HASTINGS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3816, 22 March 1881, Page 3

HASTINGS.

» (FROM A COBEEBPONDENT.) You will r be surprised to learn that the Tapuites have organised a cricket club. Yes, sir, fact; with real live members to the tune of 35. Bats, balls, and all necessary paraphernalia, arid they honored the memory of Old Ireland's patron saint by having- their first match on his day— : Married y. Single. The benedicts were j 'captained by Mr Newby, and the juveniles by Mr Plummer, junr. Play should have commenced at 10 a.m.; but owing to the weather, wickets were not pitched till noon. The? benedicts won the toss and sent the singles to the timber; their first innings resulting in a good score of 95. Half-an-hour was then allowed for lunch, when the married went in and were disposed of for 76. Not bad, considerine they played with nine men as two were absent. The Singles again tried the bats, and increased their score by 99, malting a total of 194. The in their second innines determined to retrieve their losses, and played a careful gqme; which had all the appearance of landing them victorious, as at 6 p.m., when time was called, they stood with six out at 78, and the batters in fine form. The two highest scores for the Single were "McMahon (jun.) 28 and Hawkes (jun.) 24, and for the Married Newby (captain) 30 and Barrett (not out) 31. A number of the fair aex, in their best bibs and tuckers, honored the game by their presence, and a more pleasant day was never spent in sunny old Tapu. The Club invited everybody, his wife and family, to a supper which was provided joy Mr; McMahon, and the manner in which he. carried out his portion of the day's programme was creditable to Mrs ;MoMahon and himself. The table was loaded with all the good things in season, and tarts, sweets, &c, to delight the little ones: Tbe day's entertainment was brought to a close by a concert and ball 'li in the hall, and where every one seemed anxious to do their best to please, it would be invidious to particularise; but I think among the ladies Miss Plummet's song —" Love me when I'm old " —gained the greatest applause, and Mr Barrett, in " Beautiful Isle of the Sea," of the gen- - tlemen, carried off the palm. That gentleman would show well in any amateur gathering. < The day's amusement was brought to a close at 2 a.m. by all hands singing" Auld Lang Syne," and the National Anthem, and now good-bye, dear S. Patrick, for another year, when I hope lyou will usher us in such another enjoy- ' able day as we had on March 17th, 1881. I forgot, in giving you, the highest scorer for the Benedicts, to mention that our ,R. Hawkes gained the highest in duck's-eggs. I am glad to record that there is some probability of the recurrence of old times in mining matters in this district. The action taken by the Warden in supporting prospecting has caused others to look around, arid though I,am not at liberty to give names or further news at present, I . may say things are healthy. The result of this year's crops has proved to our homestead farmers that with care and attention the ground will amply repay the outlay., ■ - :

A speculator consulted a physician, who told him, " Your feverish life is thoroughly dangerous. If you continue it another year, at the end you will be no more of this world;"--" Ah ! "cried the patient, "If I could only be sure, what an operation I would make ! I would insure my life for a million !"