LATE COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 501, 14 August 1902, Page 3

LATE COAST NEWS.

WAIPIRO CORONATION CELE

BRATIONS.

t At almost every township on the Eas. Coast an olaborato programme for Coro nation Day was prepared, and the cercmonios at Waipiro Bay were entered into with enthusiasm. Sports in aid of tho Football Club wero held on the beach during the day, and proved most successful. The weather was perfect, tho attendance largo, and the excellent arrangements made for the meeting assured a capital day’s sport. Mr W. Warren undertook tho dutios of secretary, and, in tho language of our loquacious Promier, proved tho right man in tho right place. Mr Warren likewise proved himself a good handicapper, and his adjustment of tho weights produced sovoral keen and exoiting contests. Tho following are the dotailed results of tho foot races and horso racing ovonts:— Half-mile Handicap: P. Pickit’s Ansoni 1, H. Walker’s Waitahai 2, Gordon’s Periko 3. It was a groat race, and produced a brilliant finish. Ansoni and Waitahai raced on terms for the first part of tho journoy, whon Mr J. Walker’s horso drow away and led to within twenty yards from the post, whon Ansoni dashed in and won a good race by a neck, amidst great applause. IOOYds Handicap : Paul Huri, syds, 1 ; Tuckwell, scr, 2 ; Painter, 13yds, 3. Tuckwell made a great bid for victory, and was just beaten by a yard or so. The Do Wet Chase: This event was looked forward to with interest, and caused groat amusement. Thore was a big field, and Mr Farr’s Dan O’Connel was declared the winner.

Station Handicap : Mr Walkor’s Waitahai 1, Mr P. Pickit’s Ansoni 2, Mr Huro’s Stone 3. A good race. Consolation Handicap : Tuahono’s NoeNoo 1, Tuckwell’s Hitu 2, Farr’s Headaoho 3.

Boys’ Race, 75yds: This event proved one of tho most interesting of tho day, and was won by Master Jim Dines, who having the limit start, ran in good style, and won amidst great applause. Tilting in the Ring: This interesting competition brought out a big field, but many of those taking part did not display great skill at the game. Honors were divided between Messrs Lloyd and Farr, both of whom did good work, as also did Gordon.

LOYALTY OF NATIVES.

A feature of tho East Coast Coronation celebrations was the loyalty and enthusiasm manifested in tho proceedings by the Natives. At Waipiro on Saturday last, the Maoris prepared a programme on their own account, and went through hakas, war cries, and songs of rejoicing. They also loudly proclaimed their regard for tho King, and the pleasure it gave them to know that he was to be crowned. Tho inhabitants of the township were somewhat surprised to see the Natives in the evening hauling a rimu log fifty-two feet long to the settlement, and as they went along they chanted many of their old songs, likewise many new ones, illustrating their regard for and intention to servo tho King. The procession was led by Henere Earatawhere, who carried a Union Jack, and urged his comrades on in a spirited manner. The Natives hauled tho log a distance of threo miles to the pah, and it is intended that it shall form tho ridge pole to tho new whare that is shortly to bo erected. A ceremony somewhat on tho lines of the laying of a foundation stone took place, and the Natives altogether spared no efforts to make the function a succeso.

A SOCIAL AND DANCE.

A sooial and daDoa was held all Waipiro, in Mr A. B. Williams’ large woolshed last Saturday evening, and proved a most fitting termination to the Coronation day’s celebrations at the place. Mr Kirkpatrick made .an excellent M.C., whilst dance music was provided by Mr Hughes. A number of songs were rendered during the evening. Mr Kirk sang “ I took it,” in his bright and humorous style. Miss Kathleen Dines gave a most ploasing rendering of “ Ellie Khee.” This young lady, who is not quite six years of age, contributed the song in a manner that won hearty applause from the audience. Misses Brown and Durant contributed a pianoforte selection, “ Shephord’s Evening Song,” and also the vocal duet, “ Life’s Dream is O’er,” both numbers being warmly applauded. Miss Hartley is one of the most popular vocalists on the East Coast, and her rendering of “ The Brook ” was perhaps the favorite item of the evening. Mr Johnson sang “ Whisper, and I Shall Hear,” in a pleasing manner. An interesting address was delivered by Mr H. L. Wilson, who made appropriate reference to the Coronation celebrations at Home, tho speaker being frequently applauded. The great success of the social and dance was duo to tho untiring efforts of the committee, which comprised the following ladies: Mesdames Diues, Duff, Condon, Dewcs, O’Connell; Misses Hartley, Wall, Dines, Chase, Hargreaves, Little, Brooking, Brown, Gorrard, and others,

PERSONAL.

Mr Hoyto, travelling representative for Messrs Sharland and Co., of Auckland, and Mr T. Ransom, traveller for Messrs Sargood Son and Ewen, wore at Waipiro on Tuesday. Mr Ransom showed a fine display of now soason's samples in Mr Tottio’s billiard room. Tho many Coast friends of Mr W. D. b. McDonald will regret to hear of his indisposition. Ho was on a visit to Gisborne, and being taken ill, has been confined to his room for some days. Ho is being attonded by Dr Williams, and from enquiries mado last evening we learn that he 13 making favorable progress, and will probably be about again iu a few days.

THE OMAPERE.

The Omapere worked Waipiro yesterday on her way to Gisborne, discharging fifteen tons of cargo and 4000 ft of timber. The steamer arrived in Gisborne last evening and leaves for South to-day, A consignment of trout ova were received at Waipiro yesterday, having been brought from Auckland by the Omapere, and were taken to the hatchery at Mr George Dewes residence.

A SCHOOL TREAT.

At Tokomaru the Coronation of King Edward VII. was observed in a befitting manner. At the Native school in accordance with instructions received from the Department, the flag was hoisted, and duly saluted. The children were afterwards given a feast in hpnor of the occa-

sion. The Chairman of the School Com mittee, Hone Paputene, and Mokeno Romio, member of the Committee, occupied the chair and vice-chair respectively. The Chairman was supported on his right and left by Messrs _W. Ooates and H. Fairlie, as representing the pakeha settlers of the district. The teacher, Mr McGavin, explained that the pakehas of the Bay had provided the good fare in order that the children mighty remember the Coronation of the King. They might also look upon it as a rejoicing at tho recovery of the King from a dangerous illness, and at the termination of tho war between Briton and Boer. Mr Oates gave an excellent address, pointing out the greatness of the British Empire and some of the things that had produced that greatness, notably the liberty accorded to all her subjects. Mr Fairlie also addressed tho children, and tho Chairman made a loyal and patriotic speech, spoken in bis nativo tonguo. After ample justico had been done to the meal, tho Chairman presented the souvenir cards sent by tho Government, “ God Save the King ” was suug, and the children dispersed, with cheers for the King, for their teachers, and for the pakehas who had given them the treat. The Tokomaru School is one of the most successful Native schools in the North Island, and tho excellent results which aro obtained each year are highly croditable to Mr McGavin, who bestows a great deal of attention on his pupils, and has their welfare at heart.