The Holidays.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 25, 31 December 1874, Page 5

The Holidays.

We are now in midst of the Christmas holidays. Occurring as they do at the summer solstice, the yule-tide observance of the home country is ahandoned ; out-door amusements, rural excursioss, and kindred pastimes and pursuits being- substituted. It follows as a matter of course that the weather exercises are an all-important influence upon its occupations. Indeed, we may go so far as to say, that good weather is a first, a primary condition, of their success. In that respect, at least, the present season has been singularly fortunate • the weather being 1 splendid, with just sufficient moisture to impart to vegetation its most pleasing effect. One of these showers, it is true, occurred rather inopportunely, and had the effect cf casting a damper, in more ways than one, upon pleasure seekers who availed themselves of the Christmas holiday. The morning of that day broke heavily, but, as the weather previously had been all that could be desired, no serious apprehensions were entertained of an immediate break. The various gatherings were well patronised, private excursions being likewise largely resorted to. By mid-day, however, the rain came on, and continued falling heavily until an advanced hour of the evening. The pursuits and pleasures of the day were consequently marred, or else brought to an abrupt termination. The pic-nic excursion to Inch Clutha, arranged for by the local lodge of Good Templars, was to a great extent a failure ; a hastily arranged in-door party, which assembled in one of the public halls, and which finished up with a dance, having being substituted for the unfulfilled part of the day's programme. The weather since then has been everything that could be wished. and as this is essentially a Scotch community, its predilections in favor of the National festival — New Year's Day — are much more marked than those which greeted the approach of Christinas. The public conveyances, more especially the coaches running to and from Dunedin, have within the last day or so been extra well freighted, a sure indication that the time honored custom of family gatherings, and friendly reunion?, at this season of the year, is not on this occasion going- to be neglected. The saw mills arid public works in the neighborhood have either knocked-off, or are reported as being 1 about to knock-off work, a circumstance which to some extent accounts for the number of visitors lately arrived in the township. Altogether the prospects for the sports fixe:l for to-morrow ai-e of the most promising kind The Christmas sports and observance? which have alread} r been held are the following : — GOOD TEMPLE US' FETE. The friends of this movement assembled at 9 a.m. — members dre.<std in full regalia — and marched, headed by t' c local drum and fife baud to Inch Clutha ; the parh being ferird across the uver in Tohin'? boat. A rriving at Inch. C'utha, ample provision was foui-d to have been maoe forth* day's etjoyment, at a paddock, the use of which was kindly given for the occasion by Mr Thomas M 'Donald. A spor b tter chosen conld not have been found, even amongst the beautiful scenery of this tru'y romantic Island. With the river, and the river banks in front, the paddock itself, a fine stretch of green sward, txtendiug back to the confines of the acljo : ning bush, afforded every facility t^at could be wished, for open-air recreation and amusement. Foot-racing, dancinjr, and other sports were engaged in, and carried oo with a spirit which showed how heartily opportunities for recreation of this kind is en-j'jye-1 by both old and young At mid day a substantial repast, provided by Mr Kil gour in hisusual liberal manner, was served up, shortly after which the rain began to descend, causing the party to betake themselves to such shelter as the place afforded. The most popular retreat of this kind was | a barn belonging to Mr Willock-*, which that gentleman humanly placed, at their disposal. Here the dance was resumed, and despite the wretched state of the weather, the party, which numbered about 150. seemed to enjoy the occasion with great gusto. The rain showing no signs of abating, the Committee decided at an early hour to abandon the remainder of the programme, and substitute a social gathering which was fixed to take place that evening in Ban's Hall. On this announcement being made public, the pic-nic party dipersed. One or two acts of disinterested kindness took place in connec'ion with the journey home deserving of note. Cur townsman, Mr Peter Mason, kindly placed his trap at the disposal of the ladies and younger members of the party, aad by that means many were driven home quickly, who would otherwise have betn compelled to find their way back amidst pelting rain Tobin, the ferryman, likewise showed great diligence in convening the party across the river with as much dispatch as possible. THE BALL Took place according to announcement in the evening. The Hail was remarkably well filled, in fact, no aifair of the kind h r is brought so many people together in Balclutha for a long time pist. Dancing was kept up with creat spirit until an advanced hour of the tvening, the musical part of the programme being well sustained by the local band. The gat- ering was upon he whole a pleasant one, and before separating all agreed that it had, to a great extent, made amends for the disappoint ment experienced during the earlier part of the day. KAITANGATA REGATTA took place on that beautiful and romantic sheet qf water, Tuafcitoto Lake, on Christmas Day. The weather, however, greatly interfered with the day' 3 sport. The disputed contest of the late regatta resulted, it is understood, in a victory for Mr Fraser. The sailing match proved to be rather a failure, owing to a mishap which occurred to Mr Higgin's hoat, the lib of which, on being pulled, down,

through some disarrangement of the ropes, could not be raised again — thereby causing the crew to "hitch" their panteloons to a considerable extent. The race was, in consequence, won easily by the other boat. The chief event of the day was the fouroa T el race, for which four boats started, and which, after a very close contest, was won by Fraser's party 5 Rissitl's boat b ing a good second, the others having been left behind. The two last boats were decidedly inferior as respects, racing capabilities to tno*e belonging to the Me-sn* ] Fra^er and Bissett. At this stage, tl-e weather became so had that the remainder of tie programme hai to be abandoned. WAIHOLA REGATTA. The regatta on Waihola Lake was held '>n Boxing- Day, and was a great success. Between 700 and 800 persons were present, including visitors from Tokomairiro, the surrounding districts, and Djinedin. The rowing of the Dunedin crew was much ad mired. The first race was for sailors' boats, open to all, and the prise Q.f L 6 fell to M'Kegg's Trader. The pair* oared race of L 5, and the four-oared, also of L 5, were pulled off by the-Dnnedin boys with the Excelsior; but the champion four-oared of LlO went to the Pioneer, Mr A. J. Smyth's boat, which was pulled by a Taieri crew. A protest lodged against the winner of the last-mentiorifd race, for having, as it was alleged, fouled another boat, was not allowed. The four-oared race for L 5, op- n to boats that had been three m-mths in u?e in the Waihola and Waif.ori lake°, or on the Taieri river, was carried off by the. Pioneer ; and the pair- oared race for L 4 by the Taieri Pet. — • Star' report.