BOXING DAY.

West Coast Times, Issue 705, 27 December 1867, Page 2

BOXING DAY.

Yesterday morning was fine and balmy, and general expectations wero entertained that throughout the clay the weather would prove fair. Indeed this was evidently thought likely to happen, for by every train on the various tramway* large numbers of persons arrived in town, whilst several of the citizens went into the country on picnic excursiont There was, however, a bluish hazo hanging about the distant mountains, which the wea-ther-wise predicted would turn to rain before the day was over. Unfortunately this prophecy turned out to be too true, for at noon just as the sports were about to commence tho rain camo down heavily, and poured ■ down almost without intermission during tho remainder of the day. Of course this had tho effect of greatly damping the amusements which were in active preparation, and sonic were at once postponed, but the Stewards of tho others despito the falling rain determined to carry out their prograrueos, and accordingly the Regatta and the Sports iv Stafford street and Gibson's Quay were proceeded with, whilst the sports oppointed to take place in Weld street, and those known as the North Revell streot Railway Sports were postponed until to-day. Had the clay continued fino the town would havo presented a very gay and lively appearance. Decorations iv the shape of fern trees and other evergreens had been indulged in to an almost prodigal extent, and there was scarcely au hotel iv town which could not boast of these natural and graceful adornments. The display of flags was profuse, and the Empire and tho Post Office Hotels were conspicuous for the bunting they exhibited. During the early hours of tho day —whilst tho weather was fair, and a gentle broeze was blowing —these flags constituted a very pleasant feature. At tho various spots selected for the sites of the town sports, ample preparations had been made by the several committees, and everything encouraged the anticipation that there was a capital day's enjoyment before the great mass of visitors who had flocked into town for the occasion. But ulas for the vanity of human hopes. A more wretched, damping, soaking, saturating afternoon, has seldom been experieuced in Hokitika. Wo now proceed to give a detailed account of the various sports so far as the weather permitted them to be carried out.