THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY,

Otago Witness, Issue 2651, 4 January 1905, Page 32

THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY,

I A strong and consistent south-west galey with cold rain showers in the morning and towards the close of the day, put a stop to anything like effective holiday-making on Monday, and many who had probably intended making an excursion into the country or taking a trip down the harbour did not venture out of doors. The town presented an unusually quiet appearance the whole day, and at times the streets were almost deserted. A large number of people — probably about 6000 — found their way to the-Caledonian Ground, where the Society's annual gathering wa6 held, while thecricket match Otago v. Canterbury at Carisbrook proved an attraction for a number of enthusiasts. Harbour excursions were, of x course, out of the question, the only boat to make a trip down the' harbour being the Rimu, "which, however, was not patronised; to any extent. A number travelled by the Moerangi to the annual regatta at Broad Bay, but owing to various reasons the affair was postponed. The New Year was ushered in at Port Chalmers by the ringing of the various church bells and a display of fireworks. A large bonfire had been erected on the Rg- ' •claimed Ground, and "was lit at 10.30- p.m. on Saturday by the Mayor amidst the ringing cheers of all present and the firing of a number of crackers and other harmless fireworEs, a liberal supply of which were given to the schoolboys by^ the Mayor. The very heavy rain that fell had the effect of stopping any further demonstration, ..and the streets were cleared at an unusually •early hour.* for New Year's tide. [By Telegbaph.] NAPIER.— On New Year's Eve and New 'Year's Day a heavy gale was*.' blowings accompanied ' on Sunday with occasional-"" heavy "showers of rain..- On Monday the wind was. still somewhat strong, though not co heavy as on the two previous' days. -The*' principal attractions for thei day- were ' ihe Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's races' and the -Union- Rowing Club's regatta at' Farhdonj- ' ■eaoh of which attracted large crowds. * " WANGANUI.— There was fine weather for the holiday, which passed off quietly. "" Various -picnics were we'll* attended - WELLINGTON.— Saturday night was . miserably wet, and there were comparatively few people -about the streets. On Sunday it rained. The first part of the forenoon" on Monday was beautifully fine, but pleasureseekers sadly disappointed, for later in the "3ay the weather became overcast and chilly. There was a great exodus "from, the city by train and steamer, about 1500 alone joining the Mararoa for a trip to Picton and back. CHRISTCHURCH. — A heavy south- * westerly gale has been blowing since Sunday. The Lyttelton regatta had to be postponed. TIMARU.— The first day of the Caledonian sports passed off successfully, though the attenda'nee was reduced by a" strong southerly gale keeping mat? ladies away. -' Nevertheless about 5600 were present. The sports weTe of the usual character. The " "bicycle events were made interesting by the presence of the Amst brothers and. Randrup, and especially by the efforts of Randrup and R. Arnst. motor paced, to break W. Martin's record of Imin 46sec for the mile with a flying start. Chalmers, of Christchurch, with a 6£ horse-power 'motor, did the pacing. Not much hope was felt of "reaching the record on account of the strong- - gale blgwing. Randrup covered the mile in - Imin 49 2-ssec, and Arnst in Imin 48 2-ssec." —much better time than was expected. The .track was in fine order for a trial. J. Waldie (250 yds) won the principal bicycle race (one mile and a-half), the scratch. men, R. and J. Arnst and Randrup. failing to get up. Good entries were received for the ' = running events, but few for feats 'of strength, jumping, and Highland dancing. INVERCARGILL.— The principal feature - of the holiday season has been the unseasonable weather. The winds have been strong and cold, the skies leaden, and although, not a great deal' of rain has fallen there have been torrential showers, especially late on Saturday night, occasionally varied by hail. To-day has been reasonably fair, but the cold south winds and lowering clouds must have deterred many from seeking pleasure away from home, and lessened the attendance at the sports of the- Caledonian Society.

A settler in Hawke'g Bay is suffering from blood-poisoning, the result of a bite ' from an ant while he was in Australia recently. A woman named Jane Davis has been, committed for trial at Maclean (New South' Wales) on a charge of attempting to administer poison to a South Sea Islander named Joe Williams. Evidence was given. • to the effect that Williams was not on good terms with Davis, and that his food on • several occasions disagreed with him. Some fish which he could not eat were given to the dogs, which quickly died. Accused had denied to the police that she had bought poison, but local chemist stated that Davis had bought arsenic in September and strychnine in the following month, and signed his book. The Government- Analyst found strychnine in the undigested fisK taken from the stomaoh of a dog in quantity large enough to kill a man. — The relative position of the French raoe in Europe may be thus stated: — OE every thousand inhabitants of Europe in 1800. no less than 156 w*?re French, 151 ia 1830, 130 in 1860, and 97 in 1900.