HAWERA.

Patea Mail, 19 August 1880, Page 3

HAWERA.

[from OUR COERESrOSDEST.]

BRANCH OFFICE OF THE MAIL, Wednesday Evening.

The Otago hounds had their first run here on Monday. Mr Mclvor, who had gone to New Plymouth, could not get back to master them, and as Mr Bradley was not fit owing to his recent accident to follow straight, the dogs were not kept together, and straggled very much over the field. The scent was laid through the farms of Messrs Dowdall, McLdowdie and Co, Iredalc, and on to Mr CavcrliiH’s house. Mr G. Bayly, mounted on a nice looking horse, took the lead from the first, closely followed by Mr Cunningham on Orange Lightning, and Mr Southey on Mr Parrington’s colt. The ditches were taken in good style, but in the subdivision between McLdowic’s and Winks's land, a ditch and bank fence with two rails on top frightened all but Messrs Bayly and Cunningham. Most people thought the old favorite Gazelle, with his owner up, with proper hunting colors, would have shown the way over the fence, but Ins rider preferred the gate. Coming out of Iredale’s first paddock Bayly came to grief, but soon recovered ; Orange Lightning taking the lead until jumping into Caverhill’s, where he met with an accident, falling on his back in the ditch, and jamming his rider, from which the hind men, after much difficulty, extricated rider and horse. Mr Bayly also came to grief at this fence; but notwithstanding their accidents, the Taranaki boys were the first at Mr Caverhill’s house, were a halt was called. Mr Cavcrhill in his usual hospitable manner invited thchuntsmen to partake of refreshments. During this pleasant occupation a heavy shower fell. The hat went round and was liberally supported. The second hunt was badly chosen, being through sandhills, and over a couple of topped wire fences. There were several spills until the gates were open, when the public took them gallantly. The run home was of little interest, as it was mostly over sandhills and ploughed fields, Mr G. Bayly coming in lirat and Mr Cunningham second. There were about two hundred horsemen out, but few ventured over the big fences, and the field for the most part was very straggling. ' There was another hunt yesterday through Mr Mason’s on to Normanby. The gentlemen that followed straight were few, Mr Bayly and Mr Cunningham again coming in first and second. Mr

Lloyd on Gazelle, whilst jumping over a fence into Larcoin’s, got a nasty accident* The horse seemed to have fallen with him, and whilst recovering himself made a nasty gash in his rider’s forehead. The hounds go to Kakaramea to-day.

Tin-: Coxckkt in aid of tlic Hawcra Institute came off last evening’, and proved a grand success, financially as well as musically. The performance opened witli an overture from the band, which was much applauded. The chorus, “ Hark the lark,” was highly appreciated by the audience. The comic song, “The complaints,’’seemed to take the ear of the audience throughout. The trio, “Yon gentlemen of England,” did not go smoothly, probably from the fact that two of those taking part in it were suffering from colds. “The lily and tire rose” was nicely sang by two sisters. The chorus, “ Five times by the taper’s light,” was well sung, and warmly applauded. The “ British lion” was not up to his usual mark, in consequence of a bad cold, his high notes lacking clearness. The quartette, “ When first I saw your face,” was correctly sung, but lacked pathos to realise the proper effect. Most singers are defective in this respect. The chorus, “ Blow thou winter wind,” ended the first part. As an amusing interlude, two well-known gentlemen sang “ The gendarmes” in character, as in the burlesque opera of “ Geniveve dc Brabant,” and the novelty was much applauded. Clapping of hands and that objectionable fect-stamping showed that the overture by the band in the second part was well liked. “ Crabbed age and youth” did not go as smoothly as one could wish, but the magic of the singer’s voice, an old favorite, fully recompensed for the disappointment. The trio, “ Lightly tread,” would have been much better if the bass were a little “ basser.” The “ Sailor’s sigh,” a duett ,was decidedly the gem of the evening, and was deservedly encored. “In happy moments,” from that old familiar opera “Maritana,” was another gem, sung by a gentlemen from New Plymouth. A local song fairly brought down the house, and an encore being demanded, “ The Frenchman” was sung. The pretty little song, “Come, Birdie, come,” was well sung by the conductor, the chorus

adding weight and charm to it. Here in cool grot” was one of the best choruses of the evening. The song “ Why do summer roses fade?” was sung in a thoroughly artistic manner, and loudly applauded. “Sigh no more, ladies” (I really can’t find out why they should ever sigh) was the last yet not the least on the programme. The performance concluded with that grand old anthem “ God save the Queen.” The concert was a gratifying success, and whoever cavils against the performers, will have to prove that the public don’t know and ought not to know when they arc pleased. The Institute will benefit to the extent of about £l6 or £l7 by the generous efforts of the ladies and gentlemen who did so well on this occasion.