“FIRST-FOOTING” CALLS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 January 1929, Page 6

“FIRST-FOOTING” CALLS.

HARBINGERS OP HAPPINESS

HAWERA SCOTS’ OBSERVANCE,

Among the many laudable activities of the Hawera Scottish Society, not the least is the endeavour to revive in the district many of the time-honoured customs of the Old 'Land. In accordance with that spirit a party consisting of representatives of the society and the Pipe Band assembled at the Post Office on New Year’s morning almost immediately after the town clock had chimed the old year out and the new year in, and under the direction of Messrs J. E. Campbell and J. B. Laurenson, proceeded to make a round of *’ ‘ first-fouting” calls to several of the prominent supporters of the society in the district.

The place of tlie “dark man,” vvithout whom the visitors would inflict bad luck on their various hosts and hostesses, was filled by Mr D. McCormick, who, being the first to cross the doorstep in the new year, had, perforce, to rouse some of the good folk who had not been notified of the social observance.

The itinerary was a rather comprehensive one. Leaving the celebrating crowd at the Post Office the party first visited the residence of Mr and Mrs Geo. Taylor, Argylo Street. After the usual good wishes, expressed 'by Mr J. •E. Cainpmbell, the singing of “A Guid New Year” and “Auld Lang Syne” and a round of handshaking, the party proceeded to the residences of Mr and Mrs Thomson, and Mrs Stewart in the same street to repeat the programme. Leaving the town behind, the “ first footers” travelled to the home of Mr and Mrs Laurcnson, at Tawhiti, and thence to Mr D. Ward’s residence at Te Ngutu o to Manu. The next port of call was Mr Alex Eraser’s home at Okaiawa. Finally the party ended up at 3 a.m. at Mr and Mrs I>. G. Smart’s beach cottage at Ohawe. Here a rather more lengthy programme was submitted and daylight was well advanced when one celebrant, after enquiring the time, remarked with concern, to the accompaniment of general -laughter, that he would have to hurry, as in ten minutes' time he should be storting to get the cows in. The suggestion proved to bo the dispersal signal for the merry “’first-footers,” who repaired to their various homos tired, but thoroughly satisfied with the morning’s enjoyment. Admirable hospitality was extended by the people called upon. All entered thoroughly into the spirit of the custom, even where it had been necessary to knock long and loudly to break the spell of early morning slumbers. The startling change from the peaceful phantasies of dreamland to the realistic atmosphere marking the advent of the visitants led to situations frouglit with boundless mirth. At one residence a member of the household, who exhibited a preference for his customary refuge during the watches of the night was seized in his Led attire by half a dozen hefty highlandmen who good humouredly tumbled him with a tangled heap >of bed .coverings and mattress in the circle of revellers. Thoroughly awakened he managed to effect a hurried exit and it was subsequently remarked that when last seen lie was disappearing rapidly into the bush. The infectious spirits occasioned by the happy custom, however, proved irresistible. Sponsors and hosts alike evinced keen zest in the observance. Charitable wishes that the new born year, glowing in promise, would prove a period rich in happiness and prosperity brought prompt and smiling reciprocation and it was manifested that an annual observance of the ancient Scottish custom would be regarded as an extremely welcome feature of the season of cheer and goodwill.