Kaikoura

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 13, 1 April 1909, Page 495

Kaikoura

(From an, occasional- correspondent.) _ Tuesday and Wednesday were eminently field-days at' Kaikoura. The fourth annual show eventuated on the 16th, and the St. Patrick's Day sports were held on the following day. The Hon. Mr. Fowlds, Mr. Witty, and Mr. Forbes, M.P.'s, attended the show and banquet. All visitors expressed their surprise at the beauty of the scenery, the capability- of the district, and the excellent exhibits, of live stock, fruit, flowers, grain, and roots. ' They pronounced Kaikoura an basis for its fresh and excellent pasture,, while Northern Marlborough was suffering from a serious drought. Genial weather, with timely- spells of rain, has secured an abundance of grass in the whole district of Kaikoura. The exhibits and the aspect of the whole landscape, mountain and valley, bore testimony to the favorableness of the season and the fertility of the soil. But the railway, so often promised and so slow in. progress, is urgently needed to link Christchurch with Picton, -and to develop the many natural capabilities of the region. If the attendance at the show was a record, so was the attendance at the sports on the 17th. This was more remarkable for two special reasons. In the first place, the weather was somewhat .threatening, with fog and light rain at intervals. And, secondly; it was feared by some that the show would have exhausted " the pockets of the public. Fortunately neither weather nor show affected the sports oh St. Patrick's Day. People who came from the back blocks to the annual show turned out on the 17th as well, and these helped materially to swell the crowd and augment the profits of the day. The sports were excellent, and it was a general feeling and remark that there was more genuine and hearty fun and enjoyment at St. Patrick's demonstration than the' show afforded on the previous day. As for the rest, the sports were conducted with the greatest success by the church committee and the ladies and gentlemen who volunteered their services throughout the day. Not a hitch was noticed anywhere, and not a discordant note or expression was heard. All worked with the utmost harmony and with the happiest results. The previous cooking and other preparations for' the event and the strenuous toil of the day were enough to tax the strength and patience of the Catholic public. But the people of Kaikoura have brave hearts- and deft hands, besides long experience in working for the interest of their schools. For be it understood that the profits of each recurring annual sports belong solely to the school funds. The social in Mr. Mullane's hall was also a decided success. Father Golden and the church and school committee have reasons to feel grateful. The convent school children, " notably Miss Maggie Mackle, won many -prizes at the show. They excelled iv drawing, and fancy needlework.

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