that some of the crew of the winning boat were over the prescribed age. The course was from buoy at Gladstone Pier, round boat or buoy in Dampier's Bay, round starting buoy, and win inside committee ship. Champion Sailino Race, for trading vessels under 150 tons. Cutters and centre board vessels not allowed to compete, otherwise open ta all comers. Entrance, £3 3s. First prize, New Zealand Shipping Company's Cup and .£SO; second, .£2O. This was the next event started, the four schooners getting away in good style at llh 58min 30aec. The course was fully sixteen miles, or from between buoy off eastern breakwater and harbor light round boat; outoide heads, thence round boat or buoy off reef, round reef, round buoy off Parson's Rock round buoy or boat off reef, round reef, and win at starting point. So little was to be seen of the positions of the sailing vessels from the committee ship during the greater part of the race that it would be upon the merest conjecture that a statement of their relative positions could bo.mado that would afford any comprehensive idea of how they sailed or were handled. All that can by observation be known to the judges, officers, and reporters occupying the committee ship, is during the brief time they are in disappearing behind the eastern breakwater and the sheds in the downward course, and from the time of their re-ap-pearance to passing the reef twice, and their arrival at the point of starting. And a like view of all the sailing races is all that is had by tho great bulk of the people ashore or upon the flagship, unfortunately. The subject is one which in the past has given the regatta committee some study, and its remedy is still left for some future committee to discover and apply. It is certainly one worth their consideration. As has been stated, in this race four only of the five entered came to the start, the C. B. Taylor remaining at her berth at the wharf. At twenty-eight minutes past one o'olock the Annie Hill hove in sight, coming up the harbor, followed soon after by the E. TJ. Cameron and the Zior. The Maud Graham came in sight quite late in the race, and with an ensign flying in her rigging, indicating she wished to lodge a protest. She went up and round the reef and the second time down the harbor, but subsequently brought up to pick up her anchor and mooring. The Annie Hill was a pretty sight under her full press of canvas as she rounded the reef for the second time and bore down to the winning point, sailing past it at 3h 6min lOjbo in the afternoon, and was loudly cheered by the peoplo ashore. The E. TJ. Cameron sailed well, and the race was a , closely interesting one between her and the Zior, the two vessel? passing the winning points—the E.TX. Cameron at 3b. 46min 50sec , p.m. and the Zior 30jeo after. The result was thus : ;

Annie Hill, brigantine, 128 tons, Arndt ... 1 E. IT. Cameron, schooner, 41 tons, Smith ... 2 Zior, schooner, 63 tons, Hanning 3 Two instances of fouling wore reported to have occurred during the race, one between the Zior and the Maud Graham when down at the Heads and the other between the Zior and the E. U. Cameron. In the first foul the

jibboom of the Zior is reported to have gone through tho leach of the Maud Graham's mainsail, and in the second instance the damago done is said to have been nil. Yacht Pace, open to all comers. No centre board vessels allowed to compete. Entrance, £3 3s. First prize, £lO ; second, ilO. Three of the four entries for this event were sent away at 12.26 p.m. The Dunedin boat, the Zephyr, was felt to be the dangerous rival, but it was not her day. In a lighter breeze she probably would have whown herself to greater advantage, and it was by no means the fault of yo.ohtsman Gibbs, her pilot, that she did not lead the others to the winning point with the weather she had. The same remarks as to tho unsuitable position of the committee ship for seeing the sailing races made above apply equally in this instance, and except for a few minutes after the yachts got underweigh up till 2.15 p.m., an interval of an hour and three-quarters, they mostly had the pleasure of witnessing the progress of events 'to themselves. At the time named the Dove was sighted off Rhodes' Bay, and the Zephyr very soon after. These positions were maintained to the finish, the Dove passing the winning point at 3.1.40 p.m., and the Zephyr four minutes later. The yacht Fleetwing was entered for the race, but had not arrived from Akaroa up to the time of the race starting. Mr Day's Norval made a hard weather run for it over the course, and though third at the finish yet relatively with the other two, and allowing for the weather, she gave a good account of herself. The course was the same as that for the Champion Sailing race, and the result: — Dove, 24 tons, Hutchinson 1 Zephyr, 7 tons, A. Gibbs 2 Norval, 5 tons, Day ... 3 The prettiest sailing event of the day was the

Sailing Race, in open boats. Open to all comers. Entrance, £1 la. Firßt prize, £2O ; second, £5. Six to start or no race.

