The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 375, 29 December 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1898.

Mr W. J. Hunter has received instructions from Mr E. Offerson, Te Rore (who has sold his farm), to sell on the place, about the end of January, the whole of his live and dead stock, etc. The sale will commence at 12 o’clock. The Diocesan Missionary will be in the Waikato West Parish on Sunday, and will conduct services as under : Pirongia, 8 a.in. (Holy Communion), 3 p.m. (children’s service), and 7.30 p.m. He will also conduct a service at Kihikihi to-morrow (Friday), at 7 p.m. A meeting of the Ngaruawahia Regatta Committee was held on Friday, December 23rd, at which the Auckland representative (Mr T. U. Wells) was present. It was finally decided to hold the regatta on Friday, March 17th, A most interesting programme of events was drawn up, which will shortly be published.—(Ngaruawahia Correspondent). The tournament among the members of the Hamilton Lawn Tenuis Club for the trophy presented by Mr H. H. Howden, jeweller, was concluded on Tuesday afternoon, when Messrs von Stunner and Blackburn met. The former allowed his opponent a handicap of five points, the match being 75 up, but Mr Blackburn weut away at once and won by 75 to 43. The Hamilton Brass Band, under Mr Juo. Munro, played a number of selections in Victoria-street on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas afternoon on Sydney Square they rendered an excellent programme of sacred music. At both performances there were large attendances, and the action of the band in thus catering to the public’s entertainment is greatly appreciated. We have received from Mr W. Dey, the Hamilton agent of the New Zealand Insurance Company, the useful calendar issued by that corporation. The date sheets are the same as those which have become familiar to the population of New Zealand. The card upon which they are mounted is somewhat larger than hitherto; this renders it a better advertising medium. The production is a credit to the Herald works, from which it was turned out. It will be remembered that at the late agricultural show at Claudclands the McNicol Memorial Cup was awarded to Mr William Taylor, of Green Hill, Te Awamutu, but was withhold, there being a doubt in the minds of the judges as to the cow being in calf. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter, and we are pleased to state it has reported that Mr Taylor is entitled to the prize. This decision will also entitle Mr Taylor to Mr Wright’s cup by the number of points he scored. Unfortunately the heavy rain on Monday night interfered considerably with the attendance at the Kinematograph and Phonograph exhibition, given in the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton, by Mr A. H. Wbitehousc. Notwithstanding the small attendance, however, the programme was faithfully carried out, and the. views and selections given were greatly appreciated. The views of the opening of the Auckland Exhibition were especially good, and are the first series of views taken in New Zealand for the kiuomalograph.

Tho Hamilton branch of the Salvation Army has had a change of late, and is now under the command of Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Peuberthy, late of Chrhtchurch and Coromandel, respectively, and our readers would find it profitable to pay a visit -to the barracks. Quite a crowd attended last Sunday and apparently enjoyed the meeting very much. A cordial invitation is extended to all.

On Sunday at the Hamilton Presbyterian Church the following were presented with awards for repeating the Golden Text at the services during the past year :—Girls : B. Hines, E. Mullions, M. Clements, C. Bastable, M. Pearson. Boys : J. Clenieuts, [A. Primrose, N. and R. Dey. In the afternoon the prizes and certificates won by the Sunday-school scholars at the Assembly examination were presented, viz. : First prizes and first-class certificates to Vera Hay and Winnie Greenwood, and second prizes and seooiid-class certificates to Eva Jack and Margaret Scott.

The Whatawhata annual school picnic took place in Mr Iwersen's paddock on Friday, and was considered to be the most largely attended and successful yet held. As a result of a previous canvas some £4 had been subscribed, and this sum—in the hands of the School Committee and the teacher, Mr Pilkincton—went a long way in the purchase of prizes, over 70 handsome and useful articles being distributed, During the afternoon games of ull kinds were organised, Mr John Park, seiir., being a host iu himself in getting the youngsters together and the events run-off. Ample refreshments were provided in the hall and a most enjoyable afternoon spent.

