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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 18, 21 January 1880, Page 2

The # N.Z. Times is responsible for the following: — Au anecdote has been related to us, which, although it comes somewhat late in the day, is worth repeating. It appears that a party was given in the house of a well known citizen on New Year's Eve, at wbich a large number of guests were present. Among them were one or two who were strangers to the manners and customs of the people of Wellington ; and from their subsequent proceedings ifc would appear that the manners aud customs of the people of that part of the world from whence the came were equally strange to the people of Wellington. The conduct of these two gentlemen was inexplicable, if hot unpleasant, not to say decidedly improper. The clock had just struck the hour of midnight, thus announcing the advent of the new year when the strangers arose from their seats, and deliberately kissed every girl aud . woman in the room. The attack was so sudden that, with one or two exceptions, little opposition was offered, and one ropm having been disposed of the gentlemen in question made their way into the next, and there completed their osculatory exercises. Here two of the ladies refused point-blank to receive the New Year's endearments, both of them being married, and fearful that their husbands should be witnesses to this uncalled for breach of etiqutte. We are informed, however, that in the case of the young unmarried ladies the attentions were received in the same liberal spirit in which they were offered. Some of the gentlemen gathered together with clenched fists, while others openly talked about ejecting the offenders from the house. These latter returned to the room where the first act of the kissing drama had taken place, all smiles, and with extended hands to the gentlemen. When they found how offended these latter were, they expressed their surprise, explaining that they had only done what was the general custom in Christchurch, from which place ifc seems they came. They had no wish to give offence — had thought that as strangers it was their duty to set a good example in ushering in the new year, and expressed their regret if they had given any offence. The ladies all smilingly accepted the apologies, as did likewise the gentlemen, after some demur. Referring to the Thousand Pound Prize offered by the Wanganui Racing Club, to be run for next March, and which should be an inducement for some thoroughly first-class horses .from all part 3 of this and the neighboring colonies to be sent, the Australasian says : — ln these dull times the announcement which appeared in the last issue of this journal, that the Wanganui Turf Club, in New Zealand, has offered a cup of one thousand pounds to be run for next March, quite took us by surprise. Lately, most colonial racing clubs have been reducing the value of the prizes given, and except at what may be termed the great racing centres, like Melbourne and Sydney, economy has been the order of the day, Wanganui thus flashes out suddenly upon us like one of those brilliant stars that at times shine with increased brightness in the heavens, and then suddenly wane and almost die out. We hare had some instances of sudden effulgence in the case of one or two racing clubs in this and the neighboring colonies. We trust, however, that the brightness of the Wanganui Turf Club may become a permanent light in the racing world of New Zealand, and that the evidence of its prosperity, shown by the large amount added to the Wanganui Cup, rests on a sound basis." We (says the Picton Press) have gold, v silver, lead, copper, coal, iron, plumbago, and other minerals within this district, besides other natural productions, the existence of which has been clearly demonstrated, but it has remained for quite recent times to show that there is a possibility of a discovery being made that will eclipse all the others. A few days since there was exhibited in Picton a number of small stones pronounced by experts to be diamonds, and some of them were sent to obtain the opinion of Dr Hector. The stones shown were small in size, but the best had been picked out, and it was stated that one had been sold for £30. For obvious reasons the exact locality of the find was not divulged, but should it turn out as is anticipated, diamond diggings will be added to our other industries, and some' lupky fellows may proye

fortunate enough to obtain a second Koh-i---noor af the Marlborough Diamond Fields.