THE HOLIDAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 174, 10 November 1876, Page 2

THE HOLIDAY.

THE CAICnVAL. Public expectation had been wound up to such a degree by the flaming posters which have met t'ie eve at every corner of the streets for the past month retailing the attractions to be presented at the Carnival, that it is little to be wondered at that Oamaru seemed to betake itself en ituissz to Papakaio yesterday. In fact ! so great was t':e stampede that it seemed | as if the town, for the time being, had ! removed its location eight miles further northward. Fully 1800 persons left Oamaru by rail, and the number was further supplemented by those who preferred horse-back or "Shanks' Pony." | The Fcic was held on the property of Mr. | Janus Borrie, a piece of grouud within easy hail of t'.e Maerewhenua line, and with scenery not to be surpassed in the Colony. As on a previous occasion we devoted a special article to a description «f the plr.c •, it is unnecessary for us to recapitulate, b."t we must say the surpass- ! in i beauties of t!u gorge were yesterday > t e theme of universal admiration. Mr. ; John Jennings, so well known as a caterer I {jv amttsem nts, h id entire charge of the ; arrangements, and although there were | necessarily one or two portions of the prugra-nine which might have been im- ! prov.d upon, considering that single- ' handed an:l without any aid whatever lie carried the whole afi'air through, ' lie is entitled to the highest praise. It must also be stated that it was not until [ the last c:mple of weeks that Mr. Jennings got the affair umUr his control; but even since that time the programme was mate- | rially altered and improved iijf.-on, the value of the prizes increased, and while | some of the les3 interesting events were eliminated, others of an attractive nature we-re substituted. However, we should suggest that on future occasions—and we have no doubt that that of yesterday was but the forerunner of many others—a committee should be formed, the diffei'ent events to be allotted amongst the number chosen. By that means the labor would be divided, the arrangements for, and the judgments returned in, the several events would be placed beyond cavil. The particular portion of the grounds in which the Pic-Nic pr >pcr was held was enclosed with a wire fence, while alongside lay a fine Hat paddock, so that had there been a c .mmittee to see to the arrangements the different events should have taken place outside tiie grounds, thereby leaving a clear running f..r the competitors, the wire fence roping off a clear space. The first event on the programme wa3 a Qiuoting Match for a sum of £2, which fell to the lot of D.dgiei.sh. The next item was a Flat Race of IZO yards for boys under fifteen years of ago, the priza being taken by a small lad named James Hook, who, the moment " off " was declared "Hook-ed ,T it with a vengeance, and i won, hands down. The lad had been I allowed a few yards start, but, from the manner in which he travelled, it was quite evident lie coul 1 have met his foes toe bj* toe without changing the result. The .Sack Race followed, being creative of no Eittie iv.erriment; and 'hen what was expected to S:ave been the treat of the day appeared next on the list—announced to the public '-y Mr. James Rsid as "ketchuu' the pig wi 1 the graazy teel." X(» lit tie tiiiij was lost in the preparatory arrangements for the chaso, but the •' spurt" which followed was "a mockery, a delusion, and a snare." A sack was brought into the middle or the grounds, and his pi /ship turned out, but before he had time to make his escape, he was dexterously caught by his organs of hearing, to undergo the process of greasing. Evidently tho anointment was not agreeable, for a series of discordant squeaks alone peculiar to the porcine tribe was the result. By this time the pig, anointers, and competitors were so surrounded by the crowd that, had the grunter felt inclined to make tracks there was no earthly possibity of his doing so. Ai a consesequence, the moment his "head was let loose/' instead of giving leg-bail, he stood stock-still. One of the competitors threw* himself bodily upon it, while his mate grasped tiie tail and claimed the prize. But the trophy had not yet been won. The unfortunate grunter was lifted from the ground ; even' available part by which to cling on to was seized, the four legs and two ears being thus utilised, while the conqueror still maintained possession of the tail, greased though it was. This might have been very fine fun to the spectatoi-3, who enjoyed the of each person to wrest the trophy free, but there was one who uttered a solemn protest to the proceedings, and that was—the p : g. Yell after yell, and squeak after squeak ascended to high heaven, first with

