TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume IV, Issue 221, 25 April 1872, Page 8

TAPANUI.

(From our owii Correspondent.)

Since I wrote you last, several events of more than usual interest have transpired in this locality. In the first place, the Presbyterian charge which has been vacant since the generally lamented death of the late Mr. Uric— a period of almost twelve months — has I am happy to say been permanently filled again. A most unanimous and hearty call having been presented to the Rev. Mr. Bett, who had been supplying the place for a number of Sabbaths, and tliat gentleman having signified l-is willingness to accept it, a 'meeting of the Clutha Presbytery was held at Tapanui a few weeks ago, lo formerly instill Mr. Bett as Miuister for the district. Immediately afier this meeting, a congregational soiree wa& ''eld in the Town Hall, which was very uuuierously attended. &. mosL abundant supply of the materials which generally assist to render a meeting of this kind successful, was liberally aud gratituously provided by, the lafiics of the township, which really did them infinite credit. Grace being said and the quality of the edibles deliberately discussed, a short interval was allowed to admit of the tnbles being cleared. Afterwards a number of excellent and appropriate a«ld ''esses were delivered and attentively listened to. A want which always m:ikes itself apparent at gatherings'of this nature iv Tapanui, was remarkably perceptible on this occasion • — I allude to tae want of some concerted singiug. This is much to be 'regretted, seeing there is plenty of musical ability iv the district. It merely requires bringing together and pulling a little into shape. I trust this will be attended to shortly, and hope to see a class fo<* psalmody practice established during the winter monl'ip. Mr. Gilbert, of Port Chalmers, was here the of^e' 1 day and delivered ? lec'u'-e iv aid of the Otago Seaman's M'ssiou. There was a very large attendance. Mr. Bett occupied the eh.iir. au-1 introduced the lecturer. Tjc leclui-e — wMc-t was an able one — was on the Pilgrim's Progress, and lasted upwm-cis of an hour and a half. At iis conclusion, Mr. Neisb proposed a voto ort-isnks to Mr. Gilbert, which wus willingly given. This Mission eviclen'ly lias in Mr. Gilbert a most zealous pud active servant and. ad-vnr-:<U\ He spares no exertion in ui-_,iiu its cli-ims, and shewing its i mporlani'O to fc' ie public. It is gratiflyiiii !'■> know th?fc be I ore Ipavhig, Mr. Gilher-t Icstified lo the kinduess with which he was received, as well as the subsfnnlial manner in wl.ieh his appenls oti behalf of the Mission had been respi-nde'l to. The return match between the Tapanui nnJ Swiizcrs Cricket Clubs w'.'ieh was keenly looked forward to by many, look place here on Saturday I,'ie J3lh iust. The day was a genuine ppfrimro of real cricketer's weather. Old Sol was not 100 powerful, ancl searcelv a breach of wind wfts blowing. A' fi»n team of lue Switzerites arrived t!>e Friday previous* to fhe match, and in o=d;l y on r af v p Hewitt's Tapan uiHorel, -w'ipi'o special preparations had been made .%-theirrpception. Fronisomeun-aer-ou'liable cause the Tapanui players — oi' perhaps more properly speaking a few of them —did not put in an appearance till nearly twelve o'clock, thns wasting two hours, and preventingn g the match from being Dlayed out on account of darkness. The ground was in good condition, having been well attended to for some days previous. The wickets were pitched by the umpires shortly after twelve. By this time a goodly number of spectators had assembled to witness the contest. Captain Hewitt having won tie toss, preferred taking the field, and sent Switzers first to the wickets. The players being " done up " in ay fait cricket costume, presented a remarkably pleasant appearance, ancl the dress alone contributed very mucb to the day's gaiety. Lees aud Simson were the first to represent Switzers at the wickets, and kept their places a long time, although scoring a few runs. Simson was [the first to score. By and bye Hewitt succeeded in taking Lees' bails with a regular shooter. The first wicket fell for seven rnns. Brodrick now took Lees' place, but was was unfortunate in trying to- send his first ball over cover-point's head, Neish making a clever catch, which was received with a ringing cheer. Garvey took Brodrick's bat, and joined Simson, wheu the scoring went on briskly for some time. Garvey retired for thirty-eight, and Simson for thirteen, both scores being obtained by careful and steady play. The others were quickly disposed of, and thp last wicket fell for ninety - seven runs. Hewitt and M'Kellar ,bowled throughout, with the exception of a few overs bowled by Mooney. After lunch, Tvson and Williams appeared nt the wickets on behalf of Tapanui. Williams had not been long in when n, hot one from Gnrvey shot up his bat and made a nasty gash over his ri_rht eye. Dr. Lnko bandaged it up, •and he was taken hnmp, a substitute taking his place. M'Kellar and NfMi having got together, the scoring, winch had previously been very slow, now assumed a more lively aspect, Neish's .first hit for three and M'KplWs for a' good four being hailed, with delight. Just having got properly warmed for

