FEILDING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7682, 16 January 1886, Page 3

FEILDING.

(FROM our. OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Pressure of time on account of extra business and the holidays has precluded my furnishing you with any notes for the last week or two, but I hope now to be able to keep you regularly posted with news of any importance with reference to Feilding and the district. The holiday season has passed off much in the usual manner, although there has not perhaps been as much money circulated in proportion to the population as in most former seasons.

The great event of the year, the Feilding athletic sports, held on Boxing Day, were again very successful. Competitors came, as usual, from long distances, and most of the events were closely contested. The weather was splendid, and th© attendance large. Everything passed off without a hitch, and the proceedings were enlivened by the strains of the Volunteer Band, who appeared, to play better than ever, tn the evening of the flame day a musical and dramatic performance, in aid of the funds of the band, was given in the Town Hall local amateurs. There was a capital audience, who were much pleased and amused by the entertainment, the financial results of which were also very satisfactory. On New Year eve a similar performance was given in the same hall by the Palmerston Musical and Dramatic Society, in aid of our local Anglican Church funds. There was again a bumper house, and the people were delighted by both the singing and acting of our Palmerston friends, who certainly scored a bull’s eye, if I may so put it, in the estimation of the Feildingites. I ought to say that the object of the entertainment was to purchase material for making up goods for the St John’s Church Bazaar, which comes off about Easter. Sir William Fox has been here, and has given the opening lecture on Gospel Temperance, in what is known as the New Hall, a building Which ia used as a Temperance Hall, Salvation Army Barracks, and for religions and benevolent objects generally. There was a very fair attendance considering that the night was unfavorable on account of other attractions, and Sir William’s address was well received. A few evenings later the same hall was crowded to hear a lecture by Mrs Auffray, known as “The Escaped Nun,” in which she gave her experiences of convent life.

I can only now give a brief summary of the events of the past week or two, but should mention that the first race meeting held at Awahuri on the last day of the old year was in every way a great success. The annual sports held at Halcombe on New Year’s Day also passed off well.

No buildings of any importance have been put up of late, but while I write tenders are closing for a commodious now place of business in one of our principal streets. - Bush and grass tires have beep burning for some time in close [proximity to the town, but fortunately as yet no damage has been done beyond the destruction of some fences, hay, etc. On account of the long continued drought the whole district is in an inflammable state, and should a fire break out in town just now there is no knowing where it might end. The festive season has not brought unmixed joy to some of the residents of the district. “Bold death, the grim and certain,” has been rather busy of late, removing in one case two members of a family within as many days, in other instances taking from our midst some old familiar forms.