HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 464, 4 October 1879, Page 2

HAWERA.

(from our own correspondent.) I have no doubt, Mr Editor, that you have been expecting my obituary notice for the last several weeks, but if you had any such expectations, I am happy to inform you that you are disappointed, for with the help of doctors and a spell I am gradually getting into a state of convalescence, and once more take np my pen to inform the world in general, and no one in particular, what is going on in this city. We experienced a great treat on Fridav. Saturday, and Monday last, from the Hudson Surprise Party. On Friday night the house was not v<?py good, but on the following nights the houses were unexceptionally good. In the vocal line, Miss Burton quite outshone her fair companions, her songs being very deservedly encored. There is no doubt bat that she has had good training, and has made good use of it. Miss Norton appeared to be suffering from some debility, but she gave a good account of herself nevertheless. Miss Havin's songs were also very passably rendered. In the instrumental parts, Miss V. De Gay proved herself to be a first-class violinist. I can praise her no more than by saying that she is a musician. Miss F. De Gay, her sister, presided at the piano, and gave universal satisfaction. Mr Glover makes a good centre man for the Christy’s, and Messrs Hudson and Wallace as corner men ; and all through the farces, dances, &c., were greeted with shrieks of laughter, and applause, which proved the success of their efforts. A A cricket meeting was held on Saturday evening, to elect officers for the coming season, &c. Mr H. G. Morecroft was elected President; Mr T. Mason, Vice-President; Mr Riddiford was re-elected Captain; Mr J. Cunningham Vice-Captain; Mr W. G. White Hon Secretary and Treasurer; and a committee of the following gentlemen: —Messrs Bayly, Beresford, Bate, and Wanklyn. The Club has already received a challenge from the White Cliffs (New Plymouth) team, for the 26th November, to be played at White Cliffs.

The Committee of the Hawera Institute intend holding a bazaar on the 24th and 25th of this month, to try and pay off the balance of money on the cost of the building. I have reason to believe that a great many of the fair sex have taken an interest in it, so I have no doubt as to the result being satisfactory to the Committee. I am also informed that a bazaar in aid of the Roman Catholic church is to be held during the month. Within the last few weeks I have experienced the travelling on the Mountain track twice (once up and once down), and I must say that if I had to do it again how, I should make my will before I started, and order my coffin to.be about half-way between Normanby and Stratford. The journey up was not so bad, as there had been a week’s fine weather, and.it was also a fine day, but coming back, oh I 1 Well, we had a passably good road from the Stratford Hotel to the Patea Bridge, a distance or nearly two chains. Immediately coming off the bridge, the horses sank into a sloush, I don’fc'know how many hundred feet deep. That kind of travelling for about three miles, when we came to about two chains of corduroy; my first knowledge of that was the horses commencing to trot, and

I found myself shot up into thp air, and as I am slightly over 11 stone, I did not fall lightly, and when I did, the back of my head came into contact with some horrible invention ‘for sticking a lamp into; I did not feel calm ; I believe I said something ; but' no matter, it was not much. My neighbor on the box enquired, with a triendish chuckle, if I had had any dinner. I smiled a ghastly smile, and was silent until - w«. arrived on the metalled road at Keterharae. : 1 think we travelled at about the rate of 2£ miles pef hour, while going through the bush, and I am positive that if we had not had an excellent whip and a good team of horses, I should at the pfesetit trine hare been making acquaintances in the bowels of the earth, and an adept in the * dead ’ languages. I may remark that the Weather for the last week has been enough to make “a monkey bite his ma.” Rain incessantly, the streams in ‘ this part of the district being very high, and many of the fords are impassable. The fish ordered by the' Acclimatisatioa,Society,are to leave next Wednesday, and may be expected through Patea about Saturday, so that persons interested in that sort of thing will have an opportunity of seeing tha fish while they are in the. cans;