BOXING DAY.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 52, 30 December 1867, Page 326

BOXING DAY.

. Exctr^o 17 : «> Dania .Rook and' Kidnappea.—The paiddle steamer ‘ Cleopatra,’n6w a general favorite with the good people of JSrapiQr, sfcarfcod on her excursion! trip to. Pania Reef arid EJidnapper on Box-| ■Day,—steaming from .the: Government Wharf at, 10:30 a.'m., thavipg been detained for about • half-an-hour waiting for one of the band. f The .‘number of . persons—among whom we were pleased to notice- a goodly sprinkling .of the fair sex—who availed themselves'of a 1 .day’s pleasure Of a rare description! in Napier might- -.bo roughly estimated at about one hundred. The ‘ Gxeopatra,’ after leaving" her snug berth in the .Iron Pot steamed round the barque 1 John Bunyan,’ and the ship * Eckunga,’ (the two-fine vessels destined to convey to the mother country; the past year’s clip of the staple commodify of our little province) now riding at anchor in our magnificent roadstead: Friendly greetings being ex-' changed, full steam a-head for the Pania Reef was made, where she anchored about noon.. Eishing-and partaking of some refreshment (of which, owing to the foresight of Mr Forrester, the steward, there was no lack) now became the order of the day. A pleasant hour being spent in this mining the steamer was once more ploughing the water, heading for Cape Kidnapper, near jvhioh • she. dEopped anchor about three b clock. Two boats alongside were immediately in requisition,' and a large proportion of the excursionists were soon ashore. “Leave of absence” for two hours was kindly allowed by Captain Palmer, which time was well 'spent in bathing, dancing, racing, &o. The , 4 Cleopatra ’ started on her return trip about five o’clock, and after a couple of hours’ easy steaming the Iron Pot was entered,—large numbers of people being on the Spit to welcome their friends,' —the brass band meanwhile appropriately playing “Home, Sweet Home,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and other heart-stirring'airs winding up with “ Sod save the Queen.” The steamer once alongside the wharf the excursionists were not long in getting on shore, arid quickly, dispersed to their respective homes. This trip of the ‘Cleopatra s ’ may be set down as a complete success, and . .when we say that every one who went in her thoroughly enjoyed themselves, we do so without fear of contradiction. Nota few—and we confess we had our own misgivings about the matter—predicted an accident of some kind'; and we know of several who did not go in the steamer lest their fears should be realised. Hapnily, however, nothing whatever occurred to mar the universal enjoyment. The day was warm and clear, a gentle north-easter tempering the heat; the sea was smooth, and the steamer went through the water beautifully,— no rolling, so distasteful to landsmen, being experienced. Captain Palmer, Mr Riutledge, and others connected with the steamer did all in their power to make the excursionists, comfort•iblej—the brass band which played some favorite airs at intervals throughout' the day, contributing greatly to the general ienjoyment; It will be seen that another excursion trip is announced for New Year’s Day, and we only hope the good little steamer will be as well patronised as she was oh Boxing Day. Band of Hope Tbeat.—The usual annual Band of Hope festival was held on Thursday'last, in Mr Parker’s paddocks at Waitangi, and; judging from the numbers that:attended; and the many ways in which they amused themselves, it. was the most successful gathering the • Association has had.. According to notice previously given, children from all parts of the town came flocking in to the • appointed ■ gathering place, St. Paul?s School-room, so that at the appointed, hour (9 a.m.) over one hundred children had met, each and all,showing ]fy their smiling faces their determination, to eiijoy themselves. Before leaving the school nearly all'had banners or. flags given them to carry; and the gay appearance the children showed with them on marching through Hastings-street, was a sight that has rarely, if. ever, been seen in Napier before. On returning to the school, a dozen carts - were found ranged in order to receive them, and it was with pleasure, we noticed that the various carters bad done their • best, to -give their horses a holiday appearance j which with their wellbrushed hides, the ornaments on the harness polished up, and* the drivers themselves so obliging and agreeable, made it quite a pleasure to look at them.' By halfpast nine the- procession got fairly Btarted, and the. gay appearance it showed, along the White Road, with the, many-coloured flags and banners streaming : in the wind,-, was really admirable. In; the front cart there appeared' a large and very neatly got-iip banner, •• having bn. one side the words, “ Napieb Band, of Hope,” and. on the other side, “ Pbevention is be rTEB. than Cube.” ' ’ In the getting-up of ihekb banners,great taste, had evidently been displayed. .Qn, reaching the paddock the children'dispersed,' and‘soon’ occupied themselves ;in those games usually . played at such gatherings. - The, artesian, well; we need scarcely add,; was a source of attraction! toa great many. Soon after the - atrfyal.of the Napier procession the, pUve contingent ihade their appearance, . and jomed :in the ;. various amusements ; for thofy who were fond of. “ tripping the light toe ' not waiiting/ During the cohrseVof the day many., parties from ; the neighboring ;districts visited the, fieltl.' - The feeding' de partinentwas. ;uhder-th6’Cbarge i; ofrthxee ho übiggajsi of: goocl thihgsfymilk and tea for the thirsty, bread and -beef for the >lmhgry i-andjudging froio tlib crowds constantly rpand the Are; certain Hheir .office .n sinecure.^. ’ (DhV.tnaking ■ enquiries “of 1 the

tion was .really enormous-buns that were counted by. thg gross jl cakes and, loaves by the score ; : inilk 'unknown. *in quantity ; nuts, figs, and raisins by the basketful disappeared with marvellous quickness, insomuch, that the committee had not the slightest'difficulty- with any .remainder. 'At the close of .the day the children were gathered together,’ and under the direction of Mr Palmer, sang several Temperance Hymns, finishing up with “ Hod save .the Queen. after* which loud and hearty were the 1 cheers that were given to' Mr Parker and lady for the great kindness they had shown to each and all throughout the day, also for there. gienerdsity in granting the use of the paddock, and for sup plying a quantity of milk. The procession starting homeward soon reached town in safety, when the children, after singing the National Anthem, and giving three cheers for those gentlemen who had provided the treat for them, dispersed to their several homes all well pleased with their day’s enjoyment. During the course of the day there were close upon two hundred children and friends from Napier in the field, and about ninety from Clive ; there were also about 30 conveyances •of all sorts and sizes present, besides a great number of saddle horses. Gf-reat praise is due to Messrs Palmer, Townley, and Large for the veiy successful manner in which every arrangement was carried out ; and we are glad to hear that although the expenses were heavy, yet the subscriptions more than cover all.