RICHMOND ANNIVERSARY FETE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 61, 14 March 1867, Page 2

RICHMOND ANNIVERSARY FETE.

The inhabitants of Waimea East held high festival yesterday, at Richmond, in celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the settlement of the province. At au early hour of the day, a large number of the oldest settlers in the district, accompanied by their families, and certainly by every evidence of comfort and prosperity, had assembled at Richmond, bent upon enjoying the preparations which had been made by the Committee with no niggardly hand for their j.musement. A procession, headed by the Odd-Fellows, who mustered in considerable numbers, with their handsome banner, and enlivened by the strains of the Wakefield band, started from the Agricultural Hall at 11 o'clock, followed by a long train of children of both sexes, and by a goodly representation of the early settlers of the province. After perambulating the toAvnship, they returned to the Agricultural Hall, where they sat down to an excellent cold collation, of a very substautialandsatisfactory character supplied by Mr. Benfield, of the Star and Garter, Mr. Batey, of Appleby, occupying the chair, of which about 400 persons partook. Various sports occupied the large assemblage present on the ground surrounding the Agricultural Hall during the afternoon, including foot races, on inclined board, up which the competitors attempted with varied success to climb, and which excited much amusement amongst the spectators ; jumping aud running matches for prizes ; and an enclosed green for dancing, to the excellent music of the German Band. The Empire Minstrels also contributed much to the general amusement by their comicalities. At 5 o'clock, at least 700 persons, including children sat down to an excellent tea, supplied at a very moderate charge, in the Hall. At 8 o'clock a display of fireworks took place ; an# about 9 the upper

room of the Flail was opened for dnucing. which Avas kept up with spirit until a late hour. The attendance of visitors from the adjacent districts increased very considerably as the day advanced, and Ave are happy s to state that, so far as we are cognisaut, no accident occurred to mar the pleasures of the day. The committee of management are entitled to the highest commendation for the indefatigable exertions they made to insure the success of the fete, which we may add, were entirely rewarded by the result. Not the least interesting feature in the day's proceedings Avas a cricket match, which took place in Mr. Ilarkoess' paddock, between au eleven of the Nelson College Club and the single members of the Richmond Club, AA'hich ended in the defeat of the former, the college eleven scoring 42 and 44 in their first and second innings, whilst their opponents made 117 in their first inniugs. It was evident from the first that the juveniles, though their fielding was in many respects superior to that of their opponents, were overmatched, aud probably the Richmond eleven might with better taste, have selected a less formidable team to meet so young a phalanx of adversaries ; and with more justice, too, for their best man had once been a member of the College, and was, we think, hardly justified in playing against an eleven of his old school. Be this as it may, the youngsters played bravely, and took their beating excellently well ; so much so, that at the conclusion of the game, wdien Mr. Schroder, their umpire, on behalf of the College eleven, presented the prize bat to the victors, the latter very gracefully acknowledged the disadvantages under which their opponents had labored, and requested them to retain the bat which had been won by themselves, in recognition of the pluck and skilful play which the youngsters had manifested. Cheers Avere given for both sides, aud the match thus ended in the best possible spirit. The date of the return match is not settled.