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Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3080, 31 December 1878, Page 2

The settling up after the Thames Annual Uaces took place at the Commercial Hotel list evening, when the owners of the winning horses were paid their respective prizes. The total sum paid over wai £125. After this champagne flowed freely, a number of toasts being drunk. ■

The only business at the E.M. Court this morning was a case of drunkenness. The defendant pleaded guilty, and stated it was his first offence, Capt. Skene, J.P., who occupied the Bench, said as it was Christmas time the defendant would be discharged with a caution. This morning the Eotomahana conveyed tot Auckland over 200 passengers, including a number of females and children; The sports here at Christmas were effectual in preventing a large emigration to the provincial metropolis, but it is evident from the number who are going thine to spend the New Year, that it is impossible to prevent the annual "up to Auckland " racket.

Me A. Otto has received the following telegram regarding the Karaka and Tararu Tunnel scheme -.—With reference to your telegrams to the Hon. the Premier of lgth and 2nd October last I have to inform you that a proclamation withdrawing from the goldfield the land proposed to be held by Faraka Tunnel Company was published in last week's N.Z. Gazette, of which I am sending you a copy. I hope you will now be able to push on formation of company.— Oliver Wakepielp, Under Secretary Goldfields.

In our advertisement columns will be found the programme of Bporta at Tararu to-morrow, New Year's Day. There are four horse races, including a hurdle race of lpsovs. and a novel race of ssovs. In the" latter every, jockey rides another's horse, and the last in wins, the distance, 1-2- miles, to be covered within seven minutes. . This should cause considerable amusement, as the " old rooks" will stand the best show of winning. There are also a hack race and a Maori horse race. The other events consist of a ladies' race, men's race, girls' race, boys' race, sack race, walking the boom, and catching the greasy pig. Altogether over £30 will be given away in prizes, and we trust to see a large assemblage.

Owing to the inclement state of the weather yesterday morning, several picnic parties had to be postponed; one of which adjourned to the Oddfellows' Hall in the evening, where the time was most agreeably spent in dancing. Music was provided by Mr C. H. Steward's string band, which gave great satisfaction.

Thebe will be a scratch match between members of the Thames and Union Cricket Clubs at Parawai to-morrow, when all members of both. clubs who can make it convenient are requested to Ittend. Play will commence at 12 30 sharp. All members of eithe^ club on the ground will be picked. *

It is with feelings of sincere regret that we learn that another pioneer of this dis rict has gone over to the majority. We refer to Mr John Cook, who departed this life at Napier yesterday, in the 69th year of his age. For some considerable period prior to the opening of the Thames Goldfield in 1867, Mr Cook carried, on the business of a butcher at Onehunga, but on the opening of the goldfield he" left his lucrative business in the quiet country township for the turmoil and excitement of the new rush, establishing himself here in 1867. Shortly after his arrival he became interested in- the celebrated Manukau mine, one of the bright golden stars that gave to this goldfield the right to the title of one of the premier quartz mining fields of the world. Both he and co-shareholders realised handsomely from •their interests. After a residence of. over (tight years oh the Thames, a short time ago Air Cook with his family removed to Auckland, aud thence to IN' apier, where he commenced business as a hotelkeeper. The announcement of his death has taken many of his friends by surprise, though for some time past the deceased gentle* man has been in rather precarious health. He leaves a widow and large family to mourn his loss, some members of which are now resident on the Thames.

This is the way they " enjoy " Christmas in Tauranga, as described in a leading article of the Bay of Plenty Times, which, however true it may be of Tauranga people, we have no hesitation in pronouncing a.gratuitous libel as regards Colonists generally, of whom the Tauranga writer's experience must be limited -.—The farce begins at early morn,,when dressed in Sunday " toggery" we wish each other (not forgetting our worst enemies) the *' compliments of the season." Some of us insist on " wetting " the process, which being constantly repeated usually results in our becoming " groggy " at^eleven a.m. In this desirable condition we proceed to Church, not as some people may foolishly imagine, to worship, but to gaze on the decorations which convert an otherwise respectable edifice into a green-grocer's shop. Having stared about to our, hearts' content we fall asleep, awaking at intervals with pig-like snorts. At last, however, the service comes to an end, and everybody hurries home to prepare for the great event of the day. Summer being at its height, a good old Christmas feast of greasy hot roast beef, rich leaden plum pudding and indigestible mince pies is considered suitable and partaken of freely; Liquor flows prodigally and by desert time nearly all are tipsily jovial. After the cloth has been removed, the host says—" Gentlemen, I shall only give you one toast to-day-Absent friends." "And may they long continue so," remarks a funny man sotto voce, upon which Jones, who is trying to look as if he were thinking of his sweetheart, gigplea, and the others frown reprovingly upon him. At length even the biggest feeder cannot stow away another walnut, so feeling very*rtill and uncomfortable we lie about on sofas — smoking. The rest of the day is occupied in "nipping" to keep |f_ dinner down," and next morning everyone gets up bilious and cross. This is a colonial Christmas par excellence.