PAHAUTANUI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5228, 24 December 1877, Page 2

PAHAUTANUI .

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) On Friday evening last Mr. and Mrs.,Hillen gave a dinner to celebrate the opening of their new hotel at Pahautanui. Mr. Beauchamp, of Wellington, was elected chairman, and Mr. McDonald, of Horokiwi Valley, vicechairman.. About seventy guests sat down to dinner, and did ample justice to the good things provided. It was really an excellent spread, and was served up in the very best style, reflecting great credit upon the givers of the feast, and as the chairman very justly remarked, it. showed what they could do when occasion called for it. The roomin which the babies were spread was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, and when the room was lighted up it had a very pleasing effect. The usual loyal. toasts having been drunk, they were followed by others, which were given and responded to in a suitable manner. Some very good songs were also sung during the evening by the assembled guests, several of whom were loudly encored. Mr. Beauchamp, the chairman, discharged the duties of his position in a very agreeable and efficient manner, and by his ready wit and repartee added not a little to the enjoyment of the evening. The company broke up about eleven o'clock a f ter singing “ Auld Lang Syne.” All appeared thoroughly satisfied with the pleasant evening they had spent together. According to previous notice, Mr. Beauchamp held the first of a series of auction sales on Friday last at Pahautanui in Mr

Hillon’s paddock. There were very few buyers present, probably, owing to...the short notice which had been given; but as these sales are to be held monthly, and Mr. Hiilen intends to erect suitable yards for the accommodation of stock, they will in time no doubt be better patronised. Several horses were sold at prices ranging from £3 up to £lO 1 Cs.; 100 fat wether sheep at 4s. 9d. per bead, and 120 store wethers at 3s. per head. Some cattle were offered for sale, but there were no buyers. A fat sheep, weighing 2321b5. (alive), has been sent in to Wellington by Mr. R. Smith for the Christmas show. It was fattened on Mr. John Galloway's farm at Pahautanui.