(From Our Own Correspondent.)
The Christmas holidays are again past, and on Boxing Day, the members of the U.P.M.I. Association having prepared a programme of sports, at noon numbers had assembled at the Assembly Hall to witness the sports referred to, the first
being a 100yds Flat Race, open to all, which was won by H. G. Wolfe. The next race of importance was 150yds. Handicap Flat Race, open to all. H. Wolfe carried off this prize also. Several minor races took place during the day.
In the evening a chopping match was held, when in the 1st class, blocks 6ft. girth, open to all, five competitors, Jacob Miller, jun. was first. Time, 5min. 30sec. 2nd class-Blocks. 4ft. 8in. girth, Ed. Bradshaw 1st. Time 3min. 33sec.
An entertainment was given by the members of the Association in their hall at 8 p.m. the first part, comprising addresses, recitations, music, songs, etc., being well rendered. The second part consisted of [....] performances only, which concluded with the laughable farce, "Madame La Charte's Engagement.'' Mr. J. Somerville occupied the chair. After the entertainment a tea awaited all who wished it, and after the tea dancing was held in the hall till next morn. The proceeds of entertainment, tea, etc., amounted to £7 14s 6d, which was in aid of the building fund of the Mutual Improvement Assembly Hall.
On New Year's Day the members of Dauntless Lodge, I.O.G.T., held their annual fete. A dinner was given at 12.30 o'clock, after which all sorts of games were indulged in by those assembled. Mr. Bardenhagen, as usual, gave a number of prizes to the youngsters for races, etc.
In the evening they gave an entertainment in the Assembly Hall.
Mr. R. C. Kerkham occupied the chair. The local brothers were greatly aided by Mr. Tyson, of Launceston, who read a paper on the prospects of the temperance cause, which was well received. The entertainment concluded with the National Anthem. The proceeds of the fete, £13 or £14.
A private ball was held after the I.O.G.T. entertainment, at which a good many were entertained till the small hours of morn.
On the 2nd inst., as Mr. R. C. Kerkham was returning to town, as he was driving up the pinch from the Upper Piper Bridge, his horse stopped and then backed itself, cart and Mr. Kerkham over the bank (which is some 10ft.high) into the river, but luckily there was not much water below. Mr. Kerkham, by some strange accident was not killed, but by dint of perseverance, extricated himself, and as some neighbours were passing they helped Mr. Kerkham to extricate the horse and cart. The horse and cart was, strange to say, not much the worse of the fall, but Mr. Kerkham had to return to Mr. J. Thomason's till he felt fit to continue his
journey.
This accident (like that to Mr. J. Sulzberger, whose cart capsized a few days ago on the same pinch, and, was greatly damaged) is due to the fact that Messrs. Bardenhagen and Somerville cut away part of the pinch to use on this section of road constructed by them 12 months ago, and they left the centre hollow, so that the water has been flowing down and cutting a drain where it should be a road. Unless
something is done this summer to the pinch and the bridge also (as there is only a rail on one side of the bridge for the last 12 months), some fatal accident will be the outcome.
I also notice that the Fingerpost Hill is getting very bad in one part, in consequence of the heavy cartage of piles, etc.
There is about a chain in length which needs repairing badly.
We are having splendid weather now.
The crops are looking well where the caterpillars have not yet commenced operations, although most of the grass seed has been destroyed by them and the hay crops damaged.
January 5
UPPER PIPER (1885, January 10). The Tasmanian (Launceston, Tas. : 1881 - 1895), p. 28. Retrieved May 28, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article200342384
NOTES
U.P.M.I. Association = Upper Piper Mutual Improvement Association
I.O.G.T. International Order of Good Templars - a temperance league.
H. G. Wolfe the sprinter - Henry George Wolfe
R. C. Kerkham - Richard Charles Kerkham
J. Thomason - Methodist preacher and builder of the Underwood Wesleyan Church
I replaced a word with [...]. You can look that up in the original and see why.