THE LADIES

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 73, 4 February 1882, Page 330

THE LADIES

The Auckland Eegatta of 1882 has passed and gone, and King Tawhiao was present ! The examination for the Bishop's prizes was conducted last Friday and Saturday m the cathedral library at Bishop's Court. The result will not be known for a few weeks. The Rev. Mr Still has declined the nomination^ of St. Mary's, Parnell ! Let this be a lesson to us to. take good and true men within our readi, .and not go seeking far and wide for impossible celebrities. The arrangement in a certain western suburb cannot last. Let the nominators resolve to%ke the man upon the spot, in every way fitted forTl&s work, and not expose themselves to the m6r||fcation of a second refusal. imflfe, private letter we extract the following, whipp^mll prove interesting to many of our readers :— A special service was performed in Lichfield Cathedral on the 3rd November, 1881, being- the feast of St. Andrew's, on the occasion of the effigy of the late Bishop Selwyn in the mortuary chapel being unveiled by the Earl of Dartmoor. The processionol hymn was No. 274 ; the anthem was from Handel—" The body is buried in peace, but the name liveth evermore." The Earl of Dartmoor unveiled the effigy with these words :. " I now open this mortuary chapel, which contains the effigy of the late Bishop of Lichfield ; and I trust that many of those who ■will contemplate this faithful expression of the aoble features of the departed bishop, may be stimulated thereby to an imitation of his truly grand and self-denying example." The processional hymn wa9 No. 436. After the ceremony the vast congregation were conducted slowly past tfie mortuary chapel. Amongst those present were Mrs Selwyn, Lady Martin, and Admiral Jenkins (formerly captain of H.M.S. Miranda on the New Zealand station). Captain Jenkins was famous in byegone days for his frequent mention of " his missis." The annual feast of All Saints Sunday-school took place on Regatta Day in that most lovely spot, verdant with green smooth lawns, shaded by " immemorial trees," and guarded by the "Watchman" Rock, familiarly known as « Campbell's Paddock." The sports, and games, and feasting went on as usual, and a very pleasing adjunct to the programme of the day was the presentation by the Rev. Mr Bree of more than one hundred books to the most deserving Sunday-school scholars. Much regret was felt at the unavoidable absence of Miss Kenny, the esteemed lady superintendent, who last year, and for many years past, has so unostentatiously and devotedly laboured in the work of this school. Mr Bree and Mrs Hamilton did their best to supply her place, and the very liberal supply of plum-pudding provided by the latter lady was much appreciated by the youngsters. Some capital races were set on foot to amuse both boys and girls, and dolls, knives, blotters, waist-belts, &c, were the prizes given. MrHearkiess Hamilton and all the teachers were indefatigable in their efforts to render the day one of enjoyment to all alike, both old and young, for the Ponsonby people make a general gathering of their Sunday-school feast. Thirty years ago upon that very day, January 29th, 1852, we stood upon the banks of the Waitemata and witnessed the regatta. Wharves and piers, and breakwater, were not ; no abortion of. a dry-dock was to be seen. The rippling waters came curling and dashing straight upon the low green shores: But the day was just such another, bright, and clear, and altogether to our unaccustomed eyes, paradisaical, with just the same light fresh breeze, quivering along the bluest ether. And the races were not so very far behind hand either. We had our own whale boats, and our coasting crafts, our men of wars' gigs, and amateur scullers, and we also had, what formed the main feature of the regatta, a most exciting rage of Maori war canoes. The Maori did not then disdain to race with us on his own blue sea. Never shall we forget the fight of the three great war canoes, with the high prows, carved into all kinds of fantastic idols, and decorated with feathers and pieces of pearl shell, and'%reenstone. High up in each bow stood a gigantic chief with the huia feathers in his hair, guiltless of much attempt at clothing, steering with his long oar, and shouting, and yelling, and stamping at his crew. And the crew with their dark. skins shining with oil, were tugging at their paddles with strength of arm and will. Fierce, and dire was the contest until at last when the foremost canoe dashed past the flag-ship, the •winners jumped with one mighty eheu ! into the water, and there slacked the triumphs of the victory. So if we have gained something in the past thirty years— we have lost as well as gained f or never again will the three whakatauaus, or war canoes, paddle the waters of the Waiemata!