DOWN THE LINE.

(FBOk'-GTO-OWN COBBKSPONDENT.) | . OTAKI.i.May 24. | A sociafof *a' unique and . interesting nature was, given at Otaki on Friday evening, whert ? a-lbcal firm of. Chinese entertamed a number of their friends, the object beinc chiefly'to celebrato the coming baptism of Mi? Hai Yen, also his confirmation, and that of r-Mi-'James Worig, who was re-, contlv baptised. There was a happy gathering, and the proceedings .went with a awing that did the ..management every credit. ,Mr. Byron Brown, chairman of tho Otaki Town | Board)- presided and. after dealing -with .the teachings of. Confucius and the steps the Chinese had made in religion during the. past few, years, he Welcomed all present,, and expressed ahppo that one and all wotftd have a most .enjoyablo time. Among those who assisted, m the musical portion of the programme were Mr Hai v m wl,n fl«litrlitcd:his. hearers with a-flute

bolo and who-sang, nicely in Chinese, " Nearer My God to Thee." In the games .played blind man'; fight,".between Messrs Hoi. Yen and James Wong,, proved highly amusing while, the "candle!' games pwyc.d ? ,noyetv to, the Europeans present... The, ,"b^lc C ttnck was alio good, and those who attempted it found it not so easy as they anticipated, and consoouontly, there was .a capsize or two, i which* added, hilarity to the Musical chairs also caused much fun, who supper.proved a pleasing feature of . the entertainment. • . • uJj&iii „ Mr Law, Cliinoso Missionary, addressed a few words in. Chinese, .which, interpreted, vas to the effect that ho thanked, the Europeans for air their kindness to-tho Chinese, and hoped all i would spend a pleasant ovoninMr T A.-King said he did not, know 1 how to express his .thanks for all the., kindness ho had, .receiyed..si,ncve taking. up. resdenoe in Otaki. "As the oldest Chinese r,es£ dent ho wished to congratulate the. now | convert (Mrl-Hai Yen) to Christianity. Ho m not know.inucli about tho details of the Christian religion, but ho had lived .among u nation of Christian people for many- years, and if ho were a good speaker he would sav many nice things about British. Christians. He had.always been, treated by them as a friend, and many, timos had theso friendships been proved. Hishfo among them had bcpn,.most • Jiiippy and ho had enioyed tho liberty and freedom that British Christian people gave to all races. His ancient religion had been good, but the Christian religion had been better, and ho hoped the hew convert would enjoy all the blessings of His adopted religion. (Applause). The "proceedings wore terminated 'by. the singing of the Doxdlogy and the-•pronounc-ing of the Benediction by the Rev. U U Blathwayt.-, ','•'> •„. f Among those present were Mrs Wong, ot the Chinese-Mission, and who does the social part,of. the work, Mr Law (missionary) and Mi's Law. and Mr Matthew bhum, acoretavy of tho Chinese .Association. At a meMlg of the Otaki Hockey . Association on Friday night it was decided tp open the season.on Wednesday next with a fivc-asido tournament, and to start the championship fixturcg on Juno Hth. I<ixtures for the first round"wore drawn up as follows:—June 11th—Otaki v. To Horo at Otaki, Tainui n byo; June 18th—lainui v. To Horo at Otaki, Otaki a bye; June 25th ,-Otaki v. Tainui at Otaki, Te Horo a bye. Mrs Petrio, viiio i- in an indifferent stato of health, intends to spond a holiday at Johnsonville. .ft i-. hoped the change will be beneficial; . ■• •