NEW YEAR'S DAY

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1897, Page 5

NEW YEAR'S DAY

The birth of the New Year was hailed with the usual kind of demonstrations. Thousands of people were in the streets when the Post Office clock chimed 12, but there was no attempt at larrikinism, and the duties of the police were light. Several bands of musicians paraded the main thoroughfares for an hour or two. Rockets were' sent up from severa) of the vessels in port, and blue lights were' also burned. The bells of St. Peter's Church were rung merrily at midnight, and subsequently the bellringers played a number of hymns and tunes upon them. A feature of the early morning proceedings was the singing of h number of songs by members of the Pollard Opera Company from the windows of the Britannia Hotel, Willis-street. The weather early yesterday was beautiful, but in the afternoon a heavy northerly wind was blowing, and people who were in the streets experienced the discomfort of a dust storm, while the gale was also responsible for a shocking accident in Evans Bay, the particulars of which are recorded elsewhere. On the Government railway line the passenger traffic yesterday was very heavy. The early train to the Wairarapa carried 650 passengers, and consisted of 14 cars. Some 1700 persons travelled between Te Aro and the Upper Hutt, Belmont securing most patronage of the by-stations. On the Maniwatu line the through train in the morning carried a good number, and about 1900 travelled later to the suburban stations. Over 1000 excursionists made the voyage to Picton in the Huddart, Parker Co.'s fine steamer Tasmania, which proved to be one of the most delightful trips yet made to that little port, the attention of Captain M'Gee and his officers, and the beautiful weather prevailing while in the Sounds, being the main factors in that success. The trip was enlivened by the musio of St. Mary's Brass Band. As the vessel steamed up the harbour on her return at 9 o'clock last night Captain M'Gee made a very fine display of blue lights and rockets. It is seldom that an opportunity presents itself to pay a visit to Pelorus Sound, and it is, theretore, not surprising that in spite of the numerous strong counter-attractions 620 excursionists availed themselves of the chance of seeing the beauties of that locality from the' deck- of the Union Steam Ship Co.'s steamer Rotomahana. The steamer left the Queen's Wharf at 8 a.m., and anchored abreast of Kenepuri, some 28 miles up the Sounds, at 3 p.m. A start was made for home at 4 p.m., and the vessel came alongside the wharf at 9.40 o'clock. The weather was splendid, with the exception of the stiff northerly gale encountered on the homeward passage after passing Terawhiti. Captain Gibb and his officers were most attentive to passengers. The German Band, which is at present on service in Wellington, was on board, and played suitable selections. Picton was en fite yesterday, the chief attraction being the regatta, in which some Wellington Rowing Clubs crews were engaged. The programme consisted of sailing, rowing, and swimming events. The two contests which are of local interest were the Senior Fours and Junior Pairs, which resulted as follows: — Junior Fours— Picton Rowing Club (C. Fredericks stroke, C. Western, A. Smith, and A. Western), 1 ; Wellington Rowing Club (Hill stroke, Caluan, M'Anally, Shilling), 2. Won by two and a-half lengths in very rough water. Senior Pairs —Wellington Rowing Club (represented by Calnan and M'Anally), 1 ; Picton Rowing Club (represented by C. and W. Western), 2. Won by four lengths. James was coxswain of both the Wellington crews. The junior crew of the Picton Club intends coming to Wellington for the Exhibition Regatta and competing in the Junior Fours and Ladies' Plate. M'Cormick, the wellr known sculler, will also represent Picton in the Senior Sculls. The Catholic Picnic at Belmont proved an excellent outing for holiday-makers — one of the best yet held by the Catholio community. There must at one time have been upwards of 1500 people on the ground. The object of the outing — the enjoyment of the school children of Thorndon — was carefully looked after by a. Committee, of which Mr. J. Costall was director, races and otlwr sports being ' carried out all day. In addition a large number enjoyed private picnics, the surrounding bush affording convenient shade and most tuitable accommodation. The Premier was present with Mrs. and the Misses Seddbn during the afternoon. The Rev. Fathers Dawson and Costello were also present, and helped to make the affair the success it was. The tug-of-war, Thorndon v. Te Aro, was, after tWo most exciting pulls, won by the former. 'l4Te harbour excursions to Day's Bay by "neu<steamers Duco, Mana, and Queen of V1"V 1" South rere liberally patronised,' and v 2500 pt. -ons were taken across. ' hevannuu! wjhie of the Petone Wesleyan tay-scnool iouolars took place yesterday. s ' r. Judd » farm, at Haywards.