HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 978, 2 January 1883, Page 4

HAWERA.

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDEXT.) Thursday. Christinas passed off very quietly here. The usual services in the English and Roman Catholic churches, and (he decorations in the former were very tasteful, and reflect great credit on those ladies who so kindly assisted Mr Hoot. On Boxing Day the town was simply empty, owing to the attractions at Manaia and Normanby. The sports at the latter place were hardly a success, and would have boon very tame, had it not been for the Taranaki Band, who, under the leadership of Mr Drew, played some very good selections. Darkness won the cop with ease, there evidently being a screw loose in the handicapping, as the third event was not competed for, Major and Minerva dividing second and third money. The other racing and jumping events were poor, people taking very little interest in them. The attendance was not anything like up to last year, but that is accounted for by the counter attraction of Manaia Races. Hawcra sports are looked forward to with interest, as the handicap events have more nominations than thereover were before. A good few new men are in the lists, and the handicapper's have treated them so liberally that I should not bo surprised to see a large portion of the money leave the district. The Hawera School children had a picnic at Normanby on Wednesday, accompanied by the band. I am told the .youngsters enjoyed themselves very much, but the weather was rather against them, as it was showery a greater part of. the da}’. Mr Furlong is nominated for the vacancy in the Borough Council caused by Mr Bale’s rise to the Mayoral Chair. The contractor for the artesian well commenced work last week, and had got down some sixty feet or so when it was found that some of the pipes were broken. This is an unfortunate mishap, ns he will have to start again. FIRE AT KAKAEAMEA. o At 10 o’clock, last night, a fire broke out at Kakaramea, in the house of Mr John Armstrong, which was totally destroyed. It appears that Mrs Armstrong was absent at her father’s place in the evening, her husband remaining at home. He lighted the fire and prepared some tea, and, after seeing that all appeared safe, went away. The building, which was insured in the National, was burnt to the ground. The police have made enquiries, and have come to the conclusion that the fire was quite accidental. The Armstrongs are heavy sufferers, having lost everything. AMr Tapp, who also lived in the house, lost Tl7 in notes and two half-sovereigns. A gold watch and chain and a new saddle, both the property of Mr Armstrong, were destroyed.