The Tamahere Fete.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2454, 3 April 1888, Page 2

The Tamahere Fete.

Tim efforts of our Tamahere friends met with their due reward yesterday, for, although the morning broke with anything like the promise of fine weather, aa the da}' wore oil the sun shone out brightly, and decided the dubious ones to make the venture. Fully four hundred people were on the ground, and many who, from various causes, could not be there during the day, put in an appearance at the conceit and ball in the evening. The settlers from the Mirroundingdistricts were well represented and every available conveyance in and about Hamilton was put in requisition, Mr Gaudin'a coach making several trips during the day. At abaut 11 o'clock the Hamilton children, who were to take part in the Maypole dance, left in a large waggon sent down purposely for them. The waggon was gaily decked with flags and evergreens and the children were in high glee .it the outing, the pleasant drive adding much to their enjoyment. With anything but fine weather fie sue ceas of an open air gathering such as had been prepared by the Tatnahero people is entirely marred, and after such an amount of preparation and hard work had been expended, it would have been a great ilisapiiointmont to the promoters, particularly had it failed to achieve the object for which it had been inaugurated, namely : —aiding the funds of S. Stephen's Church. From what we could gather, the results financially will exceed the anticipations of the most sanguine of the promoters. So far as the the amuspments provided are concerned, the public appeared thoroughly to enjoy many of the items on the programme, some of which were new to Waikato. The Maypole dance was a very pretty scene. The gay costumes and animated faces of the children will always make-this popular at any out-door gathering. The Indian club exhibition, by Mr D. Lees, showed to ail vantage this gentleman's prowess as an athlete. The sack race as nsual provided a fund of amusement; the successful competitor in this event was a little puzzled how to convey his prize, a fat pig, on horseback to Hamilton, but solved the difficulty by disposing 1 of it to ail enterprising settler at about half its value. Tilting at the Ring brought out quite an array of knights, at least fifteen entries being received for this event. Six runs each were allowed. The larger number of competitors failed altogether. Mr D. Lees and Mr W. LeQucsne tied at three rings each, and, in the run off, Mr Lees proved himself the victor, and claimed the fatted calf. For the Sheep Hunt 011 foot none but boys entered, and as the sheep had been in training, and likewise of the merino breed, the betting was in favour of the sheep. So long as the latter kept to the open country he disianced his pursuers, but taking to the scrub he was soon himself taken by the lad Marston. The Greasy Pole, although decorated with a magnificent quarter of mutton, failed to draw m'iny com- j petitors. None of the bovs had come properly attired for making a close acquaintance with the pole, which looked as though it had been in pickle for a month. The Donkey Race, which was looked forward to as the great event of the day, owing to the statement on the posters that the animals had been specially imported, drew a large concourse of spectators to see the start. After a good deal of trouble at the post in getting the proper transhipment of the jockeys from their own to somebody else's mount which is the fundamental rule in this event, a fairly good start was effected. It was soon apparent that Mr Owen Gayer on " Martyrdom," a venerable steed of Gothic build, stood the best chance of beine the winner as no amount of attention from Mr Lees 011 Grasshopper, or of Mr Hall ou Candlewick, who applied both voice and whip to keep him ahead, could induce the patriarch to get beyond a jog trot. The climax was reached a short distance from the winning post, where a rail one foot from the ground had to be negotiated, but no amount of persuasion by Mr Gayer, assisted by numerous friends amongst the bystanders, could prevail upon the Gothic to take the leap. Finally, as time was neatly up, the rail was dropped on to the ground, and even then it required some jockeyship to get Bucephalus over. The win was a very popular one. Jumping Match for Horses : A large number of entries were made for this event, which fell to Mr Ohas. Lake. Driving Match : Knocking down pegs. This event was won by Mr Barngh, jun. Both the work and refreshment stalls were very fairly patronized. Lots of useful articles of clothing—much of it made by the school children—were offered at reasonable rates, and in consequence found ready and willing purchasers. 111 the refreshment tent an abundance of good cheer was provided, an I as the nicest of girls were officiating as waitresses, what more could be desired than a good appetite? anil in no case did we remark this was wanting. In the evening the school-room was crammed. The farce, "Cut Off With a Shilling," by Mr A. Switrbriok, Miss Spooner and Mr Edwards, was exceedingly well rendered, and brought down the house. The concert then followed, Mr Robert Salmon occupying the chair, and a very excellent programme was gone through with, all the performers giving the highest satisfaction. Archdeacon Willis gave a short addtcsi, in which he congratulated the Tamahere people on the success of the fete, and hoped it would help to further the interests of the church. The room was then cleared for the dance, which was kept up with great spirit till the small hours. About fifty couples were present. We understand the total takings amounted to £60.