FESTIVITIES AT WAIHI.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 456, 6 September 1879, Page 2

FESTIVITIES AT WAIHI.

[Communicated.] Tub camp of tlio reservo force of the Armed Constabulary at Waiiii was last week the scene of unusual gaiety. During the past three months, the station has been the scene of bustle and confusion, consequent on the arrival and departure of drafts of men, enrolling recruits, and the work incidental to a large company of military men suddenly brought together. The weather during the winter has been extremely wet, making camp life anything but agreeable, nevertheless much work has been done in drilling, target practice, skirmishing, and other duty necessary to an efficient and trained force. The hard work gave place last week to a few days relaxation, in preparation for the ontcrtaintainniL'nt of a team of football players of men of the corps from Opunake. On Friday, Major Goring, accompanied by his team, arrived at Waihi, and wore received by throe hearty cheers, and many expressions of welcome. Preparations had been going on to entertain our visitors in as hearty and hospitable a manner as the resources of the district would permit, and as far as possible in a degree equal to that shown by Opunake to the Waihi Football Team a few weeks ago. The first portion of the programme was a dancing party, which took place in one of the block-houses in the Redoubt, on Friday night. The room had been tastefully decorated with ferns, rifles, flags, and swords, and when lighted up had a very pleasing and effective appearance. The ladies present from the station, Hawera, and Normanby, most elaborately and tastefully attired, gave the intended modest dance all the brilliant display of a fashionable ball, and “ When music arose with its voluptuous swell, Soft eyes looked love to eyes that spake again, And all went merry as a marriage bell,” The company numbered about one hundred, among whom were Captain Marshall, commanding the station, SubInspectors Taylor and Baker, and several citizens of the neighbouring townships. Dancing commenced about 8 o’clock, and was kept up with unflagging spirit .till 4 in the morning. Refreshments of a recherche. nature were provided for the dancers in a marquee, and everything was done by the members of the force to make the occasion one of pleasure to theirgnests, and creditable to themselves, and they had the satisfaction of hearing most complimentary econminms passed upon all the arrangements. Saturday opened brilliantly as to weather, and when at 2.30 o’clock the contending teams took the field for the footbal match, there must have been nearly 300 people on the ground, many of the fair sex gracing the contest with their presence. The visiting team were captained by Major Goring, and the home team by Mr T. Wolner. The former being determined to regain if possible the laurels wrested from them by Waihi on their own ground a few weeks ago, a keen contest was anticipated, and much interest was taken in the game by the spectators. Wolner, captain of Waihi, won the toss for position, and Opunake opened the play by a kick-off by Kyle, which his supporters played smartly up to Waihi goal line, and after a hard fight, in which desperate efforts were made by both sides, Opunake scored half-a-point. M, Bleascl resumed with a good kick for Waihi, sending the ball •vrell into their opponents’ lines, but Opunake showed themselves equal to a fight, and succeeded in getting the ball hack into the centre of the field. Wolner seized the ball and made a determined run, but was collared by Murphy, passing the ball,however, smartly to Mulcahy, who ran with it into goal, giving Waihi

the kick for goal. M. Bleasel made good nse of his opportunity, and made a poster, thus scoring three for Waihi. Time being called, Waihi kicked off, and tho ball was briskly returned by Opunake backs, bringing the players together in a ruck, when an exciting scrimmage took place, both sides, and particnlary the captains, fighting hard for victory. Wolnor again made a run with the ball, but was baulked by Kyle, who was well supported by Opunake. Packer, however, collared the ball, and by splendid running scored another try for Waihi. An indifferent kick-off brought about a great contest, which ultimately resulted in a three point score for Waihi. Opunake then made half-a-point. The ball being once more in play, Opunake carried it well on to Waihi goal line, cansing a maul in goal, and a determined struggle between Reardon and Leary for the visiting team, and Mann and Wolner for the home team, resulted in half-a-point for tho former. Tho play was continued with great spirit, the players on both sides determined to yield nothing, but when time was called at 5 o’clock, the game closed in favor of Waihi by (5 points to 2. The exertions of the players on both sides gave great satisfaction to their respective backers, but special mention may bo made of the play of Major Goring, who seemed determined to fight to tho bitter end, the forwards of both sides also displaying plenty of pluck. The result of the game was very gratifying to tho friends ol Waihi, as tins makes the third match won by the Club in the last month. The duties of umpire were well performed by Mr Riley, for Opunake, and Mr Cunningham, of Hawera, for Waihi. In tho evening the visitors wore entertained at a dinner, which was laid out with much taste in the block-house. The viands were choice and varied, and tho liquors of first-class quality, the whole arrangements reflecting the greatest credit on Mr William Alfrey, who had undertaken the responsible duties of caterer, and well he carried out tho task. About 70 sat down to dinner, Captain Marshall occupying the chair, Sergeant Cliitty the viec-ehair. The Chairman was supported on each hand by tho captains and umpires of cadi team, and there wore also present Sub-Inspec-tors Taylor and Baker. The company were unfortunately deprived of the presence of Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts, commanding the division, who had been summoned early in the week to Wellington. After the good things had been done ample justice to by an appreciative company, Captain Marshall proposed tho loyal toast of “ The Queen and Royal Family,’’ which in an assemblage of military men, was done royal and loyal justice to. “ Tho Colonial Forces, and the Army and Navy,” was proposed in very complimentary terms by Mr Bate, and responded to on behalf of the Army by Captain Marshall, for tho Navy, Mr Allen Hutchison, and for the Colonial Forces, Mr Lukis. The Opunake team and captain was proposed by Sub-In-spector Taylor, and humourously responded to by Major Goring, who in turn gave the Waihi Team, to which Mr Wolner returned thanks. The umpires followed, and “ Tho Ladies,” proposed by Mr A. C. Mann, was drank with musical honours. Major Goring responded for the fair sox. Tho toast of “ The Press,” as a bulwark of our civil, religious, and political liberties, as an educating and instructive influence in tho community, was ably proposed by Mr Ogilvie, and responded to by Mr Bate. The committee, caterer, and decorators, were cordially toasted. Sergeant Chitty, in returning thanks, confessed himself as gratified at the satisfactory appreciation of their labours, which he trusted would tend to cordiality among the members of the force, and a true entente cordiale with the civilians. Songs and music enlivened tho evening, and when the “ wee short hour aynot twal” struck on the clock, the camp was hushed in sober repose. Messrs Knight, Dixon, and Cooper rendered most valuable service in discounting select music on both evenings, and Sergeant Riddle kindly placed his valuable piano at the service of the committee.

After breakfast on Sunday morning, the Opunake team took their departure with the best expressions of good feeling on both sides. The members of the A.C. Force at Waihi and Opunake, while fully able to fight a good battle at football as well as with a knife and fork af table, are not the loss able and ready to fight another sort of battle if called upon, and will be as ready to meet a foe as they are to entertain friends, and should occasion arise, it is to be hoped as effectively. On Monday evening, Waihi again entertained friends from the vicinity at a social reunion, the attendance of numerous ladies again lending a grace and charm to the old blockhouse. Dancing was carried on with great zest for several hours, to the pleasure of guests and hosts alike.