Lyell Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1885.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 254, 2 January 1886, Page 2

Lyell Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1885.

The monthly cleaning for the United Alpine will take place to-day. There were only 20 men emplo} r ed during the week in the mine and those were chiefly engaged filling-in. The other mines on the field were only partially manned, owing to the Christmas holidays, consequently we are unable to furnish a mining report in this issue. At the last sitting of the Warden's Court here, Mr Bird, R.M., said that recent instructions from the Commissioner of Crown Lands being to the effect that no more residence areas should be granted in this district, those parties interested in the matter, might make a note of it, and so avoid the trouble and delay attached to the process of making applications in the usual way.

One of the most successful children's pic-nics ever held in Lyell took place yesterday. The weather was everything to be desired, and at 1 o'clock, p.m., the children lormed in procession, headed by the local band, and were marched to a paddock close to the town where swings and every kind of amusement was provided for them. The day was filled up with races, scrambles for lollies, and every description of amusement most affected by youngsters. During the day Mr Inglis (violin), Mr Pea ce (accordeon),

and Mr Ritchie, (organ), contributed the music for dancing, and their services were in good demand. '■ The whole proceedings from beginning to end are spoken of in the highest terms of approbation by those present, which rtf&cts great credit on the small committee, consisting of four gentlemen and a lady, who undertook the carrying out of the pic-nic at two days' notice. A welcome sourca of revenue was provided by selling gate tickets, and the demand for the shilling in every instance was readily acceeded to. The onerous duty of keeping th« ?ates was entrusted to Mr Edward Ccirroll, and the manner in which he sold ind resold tickets can only be accounted !or by the amount of money in excess of tickets which he was enabled to hand >ver to the Committee. There will be a surplus left in the hands of the Committee after paving all accounts, which they intend to deposit as the neuclus of a fund for a pic-nic to be held at St. Patrick's or 011 the 24th May. 1 he holiday sports at Lyell were carried out in a thoroughly successful manner, the greatest harmony and good feeling prevailing. The generally expressed opinion by those returning from having spent their holidays in other parts of the Coast is one of regret in not having remained at home. The programme was a lengthy one and was carried out to the end, the last race being run close on to midnight, and proved a closely contested affair, establishing beyond doubt the pedestrian abilities of one of our leading bonifaces. The following is the result of the days running Maiden Race, 150 yards ; Franks and Edge ran a dead heat and divided first and second prizes, £'2 and .£l. The Lyell Handicap for prizes of £'s, £'2, and ill, was won by Harrison, Kearns and Alsen dividing £'l 10s each. Boys' Race was won by T. Kearns, with Murray and Do Hi more first and second. For the girls race, Annie Kearns succeded in getting to the tape first with Mary Murray a good second. The Collar and Elbow wrestling : Ist prize, £*3 ; 2nd prize, £l, was secured by W. Quinn, and J. Mannix second. The Putting the Stone contest was also secured by W. Quinn, who in very good style succeeded

in putting the metal 27ft. J. Mannix J again taking second place with a distance^ ttf9.fift. 1 flirt A 9GO_vgvile.^3' won by H. Pearee, with B. Franks second. This concluded the advertised programme, when a number of other events were improvised, which afforded a prolonged and altogether enjoyable day's recreation.

The following report of the Central Buller Races is supplied by our special correspondent:—l catiuot allow the opportunity to pass without referring to one of the most enjoyable days that I have spent for some time, at the Upper Buller Races, on Monday last. The weather was all that could be desired, and everybody present seemed fully bent on a day's enjoymeut, and harmony and good fellowship seeme 1 to be the order of the day. Four conveyances arrived from Lyell crowded with as jolly a lot of passengers as ever visited the Upper Buller district. After partaking of a good dinner, thoughtfully piovided by host Smith, the crowd made their way to the course. The first event was a hack race, for which four horses started, Mr M'Dowall's grey mare Jilt being landed the winner. For the second, also a hack race, the honour fell to Mr Savage's chestnut mare Maid of Honour. The third race was the Buller Handicap, which I might state was a complete boil over. There were three horses entered for this event, Syringa, Irish Molly 0, and the Jilt. Syriuga was made a hot favourite, and Molly 0 had several friends, but the Jilt turned the tables by winning easily, with Syringa second. The fourth, a handicap hack race, was won easily b) Smith's Jack. The filth race (consolation stake) was won by Syringa. A private match came off between Mr Rait's Nell and Mr Smith's Light; this in reality was the race of the day, both horses being well mounted and carefully ridden. Nell was the favourite at about 5 to 1, and Light could find but very few friends. I had a good look at her myself, just on account of the odds, but I found she was carrying a knee about five sizes too large for my fancy, consequently I declined her. However, she was landed the winner by several lengths, both horses doing their level best. This terminated the racing, and all hands made their way to partake of Mr Smith's hospitality in the sh ipe of a good substantial meal, after which dancing immediately started and continued until after the small hours, when those living in the vicinity made their way home. The Lyell conveyances started in the afternoon, giving three cheers for the people of the district and the Upper Buller Races.