TAURANGA.- NEW YEAR'S SPORTS. (EROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) January 11.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3585, 14 January 1869, Page 5

TAURANGA.- NEW YEAR'S SPORTS. (EROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) January 11.

Some very successful sports came off here on New Year's day. The weather on the occasion was all that could be desired, and iha attendance numerous. As on Boxing-day a eon»ide able number of natives an embled to wituo-s the gaieties, and throughout the day, *nil during a greater portion of the night, the to wo presented' a scene of liveliness seldom witnessed these dull times Mr. K. Hill acted as judge; Messrs. Edgecumbe, Gill, and Curtis steward* ; and Mr. A. Craig starter. The following 13 a sketch of the day's proceedings :—: — FIRST RAOB. Three miles, for all owners. In this there were three entrance! — Mr. Poitiers Charley, Mr. Hadfield's Chief, and Mr. Mather's Tommy. Won by Charley, ridden by Coates. B >YS' KA.CE. For boys under 12 years of age. CompetitorsAlbert Warbrick, Henry *keet, Alfred Warbriok, and Robert Skeet. Won by Robert Skeet. HANDICAP. One mile ; heats. Mr. C aig's Snowfla'te, aud Flora, aud Mr. MoGillon'H Jenny rau. Won by Mr. Craigs Snow flake, ri dcii by the owner. PONY BACE. Three ran. Jemmy'a Barney, Mr. Foleys Fancy, »nd Mr. Faulkner's Jade. Won by Faucy. THBEE LEGGED BADE. For this race there were eight competitors. Won by G. Faulkner. CONSOLATION STAKES. Mr. Foleys Chief, ridden by Mr. Craig ; Barney, rid.len by G. Faulkner ; and Mr. F. Gil's Falcon, ridden by Mr. Seely, ran. Won by Chief. In a race for boys under 12, Kennett was the winner. The sports concluded with tilting at the ring, in which great dexterity and excellent horsemanship were exhibited. I here were 14 competitors, and the interest of the proceedings seemed to culminate towards ti>is, the closing evtm of the day. Jemmy Foitier, a half-caste, canied off the prize. Throughout the dUy, the greatest good-humour prevailed ; the men of the ' Blanche ' entered with wpirit into the pro< eedingf, and all seemed thoroughly to eitj >y « dny's q >od diversion. Notwithstanding these pleasant ebullitions of haunleas mirtb, an undefined sense of impending danger seems to prevail. As night approaches pickets <>f the Arawa contingent depart on their j several beats, and the silence of evening succeeds' the few sounds that occur throughout the day, while from the j-hores at Matapihi can be heard songs and choruses of the Ngaiteiangi people, who are anything but enthusiastic loyalists, and who naturally view the presence of their ancient foes a* a paid contingent, and the rejection of their own service.", with feelings of displeasure. Meanwhile the faithful A ra was are models of good, behaviour. They are r\pidly c >mpleting ' tha ditch round the Durham Redoubt, whi'hUuy occupy, and go through frequent drill with admirable precision, uo» and then enrminating their exeicisea with a war daoca, the sound* of which speedily attract all the casual natives within hearing, who rapidly form an audience of nob the most approving kiud. With the early morning, a beil in the redoubt sounds for church s«r\ice, and again in the evening, at which 'time the voices of the' worshippers float not discordantly on the evening breeze, Kvery iuhabitant know* not when he may be 'rudely awakened from his slumbers by a "dropping shot,?' which will be a signal be must not disregard,, to hasten .without delay to the shelter of the redoubt^. , At this particular time, when anxiety and suspense preraii, it seemed fttrange that the mau-of-War * Blanche * Should make a sudden and unexpected' denture. The startling report of the arrival of To Koptiafc Opotiki made ibe inhabitants here feel painfully thf absence of the floating bulwark $ and, although the intelligence was not afterwards confirmed, people felt by no m*-ans"Bo comfortable as. whej^ the ,* Bli*nche ' was lying at auchorin (he harbour.,. The great importance of , keeping the force in command in an effective state has induced the Col nel Oouimaading to visit ' reaches of discipline with Extreme, rigour'; one man, a military settler, of othe'iwue good character, having been ttied by Courts*^uartial for an offeooeof drunkenness, and sentenced 'to receive 23 days' imprisonment in the Mount Eden Sfcodkade. '

Melnheor Yon Duack fended *t r ,pourfc in Nevp York to get extu«< d. frpm' ft'-e jar> -box. " "I , can't, uusUnd goot Hnglese,", quytti Mfinh^er.- "What did' be, 'say?" «skeii tbe'Jadg'e; "i can'fc unsUnd goot fin^le<e," rep9a*ed the Ddtoh'man. ,' < *Tak« your seat," cried the' Judge ; "fake your seat. That is no uc<i«e ; you need not be al&'rtiied, as ybu'Hre not liKfy to hear/any." '^ ' l! ' :> - '' -' > -> ' r - A. Spiot Paraoraph— '.'.What i* the use' of living? l' asked Jok Sirnmomls, the other day. '"We' are flagged for crying, w.e arepba'iej ; flogged twhep tb^DO^^teraH cra^B,wh«n,wg ■,&& boys ;- obligeaii toil, >ell,, f 0r o jiktV« ,wh«a, we" »re of btbei pei>ple,'aie aiid Jßave^oflrdhildrin. |o,qu«rel I ibbuMe posses.ion of' fatliarWatan'/^dd oqt Wired "i to o»fcoh lomebody eU»."