CHRISTMASTIDE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 63, 26 December 1935, Page 5

CHRISTMASTIDE

OBSERVANCE IN ASHBURTON. QUIET TIME IN THE TOWN. MANY PEOPLE TRAVELLING, Although during the daytime on Christmas Eve there was little outward appearance of Christmas celebration in the business part of Ashburton, there was no doubt about the festive nature of the evening, when shops observed a late night. Crowds thronged the town, packing the streets, gazing -at gaily-decorated shop windows and crushing into shops which the assistants, at least, declared to be over-patronised. There were mostly young people about the streets. Perhaps the older ones had done their shopping early. But throngs of youths remained in the streets until long after the shops closed at 10 o’clock. Even a slight shower of rain after midnight did not disperse the numbers who remained. Tile fireworks were more daring than ever this year and their activities were by no means confined to tho East Street reserves. Serious damage might have been done by tho small bombs which were thrown among crowds arid under cars. It was a most favourable night for shoppers, the warmest so far recorded for the summer. Business men generally ueport good trade, but the Christmas Eve taking in themselves were not in most pases a record. Trade was this year spread out more over tlie last few days. Much Christmas shopping was done by farmers on Friday, while Monday was also a busy day. Probably the Christmas season, in g»meral was better than in previous years. Christmas Day. As the hottest day this summer, Christmas Day in Ashburton this year, was spent informally and easily. A, % number of residents visited the swimming baths, rivers and sea, or any place where relief from the oppressive heat could be obtained. The town was' astir early, not only because of the temperature, which reached 80 degrees before 10 a.m., but also through being roused by carolling parties from the Ashburton Silver Band, the Ashburton Salvation Army Band, and the Baring Square Methodist. choir. Four parties from the senior Silver Band played in the Borough and suburbs, and the junior band in the east part of the Borough and in Ashburton East. Two parties from the Army Band were in the Borough and Allenton, while members of the Baring Square choir visited many houses in the Borough. The bands will continue carolling in the country next Sunday. At an early hour there was a steady stream of residents with bathing pos- s tumes making for local swimming baths. The keynote of Christmas clothing was its informality, women wearing summer dresses and men mostly blazers or shirts. The flow* of holiday traffic north and south was apparent in the main streets. Camping parties, with cars loaded with luggage, cars drawing trailers and caravans, and lorries carrying boats and canoes passed through Ashburton at various times. Several bus loads of touring parties went through the town. Picnic resorts within easy reach of the town were popular, while many spent the day in the Ashburton uveibed. Few patronised sports grounds until the cool of the evening. At the Hospital. A variety of effective colour schemes was employed for the decoration of the ward's and dining-room at the Ashburton Public Hospital, when a special effort was made by the matron (Miss E. J. Watt) and staff to make tho Christmas season a happy one for patients. . . , _ Father Christmas, arriving at 7 a.m., visited every patient, leaving gifts for all. Services were conducted fn the morning in the men’s ward by the Venerable Archdeacon A. J. 1 Petrie, assisted by Mr J. Chas Thompson (organist), and in the . Chalmers Ward by the ltev. R. S. Watson, both being assisted by the Presbyterian Church choir. Ice-cream was served at 11 a.m. and Christmas dinner at noon. Friends of the patients were entertained at afternoon tea, while a musical programme arranged by Mrs A. T. Smith was given. The staff had Christmas dinner in the evening. Decorations gave a festive appearance to the Tuarangi Home yesterday. * There were a 'Christmas tree and a duck pond in, the hospital ward, and Seasonal gifts were distributed by Father Christmas. Members of the Baptist Young People’s Society visited the Home in the morning, giving a programme of Christmas music. _ iiio inmates were entertained at Christmas dinner. Church Services. There were five celebrations of Holy Communion at St. Stephen’s Church early yesterday morning, followed by matins at 11 a.m. Archdeacon Petrie preached at this service, which was followed by Communion. A feature was the largest number of communicants for the last four years. The Salvation Army service last evening with special music and carols, was conducted by Captain N. E. Bicknell. '• , , A united religious church service was conducted at the Baptist Chuvcfr by Pastor W. E. Vickery, of the Church of Christ. RECORD HEAT IN CHRISTCHURCH GERALDINE. HAS 96 DEGREES. The temperature in Christchurch yesterday was 91.5, the highest ever recorded there on Christmas day. At Geraldine 96 degrees were recorded on Tuesday.