THE RICHMOND FETE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 276, 2 December 1879, Page 2

THE RICHMOND F ETE.

Barometers hanging in the houses of residents in or near Richmond who were interested in yesterday* 9 proceedings — and who in the district was not?— have had a hard time of it lately, frequent having been the tap-tappings to which they were subjected in the longing hope that they might be induced to rise. But the weather continued to be more and more threatening, until at last even the most hopeful began to despair, and yesterday morning when the rain was falling as heavily as ever, it seemed certain that the preparations for the thousands of visitors who were expected on the ground had been made in vain. But better luck was in store for the Richmond Fire Brigade and their friends, for between nine and ten the rain c ased and the clouds began to break, and shortly afterwards there was bright sunshine. The Volunteers left town by the 9 30 train, and the 10 30 and 12 30 trains took large numbers from town, while the country also contributed its quota, and about 20Q0 must have visited the ground during the day. The proceedings commenced with a parade of the Volunteers, after which they went through a vari ty of manoeuvres under the command of Major Pitt, Captaia tiunny acting as adjutant. There was then a sham fight, after which the Volunteers were drawn up in a hollow square for the purpose of making a

Presentation to Mb. Canning.

Major Pitt, after expressing bis regret that General Davidson, who was to have been th? reviewing officer, was prevented by temporary indisposition from being present, said that the pleasing duty had fallen to his lot of asking Mr Canning to accept a purse of sovereigns wherewith to purchase some article which, when he was far away, would remind him of the Nelson Volunteers. The intrinsic value of the gift was not great, for the subscription had been limited to a shilling, but what to Mr Canni g would, he felt sure, be of far greater importance, was the kindly feeling towards him by which it was accompanied. The Volunteers were desirous of showing him how highly they appreciated the kindness he had invariably displayed towards them in allowing them the use of his grounds for the Easter encampment, and in many other ways, and he now, on their behalf, aiked him to accept this small token of their good will. Mr Canning said that he felt very grateful indeed for the kindly gift and for the friendly feeling which prompted the Volunteers in presenting it. Had he known that this was to forai part of the proceedings ha would have shrunk from takiog so prominent a part in getting them up, but he was ignoraut of it until a few days ago. He was afraid that they had over estimated any little services that he had rendered them, for they had always been to him a labor of love, as he had a very high respect for the Volunteers who were year by year attaining more importance as a defence force. The effects of having such a force had already been felt iu the colony, where, he believed, that tbe knowledge of* i s existance, and of the willingness that the members exhibited to take the field in the North Island, bad tended greatly to prevent the Maoris from rising against the Europeans. Thinking, then, so highly of the Volunteers ! as he did. it was not to be wondered at that be should be anxious to do what he could for them. Once again he desired to thank them very heartily for thair kind present which he should value very greatly indeed. Major Pitt then called for three cheers for Mr Canning, which were given with a will, and then for three more for Mrs Canning, who had shown many acts of kindness to (he Volunteers at various times. It is needless to say that this invitation met with a very hearty response.

Tbc Lomcheow

was the next item on the programme, and one that was carried out quite as successfully a* any other part of the proceedings. Three long tables were Rpread under a marquee erected for the occasion, and these were laden with good things, as can be easily understood by those who read the long list of gifts which we published the cthar day. What the number was of those who partook of the refreshments it is impossible to say, but for two hours at least tbe relays appeared to be constant. Lunch over,

The Sports began, the costume cricket match being the first of these. The players, some of whom were remarkably well got up, first of all drove round the village of Richmond in a coach and four, proceeded by another .vehicle of the same kind in which were the Band, while two of the members did duty as outriders, one of them representing a Red Indian of the wildest and fiercest description, mounted on a beast that would have done credit to Chiarini's circus, being cleverly painted with zebra-like stripes, and the other a clown, who also looked as though he had broken loose from a circus, bestriding a pony that did not seem to care much about going without powerful persuasion. The following are the names of the players and of the characters they were intended to represent : —Mother Gum, Mr Pratt; Mias Gam, Mr JT.

