Penalty for Non-Dancers.

As to the amusements provided in the early days, Mrs Smith said that she always laughed when she recalled a visit paid by a circus. It was arranged for the occasion that the pakehas should sit on one side and the Maoris on the other. In the course of the performance two clowns came out on stilts and before one could say “Jack Robinson,” the Maori side of the enclosure was empty! Perhaps the most enjoyable dances were those held in the old Court-house. The music was supphed by a hurdy-gurdy and those who could not dance had to take turns in producing the music.

One day Mrs Smith, amongst others, witnessed a rare incident in the Bay. Mr King called Mrs King and herself out and said “Have a look here. You will see something you may never see again.” They saw a boat coming in and a cutter going out. When they came together a man on the cutter painted on the larger boat a broad arrow three times on either side. The cutter was a page 105 revenue cutter and the large boat the “Ringleader.” She was said to have had liquor aboard and Capt. Read, her owner, was fined £500 at Auckland and lost his vessel.