MAUEICEVILLE

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 357, 7 January 1880, Page 2

MAUEICEVILLE

~* [FROM OUR OWN OullttESl'oNDEN'J'j. Jan. 6th. The continuance of rain up to the evening of Boxing Day precluded the possibility of enjoying the sports advertised to be held on that day, and the stewards were compelled to postpone Ihe meeting until the Ist of January. The weather cleared up in the evening sufficiently to enable the Mauriceville ball to be held in the evening as proposed. The ball wa3 held in the schoolroom, and was very l numerously attended. Dancing commenced about half-past eight o'clock to the excellent music of Mr Hans Svendsen, whose services had been engaged for the night, and was vigorously kept up until' 11.30, when the visitors sat down to supper, catered by Mr Peter Thomson in excellent style. After supper, dancing recommenced and continued until late on Saturday morning. A very good breakfast, of which many partook, was laid on the table about 6 a.m., soon after which the guests separated, after spending a most enjoyable night. Throughout the' whole of the affair the greatest harmony and satisfaction prevailed, and the disappsintment engendered by the previous wet day was completely obliterated. I must compliment Mr Svendsen on his able performance on the violin, Mr Thomson for the excellent way in which he provided for the refreshment of the party, and the subscribers generally on_ the hearty manner in which they each vied to give pleasure to their companions and make the ball the success that it was.

An unfortunate and fatal accident happened on Tuesday morning, the 30th of December, and cast considerable gloom over the settlement. A settler named Pehr Nelsen went into his paddock early in the morning to catch his horse. As he did not return to breakfast a search was instituted and his body was found, but life was quite extinct, death having been caused apparently by two kicks from bis horse on the neck and shoulder. An inquest was held on the afternoon of Wednesday, presided over by Dr Hosking, of Masterton, and a verdict returned of "Accidental death." A widow and four young children are left to mourn their loss, and, I regret to say, utterly unprovided for. This is undoubtedly a fit and proper instance for the exexciae of charity. A subscription is being started here by Mr Henry Aulin, and assistance from any other quarter would be very acceptable. Mr Sasi, Lutheran Minister, from Noraewood, held Divine service on the ls't

nisi .ii tlif stliuuluiuin, and muus usu.il well suppmted Ken Yen's Jay (ipeiaii mill brauhful HiMilii'i—hue, liut nut inn H.iim In iniiHi)mjiiu>nf ihu Lutlieian Riiviui 111 liu Iwiuwuii, llio M,iuiiu;\ille Bpuits, which had been deferred ironi Boxing Day on account of the bad weather, did not commence until past one o'clock. The BadneßS caused by the recent sudden death of Mr Nelson, and the faet that his funeral took place on this.day, combined 1 with the great counter-attraction'of the Caledonian Sports in Masterton, altogether rendered the attendance here very much less than it would have been had it been possible to have held the meeting on Boxing Day, when, notwithstanding, the rain, a large number of visitors were disappointed; and the committee, taking these things into consideration, wisely revised and curtailed the programme. This was the first meeting of the kind in the Mauriceville settlement, and I am pleased to say it must certainly, be considered a success. The various. events were all well contested, and the sack and wheelbarrow races caused a good deal of amusement. The decisions of the judges gave general satisfaction, and altogether those present enjoyed a very agreeable day. There is little doubt that on-any future holiday Mauriceville will offer great inducements to visits from the lovers of outdoor sports and general Christmas festivities, i I am sorry to say the continued bad : weather has reduced the north road to as bad a condition as before the late clearing work commenced. It is evident that nothing but a complete clearance away of the slips will be of any lasting, good effect;