COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4023, 9 January 1875, Page 6 (Supplement)

COUNTRY NEWS.

(from our oyrxr correspoiodeots.)

CROMWELL,

January 2nd, 1875.

The festivities of the season have been well sustained here during the last week, and each outlying portion of the district has had its own special enjoyment.

The Bannockburn has had its annual race meeting and sports, affording much amusement in its own way. As an instance of reciprocal good feeling between Cromwell and Bannockburn, I saw a good thing the other day. Two bonifaces, each with a subscription list for rival sports, one for Cromwell the other for Bannockburn, and each contributing cheerfully for the other. The grand event of the week, "the races,"- doubtless, claims pre-eminence-amongst our Christmas amusements, and was as usual a perfect success. The attendance was something grand even for Cromwell, and, notwithstanding even the Good Templar element being in the ascendant, it was evident that enjoyment could be found unaccompanied with the usual stimulant. The result to the boothholder wa3 undoubtedly highly satisfactory, the weather necessitating a continuous resort to the bar. The particulars of the racing events can hardly be of sufficient interest to give mi extenso. Suffice it to say that Brunette again (for I am afraid to say how many times) carried off all the handicaps. 111-natured people—of whom there are a few among the " horsey men "—say they knew it; in fact, they always knew it. ■ Is there a magic in her name or in that of her fortunate owner, that luck, if there be such a thing, should so faithfully attend her1? I regret to hear that she has shown signs of breaking down, aud I trust the rumour may prove unfounded. These handicaps having been disposed of leaves little else worth recording. The Cardrona horses did not succeed in catching a single prize, the Consolation Stakes having gone to Kathleen. While on the course I could not fail to admire the appearance of the new Cromwell Hospital, which is in the vicinity, and in a pretty and sheltered site. The walls are finished, and the plan presents a very handsome design. The Secretary informs me that the public has shown the most bounteous liberality in providing funds, and that to Mr Thomas Logan's personal efforts are largely duo the success of the undertaking. I was much amused to overhear on the course the arguments pro and con on the propriety of preventing all kinds of gaming, or rather gambling, at race meetings, provoked by the fact that although dice were freely permitted at the Spring meeting, all kinds of gambling were on this occasion strictly prohibited. One jolly-looking digger said to his companion, ' Why put a stop to gambling of the description referredto 1 Isnot the whole affair gambling, and if he chooses to speculate his money for the sport of the tiling, well knowing that the odds are against him, why stop him ? he likes the fmi and is prepared to pay for it. What are ordinary sweeps but gambling, witli even a less chance of snccess, a3 he generally draws a blank1? ' You forgot,' says his friend, ' that ii% New Zealand everything must be regulated by law ; it steps in at evo;y turn you make. You must dig for gold by law, frequently difficult to understand ; and you must play only as the law permits. When I was in the force—' At this point in the conversation I left, musing upon the channels through which impressions are formed in tho human mind, I immediately gave myself credit for my smart perceptions, as I almost saw the invisible baton clutched in tliß hand of the speaker. The Good Templars held their grand picnic yesterday. They mustered in strong force from the outlying portions of the district, and with regalia and gaudy flags proceeded to a woodless gully. Sport and game succeeded each other rapidly, till a shower of rain started them back to Cromwell before their programme was completed. The Cromwell baud, a host in itself, enlivened the proceedings. In the evening, a concert, with a few temperance lectures interspersed between the pieces, draw a large audience to the new Athenaeum Hull, notwithstanding the rather high charge of 5.3, the ostensible object of which was to defray the expenses of the picnic. A dav.ce, kept xip till daylight, eonpluded the day's amusements. Very sincere regret is felt here at tho j news of the death of Adam M'Leod, the i carrier. He ha 3 been no long travelling to and from Cromwell that he"was looked upon as one of us, and his kindness and liberality have caused his untimely end to be very severely felt. The changes j.n the delivery of mails have taken'the community by Gurpriso: and if we are doomed to wait for our letters ar r riving on Saturday in Clyde till the following Tuesday morning, the Government may expect but little peace until the matter is rectified. Knowing how fcha wires aye pulling in this matter, it appears a3 although the interests of this community were only a matter of secondary consideration, when a mail contractor, having the ear of the authorities, desires to outwit another. The Catfdrona and Nevis mails are necessarily altered to suit the new arrangement, and I hear that the Nevis mailman will require to stay all Sunday at Nevis, which effectually pj'evonts him from running his proposed coach to and from Clyde on Saturdays, and must materially alter the value of 1113 contract, if not ruin, it, The matter will assuredly not be permitted to remain as proposed. OAMARU. There has been quite a carnival of amusements and gaieties during the past fortnight, and the sober details of everyday business have, to a great extent, been postponed until the beginning of this week, the citizens now settling" dov/n to energetic attention to their various pursuits. During the holiday season the weather was, upon the whole, favourable to the votaries of pleasure, and the frequent warm showers have been specially welcome to farmers and graziers. Christmas Day was passed in the customary manner, very quietly, but on the previous evening the town was crowded with visitow, and the various tradesmen who especially cater for the supply of articles in considerable demand must have reaped a rich harvest, for seldom did I see shops so crowded as on thq,t evening, A picnic of the Sabbath school children of the Presbyterian Church wai held on Christmas, on the grounds of J. T. Evans, Esq., at which the youngsters enjoyed themselves. Boxing Day was kept a strict holiday, all the stores being closed, The Kakanui Races seemed to be the special scene of attraction, every species of vehicle being in requisition to convey visitors. The township of Kakanui, usually so very quiet and dull since the cessation of the meat-preserving works, was, for the day, most animated and gay, nearly 1000 people being congregated on the grounds I to witness those racc3, which are annually increasing in popularity. A capital programme was furnished by the Race Committee, who deserve great credit for their very complete arrangements for a satisfactory meeting. The various events were well contested, and afforded good scope for speculation, while those who would not venture in the. market of chances had every reason to be gratified with the genuine sport. It is to bo hoped the Oamaru Club will take a lesson from the Kakanui Committee, and furnish in the autumn a livelier and more liberal bill of fare than last 3'ear, The Hon. W. Fox gave a long and eloquent address on temperance aud teetotalism in their relation to legislation on Wednesday evening, the 30th ult., ia the "Volunteer Hall. Notwithstanding his celebrity as the champion of the Permissive Bill and the numerous adherents to the cause in Oamaru, the attendance

