THE SMOKE CONCERT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 2500, 9 August 1893, Page 2

THE SMOKE CONCERT.

Between 80 and 90 persons attended the ainoke concert) in the Town Hall. The catering was well done by Mr O'Connell, of the Commercial. The hall waß nicely decorated with bunting, flowers, etc. ; and the tables were laden with everything of the best.

The Mayor occupied the main chair, supported by Messrs A. Bayly sod J. Lambie ; and the vice-chair was taken by Mr 0. McLean. The other table was presided over by Mr G. T. Bayly, supported on hie right by Mr A. Good, Mr White being in the vice-chair. Among those present was Mr McGuire, M.H.R., and there were also visitors from New Plymouth, P&t9a, Manaia, Sttatford, and elsewhere.

The toast ol "The Queen" (proposed by the chairman) was duly honored.

The Chairman, in proposing the toast j of tbe evening, said he bad thought tbe reception would have been very modest compared with the pageant in Wellington, but on looking around tbe room it was plain that it was a reoeption all footballers must be gratified to witness. He said that in no part of New Zealand was more interest taken in the result of tbe tour than in Taranaki — (applause^, — and especially of the doings of the Taranaki contingent. He spoke of the danger in football, and Baid bis opinion was tbat, robbed o! tbe danger, it was no game at all. He noted witb pleasure the idea whiab bad been mooted of starting an Australasian Union, whereby annual intercolonial watches woald be played. Wbea tbe sister colonies visited New Zealand they would, be wan certain, receive the same hospitality they had given New Zealanders; and if they came to Taranaki tbe latter, while extending tbe band of fellowship, would endeavour to defeat them, and he thought they would stand a show of doing po. Taranaki's reputation was high in football ciroles, and be trusted they would maintain it. As an old player be was an ardent lover of the game, and would always, so far as be was able, foster it. He alluded to the surprise with wbiob the news of the New South Wales' victory was received in Wellington, and said the New Zealand team was, to a certain extent, a polioy team, but when lengthened by tbe quartette of forwards who played in the last two matches, it was then a real representative team. He proposed " Long life and prosperity to tbe i contingent."

Mr A. Bayly (who waa received with great applause), thanked thorn- for tbe hospitality they bad received since their return, and said that although thsy bad received many splendid receptions, none so much pleased them as this. He gave a brief description of the tour, and gave his opinion of the loitg&me. He said New South Wales were jast as strong as New Zealand in football, and they bad good advantages. They played a weak team against New South Wales, and, although they scored first, there was no daab. Tbree or four of their best forwards were knooked about, tbe ground was as bard as a board, and they bad no Borummexa in the team. The main thing in football was to get possession of tbe bail, and they bad no pressure behind to get possession of the ball. Lambie and Cookroft were tbe best forwards in tbe team. (Applause.) They were beaten on the lineout and in tbe sorntns, and had nothing to do bnt chaee their opponents, wbo passed splendidly. With New Zealand's best team, however, it would be 10 to 1 on New Zealand at any time. Tbe match with Queensland was tbe finest game of the tour, tbe passing of New Zealand beiDg wonderful.

Mr Lambie and Mr Good (wbo were also received with great applause), responded endorsing Mr Bayly's remarks.

Mr G. T. Bayly proposed the toast of " Football in New Zealand," coupled with the name of Mr Biddiford. He thought tbe one defeat sustained was not such a great blow, for if New Zealand won every game it would have been said they bad nothing to play against.

Mr Biddiford responded in a neat speeoh, and alluded to tbe great honor Mr Bayly had received in being awarded the trophy for tbe best all-round man in the team.

Mr McGuire (who received a hearty reception) spoke of tbe pleasure it gave him to be present at suoh a gathering, and detailed tbe reception tbe team got in Wellington, he being one of the reception committee. He said tbe names of Bayly, Lambie, and Good were in everyone's months. He hoped they would live long to wear their laurels. He proposed the toast of the " Taranaki Eugby Union," coupled with tbe name of Mr G. T. Bayly, wbo bad made bis name famous in football throughout New Zealand. (Applause.)

