EAST COAST LEITER.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 336, 10 August 1889, Page 2

EAST COAST LEITER.

[OWN CORRESPONDENT.—“ NARRATOR.''] Pray sit by ns, and tell's a tale, Merry, or sad, sh.ll it be ? As merry as you will. —Winter’s Talk. PLEASANT EVENTS AT WAIPIRO. August 1. A birth, two marriages simultaneously within a fortnight, and quite a number of auspicious events of like kind casting shadows beforehand, testify favorably to the social progress and wellbeing of this locality, despite the succession oi boisterous gales, wretchedly cold B,E. showers, and uncomfortable weather, which has prevailed since my last, On Monday last, by the Rev. MatiahaPahewa, assisted by the Rav. Hruera Kawhia, were united in wedlock at the pretty little local church (Waipiro), Eruera Tokara to Hana Tuhou, and Hon Karaka to Mera Waipapa, all being young people of the native race, bora in the locality, and well and favorably known to most of the European residents. The church was crowded by a respectable congre. gation of both races, Miss Ryan Mndly presiding at the harmonium. The "i V's were nicely, dressed in musiin, or so -•« light material, and were accompanied by w: or three very pretty balfeaste and Maori children, who were also very neatly and appropriately attired, The brides displayed much emotion during the ceremony, which was impressively conducted, the happy pairs leaving the vestry and church, at ths conclusion, to the inspiriting strains of the wedding march. There was a nicely served breakfast afterwards in the large Rananga house, to which Europeans were Invited. No speeches were made, with the exception perhaps of a few appropriate sentences by Mr A, H, Wallis, who (with his family, Mr and Mrs Dodgshun, Mr Pettie, late of Gisborne, and others) wished the young people all success in their new sphere and relations. The brides’ cakes were then cut and partaken of, &0., &c,, the proceedings winding up with a dance in the station woolshed, the assembly breaking up at about 11, p.m. I remarked a pleasing innovation during tbe service, that both Maoris and Europeans joined heartily in tha hymns in their respective languages, keeping fairly good time, and on enquiry found that both had acquired a rudimentary acquaintance with congregational singing, under the kindly auspices of the lady before mentioned as presiding at ths harmonium. Also that Miss Ryan, with exceeding good nature, frequently played for the Maoris during their own, and separate, Divine service. This, all in contrast with Ngatiporou doings of some 24 to 25 years ago, when, distracted by internecine warfare, Hauhaus, Friendlies, and Europeans were at each others’ throats, in this very locality, marks the initiation of a new and beneficent state of things, and is highly typical of prosperity in the future. I must not conclude this notice of an interesting ceremony without remarking that many, and mostly very appropriate, wedding presents were made to the brides by their friends of both races, some of which were rather suggestive and amusing. Thus, Mr Oliver (Bullocky), of the Station, presented an elaborate lookingglass to tbe plainer bride of the two, and Mr O, Swann (? there are two), out of the fulness of his heart, contributed two neatly bound religious tracts, of almost microscopic dimansions I

TAURUS RAMPANT IN BEACH STREET, From Mr Walter Gellender, late of your town, I derive information that the portion of Waipiro settlement immediately adjacent to the beaoh is *' Beach street,” but ho didn’t tell me the name of the broad, well formed road leading through “ Wallisville,” with stores, houses, &c., on either side, to Makarika and inland country, Whatever its name may be, howevsr, it was pretty fully occupied yesterday by a young bull, which, wounded and infuriated, held possession against all comers, enacting to perfection the part of the traditional bull in a China shop. Fortunately there was no china available, though there were shops. But there was a cart being driven inland, of which a scion of “Caledonia stern and wild” was Jehu pro tom. Him, and it, enraged Taurus incontinently attacked, coming off second best in the onset, as his punishing apparatus encountered the wood and iron of the substantial vehicle, instead of the more susceptible individual "fra the land o’ cakes,” who was the principal object of his solicitude, and who at once, in the most courageous manner, executed a well-known strategic movement. After this triumph, victorious " Taurus," with malignant eye, glared round for future conquests ; nothin?, however, but vanishing coat tails, denoting lately occupied spaces, meeting his bovine vision. Ultimately, Constable Gerrard (Kake the all round emergency man, and “Matador" on thia occasion) appeared on the acene, with a heavy revolver, and poor Taurus, being now utterly mad, and very dangerous, received his quietus in the shape of two or three pistol bullets. A sort of "Io Poean !” with reap, pearanoe of coat tails, and their mammalian belongings, together with a procession to low water mark, concluded the tragedy.

FAREWELL TO MB ARTHUR FORD. A very enjoyable smoke concert was held at the Tawhili Hotel yesterday evening, on tbe occasion of Mr Arthur Ford, late an employee on the Waipiro Station, leaving for the Old Country. Mr Thos. Steele, head overseer, occupied the chair, and there was a numerous gathering of Mr Ford’s friends and acquaintances. In the course of a few appropriate remarks, the Chairman presented Mr Ford with a handsome scarfs ring, engraved with his initials, which had been very neatly executed by Mr W. Gellender, of Waipiro ; and Mr Oliver (station) initiated harmony by a capital rendering of the * Spanish Oavalier, * Mr Conolly (Tawhiti Hotel) followed with a sweet plaintive solo entitled, 1 Consider the Lillies," and by way of contrast ‘ our only Walter ’ succeeded with his inimitable * His Funeral takes place to-nj°rrow.’’ Several glees, dusts, *e. followed, whan Mr Gellender, to whom the toast of tbe evening had been entrusted, proposed the health of • The guest,' with musical honors. Mr Ford had not bsen very long among them, but during that time had made many fast friends by his kindly, gentlemanly dsmsanour, and generally sociable attributes, He (Mr Gellender) was no orator, but wished Mr Ford all success in his new sphere of life, and a pleasant voyage to the Old Country, and was quite sure all present agreed with him. After the honors had been duly rendered, Mr Ford, in returning thanks, expressed- his pleasure in meeting, so unexpectedly, so many friends, who wished him well. He entirely reciprocated their kindly feelings, and had passed a very pleasant time during his sojourn among them, having been well treated in every res. isat while on the station, He sincerely hanked them all for their kind wishes, and also for tbe handsome ring they had presented him with, which he should always prize as a pleasing souvenier of Waipiro. Mr (Jock) Anderson next contributed • Within a mile of Edinbro' Town,’ and to a vociferous encore, not to bs denied, responded with ' Down the burn, Davie,’ with all the national characteristics of voice, accent,'and manner. Other songs, glass, Ac , *o„ brought up ths proiievdiuae to the ■ wee sma' boors ayont the twal,' whim the concert terminated, '