EAST COAST LETTER.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 315, 22 June 1889, Page 3

EAST COAST LETTER.

THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE ON THE COAST. (OWN COBBSSPONDXNT. —" SABBATOB.”) GENERAL NOTES. Waipiro, June 17. Sn.cs my last, the Waipiro Annual Sports have eventuated most successfully in the shape of ball, athletic zports, and a concert, the latter, however, being in aid of the local library. I append reports of the two former, kindly furnished by Mr Pettie, Hon. Sec, of the Committee of Management, and a ecreed of my own observations anent the Concert. The Australia-left here on Friday last for your port, Detective Grace, who has been resident here for some time, leaving in her. It is generally thought that he has not acquired further evidence of any importance respecting the Took murder, though Hohepa, brother of Hairs te Peri, who was executed, is generally regarded with suspicion. Mr Scott, native medical attendant for the district, rearrived here by the schooner Gisborne, Captain J. H. Skinner, from Raukokore, Bay of Plenty, where he has been vaccinating the natives, and has commenced operations here. He reports exoeptionaFy heavy weather in the Bay, which is also now prevailing here in the shape of a southerly gale with heavy rain squalls, while I write. Petitions to various legislative bodies and heads of Departments, for separation from Cook County, are being unanimously signed along the coast. WAIPIRO BALL. The Annual Ball was held at Waipiro on June the 14th, and was attended by all the lovers of the “ light fantastic” in the district, there being upwards of thirty couples present. The floor was in excellent condition ; part of the music was rendered by some of the ladies present (pianoforte), while Mr McDonald discoursed the balance (aecordcon) in his usual style. The grand march (first item on the programme) was for the first time successfully carried out here, the ladies’ dresses showing to perfection as they marched in pain and quadruples round the room. The company was well balanced in the matter of sex, and so well did the M.C. (Mr Neilson) carry out his duty that it was a rare sight to discover a " wallflower. ” Midnight saw the first part of the programme finished, when the company adjourned to supper, and after doing justice to the viands provided, the Inspiriting tones of the piano could be heard summoning the gay assembly back to dance the "extras.” The second part of the programme was equally successful, and when it is stated that the whole comprised no less than eleven waltzes, it will be Sonceded that we are devout votaries of gladsome Terpsichore. However, I will append the programme. Part I: Grand March and Polka, Quadrille flat Set), Waltz, Mazurka, Circassian Circle, Waltz,Caledonians, Spanish Waltz, Bohottische, Waltz, Laneert, Waltz. Fart II: Polka, Circassian Circle, Albertsand Walia Cotillions, Prince of Wales Schottsohe, Waltz, Quadrille (Ist set), Waltz, Mazurka, Spanish Waltz, Alberta and Waltz Cotillions, Varsoviene, Waltz. ATHLETIC SPORTS. After a few hour’s rest the same Committee as managed the Ball, commenced to go through the Sports programme. There was a decent gathering present on the beach, the majority of whom were Natives. The weather was rather showery, still everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. " A. H. Wallis, Esq , acted as judge, and Mr J. B. Neilson started ; while the Committee were untiring in their efforts to make the meeting a success. The following is a list of winners of the several events : —

JvO Tmns Handicap, first prize £2, second prize 10s. D. J. Hewetson, scratch, Ist; R. Hewetson, 7 yards, 2nd. The other entries were A. Booth, scratch; G. Bremner, E. Swann, A. Reed, 4 yards each ; and J. Lord, T. Robinson, L. Cotterill, 7 yards each. This was a splendidly contested event; only one yard separated the winner from the second, and all the others were in a heap a few yards away. E. Swann ran a good race, and it was thought at one time that he would prove the winner. Seven started.

Hop, Stbp, and Jump, first prize £1 10s, second prize 7s fid. There were only two enties for this event, Won easily by R. Hewetson.

220 Yabds Handicap, first prize £2, second prize 10s. D. J. Hewetson, scratch, Ist; E. Swann, 5 yards, 2nd. The other entries were G. Bremner, J. Swann, scratch ; end J. Lord, T. Robinson, L. Cdtterill, 8 yards each. Five started in this handicap, which Wee sn easy victory for D. Hewetson, E. Swann being a bad second, the rest nowhere. High Jump, first prize £1 10s. second prize 7s 6d. J. o.liver proved the winner of this event, R. Hewetson second. There were seven entries.

Half-mile Handicap, first prize £4, second £l. B. Hewetson, 80 yards, Ist ; C. Swann, scratch, 2nd, The other entries were J. Swann scratch ; A. Booth, 5 yards ; G. Bremner and W. Lord, 15 yards; D. J. Hewetson, 20 yards, and E. Clayton, L. Cotterill, W, Saddler, 30 yards. This being one of the big things ci the day, a considerable deal of interest manifested itself, C. Swann being favorite. After a splendid start, J. Swann, from scratch, cut out the running, and came through all his men, but very soon died away, leaving R. Hewetson leading the favorite, who was last, about 60 yards. The latter then put on a spurt, collaring all his opponents with the exception of R. Hewetson who still kept the lead, though reduced to about ten yards ; in this order the race was won.

