THE HUTT FETE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2309, 13 January 1866, Page 5

THE HUTT FETE.

Eakly on Wednesday morning, such of our worthy citizens who had formed parties for the , purpose of visiting the fertile valley of the Hutt, ) and indulging in the pleasures of tho fete, and tho amenities of Mr. Peter Laing's hospitable villa, felt disappointed as they pulled aside their window curtains, and peered out to see the ap- \ pearance of tho morning. It was certainly not a j very promising one. Low dark clouds rested on the Jiills, and aN.W. wind sighed in the distance, as if trouble at having to come out from its hidingplaces among tho gullies to destroy tho day's pleasure of the merry company, who had looked forward with such glee to their holiday making in tho country. At 9 o'clock there was a change for tho better, and though small spiral clouds of dust wore whirled by the breath of tho North Wester up and down tho streets, and round tho corners in a sort of mad waltz, it was hoped that once clear of the town, tho inconvenience would be left behind ; and tho appearance of the sun which then peeped over tho edge of a white cloud, brightened up the faces of all interested in tho success of the fete. Up till that hour many families were undecided whether to go or not, but when tho clouds cleared away there was such a decided appearance of a fine afternoon that all were hurry scurry to be oft 1 . Materfamilias hastened over the family breakfast, and bedecked her youthful progeny for the occasion, while the " gude mon," as he lay back in his chair smoking his matutinal pipe, inwardly anathematized till fetes, and pleasure parties, that entailed exhibitions of womanly solicitude, by men termed " bother and fuss." Before 11 o'clock, the greater number of the holiday makers were off; some closely packed iiffamily traps ; othors crammed inside and outside of omnibuses ; a few couples a la Darby and Joan in tax carls war. ranted only to hold one loving pair ; and a crowd of gay cavaliers en c/ieval, who pranced and curvetted down tho town in holiday attire, trying 'to appear as if they thought no one was looking at them, and heartily glad when they arrived on the Ngahauranga road, where thoro were no cottages, beforo tho doors of which, old women, their eyes shaded by their hands, stood gazing at them, and where they could unbend their dignity and release themselves from the pain of sitting in a state of unnatural, and inconvenient ereetnoss. As troop by troop, the gay company of old gentlemen, middle aye.l ladies, young men, and maidens, and juveniles, of all ages, from tho hobblcday-hoy or the prime young miss not yet arrived at tho dignity of long drcssos, dawn to wco little fairies who sat sucking thoir thumbs and blinking at the sun, passed round Pipitea Point, and hied to the fertile pastures and pleasant paddocks of Mr. Liang's beautiful grounds, their fellow citizons whose daily avocations tiod them to town wistfully gazed, and then turned to their toil, looking very dissatisfied, and disgusted that they too could not make holiday. We could have pitied our many friends as we passed them, had wo not known that of all enjoyments that can bo brought home to every one, there is none- more complete— to the nature that can properly appreciate it— than tho sense of being injured. It is the cheapest plcasuro procurable, and may bo possessed all the year round, holiday times included. Indeed a personal grievance is all the hotter for having littlo or nD foundation in absolute fact. But to return to the /<?£<?. The holiday makers having gob fairly out of town jogged quietly along the beautiful and picturesque road that leads to tho Hutt, in good humour with themselves and everything around them. The merry jest and playful laugh passed from one to the other, and as each happy party arrived at the well-known hostelries, which lie snugly ensconed

nfc the foot of the hills, they would descend and in draughts of sparkling nle quench their thirst, tind make merry in anticipation of the pleasant day before them. At last the Hutt was reached, and while equestrians stabled their nng3 at Hoat Whitowood's well-known house of welcome, the carriage folk drove direct to the paddock where the sports wore held. Mr. Laing'3 lovely grounds are household words to most of us as » perfect Eden, full of choice flowers and fruits of every descrip-: tion. The courteous host hus always permitted free access to all who conduct themselves; and there are now but few of us who cannot speak of a pleasant day spent in his little paradise. Passing up the avenue shaded by foreign trees interspersed with some of our ovrn Now Zealand favorites, crossing the little rustic bridge over a runuing stream, and turning sharp to the right, we arrived at a newly mown, five acre, paddock, - surrounded by close clipped and lofty hawthorno hedges ; where the assemblago of peoplo gathered ; together marked the spot where the sports would be held. In the corner nearest "the houso tastefully decorated booth were erected, wherein ladies fair dispensed the good things of this life to the hungry juveniles, who appeared peculiarly to affect this particular spot — and small blame to them — for it is not often in the present day that their wants can be attended to by such gooi natured and pretty Hebes. The good folks of the Hutt heartily welcomel their Wellington friends, and all was jollity and good humor. In one corner of the field a friendlj game of! cricket was played, between town and country, which resulted in a victory for the former by 94 runs ; in another, ladies fair and gay gal- ' lants might be seen industriously engaged~in the mysteries of croquet ; while a merry party amused themselves in playing a game, which, wo believe, ." is called " throwing the handkerchief," but which marvellously resembled " kiss in the ring," barring the kiss, as an Irishman would say, though over old eyes could discern that the oscillatory process was not entirely dispensed with. Music was not wanting to enhance the pleasures of the day, for the fine band of the Hutb Volunteers, who had kindly offered their services, was on the ground, and discoursed excellent dance music, to the magic strains of which a happy party tripped it right merrily. Quadrille, polka, and- schottiche followed each other in rapid succession, and we did not know whether most to admire the untiring energy of the lovers of Terpsichore, or tho good . nature of the band in keeping up such &■ constant strain upon their lungs. It was pleasant to "■ notice the entire absence of anything like a row, and the manner in which all classes of the community mingled in the sport, and exorted themselves to make every tiling pass off agreeably. \ At three o'clock the band struck up the national anthem, and His Excellency the (Governor accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Thatcher, and Major Gray, entered the grounds and paid a visit to the different pastimes. The Bishop of Wellington and many of the leading members of Wellington society were also present, and expressed their approval of tho satisfactory manner in which everything was carried out. The refreshment booth was always well filled,., and the fair waitresses were untiring in their services ; relay upon relay of hungry pleasure seekers sought the welcome shelter of the canvass, and did justice to the cakes, fruit, and tea which were liborally dispensed. Tho smallest, but not the least hungry of the crowd, were the children of the Lower Hutt and Taita Sunday schools, who wcro in their glory, and thoroughly seemed to enjoy the good things supplied to them. If they were asked their opinion of tho acme of felicity, we doubt not they would reply " another Hutt/efe and a jolly feed." About 6.30 the clouds began to lower, and a few drops of rain gave the signal for departure. All then wended their way homeward* with no worse mishap than damp dresses, but .heartily pleased with their day's pleasure, and grateful to tho committee of management for tho spirited manner in which they catored for the amusement of all. The f&te was an entire success ; the proceeds, which, as we have said before, will be devoted to the repairs of St. James' ChuToh, amounted to over£l2o,and it is universally agreed that the days' pleasure was complete. We hope the committee will succeed in organizing an annual fele, and we wish our readers the pleasure of visiting it for many years to come.