WAIKA TO WHISPERINGS

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 50, 3 September 1881, Page 600

WAIKA TO WHISPERINGS

— There is going to be a jolly row over Jockey Club matters ; but of this more anon. — Several of the boarders in the National made a discovery a few mornings ago. — The doubty chess champions of Cambridge are going to play the Hamiltonians, and think the latter havn't a leg to " Stanton." — A nice little game of see-saAv is being carried on in regard to the Hamilton Public Hall (West). It is the old story of the pelican and the eel. — The Twins are going to sing at the opening of the new church. They have no one left to care for now, since Malcolm went over the hills and far awa'. — Two well-known East footballers (George and Arthur) were, I hear, exceedingly put out at not being asked to play in the match, and poured out the vials of their wrath on the devoted head of poor Billy. — Talking about the library reminds me that dapper Dods, the librarian, has been to Auckland — notto see life, but to purchase new books ; and that during his absence my friend Mr Heaney made a model substitute. — Audus Eaynes is going to build a theatre. This step is a purely disinterested one, and the base slanderers who say the host of the National is envious of the trade which Ned drives by being opposite the public hall, lie — under a mistake. — It matters little what the text may be, the Eev. Alphabet Willis is bound to swing round to the one idea floating in his mmd — the new church, the new church, and nothing but the new church ; except that money is wanted to pay off the debt. — Miss Franklyn, of Cambridge, entertained her many friends at a dance a few evening ago, and a very jolly little affair it turned out to be. Sad to say, however, the interrogative sex were in majority, and there were just one or twe walflowers. — It Avas commonly believed on fche Sunday morning that two footballers had spent the lonely watches of the night in the "jug," but the strictest enquiries failed to establish the rumour, and I conclude that they all slept soundly on feather beds, dreamless and bootless. — The two Billys— yours and ours — rode together, and a little adventure befel the former near St. Andrew's Church, which it would ill become me to refer to in more explicit terms. But Billy take care the next time to have a fleeter steed. Another time it may chance that the lady will not turn her head. — Cambridge is very liA-ely just now in the way of amusements, etc., etc. What with church openings — I beg pardon, consecrations — church muffin worries, Eoman Catholic concerts, library entertainments, et hoc genus omne, we are in a perfect whirl of excitement. Aud a Land Court coming, too ! — The great event of fche year in the football world of Waikato has come and gone. The Auckland hoys came and saw and conquered by two points. Not so much when it is considered that some of our best men were unable to play. Nick Hunt and Frank Pilling were away, and several others were incapaciated from work by being out of condition. I see that you include the names of Smith and Woodward among the Waikato players, but the fact of the matter is that, although both were pressed up to the last moment to join the team, they declined. Had they been fit the result might have been different — Auckland might have then won by a couple of goals. But though they were too " fine " for the field, they made amends at the dinner afterwards. Milne, lam told, charged for four extra guests on their account. — The football dinner was very jolly. The parson, in the chair, ensured for it freedom from any kind of license, but to do the boys justice they did not appear to be under any restraint, and acted in the most natural manner. Billy made a magnificent speech, pitching into the Waikato ladies because they had not worn the Auckland colours, and expressing a hope that the next time they (the Waikatos) visited town to defend the honor of their district in the football or cricket field the belles of the Metropolis would set their country sisters a better example, and burst out in Turkey red ; I think I see them. But really Billy you shonld remember that blue does not by any means harmonise with our ruddy Waikato complexions. It is not the dear creatures' fault ; it is their misfortune. Captain Tom, as usual, made a nice little speech, full of good advice and atrociously bad puns ; and the parson related stories of the days when he used to play football ; Eddie had no set speech to make, but the dumb eloquence of his nose and his right " peeper " was touching in the extreme ; and McGechie, cold " bulooded " villian, sat by and smiled at his handiwork. But a day will come, ah. ha ! The " tucker " was good and the appetites were— well, passable ; but the songs ! — There were high jinks on tlie CA-cning Avhich succeeded to the game. Charley White, who was the recognised clown of the team, shone resplendent, and, cutting the acquaintance of the junior section of the visitors, assiduously cultivated the the society of the bong tong. Charley is very amusing, but really, my lad, there are chords in the 'uman 'art, as my friend in "Bleak House" says, and you do go a leetle far sometimes. For instance, that little affair of mixing the boots of your companions in arms might have been left out of the programme, although it was funny no doubt. Host Milne was a little rash perhaps, but was there not some excuse for his asperity? Well, well, I suppose you have to act with decorum the greater portion of your time, and the steam would " bust the biler" if it found no outlet. What grieves me most is that you should have incurred the displeasure of good-natured, long-suffering, Captain Tom. — The trip to Cambridge Avas a delightful one, so they all professed ; and having some slight knowledge of the way Bob does things, I can quite believe them. They were treated like kings, and partook of the best of everything. The dinner, which was the first meal ever served in the new annexe of the Duke of Cambridge Hotel, was sumptuous ; but a dear friend of mine who was there says the best part of the entertainment was not the comestibles (and by gad, sir, they were— well!) but Tom Henderson's happy expedient for applauding their host. It was Sunday, you must know, and noise of any kind sufficient to reach the outer world would have heen, not only out of keeping with one's religious prejudices, but objectionable to others. And yet something had to be done; so Captain Tom started "Hip hip hooray " under his breath, and the smiling guests, full and happy, followed suit instinctively. The effect was as pleasing as it was novel. — A ramble in the Avarm afternoon to see the lion of Cambridge, the pretty little waterfall near the rifle range, and a quiet little refresher at the Dove Cot after the fatigues of the walk rounded up the day's enjoyment, pleasantly enough, ancl the visitors again sought their traps and horses and made a graceful exit, showering their choicest blessings on the good soul to whom they owed their holiday. — Deep regrefc was expressed the other morning by many of the thirsty souls of Cambridge that Bob, the genial barman of the leading hotel, was not in his accustomed place. Many surmises were made as to the reason for his sudden departure, the general opinion bein°- that he had gone to be married to a certain young ladylui one of the Waikato townships. It was soon discovered, however, that he had simply been borrowed for an hotel iv Hamilton, which has just changed hands, in order to reflect some of his own popularity on the new landlord, who is a stranger to the district. The Cambridge people, of course, wish him success, but strongly object to his keeping Bob, whom they hope will soon have an hotel of his own. — On Monday week Miss Franklyn, of Cambridge, gave a very pleasant crust and butter dance. The music and floor were all that could be desired, and the supper table was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens. Mrs Taylor wore a very handsome

black silk over a pale blue skirt, trimmed with forget-me-nots. Mrs Beal wore a black grenadine, trimmed with pale blue. Mrs Ewen wore her wedding dress, which, though plain, was in exceedingly good taste. The charming young hostess was prettily dressed, and tastefully ornamented with scarlet and white laco, with white flowers to match. Her friend from the North Shore looked, handsome in black, trimmed with old gold satin and scarlet flowers. "The Twins" were inseparable, both dressed in blue. The taller looked very nice, but it was a mistake for the other to wear blue ; it did not suit her. Miss Grey wore a dark silk with silver ornaments ; Miss Ewen, black and silver ; Miss Hoskings, black and pale blue ; Miss E. Hosking, black and white ; Miss Short, black silk ; Miss Brown, cream uud black ; Miss Young, black silk ; Miss Walker, walking dress, with white and red flowers.