Mr Bayly suitably responded.

Among otber toasts given wert "Kindred sports," proposed by Mr G. MoLean, and responded to by Messrs C. Bogers and 0. Hawkin ; " Old Crickotere," proposed by Mr Bogers, and responded to by Mr White ; " Old Footballers," proposed by Mr A. C. Atkinson, and responded to by Messrs F. Bayly and Gibbons (Patea) ; " Tbe Ladiea," proposed by Mr Soutbey, and responded to by Mr It. B. Laßk (Stratford) ; •• Our Worthy Chairman," proposed by Mr Gibbons, wbo eaid be had known Mr Major on tbe otber coast 17 years ago, where be bad always tak "i a prominent part in athletics and t£:>p" n!y football, and bad been a rep. an* 1 ■ >od one, too, wherever be bad been, a.i . ou this coast, not alone as a player, but as an organiser, he bad always worked heart and soul for tbe game. 11 Our Worthy Member," proposed by Mr G. T. Bayly, who said Mr McGuire bad showed a keen interest it the game, as well as in matters affecting bis electorate. Besponded to by Mr McGuire.

During the evening vooal items were given by Messrß Wray, Godfrey, Warden, C. Bogers, Cunningham, Bobson, Campbell, and etep-dance by Mr Dobson. Mr B. Robinson presided at tb« piano during tbe evening, aud Mr R. Dobson oontributed a piano solo.

To the Dairy Farmers of Hawera and district. — Hardley and Sons, of High-et., wish it to bo known that they are making a special lino of Dairy Cans, Cheese Vats of all descriptions, and all tinware for factory use. Early orders are requested, as the season is fast approaching*. — Advt.

Ladies' gold watches je6, £7, JSS 10b, JBIO 10s, and £13, at H. G. Pitcher's.— Advt.

The"Egmont" 21s each, gives general satisfaction, strong, useful, and cheap, at H. G. Pitcher's.— Advt.

Chains, rings, pins, studs, brooches, etc. made to order at H. G. Pitcher's, Hawera.

The Narrow Escape on the Manawatu Railway Company's Line,

A correspondent of the Manawatu Tituei Rives tbe following pariieaUre :— I cannot let pass the subject of what might bave been a terrible disaster at tha Waikawa river without some comment, and hope yon will kindly do me tbe favor of inserting tbe following in your valuablt colnmos. Great praiße is doe to Mr Henry Bev&n for having been the meant of having averted wbat woald have been an awfal catastrophe. Mr Bsvan, whose bonse is situate on- a terrace in fall view of tbe Waikawa river, has been confined to hii bed for tht last two weec>, and cooJd see from bii bedroom window that the river waa rising rapidly, and fearing for the safety of some shetp be had on tbe low part by the river, be sent bis little daughter down to drive them on to high ground, and when down after the sheep the girl saw tbat tbe flood was washing the embankment away on tbe other end of tbe bridge and on coming back to tha bouse told her father of it. Tbis wta after the Wellington tram bad come np and the linemen on this length had gone borne to Manukaa. Tbe catting away of the bank all occurred witbin ft space of 20 minutes, bo Mr Bevan, feeling sure tbat tbe linemen eonld not have seen it, and the do^n train being nearly due, although noc in a fit state to leave bis bed, jumped oat at once, and his mother wbo was staying with him at tbe time ran down to tbe bridge to make certain of tbe girl's report. Wbea she came back Mr Beaven had dressed himself and got his two bngey lamps which showed red lights, and harried ap the line to bis uncle's place, md ftom tbere sent a Maori boy to give tbe lintmmn at Ohau word to stop tbe train there, and then planted the two red lights on tbe top of the rise from tbe river, thereby saving » large number of lives and a considerable loss to the railway company.