a ringing distinstn23s for which, the members of the porcine tribe are noted, but gradually getting feeble and more feeble, until it appea-ed as if the judgment of Solomon had been out-Sulomoned, and that the unfortunate animal had been not halved, but quartered or octavoed. Finally, a brawny-looking son of toil was seen elbowing his way through the crowd with the prize quietly nestling in his arms—both, but particularly the latter —being well pleased the contention was at an end. As it was there was no chase at all. The poor pig the moment it felt its ears loosened was so perplexed with the novelty of its situation, between its unctuous coating and its numerous audience, that befoi'e it could bring its pigly mind to arrangeliis plans, it was again a captive. What should have been done was : No one should have been allowed the same side of the fence with the animal save those intend nj to t ike part in the chase, and that should have been arrange! as followed. Entries should have been taken the same ts in ether events, and then lots drawn as to who should have first try. When the pig was set loose No. 1 went in—the animal having been previously allowed five minutes to recover l.imse'f from the cramp of his incarceration—and at the call of the watch if the prize had not become his in five minutes he retired : n 1 No. 2 made an e ;say, and so on till tl e winning man was found. For the Young Ladies Race there were eleven entries, and here again the want of good management was apparent. A start was made, and the whole bevy got away well together, the race being down almost to tho railway line and back ; a little girl named Agnes Barclay leaving all the rest behind. However, the judge declared it was no race, as there had not been a formal start, and on the event coming off the second time, Jessie Borrie was declared the winner and received th _■ £2 prize. Of course, we have little doubt tiie decision was quite right, and that the reason assigned for declar'ng the first race void perfectly legitimate, but it was decidedly hard upon little Barclay, who, through the effort she made in the first, which was fully a quarter of a mile, thereby lost the second, which was not one fourth the distance, nor nearly as good a race. Climbing the Greasy Pole was next essayed, and it was well that there should be but one competitor, for, had the list been extensive, the last man would have had a tedious wait. As it was, the preparations for the ascent occupied fully an" hour, and fully another elapsed before the trophy which graced the top of the pole was in his hands. The manner in which the ascent was made was taken exception to by some, but as it was quite evident that there were none others willing to make an essay, even with the aids of rope, sand, and knife, he was allowed to pursue his upward career, and eventually rewarded with the £2 prize. Tiie great event of the day, and for which the largest prize was offered—the 400 yards Flat Race—brought the large number of ten contestants : but it was arranged to substitute 200 yards heats instead. The first four who stripped were G. Lsfevrc, M. Fadzm, S. Smith, and W. Ferens, coming in in the order named. Tiie second heat consisted of Wilson, Hook, Dalgleish, and HOI, also won in the order named, although were it not for a nasty tumble sustained by Hill the result might have been different. In the final heat between Lefevre, Hook, Wilson, and Smith, the first named got away with the lead, was never collared, and came in an easy winner. Hook would undoubtedly have taken second prize, but he was most unfairly caught hold of by Smith, thereby losing his place, the latter taking second prize, although emphatic protests were made against the decision. Then came Ringing the Goose, Tilting the Ring, Grinning Through a Horse-Collar, a Wheelbarrow' and Three-Legged Race, all of which were provocative of much amusement, until the item of the programme was reached. Of course we allude to the Baby Show. For this event there were no less than twenty-five entries, and like the equine exhibits on a similar occasion, were all bedecked with flowing ribbons and dainty finery. Some difficulty was experienced in procuring a gentleman to act in the capacity of judge, the happy paterfamilias to whom we havp previously alluded being prevented from being present, but eventually the good services of Messrs. Joseph Moss and R. C. Lindsay were elicited. The choice fell upon a Master Derrett, but unfortunately it was found there was a flaw in the entry, and although the youthful Derrett could not be robbed of the honor conferred upon him, what should have been his prize went to a scion of the house of Smith, a Master Charles Baker running into third place.

