THE NEW YEAR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 3 January 1928, Page 5

THE NEW YEAR

CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON.

UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER. 1300 YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY. HY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYBIGIII LONDON, Jan. 1.

The New Year was heralded with unusual quietude in the heart of the Empire. Owing to the wretched weather, snow, sleet and rain prevailing throughout London, probably' the smallest crowd on record gathered outside St. Paul’s to hear the great bell strike midnight. The underground railways, omnibuses, and tramways had prepared to cope with a rush, but a snowfall early' in tho evening kept many iby then home firesides content to listen to universal New Year greetings by wireless. The temperature rose slightly, which turned the snow into slush, then frost returned The official forecast is for slightly milder weather, .but a continuance o night frosts. . One of -the most notable celebrations was a midnight service at York Minster, which took the form of a thanksgiving for 1300 years of Christianity on that hallowed spot. The Archbishop unveiled a stone inscribed 1627-1 Deo Gratia.” , . , Groups of English-speaking foreigners staged fake religious meetings in tho neighbourhood of St. Paul s to make a mockery of the watchmght ser vices held throughout the country. These scenes of liolliganism were resented, and in one instance the police intervened and took the ringleadei o the police station.

WILD ORGY IN NEW YORK.

PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT

NEW YORK, Dec. 31. Despite extraordinary' efforts made to minimise New Year Eve celebrations, the city indulged in the wildest orgy for many years. The Mayor issued an edict ordering all places of amusement to be shut at five o’clock m the morning and prohibition forces padlocked cabarets and night clubs. In one case, under an old moonshine law, they removed all the furnishings and smashed up the premises of one of the most expensive places here. Nevertheless the greatest crowds in the city s history are reported, and reservations at the theatres, restaurants and other amusement places were at a premium. THE HOLIDAY AT WELLINGTON. EV CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT . WELLINGTON, Jan. 3. New Year’s Eve passed off quietly in Wellington, and beyond the usual blowing of whistles by steamers, sounding of motor horns and cheers 'by the crowd assembled in the Post Office square, there was little demonstration when 1928 was ushered in. The first of January was one of the most perfect days for many years, but. yesterday turned out to be windy and unpleasant, though in no way interfeiing with the designs of large holiday crowds. USHERED IN AT HAWERA. The New Year was enthusiastically ushered in at Hawera, in the business area of which large crowds thronged the streets until such time as tho timehonoured greeting, which was freely given, should bear its proper significance. The Scottish fraternity was well represented among those parading the streets, and the martial music of the pipes* .played by the Hawera Highland Pipe Band stirred the hearts of many of the folk to whom the New Year festival probably means more than any other of the year. As was noticed in the case of Christ- ; mas Eve, the crowd did not' reach its full complement until later than usual,' 'but before nine o’clock the footpaths in High Street ceased to provide comfortable walking accommodation, and the happy populace overflowed on to tho street to such an extent that passage was almost blocked to motor vehicles. In the shops brisk business was done until the extended closing time, and even after this the number of people about did not seem to be diminishing to any extent. A gay scene was presented in the streets and all seemed to be happy. The exuberance of youth was displayed in the use of noisy toys, while minor explosions caused by “ thrown-downs” dropped at the feet of passers-by caught many—especially the girls—unawares. The crowd began to disperse some time before midnight, although many remained to fittingly herald the New Year. The Hawera Municipal Band played the old year out and the new year in with a programme of suitable selections between eleven o’clock and midnight an New Year’s Eve. As the hour of 12 o’clock struck they played “Should Auhl Acquaintance Be Forgot” and the large number of people out on the streets .joined in heartily and gave a fitting farewell to the year 1927. They also played some Scotch airs “A Goof New Year” and “The Old Hundredth.” By an unfortunate misunderstanding, jiist as the Hawera band were about to play “‘Auld Lang Syne,” a visiting Pipe Band s'truck up on the pipes and this created a little confusion. Afterwards the band was entertained at. supper by Mr C. Cummings.