CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 December 1934, Page 2

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

BRITAIN’S BUSINESS BOOM ( DEMAND FOR BANK NOTES [BY CABLE —PBESB ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] LONDON, December 24. Britain’s best Christmas card was the weekly return of the note issue of the Bank of England, showing that the notes circulated amounted to £401,990,743, which is a record since the Bank of England and the Treasury issues were amalgamated. The Bank sent out thirty million sterling extra currency for the Christmas trade, exceeding the 1933 demand by six millions. ' There is every promise of an uneventful two days for the Christmas holidays, thus justifying the decision taken by the newspapers not to publish either on Christmas Day or on Boxing Day. Therefore, such news as is available, at this end of the world, will bo published in Australia and New Zealand before it sees print in England. The prospects are for mild, and occasionally rainy weather, for Christmas, but nothing now can prevent the festive season of 1934 , from being the most prosperous for the past five years. The last bout of shopping was to-day, and then there was a rush for the railways, airways and motor coaches. As a big proportion ot the holidays are likely to be spent away from home, partly owing to generous terms offered travellers in the shape of cheap excursions, hundreds of extra. porters have been engaged at tie main line termini,

IN THE ANTARCTIC. LITTLE AMERICA, December 24. On Christmas Eve, this remote community is preparing to celebrate the holiday in its own odd fashion. The main cause of joy among the members of the expedition is that their siege will soon be lifted . Two days aftei Christmas, the Bear of Oakland is schedu’ed to leave Dunedin with longawaited mail packets, containing the word from home, which the members are so anxious to hear. To-morrow will see some disappointments. Six turkeys had carefully been saved for the occasion, but one of the marauding dogs took them from their tunnel storehouse during _ the winter. Even beef is scarce, and it is probable that some of the unending supply of seal meat will find its way to the Christmas table. The prospective menu cons’&ts of vegetable soup a la. Bay of Whales; fried steak carbone (meaning whatever the expedition’s cook, Mr. Carbone, is able to find); creamed corn, potatoes, cranberry sauce, apple pie, and ice cream. After a day’s probing in the snow and ice-filled storehouse, a long lost, case of sherry was found to the happiness of everyone, for now the expedition, can. belatedly, celebrate the repeal of prohibition in America. Seventeen members of the expedition will bo absent, including the two stranded field parties, and the relief crew that is carrying parts for the disabide tractor.

GAIETY IN U.S.A. NEW YORK, December 24. America to-night is in the midst of (he gayest, and as far as possible, the most prosperous holiday since before the depression years. From every section of the nation’s merchants it is reported that sales have increased from ten to twenty per cent, over those of last year, which had recorded a considerable increase over the dark years of 1930-31-32. In New York, the large department stores have been swamped with customers until a late hour to-night, who were franticaly searching for toys, and all but depleted the stocks. All over the city, public Christmas trees lighted the way. The poor children received gifts, and their parents received supplies of food and clothing. In Washington President Roosevelt addressed the nation over the radio, while Mrs. Roosevelt pressed a button, lighting the municipal Christmas tree. Tho President stressed the need for unified devotion “to human welfare throughout the country,” and for another year of hope. He said: “In the past year, we have seen fulfilled many things that a year ago were only hopes.”

The only note of discord in the national scene was a report by the Welfare Department of the Methodist Church, criticising President. Roosevelt for forgetting “the forgotten man.” The report charged the Administration with inducing a lower standard of living through creating an artificial scarcity under which the poor were getting poorer, while profits wore accruing io bankers and big business interests.

AUSTRALIA BUSY. SYDNEY, December 25. Almost a record volume of Christmas trade is reported by the business people of the eastern States of Australia, reflecting a general improvement in economic conditions in Australia. Tho heads of some large department stores declare, that, despite the acuteness of the competition from the chain stores, their Christmas trade was the best for five years. The greatest drawback which merchants have experienced in catering for the holiday trade has been in the recent spell of unseasonable, capricious weather, rendering it difficult to make suitable displays. A large section of women had little use for summer frocks or bathing suits, but this did not deter them from spending freely in other directions.

Reports from Western Australia state that business has received a wonderful fillip owing to renewed activity in the gold mines. A unique Christmas gathering in Sydney was the “First Offenders’ Dinner.” A city clergyman, who. has been making a practice of assisting friendless first offenders, whom the Magistrates are loath to send to prison, presided at a Christmas reunion of men he had helped. Fosta! officials estimate the number of letters and telegraphic communications handled at Sydney on Christmas Eve will show an increase of at least 25 per' cent compared with last year. Reports indicate that all States in the Commonwealth handled record Christmas greeting telegraph traffic. ■ —■ 1 SHOWERS AT SYDNEY SYDNEY. December 26. Overcast skies, threatened storms and intermittent showers prevented Sydney from making Christmas Day 1934 an out-of-doors holiday. The beaches were almost deserted, the majority of people spending the day at home.