During the day the usual concomitants to al fresco gathering mustered in good force, the lessees of the Aunt Sally and Field Pool appearing to do a roaring business. A sudden gust of wind completely upset the booth of Mr. Dooley, and was the cause of a deal of damage. Beside injuring a lady and child, it played sad havoc with the glasses and decanters, and it was pitiable to see the wreck and destruction caused. Although there was such an immense gathering on the ground, nearly all of whom were carried there and back by rail, not the slightest hitch occurred, and it reflects the very highest credit on Mr. Smith, the Traffic Superintendent, that such a large number could travel both on that and the Moeraki line without the slightest inconvenience, or anything to mar the pleasure of the trips. We had almost forgotten to mention that the proceedings were enlivened by the presence of the Caledonian Band, under Bandmaster Phelan. and at intervals during the day the votaries of Terpsichore were treated to a trip upon the green sward. The following are the awards for the different events : 1. Quoits —Ist prize, £2, Dalgliesh; 2nd do.. Smith. 2. Bovs' (under fifteen) Flat Race, 150 vards—lst prze, £l, James Hook; 2nd do., 10s., R. Amos. 3 Bo~s' Sack Race—lst prize, los., Alfred Smith; 2nd do., 7s. 6d., Peter Macdonald. 4. Catching the Pig—Prize, the Pig, Sfcephpn Smith. 5. Young Ladies' Race—Prize, £2, Jessie Borrie. 6. Climbing Greasy Pole—Prize, £2, Daniel Macdonald. 7. 4.00 Yards Flat Race (amateurs) —Ist nrize, £4, T. Lefevre; 2nd do., £2, Stephpn Smith. 8. Ringing the Goose —Prize, the Goose, S. Boi'pham. 9. Wheelbarrow Race—lst prize, £l, Wm. Smith ; 2nd do., 10s., H. Johnston. 10. Grinning Through the Collar Prize, £l, John Alexander. 11. Tilting at the Ring—lst prize, £2, E. Derrett; 2nd do., £l, John Henderson. 12. Ladies' Race—Prize, an Album, Agnes Ward. 13. Walking Match, 1 mile —Ist prize, £2, T. Clark ; 2nd do., £l, T. Lefevre. 14. Three-legged Race (bovs under fifteen) —Ist prize, £l, Jacob Boreham— Peter Maconald ; 2nd do., 10s. ; A Bust— Richardson. 15- Bicycle Race—lst prize, £l, E. lies. Extra 100 Yards Race—Prize, £1 10s., Thomas Little. Finest Baby Under Nine Months Old— Mrs. E. Derrett's, Ist; Mrs. R. Smith's, 2nd ; Mrs. Baker's, 3rd. CRICKET. According to previous notice a cricket match was played on the Oval yesterday, between the Tradesman's Cricket Club and the Grammar School Cricket Club, which terminated in a victory for the former Club. The scoring is as follows GRAMMAR. SCHOOL —FIRST INNINGS. Craig, b Pale ... ... ... ... 6 Church, b Dale ... ... ... 3 Davidson, b Dale ... ... ... 4 Hewitt, b Dale ... ... ... 2 Spence, bH. Lockwood ... ... 2 ■ Todd, b FT. Lockwood ... ... 3 Grey, b H Lockwood 8 Moore, c Graham, bH. Lockwood ... 1 Armitage. b Da'e ... ... ... 4 Douglas (not out) ... ... ... 1 Gifford b H. Lockwood 2 Byes, &c. 6 Total 42 TRADESMAN'S CLUB —FIRST INNINGS. Dray, c and b Spence 6 M'i.uskey, run out ... ... ... 6 H. Lockwood, b Spence ... ... 9 Dale, b Hewitt ... ... ... 1 Hannah, run out ... ... ... 1 M'Ennis, c Armitage, b Spence ... 2 Lockwood, run out ... ... ... 2 .Aitken, c Hewitt, b Spence ... ... 0 Tuny, b Church 10 Graham, not out ... ... ... 0 Du Vine, s and b Hewitt ... ... 3 Byes, &c. 5 Total ... ... 45 GRAMMAR SCHOOL —SECOND INNINGS. Craig, b Dale ... 0 Douglas, b Dale ... 0 Church, b Dale ... 13 Davidson, cH. Lockwood, b Lockwood 2 Hewitt, bH. Lockwood ... ... 0 Spence, run out ... 0 Todd, b Dale 3 Grey, bDale ... ... ••• ••• 13 Moore, c M'Ennis, b Dale ... ... 8 Armitage (not out) ... ... ... 4 Gifford, b Dale ... ... 0 Byes, &c. ... ... ... 6 Total 49 TRADESMAN'S CLUB —SECOND INNINGS. Dray, c Armitage, b Hewitt ... 18 M'Luskev, c Armitage, b Hewitt ... 9 H. Lockwood, c Hewitt, b Church... 3 Dale, run out, b Church 5 Hannah, c and b Spence ... ... 17 M'Ennis, c Davidson, b Hewitt ... 8 Lockwood, run out ... ... ... 5 Aitken, b Hewitt 3 Tuny, not out -... ... ... ... 3 Graham, s, b Hewitt ... ... ... 0 Du Y 7 ine, s, b Church... ... ... 0 Bye 3, &c. 18 Total 189

THE DRAMATIC PEREOR3iyS-*fit ~ Last evening the Oamaru -jjrpbtic Club made their appearance in theHall in Dionßoucicault's sparkling comejj " London Assurance." When the pm. gramme was published there "were not 5 few who shook their heads in grave douht, and considered the piece a high flight fot so young a Club, but last evening provej most incontestibly that it possesses amongst its members those who are made of material to soar even higher without danger of a failure. It was a matter fot regret that there was such a poor ance, but we have no doubt it was caused by the late hour at, and fatigued con. dition in, which the Papakaio excursionists arrived in town. However, as the same piece is to be presented again tonight, we expect to see a bumper house, The principal character in the comedy was allotted to Mr. Butler, and the manner ij which he sustained it from the rising of the curtain to its final drop, without the slightest stammer, hitch, or stumble wai the