NORMANBY.

Patea Mail, 28 December 1881, Page 3

NORMANBY.

(from our correspondent.) Monday evening. The sports here on Bosing-day attracted an unprecedented crowd of sightseers. The whole surrounding country—including New Plymouth, Patea, Wanganui, and Havvera—contributed their quota to the joyous assemblage. Over 1,200 persons participated in the stirring festivities, and the recreation ground was a scene of gaiety, happiness, and merriment, never before witnessed bere on a like occasion. A brass band from New Plymouth was present, and its inspiriting strains, combined with the glorious surrounding scenery, imparted to the entertainment an air of enchantment not easily forgotten. The shops and hotels were tastefully decorated with evergreens, and the weather

being superb, the town appeared at its brightest and its best. The flower gardens of the settlers contributed in no small degree in giving chastity to its outlines ; and the town, the field, and even the people themselves, blossomed all over with a drapery of the liveliest colors. As might bo expected, the several stands on the sporting ground did a roaring trade ; and though the hotels were patronised to overflowing, I did not hear of or see any one who was more heated by wine than was fairly allowable on this festive occasion. It should be stated that the majority of the visitors came from Hawera, and cattle trucks had to be laid on to accommodate the unexpected rush. The beauty of the ladies of Hawera —their magnificent carriage and elegant costumes —were the admiration of all spectators and strangers. It is clear that good and noble Hawera is not indifferent to Normanby, and the affection is returned with interest.

In the evening a large and fashionable company assembled in the Town Hall, which, like the outer world, was splendidly decorated with flowers and evergreens. The dresses of the ladies were really gorgeous. Visitors were present from every point of the compass, and here was collected all the female beauty and loveliness of the land. Up to an advanced hour in the morning, the delighted company revolved in the waltz, the schottische, the polka, the mazurka, the Circassian circle, and other dances ; and varying these with each set of quadrilles, maintained without cessation or fatigue, the pleasing interchange of place and position. But perhaps the most gratifying incident of the time was the examination of the school on Friday last. It appears very evident by all reports that the children have made most marked and rapid progress during the year, which is very creditable to Mr McOutchan, the teacher. To have brought the school to its present state of efficiency he must have bestowed and exercised great labor and patience, and it would be most acceptable to the parents and guardians here if the Board could see its way to make an immediate increase in the salary of an officer so painstaking and industrious. A lot of valuable prizes, provided by the exertions of the School Committee, were distributed to the dopupils. The Sunday school children also were similarly dealt with, ft few friends having generously contributed the money for that purpose. A number of ladies and gentlemen have worked all the year through in the most unselfish manner, imparting that most momentous of all teaching, which is banished from our secular system of instruction. Here onr children are trained to submit patiently and humbly to the restraints and obligations of life—to direct their aspirations to loath its impurities ; to believe that Atheism is a libel and a lie ; to love and obey the almighty and everlasting God, and to prepare the way to become the occupants of that happy home where no curses will taint the purity of its atmosphere—no thief vdll break through the walls of its sacred mansion, and no drunkard shall roll along its golden streets. In looking back upon the year that is gone, it is wonderful to observe the great progress that has been made amongst all classes of the people. Here there is no distinction of rank, and no burning recriminations among varying nationalities. Even the Maori, witli his honest smile and his upward nod, has bowed to the inevitable, and unites in fellowship with hie invincible invaders. All work together without friction or collision, as if each were impressed with the one idea, that all are the children of one common father. The spirited and lively Celts are making fortunes all over the country:; the undaunted Englishman, with his indomU-

able energy, is pushing his way to wealth and distinction ; and I may perhaps be excused in saying that it is to me a feeling of national pride that the fearless descendants of Bruce and Wallace should hold their own in the race of the world.