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Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2785, 16 January 1869, Page 3

Thosb, who, like good citizens and Godfearing Christians, had gone to church on Christmas forenoon, and afterwards held festival in their homes, over the traditional roast beef, turkey, and pluta pudding, were quite prepared on Boxing Day for a run iuto the country, and all tho innocent amusements which such "an outing" admits of being enjoyed. But the " clerk of the weather" liad a temporary fit of ill-temper, and the day opened dull, blowy and wet. Intending pleasure-seekers were woefully disappointed, till towards ten o'clock the weather cleared up and their spirits revived. Then there was putting to of horses in traps and vans, and buggies, which soon tooled along the road towards the Hutt; while those who had stomachs strong enough to brave a somewhat rough trip, took passage by the s.s. Storm Bird for Lowry Bay. In the afternoon the weather turned out very fine, and excursionists enjoyed their drives admirably. The cavalry races attracted a considerable number of people to Petoni Beach, while a chief point of attraction was OSGOOD'S FAMILY HOTEL. Here, duringthe forenoon, the excursionists ' poured in largely, and the resources of the establishment were taxed to their utmost. But Mr Osgood and his staff were equal to the occasion. His large dining room was laid with covers for twenty-five, and a capitally cooked dinner was admirably served to the gues f s who dined comfortably, in several relaysof that number. Then, the family parties had snug and charmingly furnished suites of rooms upstairs, while those who were devotees of " the board of green cloth," found one of the most spacious billiard rooms and best tables in the colony provided for their use. Altogether, the arrangements made by Mr Osgood and that most charming of hostesses, Miss Young, were admirable, and every one expressed their satisfaction. Some of the visitors indulged in out-door games during the afternoon, others took walks and drives, while a few visited the beautiful grounds of Peter Laing, Esq.