ANNIVERSARY FETE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 155, 23 January 1847, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY FETE.

Yesterday the seventh Anniversary of this settlement was celebrated with the usual races and other amusements. The weather proved uncommonly fine, which added greatly to the day's enjoyments. The number of spectators was considerably increased by the soldiers stationed in the town, whose uniform enlivened the scene, and the ships of war in the harbour contributed their proportion to the numbers bent on obtaining amusement. A large stand covered in with a tarpauling was erected for the convenience of the ladies, and several booths and other temporary places of refreshment were provided by the different inkeepers for the accommodation of their castoniers." In another part of the ground advantage was taken of the occasion by some charitably disposed persons to establish a small fancy fair for the benefit of the day schools of Wellington. Another feature, and to us not the least interesting one was the number of natives present, who appeared equally disposed with the settlers to participate in and enjoy the diversions of the annual holiday. The occasion is perhaps of greater importance to them than to us, as the attempt to colonize New Zealand must have the most material influence on their improvement and civilisation, and opportunities like the present display the good feeling existing between the two races. During the past year we have seen the natives of this district ready to share the common danger when the settlement was attacked, and unite their efforts in driving the rebels from the district, and yesterday they were equally ready to join in the fun and diversions of the Anniversary. During the whole of the previous day the town was filled with natives (belonging to the road parties and others from the coast) busily engaged in laying out their say-

ings in purchases of clothing and other necessaries, and the contrast was very striking between their appearance yesterday and on the previous anniversary ; very few of the Maories yesterday were dressed in mats and blankets, and if the march of improvement continues at the present rate, and the Natives acquire by their industry the means of gratifying their recently acquired tastes, in a few years we may hope to find them, in external appearance at least, entirely conformed to the usages of civilisation. To return, however, from this digression to a description of the day's amusements, which commenced with a sailing match between the following boats : — Mr. Schultze's Edward Stanley Mr. G. Young's .... Emma Jane - Mr. Fyfe's Fidele The Fidele soon gave up the contest, and the struggle was between the other two : from her superior tonnage it was decided by the the Committee that the Edward Stanley, to win, should come in five minutes before the other boats, but this she easily accomplished, having besides two minutes and a half to spare. The following whaleboats started for the rowing match :— Mr. G. Allen's Water Witch Captain Stanley's Kai langata Captain Stanley's Calliope At starting one of the men in the Kai langata broke an oar, and not having a spare oar in the boat, this accident gave their opponents the advantage which they maintained to the end of the race, which was stoutly contested, Allen's boat coming in first. There was also a sailing match between three skiffs, which was won easily by Mr. Varnham's Yanhey Dnodle beating the other two. Hurdle Race. — Owing to some disputes and objections this race was at first postponed but afterwards matters were arranged, when the" folio wing horses started : — Mr. Yelverton's. . . . Caffre. . . . Owner Mr. M'Namana's . . Mazei'pa. . Owner Mr. Hay's Rainbow. . Middleton Mr. Hunter's .... Zamot . . Watt At starting the horses kept well together, and took the first leap in excellent style ; the second time round Rainbow refused the third leap, and Mr. Watt was thrown by Zamor, so that the race lay between Caffre ' and Mazeppa ; the two horses cleared the last leap together, but as they neared the winning post Caffre shot ahead, and won by a length. In the second heat Mazeppa proved himself the strongest horse, and had clearly the advantage, and was in a fair way of winning, when his ol«l habits returned upon him, and within a hundred yards of the last leap he pulled up and refused to go on, so that Caffre passed him and won easily. In the Hack race seven horses started, the first heat was won by Naughty Boy, Rifleman being second, the two next were won by Phormium Tenax, which was very well rode by Boxer. There was a capital Hack race got up between Maori riders for Five pounds given by the Committee, which afforded considerable amusement. Five started, and the race was one by a native named Philip. The Mule race, which came off last, afforded a good deal of sport and was closely contested, Mr. Moore's Bessy, •which was rode by Boxer, was- the winner. To-day's amusements will consist of the race for the Beaten Stakes, a race between Maori riders for five pounds, a race between two five-oared whaleboats, the Rifle match, and Rural sports.

Wellington Savings Bank. — Mr. John Wade, Mr. John Wallace, Mr. Thomas Waters, and Colonel William Wakefield, the Managers in rotation, will attend to receive deposits at Mr. Ross's office, from seven to eight o'clock on Saturday evening, the 23d January, 1847, and at the Union Bank of Australia, from twelve to one o'clock on Monday forenoon, the 25th Januafy.

Wanganui. — By the recent arrivals from Wunganui we learn that the harvest had commenced in that district, and the settlers were busily engaged in reaping their wheat. Some difficulty had been experienced in the erection of the Stockade, owing to the loose and sandy nature of the soil, which will cause some delay and additional labour in the execution of the works. H.M.S. Races horse paid a second visit to this settlement on the 19th, on her way, back to Wellington, and left a whaleboat for the use of the detachment stationed here. On the afternoon of the same day a private of the 58th regiment was unfortunately drowned in the river by the upsetting of a small canoe a short distance from the shore. The body had not been found up to the time of our correspondent's letter closing.