THE NEW YEAR

Grey River Argus, 2 January 1935, Page 5

THE NEW YEAR

AT WESTPORT (Per Frosi; Association.) WESTPORT, January 1. Good business has been reported over the holidays at Westport. Ou New Year’s Eve, there was a large attendance in the main street, and the usual festivities were in evidence. A Scottish Hogmanay ball was the main attraction, with the Blackball Pipe Band in attendance.. The wet weather this morning caused a postponemnt until the afternoon of the opening of the Buller bowling tournament, 'which is being carried on until 8 p.m. An athletic meeting between Buller and Sydenham was postponed until to-morrow. IN GREYMOUTH. The passing of the old year and the coming of (he now was comparatively quiet at Grey mouth. On Alonday afternoon, there were very few people in the business area, and, although the usual crowds walked the streets early in the evening, shopkeepers reported that little extra business was done. The great majority had returned home before the twelve o’clock .chimes, and the Tainui Street firebell signified the advent of the new year, but over two hundred, mostly young people, joined hands around the traffic dome nt t,ho intersection of Tainui and Mackay Streets, and sang “Auld Lang Syne.’’ First-footing was indulged in bv a good number, while the dances worn the rendezvous for a large majority of those who chose to welcome the new year. DANCE AT SCHAEF’S. From early in the evening, Schaef's Hall presented a gay scene, the multicoloured frocking of the ladies, the gay decorations,, bright original illuminations combined with the. “we want everybody happy’’ attitude of a huge crowd of dancers that taxed the capacity of the hall to the limit, made an appropriate setting Lor the passing of the Old Year and the ushering in of the New. As the town clock chimed out the hour of midnight. all present joined hands and lustily sang “Auld Lang Syne,” amidst a shower of hearty New Year wishes from neighbour to neighbour. A pleasing feature of the function was the efficient manner in which all present were catered for at the supper tables by Harkers’, Ud., and staff. The Gaiety Orchestra gave of its best in old and new dance numbers, and Air H. Al. Petrie, very creditably carried out the arduous duties of AI.C. AT HOKITIKA. There was a large crowd in the streets at Hokitika for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Jubilee being responsible for a revival of the old time fireworks display and procession. Numerous motor vehicles with tableaux took part, and Cass Square was the scene of the main pyrotechnical display, including numerous brilliant set pieces and a host of rockets and other features. Though rain fell during the evening, nae darkness of the night favoured the effect - of the fireworks. The procession preceded before midnight to the Fire Station, where a final set piece marked the end of 1934 and the start of 1935, the firebell being simultaneously sounded. A large crowTT followed the proceedings throughout with evident satisfaction, applauding several of the displays.