SIR J. VOGEL'S RECEPTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 47, 18 February 1876, Page 4

SIR J. VOGEL'S RECEPTION.

(A' Z. Times) . Everybody was on the look-out; for the signal for the steamer all eyes being directed towards the station. Shortly before eight o'clock the Arawata was sighted, and the Avalanche discharged three shots from the big guns in announcement of the fact. This caused an increased rush, and very soon the entire length of the wharf was crowded, so that it could not hold more, and the crowd of people in the vicinity of the Pier Hotel was something wonderful to behold. It has seldom been the lot of any to witness such, a general and enthusiastic demonstration of popular feeling, even in towns of an extent much larger than Wellington. There was an evidence of unity and oneness of sentiment which more than all things else bespoke the genuine desire to do honor to Sir Juliua Yogel. Altogether there were 10,000 people present, and this is putting it down at the lowest estimate. The carriage which was to convey the Premier to his home, was stationed some little distance from the wharf, and here a tremendous crowd collected, an open space to the door of the carriage being maintained by the police, who acted admirably, displaying a good humor throughout that was especially commendable, considering the really arduous and unpleasant nature of their work. The fire brigades headed by the Artillery band, proceeded up the wharf in marching order, and were shortly afterwards followed by torch-bearers. After eight the crowd on the wharf rapidly increased, and the police bad very great difficulty in clearing away, a small space for the accommodation of Lady Yogel and party, and the Reception Committee, the Mayor and Councillors, the city members, and other prominent townsmen. About half-past eight a light suddenly shot into view off Point Jeringham, and a thousand voices simultaneously rang in the air, "Here's the Arawata." The Pleiades sent up a couple of rockets, and in a second or two a stream of fire from the approaching vessel answered the first note of welcome. The other vessels immediately took up the cue, and the cannon and rockets, blue lights and Roman candles, and fireworks of all kinds were discharged from the ships Pleiades, Commonwealth, Howrab, Shakespeare, Avalanche, and the other vessels in port. Captain Underwood kept the game alive on the Arawata ; and the bay for half an hour presented a most brilliant appearance from the distant hills and the Terrace, which latter was the place chosen by many onlookers. The sight must have been perfectly magnificent, and worthy of remembrance for many years. The Arawata steamed up the harbor very slowly, and so gave time for the perfecttiug of final arrangements ; and besides this, some little delay was necessarily cieated through having to stop to take on board the other members of trie Ministry at preseut in Wellington, Who had gone out in the Government steam launch, and came alongside the steamer off Harwell point. Within a few hundred yards of the wharf the gunwales of the Arawata were illuminated from Btem to stern with, blue lights, and the Pleiades and John Milton answered by exhibiting blue lights from the yardarms; Led off by his Worship the Mayor, the crowd commenced the cheer of welcome, which for a couple of minutes wus thoroughly defeaning. Meanwhile the fire brigades had formed in line one deep the whole length oi whirf, and the police, after Birenuous efforts, bad succeeded in clearing a narrow line through the living mass for the party to pass along. As the steamer was mooring the brigades lit their torches, colored fires were burnt, and by the aid of this grand illumination Sir Julius Yogel was discovered in the afterpart of the vessel, surrounded by the Premier (Bon. Dr. Pollen), the Colonial Treasurer (Hon. Major Atkinson), the Minister for Juatice (Hon. Mr Bowen), and the Minister for Customs (Hon. Mr Reynolds). A very large number of gentlemen went on board and shook bands with Sir Julius. He looked rather worn and ill, and walked with considerable difficulty. After some few minutes spent in mv ml congratulation?, the party proceeded to diaerabark ; and as Sir Julius Yogel, leaning upon the arm of the Mayor, and supported on the other Bide by E. W. Mills, Eeq , stepped on to the wharf, this was the signal for more vociferous cheering, which continued at intervals along the line of route to the carriage at the weigbouse. " ~~ " — - — "*-~ ~ —' : ~~- — iFootball has been played out, and in

England a mania for skating on rollers is steadily increasing, and if it continues much longer (says the London correspondent of the Press) two-thirds of the population will be pu wheels. There is hardly a town in England now without its skating rink. Brighton has four, and as to Loudon, rinks are starting up in all directions. There are also in the -country and the suburbs of towns many private rinks, and "tea and skating afc four p.m." is a frequent form of invitation now. The roller skate itself is the invention of an American, a Mr Plimpton, who has of course taken out a patent for it, and anything that is possible to a skater on the ice can be achieved with the Plimpton skate on asphalte. It is not more than eighteen months since its introduction amongst us, but so general has the accomplishment become that to confess inability to skate on wheels is an admission as humiliating to a young petson as to say that he or she cannot dance. Has Christchurch a skating rink yet? If nofc, cover a level piece of ground with asphalte, obtain a concession from Mr Plimpton for the use of his patent, and set your young people going on wheels. It will not be long, I'll be bound, before their example is followed by their elders. It is without doubt a most healthful recreation, and I commend it to those with torpid livers.