THE PASTIMES OF NEW ZEALAND.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 84, 16 January 1872, Page 3

THE PASTIMES OF NEW ZEALAND.

(( 'ON I ixl ed). To the TMitor of tho THAMES fir WUHAN. Sill. — To furtherance of my promise I now present the second game on my list, which is called “ Presentation localized.” This game, though deservedly popular with certain sections of the community is not so generally played as it might be, owing to the extravagant cost of getting it u]>. and also to the circumstance that one of its i/mixi conditions, the supposed right man in the supposed right place, is not met with every day. However, to borrow (I’m an awful plaigarist), “ ’Tis something in the dearth of fame” in other portions of the colony, to find that the pastime has obtained a firm footing on the Thames Goldfield; the supposed reason thereof being that personal luck in the acquisition of speedy fortunes is really the one cardinal virtue, and that perseverance, integrity. Ac., Ac., arc all humbug—antiquated notions unsuited to a place where a man may go to bed a pauper and rise a prince without any personal exertion of his own. Presentation localised I lurvc called a game, and 1 think rightly, for it has distinctive features, easily distinguished from the presentations of ordinary civilised life, where the beautiful sentiment exhibited in the giving nnd receiving of rewards f or valour in the field, wisdom in the Council, learning and piety in the good, knowledge in the learned, teaches nations the noble truth that the acquisition of gold alone is not, and never was, intended to he the solo end of man’s existence. But I am digressing, and niusn’t sermonise. Coming hack, then, to the game, as it has now become almost a local institution, let ns see how it is manipulated. A cute manager, with irreproachable character, of course, who knows how and when to work a mine, so as to put money in his own and his friends'- pockets, generally draws a prize in this game—something or other curiously worked in virgin gold, emblem of purity! Loafers also get presentations, if not prizes ; for sometimes the idle scoundrel who likes the look of a specimen on the surface, hut scorns the slavery of getting it below, maks a mistake in moving his neighbour’s pieces, and so falls into the hands of the Judge, who presents him with the forced retirement and quiet seclusion of lI.M. gaol. But I apprehend that is a contigcncy no one will willingly contemplate, and so shift the subject to the one grand requisite for drawing a prize—become rich. It is not for me to tell von how, but do it, and so far from any inquiries being made as to how you did it, your claim to a presentation is forthwith established. N.15.—1n active preparation (theatrically speaking), the great, thrilling, and moral play of u Peculation,” abounding in quartzoze corruseations, and wherein, though the “ minder may be out,” there will be no bloodshed. Asmohi-xs.