WAITOA. [OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1196, 26 February 1880, Page 2

WAITOA. [ OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

AN EXCURSION TO THE THAMESr On Thursday, 12th February, a team of members of the Waitoa Rifle and Cricket Clubs mustered at Waihou before starting for the Thames to fire «i rifle match and play cricket. They returned home the following Thursday, so that their holiday lasted just a week. All enjoyed the trip immensely, and are quite delighted with the kindness and hospitality of their Thames friends. Paeroa was reached in about three hours from the start, and scarcely had the travellers arrived there than they were met by Mr Symington, of the Governor Bowen Hotel, Grahamstown, who from that hour until the moment of their departure from the Thames, on the return journey, was constantly devising plans for their enjoyment; kind-hearted and genial Geordie Symington will be remembered when many incidents of "The trip to the Thames " will be forgotten. Some of the party continued their journey to the Thames on horseback, the others following in the p.s. Te Aroha which had brought up from the Thames to Mr Austin's beautiful farm at Te Puke, a picnic party, and the stranger* were cordially invited to join. The steam down the river in the evening was a treat ; it was a beautiful evening, and songs, dancing, and fun were the order of the time. About 10 o'clock Shortland was reached, and a cab swiftly conveyed the Waitoans to the quarters provided at the Bowen. The forenoon of the next day was spent in visiting, among other places, the Phoenix Brewery ; and, after inspecting the various operations in progress, the cellars were entered, and samples of splendid beer were produced, and highly approved of. Mr Ehrenfried, who is Mayor of the Thames, led the way to his pretty gardens, where ripe fruit of all kinds hung temptingly on the branches, and none failed to take advantage of his kind invitation to partake. Before leaving, his Worship invited the whole party to a dance at his own house on Monday, which, although it necessitated a much longer stay than was anticipated, was accepted. A visit to the principal mines and batteries was the next thing on the programme ; Mr Comer and Mr Walker took us under their guidance, and after staying a few minutes in the noisy battery, all repaired to the dressing-room and donned miners' costume. A truck lined with blankets was ready for Mrs Gould, who accompanied her husband on the trip, and was the only lady of the party. On emerging from the mine again, after seeing a good deal of the working and the rock-drill being started for the special benefit of the visitors, Mr Walker exhibited plans of the various levels at which the Kuranui Hill has been opened, and all gained more information about mining than they had ever known before. After dinner a drag drove up to the door and a start was made for the rifle range, where, on arriving, all arrangements were found to be perfect. Eacli team numbered 14 ; and the ranges 200, 400, and 000 yards — 5 shots at each range. Mr .Symington was captain of the Thames team, which included Major Murray and Captain Watson ; Mr Reuben Parr captained the Waitoans. No time was lost in setting to work, and no sooner was the ring of the bullet heard than up went the disc showing the hit. Mr Pott deserves immense credit for the rapidity with which his part of the work was done. The match was over about 4 o'clock. Ca])tains Wildman and Sohofreld acted as scorers. The Thames team beat at all ranges by a large number of points, notwithstanding all their efforts to assist their opponents by giving them the wind* age and arranging their sites. The highest scores were made by Messrs Gray, Weir, and Heron on the Thames side, and by Messrs Walker, Willis, and McCormick on the Waitoa side. In the evening a grand complimentary ball was given, and it was a splendid success. The assemblage was large and brilliant, the ladies being handsomely and elegantly dressed ; their many colored costumes, the scarlet of the Thames Scottish, the silver lace and blue of the Navals, with here and there the sombre swallow-tail, combined to render the t>ceue bright and charming. The hall Avas prettily decorated. Mr Owen presided at the pianoforte, and everyone was delighted with his playing. Dancing was kept up with great spirit till an early hour in the morning. The refreshment room was supplied with a most liberal and unsparing hand. After a few hours in bed all hands crowded about the bathroom, and aitor kith and breakfast all started for Pai-aAvai, where Mr Spencer's beautifully laid out grounds are situated. There a fine wicket had been prepared, and no time was lost in commencing the cricket match. Mr Lawless was captain of the Thames team ; Mr J. B. Smith of the Waitoa. Lawless won the toss, and sent Waitoa to the wickets. The late hours did not appear to have been good for them, as they did not make much of a stand. On the Waitoa side were some whose knowledge of cricket was of the scantiest, and all Mere got out for 44. The Thames men then went in and quickly run up a score of !)!), all their side playing well, and Turner one of the last to go in making 16, the biggest score of the day. The fielding of Waitoa was considered good. After lunch the Waitoans again went in and just succeeded in saving a defeat in one innings by making H7. Thames having thus only 3 to make to win. A few minutes sufficed to put an end to the game, the Thames men winning with their Avickets standing. A large number of ladies were present during the afternoon, and as soon as the game Avas over all adjourned to the grand stand to a\ itness the tin OAving of the hammer. Here Waitoa came to the front and saved themselves from being beaten at all contests. In the evening a large party assembled at Mr Strange 's residence, Avhere a bountiful ten Avas served on the Liavii. After dark torches Avere lit, and songs, dances and flirtations proceeded with great spirit, and it was getting late Avlien the party broke ujj. So ended the third day from home. Next morning one of the large boats of the Naval Brigade, with Captain Wildman and sailing Master Burton came alongside Curtis Wharf, and as many as felt diaposed Avent out for a feAv hours. There Avas a fresh breeze, rather too fresh as it happened, for one or tAvo of the pleasure seekers, as they Avere observed to hang OA r er the gunwale in a very suspicious manner. Sunday afternoon and evening were spent making visits and going to church. A fiesh start was made on Monning by A r isits to the various local industries : Brown and Campbells Brewery, the Saw Mill, Price Brothers Foundry, and the Biscuit Factory were all inspected and as Mr Murray had arranged to have a smelting of gold, all turned up at the Bank of NeAv Zealand, and the bars of gold seemed to have a fascination, for everybody wanted to have possession of them if only for a moment. People living at a distance from the Thames are apt to think, that the only pursuit of the Thames people is mining, but after becoming acquainted with the various industries, one finds what an active and energetic community they are. Mon« day evening arrived, and although it rained in the afternoon, the night way fine, mid the Mayor's was reached at 9 o'clock, ■when dancing commenced. The garden Avas beautifully lighted Avith Chinese lanterns, and between the dances Avas filled AVith couples Avho seemed to prefer the coolness and the shade to the brilliancy and glare oi the ball-room, T^h.© r.efreslj«

