Country News

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 40, 30 December 1893, Page 12

Country News

BLU P F

On Friday evening last Christmas carols were sung by the children and choir of the Presbyterian Church, assisted by the Brass Band, and the accommodation of the church was taxed to its utmost to provide space for the great number of old and young who delight in such music. A very pleasing feature of the gathering, and one of those old-time customs that should be perpetuated, was the distribution of gifts to the children from a Christmas tree. This was a source of great pleasure and expectation to the young ones, and the joy visible in each youthful countenance as its owner received a present will no doubt induce the promoters to continue the practice.

On Monday evening the band serenaded the principal citizens and finished up by playing in Gore street. A crowd quickly congregated, and enjoyed the music immensely—in fact our band has now become a very popular institution, and long may it continue so.

Another new boat has been launched during the week, and one in which a lot of interest centres, owing, perhaps, to her unique design, and having been built under special survey. Her owners (Messrs W. and L. Waddel) have endeavoured to acquire great speed and power with limited length, but at present it is an open question whether their anticipations in this respect have been fully realised. Our cricketers have paid a visit to Riverton but have not achieved much glory thereby. There is no question that the form displayed was ridiculously below their average, and were they to play on the same ground again, possibly they could give a better account of themselves.

The barque Crusader has taken in a good bit of cargo the last few days, and requires now about 1000 bales to finish. The Wairoa has also put away a lot of wool. The Ester is filling up rapidly, and will be ready for sea in a few days.