THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 152, 24 December 1903, Page 6

THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

WHERE AND HOW TO SPEND THEM. What to do, and whore to go! Tho problem does not trouble ©vorybody, evident from tho exodus by sea and land during the last day or twe^ — s.a. Mamroa, for Lyttelton, 250 excursionists ; Mapourika, for Nelson and West Cooet, 150 excursionists; and tho railway station** A sceno of exhilarating bustle, tiucii as ia only noticeable when tho populaco is abroad for pleasure. But heavy as has been the outward toll, Port Nicholson has evidently some charm for tho oversea and country visitor, iuiTl wo havo gained as many ua wo havo lost. Thi» is Christmas Eve,' that wonderful epoch in child life when Father Christmas iw supposed to surreptitiously invado tho auncttty of the British nursery, nnd deposit flurpmcH in the- way of rnreots and toys in tlie stockings of good little boys and girla. But tho glory of anticipation atoo conwa within tho reckoning .of tho modern youngster, and this is acliieved by a trip through the otreets by night. Tho •hops are in gala dress for tho occasion, and tho heart 61 impressionable youth •hould bo made glad by expectation as well am by iwil»ation. Tomorrow there is tho prospect of roost gooso'nnd kindred delicacies, and abovo all— ChristmAs pudding! 'though in great part & religious festival, in which tho churches will participate, there aro festivities of a quiet character planned for tho entertainment of citizens on Chri»tma» D.ay. Tho ferry boat* will run trips to the oeasido resorte during tho day, a few quiet games of cricket will be in progress on the Basin Reserve , and in tho evening tliero will bo sacred concerto at tho Skating Rink and the Opera House, and a picture entertainment with song *t Ilis Majesty's Theatre (as the old Choral Hall has been renamed). Each and all will doubtless find patrons, who are referred to our Adverturing columns for further particulars. Inconvenient though a Saturday may be for tradespeople, TBoxing Djiy will bo observed this year with full holiday -honours', and the city will abanaon itself to holiday making. There i» amqsement for everyono on pleasure bent. la the field •f athletics three opportunities wre offered. A Caledonian gathering (unknown her* asnee tho days of the noir defunct Wellington Caledonian Society), is to tako place on tho Recreation Ground at Petone under tho direction of the Hutt Valley Caledonian. Society, and a varied programme of sports will be carried out. On th« w«at«m coast thenv will be another gathering of athletes at Porinia, where the local club hiis contrived a programmo of considerable intorast. Still further up the line—at Fcilding— there will bo a big gathering of some of the foremost athletes of the colony, attracted thero by generous prizo money, and tho chance of keen contests. Those who prefer the turf Id another form may visit tho raco meeting of the Manawatu Racing Club on its new course at Awapuni, or travel to Martinborough, where tho Lower Valley Jockey Club is to hold its annual meeting. Nearer town will bo found the Catholic picnic in Bellevue Gardens, a popular resort in holiday time. If sea trips are preferred pcoplo may take the ferry boats to Day's Bay, Scutoun, Karaka Bay, or Miramar, or they may board tho Zealandia or tho Rotomahana and make a dash across tho Strait to Picton, enjoying tho d«light« of tho steam through Queen Charlotte Sound. Chcmmen will find thoir way to their annual congTeas, bowlers to tlieir cltrb greens, and there are many other ways in which the day may bo, spent ia the jntcresto of health and of Wcreation. Seldom in the history of fho city in •uch a fenet of theatrical entertainment afforded aa presents itself on Boxing Night, when the three theatre* will throw open their doors to tho multitude, offering pantomime and melodrama, as taste* desire. At tho Theatre Royal Mr. Dix and his company will illustrate "Tho House Tluit Jack Built," with actual architectural effects. At Hi» Majesty's Theatre (old Choral Hall) the story of "Rob* inson Crusoe" will be told anew with much illustrative dp tail ; while at the Optra House Mr. William Anderson's Dramatic Company will appear in melodrama, "Her Second Time on Earth." This, however, is not all, Thero are thorn who prefer outdoor entertainment, and they will probably finish up tho day at the Athletic Park, where 1M bombardment of the Taku Forts will bo vigorously conducted in miniature by the Alexandra Palace Fireworks Company. Tho «uno evening the Newtown Brass Band is to hold a social gathering in the Druid'a Hall.

Horr Carl Naujoks has an advertisement Jn this issue concerning piano tuning and instruction in music. Tho Dresden Piano Compahy insert a, Christmas Card in another column wishing »H tho Compliments of tho Season. Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson and Co. insert in our auction columns particulars of tho salo of Mr. W. B. JHucbon'u rcsidonco »nd ground* at Koroii, containing in all 5_ acres. Tho propertyiW dottwibod by tho Ructionners an a very beautiful one Tho house contains seven room** and is modern in overy ronpect, having 1 boen built only cix yoars. Tho grounds nro tastefully _ laid out, and tho auctioneers invito inspection. Tho Karori 'bus «orvico for Boxing D*y un'lOUilCnd <_r«wrt) ar"