Starter Reid sent eight of the nine boats entered away at 1,9 p.m. The Rangitiki's boat did not start. Like in the Yacht Race, the Evening Star, the Dunedin boat, was expected to show the others the road, and like also in respect to that race there are opinions held that with lighter weather the Evening Star would have made her mark. A prettier, or more interesting sight than the eight boats underweigh togethor is difficult to meet with, and a more charming sight than the Prosperous, the Dauntless, and the Blanch presented, coming round the reef for the second time and running for the entrance is as seldom met with. Tho race excited, perhaps, more interest than any on the programme, and it terminated in splendid style, only sixteen seconds being between the first boat and tho third as they passed the committee's ship, in a race occupying an hour and six minutes. The course was from committee ship, round buoy off Parson's Rock, round boat or buoy off reef, round reef, and win between committee ship and Tunnel Wharf, and the Prosperous finished at 2h 3min 30se os p.m., the Dauntless at 2h 3min 44jecs, and the Blanch at 2h 3min 46secs p.m. The names of the competing boats were Prosperous, W. Cook 1 Dauntless 2 Blanche, M. Thomas 3 Foam, Captain Owen; Faugh-a-Ballagh, R. Veal; Good Templar, W. Fitz Simmons; Waterlily, J. Nelson ; Evening Star, F. Patterson.

At 1.59 p.m. the signal gun announoed the start of the Friendly Societies' Foub-Oared Race, in watermen's boats. Entrance, 20s. First prize, £ls ; second £l. Course same as Four-oared race for youths. There were three entries and the three started. The Rangitoto crew, however, fouled their boat out of tho race, and left Sea Shell and Hero to share the money. It was soon evident that the Good Templars had it their own way, and at 2.10.45 p.m. their boat passed the oommittee ship, and ended a very tame contest as follows : Sea Shell; Good Templars 1 Hero; Rechabites ... ... ... ... 2 The next event was the Paib-Oabbd Race, in stamp oat-riggers. Entrance, £2 2s. First prize, .£l2 ; second, £i. Open only to bona fide Rowing Clubs of six months' standing. Course same at Fonr-oared race for youths.

This was as hard a pullsd race between the C.R.C. boat and the Cure's as anyone could wish to see, and the boats were vociferously cheered on passing the committee Bhip. Tho whole five boats entered started for it, getting away well together at the fall of Mr Packard's flag at 2.55.29 p.m. The race was pretty certain in the hands of one of the two boa's named from soon after leaving with a slight lead in favor of the Kniapoi (Cure R.C.) boat. In rounding the Dampier Bay buoy their lead was increased, and the C.R.C. crew pulling in fine form could not recover it. The steering was a little wild in one or two instances in this race, as it was noticeable in the Double-scnlling race which succeeded it. The five boats finally passed in the following order—Wekeka at 3.8.5 p.m., C.R.C. 2sec. later. Wekeka (Cure R.C.) 1 C.R.C. ; bow, Boulton; stroke, Grierson 2 Rotomahana (L.R.C.); bow, Harkiss ; stroke, Fitz Simmons ... ... ... ... ... 3 Dolphin (U.R.C.); bow, S. C. Kosteven ; stroke, H. T. Johnson 4 Waipa (Timaru R.C.); bow, Snodgrass; stroke, Duncan 5 The noxt event in tho programme was the