S. AFRICA MERRY. C/YPETOWN. December 24. South Africa is preparing to celebrate what it is anticipated will be the merriest Christmas for many years. A restoration of racial harmony, combined with general prosperity, originating on the goldfields, has stimulated buoyancy, in which even farmers who suffered much during the recent depression, are now sharing. There are record Christmas mails by sea and air inwards and outwards, and these heighten the general goodwill; and one of the best Christmas gifts is the mysterious disappearance of immense swarms of locusts, which had been threatening large areas of the country. Record crowds of holidaymakers from England are pouring into the Cape Peninsula, where brilliant sunshine prevails. South Africa is looking forward to participating in the great Empire broadcast and exchange of Christmas greetings. GERMAN GIFTS. BERLIN, December 23. The problem of Christmas gifts in Nazi Germany is even more delicate than elsewhere. The giver of an apparently harmless present may find himself branded a Marxist or a reactionary by the recipient. For instance,. works of Karl May, Germany’s Fenimore Cooper, who died in 1912, which have long been popular children’s gifts, are now regarded as politically undesirable. His stories of adventures among Red Indians are alleged to show him to be a Marxist, a pacifist and an upholder of racial intermarriage. Tho parents of the youthful admirers of Herr Hilter, therefore, prefer to be on the safe side, and present their offspring with copies of "My Struggle.”

SCENES AT GREYMOUTH. Christmas Eve found Greymoutn thronged with shoppers, and the streets presented a scene of happiness, and bustle among the big crowd that paraded until the closing of the shops, at 10 p.m. All was orderly, and although the problem of parking cars was not easy, it was overcome. The by-law, causing pedestrians to keep to the left, was not observed, and it -was with difficulty that progress was made along the footpaths of Mawhera Quay, Tainui, and Mackay Streets. The day and night was uncomfortably warm, bringing the only complaint heard from the people. Business houses did good trade, and the most thankful people at 10 o’clock were the shop assistants, who had had a busy and broiling day. The kiddies were happy with their “squeakers.” The police had no call on their services. Yesterday, Greymouth again sweltered under the rays of a bright sun, and it was too warm for outdoor sport to be completely enjoyed. The bathing pools, and the surf catered for the largest crowds this season. The tennis courts were deserted, except for a few enthusiasts, until the evening. Bowlers enjoyed the day, the greens being filled, but cricketers were not as energetic as usual. Home, and the shade it provided, was the best place for many families, especially after the Christmas dinner. The Greymouth bands, and the Salvation Army band, were early on the scene with their carolling. They were not welcomed by those who had made a late night of Christmas Eve, but in most instances the collectors received a monetary consideration.

CHURCH SERVICES. AT ST. PATRICK’S. The celebration of the feast of Christmas at St. Patrick’s Church, Greymouth, was marked by a crowded congregation at Midnight Mass, and a large congregation at devotions last evening. For the Solemn High Mass at midnight on Christmas Eve, Very Rev. Father J. Long, Adm., was celebrant, and there were also in the Sanctuary, Rev. Fathers Gregory (Deacon), McKeon (Sub-Deacon), and Holohan (Master of Ceremonies). The Choir gave devotional renditions of Mozart’s 12th and Hammerel’s Masses, and credit is due to the conductor, Mr J. Wood, for the splendid presentation of the music. Miss Moira McSherry presided at the organ, and was assisted by Messrs Leo. Carruthers (cello), and D. Fogarty (violin), and Miss Tessie McSherry (violin). Soloists during the Mass were: —Misses N. Barrett, E. Lord, A. Saunders (sopranos), Mrs Butler and Miss V. Daly (contraltos), Messrs J. Duffy, J. Carruthers and T. Hatch (tenors), and Messrs John Gilbert and N. Bayley (basses). Prior to the celebration of the Mass, the Adeste Fideles (Novello) was sung, the soloist being Miss N. Barrett (soprano), duet, J Duffy (tenor), and John Gilbert (bass), and trio, Miss V. Daly (contralto) and Messrs Gilbert and Du,ffy. During the offertory, Mr John Gilbert rendered “Silent Night” (Gruber). Very Rev. Father Long, who preached an appropriate sermon on the feast of Christmas, extended to all parishioners the best wishes of the clergy of tho parish for a holy and a happy Christmas, and thanked the good Sisters and Brothers, the Chior, and all the various societies connected with the work of the church, for their zealous work throughout the year. The clergy were extremely grateful to them for their great assistance, and trusted that they would receive a reward of grace and happiness during the Feast of Christmas.

The “Hallelujah Chorus” from the “Messiah” (Handel) was rendered by the Choir, at the conclusion of the Mass.

At St. Patrick’s, last evening,, Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by Rev. Dr. Kennedy, of Beckenham, and he also preached the sermon. At Benediction he was assisted by Rev. Father Gallagher (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel) as Deacon, Rev. Father Holohan as Sub-Deacon, and Very Rev. Father Long, Master of Ceremonies.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH. At Holy Trinity Church last evening, in honour of the Feast of Christmas, the Choir, with Mr T. F. savage, L.A.8., at the organ, gave a recital of Christmas music, comprising solos, carols, and choruses. Included among the carols were “On the Birthday of the Lord,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” “The Holly .and the Joy,” and “See Amid the Winter Snow,” the soloists being Mrs A. Hopkinson, and Messrs C. Robinson and Richardson. “The Heavens Are Telling” and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from “The Messiah.” Mrs W. Cogswell (contralto) sang “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Bethlehem,” and “Rejoice Greatly,” and Mrs J. Wright (soprano) sang “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth,” and “Rejoice Greatly.”