THE HOLIDAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9394, 28 December 1893, Page 3

THE HOLIDAYS.

EXCURSIONS.

On Boxing Day there were numerous excursions by water, and from an early hour in the morning the Queen-street Wharf and the vicinity was fairly alive with the largo number of persons on pleasure benb. The Northern S.S. Company's steamer Clansman left for Mahurangi Heads with a large number of excursionists, who spent a most enjoyable day. The Wellington went to Waiwera, and had also a large crowd on board. Tho Nautilus and Maori both went down to Motutapu; the Vivid to Riverhead, and the Rose Casey to Putiki Bay, Waiheke—all being well patronised. The Northern S.S. Company's steamers Argyle and I'aeroa conveyed the members of the Beresi'onl - street Congregational Church and their friends down to the Taraaki, landing at Backhand's wharf. Both steamers were crowded, and a very pleasant day was spent) in the usual sports and games. Motutapu was the place selected for th& annual picnic of the United Methodist Free Church members and their friends, the steamer Cororuandel being chartered for the occasion. A pleasant day's outing was the result, the usual games and sports being indulged in. The annual picnic of the Baptist Tabernacle and Sunday-school took place, at Kohimarama, the members and their friends being conveyed to the scene in the steamers I of the Devonporb Ferry Company in large numbers.

The Northern S.S. Company's steamer Waiotahi took the members of the St. James's Presbyterian Church and their friends down to Motuihi for their annual picnic. There was a very large muster, and tho day was passed in the usual manner. ■ , ' During the day the steamers of the Devonport Ferry Company were all busily engaged in running to and from St. Helier's Bay, Devonport, and Northcote. The members and friends of the Beres-ford-street Congregational Church held their annual water excursion on Boxing i Day at East Tamaki. About 300 to 400' went there in the steamers Argyle and Paeroa. A very pleasant day was spenb in various game?, strolls, and social intercourse. The pastor, the Rev. G. Burgess, ¥. U.S.A. and family were also present. On Boxing Day the Devonport Wesleyan Sunday School held their picnic at the grounds of Mr. W. Thome, solicitor, Lake Takapuna, a favourite locality for picnics. There were about 150 children, under the school superintendent, and accompanied by the Rev. J. Ward (pastor), and their friends and relatives. The supply of viands was abundant. A number of games were indulged in and sports competed for. About six p.m. the assemblage broke up, having spent it very pleasant day. A very enjoyable picnic was that of tho choir oi' St. "Patrick's Cathedral and the Catholic Literary Society combined, which took place at Putiki Bay on Boxing Day. The party chartered tho s.s. Invincible for the occasion, and arrived at' their destination about noon. The fine house and grounds of Judge O'Brien, of the Native Land Court, were placed at their disposal, and the committee, headed by Mr. Grace, of the Literary Society, left nothing undone to secure the enjoyment of all. Boating, rambles over the hills, etc., were indulged in, while races for valuable prizes took place late in the afternoon. An improvised concert was given in the afternoon, songs being contributed by Rev. Dr. Egan, Revs. Fathers Hickson, Lcnihan.Hackett,Misses Lorrigan and others. A very enjoyable day was spent. HELPING HAND MISSION I'ICNTC TO HENDERSON. On Boxing Day the Helping Hand Mission had a special train to Henderson, where they held a picnic and camp meeting. From 1200 to 1300 were taken out in twenty-four carriages. Every provision had been made ahead for the comfort of tho pic-