t, Canoe Rack. Three' to start or no ,s race. Entrance, 10s 6d. Prize, Mayor's Cup. Conrse same as last race. s Through a mistake somewhere this event ,_ was not started until 3.59.30 p.m. There) o were four entries, but Soud drooped out. 1 e The race between the Petrel and Kilmarnock s was a very exciting one throughout, and at 4 15.25 p.m. the judges declared it a dead • heat between the two boats. The race will be ' pulled again this afternoon, before or after * the outrigger races, should the weather be i suitable. Mr H. Bradly paddled Kilmarnock J round, and Mr J. O. Jones the Pet-el, Mr ' Snodgraas in the Firefly, and Mr Peth rbridge j ' in the Scud. ' Double Sctjlmnq Pace, in Btump out- ' riggers. First prize, £ls ; second, £5. Open only to bona fide Rowing Clubs of six months' standing. The course was the same as for the preceding race, and Rotomahana was scratched. Mr Packard's flag fell at 4 18 p.m., when Wekeka and U.O.R.C. shot ahead, and kept the race close together round the course, both men doing splendidly. Coming towards the committee ship for the last time it seemed certain a second dead heat would be the result. When about a length off the finish Grierson put on a heavy spurt, and was declared the winner by 2ft. C.R.C, bow, Bolton: stroke, Grierson ... 1 Wekeka (Cure 8.C.) 2 Dolphin (U.R.C.), bow, Clifford; stroke, J. T. Smith 3 The strong B.W. wind had at the finish of this race, 4.29 p.m., moderated much, but there was then altogether too rough a surface on the water outside the breakwater to hope for a chance to get off the four-oared inrigger race and the four-oared outrigger raoe. The oommittee decided, therefore, to postpone them both until to-day at 2 p.m., at which hour the crews are requested to be at the watermen's steps. This concluded the work of the committee, and after three cheers had been given to the Commodore, judges, and officers, three for the starters and crews, they came ashore. PAPANUI FBTB. President—Mr W. Norman. Vice-Presidents —Mr W. Horner, Mr Thos. Hancock. Hon. treasurer—Mr James Jackson. Handicapper—Mr 8. P. Andrews. Oommittee— Messrs Thos. Preeeo, A. H. Hancock, H. Godfrey, H. Nunweek, C. Amyes, O. Jennings, R. Whiting, D. Thomas, C. E. Briggs, W. H. Porter, H. E. Alport, G. Thackery, James Johns, O. G. Matson, Joseph Taylor. The township of Papanui presented an unusually stirring appearance on Saturday, ' each tram that came from Christchuroh bringing a crowd of visitors, who were attracted by ' the sports held there. These sports may be ' said to have initiated a new institution for Papanui. No gathering of such magnitude had ever bosn held there before, but the ' success met with on New Tear's Day will no ' doubt induce the people of that district to ' make an annual gathering of it. The sports ) were held on a piece of ground known as tho ' Church Recreation Reserve. There were ' quite three thousand people on the ground, ' and Mr J. Bligh, to whom the important duty < of collecting subscriptions was entrusted, ( performed his part so well that he was ' able to hand over the sum of £24 ' to the committee. Generally speaking the > arrangements made by the committee were * highly satisfactory. The various events were • got off in good time, exoopting a few at the ' start, and a capital day's sport was ex- ' perienced. Indeed remarks were frequently I heard comparing them favorably with the ' sports in town. There were a number of < outside games on the ground, such as a merry- t go-round, the inevitable "Aunt Sally," to • whose "get up," by tho way, more than ordinary attention had been devoted, and others. The local band contributed the music Following is a list of the events:— Quoit Match; open to all comers. First prize, £2 2s; second, 21s. J. Horner 1 D.Thomas 2 lOi Yards race ; boys under eleven. First prize,_ 10s; second, ss; third, 2s 6d. C. Scrimshaw... ... ... ... 1 A. Hobbs 2 G. Horner ... ... ... ... 3 Five others ran in this race, which was well contested. Grand Open Handicap. Distances 440yds, 680yds. First prize .£5 ; second, £1 10s. First Event—22oyds. Lyford (9yd.) 1 Horner (12yds) 2 Hnlston (scratch) ... 3 The start gave Lyford first place. He won from the jump. Purchase failed to get a good start, and was nowhere. T Second Event—44oyds. ' J. Horner (22yds) 1 1 C. Scrimshaw (20yds) 2 £ Purchase (Byds) 3 I A good race, Horner and Sorimshaw having i a hard fight for first place, and Lyford ran j Purchase very close for third position. 1 Third Event—Sßoyds. i C. Scrimshaw (30yds) 1 t Hnlston (30yds) 2 , Langdon (49yds) 3 f Running High Jump, open to all comers—First pr ze .£1 10s, second .£l. Lyford, 4ft llin 1 i E. Webber, 4ft 9in 2 1 Horner 3 Jackson also competed, but went out at 4ft 7in. Lyford jumped well, keenly contest- * ing with Webber, who, by the way, jumped I for a prize for the first time yesterday in this event. ' One Mile Handicap Walking Match—Boys 1 under seventeen. First prize £l 10s, second i £l. 1 The following were the entries: —J. C. •* Wilson, scratch ;J. McCourt,- 90yds; J. God- , frey, 100yds; J. Douglas, 120yds; E Ford, J 120yds ; R. Ford, 120yds ; T. Godfrey, 150yds. Wilson 1 , J. McCourt 2 : E. Ford 3 > Five started. Wilson, one of the most promising young peds in the oolony, came in first j by a good distance, passing McCourt on the J last lap. The second man also walked well. > Sack Race, 100 yards—First prize £l, « second 10s. H. Pierce 1 i J. Orr 2 One Mile Running Handicap; open to all ) comers. First prize, £'i ; second, <£l. , The following entered, but some were scratched :—W. S. Fagan, scratch ;A. Hill, - 35 yds; 8. Hewitt, 35 yds; R. Whiting, ; 40 yds ; J. Langdown, 70 yds; J. R. Kirby, 70 yds; H. Mack, 80 yds; T. ' Alexander, 80 yds ; J. Gulliver, 80 yds ; G. Hill, 90 yds. ' A.Hill 1 J. Langdon 2 Gulliver 3 This was a spirited race among the crowd, but Hill had it all his own way for first plase. > Fagan entered, but did not run. 100 Yards Race ; boys under thirteen. First prize, 15b ; second, 10s. A. Hobbs 1 E. Scrimshaw 2 R. Roache 3 Three-legged Race; 150 yds. First prize, £1 ; second, 10s. G. Newell and T. Butler 1 H. Lowry and A. Scrimshaw ... 2 The other competitors were J. Orr and F. Hack. Throwing the Cricket Ball. First prize, £1; uocond 10s. S. Brandford, 99yds 2ft 4'm 1 W. Philpott, 98yds Oft 2in 2 E. Webber, 95yds 2ft 3Jin 3 Hurdle Race; 410yds. Open to all comers. Webber 1 Kirby 2 Lyford 3 A good start was obtained, but Hulston put himself out by touching the first hurdle. Webber kept the lead all the way from the jump, winning by about four yards. Kirby and Lyford contested for second place, and came in as indicated. Men's Race; 100yds. (District.) First prize, £l los ; second, 10s. C. Scrimshaw 1 G. Horner 2 J. Cosgrave 3 A protest was raised against Scrimshaw on the ground of his not being a resident of the district. They met subsequently, and disallowed the protest on the evidence brought forward. 200 Yards' Race (boys under fifteen). First prize, 20s ; second, 10s ; third, ss. (Run in heats.) First Heat. A. Scrimshaw 1 E.Ford 2 S. McSaveny 3 Second Heat. Lowry 1 A. Fcrimshaw 2 J. Horner 3 Final Heat. A. Scrimshaw 1 Lowry ... ... ... ... 2 Ford 3 Vaulting with Pole—Open to all comers. First prize, £l los ; second, 15s. E. Webber, 10ft lin 1 A. Ameys, 9ft lin 2 In this contest some splendid vaulting was exhibited all round, but chiefly by Webber, whose skill was much admired.

