TAURANGA JOTTINGS.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 74, 11 February 1882, Page 342

TAURANGA JOTTINGS.

— The bookmakers were reduced to fclie desperate expedient of betting with each other at the races. They couldn't have made a pile out of it. — Dave Aslier did the great Nabob at the Matapihi races. Kapai the pork and praties, eh, Rawiri ? — Lieutenant Herman made a nice exhibition of young Snodgrass at his entertainment on Monday. I wonder if he enjoyed kissing the Aunt Sally. He afforded the audience a great deal of amusement. — Our fair visitors are commencing to leave us, and all hands look sad in consequence. One of the young ladies, leaving by to-day's boat, has made herself such a general favourite that I do not wonder at the lugubrious phizzes to be seen on the Strand. There will be some waving of handkerchiefs when the boat leaves. No onions required this time. — Constable Cavanagh sadly neglected his duty on Monday morning. Those persons who wanted their horses for the races might have been seen wending thoir way to the poxnd ; but on their arrival they were dismayed to find it empty. They were obliged to set out on a weary search for their steeds, instead of finding them ready caught and paddocked by the active constable. You mustn't be so remiss in the future, Cavanagh. — I have often noticed a striking similarity of ideas between great men, and this week another instance of it has come under my notice. In the par. re the mount, in last week's " Jottings," my editor insinuated that it might have been written by Mark Twain. But it wasn't. However, on looking up Mr Twain's "Tramp Abroad," I find a somewhat similar incident described in equally graphic and beautiful language. Singular coincidence, isn't it ? --The Whakatane contingent, led by Mr J. W. "Wrigley, were greatly elated over their victories on the racecourse. After Woodpecker pulling off" the Maiden and Stewards' Cup, the irrepressible John did a " Dale" of shouting for all and sundry. Before and during the Hurdle Eaco he was sitting: disconsolately on a gate-posb near the judge's box, patriotically offering odds on the Coast horses. When it was seen that Augur must win, he rose from his sitting posture and danced a hornpipe on the post. When Augur had won he jumped down from above and performed a war-dance for the benefit of the judge, collected and liquored-up the Whakatane gang, and embraced the jockey, chaffed the bookmakers, and played high jinks generally. — Charlie Turner heard from a correspondent that there was some reference to him in the Tripe Wrap. He started on a voyage of disco veiy to procure a. copy, but was unable to obtain one. I met him at the end of the Strand, and he told me he'd made a personal canvass of the whole town, a,ud was not able to discover a single copy less than two months' old ! He afterwards heard that there was one subscriber to it here, but he lived eight miles ont of town. In a late number of the Free Liar it mentions that it has a large circulation in the " King country." That settles it. Hitherto I have wondered where its circulation was. Probably the noble savage in his "elevated" moments would niglily appreciate the edifying- print. — The " hop " on Thursday night was highly enjoyable. The following are some of the dresses worn : — Miss W — n, white cashmere ; Mrs Cr — p, wedding dress of cream satin cut square, lace and feather trimmings, diamond locket and earrings; Miss Cl— e, white muslin and cardinal : Miss Ch — vs. Mother Hubbard polonaise of white Madras muslin over white sateen, cardinal waistband and bows ; Miss K— n, blue muslin ; Miss 27 — s, cream sateen, blue jersey collar and tri?nmings : Miss N — n, Mother Hnbbard dress of cream Madras muslin over pale pink sateen ; Miss B — r, princess dress of cream-coloured inuslin, trimmed with pale pink (this young lady is a great favourite, and we shall certainly miss her) ; Miss T — ks, princess dress of white muslin, blue bows ; Miss Tr— e, black grenadine, tartan sash, white lace (she looked the picture of enjoyment) ; Mrs T — n, black sateen and cream scarf, but I did't like the new polka ; Miss W— ne, black silk ; Mrs S— n, white cashmere trimmed with black lacs aud pink : Miss F. V— c, white cashmere, plastron of pale pink, bows to match ; Miss B. V — c, white muslin, with blue sash.