ment rooms were filled with all the delicious and cooling drinks of every descrip tion. Before leaving the Mayor's and Mrs. Khrenfrieds health was drunk with great enthusiasm. Tuesday morning the visitors were anxious to got away, as their stay had been much longer than was intended. A fourhorse drag being in waiting, all got on board and drove round the town, making their last acknowledgements of the kindness of their welcome. The last cheers were given at Major Murray's residence, for Major and Mrs Murray, to whom and to Mr Carrick, the visitors felt themselves greatly indebted, and it was by their persuasion that the Waitoans agreed to leave home for the time required. On getting on board the steamer, ringing cheers were given for the Thames people, and after saying goodbye to the many frends who were on the wharf to see them off, the steamer cast off and headed up river. All was not over however, for on arriving at Paeroa, an invitation to a ball was given, and although by this time pretty well fatigued, the invitation was accepted. Again Major Murray and Mr Carrick appeared on the scene, and stayed for the ball, which went off capitally, and daylight was nearly at hand when the last of the party turned in. Very long rest was not indulged in however, for at six o'clock the horses were being caught and saddled i and it seems the clattering of the horse's hoofs told that the distance to Waitoa would soon be travelled. So ended a pleasant trip, which will be an epoch in the lives of all who had the good fortune to be on it, and it cannot fail to have a good result in bringing closer together socially and commercially the people of the two districts.