A Merry Christmas.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3434, 24 December 1879, Page 2

A Merry Christmas.

The Fun and Frolic Troupe will open for n short season at the 'Academy of Music on Boxing night. This company comprises eight specialty artistes, and has had a rery successful tour through the the colony. The entertainment comprises singing, clog dancing, gymnastic feats and burlesque. We trust they will have a successful season.

An inquest on the late fire was held to-day at the Imperial Hotel, before Mr G. N. Braisey, Coroner. A considerable amount of evidence was taken, but the jury returned an open verdict.

Thkbe is a report in circulation that one among our oldest Poverty Bay settlers has applied to the Government for the lease of a block of land on which to form a Mormon settlement. It is stated that the settler in question has received a " revelation," and that when the settlement is formed there will be a plurality of wives as a part of the system. We have not written in anything like jest. The information has been communicated to us as a fact.

Sib Julius Yogel appears to be doing his very utmost to conciliate the elector* of Falmouth. Nearly all the emigrant ships to New Zealand now stop there on the outward voyage, and the other day the Agent General pursuaded Mr Wm. Inman (proprietor of the great Inman line) to pay the town a visit with a view to seeing whether it would not make an eligible port of call for Atlantic steamers. Falmouth possesses a splendid harbour.—l Star Correspondent's Letter.

Ah American paper has the following: —My husband killed a hog, weighing about 15Olbs, last July, late in the after* noon, and, after allowing it to hang, cut it in pieces small enough to handle easily, and, having a kettle of boiling brino ready on the fire, put the meat in until scalded so as to look white, andlong enough to cook the blood. The pieces were then placed on a large table, and Bait sprinkled thickly over while hot. Next morning he held it over a good smoke, and in five days we had the sweetest of bacon. The recipe is extensively used here in warm weather.

The Auckland Star's correspondent, speaking of trade matters, and popular feeling in England re emigration, says :— " Mark me, the majority will now go to Canada. Dominion agents never lose an opportunity of securing an eligible settler who possesses money, and they are bard at work availing themselves of the present crisis. Tlie sort of man you ought to send home is a promoter like Yesey Stewart, the founder of Katikati. A special settle* ment would (as I observed last mail) be snapped up eagerly by hundreds of desirable families, and it may be years before such a favorable combination of circumstances (for first class immigration) occurs again.

A MEEirxo of gentlemen interested in getting up sports at Tararu was held at the Governor Bowen Hotel last evening. There were about a dozen present, and Mr John Wilson was voted to the chair. It was decided to hold the sports on New Year's Day, and a committee was appointed to make the preliminary arrangements, and collect the subscriptions.

The entertainment and Christmas-tree at the Tareru lioad Wesleyan Sunday school took place last evening, and was a great success. Mr James McLaren presided, and an interesting programme was gone through, after which the distribution, of' gifts took place. A considerable number of goods remain on hand, to be disposed of at some future time.

The Thames Land Association bare written to the Waste Lands Board, asking that 20,000 acres be set apart for a special settlement of Thames residents under the deferred payment system. The committee have received applications for land to the extent of 9550 acres, the individual areas applied for averaging about 250 acres. It is probable that some members of the Committee will attend the meeting of the Board to give all the necessary information, and we notice the s.s. Vivid has been charted by Mr S. Stepheneon to proceed to Omahu on the 28th inst., to afford parties desirous of selecting land an opportunity of inspecting the country.

Messes Mennie and Dey hare, at great" expenses imported the most improved machinery and appliances for making cakes and lollies, and for the Christmas season have manufactured large quantities of both. Their oneshilling cakes are a marvel of cheapness and quality. In fact, a large demand has set in from Auckland for these particular cakes. Everyone can therefore have a good Christmas cake much cheaper than the same can be made at home. The" lollies ure made of pure sugar, and are much superior to the imported article. In another column will be found an advertisement mentioning all the manufactures of the firm, and we can confidently recommend a visit to their establishment.

Thk general entry meeting of the Stewards of the Thames Annual Races took place last evening. The following horses entered for the Kailway Stakes:— Magician, Matlock, Golden Crown, Indian Warrior, Maewa, Skylark, Ceteirayo, Snowstorm, Sunbeam. For the Hurdle Jttace (first day)—all accepted but Honesty and Cetewayo. The following are the entries for the Flying Stakes:—Matlock, Golden Crown, Indian Warrior, Magician, Maewa, and Bundarra. All horses accepted for the Publicans* Purse and Hurdle Eaee. Some of the horses arrived here this morning, and others are expected this afternoon.

We are informed that Mr W. Wilson has, at the urgent request of a large number of burgesses, decided to allow himself to be nominated for a seat in the Borough Council to represent the South' Ward. Mr Wilson should, from his practical knowledge of the requirements of the South Ward, make an excellent representative.

An advertisement in another column notifies that the Kirikiri natives intend holding races, See., at Warahoe to-morrow. We understand that 'busses will leave Shortland at intervals for the course.

That Christmas is at hand is apparent by mnny signs, and our tradesmen have nob forgotten the customary decoration 6f their business premises with green leaves, branches, ond flowers. The effect is pleasant, and gives a cheerful appearance to our streets.

Mb W. D. Keid, grocer, announces in our advertising columns that he has for sale a... splendid assortment of groceries, bought especially for the Christmas trade. Mr Reid's stock is large and well selected, and we can confidently recommend our readers to gite him a call.

Mkabs and Co., in order that their customers should be well supplied with good things for the Christmas season, have imported a very large stock of currants, raisins, lemon peel, <fee, and offer the same at very reasonable prices. No less than three tons weight of superior currants are on hand, and equally large supplies of other requisites. A visit to their establishment will repay ladies requiring good as welt as cheap groceries. —[Advt.]