NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 29

NEW PLYMOUTH.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

On Friday the Axemen’s Carnival was held in the Exhibition Grounds, and a large number of people assembled to see the championship cutting. Towards evening the sky grew dull and threatening, and continued so until about 2 o’clock on Saturday, when ruin fell and continued steadily to fall. Notwithstanding the rain a large crowd assembled to see the first combined amateur and professional golf tournament that had ever been held in New Plymouth. The local record was broken by Maclaren, who went round the course of 18 holes -ii the small score of 75 (the local record being 85. New Year’s Day passed off very quietly. Very few ventured out for drives, etc., the greater niaioritv oeing content with

the comfort of a fire. Monday morning broke bright and clear, and many fallen hopes were again raised to their former level. The swimming sports, which were the chief attraction for the day, commenced at noon, and there was a fairly large number present. About 30 or 40 visiting swimmers arrived by the express on Saturday, amongst them being the Australian champion, Gavill. During the afternoon the Town Band gave very pretty selections from the old operas. On Sunday, at the Maori village (at the Exhibition), a very interesting ceremony was performed, when the Maori child, who was born on Friday at the Exhibition whare, was baptised by the Rev Mr Bern nett. The child was called “Kaniwara (Maori for carnival), and the Mayor, on behalf of the Exhibition Committee, presented the little newcomer with a handsome silver cup engraved. On Monday evening some two thousand people assembled to watch the second di&play of fireworks shown by the Messrs Bicker ton. The fireworks were a great success, and were enjoyed by the many people, who, after viewing them, wound up the day at the Exhibition supper rooms. When towards Tuesday evening the sky grew dark and dreary, many of our ‘'weather prophets” predicted another bad night, and so stayed at home instead of attending Mr Fletcher’s concert at the Theatre Royal. Amongst those singing were Miss Lorraine Tansley, who was encored in both her numbers. Miss Cooper (Wellington) sang very sweetly. Mr Lawless and Mr Ryan (Auckland) were also in good voice. On Wednesday afternoon (which was a lovely day) a large crowd gathered in the Recreation Cardens to witness the Caledonian sports. The Highlanders entertained the onlookers with numerous sword dances and reels, etc., whilst the Pipe Band was well to the fore. On Thursday the tennis tournament commenced, and although Miss Nunn e-ley and Miss Powdrell did not arrive in time for the first day’s play, still a large number of people gathered at the courts, and these made a very attractive scene, as the day was perfect and the ladies wore pretty muslins and voiles.