FIRST-FOOTING AT HUNTLY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2417, 7 January 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

FIRST-FOOTING AT HUNTLY.

A coRKESPONDENT writes:—"l am told on good authority that nowhere in the Waikato was the New Year ushered in with such eclat as in Huntly. The time honoured custom of 'first-footing,' although doar to all true Scotc'umen, js nevertheless not sufficiently understood in the colonies to bo appreciated. I feel certaic, however, that '.it is now thoroughly appreciated by all tho peaceful inhabitants of Huntly who hoard the jovial sounds of revelry last Sunday morning, and tremblingly peeping out from behind their window blinds saw the gang of light hearted (not to Bay light headed) old gentlemen, who paraded up and down to tho tune of "a Gude Now Year to one and a'. " Those of the inhabitants, whom this jolly gang condescended to first-foot, must have a still livelier appreciation of the imposing and oven startling effect of a well organised first-footing." Some of the "first-footed," however, (purely from ignorance of the custom in such cases) instead of opening their cupboards to the thirsty worn - out serenaders, made vigorous, but futilo attempts to ojeet them from thoir premises. Matters having been explained, however, and a mutual understanding effected, tho "firstfooted " joined tho " first-footers " and so on until nearly the whole township was out, and a "A Gude New Year" was being dealt out to empty houses. It was lato on Sunday morning before the bewildered " first-footers " had regained their own places of abode, thoy having simply dropped into tho nearest available house at day break. In those days when another " Saurian " would bo a valuable acquisition to an enterprising showman. I must not omit to mention that the " First-footers," one and all affirm that thoy saw a strange uncouth looking beast, which had probably come out of the Waikato river, prowling round the butcher's shop in search of food. It is said to have had a horn on it's head, and tho prints of it's hoof, which was 17 i inchos long and somewhat resembles that of a camel, shows that it must hare been of largo proportions, Too much credence must not, however, bo given to this story, as tho " First-footers," from all accounts, wero not even capable of recognising ono of their own species, and tho " monster" was probably a creation of their own fuddled brains."