WAIKATO WHISPERINGS

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 19, 22 January 1881, Page 188

WAIKATO WHISPERINGS

—Young Pilling, who received a rather severe shaking from a fall in the Maiden Hurdle Chase, is getting round again. —I hear that the Comus Dramatic Club are busily preparing "Money" for representation some time next month, and that the cast is a pretty strong one. —I have just heard it rumoured that a case of more than ordinary interest, affecting certain Hamilton residents, will be heard m the Supreme Court. Y] ie new Lawn Tennis court at Hamilton is nearly finished. The members of the club will thus shortly have two courts, and not too soon considering how strong, numerically, are its ranks. — The power of example is great. The employes of a certain newspaper office in Hamilton have recently; burst out in " button holes" of enormous dimensions, in imitation of their chief, who is a perfect whale at this sort of thing. —Certain of the prominent residents of Cambridge and the neighbourhood went picnicin« on the second day of the races, making a halt in the pretty bit of bush on the Mangapiko river. Returning, they were hospitably entertained at tea by Mrs. Parker, at Rotorangi, and in the evening enjoyed an impromptu dance at the Town Board Chambers. — A concert was given at Cambridge on the first night of the races by the band in compliment to their popular conductor, but the affair owing to various causes, none of which could well have been foreseen, was a comparative failure. The rain and the smallness of the attendance took all the spirit out of the performers. —On the following evening at the same place, the local dramatic society gave a very successful performance, the programme consisting of "Dreadfully Alarming," and "The Little Sentinel." The lady amateurs, as on a former occasion, acted extremely well. The Cambridge races are referred to elsewhere, so I. will merely say that they were beyond all cavil, the best ever held in this district. The Cambridge folks are justly proud of their success. —The Lord Abbott Alcock, with a spirit worthy of imitation by others of the order ecclesiastical, was present at the races on both days, and occupied a prominent seat on the Stand. The moral inflnence thus effected could not have had any but a good effect. — If there was anything of a ludicrous nature in the two day's sports at all, it was the circumstance of the Stewards all turning out in white belltoppers. Many of them had never before aspired to such a dignity, and it certainly did not sit easy in some cases. I might mention names, but having no desire, if discovered, to take an impromptu ride on a donkey, I refrain. A moonlight excursion was to have taken place on the river at Hamilton last week, for the benefit of the Light Infantry Band, but owing to the absence of the Major who was to have taken the money, the affair was postponed till Tuesday last. The attractions, for all of which the charge was 2s 6d, included a "select dance" on deck. The Steam Navigation Company generously gave the use of the "Delta" free. —The Mesdames Graham gave a second bread and butter dance on Friday last at the Tamahere estate, to a further instalment of their friends, the majority being from Cambridge. The arrangements were very complete, a capacious marquee having been attached to the verandah, opening out of it, and in this, the supper, very recJiercheby the way, was spread. _ The greatest enjoymentreigned till early morning. —Preparations on an extensive scale are being made for the laying the foundation stone of the new Anglican Church at Cambridge on Friday. It is expected that the ceremonies will be Masonic, and an effort Avill be made to obtain the attendance of some of the more prominent members of the more prominent members of the craft from Auckland. His Excellency, Sir Arthur Gordon will do the honors. — Afterwards the Wesley ans will make an effort to get the Governor to attend their bazaar in the Public Hall in the evening, but the worry of receiving two addresses, together with dust and other disagreeables of the journey, will, I think, rather incline him to seek repose under the hospitable roof of Host Raynes.