ARROW RIVER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 285, 17 July 1873, Page 6

ARROW RIVER.

i (From our own Correspondent.) The elections are over, and we are settling down to our common routine of every day life. I have nothing to say on our local elections, as 1 suppose that an equal excitement has prevailed everywhere throughout the province, and a few very general remarks will answer every purpose. Politics in the colony bear a strong resemblance to circus performances, their advertisements may be compared to the elections and the effusions of of the candidates. The most extravagant feats are brought under the notice of the public, and promises to

the ear are made without restrictions, the accomplishments of which our restricted visions but too often fail to perceive. As to the actual performances themselves, they differ but very little. The smallest loops and loopholes are jumped through, Uiq widest breaches lenpt, and the highest obstructions valuted. over, the most dangerous sominersets are thrown — in short, the more daring and bolder the feat, the louder and more vociferous the applause. Under these circumstances, it cannot be wondered that the moral crippled of the political arena far outnumber those physical ones of that of the circus. On Saturday last, our Presbyterian friends went through a similarly strange feat, by laying the foundation stone of a church already completed, and which was to be opened for divine service on the following Sunday. The event was commemorated by a tea meeting and a soiree, which came off with great eclat. The tea meeting was by far the grandest affair of the sort that was ever held in the district. The ladies who presided displayed innumerable little acquisition to the tea table, as well as to their persons — a taste and elegance which indicated a decided progress of civilization in this mountain home of ours. After the animal wants of the audience had been satisfied and the tables were cleared away, the second part of the programme was proceeded with, consisting of vocal and instrumental music and addresses. Mesdames Arndt and Watson were the only ladies who favored us on this occasion with solo songs. Mrs. Watson has long been a favorite with us, and has often charmed us with her sweet and rich voice, infusing a new interest into many old popular songs by her correct rendering of the music. Bu Mrs. Arndt appears for the first time in public, and established herself at once as the leading star of our musical world. This lady, who presided at the piano, and who combines great natural gifts with a well-trained musical education, and a fine independent taste of execution, which is only found in amateurs, quite carried away her listeners; and tiie rapturous applause elicited by each of her performances reflected as much credit upon the audience as upon the lady. Of the speeches of the evening, that of Mr. Stratford, our much-re-spected Resident Magistrate, deserves the palm. I do not wish to criticise it ; to do so would be to criticise reabou and conscience ; and I speak only of the impression it made upon those who were fortunate enough to listen to it. Mr. Stratford in the course of his remarks said that he could not congratulate the district upon the addition Of another church. Two bells calling the worshippers of the same God in different directions appeared to him as unworthy the teachings of Christianity, and he hoped that the time might soon come when one church would be considered sufficient for all denominations. The arguments he advanced sunk deep, as truths ouly can do, into tho minds of his hearers, and considering that there could not have been fewer than 300 persons present belonging to all denominations, who all endorsed the utterances of Mr. Stratford, proves that such an achievement may not be so far off as some may be inclined to think. The irost king has laid his icy hand upon the district, and put to a temporary stop all outdoor work. By skating, suow-balling, sliding, and other winter sports, we honor the visit I of his hoary majesty, who has hung his crystal tapistry, spun by fairy hands in a single nighi, upon the craggy cliffs of our mountains, and decorated the deep gorges and perpendicular walls of our turbulent rivers with transparent veils of solid ice, broken through here and there by shurbs and profuse creepers of the brightest green, or the moss-covered foundations of the soaring peak above. In the open valleys the wheat is putting forth its tender blade of lovely green, while on the hill above " the seer, the yellow leaf" is seen. The hills o'ertop, the frowning mountains'^ brow, clad in nature's marvel, beauteous snow ; and far beyond, the heaven's azure stretches and and