was not numerous," about 200 only being present. " ' '

The Wesleyans, with an acute perception of the liberal tendencies of the public on tlie^adveht of another year, had their arrangements perfected for holding a bazaar of all 'kinds of fancy articles— mostly the handiworks of the feminine members of the congregation—which was opnncd by the Mayor, Mr SKrimski, in a neat speech on Thursday afternoon. On that evening and the two fol]owing\3ays it was well patronised, and I believe thcr net result will be nearly £300, a buqi which is destined'to assist in the erection of their new church, a building which will, ere long, be completed. Tne last clay of the year departed in quietness, vexy little uproar or noise being apparent in the streets. The Caledonian sports on New Year's Day were very successfully carried out, the weather being favourable aud.an immense number of visitors on the grounds. Tho Band played very well,. and added greatly to the enjoyment of the gay scene. The greater portion of the game 3 were well contested, and some of the athletic competitors were loudly applauded. Although there was abundant opportunity to get intoxicated, the absence of incapables was pleasantly noticeable. Towards evening, the rain, which had all day been threatening, fell heavily, and in consequence, there were fewer at the Concert and Ball, in the Volunteer Hall in the eveniug, than was expected. However, I learn that the proceeds amounted to nearly £60. The cricket match between Duuedin and Oamaru attracted a large number of spectators, amongst wh'oni were many of the fair sex. The match could not be completed on account of Saturday proving wretchedly wet. Both teams were about on a par, their performances being only of a medium stamp. A dinner was held in the Star and Garter on Saturday evening, which passed o(F most agreeably. The grain market is remarkably quiet, and no transactions of importance are taking place. The improvement of pastures has created a demand for store stock, for which fair prices can be obt lined. I am pleased to note that some of the Lincoln sheep imported by Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. have been purchased by Mr Menlove, of Windsor Park, and no doubt they or their progeny will be heard of at some of our future shows of stock. SWITZERS. There has been so little doing in Switzers lately, that I have not had an excuse for sending you a communication for some time. A sad accident occurred some weeks ago ; a miner, "\V. Currie by name, left the town to return to his home at Muddy Creek, and it i.5 feared that he has bsen drowned in tl>e VTaikaia. His horse was found wet through on the bank, and his hat some miles farther down stream. Search parties have been out from d:iy to day, but the body | has not come to light. Christmas has been quiet, but not dull., Mr Davidson had some sports oji the 25 th ! and 2Gth,- which. I am sorry to say, ended in a disgraceful fracas, in Avhich Mr M'Claine, of Gow's Biuh, had his jawbroken. The Oddfellows gave a most enjoyable picnic on the 29th—the anniversary of tho Lodge ; but the crowning festivity of the season took place on New Year's Day, when Mr Simson had Caledonian Sports at the Sons of Freedom Hotel, followed by a dinner and ball. The dinner was first-rate, and the ball the most pleasant that we have had for many a day. Everybody was in high good humour ; ladies mustered from far and wide ; dancing wa3 kept up unflaggingly till daylight, and ail without the least appearance of rowdyism or any unpleasantnes3.