HOLIDAY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3083, 4 January 1879, Page 2

HOLIDAY GOSSIP.

Holidays come so quickly at this time of the year that people have very little else to do than make the most of them. Last week with most people there were four consecutive days. The drapers and grocers certainly opened on Saturday night, which was done, no doubt, more to oblige the public than anything else; but County and Borough offices have been closed, and business at the Government offices suspended for a clear eight days, nobody seeming any the worse. The pity is that everybody could not follow suit, and indulge in a general carnival for the same time. People must live, however, and they who have to supply the real wants of the public had to make a show of business when there was very little doing. Holidays are a bore. . They are all very well under certain circumstances, but when they are enforced they are apt to entail extra work on some sections of the community, who are not slow to deprecate the general I tendency to dissipation.

Auckland people are supposed to be smart in many things. Their hotels are premier, not one but professes to keep a night porter. When the unfortunate Thames people landed at five o'clock on New Year's morning, many of them found no rest for the soles of their feet. They were so many doves sent forth from the Eotomahana ark. - On board they had scarcely standing room, and Noah must have been a clever builder when he designed a ship which-could hold so many for forty days. Such shipbuilding must be numbered amongst the lost arts. No night porters seemed to be approachable in Auckland. Poor deluded Thamesites wandered up and down the Queen street, carpet bag in hand, until the sun was well up in the heavens. Then they could get a drink, subsequently a bath at a public place, and, after waiting an hour from the time of giving an order, a breakfast for two shillings, which could be got in twenty restaurants and hotels here fora shilling, with more civility and in a few minutes after enquiry for it. And yet people rush away from here in hundreds. to enjoy themselves!

Well, Thames people are*inclined to be generous. Overcoming the disadvantages of sleepy 'night porters and the more objectionable '• boots " who " hadn't the keys of the bar," and would not or could not give a drink to " travellers," together with the long wait for a poor breakfast, because the cook had been to a ball overnight, the Thames mustered strongly in Queen street and on the Elierslie race course. They were out for a holiday and no amount of discouraging - circumstances could mar their determination to imitate Mark Tapley and make the best of things. They perambulated the very warm side walks, and drowned their sorrows in frequent, if not copious draughts of the prevailing light beverages until noon. Then they betook themselves to the Elierslie course, where the yellow grass and hot sun and general surroundings betrayed them into a mild form of dissipation in the shape of halfcrown sweeps on races between horses they knew nothing about, some few being induced to take the odds from the "knowing ones." Hunger induced a few to try sandwich and beer. The sandwich in a swell place consisted of two layers of bread soddened with mustard, and an attenuated likeness to a slice of ham carefully placed in the centre—only approachable after a very arduous attack on the dry bread surroundings.

. A friend of mine once had a free pass on the railways of this Colony, and it was endorsed by an ex-Minister for Public W^ork with a request for "suggestions." I had no pass going to Ellerslie, but I can make a suggestion. 1 believe there is a bye-law thut no person should enter or leave a train when it is in motion. The rule was a dead letter on New Tear's day, and what appeared to be railway officials set a bad example. The accident since reported may have been the outcome of this want of adherence to rule. Moreover, the accommodation was wretched. A lot of cattle trucks, provided with temporary seats and a covering of canvas to protect people from the heat of the sun, were attached to each train. These trucks, in ordinary circumstances, are so arranged that a section of the side is lowered for " beasts " to get on board. No such convenience was provided for the human cattle who occupied them. The consequence was that people travelling had to make flying leaps to get in, or invoke the assistance of some one standing by to give them a " bunt." The wonder is that more accidents did not happen.

Some of those who saw part of the Thames sports in racing and went to Auckland to finish up are candid enough to admit that they enjoyed themselves more down here than they did in Auckland. .Now, it is a question that concerns everybody here whether they cannot make the Christmas and New Year holidays so attractive as to prevent the yearly exodus to Auckland. It could be done if the residents would form a Racing Club and arrange for an annual race meeting. Who will be the one to initiate such a movement? It only requires a start, I believe, to make it a success. Sports to the front! v

Religious fervor does Dot always conduce to domestic quiet. The man at the corner relates that recently a staid Presbyterian was converted to the belief of a select coterie who believe in immersion. A few nights ago he went, accompanied by several brother* and Bisters, to a secluded spot in the Kauaeranga to be dipped. His wife heard of it, and oh the next meeting night she posted herself outside the place of worship, and when the worshippers came out she launched forth a torrent of abuse against the females for seducing her husband from the faith he had been brought up in and going " bathing " with him in the Kauaeranga River late at night!

A contretemps occurred at Coromandel the other day that was not agreeable to

one but caused much mirth to many. A visitor from Auckland who assisted at the school examination also exhibited some dissolving views, for which he had prepared an explanatory lecture. By some means tbe views got mixed, and when the lecturer turned to look at the curtain after finishing an eloquent peroration on " the peaceful serenity and absolute security of the pretty landscape before you," he was horrified to see a jungle and a man-eating tiger. The laughter of the audience induced him to beat a hasty retreat.