ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 422, 2 January 1875, Page 2

ROXBURGH.

(From our .owaJlorrespondnnt.) . - l)eoe,mber S9. Christmas Day made its appearance with a thick and cloudy sky, strongly indicative of rain, which eventually set in about 1 o'clock in the day, no dftubt much\to. the chagrin of those who had promised to avail themselves of a little outing/howeverunich it may have tended to elevate the spirits of those engaged in rural pursuits. ♦* • On calling on a friend the other day, I saw what may be considered a lusua naturm of a rather novel kind. In partaking of some eggs for breakfast, he felt something grate

against the spoon, and on scooping it out it tamed out to be a small-sized egg, about as large as a hazel nut, with a shell on it as thick as on the one from which it was taken. Sir. Smith will no doubt be willing to give it to the Museum, where, no doubt, it will be scanned by the curious iv such matters. A grand concert in aid of the Roman Catholic Church funds took place in the A«i sembly Kooms here on the evening of Boxing ■Day, and the attendance was the largest that ever mot together on any similar occasion. Great credit is due to Messrs. Cormaok and Pitchers for the energetic jnanner in which they went about getting the room ready, and also to Mr. Wood (the Foman Catholic Schoolmaster of Lawrence), who, along with Mrs. Wood and a troupe of juveniles, came all the way from Lawrence to be present on the occasion. The youngsters acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner — a little hoy (a son of Mr. James Harris) more particularly so ; and as for Mr. Wood, he is almost a company in himself. Mrs. Wood ably presided at the piano throughout the whole of the evening, with the exception of a few minutes, when Topsy ( lark sat down and gave a very brilliant display of her musical powers, showing what may be accomplished by a very juvenile performer, who has had skilful tuition. Mrs. Wood had no easy task, as the room was densely packed and intensely hot. Mrs. F. Woodhonse was the only local lady that lam aware of who was called upon to assist, ■ which she most readily consented to do. She was hardly in as good voice as I have heard her, nevertheless her " Molly Asvhore " was loudly applauded. The Church of England annual pic-nic came off on. the 28th instant) 1 here was hardly so large an attendance as on former occasions, although the weather was beautiful and fine, with a nice gentle breeze ; but all who were there seemed to enjoy themselves most heartily, especially the small fry, who were there in galore. All the various games usual at such places were indulged in — kiss-in-the-ring, foot races, ball, ruuning in sacks, dancing on the green, three-legged and other races. - The Mt. Beuger district races commence today under a broiling sun, a cloudless sky, and ] Bcarcely a breath of wind. You will most likely get the results in due course.