■ • work, a bailer from Garvey scattered Neish's stumps, and be had to retire for a quickly run up fifteen. M'Kellar having sent one., into kmg-ofl"s hands," liad soon to follow, but not l>ofere he had placed twenty-five to his credit. Aitkin made a good innings of twenty-two ; and when the last bat, M'Coll, retired eighty-six was called, being eleven behind Switzers. After ? short interval, Switzers again went to the wickets, and some good play was exhibited — Lees, Garvey, and Utting scoring twenty-nine, twentyfive, and twenty respectively. I scarcely think the fielding of the Tapanui team was as good in the second innings as the first. One exception should, however, be made — Mooney, at mid-wicket, making one of t^e smartest catches I ever saw, and whicb was deservedly applauded. It being too dark to finish the next innings, the match was decided by the first iii Dings. j Id the evening the visiting team was entertained, at dinuer by their oppoI nents. A splendid spread was provi'led by host Hewitt. Mr. Crow occupied the chair ; and during the evening several excellent speeches were delivered, as well as some good songs sung. Appended are the scores : •Swii'ZHßa'. — Isi' Innings. JM«cs, bHowit-i- - 1 11. c Ait ken - 13 C. Bio J rick, eNe.jh - 0 J. C-twvzy, o M'Kellar - 3S J. U i Ling, b Kawltt - 11 J. ' can, c Hewitt- - 0 A. Wrj.'4-s, b M'Kellar - 3 Y. Jnvitt, c M'Kellar - 0 r '\ S. Lake, c M'Kellar - 7 J. Haivlmau, - Mooney - 0 Collins, not out - -3 Extras- - - 21 97 2nd Innings. TL Pims«n, b M'Kollar - 4 T. Jl. Lfke. cM'Ksllar - 1 TI.. Lee:., bHew'tc- - 20 C. Crocb-ick. c M'K^llar - 0 J. Caive**, b Hew^t - 25 J. I'Uip.ib Rew.lt - 20 J. Dean, c Mooney- - 7 A. w-agr-e, c tfewlit . l W. J?«'ibt, 1h w - - 3 ,T. FVr-lrvun, b Hewitt - 1 Collins, «ofc out - - 0 Extras- - - 15 103 Tatawi. — Ist Tunings. .T. r O"s^n, Lee? - - 0 M. WilVam-, c- M'lOVar - 2 G. '. I*? : «\bGwvey - 15 T. ttowHt. b f.A;3 - - 7 J. A. Mooney, b Garvey - 0 . I J. at'KJ'-.r. " IZiuvn - 25 A. Aif.:;>, bL'OS- - 22 fi. r il:i. T3, '/ 6.>rv a y - 3 J. Cow bL'a - - 0 J. 1 , nvi out - 0 D. r'C'J], not oat- - 1 Extrr.3- - - 11