KAIKOURA NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 150, 26 December 1868, Page 5

KAIKOURA NEWS.

We have the most authentic information that Kaikoura has been made a port of entry, and that H. Pilliett. Esq„ has been appointed Collector of Customs. We notice Messrs Clemett and Turner have commenced the erection of their ballroom. It is separate from the hotel, and measures 36 feet long and 18 wide. On Sunday last Messrs Brunnell and Cross, of the South Bay, captured a blackfish 12 feet long. The captors expect it to yield about 40 gallons of oil. The late heavy gales have, been felt rather severely along the coast northwards. A great number of trees have been blown across the track, rendering it almost impassable. It is with great pleasure we notice the celebration of the opening of Messrs. Harris and Marks’s new store. The building is not altogether finished, the windows and inside fittings being required to complete it. It is built of Hew Zealand timber, the dimensions being 40 feet long and 22 feet wide, with 11 foot studs. The building adds immensely to the decoration of the town. Indeed, should one or two more edifices be erected in our town, we would commence to imagine that some of our “ American Cousins” had, paid us a visit to teach us thp art of progress. On Wednesday evening Messrs. Harris and Marks

gave a ball in their new store, by private invitation, which was well responded to, there being about 120 persons present. The room was gaily dressed with flags of various nations, and the walls were hung with large drawing-room pictures, which gave the room a very neat appearance. At about nine o’clock the room began to assume a very lively appearance by the flow into it of many smiling faces. The band having started the music, the happy couples began to whirl round the room. Dancing was kept up till after day had began to dawn. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves, and the whole affair passed off with the greatest eclat. After the dancing was concluded a deputation waited upon Messrs Harris and Marks to thank them for the very cordial and liberal manner in which they had repefved their guests.— Herald.