W. Pit*} TobyTouralouraloo. Mr A. M'Geej Court Jester, Mr Blunt; Italian Clown, Mr Fecgusson; Niggers, Messrs Fairey, Roecoe, Mft,eary,aud Jackapn; Policeman, Mr Hurst; Dic£ Turpiii, Mr flfcersten; Copo,Mr Ho^dRed Indian, Mr Jones; Le Boucbjerj Mr Trask; Dr Pangloss, Mr Little; Countryman Mr Walker; Soldier, Mr Lammas; Shabby Ganteel, Mr Paaps ; Grandfather Beo, Mr Burn; Father Time, Mr Tovey; Kev Sliggina, Mr F. Stanton ; Miles Na Copal een, Mr M'Coroiack > Jemmy Bagga, Mr 11. MGee, and others. Arrived in the field they drove round and through tht crowd, then fcdulged id a foot race, as a sort of preliminary canter,' which was won by Mr F. N. Jonei, and then proceeded to play at cricket, in the course of which they afforded an immense amount of fun, and established rules which would have astonished the Australian eleven. Of the sports which followed, it was difficult to see anything, as tbe ground bad not been roped off, and the crowd was so great and pressed so closely upon the performers that it was otily those who secured an inside place who could obtain a view of what was going on. There was first of all a tug of war between teams from the Richmond and Nelson Fire Brigades, which was won by the former, tbe prize being a quarter of. lamb for each man of the winning team; a flat race of 220 yards was won by about a yard by C. Dee, who had 20 yards start, A. Askew, who started from scratch, being second ; a flat race for boys under twelve, first prize a tin of lollie , second a pot of jam: Bogel 1, Wooodhouse 2; Volunteer race, 150 yards, to be run in full dress with arms and accoutrements, Frazer 1, Newport 2 ; Old Men's face, competitors to be over 50, prize, a tobacco pouch and pi fie — Won by Mr R. Burn, beating two others. But what gave rise to more interest and excitement than anything else was the Tug of War between teams from the several Volunteer Companies, the prize being a side of mutton aud a bottle of pickles to each member of the winning teams. In the first struggle the Naval Brigade beat the Artillery ; then the City Rifles beat, first the Stoke Rifles and then the Waimea Company, after which they had to compete with the Navals, to whom, after a desperate struggle, they were compelled to haul down their flag. Tbe competition between the Nelson and Richmond Fire Brigades was the next item, and this was looked forward to with much interest. Shortly after six o'clock, a volume of smokt was seen to rise from a vast heap of brushwood, in which was concealed a tar barrel, and immediately the fireball rang out the alarm, upon wbich away started tbe two brigades with their engines, having to run nearly half a mile to reach the fire. The i town engine, which was rather more strongly | manned than the other, arrived and bad the hose plying in 6£ minutes, and tbe Richmond in seven minutes. The Salvage Corps did good service in keeping back the crowd, and thus giving free scope to the men of the brigades, who, however, allowed the big bonfire to burn itself out, to the great delight of all the children present, who, while they I were delighted to see the stream of water, did not care to see the fire extinguished. The remainder of the proceedings must be summarised very shortly. Tbe luncheon tables having been cleared of all tbe debris, were again laid for tea,- to which several hundreds sat down, and 1 theae again were in tbeir turn cleared away to make room for the audience at the concert and dramatic per formance given under the management of Mr Glover, on an impromptu stage erected at the end of the marquee. These were well attended, and appeared to! give satisfaction to all who were not disposed to be too critical, as none were likely to be on such an occasion. There was a display of fireworks during the evening, over which Mr W. H. West, of course, presided and a great burning of blue lights as tbe Volunteers marched to tbe station, and left it in tbe train. The Battalion Band enlivened the proceedings with some excellent music at intervals during the day, and were occasionally relieved by the Fife and Drum band of the Stoke Rifles, under the leadership of Mr Naylor. Everybody connected with the affair worked hard to make things go pleasantly and well, and the success which they undoubtedly achieved was thoroughly well earned. We have not yet heard what are the financial results of tho gathering, but they cannot prove otherwise than eminently satisfactory .