Not for several seasons have the prospects of the autumn shipping business apy '88 promising as at the present time: Mod rate rainfalls at the most opportune moments have brought the crops to a state of perfection zarely equalled in: any previous year,-and we: may hope to see rates: for produce decreasing until somethin -approaching their former standard, i.c., before the Japanese fiasco; had been arrived at, 'The. Customs Tennis Court, by the' permission of Mr. T. D. Moorhead, was, made the scene of unusual gaiety last night, due to the unwearied exertions and promotive ent of one of our young bachelors, who tunate enough to obtain the assistance of certain fair ladies. The.band of HLGMS. ran, whose services had very' kindly been lent for the gratification of the community, was in attendance and discoursed sweet music and dance-compelling strains; several of the officers (fine fellows) were preseat, and 4 most successful evening resulted. "Never has the excellence of the cement. court made itself more manifest; though by no means an ideal. floor for. ing, it was astonishing how little it impeded the movements of the dancers, and our worthy Harbour Master again given proof of his all-round capabilities. The court was laid under his supervision this spring and is as level as billiard table, and-looks'as if it would last for ever. On behalf of the community I venture to express the hope that 2 man who cannot as ur Master with tact and ability not only - carry out the duties of his i ition to be excelled, but also ensure success mall minor, yet none the less difficult: details, which' administer to common com: fort," will long remain in our: midst. The present generation, if we are to believe old stagers, is hardly to: be considered conspicuous for its display of diffidence and self-depreciation, and it was therefore all the more noticeable when a timid few ventured into the precincts of jollity and mirth, only to depart without apparently being able to summon up sufficient nerve to make: the plunge. One or two. bolder than the rest rage. out eeewrero with the assistance of the re ent table, to support the unwonted publicity a little longer, but eventually disappeared into the friendly shade without. My object in giving to the above little: incident what might be considered undue prominence, is that.much to my astonishment, and I may add pain, motives ea entirely opposed to the real feel ings actuating the self-supposed intruders have "been ascribed to them, that I feel called upon to correct or attempt to correct, any erroneous conclusion that may" have been arrived at.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.