COUNTRY NEWS.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 830, 3 January 1866, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

We learn from, the Dunstan Times that : The sluicers in the Cromwell distinct on Christmas day not only manifested in their festivities that the past had been exceedingly prosperous, but that they had confidence in the future, and were sanguine of the results. The shareholders in the Ballarat claim, a short distance above the Kawarau Gorge, erected a large pavilion, and invited all the sluicers of the locality to partake of their hospitality. The “ spread ” was an excellent one, and would have been a credit to any community. At the Gorge village, the Roaring Meg, Smith’s Gully and Bannockburn, there was much festivity amohg the mining parties, and judging from the liberal scale with which things were conducted, it was quite apparent that all could well afford some relaxation from their accustomed labors.

The same paper says : The public pic-uic in the Wai Keri Keri Valley on Wednesday last was a most unqualified success. The weather was delightful, while the spot chosen for the day’s festivity was all that could have been wished. It was nicely sheltered by surrounding hills, on the slopes of which were assembled little knots of friends, rusticating, and partaking of their alfresco meal with marked satisfaction.

j All comers were received most hospitably. I Those who had not were free to partake with those who had, and an univei’sal feeing of goodfellowship prevailed. Feuds and little jealousies were laid aside ; both upper and lower town- , ships had buried the hatchet of war, and calmly j smoked the pipe of peace. Amusements were provided for both young and old. There was tilting at the ring, hox*seracing, foot-racing, swinging, roundabouts, football, archery, aunt Sally; in fact, everything that came within the category of out-door amusement. The votaries of Terpsichore footed i it merrily on the green ; the first set, country

dance, .and Sir Roger die Coverley were gone through over and over again, l the day’s diversions only ending when old Sol promised speedily to withdraw his beneficent influence from the scene, and let those who had come from a distance find their way home in the darkness of the night.

The Southern Cross says :—“The Wellington Independent contradicts th & Advertiser in the statement that Major Richardson would stand for a Wellington constituency. The gallant Major, not being in favor of Otago, where no constituency would have him, is, it appears, not going to go a-begging for a seat, and will therefore not appear in the House. Dr Monro is is likely to be got into Cheviot ; he can get a seat neither in Marlborough nor Nelson. Mr iheophiius Heale is likely to be returned for Southland, and they are to be congratulated if they get so good a man. Dr Featherston and Mr Waring Taylor do not come forward again for Wellington ; indeed, the Wellington will be a weak one. The candidates are Messrs Runny, Renall, Fitzherbert, Pharazyn, Rhodes, Ludlam, Borlase, Hunter and Pearce. If they were all rolled into one they would not make half so good a member as either Dr Featherston or Mr Fox. Napier will be contested by Mr M‘Dean and Mr Colenso.