nickers. The mission ient was taken out with the necessary equipage. The company, after amusing themselves in various ways, hold a camp meeting in the afternoon. Various laymen gave addresses, and the mission band played tome sacred airs. The excursionists returned to town at a seasonable hour, and expressed themselves as much pleased with the arrangements made by the railway authorities for taking them to and fro. WAIKATO. Hamilton, Wednesday. The Christmas weather must have been alike provoking to the holiday-seeker and to the settler busy with his hay harvest. On Saturday afternoon there were signs of a storm and heavy rain, and about five o'clock the weather broKe, the thunder and lightning, and rain, being excessively heavy. It rained heavily, on and off, all that night, and Sunday btoko wet and gloomy, with heavy storms throughout the day. One gentleman and his daughter, who started for Raglan in a buggy on Sunday morning, had to return, as the horses would not face the storm upon tho mountain, and the torrents of rain, which ran down the roads like a watercourse. On Christmas day the weather was more partial. Whilst fine in and about Hamilton it rained in torrents in some parts of the Waikato, and did not clear up till past noon. Yesterday the weather broke bright and clear, and continued tine throughout) the day, with a few occasional light showers. All the world and his wife were* out holi-day-making. Fully 1200 people were assembled on Sydney Square to witness the athletic sports. These were a great success, and tho presence of the Hamilton Band contributed not a little to the general enjoyment. The police had nob a libble I trouble i.i preserving the peace, and a dis- : graceful scene took place in the early part |of tiie afternoon. A fight occurred in the Royal Hotel, and the police Constables Forbes, Cahill, and Cavanagh succeeded in arresting one of tho combatants, Samuel Gibson. The other escaped into the bedrooms of the hotel, but an attempt at rescue was made by the hoodlums and larrikins present, who yelied at the police and endeavoured in every possible way to obstruct them in tho execution of their duty. The police manfully stuck to their prisoner in spite of the actual assaults made upon them, and procured the use of a cart to take him to the lock-up. Even then efforts were made, and by apparently respectable people, to obstruct the progress of the cart, but he was gob to the lock-up. Such a disgraceful scene never occurred in Hamilton before.

The following were the results of the veral events of tho day : —

Maiden Race: G. F. Comer, 1 ; Sexton, 2. Bovs under 16 : Nicol, 1 ; 11. Livingstone, 2. Handicap Hurdles, 220 yds : W. Livingstone, 1 ; .T. Cockboat!, _. Very close race, won in the last 20yds by about three feet. Hamilton Cup : First prize, £15, second £3, third £2. First sta«e, 100 yds: A MclCinnon, 4yds, 1 ; .1. 11. Cowling, 4yds, i ; W. Livingstone, 7ds, :i. Time, It) l-stbs. Second stage, 220 yds : M. Sexton, 16yds, 1; G. F. Comer, 13yds, 2 ; A. McKinnoti, 7yds, :;. Third stage, 44(>yds: M. Sexton, 25yds, 1 ; A". Mo-Kihuuu, 14yds, 2 ; .1. 11. Cowling, 10yds, 3. McKinnon and Sexton being equal with 12 points each, ran oft' the 220 yds distance, when McKiimon won by about two yards after a. good race. The result of the Cup thus being—McKinnon, 18 points, 1; Sexton, 16 points, 2; and J. H. Cowling, 0 points, :(. Amateur Cup,- First prize, trophy value £5. First stage, 100 yds: G. Roper, 1; M. Quick. 2; C. Lovoll, :i. Second stage, 220 yds : C. Lovell, I: M. Quick, 2. Only these two ran in this stage. Third stage, 440 yds: C. Lovell, 1; M. Quick, 2; J. Hill, » ; the Cup therefore going toC. Lovell, 1 with 14 point; M. Quick, 2, 12 points ;J. Hill,:), with 2 points. Tilting in the Ring. -Saunders, 1, Obstacle Race.— started for this event, P. Jack coining in first, with G. Reed second, and W. Gurmick third. A protest was entered by the third man, and the race was run over again, when Gurmick won. with Jack, close up, second. Half-mile Race.— Cockhead, :10yds, 1; J. Mc Farlaue, 10yds, 2. This was a good race, Cockhead putting on a great spurt at the finish, won by about four yards. Handicap Trotting' Race, three miles. Ist prize £7, 2nd £2 —Mr. K. J Williamson's Sborclip, 120 yds, l; Mr. W. Crawford's Fuchsia, 230 yds, 2; Mr. J. inciter's Laddie, scratch, 3. Won somewhat easily. Laddie was a good third. High .Tump, for horses. First prize £.%.— Mr. K. Sout.t;r's Tolly and Mr. 11. Kusabs' Unknown tied for first place, and the owner.* agreed to divide the stakes. Otm-mile Handicap. First prize £5, 2nd £1 103.— F. Blackmail, ooyds, 1 ; P. Bain, 30yds, 2; W. Livingstone, Csyds, 3. The luncheon provided in the Oddfellows' Hall, adjoining the square, was well attended throughout the day. A promenade concert in the building brought the day's amusement to a close.

With next Saturday's Herald there will be presented a handsome illuminated sheet almanac for the year 1894. The almanac, as usual; contains a large amount of useful and necessary Information, and for artistic design the coloured border is a distinct advance upon those issued in former years. The Best and Poekst Cocoa. — Tho Medical Annual says : " The name 'Cadbttry* on any packet of cocoa is a guarantee of purity."—The popular beverage for all seasons.