Two-mile Handicap Walking Match—Open to all comers. First prize, JE3 ; second, £1 10s. Wilson 1 C. J. Lawrence 2 J. Beece 3 \ The following entered: —J. C. Wilscn, scratch; R. Whiting, 80 yds; John Orr, 90 yds; E. Urges, 90 yds; C. T. Laurence, 90 yds; J. Rcece. 90 yds ; G. Bishop, 90 yds; W. Jackson, 90ydB ; J. E. J. Darby, 100 yds ; J. McCourt, 150 yds ; A. Godfrey, 170 yds; E. Ford, 170 yds ; R. Clark, 200 yds. / This was a very interesting contest. The three foremost boys walked well, Wilson especially being in splendid form, and walking grandly. Laurence also went in fine form, keeping the scratch man company for a considerable distance. Wilson, however, made an easy win, Laurence second about 20 yards behind, and Reece third, the rest nowhere, some of those who started having fallen out affcsr doing a few laps. 100 Yards Race; boys under sixteen. First prize, £1 5s ; second, 12s 6d; third, ss. H. Lowry „, 1 A. Scrinuhaw... ... ... ... 2 W. G. Goodwin 3 440 Yards Race; boys under Bixteen. First prizo, £1 10s ; second, 20s ; third, 10s. A. Scrimshaw... ... ... ... 1 W. G. Goodwin 2 H. Lowry ... ... ... ... 3 Married Women's Pace ; 100 vards. Firßt prize, box of tea ; Becond, box of soap ; third, bag of flour. Mrs Forster 1 Mrs Stephenson 2 Mrs Milne 3 Throwing Hammer (141 b). First prize, £1 ; second, 10s. W. Willis 1 J. Brodie 2 Hop, Step and Jump. First prize, £1 ; second, 10s. T. Lyford 1 J. Orr 2 Running Long Jump. First prize, £1 ; second, 10s. Lyford (16ft 6in) 1 Orr (16ft lAin) 2 Putting the Stone. First prize, £1 ; second, 10s. Brodie, 15ft 6in 1 McDonncl, 15ft 4in 2 Pig with Greasy Tail. John Orr was the successful man in this event, which caused a good deal of amusement. He caught the porcine trophy and carried it off in triumph. This brought the programme to a close. THE TOWN HALL.

The new hall, of which a description appeared in a recent issue of the Pbbss, was opened in tho evening, when an excellent dramatic entertainment was given by Mrs Walter Hill and Mr E. Alexander and others. The programme consisted of the drama " Paris in 1792, or The Angel of the Attic," and a farce " Tho Day after the Wedding." The hall was crowded, and the performance went off very successfully. During an interval Mr O. E. Briggs, at the request of several gentlemen, stepped on the stage and thanked those present for their attendance. He also congratulated the Papanui people on the success of the day's sports, which he said had far surpassed the most sanguine expectations of the committee. The support they had met with was such that endeavor would be made to have a similar gathering each year. He apologised for any little drawbacks there might be in the arrangements of the house, the present opening being somewhat premature, and again thanked them for their attendance. It may be mentioned that the acoustic properties of the Papanui Town Hall are very good, and the stage, with its properties, worthy of many more pretentious buildings of the kind. Trams ran to and from Papanui up to twelve o'clock for the convenience of visitors from town, of whom there were a good many present at the entertainment.