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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 251, 27 December 1866, Page 2

Midhight.mass was celebrated with great solemnity at St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, on Christmaseve. The building was crowded at an early hour by persons anxious to hear the music, whilst a great number derived satisfaction from listening to it outside. The interior of the edifice was decorated with flowers and evergreens^ wreaths of which hung in every direction, and rendered the scene a very pleasing one. Great taste was displayed in the varied floral adornments as well as the devices that were employed appropriate to the festal occasion. The Rev. M. Garin celebrated mass and the Rev. M. Tresallet preached from Luke, c. ii, v. 10, 11, 12. The music was of the most effective kind, the Kyrie and Gloria of Mozart's Mass, No. 12, as well as the otlier pieces, being done full justice to by a well-trained choir. Several local ladies and gentlemen of musical celebrity gave their services on the occasion, and the harmonium lent by Mrs Levien contributed greatly to the success of the performance. The service, which commenced about eleven o'clock, terminated shortly after one with the Hallelujah chorus.

The regatta sports passed off yesterday as successfully as the keenest admirer of such amusements could wish. The whole town kept holiday, and from morning till night there was an incessant throng of persons to the Port on foot, on horseback, and in every kind of vehicle that could be called into requisition. The port presented an unusually gay appearance, from the preseuce of several steamers as well as from the display of small craft of various kinds which moved to and fro on the smooth waters of the harbor. The various boat races were exceedingly well contested, the swimming matches excited a great deal of interest, and a number of amusements on land gave an opportunity to those whb were not particularly interested in the aquatic sports. The committee have reason to congratulate themselves on the great success of their arduous enterprise. The following is thc result of the contest : —

First Class Four-oared Boat Race, 5 miles. Firs* boat, £10; second boat, £2. Creeping Jane (Freeman), 1 ; Frolic (Davis), 2; Favorite (Cottier), 3; Blue Bell (Robb), 4.

Boys' Dingy Race; I-J miles. First boat, £3; second boat, £1. White (Brown), 1; Albion (Calder), 2; Teetotaller, 3.

First Class Two-oared Boat Race, 3 miles. First boat, £8; second boat, £3. Garry Owen (Stock), 1 ; Eclipse (Gressen), 2 ; Star (Scott), 3 ; Postboy (Davis), 4.

Sailing Race, decked boats, 5 miles. First boat, £3; second boat, £3, Red, White, and Blue (Morrison), 1; Try (Pbrcelli), 2; Oak (Diamond), 3.

Watermen's or Second Class Two-oared Boats; 3 miles. First boat, £7; second boat, £3. Frolic (Freeman), 1 ; Flirt (Gressen), 2.

First Class Pair of Sculls, 2 miles. First boat-, £4 ; second boat, £2. Postboy (Davis), 1 ; Star (Scott), 2; Eclipse (Gressen), 3.

Second Class open Sailing Boats, 3 iniles. First boat, £5; second boat, £-2. Rose (Taylor), 1; Black Swan (Brown), 2; Albion (Calder), 3; Flying Fish (Sutton), 4.

Dingy Race, pair of paddles, 1^ miles. First boat, £3; second boat, £1. Lighthouse (Westrop), 1-, White (Scott), 2; Blue Shark (Simpson), 3. Sculling Match, with oar over stern, 1 mile. First boat, £3; second boat, £1. Nonsuch (Johnson), 1 ; Lighthouse (Hardy), 2; Blue Shark (Simpson), 3. Race for Watermen's or Second Class Boats excluding Davis's, 3 miles. First boat, £5. Volunteer (Diamond), 1; Blue Bell (Robb), 2.

On Monday evening last a number of electors interested in the election of Mr. Blackett, as Superintendent of the province, met in the Temperance Hall, for the purpose of concerting measures to secure his election. Mr. R. Burn was elected to the chair. A number of resolutions were unanimously adopted by the meeting, with a view to place Mr. Blackett at the head of the poll in the approaching struggle. In tha Resident Magistrate's Court, this morning, W. M. Clish was fined 205. ; Wilfred Robinson, 10s. ; and Robert Walker, 20s. and costs, for drunkenness.

A somewhat amusing incident occurred (says the Tauranga Argus) as Sir George came on shore. A number of Maoris, evidently reckless as to results with regard to attire, and resplendent with gold chains, seals, opera glasses, etc., had congregated near our office, to welcome, we suppose, Ta Kawana, but on his proceeding straight on his line of march, they hailed him in a very undignified manner, calling loudly " Haremai, haremai." To their utter discomfiture, however, the illustrious stranger passed on, leaving the faithful Maoris utterly crestfallen.

On the subject of the Roman Catholic Church in Canterbury, the Lyttelton Times says that the church at Christchurch continues to increase as to the number of the congregation. Some very handsome vestments were . lately received from France, said to be the most costly in the colony.