Sack Race, first prize £l. - Seven started in this amusing race, which was won by a Native.

Handicap Hurdle Race, 200 yards, first prize £4, second prize £1 10’. D. Hewetson. 3 yards behind seratch, Ist ; A. Booth, 10 yards behind scratch, 2nd. The other entries were J, Swann, 3 yards behind scratch ; G. Bremner, 2 yards behind scratch ; J. Lord, B. Hewetson, E. Clayton, L. Cotteril, and T. Robinson, scratch. After an exciting race ibis event Vres won by B, Hewetson, A, Booth a good second, all the other close up. Eight started, Gmast Pio, prize 10s and the pig. A great amount of amusement was ’ caused by this race, the pig being eventually collared by a Native. Obstacle Back, first prize £1 10s, second prize 7s fid. This race was won after a hard struggle, by W. Lord, C. Swann being a good second. Consolation Back. This event ended in a victory for E. Swan.

CONCERT AT WAIPIRO. Waipiro festivities terminated on ths 15th with a concert (in aid of the Waipiro Library fund), held in the billiard room of the Tawhiti Hotel, which had been fitted with a stage, proscepftm, and wings for the occasion, and was attended by the elite of Waipiro s< o’aty, station employees of both races, and a goodly number of visitors from adjacent coast settlements. The entertainment commenced by Mr Wallis (who with Mrs Wallis and their domestic circle took an active part in the proceedings) announcing a pianoforte duet (Gipsy Quadrilles), by Mesdames Wallis and Dodgshun, which was well received by the gudience, aird was followed by a very tasteful rendering by Miss Woodfield of “ Who’s that tapping at the'garden gate ?” Mr Wa'lis now contributed “Our Jack’s come home to-day 1 " with much expression, and Miss Green, a young lady visitor, succeeded in passing well with a sweet plaintive solo entitled “ Strangers yet.” Mr Connolley, the popular local Boniface, next appeared at the piano, and to Mrs Wallis’s accompaniment, sang “Jessie's Dream " very nicely, responding to an encore, with the usual “ o.ther verse." Mr Gellender (late of Gisborne) deserves especial mention for “HU funeral takes place to-monow.” His dingy black and ragged get up, and melancholy physog, were inimitable, as also was bis rendering of the obsequies “ tomorrow.” In response to an vociferous encore, ha reappeared with Maccabean rapidity, as the “ Waipiro masher," and fairly brought down the house with a local song. Mr Spence (Tologa Bay) succeeded with 11 1 can’t make up my mind,." and Mr Pettie with an effective recitation of" Kissing Cup's race for a wife." Mr Bonifield’s (Napier) “ Warrior Bold ’’ elicited a well merited encore, and followed with '* I*ll meet you in Tolcga Bay," “ The three bld maids of Lea,” by Mrs Wallis, Mies Wood, ftaid; and Mies Ryan, tbgataef with Mt

Geilender’s Funeral contribution and Mr Wallis's Anchor song, may be pronounced the successes of the evening, though Mr Connolley and Miss Woodfield excelled respectively in “ Take back the heart,” and “ Tell her I love her so.” The get up of the trio of ladies in the Old Maids was most effective, the bright costumes and piquant white caps of the young maids contrasting vividly with the sombie garments and grotesque head gear of the veritable old ones. The audience was in ecstacies, more especially the aboriginal portion of it, and uproarious encores were appeased by the repetition of a verse. Mr Wallis concluded the first part of the enterment with the Anchor song. He possesses an agreeable well managed baritone voice of good compass, and executed the somewhat difficult solo with much taste and expression.

After an interval of ten minutes, and a spirited overture brilliantly played by Mrs Dodgshun, the curtain rose, discovering the usual Boarding House interior, and the farce of Caught by the Cuff, held the fixed attention of the audience to its humorous conclusion. Space will not permit me to enter upon anything like a lengthened critique of the performance, but I may briefly say that Mrs Wallis sustained a somewhat arduous ro e of Mrs Fryer (a boarding house keeper of the usual type) excellently well, her expression, and rendering of “ When murder is rampageous, and stalking abroad like a pelican in the wilderness,” leaving nothing to be desired, while the air with which she carried eff a revolver on a plate was absolutely ti e splitting. Mr Gellender, as Hector Shakerly Funk, who was " always courageous in the absence of danger,” was also a capital exposition. Messrs Mason and Pettie well sustained their respective parts of Benjamin Butt a commercial traveller, and Joe Baal a policeman, the latter being very humorous indeed over his “ hoysters,” while the way he expressed his belief that Mrs Pryer, “ liked going [our correspondent hasomit’el a few words here, but readers may judge by the context what he would say]. The entertainment, which was in ail of the Waipiro Library Fund, terminated at about 11 p.m., and with it the annual Festivities, t'.e., athletic sports, etc., etc., for 1889,