Aquatics and Athletics.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 89, 9 December 1890, Page 2

Aquatics and Athletics.

At one time in the world’s history men were trained and encouraged to acquire the greatest physical development that they might successfully cope with their enemies, and perhaps this was brought to the greatest perfection in Greece, and which enabled Alexander to conquer the then known world, and likewise caused that country to be the birth place of learning. We can also attribute the great success of England in the commercial world to the fact of the delight which the English have always taken in outdoor games, and the activity acquired in the cricket and football fields, in aequatic contests., and other ways enables them to outstrip their neighbours in the business of life. The advantages' to be derived by a- community or a nation from the encouragement of athletic exercises cannot be over estimated, and if . we look at the results of the frequent visits of the Australian and English cricketers between one country and the other we must admit that they have done more to cement the ties of friendship than anv thing else, and are the means which will do more to federate the English-speaking race than any political ties which could be invented. All out-door exercises likewise have a great educational tendency, and without which learning to read and write would be absolutely worthless in developing and utilising the material which goes to make a great nation. These few brief remarks have been called forth by the announcement which appears in another column that. a regatta is to be held on Boxing Day, and sports on New Year’s Day, and for the reasons above stated we hope to see them encouraged to the greatest •possible extent. . S'earle. acquired his great distinction as an oarsman by having to pull across a lake every day to school, and we. see no reason why the Bounds should not produce another Saarle, seeing that the children brought up in the Sounds learn to pull a boat almost from ’their - babyhood.-- Of the physical advantages of athletic sports, it is not necessary for us to speak as they must be self-evident to all. As the Australasian Skefccher once put it, (« The physical strength and hardihood of the race make the vigor, and pride, and courage bt tffA'nation. It we. are to succeed in founding great and enduring communities, .we 1 must give every encouragement to the practice of those and pastimes which are themselves, and which will operate as counter attractions to those pleasures and indulgences which are - either vicious in themselves, or have a vicious'tendenoy. For those reasons we can only hope that the regatta and sports will be a great success, and that one and all will do their best to accomplish such a result.

The following, out of a large number of congratulatory telegrams, has been received by Mr Mills “C. H. Mills, M.H.R., Havelock. Hearty congratulations your return. Am proud of CuUensville, Wakamarina, and of her miners.—R. J. Seddon.” Shortly after the Mawhera, on her way to Nelson from Wellington, had steamed through the French Pass last, night (says the Nelson Mail of Friday night) she was hailed by a boat and a flash light was seen. Captain ■ Manning immediately stopped the steamer, then cruised round for a i time, and afterwards lowered a boat which was sent out in search, the impression being that some disaster had occurred. Nothing, however, could be discovered, and the Captain ; thought it advisable .to. remain about the spot until daylight, when, nothing being in sight, he steamed on .to Nelson, “ missing the tide in consequence of the delay. On arrival here he found that the Deputy Returning . Officer for the French Pass in the | Waimea-Picton electorate had left here j yesterday afternoon in one of the pilot boats for the Pass, and the probability is that that was the boat which caused all the sensation, and not a little annoyance to Captain Manning and the passengers. Our readers will possibly guess that, the Returning Officer referredto above was no other than our friend Mr Hawkins, who was carrying secret despatches to the French Pass. The following, in reference to the centenarian Maori whose death was recorded in our last, is taken from a Wairarapa exchange:—“On Saturday afternoon last there died at the pah close to the Waiohine Bridge near Greytown, Ngatuere Tawhirimatea, an aged chief connected with the Ngatimoe, Hamua, Ngati Kahukuraawhitia and Rakai Whakairi tribes. His age is given at 117 years, and he remembered Captain Cook giving soap and marbles to his people during one of his visits. He used to tell a laughable story about the soap. The Maoris through the soap was good for food put it through the cooking process, covering it up carefully under the ashes. They were very much disappointed when they went to take it out to find it had disappeared. Mr Staifce has received the following telegram from the Mines Department at Wellington in reference to the Prospectors, reward:—“Decision as to payment of reward must await return of Hon Minister’ of Mines. Probably next week.