WAIMATE- NORTE

Northland Age, Volume V, Issue 21, 18 January 1909, Page 5

WAIMATE- NORTE

(From a Correspondent.) Christmas has gone and as sunshine was our portion throughout the festive season no public function bad to be postponed and the holidays went merrily. The Ohaeawai Athletic Sports held on Ist January were, as usual, a great success. In all the events the competitors were out after honours as well as the prizes. The Cup was won by Mr. Frank Dickeson, of Kaikohe. Mr. Beazley, of Hokianga, took honours in tbe mile, Mr. Whitefield carried off tbe prize for the High Jump, and Mr. G. Armstrong secured the Challenge Cup. Messrs. Humphries and Cherrington were also prize takers. Tl.e Secretary, Mr. A. C. Hingston, deserves every credit for the able and lively manner with which he got off the events sharp to time and for putting through so lengthy a programme by five o’clock. A “ Down the River ” picnic at Kerikeri on New Year’s day was a most pleasant outing and the aid given by several oil launches made transit a pleasure. A dance in the evening fittingly terminated an enjoyable day’s amusement. On Wednesday, 6tli instant, fully five hundred people, mostly natives, assembled at Oromahoe to witness the unveiling of a tombstone to the memory of the late Tane Haratua. The gathering had a double object, for when the unveiling ceremony had been duly performed a marriage ceremony quickly followed, the Rev. Wiromu Keretene officiating. The contracting parties were Sidney, son of Tane Haratua, and a native girl from the same settlement as the bridegroom. Farewell to the Venerable Archdeacon Walsh. On the evening of the 6th a “ farewell” was tendered to the Venerable Archdeacon Walsh in the Agricultural Hall when about a hundred and fifty people gathered together to see the last, for a time, of this highly respected gentleman of the cloth. Mr. Hopkins, on behalf of the Church members, delivered a short address and presented an “Illuminated Address.” The Archdeacon ably responded. Mr. Pringle favored the company with a song, “The Death of Nelson,” and Mr. Phair obliged with “ The River of Years.” Mr. J. Kemp, President of the Pastoral Association, then read an address and presented Archdeacon Walsh with a purse of sovereigns.—The Archdeacon occupied the presidential chair of tbe Association for about eight years, drafted the rules and aided considerably to compile tbe present form of schedule and the entry books used by tbe Association.— Tbe speech in reply was lengthy and most cordial. By special request Mr. Pringle sang “My Pretty Jane.” The Rev. W. Keretene, on behalf of the Natives, made a short speecli regretting tbo departure of the Archdeacon, touching most feelingly on the amicable manner with which they two had worked together. Mr. J. Gower, one of Yon Tempsky’s corps, said that he considered every credit due to Archdeacon Walsh for the beautiful Hatchments made and presented to the various churches in commemoration of the regiment and of the faithful who were killed ' during the Native wars. Mr. Press spoke in feeling terms of the close friendship between himself and the departing gentleman and of tho long hours they had spent together working in the interests of the Pastoral Association he (Mr. Press) having been one of the chief workers in organising the Society. The Archdeacon responded to each of the speakers at far too great length for me to report, hut as most of tbe readers of the “ Age ” know the gentleman perI must leave to their imagination the eloquence, kindliness and delicacy of his remarks. One item which I think should have been mentioned in referring to the early work of the Missionaries was entirely omitted. I refer to the taming influence of the rum and tobacco which were supplied to the Natives by the whalers. These may not have been to the spiritual welfare of the Maoris but were a factor in their civilisation.