A very pleasant evening was spent at the Wesleyan Church, Te Awamutu, on Friday, when a miscellaneous pictorial concert was given by Dr. Hosking and Messrs Mitchell, Mayes and R. Allen. The songs were illustrated by lantern views, and the soloists were accompanied upon the organ by Mrs Jones and Mr Mayes. During the evening Dr. Hosking referred in kindly terms to Mr Mayes' approaching departure for England, expressing regret that the circuit would lose the services of such an energetic worker. These expressions of goodwill being supplemented by a few remarks from Mr Palk, Mr Mayes feelingly responded, and Mr Allen made a short speech, the Benediction closing an enjoyable entertainment. The services at St. Peter's Church, Hamilton, on Christmas Day were of an especially bright character, and in keeping with the festive season. Tho decorations, which were of a lighter character than usual, were pretty to a degree, and reflected great credit on the band of workers who had carried them out. The services, all of which were conducted by the Vicar Rev. R. O'C. Biggs, commenced with a celebration of tho Holy Communion at 8 am., when there were 44 present. This was followed by morning prayer at 11 a.m. and a second celebration, at which there were 49 communicants and evensong at 7 p.m. At the two latter services impressive sermons dealing with the church's greatest festival were preached by the Vicar, and after evensong a selection of carols was given by the choir. There were large congregations at all the services, and the offertories for the day amounted to £lO.

The lady members of the congregation of the Hamilton Presbyterian Church are to be congratulated upon the undoubted success of the sale of work, etc., held under their auspices on Boxingday in Mr Pearson's shop. For some considerable time the Sewing Guild has been busily employed preparing, with the result that a hugh assortment of both useful and ornamental articles were exposed for sale. The motto of the Guild was to " supply a good article at a reasonable price," the result being that both vendor and vendee were satisfied with their share in the transaction. Though Mrs Gilmour aud Miss Murray, under whose able charge the stall was placed, were kept busy all day, at the close a number of articles were still unsold, and these will form the nucleus for a future sale. The Christmas-tree, under the superintendence of Mrs Mitchell, proved a great " draw," and it had to be dressed two or three times' during the clay to meet the demands made upon it. It was a happy thought on the part of the ladies to provide a luncheon, cheap and good, for the holiday-seekers on the Square, as the ladies in charge- Mesdames Chappell, Graham and Mullions and Misses Burnside and Scorgie—were kept busy in ministering to the wants of their hungry patrons. The old proverb, "It is an ill wind that blows nobody good," was again exemplified during the afternoon, for the heavy rain which shall we say, opportunely—came ou drove crowds " over to Fearson's " for a cup of tea—and shelter, and the " nimble sixpence" changed hands in a manner which brought smiles to the faces of the ladies above mentioned. The uett proeeeds for the day's operations totalled over £l6— a nice contribution to the church funds. We must not forget to mention that the shop had been nicely decorated for the occasion, reflecting great credit upon the workers—Miss C. Mullions and Messrs D. Clements and A. Primrose.

It was a happy thought on the part of the railway authorities to put on special trains from Frank ton to the Thames on Monday and Tuesday last, for to judge by tho patronage accorded, the result should be a tidy sum on the right side of the ledger. The train which left on Monday, consisted of about sixteen carriages and covered-in trucks, and was despatched well up to time. At every station on the line a large number of excursionists was picked up, the contingent from Cambridge, which were waiting at Ruakura, being an exceptionally large one. Before Paeroa was reached the carriages presented the uppearance of the proverbial " Sardine tin," for standing room was at a premium and even tho steps of the carriage platforms had to be requisitioned. At Paeroa another large company was waiting, but as it was found impossible to pack them on, the stationmaster (Mr Woodbury) had to procure some more vehicles and after a vexatious wait for the Thames train of upwards of an hour, four more open trucks were added, and the excursionists— wh a, by the way were in the best of humours, and beyond some good-natured banter of the ollicials and the customary grumble at the powers that be, kept their tempers well under control were despatched on their way rejoicing—for a few miles, at least. At a small station, at the top of an iucliue, the train was stopped in order to give the " engine a drink," and when it essayed to make another start it was found that the " horse " was nob strong enough. After vainly trying two or three times to get the vehicles up the incline, the train was taken back, and, witli a Hying start, the ascent was safely negotiated. This incident was productive of much amusement. At Parawai most of the excursionists left for the races, and the remainder were able to 2njoy a little more room for the remainder of the journey to Grahamstown, where they passed the day " seeing the sights." It was, thanks to the heavy rain, quite a different company which started on their homeward journey at night, for a more washed out, bedraggled set of beings it would ba hard to imagine. The train, although timed for 6.30, did not leave Grahamstown until nearly 8 p.m., and Frankton was reached without mishap shortly before midnight. Tuesday's excursion was also well patronised, and was far better managed, for it reached its destination well up to time, and the excursionists passed the day in attending the races. The homeward journey was an enjoyable one—quite a contrast to that of the previous evening Hamiltou being reached a few minutes after 10 p.m.