theme of general remark. The character is a most difficult one to assume, the part a particularly heavy one to learn, and it requires a most delicate conception to draw the line of demarcation between the refined old beau, languidly in l;ve with himself, but never losing sight of hii gentlemanly proclivities, and an arrant elderly coxcomb. It is usually a fault chargeable to amateurs that when they have a difficult character to sustain, such as Sir Charles Courtley, although the assumption of the role is evident at the outset, as the piece progresses their individual identity floats to the surface, and although the part is gone through, it is a stretch of imagination to catch the meaning of the author. Tliis Mr. Butler carefully avoided, and he was as fully Sir Charles Courtley in act five as when he first made his bow to the audience. We are not aware if it be the first time which Mr. Butler has played the character ; but if such is the case, it exhibits a most careful study of the various prominent points, and a praiseworthy attention to every feature calculated to secure success. Carriage, jesture, and his studied utterances were never lost sight of, the same languid lisp pervading the parting words of the author as the curtain falls on the comedy. Next in order of merit comes Dazzle, whieli jfr the hands of Mr. Corliss was in safe keeping. Possessed of a magnificent voice, the lowest tones of which are heard with distinctness in every part of the house, added to the most expressive eyes, and great facial play, he has the elements of success for more pretentious characters than that of Dazzle. Last night, however, a defect was observable, but one rather of the nature of omission than commission—he seemed to fail to infuse that dash and animation into the character of the man of the world that one naturally looks for, the one thing wanting to make his personation a genuine success. As Mr. Meddle, the pettifogging attorney, Mr. Hickey was irresistibly amusing, and the most captious could not accuse him of making his character a dull or prosy one. His appearance on the stage was always tlie signalformerriment, and the solemn vowsof love and adoration, lavished by Sir Charles upon Lady Gay Spanker, were disturbed by the hilarity caused by the ludicrous attitudes of Meddle in his place of concealment. The make-up also of Mr. Hickey was a capital one —indeed, as far as that go.s, the whole Club are to be. congratulated in that respect, for we have rarely seen amateurs dress their characters with a like care. The part of the rollicking roystering, good-hearted Max Harkaway was taken by Mr. Creagh, and although we can compliment him upon looking the character to perfection, and speaking the words, there we, must stop, his personation being far more likely to be taken for that of Dolly Spanker, than the fox-hunting, devil-may-care Max. Mr. ' Creagh, however, was letter-perfect, and, as we have said, looked the character, so that it is just possible that, on his second appearance, lie will have conquered his bashfulness, and yet score a triumph. The parts of Cool and Dolly Spanker were allotted to Messrs. Rhodes and Procter respectively, and although we confess neither realised our ideas of the characters, whenever Dolly came to the fore, the audience universally applauded, so we are bound to believe our judgment at fault. Perhaps the ladies will pardon us for leaving them to the last. Miss Grace Follande appeared as the high-spirited, volatile Lady Gay, and although there were portions of the character which were capable of improvement, we confess we were most agreeably surprised at the dashing, spirited-manner in which she acquitted herself of the description of the fox-hunt the part that is always looked the test point of the piece. -

jA| Wrvpy in her selection of her cqs!umujkv 'though we have alt th« jjgt «iui*i«nt actresses both at Home and jjtho Colonies as Lady Gay, wi> nevyr - •"* moil Ijwc His. Kinuear appeared pGracu Markaway, and althotrrh tl-orha-jjetur i» "lie to which she i> .fareety she acquitted herself moat creditand the pretty sentimental words i lU t, intu her mouth by the author, were Jl„[iv«t'(>d with much elocutionary efftec, i lUl [secured well-merited applause. The jurt of the lover is a very trying O]lU to amateurs generally, and it is hot (»ir Co say that Mr. Ward made a most Augustus Hamilton. We mutt, however, confess that one of the liiiu»t openings for both Grace liarkaway , ul l lier lover distinguishing themselves * o ru entirely lost sight of last We (lluilo to :hu held for bye-play between Uiu two, when they are playing at crussfiirposus, and Grace strives to brm£ her y v u v lo a confession, there wad a remarkj,io al.>BWi«u of that wtiocM and vivacity jitlio bye-play which the author intended, ;:iu scene having more the appearance of liu prosaic (quarrel between mau and wlt'e T i;iau a luve scene. Taken, however, as a »iiulu, the performance wiu most credttjjjlo, ami ww trust to-nig.it to see taat patronage' accorded which the Club dewrvbs.